Long Beach briefs

L. I. Crisis Center seeks volunteers

The Long Island Crisis Center is seeking volunteers for its upcoming Volunteer Counselor Training Program. Those interested in volunteering and becoming telephone crisis intervention counselors must first come in for an interview. No experience is necessary to volunteer and the hours are flexible. All counselors must begin with orientation training. The free comprehensive orientation training program takes place over three evenings in LICC's office in Bellmore. LICC’s next training sessions will be on, March 4, 11 and 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. Call (516) 826-0244 to schedule an interview.

Are you ready for some football?

The Long Island Association of Football Officials is seeking people to become certified Nassau County High School football officials. An orientation class is scheduled at Bethpage High School, 10 Cherry Ave., Bethpage, at 7 p.m. in the Mini Theater. The $150 fee includes dues for 2010, books, papers, practice exams, the state exam and certification, door prizes and giveaways. If you are interested, contact Michael Mormino at (631) 245-1476 or by e-mail at mm4par@aol.com or visit www.liafo.org.    

Family and Children’s Association is seeking volunteers for its long-standing Ombudservice Program, part of a statewide network of certified volunteers who visit nursing homes, adult homes and assisted living facilities in Nassau County.
Ombudspersons serve as advocates for residents and their families. Family & Children’s is planning a training class for April and May, which involves 36 hours of instruction over a six--day period at its offices in Hempstead. The organization provides over 35 individual programs designed to help babies, children, adults, seniors and families lead more self-sufficient lives. For more information call (516) 466-9718 or e-mail ombudservice@familyandchildrens.org.

Art at the library

The Long Beach Public Library will present Abstract Expressionism and the African Artist, on Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. This presentation explores the role of the African American artist in the historic and contemporary world of abstract painting. The works of the abstractionists Norman Lewis and Ed Clark will be included, as well as other emerging artists. Lecturer Jo-Ann Graham earned a Ph.D. from New York University. This program is made possible through the support of the New York Council for the Humanities’ Speakers in the Humanities program.

Dive into a book

In Jennifer Baszile’s memoir, “The Black Girl Next Door,” the author carries the reader through her girlhood and adolescence in a classic portrait of that girl next door. In trips to her parents’ childhood homes —big city Detroit for her mother, deep country Louisiana for her father—she sees their (and her own) African-American pasts. We see the path that led her to Yale’s history department as its first black female professor. Diane M. Marbury, an author, will lead a discussion on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. Books will be available at the circulation desk three weeks in advance.

Snowflake race

The Recreation Center, at Magnolia Blvd. at W. Bay Drive, is registering runners for the 4-mile Snowflake Race on 9 a.m. on Feb. 14. The fee is $20 before Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. and $25 before 8:30 a.m. the day of the race. The race begins on New York Avenue and Broadway. Runners can also register at www.active.com. For information call (516) 431-8390.

U.S. Naval Academy opens summer applications

The U.S. Naval Academy is accepting applications now through March 31 for its Summer Seminar program, a six-day program for high-achievers who may be interested in pursuing a career with one of the nation's service academies and serving as a military officer after graduation. Applications are open to students who will have completed their junior year of high school by the summer of 2010. NASS is holding three sessions this summer: June 5-10, June 12-17 and June 19-24. Students with questions about NASS and the application process can call (410) 293-1549 or visit www.usna.edu/admissions for more information.