School Boards

Bellmore meetings. The Bellmore Board of Education meets every third Tuesday of the month in the library of the Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center at 8 p.m. North Bellmore Board of Education meets at 8 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. Meetings are held at the North Bellmore district administration office.

Merrick meetings. Every second and fourth Tuesday, the Merrick Board of Education meets at 8 p.m. at the Norman J. Levy Lakeside School. The North Merrick School District meets every second Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m. at the Harold D. Fayette School.

High schools. The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School Board of Education meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m.at Brookside High School. Call 623-8900 for more information.

Religious news

Sacred Heart Church, on Merrick Avenue in North Merrick, celebrates Masses Monday-Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.; Saturday's at 8:30 a.m. Sunday Masses are offered on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m. 12:30 a.m., and 5 p.m.

Rosary Altar Society meetings are held at Sacred Heart on the first Monday after the first Sunday of the month at 8 p.m. in the school meeting room. All are welcome to attend.

Holy Name Society meetings are held the second Monday, after the second Sunday of the month. All are welcome to attend.

St. Barnabas. The Parish of Saint Barnabas the Apostle, 2320 Bedford Ave., Bellmore, celebrates Masses Monday-Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.,Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and Sunday at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon, and 5 p.m. Vigil Masses are Saturday at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A Family Mass is celebrated at 10 a.m. in the Holy Family Chapel.Call 785-0054.

Christian Joy. Christian Joy Fellowship, located at 36 Broadway in Bellmore, offers services on Sunday at 10 A.M. for adults and children and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for adults. Office hours are available Monday through Friday from 10:15 a.m.-6:15 p.m. The Word Shoppe at Christian Joy Fellowship is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 781-4JOY.

senior Spotlight

Friendly Seniors. St. Barnabas Apostle Church in Bellmore holds its Friendly Seniors meetings the first and third Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the school cafeteria. For information, call 785-0054.

Bellmore Center. The Bellmore Senior Center offers a variety of special services and activities including Bingo, crafts, billiards, group discussions, line dancing and card games Lunch is also available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for only $1.50. Weekday events include current events on Tuesdays and a humanities discussion on Thursday. Call 221-9696 for more information

AARP. The Bellmore-Merrick Chapter of AARP meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Mepham High School cafeteria, located on Camp Avenue one block west of Newbridge Road, Bellmore. The next meeting is scheduled for June 14. The public is invited to attend and new members are welcome. Call 785-3337 for information.

Library Seniors meet every Monday from 1-4 p.m. in the community room of the Bellmore Memorial Public Library. The club offers arts and crafts sessions, programs on health and safety as well as general coffee and fellowship, films and parties. All activities are open to any adult in the community over the age of 50. For information, contact Patti Paris at 785-2990.

Merrick seniors. The Merrick Senior Center meets at CLubhouse Road every Monday through Friday. The Center offers lunch daily. Upcoming events include bowling, dance class, ping pong, cards and games, nutrition set-up and current events. For information, call the 431-6930.

Support Groups

Substance help. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held every Thursday evening and Alanon meetings are held every Sunday evening in the school cafeteria of St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore. All meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

Helping mothers. The Sunrise Mother's Center, a non-profit, nonsectarian, member-run organization of mothers helping mother. The center is a place for mothers to meet, share experiences and develop new or existing skills. Discussion groups, committee work and special events, as well as a Time for Two program for children ages 12 months to three years old and their caregivers are also available. Quality, affordable childcare is also available for mothers attending discussion groups. For more information, call Jodi at 781-4740.

Interfaith support. FEGS Long Island Division is offering a free five-week group for family members of interfaith couples. FEGS is at 6900 Jericho Tpke., Syosset. For information or to register, call 496-7550.

Self-Help. Recovery, Inc., a self-help mental-health community organization helping people deal with fear, depression and anxiety, meets every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in Room 11 of the St. Francis DeChantel School at 1309 Wantagh Avenue. in Wantagh. For information, call Recovery, Inc.'s 24-hour hotline at 733-5622.

Community support

Cars for kids. Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Long Island is looking for unwanted cars. They will accept almost any car, and the title must be handed over at the time of pickup. For more information, call 1-800-859-6526.

