There will be no general membership meeting of the Mill Basin Civic Association in February. The next meeting, therefore, will take place on Thursday, March 31, when the group holds its annual installation at the Glen Terrace. For further information, call (718) 209-0934.

Friends United Block Assn

City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Christopher Ward will be the main speaker at the next meeting of the Friends United Block Association, scheduled for Thursday, February 3 at 8 p.m. at Temple Shaare Emeth, 6012 Farragut Road.

SHHH… Meeting Set

The next meeting of SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing) will take place on Thursday, February 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn College Student Center, Campus Road and East 27th Street. For more information, call (718) 769-6771.

United Canarsie South Civic

The next meeting of the United Canarsie South Civic Association will take place on Tuesday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the HES, East 95 Street and Seaview Avenue. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month. For information, call Elliot at (718) 531-8130.

Two Weekly Chess Clubs

Seaview Jewish Center, 1585 East 98 Street, between Seaview Avenue and Avenue N, hosts a free chess club every Saturday at noon and on Sundays at 7:30 p.m.. Beginners to advanced players are welcome. For details, call (718) 251-1900.

Another weekly chess club meets at the Burger King at Flatbush Avenue and Utica Avenue every Wednesday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. For information, call (718) 968-9827.

Canasta Players Wanted

The Brooklyn Canasta Club now meets six days a week at various locations to play either Classic or American Canasta. There are openings in most groups, but reservations are needed, since space is limited. For information, call (718) 680-4084.

Musicians Wanted

Brass and woodwinds (all levels) needed for American Legion Concert Band. You don’t have to be a Legionnaire to be in the band. For information, call Irwin at (718) 769-2818 or Elliot at (718) 531-8130.

Adult Workshops At HES

Some of the workshops for adults at the Hebrew Educational Society, 9502 Seaview Avenue, include Makeup Application, Belly Dancing and more. For further information, call Sarit at (718) 241-3000, ext. 31.

Lifeguard Testing

The City Department of Parks & Recreation is stepping up efforts to recruit lifeguards for the summer. Initial testing for positions of lifeguard are currently taking place Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Manhattan’s 59th Street Recreation Center, 533 West 59th Street. They are also being held at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn this evening, January 27th from 6 to 8 p.m.. For information,

Coast Guard Aux. Boating Course

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct a six-week Boating Skills and Seamanship Course beginning February 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryan Visitor Center at Floyd Bennett Field. The course costs $75 per person. For information and to register, call (718) 258-7687 or contact www.yaw21380@aol.com.

Computer Workshops

The Hebrew Educational Society, 9502 Seaview Avenue, presents morning and evening classes for their Computer Workshops, including Internet, Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint and Photoshop. Each workshop is two hours. For further information, call Sarit at (718) 241-3000, ext. 31.

Clothing Drive

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Sts. Simon & Jude Church, 185 Van Sicklen Street, Gravesend, will host a clothing drive on Sunday, January 30 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the church parking lot. For information, call (718) 375-9600.

Area Blood Drives

Sts. Simon and Jude Church, 185 Van Sicklen Street, Gravesend, will host a blood drive on Sunday, January 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 294 Avenue T. For further information, call (718) 375-9600.

Brooklyn- Staten Island Blood Services will hoist a blood drive at the N.Y. Department of Sanitation headquarters at 106-1 Avenue D, Canarsie from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, February 1. They will also host a drive at Kings Plaza on Sunday, February 12 from noon to 5:30 p.m. For information, call 1-800-933-BLOOD.

Baseball, Softball Teams Registration

The Athletic Association of Sts. Simon & Jude Church, 185 Van Sicklen Street, Gravesend, will hold baseball and girls’ softball registration for the 2005 season every Monday night through March 21 at 294 Avenue T. Registration is open to all children from ages 6 through 16. For information, call (718) 375-9600.

In-School Education/

Employment Program

Attention parents and youths ages 14-18 — Register now for the 2004-05 In-School Youth Education/Employment Program. We offer “free” after-school academic classes with bonus money, exciting field trips and career workshops. Call the Italian American League at (718) 642-2180 in Starrett City.

Synagogue Food Drive

For City Harvest

City Harvest is conducting its annual Food Drive, with plans to collect an estimated 23,000 pounds of needed food from area synagogues and deliver it to community food programs. For information on organizing a food drive, log on to www.city harvest.org or call (917) 351-8700. To make a donation, call 1-800-77HARVEST.

Mardi Gras At Children’s Museum

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, invites families to an exciting evening of feasting and festivities on Sunday, January 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at their sixth annual Block Party. The theme will be Mardi Gras Family Masquerade. For information and to purchase tickets, call (718) 735-4400, ext. 126.

Seddio Welcomes MetroCard Bus

The MetroCard Bus will be at Assemblyman Frank Seddio’s district office, 2424 Ralph Avenue between Avenue N and Avenue O, from 10 AM till 12 PM on the third Friday of every month as a regular service to area residents. The Assemblyman’s staff will also be available to help anyone with other problems.

The district office is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM to assist local residents. For further information call 718-968-2770.

Weinstein Welcomes MetroBus Too

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D-41st A.D.) will be bringing the special Senior Half-Fare MTA MetroCard Bus to her community office, located at 3520 Nostrand Avenue (Corner of Avenue V) on the third Thursday of every month from 10:00 a.m.- noon. Seniors over 65 years of age are invited to come to her community office to obtain a Half-Fare MetroCard.

Individuals with questions about the MetroCard Program should contact Assemblywoman Weinstein’s office at: 718-648-4700.

Abe Stark Senior Center

Sponsored by Millennium Development, the Abe Stark Senior Center, 103-15 Farragut Road, offers a nutritious breakfast & lunch program plus daily activities, including beginning computer time, billiards, bingo and more. Transportation provided. For information, call 1-718-272-9515.

