Be sure to apply early for your 2002 Mineola Leisure Pass. The deadline for early registration is May 15. After that date the cost of a pass will rise from $5 to $8 and the cost of a "Caretakers" pass will increase from $50 to $58.

All members from last year need only to mail in their application along with payment and the proper documentation (please refer to your application for the necessary proofs of residency)

All other members need to make an appointment to submit their application and have their pictures taken. Please call the Leisure Pass Office at 746-2326 to schedule an appointment.

It takes approximately five days to process your application. Apply early. You will need your Leisure Pass to enter the Pool, which opens on June 15.

A significant portion of the water consumed by our residents is used for watering lawns.

You can help keep your grass green throughout the "season" and save money by watering for a longer period of time, but less often.

Watering for a longer period of time causes the grass roots to grow deeper thereby allowing the grass to weather dry spells.

Sibling rivalry causes enough bickering within a family to challenge even the calmest parent. Yet, there are strategies that can be used to help parents avoid some of the pressures of this age-old problem. Parents can learn how they can speak to their children about working together and becoming better friends at Winthrop-University Hospital's Parenting Today Lecture, "Sibling Rivalry: Handling the Competition" on Wednesday, May 8, 2002.

The program will begin with registration at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m., and will be held at the Winthrop Community Outreach Center, 101 Mineola Boulevard in Mineola, at the corner of Second Street. Parking is available in the rear of the building.

Carmela Bernacchio, MS, director of the PACE Parenting Center, and Margaret Lorenz, CSW, will discuss issues impacting sibling rivalry, as well as how parents can minimize competition and help their children appreciate each other.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. For information or to reserve your space, please call 1-877-559-KIDS.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants consumers to know that as of April 1, all propane gas tanks sold to consumers for barbecue grills must have a new safety device. The over-fill prevention device will help to avoid propane leaks that can cause fires and explosions.

"CPSC worked with industry to develop this safety standard to help prevent deaths and injuries," said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomas Moore. "As people trade in their old propane tanks for newer ones, we will see fewer fires."

Propane gas is highly flammable. Each year, about 600 fires/explosions occur with gas grills resulting in injuries. The new safety standard for propane gas tanks requires that an "over-fill device" be installed in new gas tanks. The new propane gas tanks have valve handles with three "lobes" (prongs) while older tanks have handles with five prongs. Beginning April 1, only the new propane tanks will be sold or refilled nationwide. People with older propane gas tanks will need to get the new, safer tanks when they go for a refill.

An additional industry standard (adopted in 1995 at the urging of CPSC) provided for the several safety features in the gas grills, hoses and connections. The safety standard calls for a device to limit the flow of gas if the hose ruptures; a mechanism to shut-off the grill if it overheats; and a device to prevent the flow of gas if the connection between tank and grill is not leak-proof. People who have grills that do not meet the 1995 standard should be especially attentive to the following safety tips:

* Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.

* Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.

* Always keep propane gas containers upright.

* Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors.

* Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.

* Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

* Make sure your spark igniter is consistently generating a spark to create a flame and burn the propane gas. If the flame is not visible, the heavier-than-air propane gas may be escaping and could explode.

* Never bring the propane tank into the house or garage.

There will be a "Blood Drive" at the Village Hall on May 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you would like more information, or to make an appointment, please call Betty Conlon at 742-0913 or during business hours, Teri Ranfone at 746-0750. The material cost alone to replace a fire hydrant is in excess of $1,600.

The Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs is located at 160 Old Country Road in Mineola and its phone number is 571-2600.

Many of the homes in our village are being "renovated." To safeguard homeowners against contractors who fail to "fulfill" their contracts, home improvement businesses in Nassau County are required to be licensed.

If during the course of the home improvement there is a dispute with the licensed contractor, the Consumer affairs Agency will mediate the dispute on the consumer's behalf.

Home Improvement is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to the following areas of work for which the contractor must be licensed.

* Air conditioning and heating systems

* Carpentry work

* Ceramic tile and marble installers

* Chimney/fireplace builders, repairs, cleaners

* Doors, windows, awnings

* Dry wall contractors

* Fences and railings

* Fire escape stairs and ladders

* Floor installation and refinishing (including sub-floors)

* Garage builders

* General contractors

* Insulation contractors

* Lawn irrigation contractors

* Masonry work

* Paving and driveway sealcoating

* Powerwashers and sandblasters

* Reglazing/porcelain refinishing

* Sewer cleaners

* Siding installation

* Swimming pool (building, installing and maintenance)

* Tree surgery

* Vacuum cleaner central systems

* Waterproofing

The home improvement section also administers a restitution fund for consumers who have obtained a legal judgment against a licensed contractor and have been unable to collect.