Catholic Charities. Does your food budget stretch as far as you would like? Are you having problems making ends meet? If you are pregnant , up to one year post partum or have children under six, Catholic Charities Food and Nutrition (FAN) Program may be able to help. Free nutritious supplemental food is available monthly for those who meet financial eligibility requirements. Infants on the program receive a free monthly supply of formula each month. For more information, call 623-4568.

Volunteers needed. The Long Island Crisis Center in Bellmore, which serves all Nassau County youth and their families, is looking for people to help with the center's 7-day/24-hour confidential hotline, help in the office and help counselors. For more information, call 826-0244or visit the Long Island Crisis Center's Web site at www.licrisiscenter.org.

AHRC volunteers. The Nassau Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) is seeking volunteers to help adults with developmental disabilities fill grocery lists, teach knitting and crocheting, and to help an adult with developmental disabilities improve their reading skills. The program is held in Plainview, Farmingdale, Massapequa and Glen Cove, Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call Susan Brody-Wood at 626-1000, ext. 1313 for more information.

Community Groups

Merrick Kiwanis. The Kiwanis Club of Merrick, serving the community for more than 50 years, is looking for motivated people to serve Merrick and its citizens. The public is invited to attend the club's weekly Thursday evening dinner meeting at 6:45 p.m. at the Merrick Mall Restaurant. For more information, contact membership Chairman Robert Rivere at 623-7092.

Legion 1282. Merrick Post 1282 of the American Legion meets every third Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Riordan, commander, at 546-8765.

Sons of Italy. Giovanni Caboto Lodge 2372, "The Family Lodge" in Bellmore, meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Bellmore Exempt Hall on Petit Avenue in Bellmore. New members are always welcome. Call Tommasa Dato, president, at 735-9875 for more information.

Legion 1749. The Executive Committee of the North Bellmore American Legion, Post 1749, Inc. meets on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Herb Friedman at 781-2043.

Bellmore libraries

Safe driving.The Bellmore Memorial Library will offer the following defensive driving classes:Thursday, August 9 and Thursday, August 16 from 7-10 p.m. The cost is $35; An AARP Safe Driving Class will be held on Thursday, July 12 and July 19 from 7-10 p.m. The cost is $10. Call Bellmore Library at 785-2990. .

Summer books. Bring a sandwich and a book to the Bellmore Library's book discussion on Thursday, July 5 at 12:30 p.m. Join Isabel Katzin for a discussion on the Susan Vreeland novel "Girl in Hyacinth Blue." A discussion on "Wait Till Next Year: A Memoir" by Doris Kearns Goodwin will be held on Monday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. Call 785-2990 for information.

Summer reading. The North Bellmore Library will once again sponsor a summer reading club for children ages three to 12. This year's state-wide theme is "2001: A Reading Odyssey." Children who participate in the program must read or have read to them ten books. The program begins Monday, June 25 and runs until Friday, August 17. A pizza party will take place at the end of the summer. For more information visit the Children's Services Department at the library or call 785-6260.

Fish craft. The North Bellmore Library will present "Fish on a Pole" craft for young adults on Tuesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Registration is under way. The cost is $1. Call 785-6260.

Great centerpieces.Graphic artist Maria Paiva will present a workshop on how to create a centerpiece at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18. Registration is $3 and includes the cost of materials. Space is limited. Call 785-6260 for information.

Protecting investments.Gerry Bandini, a first vice president at Salomon Smith Barney, will discuss "Investing in a Volatile Market: What You Should Know" at the North Bellmore Library on Thursday, June 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. Find out what you can do in these turbulent times to protect your investments. Call 785-6260 for information.

AARP 55-Alive. Registration for the North Bellmore Library's next two AARP driving classes begins at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26. Course 1 will take place on Tuesday, July 17 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Course 2 will be held Tuesday, August 14 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The course is open to North Bellmore Library district patrons ages 50 and older and proof of residency (a library card or a driver's license with a North Bellmore address) must be presented at registration along with a check for $10, payable to AARP. Name, address and telephone must be included on your check. Call 785-6260 for information.

