I would like to thank the Mineola Board of Education and Dr. Licopoli for informing our residents in or about this site of the process that will be employed regarding the environmental abatement and ultimate demolition.

The abatement process has begun and it is anticipated that it will be completed mid-January 2002.

The demolition of the building will be from the inside out so that the building falls into itself. It is currently anticipated that the process will commence towards the middle to the end of January. The work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are interested in buying something different, you may wish to visit the White House Gift Shop at www.whitehousegiftshop.com

Examples of the items offered are: golf items, mugs, holiday gifts, pewter etc.

The Federal Drug Administration's website, www.fda.gov has information regarding how the public can protect themselves when purchasing medicines on-line.

One of the FDA's comments is worth repeating, "Legitimate pharmacy sites on the Internet provide consumers with a convenient, private, way to obtain needed medications, sometimes at more affordable prices. Many reputable Internet pharmacies allow patients to consult with a licensed pharmacist. However, it is a violation of law to dispense prescription drugs without a valid prescription."

There will be public hearings at village hall, 155 Washington Avenue, on Wednesday, Dec. 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is searching for over 12,000 people who are owed pension monies.

If you worked for a company that went out of business or terminated its defined benefit pension plan, you might be entitled monies. Please visit website www.pbgc.gov/search/default for more information.

Stroke is the number three killer in the United States and a leading cause of disability. But there are early warning signs and preventative measures that can be taken to minimize risk. Seniors can learn this information through a lecture sponsored by Winthrop-University Hospital's Health Update for Seniors Program, "Stroke Prevention: Are You at Risk for a Brain Attack?" on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002. The program will be held at the Mineola Community Center, located at 155 Washington Avenue in Mineola. It will begin with registration and blood pressure checks at 1:15 p.m., followed by the program at 1:45 p.m.

Elzbeita Wirkowski, MD, Ddirector of Cerebral Vascular Disorders at Winthrop, will discuss the risk factors for stroke, preventative measures, and the need to act fast if symptoms occur. A question and answer period will follow.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. For information or to reserve your space, please call 516-663-3916.

I, along with the Board of Trustees, extend to all our best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has on its website listings of product recalls:

www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereldec01

Some of the recent recalls are:

* Kids II is recalling approximately 20,000 Pop Links Toys because the tips on the links that snap together could break off.

* Kid Cool LLC is recalling about 5,100 Baby Cool and Kid Cool girls' jackets and vests. The zipper pull and metal ring on these garments might detach. These garments were sold exclusively at Sears.

* Approximately 3,100 Curious George toys that include fabric-filled mobile phones are being recalled.