There are still openings available in the recreation department's preschool arts and crafts classes. For further information or to register, visit the recreation office in village hall. Garden City Recreation presents Learn and Play Hockey for kids ages 7-13 beginning Saturday, Dec. 7. The program ends Saturday, Dec. 21 and will meet every Saturday for three weeks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the hockey rink at Community Park. The fee is $20. For more information, call Community Park at 483-2525 and ask for Greg or Andrew. 'Tis the season to send letters to Santa and the recreation department will help speed up the process! A special "Santa's Mailbox" has been set up in the village hall lobby. Children can drop their letters in this mailbox and Santa will send them a reply. All letters must be received in the mailbox no later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 to ensure a reply. All letters must contain a legible address and no postage is necessary. While dropping off their letters to Santa, kids can take a chance at guessing the number of candy canes in the large jar next to the mailbox. Drop off guesses in the mailbox and the child with the guess closest to the actual number of candy canes will win the jar, candy canes and all! As with Santa's mailbox, the candy cane contest will be available until Dec. 18. Put your family in the holiday mood and enjoy a delightful morning program, featuring a performance by "Bill White Productions" and a special visit from Santa. This Garden City tradition will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at Cluett Hall. Admission is a wrapped gift valued at $5, which would be suitable for a young child. Gifts will be collected at the door. Santa will redistribute gifts at the end of the party.

The Garden City Recreation Department has tickets available for two upcoming events at the Nassau Coliseum. These tickets are offered at a group rate to residents. The first event is the WWF Tour of Defiance, which is being held on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. A full roster of wrestling superstars are expected to perform at this event. Tickets to this event will cost $30 each.

The second show being held is "Freestyle Motorcross," the newest craze in extreme motor sports. Their death-defying stunts and aerial acrobatics will keep you on the edge of your seat! This performance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. The price of each ticket will be $20 per adult and $13 per child under 12. Tickets for both shows are now on sale at the recreation department in village hall. Only cash will be accepted as payment. For further information or to request tickets, call the recreation department at 465-4075.

The recreation department is announcing the start of a series of interviews for summer jobs at the pool. For those who enjoy being outdoors and are willing to make a commitment to being part of a team that works hard to provide quality facilities for residents, the department would like to meet you!

Those who are presently a high school junior or older and are looking for a great summer job, stop by the department in village hall, pick up an application and schedule an appointment for an interview. Reminder: those who were employed by the pool last year must reapply and be interviewed for the upcoming season. Interviews will be conducted on the following dates:

Friday, Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No interviews will be conducted without an appointment and positions will not be offered to applicants without an interview.

The recreation department's chess club began its winter session on Saturday, Nov. 2 in the small meeting room of the Garden City Library. The chess club, under the direction of Paul Dooher, will meet every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. This free program is open to all children interested in learning and playing the game of chess. This program continues through March. For further information, please contact the recreation department at 465-4075.

The renovations on the field house have been completed. Adult basketball is open according to the following schedule:

Monday: Men's Open Play

Men's Over 30

Tuesday: Men's Over 30

Wednesday: Men's Open Play

Men's Over 40

Thursday: Women Only Evening

All sessions run from 7:30 to 10 p.m. All evenings are strictly "pickup." Any resident who is a high school graduate or older is invited to come down and shoot some hoops. Proof of residency will be required.

The recreation department's adult swim times will again begin at Adelphi University's indoor pool at Woodruff Hall. This free program is open to any adult 18 years or older who resides in the village. The pool is open Monday through Thursday at two sessions: 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sign up each day you would like to swim by calling the recreation department at 465-4075. No reservations will be taken ahead of time. The recreation department's adult volleyball program began in St. Paul's fieldhouse. Volleyball is open to any resident of Garden City who is 18 years of age or older. Residency will be checked upon entry, so please bring ID with you. This program will run every Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.