West Nile Virus: Nassau County Department of Health has reported its first confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Nassau County this year. It is important to keep up your guard against mosquitoes and the viruses they carry. To date seven mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito control efforts by inspecting breeding sites and when necessary, applying larvicide. Mosquito surveillance will continue at 42 trap sites located throughout the county.

The Department of Public Works, Mosquito Control Unit is conducting additional surveillance in those areas where humans have tested positive and positive mosquito pools have been found by inspecting breeding sites, and when necessary, applying larvicide. The Health Department will continue mosquito surveillance at forty-two trap sites located throughout the county.

To report a mosquito problem, please phone the Department of Public Works Mosquito Control Unit at 516-572-1166, Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please be advised that they are no longer collecting dead birds. To report a dead bird, please phone either the toll-free state hot line at 1-866-537-2473, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or the Nassau County Health Department. For additional information please visit the county's website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/health.

Reminder – Automatic Lawn Sprinklers: As a reminder, July 31 and Aug. 1 result in two consecutive odd days. All residents with automatic sprinklers should remember to reset their clocks at this time to comply with the village lawn watering regulations. Lawn watering is permitted between the hours of 5 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.

Shop and Dine in Garden City – Support Local Merchants: Working under a special permit from the village, food establishments on Seventh Street, New Hyde Park Road and Franklin Avenue have placed tables and chairs outside their shops and restaurants for your convenience and enjoyment. Please stop by to let the merchants know that you appreciate their efforts and enjoy the many fine tastes of Garden City.

Many residents consider shopping and dining in our business districts as "experience shopping" because they meet friends and neighbors along the way and have an opportunity to interact with them. This is in stark contrast to frantically dashing through the crowds in the mall or the big box retailers.

I encourage residents to make a conscious effort to choose Garden City as the place to shop and dine. Customer service, selection and quality are outstanding.  While shopping or dining let the merchant know that you appreciate them and all that they offer.

Concert at Gazebo: Once again, compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging the 2010 season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues.

This week's program is scheduled for Thursday, July 29, and will feature Manhattan Jazz.

The program will begin at 7:15 and admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul's School. Please call the Recreation Department at 465-4075 with questions pertaining to the concert.

Board of Trustees Summer Schedule – Public Hearing: During August, the board of trustees will meet only once. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 8 p.m. There will be a public hearing at the Aug. 19 board of trustees meeting on the St. Paul's School Demolition for Open Space Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Village's Website: I encourage residents to periodically utilize the village's website for information regarding the village's operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. For your convenience, listed on the village's home page under the heading of administration is information listing Village Hall hours and a directory with the telephone numbers of village department heads.

S.T.O.P. Program: The Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department will conduct the first of its monthly S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program Saturday, July 31. The program, which is being held at various locations throughout the Town of Hempstead, will make disposing of hazardous waste materials accessible to as many residents as possible.

Saturday's program will be held at the Town of Hempstead Parking Field L2 located on Division Avenue in Levittown. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It literally takes minutes to drop off the materials.  Workers are at the site and will remove the material directly from your car.

Under the S.T.O.P. program, residents are able to take polluting materials to the facility and have them disposed of by a registered professional disposal company, free of charge. The facility will not accept the following materials:  ammunition, explosives, radioactives, infectious waste and gas cylinders and barbecue tanks.

To contact Mayor Robert Rothschild, e-mail Mayor@gardencityny.net.