The Mineola Fair will be held at Memorial Park on Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

There will be games, prizes entertainment, displays, craft vendors, antique cars and rides.

This year Mineola will be hosting the New York State Little League Championships. These games are scheduled to start on July 28.

On Tuesday, May 1, Mary and Harry Van Allen will be discussing "Minor Bulbs." The Van Allens are former residents of our village and are accomplished gardeners.

The presentation will be at the Community Center, 155 Washington Avenue from 12:30 p.m. to

2 p.m. - The Van Allens have graciously agreed on Saturday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to noon to repeat the "Minor Bulbs" presentation for those who are unavailable during the week.

The use of herbal remedies has grown increasingly popular, but research has shown they need to be used with caution. In an effort to educate the public, Winthrop-University Hospital will present a free lecture, "Herbal remedies: Help or Hazard- How Safe Are They?" on Tuesday, May 15. The program will begin with registration and refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Winthrop Community Outreach Center, located at 101 Mineola Boulevard in Mineola.

Brian R. Malone, RPh, MS, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at Winthrop, will compare and contrast herbal remedies with conventional medications, as well as identify drug interaction precautions. A question and answer period will follow.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Please call 663-8300 to make a reservation.

Applications are available at Nassau Beach Park through May 4. Nassau County Leisure "Passport" is required to enter the lottery. The drawing will be held on May 7 at 10 a.m.

For more information please call 571-7700.

The Aquatic Center is located in Eisenhower Park and is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you would like more information please call 572-0501.

The following are some of the "Senior Activities" that are available:

AARP 55/Alive - Times, Dates and availability on a first come, first served basis.

Chess - Tuesday and Friday afternoons, noon to 3 p.m.

Morning Billiards - Monday- Friday (except holidays) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tai Chi - Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Quilting - Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information regarding these activities please call 572-0338.

The US government has a website, www.governmentguide.com/consumerservices which allows you to check whether New York state or another state is holding money in your name.

When you went to college out-of-state you opened up a savings account. Did you close it? Use this website to determine if monies are due to you.

In addition, this website allows you to find out if you had a FHA insured mortgage are you entitled to a refund or does a former employer owe you "pension monies."

When excessive rainfall occurs, plants suffer. When we irrigate our aim should be to replenish water lost to evaporation or utilized by plant roots.

When irrigating, the goal is to saturate the root zone of the plants without applying an excessive quantity of water that may be lost as run-off. How many times have you driven down a residential street and seen water in the gutter?

A "soaker" hose or drip irrigation system is useful for various landscape planting and when combined with mulching is an effective manner in which to conserve water while adequately watering your plants. Good irrigation equipment can greatly assist in decreasing water consumption. Use pulsating or "rainbird" type sprinklers that deliver water in large droplets rather than sprinklers that atomize water.

Large droplet size sprinklers means less loss from evaporation. A timer between the faucet and the hose can turn off the water after a period of time.

A general rule for homeowners is that, a half inch hose will deliver 600 gallons per hour; a five eighths hose, 1,000 gallons per hour; and a three fourths inch hose, 1,900 gallons per hour.

When watering your lawn, it has been suggested to put the lawn sprinkler on for thirty minutes and after waiting an hour, put the sprinkler on again. This will allow the water to penetrate the four to six inches most beneficial for grass.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (their website is www.cpsc.gov) has developed "10 Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety."

They are:

1. Protect your head. Wear a helmet.

2. Make sure your bicycle is properly adjusted.

3. Always check brakes before riding.

4. See and be seen.

5. Avoid biking at dusk and at night.

6. Stay alert. Always keep a lookout for obstacles.

7. Go with traffic, not against it.

8. Always be aware of the traffic around you.

9. Learn the rules of the road.

10. Make sure that bicycle wheels are securely fastened.