JASA Canarsie Senior Center

At Temple Emanu-El

If you are 60 years or older and would like to join other seniors for a hot lunch made in our kitchen, exercise, arts & crafts, painting and parties, call (718) 451-0779.

JASA Senior Center At HES

Join seniors that are 60 years or older for painting, crafts, current events, creative writing, line dancing, yoga, sing-a-long, choral group, parties and trips. For information, call (718) 251-3700.

JASA Brooklyn Friendship House

A Social Adult Day Program, funded by the Department of Health, offers a program of exercise, music, socialization, creative activities, support groups and games in a warm, friendly environment. Located at 650 Remsen Avenue, open to seniors, 55+ who struggle with mental health issues. Kosher lunch and transportation provided. For more information, call (718) 922-5079.

Glenwood Senior Center

All seniors are invited to join the nutritional and recreational program at the Glenwood Senior Center, located at 5701 Avenue H in the Glenwood Houses complex. The program includes breakfast and lunch and offers a variety of fun indoor and outdoor activities, including arts & crafts, tai chi, aerobics, bingo, pool, field trips, computers and much more. For further information, call (718) 241-7711.

Glenwood Senior Center invites all grandparents to bring their grandchildren to Grandchildren Fridays at the center located at 5701 Ave H. Call Eve Vaval. 718-241-7711.

Support Group For

Jewish Women With MS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, NYC Chapter, is offering a phone support group for Orthodox Jewish women with MS. The group is free and is an opportunity for people with MS to learn more about the disease, treatments and support services. The phone group meets each Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for 14 weeks. Participants are called in their own homes in area codes 212, 718, 646, 347 and 917. No special equipment is needed. To register, or for more information, call (212) 463-7787, extension 3057.

Self-Help

Forty Plus of New York, a self-help organization, welcomes managers and professionals who are looking for work. Since 1939, thousands of members have used their Forty Plus skills and techniques to land worthwhile jobs. To arrange an orientation and tour of the Forty Plus offices on Seventh Avenue, telephone 212-947-4230.

HELP LINE Helps In Crisis

Have you ever had a crisis or problem that overwhelmed you? Have you ever felt lonesome or depressed, or even suicidal? Did you have someone to talk with? Do you wish you did? HELP LINE, a Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services program, is a non-profit telephone service program offering emotional support and information through a 24-hour hotline at (212) 532-2400. To volunteer, call (212) 684-4480.

Single Parent Support Group

Come and join the Single Parent Support Group at the Hebrew Educational Society (HES). This professionally led mutual support group gives single parents a place to share their challenges and successes. Bring your children and have them join our children’s support group at the same time. For more information, call Orna Neutra at the HES at (718) 241 3000, ext. 60.

Learning Disabled Adult Group

The Kings Bay Y, 3495 Nostrand Avenue, sponsors a learning disabled adult group that meets every Monday and Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For further information, contact Bernie Rubin at (718) 648-7703, ext. 230.

Self-Help Center

The New York City Self-Help Center provides free, confidential telephone information and referral to people seeking self-help/mutual support groups. Hundreds of different groups meet for a wide variety of concerns throughout the five boroughs. Phone (212) 586-5770.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support

Fairview Adult Day Care Center, 1444 East 99th Street, sponsors a support group for Alzheimer’s caregivers. Meetings are twice a month. For information, call Laura Schlatter, M.A. at (718)251-5600.

Alzheimer’s Helpline

The Alzheimer’s Association, NYC Chapter, has opened its new 24-hour helpline: 1-800-272-3900. It’s available for people living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, family members, students and professionals living with the aged.

Center Against Domestic Violence

Is your partner controlling you? Threatening you? Degrading you? Yelling too much? Throwing things at you? Hitting or hurting you or your children? Forcing you to do things against your will? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, or if you know someone that may be caught up in casesd of domestic violence, contact the CADV Hotline, 24 hours a day, at 1-718-439-1000. THEY CAN HELP!

Free Or Low-Cost Mammogram

Low income women who feel they may not be able to get a mammogram are urged to call the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program at 800-877-8077 to learn about where they can get a free or low-cost mammogram.

Donate Cord Blood Free

Expecting a baby? Donate your baby’s cord blood, which is rich in stem cells and can be used for transplantation in place of bone marrow. It is absolutely free! Please go to www.leukemiafoundation.org and fill out the application or call the National Children’s Leukemia Foundation at (718) 251-1222. Ask for Steve Shor.

Maimonides Needs Blood Donors

The blood bank at Maimonides Medical Center, like all blood banks in the region, is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage, especially of Type O-Positive and O-Negative blood. Other blood types are also needed. Please visit the Blood Donor Center on the 3rd floor of the administration building. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, or to arrange a blood drive, call Christine Clark at (718) 283-7179.

“Samaritan” Volunteers Needed

Help others while improving your own personal and professional communications skills. The non-religious Samaritans seek caring and responsible people who can follow directions and are available one weekday morning or afternoon a week and one overnight per month to volunteer on their 24-hour suicide prevention hotline. Intensive training began September 25. Must be at least 21. Call (212) 673-3041 for an interview.

Yarn Donations Needed

Knit-Net: Scarves For The Homeless is seeking new and used yarn donations. Pickups in some parts of Brooklyn can be arranged. The organization is entering its 7th year supplying crib blankets, lap blankets, hats and mittens to homeless shelters for adults and children. For further information, call (718) 680-4084.

Hospitals Need Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to assist in hospitals and nursing homes in the five boroughs. If you can read a story, hold a hand, dry a tear or share a smile, you’ll be a great volunteer. Flexible hours. Call the United Hospital Fund at (212) 675-6644 for information.