Residents are encouraged to make our business districts both safe and pedestrian friendly.

Early one morning last week while I was seated at one of the alfresco dining tables on Seventh Street I was distressed to observe a number of vehicles fail to stop for pedestrians who were waiting in the crosswalk to cross the street. Please become aware that under the state law motorists are required to stop for pedestrians who are in their side of the crosswalk.

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:

* Act as a role model and wear your helmet when you ride a bicycle.

* 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.

Once again I appeal to residents, if you have recently had a tree planted in front of your home, please take the time to water it. The proper way to water is to first loosen the soil around the tree if it has become baked hard and then allow a hose to run at the base of the tree at a rate slow enough so that the water will be absorbed into the area around the tree trunk.

Watering hours are from 5-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m. Odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days and even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days.

I have been pleased to see the fine turnout of village residents at the recreation department's weekly concerts on the Village Green.

This week, Thursday, Aug. 15, the recreation department will be presenting Rhythm, Reeds and Brass - great vocals and swing tunes.

The program, which will be held at the Garden City Gazebo, located at the corner of Hilton and Stewart Avenues, will begin at 7:15 and 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 St. Paul's School. Please contact the recreation program line at 742-5888 with questions pertaining to the concert.

If you have any suggestions to improve next summer's concert series, I encourage you to write to the recreation department at village hall with your input.

The Town of Hempstead sanitation department will conduct its monthly S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program Sunday, Aug. 18. 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.

The August 18 program will be held in Uniondale, at the Greenfield Cemetery Garage, 650 Nassau Road, use Milburn Avenue entrance. 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, fireworks, infectious or medical waste, propane or oxygen tanks, radioactive materials, unlabeled materials and fire extinguishers.