Enjoy a delightful morning getting into the holiday spirit featuring a performance by the "Circus Project" and a special visit from Santa. This Garden City tradition will take place this Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. in Cluett Hall at St. Paul's. Admission to the party is a wrapped gift valued at $5, which would be suitable for a child. Gifts will be collected at the door and redistributed by Santa at the conclusion of the party. There are still openings available in the recreation department's Wednesday and Thursday preschool arts and crafts classes. Children who are 3.5 to 5 years of age and reside in the village may register for this eight-week session. The Wednesday class begins at 12:15 p.m. and the Thursday class starts at 10:45 a.m. each class is 45 minutes long. The cost of the program is $40. For information or to register, visit the recreation office in village hall.

The recreation department has announced the start of its after-school programs in the field house at St. Paul's. The field house is now open for gym time according to the following schedule:

Boys in grades 3-5

Mondays between 3:30 -6 p.m.

Girls in grades 3-5

Fridays between 3:30-6 p.m.

During this time, the elementary school youngsters will participate in activities organized by the recreation staff. Basketball, floor hockey and many other games will be offered during this time. There is no registration necessary for this program. Sneakers are required and all children must be picked up in the field house.

The field house will be open for all middle school youngsters to enjoy basketball, volleyball and other gym activities. The children will be supervised but no organized activities will take place. This time is set up for students to enjoy activities with their friends in a supervised setting according to the following schedule:

Middle School Students

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 3:30-5:30 p.m.

High School Students

Wednesdays and Thursdays between 3:30-5:30 p.m.

For further information, call the recreation office at 465-4075.

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

Current high school juniors or those older who are looking for a great summer job should stop by the recreation office in village hall to pick up an application and sign up for an interview.

Reminder: those who were employed by the pool last year are still required to reapply and be interviewed for the upcoming season. Interviews will be conducted on the following dates:

Tuesday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The recreation department is running Friday night hockey games at Community Park. This seven-week program will be under the direction of Andrew Karen, who will run the schedule according to the following times:

6-7 p.m. ages 6-7

7-8 p.m. ages 8-10

8-9 p.m. ages 11-13

The cost of this program will be $25, which includes seven weeks of supervised play and the end of the season pizza party, generously sponsored by Garden City Pizza. For information or to register, call Andrew Karen at 483-2525.

Note: since both rinks will be used for this recreation department activity, there is no open rink time available after 5:30 p.m. on Fridays.

It's time to send letters to Santa and the recreation department will speed up the process. A special "Santa's Mailbox" is now set up in the village hall lobby. Children can drop their letters in the mailbox and Santa will send them a personalized reply. Santa's mailbox will be available now through Dec. 18. All letters to Santa must be received in the mailbox no later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 to ensure a reply. In addition to sending their letters to Santa, kids can take a chance at guessing the number of candy canes in the large jar next to Santa's mailbox in village hall. Each child can drop a guess in Santa's mailbox and the children whose guess is closest to the actual number will win the jar, canes and all! As with Santa's mailbox, the candy cane contest is available now through Dec. 18. The recreation department is sponsoring an adult soccer program. Residents of the village who are 18 years of age or older are invited to come down to the Field House between 9-10 p.m. each Thursday for "pick-up soccer." For information, call the recreation department at 465-4075.

The recreation department's "Supershapes" program is ongoing in Cluett Hall at St. Paul's. Instructors provide a top-notch workout in an enjoyable atmosphere. Pat Kennedy and Joy Cody, experienced instructors who reside in the village, tailor their classes to the ability levels of the participants.

The easy way to participate in "Supershapes" is to purchase a "20 class pass." By purchasing this pass, participants can attend any class that fits their schedule. Simply present the pass to the attendant on duty as you enter the class, have it punched and enjoy your workout. The cost of a pass is $60. You can purchase a pass at Cluett Hall or in the recreation office at village hall. If you would like to try a class first, daily admission to any class is $4.

