The Sanitation/Recycling Collection Schedule and Guidelines for 2001-02 were mailed to residents during the week. I encourage you to review the schedule and to please retain it as a reference source for the upcoming year. If anyone has not received a copy, please call the Department of Public Works at 465-4003.

With the arrival of summer comes our young people taking to the streets on bicycles. 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 increase. 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 their child wears a helmet every time he/she rides, his/her bike is in good condition and has the right safety accessories and he/she has mastered bike safety rules. Don't let your child become a statistic. Start practicing bicycle safety today!

Compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging this season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues. Next week's program is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 and will feature Six Gun and their traditional and contemporary country music.

The program will begin at 7:15 p.m.; admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul's School. Please contact the Recreation Program Line at 742-5888 with questions.

The Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department will conduct its monthly S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) Program Saturday, July 14. The program, which is being held at various locations throughout the Town of Hempstead, will make hazardous waste facilities accessible to as many residents as possible.

Next Saturday's program will be held at the Market Lane Park Garage, Market Lane, Levittown. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Under the S.T.O.P. Program, residents are able to take polluting materials to the facility and have them disposed of by a registered professional disposal company, free of charge. The facility will not accept the following materials: ammunition, explosives, radioactives and infectious waste, gas cylinders and barbecue tanks.