Defensive driving. Reduce up to four points on your driver's license and receive a 10 percent discount on liability and collision insurance by attending one of the North Bellmore Library's defensive driving courses. Registration is currently under way for the library's next two courses: Course 1 will take place on Monday, July 23 and Thursday, July 26 from 6-9 p.m.; Course 2 will be held Tuesday, August 28 and Thursday, Adjust 30 from 6-9 p.m. Attendance at both nights is required. The cost is $35, payable by check to "3D Insurance Services." Please bring a photocopy of your driver's license to the first class. Call 785-6260 for information.

Bus trip.The North Bellmore library will sponsor a trip to Bellport and Patchogue for lunch and an actors equity production of "Jekyll and Hyde" by the Gateway Acting Company at the Patchogue Theatre on Thursday, July 26. The bus will leave from the library parking lot at 10 a.m. and return at about 5:30 p.m. The cost is $60.25, payable by check top the North Bellmore Public Library, and includes an orchestra seat, four-course luncheon, transportation and all gratuities. There is a limit of two tickets per cardholder. Registration begins Thursday, June 21 at 9:15 a.m. Call 785-6260 for information.

Merrick Libraries

Library Hours. The Merrick Library's is open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.,Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Visit Bellport. The Merrick Library will sponsor a bus trip to Bellport on Wednesday, August 8. The trip will include shopping at the Bellport Outlet Complex, a full-curse lunch at the Bellport Country Club and tickets to the musical "Funny Girl" at the Gateway Theatre. The bus will leave from the Merrick Library Wing at 8:45 a.m. and return at approximately 6:30 p.m. The cost is $63, which includes lunch, transportation, the show and all gratuities, payable by check to the Merrick Library. . Registration will take place at the Reference Desk. There are no refunds unless the trip is cancelled. Call 379-3476 for more information.

Jewelry design. Carole Cohen will teach the basics of polyner jewelry making on Thursday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Merrick Library. Bring a bag lunch and a drinking glass which will be used as a rolling pin and a small box to carry you creation home. There is an $8 materials fee. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 379-3476.

June bus trip. Registration is under way for the North Merrick Public Library's Thursday, June 28 bus trip to Connecticut. Take sail on Thimble Island Cruise, enjoy lunch at the U.S.S. Chowder Pot and visit Stew Leonards market in Norwalk. The cost of the trip is $57, payable by check only to Halpin-McCarney, and is due at registration. The bus will leave the library at 7:30 a.m. and return at about 6:30 p.m. Call 378-7474 for information.

Defensive driving. The North Merrick Library will offer a defensive driving course for all ages on Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, July 12 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Attendance at both classes is required and the fee is $35, payable by check ONLY to 3D Insurance Services. Registration begins on Friday, June 22 and space is limited. Call 378-7474.

Defensive driving. The North Merrick Library will offer a defensive driving course for all ages on Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, July 12 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Attendance at both classes is required and the fee is $35, payable by check ONLY to 3D Insurance Services. Registration begins on Friday, June 22 and space is limited. Call 378-7474.

special events

Class of 1982. Franklin K. Lane High School is seeking graduates from its class of 1982 for a 20th reunion. For more information contact Margaret Delahanty-Bey at (516) 771-4535 or at Margbey@aol.com.

Flea market.The Bellmore Lions Club will sponsor an Antiques, Collectibles and Hand-Crafts Flea Market on Sunday, July 1 and Sunday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bellmore Long Island Railroad Station at Bedford Avenue and Sunrise Highway. Money raised from the flea market will go to local charities. To be a vendor, or for more information, call 785-0222 or 826-9839.

Blood shortage. Long Island Blood Services has issued a blood emergency for the New York area. They have dangerously low supplies of Type O and B blood. In an effort to help reduce this shortfall, South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside is holding an emergency blood drive on Friday, June 22. The drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Albert Conference Room located on the ground floor of the Hospital. 98.3 WKJY's mascot, "Lucky the Duck," will be on hand offering donors the chance to win various prizes. Refreshments will also be served. Members of the community, organizations, religious institutions and local business are encouraged to participate. Donors must be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and have photo identification. For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call the Department of Human Resources at 632-3930.