Oceanside Jewish Center address invites the community to join in a public burning of Hametz in the parking lot of the synagogue. Community participants will bring along any remaining bread, cake, cookies and crackers they need to burn. Conducting the ceremony will be OJC Rabbi Mark Greenspan, who is also the chaplain of the Oceanside Fire Department and a certified firefighter. OFD fire trucks will be on standing by for the ceremony at 9:45 a.m. on April 12. For information call 536-6112.

Summer DOCA registration

While registration for the summer playground program of Oceanside Department of Community Activities was held in March, parents can still register their children at the DOCA office, 125 Merle Avenue, through June 9. Registration hours are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Night hours for registration are Monday and Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday registration hours are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For further information call DOCA at 594-2336.

Libraries

Oceanside Library

30 Davison Ave., Oceanside 766-2360

Long Island shipwrecks

In this multimedia presentation, docent Richard Tim from the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum will share his extensive research highlighting the nautical history of Long Island shipwrecks from the 18th century to today at 2 p.m. on April 6.

Find your inner writer

Professor Barbara Novack invites writers of all levels to stretch their creativity in this monthly writers' workshop at 7 p.m. on April 19.

One-stop passport shop

The Town of Hempstead's mobile Town Hall will be across the street from the library to offer a convenient way to apply for or renew a U.S. passport at 10 a.m. on April 26. For information call the Town Clerk's office at 812-3100.

The real CSI

Join Detective Joan Hannah of the Nassau County Police Department's Crime Scene Unit for a fascinating look into the exciting and rapidly changing world of forensics at 7:30 p.m. on April 26. Detective Hannah will discuss how today's CSIs crack the tough cases and share an amazing hands-on display of evidence.

Book talk

Randi Kreiss will lead a discussion on Eventide by Ken Haruf. In this sequel to Plainsong, Victoria Roubideaux and her baby move from the McPherson ranch to start a new life of college and single parenthood.

Art of flower arranging

Join Susan Strauss, master judge of the Federated Garden Club of New York State, as she demonstrates three different arrangements using fresh flowers for your home at 7 p.m. on May 9. This event is sponsored by the Oceanside Garden Club.

Author talk

Lana Noone's Global Mom: Notes from a Pioneer Adoptive Family. In this inspirational Mother's Day story, Lana Noone presents her touching experiences adopting two Vietnamese orphans via the Vietnam baby lift through stories, song and memorabilia at 2 p.m. on May 11.

Creative writing workshop

Discovering your writer within as professor Barbara Novack invites writers of all levels to stretch their creativity in this monthly workshop at 7 p.m. on May 17.

Calligraphy workshop

Talented calligraphers from Island Scribes will present calligraphy style from the traditional to the modern, including a hands-on demonstration with various pens and inks. Registration is required at 7 to 9 p.m. on May 18.

Island Park Library

176 Long Beach Rd., Island Park 432-0122

Learn Mah Jongg

Join Juliet Feeley for six lessons as you have fun and make new friends learning to play this exciting and challenging game. Eight to twelve players are needed to attend this six lesson program in which Mah Jongg rules will be taught. Mah Jongg cards can be purchased for $6 at a stationery store or by writing to: National Mah Jongg League, Inc. 250 West 57th Street New York, NY 10107. The program will be held on Saturdays on April 8 and 15.

JCC

Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC


15 Neil Ct., Oceanside 766-4341

Program for visually impaired

The JCC's Ezra Center for People with Disabilities hosts a program for parents of visually-impaired children, with guest speaker Dr. Susan Fisher, a low vision specialist. The program will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 5. For more information and to r.s.v.p., call Ann Marie Pedalino at 766-4341 ext. 142.

Sophisticate single

Join Sophisticated Singles, for ages 35-55, every Monday, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. This weekly program gives singles the opportunity to meet one another as well as learn about themselves. Irwin Pfeffer is the facilitator. Irwin, a motivational speaker with a background in psychology, has been working the singles circuit for many years and has spoken at singles organizations throughout Long Island. Topics are: "The Long Hot Summer: The Complicated Business of Choosing a Partner," "The Letter: The Dark Side of Jealousy" on April 17, and "The Bridges of Madison County: Putting Romance Into our Relationships" on April 24.

On the road again

Spring is here and JCC adults will hit the road on various day trips. These trips are as follows:

n

April 23: Champions on Ice at the Nassau Coliseum. Watch ice skating performances by Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen, Irina Slutskaya, Johnny Weir, Belbin and Agosto and more. After the show there will be an early dinner at Borrelli's Italian Restaurant. The cost for the round-trip bus and the show is $120.

n

April 27: Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire at the Brooklyn Museum. This tour will include a bagel brunch, a bus lecture by Marcia Haddad, a private Docent-led museum tour and a hot dinner at Ben's. Register by April 6. The fee is $85.

n

May 3: Planting Fields Arboretum Historic Park, Coe Hall Museum & the George Washington Manor. This tour includes a bus lecture by Liz Ropers, a four-course luncheon at the George Washington Manor, a private Docent-led tour of Coe Hall House and a stroll through the planting fields. Register by April 12. The fee is $81.

n

May 24: Pippin the Musical at Theatre Three. On this tour enjoy a four-course lunch at Pt. Jefferson Country Club's Lombardi's on the Sound, the Tony-award winning show "Pippin," and a question-and-answer period with the actors. The seating is limited. Reservations are on a first-come-first-serve basis. The fee is $81.


For information about these trip, call Sue Lederman at 766-4341 ext. 111, or Debbie Rosen at ext. 129.

Lecture on Joseph Seligman

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding Jewish America, Dr. Kenneth Libo tells the story of Joseph Seligman, who went from pack peddling to store keeping to establishing America's first international


banking house: J Seligman & Bros., which, by the end of the Civil War, was credited with raising more money for preserving the Union than any other single source. You'll hear about Seligman's relationship with Lincoln and Grant, and how his campaign against anti-Semitism set an important precedent that Jewish leaders continue to honor today. Libo, a professor of American Jewish history at Hunter College, will give this free talk at 2 p.m. on April 25. For reservations call Maddy Levi at 766-4341 ext. 114.

Web of tricks

The entire family will love Anansi the Trickster Spider, a comical West African folk tale, to be staged at 2 p.m. on April 2. This tale is brought to life with crocodiles, monkeys, a queen bee and Anansi, the Trickster Spider. The show will involve much audience participation. Tickets are $7 (an additional dollar when purchased at the door). For more information call Maddy Levi at 766-4341 ext. 114.