SE HOMETOWN USE BETH BARTL SIG

Temple Sinai of Hollywood will sponsor its annual Lag B'Omer picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 19 at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, North Park Road at Sheridan Street, Hollywood.

Lag B'Omer originally marked the barley harvest in Israel. Later, it was observed as a holiday to commemorate the passing of a plague that befell the students of Rabbi Akiva, a great Talmudic sage.

Today, Lag B'Omer is traditionally celebrated with picnics, bonfires and dancing.

The Temple Sinai gathering will feature food, sports, a face-painting booth and a magic show.

Tickets must be purchased by Friday. Admission is $10 for adult members of the synagogue and $12 for nonmembers. Children age 6 to 13 pay $7 for members and $9 for nonmembers. Tickets for kids age 2 to 5 cost $4 for both members and nonmembers. All youngsters age 2 and younger will be admitted free.

For details, call 987-0026 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday.
Science and art fair

The preschool and kindergarten at Epworth United Methodist Church will sponsor a science and art fair at 6 p.m. May 17.

About 100 children, ages 3 to 6 are enrolled at the school in the church at 7651 Johnson St., Hollywood.

The fair is an annual event. Between 200 and 250 people are expected to attend this year's showcase, including past students and neighboring homeowners, said Lynda Thomas, school director.

Each class will display their own experiments. Subjects will range from aviation to recycling.

``The children have been working on their projects for the past three weeks,'' Thomas said. ``They really enjoy having the displays open to the public. It gives them a chance to show off their hard work.''

Admission to the fair is free. An ice-cream social will is planned for that night. There will be a charge for people to make their own sundaes.

For details, call 983-3248 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Sisterhood luncheon

The Hallandale Jewish Center Sisterhood will sponsor a luncheon at noon on Tuesday inside the synagogue at 416 NE Eighth Ave., Hallandale.

Tickets cost $30 and must be purchased by Friday. There will be a full-course, catered meal and live music.

For details, call 454-9100 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday.
Garage sale

A garage sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 18 at the Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, 400 N. 35th Ave., Hollywood.

Proceeds will benefit the church's youth group mission trip this summer. The teens travel to the Tennessee mountains for one week to work with children from low-income families.

Donations for the garage sale will be accepted at the church through May 16. All items should be in good condition.

For details, call 989-8304 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For Jewish singles

A gathering for Jewish singles will begin at 7 p.m. May 19 inside Aish HaTorah's South Florida headquarters at 1055 NE Miami Gardens Dr., North Miami Beach.

The meeting is open to men and women between the ages of 30 and 49. Intermarriage will be the topic of discussion.

Admission is $10 per person. Wine, cheese and desserts will be served.

For details, call 945-2155 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Caribbean cruise

Seniors can see the eastern Caribbean islands from a Jewish perspective aboard a special eight-day cruise.

The trip, scheduled for June 2-9, is being sponsored by the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of South Broward and the Foundation of Jewish Philanthropies of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Participants will visit Jewish sites of interest in Nassau, San Juan and St. John. There will also be a tour of a 200-year-old synagogue in St. Thomas.

While on the ship, seniors will be treated to a Shabbat service and dinner. They will also have the opportunity to learn about their Jewish past from scholars aboard the ship.

Prices for the cruise start at $515 per person double occupancy. Port tax is extra.

Call Jerry Cohen at the Jewish Federation of South Broward at 921-8810 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday.

Or call Ruth Gelin at the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale at 748-8400 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday.