Christmas Week:

If your garbage is collected on Monday and Thursday, your schedule remains the same.

If your garbage is collected on Tuesday and Friday, your garbage will be collected on Wednesday and Friday. Recycling will be picked up on Monday, Dec. 24.

Rubbish and newspaper collection shall remain on the normal days.

New Year's Eve, Monday, Dec. 31

Village Offices will be closed a half day on Monday, Dec. 31, for the observance of New Year's Eve. There will be regular garbage and recycling collection on this day.

New Year's Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1

Village Offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, for observance of New Year's day. There will be no garbage or recycling collection on this day. The holiday schedule for this week is as follows:

If your garbage is collected on Monday and Thursday, your schedule remains the same with the exception of recycling being picked up on Monday, Dec. 31.

If your garbage is collected on Wednesday and Friday, your garbage will be collected on Wednesday and Friday. Recycling will be picked up on Monday, Dec. 31.

Rubbish and newspaper collection shall remain on the normal days.

Effective Jan. 1, the Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $54 - which will automatically be deducted from your monthly Social Security check.

The Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) deductible and co-insurance amounts for 2002 are:

$812 for the first 60 days of a hospital stay (per benefit period); $203 per day for days 61-90 of a hospitalization (per benefit period); $406 for each lifetime reserve day; and $101.50 per day for the 21st through 100th day of extended care services in a skilled nursing facility in a benefit period.

The cost of a college education is escalating and scholarship scams are increasing.

The Federal Trade Commission cautions parents and students to be on the lookout for the following "tell tale signs of a scam":

"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."

"You can't get this information anywhere else."

"I need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."

"You have been selected by a 'National Foundation' to receive a scholarship."

"You are a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

LIPA is sponsoring a lottery to increase interest in the use of solar energy.

Some of the requirements for lottery entrants are:

* Own and presently reside at the site where the solar systems would be installed.

* The homeowner's roof must be in good condition and have approximately 50 sq. ft. of mounting area that receives full sunlight between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The deadline for all lottery entries is January 4, 2002. You may apply on-line at

www.lipapv.com or call LIPA at 1-800-263-6786.

The Department of Energy has a 36 page booklet titled Energy Savers: "Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home." Single copies are available to individuals at no charge by calling 800-363-3732 or by writing to: Eere Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3048, Merrifield, Va. 22116.