The Oceanside chapter of AARP will host its annual holiday luncheon at Pompei restaurant in West Hempstead at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 16. For reservations and information, call Rosemarie Malone at 889-8186.

Hebrew reading classes

Adults who want to learn how to read Hebrew or increase their proficiency are invited to attend free classes at Oceanside Jewish Center, 2860 Brower Avenue. The classes are each Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and will continue through Jan. 28. Classes are arranged to suit the needs of individual students. Registration is required. To reserve a space, call the synagogue at 536-6112.

Lighting the first candle

The Village of Island Park will hold its annual Hanukkah menorah lighting at 4:15 on Dec. 25 at village hall on the corner of Long Beach Road and Nassau Road.

Bet on it

Oceanside Hadasah will sponsor a casino trip to Mohegan Sun. A luxury bus will leave Oceanside at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15. For $36 you will get six hours of casino time and many give backs from Mohegan Sun. For reservations and information, call Beth at 764-0459.

Libraries

Oceanside Library

30 Davison Ave., Oceanside 766-2360

Leonardo decoded

In his talk "The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci & The Da Vinci Code," Professor Thomas Germano explores the art and scientific work created 500 years ago by the Renaissance man, with a special emphasis on the works covered in Dan Brown's best-selling novel at 2 p.m. on Jan. 10.

Learn bankruptcy law

Attorney Salvatore LaMonica from the Nassau County Bar Association will discuss the challenges of understanding and coping with the dramatic change in bankruptcy law at 2 p.m. on Jan. 11.

Book talk on book talks

Fran Cohen leads a book discussion on "Reading Lolita in Tehran," author Azar Nafisi's touching story of a book discussion group that meets in secret in revolutionary Iran at 2 p.m. on Jan. 17.

Find your inner writer

Professor Barbara Novack invites writers of all levels to stretch their creativity in this monthly workshop at 7 p.m. on Jan. 18.

Label literacy

Nutritionist and registered dietitian Sasha Averko reveals what the fine print on food labels means to better obtain a balanced diet at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19.

A 'cross' comedy

The Lantern Theatre presents "Charing Cross Road," the bittersweet comedy of the transatlantic love story shared between a vivacious New York writer and a London bookseller at 2 p.m. on Jan. 25. Tickets are required.

Eastern ways to wellness

Join physical therapist Susan Cullen and explore the Eastern techniques of yoga, tai chi and chi gong as a means of enhancing the healing powers within at 2 p.m. on Jan. 26.

A musical journey

Primrose Productions presents "Lonesome Traveler," a musical narrative about the legendary folk groups The Weavers and The Almanac Singers at 2 p.m. on Jan. 29.

Island Park Library

176 Long Beach Rd., Island Park 432-0122

Movie: Cinderella Man

The library will show "Cinderella Man" (PG 13, 145 min.), the inspiring story of boxer Jim Braddock, starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Blood pressure screening

A registered nurse from Long Beach Medical Center will be available for a drop-in blood screening from 12 to 2 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Movie: Sunset Story

There will a showing of "Sunset Story "(138 min.), a film that looks at the relationship between 81-year-old Irja and her 95-year-old best friend, Lucille, who are sharp witted, up-to-date and provocative at 2 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Pastel workshop

Teens in grades 5 to 12 can learn how to handle the pastel medium and the various techniques that can be developed from pastel use at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27.

Movie: The Nutcracker Prince

Kids can watch "The Nutcracker Prince" (Rated G, 75 min., animated) on 2 p.m. on Dec. 27.

Magnificent munchies

Teens in grades 5 to 12 can prepare and taste simple, quick delicious snacks with Lucian Veneziano, and participants can take home a stack of recipes at 7 p.m. on Dec. 28. The class is limited to 10 participants.

Dog and master

Animal Planet stars Bill White and Magic the dog perform their lively circus routine for the entire family. Magic will do card tricks and other delightful acts at 2 p.m. on Dec. 28.

Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

There will be a showing of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Rated PG, 1:55 min., with quirky situations, action and mild language), starring Johnny Depp, David Kelly and Helena Bonham Carter at 2 p.m. on Dec. 30. This is Tim Burton's adaptation of the Roald Dahl's 1964 children's classic in which a young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by Willy Wonka, the world's most unusual candy maker.

JCC

Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC


15 Neil Ct., Oceanside 766-4341

55-plus singles social club

Are you 55, single and looking for friendship and a fun evening out? Then join the Singles Social Club from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the first Monday night of every month. For information, call Debbie Rosen at 766-4341 ext. 129.

Fun with the family

The JCC will hold a Sunday Family Fun Day for special needs children and their families from 2 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 8. The cost is $15 per family.

Theatrical Hanukkah celebration

The Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children's Theater presents "The Magic Dreidel" in celebration of Hanukkah on at 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 18. This production takes children of all ages on a musical journey through time where they learn the story of Hanukkah. To further enhance the children's participation, the Grumbling Gryphons will conduct a pre-performance craft and theater arts workshops at 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 per family (up to four people) and $5 each additional person. For information, call Maddy Levi at 766-4341 ext. 114.

Jazz-a-ma-Tazz

Kids of all ages are invited to watch award-winning jazzman Hayes Greenfield and his partner as they introduce them to jazz in this interactive show at 2 p.m. on Jan. 29. Tickets are $8 and $1 additional at the door.

Adult connections

If you are recently retired or about to retire and are looking for activities and friendships with people in similar situations to your own, then this is the club for you. These get-togethers will be held on Thursdays throughout January from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and cost $10 per person per month. The first date and topic is the World's Greatest Entertainer: Al Jolson; Jan. 12.