With the arrival of Autumn comes our young people taking to the streets on bicycles and razor scooters. A reminder to parents that New York state law now requires that all bikers under the age of 14 are to wear helmets.

Learning to ride a bicycle is a source of pride for most kids. Unfortunately, as bicycling becomes more popular, the number of bicycle related injuries has also increased. Statistics show that over 300,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle related injuries each year - a third of those suffering from head related injuries. Parents can make a difference by making sure that:

- your child wears a helmet every time he/she rides.

- his/her bike is in good condition and has the right safety accessories.

- he/she has mastered bike safety rules.

Don't let your child become a statistic. Start practicing bicycle safety today!

Congratulations and a sincere word of thanks are due to the Chamber's Festival Committee and Garden City High School for the extraordinary effort that they extended to make last Saturday's annual festival and street fair the success that it was.

As we move into the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, I encourage all residents to continue to shop in our village. Our merchants along Seventh Street, Franklin Avenue and New Hyde Park Road have quality merchandise which is only exceeded by their willingness to accommodate their customers.

Special thanks is due to the Fire Department for their efforts in making Fire Prevention Day/Week the success that it was. Chief Nedelka and our Fire Department do an outstanding job protecting our lives and homes. It was good to see such a huge turnout of residents for the programs that they planned throughout the week.

The Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, in cooperation with Winthrop-University Hospital, the Nassau County Department of Health and the Nassau County Medical Center, will again co-sponsor a free countywide, flu immunization program for senior citizens.

The immunization program for our area will be held at the Garden City Senior Recreation Center at 6 Golf Club Lane on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 10:15 to 3 p.m.

Registration for this program begins Monday, Oct. 30. Residents 60 years of age of older, who are interested in receiving the vaccine should call the Garden City Recreation Department at 465-4075 to make an appointment beginning Oct. 30. Residents should be prepared to indicate if they wish to receive just the flu immunization, or if they would like the additional protection of the pneumonia immunization.