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 will meet 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, holds Masses Monday-Friday at 6:30 A.M. and 8:30 A.M; Saturday's at 8:30 A.M.Sunday services 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.

Eucharistic Celebrations. The Parish of Saint Barnabas the Apostle, 2320 Bedford Avenue, Bellmore, offers Masses Monday-Friday at 6:30 A.M. and 9:00 A.M.,Saturday at 8:00 A.M. and Sunday at 7 A.M., 9A.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 10:00 A.M. in the Holy Family Chapel

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. to 6:15 P.M. The Word Shoppe at Christian Joy Fellowship is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 A.M. to 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 more 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. Call Eileen at 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 public is invited to attend and new members are welcome. Call 794-8924 for information.

Library Seniors meet every Monday from 1 P.M. to 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 more information contact Patti Paris at 785-2990.

Merrick seniors.The Merrick Senior Center will meet at Lido Beach 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 more information, call the Town of Hempstead Department of Senior Enrichment at 485-8100

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.

Mothers 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 located at, 6900 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset. For more information or to register, please 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 located at 1309 Wantagh Avenue in Wantagh. For more 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.

Vehicle donations. The American Red Cross in Nassau County is seeking the donation of cars, trucks, sports utilities vehicles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and boats. For more information please call 1-877-RED-CROSS.

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. to 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 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 please 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. Upcoming meetings are set for October 17 and November 21. A special post meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7. The Post is also planning to construct a veterans monument on Merrick Avenue and Little Whaleneck Road and a trip to Gettysburg and Baltimore on October 21 and 22. For more information, please contact Tom Riordan, commander, at 546-8765.

Sons of Italy. Giovanni Caboto Lodge No. 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 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 please call Herb Friedman at 781-2043.

Bellmore libraries

Defensive driving. Participate in the North Bellmore Public Library's defensive driving course and reduce up to four points on your driver's license or receiver a 10 percent discount on your liability and collision insurance. The course will be held on Monday, November 27 and Thursday, November 30 from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. Attendance at both nights is required. Please make checks payable to '3D Insurance Services." A photocopy of your driver's license is required the first night of class. Call 785-6260 for information.

55 Alive. The North Bellmore Public Library is currently holding registration for its next AARP driving classes. The course will be held on Thursday, October 19 from 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. North Bellmore Library patrons ages 50 and older are eligible to attend. To register, participants must bring their library card or a driver's license with a North Bellmore Library district address. The fee is $10, payable by check to 'AARP.' Name, address and telephone number must be written on check. Call 785-6260 for more information.

Saturday Storytime. The Bellmore Memorial Library will offer Saturday Storytime on October 21. Sessions will be as held at 10:15 A.M. for children ages two and three; 11:15 A.M. for children ages one to two; and 2:15 P.M. for children ages three and four. registration will begin at 6 P.M. on Monday, October 16). Additional Saturday Sotrytimes will also be held on Saturday, November 18, and Saturday, November 23. Registration is required for each session. Call 785-2990 for information.

Saturday Storytime. The Bellmore Memorial Library will offer Saturday Storytime on October 21. Sessions will be as held at 10:15 A.M. for children ages two and three; 11:15 A.M. for children ages one to two; and 2:15 P.M. for children ages three and four. Registration will begin at 6 P.M. on Monday, October 16. Additional Saturday Sotrytimes will also be held on Saturday, November 18, and Saturday, November 23. Registration is required for each session. Call 785-2990 for information.

Essay writing. The North Bellmore Public Library will hold a two-hour "how to" workshop for high school seniors preparing to write a college application essay. All participants will examine the essay writing process, discuss the common essay questions, and begin the essay process through self-reflection and critique sample essays. Sessions will be held on Tuesday, October 17 from 7 P.M. to 9 P.M. Registration is limited and there is a $3.50 materials fee. Call 785-6260.

Book Sale, 2000. The North Bellmore Public Library will hold its annual book sale on Saturday, October 21 from 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.; and Sunday, October 22 from 1 P.M. to 4:30 P.m. Call 785-6260 for information.

Halloween totes. The North Bellmore Public Library will sponsor a Halloween Tote Bag Craft on Wednesday, October 25. Children ages three to five, with a caregiver, may attend at 10 A.M.; and children in kindergarten through third grade may attend at 4 P.M. There is a $3.50 non-refundable materials fee payable at registration. Call 785-6260 for information.

