On Sunday, Dec. 2, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its 53rd annual village tree lighting ceremony, beginning promptly at 3:30 p.m. on the Village Green (corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues).

This year's program will feature the Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Tom Wagner along with the Village Music Makers and, thanks to the Fire Department, Santa Claus and hot chocolate. Please bring your entire family to welcome Santa and the Holiday Season.

Please note that Stewart Avenue, between Franklin and Hilton Avenues, will be closed from 3 to 4:45 p.m.

Residents in the Village of Garden City are very fortunate in having a vital business community comprised of merchants who are committed to serve us from their shops along Franklin Avenue, Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road. I urge each of you to continue to patronize these local businesses during the holiday and throughout the year. Our business community wants to know how they are doing, so take a minute the next time you are shopping and let them know what you think about the quality of their products and attention to customer service.

In keeping with the idea of shopping locally and supporting our local merchants I am happy to announce that The Garden City Chamber of Commerce's new program "Friend of the Chamber" is getting a great response from the community. This program is one of the great benefits available to chamber members.

To date exciting and generous discounts are being offered by: Grimaldi's Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, The Garden City Hotel, diSalvo Interiors, Bonaventure Tuxedo, Taylor Warner Realty, Uncle Bacala's Restaurant, Gold's Gym, Seventh Street Café and Garden City Alarm, just to name a few!

Through this program, participating merchants will offer discounts on goods/services or promotional items to card-bearing members. Already many of the residents, business people, and school children are making inquiries about this program and how they can purchase cards in order to receive the special discounts and promotions.

The "Friend of the Chamber" program card will begin Jan. 1 of 2008 and be valid for two years. The cards will be available for purchase for $20 through local fundraising organizations. Cards come with a pamphlet that explains the program, lists the participating merchants along with their discounts, and references the chamber's website www.gardencitychamber.org for program updates and more information on the program. So don't miss out!

In order to participate: as a merchant or card-selling organization print out the necessary form from the chamber website at www.gardencitychamber.org and return to Grimaldi's Pizzeria, 980 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY c/o Mr. Russell Ciolli. If you are not currently a chamber member but would like information on joining the chamber in order to participate in this new program please contact Russell Ciolli and Suzanne Eigl, directors, Garden City Chamber of Commerce via email at friendofthechambercard@verizon.net.

As the temperature dips, it is difficult to focus on lawn sprinkling, however, I would like to remind residents that the last day for lawn sprinkling is Nov. 30. The board of trustees joins me in expressing appreciation for the cooperation exhibited by residents in water conservation this past year. I encourage residents to periodically utilize the village's website for information regarding the village's operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. Also please be aware that I have a village email address and would be delighted to hear from village residents about their concerns - it is as follows: MayorPBee@gardencityny.net. The next regularly scheduled village board of trustees meeting is Thursday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m.