Village offices will be closed on Feb. 11 and Feb.21; however, there will be normal garbage collection on both of these holidays. For the first time, the Village of Mineola will be sponsoring an "Afternoon at the Islanders." The village has been able to acquire a block of tickets for the Monday, Feb. 21, (President's Day, schools are closed) game against the Detroit Red Wings, featuring Steve Yzerman and Sergei Federov. The game begins at 3 p.m. All village residents will have the opportunity to purchase $27 tickets at the discount rate of $19 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at Village Hall during normal business hours. So come on out and join your neighbors and friends for a great afternoon at the Coliseum when the Islanders take on the Wings. Hurry, tickets must be purchased by Thursday, Feb. 10, cash only, no checks will be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact the Village of Mineola Recreation Department at 746-0750.

The following is a list of the upcoming recreation events that will take place at the Community Center:

Friday, Feb. 11 - Youth Soccer - 7 ­ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 12 - Adult Open Volleyball - 7 ­ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 25 - Youth Wiffleball - 7­ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 26 - Adult Open Volleyball - 7 ­ 9:00 p.m.

All residents are reminded that you must possess a Village of Mineola Leisure Pass to participate in these events.

Boy Scout Troop 45

The Shelter Rock District of the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America annually sponsors a "Klondike Derby" at the Muttontown Preserve. Teams of 4 to 6 Scouts travel with their self-propelled "Dog Sleds" (the boys provide the "dog power") through the trails of the Muttontown Preserve to various sites. At each site, the Scouts are given a challenge based on a scouting skill and awarded a number of "Gold Nuggets" based on how well they complete the assigned task.

This year, Mineola's Troop 45 had four teams of Scouts competing in a field of over thirty teams, divided into a Senior and Junior Division. Troop 45's Senior boys entered a "sled" in the very competitive division. This team was made up of Senior Patrol Leader Paul Schuber, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Billy Lee and Junior Assistant Scoutmasters Ricky Verriest, Billy D'Elia and Dan Bartollmeo. These Scouts displayed great scouting skills and were the first place winners in the Senior Division.

Cancer is a devastating disease that affects the spirit as well as the body. The physical and emotional effects of the illness can leave women exhausted and unable to cope. However, research has shown that women who have access to support services are better able to deal with the stress of the disease. In an effort to aid women who are battling cancer, Winthrop-University Hospital's Women Health Services is offering a free Cancer Support Group to be held on six consecutive Wednesdays: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5. The sessions will take place from 4:00 p.m. ­ 5:30 p.m. At 222 Station Plaza North, Suite 509, in Mineola.

Groups are co-led by an oncology nurse and a social worker. Sessions are free, but space is limited. Please call 1-888-53-WOMEN to reserve your place.

AARP volunteers are again, this year assisting seniors in the preparation of their 1999 income tax returns. This service is available at the Community Center on Wednesdays from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

The IRS's website is www.irs.ustreas.gov and it has information that could be helpful in preparing your return.

This website listed "Five Ways to Save on Your 1999 Taxes." The suggestions are as follows:

1. Cut your federal income tax by the full amount of the HOPE Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit, for qualified costs of higher education.

2. Subtract the full amount of the Child Tax Credit right off your tax bill, if you qualify.

3. Save for the future with a Roth IRA without paying tax on future gains or earnings by following certain guidelines.

4. Minimize the taxes required on certain IRA withdrawals for qualified costs of higher education on a first home.

5. And don't forget the "same year" deductions that made traditional IRA's a popular choice.

Parents of children with asthma can gain emotional support and educational information through a new program being offered by Winthrop-University Hospital's Pediatric Pulmonary Division. The Parents Support Group, which will be held on the first Thursday of each month, is designed to aid parents of asthmatic children who range from infancy to age 18. Sessions are free, and held from 7:30 ­ 8:30 p.m. at the Pediatric Pulmonary Division, located at 222 Station Plaza North, Suite 603, in Mineola. The next session will be on March 2.

The group is led by Kathy McKillop, RN, a pulmonary nurse practitioner who is experienced with asthma management. Parents are able to learn the latest information on asthma, and given an opportunity to share feelings about caring for an asthmatic child.

The Pediatric Pulmonary Division is part of Winthrop's Institute for Lung Care. For further information, please call 663-4937.