Create A Mask at the North bellmore Library on Tuesday, October 24 from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. Young adults and adults are welcome to attend. There is a $1 registration fee and space is limited. Sign up at the Reference Desk.

Club Baby. The Children's Services Department of the North Bellmore Library will present "Club Baby", an interactive, educational musical adventure starring recording artist Denise Lifeson, on Sunday, October 29 at 2 P.M. Tickets will be available starting Thursday, October 19. To accommodate working parents, 70 tickets will be available at 9 A.M. and 50 tickets will be available after 7 P.M.There is a three ticket limit per North Bellmore cardholder. Out of district patrons are invited to put their names on a waiting list should space be available.Call 785-6260 for information.

Fall festivities. The Bellmore Memorial Library will offer the following programs for children throughout October and November: "Halloween Paper Bag Puppet Craft Program" at 3:15 P.M. on Saturday, October 21 (registration begins Monday, October 16) for children four and up; "Turkey Magnet Thanksgiving Craft Program" at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, November 4 (registration begins Monday, October 30) for children four and up; "Talespinners" at 2 P.M. on Saturday, November 4 (registration begins Monday, October 30) for children ages three to seven; "Little Red Riding Road," presented by Hofstra Spectrum Players, at 2 P.M. on Sunday, November 12 (registration begins Monday, November 6); and "Thanksgiving Craft Program" at 2 P.M. on Sunday, November 19 (registration begins Monday, November 13) for children four and up.

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 1 P.M. and Sunday, 1P.M. to 5 P.M.

Christmas Spectacular. Tickets are currently on sale at the North Merrick Public Library for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Orchestra seat tickets are available for the 11 A.M. show on Wednesday, December 13. The cost is $66 per ticket, payable by check only to Halpin McCarney Tours, and includes bus transportation to Radio City Music Hall. Buses will leave the Library at 8:30 A.M. and return at 6:30 P.M. Participants will have the opportunity to have lunch, stroll the streets of Manhattan and do some last minute shopping. For more information, contact the North Merrick Library at 378-7474.

Special events

Concert series. The Merrick-Bellmore Concert Association, which is counted among Long Island "premiere artistic community endeavors," recently announced its 2000-2001 season of performances at Calhoun High School in Merrick. The program include Elmer Iseler Singes at 3 P.M. on Sunday, October 22; Flautist Carol Wincenc and harpist Nancy Allen at 3 P.M. on Sunday, November 12; The Philadelphia Virtuosi Orchestra, with piano soloist Gabriela Imreh, will perform on Saturday, March 10 at 8:30 P.M.; and The Klezmer Conservatory Band on Saturday, April 21 at 8:30 P.M. To subscribe for this four-concert series (tickets to individual performances are not sold), one may send a letter with name, address and telephone number and a check made out to the Merrick-Bellmore Community Concert Association, P.O. Box 174, Merrick, NY 11566. The cost for this series is $40 for adults and $20 for students. For additional information, one may contact Barbara Turchin, membership vice president, at (516) 868-5366, Ruth Weissman at 867-0341, or Miriam Zwerin at 868-1393.

The Stage. The Stage Theater, located at 2222 Hewlett Avenue in Merrick. will present various productions for children throughout the fall and winter. Upcoming productions include "The Princess and the Magic Pea" through October 21; "Rumpelstiltskin" from October 28 through December 9; and "Winnie the Pooh" from December 16 through January 27. Call The Stage at 868-7400 for information.

Pajama time. The North Bellmore Library will present Pajama Storytime on Wednesday, November 8 at 7 P.M. for pre-kindergarten children who will be three years old by November 1, 2000. The program consists of stories, fingerplays, songs and a short film. Children are invited to come in their pajamas. Moms, dads and caregivers will be asked to wait in the library will their children are attending this program. Registration begins Wednesday, November 1 at 7 P.M. Please bring proof of your child's age to registration. Call 785-6260 for information.

Working women. The Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women's Task Force Committee will present three seminars in an effort to help women enter or re-enter the work force with confidence. The seminars will be held On Wednesday, November 1; Wednesday, November 8 and Wednesday, November 15 at 7 P.M. at the Fleet Bank, 300 Broadhollow Road in Melville. The cost is $10 per session or $25 for all three. To register or for more information, call the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women at (631) 673-0209.