With the arrival of warmer weather comes the other inevitable seasonal rite of passage, rising prices at the gas pumps. While this unfortunate event occurs every year, this year is particularly hard to swallow. With $3 prices already here and expectations to go higher all of us really do need to carefully look at how to conserve and get the most for our hard-earned money.

Our village offers a wide variety of restaurants and eateries featuring a world-wide array of cuisines. I am pleased to announce that a new restaurant, Viva Juan, will be opening soon at 169 Main Street (the old Melanies/Side Car Café). From bagels to zeppoles, for breakfast, lunch, dinners or snacks there is a business waiting to serve you. In addition to the gas savings you most likely will receive better service and a greater value from our local establishments. Our shopping district not only offers you wonderful restaurants, but a potpourri of stores for all your needs: hardware, health and beauty, flowers, gifts, baked goods, printing and much more. Please take the time to walk the downtown area and see firsthand what our local merchants have to offer. Our fair town also has a plethora of professionals (doctors, dentists, accountants, lawyers) waiting to assist and care for you.

While the majority of the stores and businesses are on Main Street, please remember that there are many other businesses within the village boundaries that will offer you the same savings and values. Fulton Street Plaza, Conklin Street and Route 109 all have a wide variety of stores to assist you with all your needs. Please try and make an extra effort to patronize the special businesses that support our local non-profit and charitable organizations. To learn more about our local businesses you can visit our website (www.farmingdalevillage.org or .com) and go to the Shop Farmingdale box on the left column. Click on the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce link to see the listings. Our local chamber does so much for our community also. Please support their members so they can continue to support us. You can also click on shop locally to get money-saving coupons for many of our local stores.

While the gas savings will certainly help, there is, in my opinion, a much greater value in shopping in town- meeting and seeing your neighbors and community members. The village takes on a very unique personality of its own in the summer-one that you really have to experience for yourself. I look forward to seeing you around town!