The schedule of classes is as follows:

Sunday 6:45 p.m. Joy Cody

Monday 9:00 a.m. Pat Kennedy

Wednesday 8:30 a.m. Pat Kennedy

Thursday 7:15 p.m. Joy Cody

Friday 8:30 a.m. Pat Kennedy

The recreation department's chess club began meeting at the small meeting room in the Garden City Library Saturday, Nov. 8. Garden City children in third through eighth grade may attend this free ongoing program. The chess club will meet between noon-2 p.m. each Saturday until mid-March. For more information, call the recreation office at 465-4075.

The recreation department's adult swim lessons began Oct. 7 at Adelphi University's indoor pool, located in Woodruff Hall. This free program is open to any adult, 18 years or older, who resides in the village. The pool is open for use Mondays through Thursdays in two sessions: 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in this program must sign up through the recreation department. Participants must register each day they'd like to swim by calling the recreation department at 465-4075. No reservations will be taken ahead of time. For more information, call 465-4075.

It is now time to start registering for the second session of the recreation department's indoor tennis lesson program for children, which is held at the Community Park tennis facility. The classes listed below are the available classes for this session. Registration is ongoing and applications are available at the village hall recreation office. You may register in person or by mail. Make checks payable to the "Inc. Village of Garden City." Mail the registration slip and registration fee to the Recreation Department at 351 Stewart Avenue.

Session II - 12 weeks beginning the week of Jan. 5, 2004

Pee Wee - Ages 5 to 7 $150 for Session II

Monday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2PWM3

Monday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2PWM4

Wednesday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2PWW3

Wednesday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2PWW4

Friday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2PWF

Saturday 12:30-1:25 p.m. 2PWS12

Saturday 1:30-2:25 p.m. 2PWS1

Notive - Ages 6 to 7 $210 for Session II

Monday 5:30-6:25 p.m. 2NVM

Tuesday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2NVTU

Thursday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2NVTH4

Thursday 5:30-6:25 p.m. 2NVTH5

Friday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2NVF

Saturday 12:30-1:25 p.m. 2NVS12

Saturday 1:30-2:25 p.m. 2NVS1

Junior - Ages 8 to 11 $240 for Session II

Monday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2JRM3

Monday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2JRM4

Tuesday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2JRT4

Tuesday 5:30-6:25 p.m. 2JRT5

Wednesday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2JRW3

Wednesday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2JRW4

Thursday 3:30-4:25 p.m. 2JRTH3

Thursday 5:30-6:25 p.m. 2JRTH5

Thursday 6:30-7:25 p.m. 2JRTH6

Saturday 10:00-10:55 a.m. 2JRS

Saturday 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m. 2JRS11

Saturday 1:30-2:25 p.m. 2JRS1

Sunday 11 a.m.-11:55 a.m. 2JRSU

Junior Advanced $320 for Session II

Monday 5:30-6:55 p.m. 2JRADM

Tuesday 5:30-6:55 p.m. 2JRADT

Wednesday 3:30-4:55 p.m. 2JRADW

Thursday 3:30-4:55 p.m. 2JRADTH

Ultimate Workout For Juniors - Ages 9 - 11 Years

Friday 5:30-6:55 p.m. JUW2 ($320)

Senior - Ages 12 and Up $240 for Session II

Tuesday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2SRTU

Wednesday 5:30-6:25 p.m. 2SRW

Friday 4:30-5:25 p.m. 2SRF

Saturday 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m. 2SRS

Sunday 12:00-12:55 a.m. 2SRSU

Senior/Advanced $320 for Session II

Monday 5:30-6:55 p.m. 2SRADM

Tuesday 5:30-6:55 p.m. 2SRADT

Wednesday 5:00-6:25 p.m. 2SRADW

Friday 5:30-6:55 p.m. 2SRADF

Saturday 11:00-12:25 p.m. 2SRADS

Ultimate Workout for Senior-Aged Children - Ages 12 to 18

Friday 5:30-6:55 p.m. SUW2 ($320)

Ultimate Workout for High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Players Cost - $200

Saturday 10:00-11:25 a.m. UW3 starts Feb. 28 and ends April 10, 2004