It gives me pleasure to congratulate two new members of our business community on the "grand openings" of their new facilities May 20: Healthtrax at the Winthrop Wellness Pavilion located at 1300 Franklin Avenue (the former Saks Fifth Avenue building), as well as The First National Bank of Long Island located at 1050 Franklin Avenue. We are delighted to have them a part of the Garden City community and wish them every success. As the weather begins to get warmer, take time to think about your lawn and garden. Planning is the key to successful water conservation. Select plants and trees that are drought tolerant. Some examples are crape myrtle, oleander, wild lilac and rosemary. To increase plant health and conserve water, add organic matter such a mulch to the soil of shrub and flowerbed areas. This increases the soil's ability to absorb and store water in a form available to the plant. Composting not only removes waste from landfills, but also provides rich organic planting material. Consider using drip irrigation, where the water gets directly to the plants' roots. The next board of trustees meetings will be held Thursday, June 5, and Thursday, June 19. The meetings will be held in the Board Room at Village Hall and will begin at 8 p.m. 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. Also please be aware that I have a village email address and would be delighted to hear from village residents about their concerns - it is as follows: MayorPBee@gardencityny.net.