August has arrived and we are looking to make the most out of the remaining weeks. There's still time to take advantage of what Long Island has to offer. Fishing at Captree, sunbathing at Jones Beach, a trip to Montauk or Greenport are some of my ideas. Traffic this time of year is frustrating, especially when there's a bridge to cross on the way to your destination. A block party, a visit to our local pool playground, a barbecue, or just relaxing on a lawn chair sipping iced tea in the backyard, can create a welcomed summertime break. Mark your calendars - Spirit Weekend is Sept. 5, 6 and 7.

The Floral Park Substance Abuse Prevention Council is making plans for a Red Ribbon program this fall. Traditionally Red Ribbon Week, held in October, focuses on drug and alcohol abuse awareness through educational and community activities, including the display of red ribbons on trees and fences.

During the summer months parents may have heightened concerns about issues concerning teenagers such as alcohol consumption and smoking. I personally believe age 13 and 14 are very important years in the lives of our youth. These are the foundation years for young people beginning a challenging stage in their lives - adolescence. A time when opinions emerge quite opposite those of parents, embarrassing events are devastating and relived for years, friends and phones become appendages and natural curiosity may lead to experimentation. Teens like to be with other teens and they like to talk a lot to each other. They're not likely to relate the content of any of their conversations with adults.

During the summer, teens tend to gather in certain favorite spots around the village. In general, they aren't guilty of foul language or destructive behavior. Teens have enthusiasm and remarkable energy. They can get bored easily. Parents can help by encouraging them to partake in wholesome activities.

When a teen plans to get together with friends, it's a good idea for parents to remind them to be neighborly as they go about the village. Generating noise or using swear words, upsetting folks with pranks and horseplay or removing public street signs can hurt their image.

I never experimented with smoking as a teen. In fact, I never smoked my whole life. Many years ago, when I was about 20 and at college studying to be an RN, my patient was a 22-year-old male who was paralyzed, a quadriplegic and whose position was changed through the use of a striker frame. He was permitted to smoke in the hospital. He said it was his only pleasure. He asked me to light up a cigarette for him. I didn't know how and couldn't do it. I can still remember the kick he got out of my ineptitude. Now, don't misunderstand. I'm not advocating that every teen try a cigarette. While some types of experimentation can be harmless, in today's world we must be aware that some experimentation can be dangerous and destructive. Through education, communication, guidance, understanding, example and affection, adults can help keep teenage curiosities and experimentation in check. It's said that a teen has one foot in childhood and the other in adulthood. Most adults would relish the chance to place one foot back in adolescence and keep the other in adulthood.

If interested in helping the Floral Park Substance Abuse Prevention Council in its efforts, call 326-6300.

Asphalt overlay and partial reconstruction work involving sidewalks and curbs have been completed on Terrace Avenue. The rainy weather didn't hamper the project. However, startup was delayed to allow for utility work before the repaving.

Our Public Works tree crew is vigilant in its efforts to detect any signs of tree disease. The Asian long-horned beetle has been found on Long Island in Bayside and Amityville. The federal government has implemented a program which involves injecting healthy trees with chemicals to prevent beetle infestation. Because of funding cuts, the original number of trees to be treated in the quarantined area of Queens has been reduced.

The beetles are 1-2-inches long and are black with white specks. The antennae are longer than the body. The very first beetle was discovered by a homeowner in Amityville. The beetles destroy hardwood trees from the top down. Only cutting down and burning all the wood, including the stump of an infected tree can eradicate the beetles. Call 326-6320 if you find a large black beetle with white spots. To date no beetles have been found in our immediate area.

Airplane noise has been very troublesome in recent weeks, largely due to inclement weather necessitating instrument landings and airport approaches involving our village. Trustee Bambrick and I have recently sent informational letters to local residents concerned with airplane flights over the village. Residents are urged to contact government officials about the increased number of flights and flights during unacceptable hours.

At a recent Town Village Safety and Noise Abatement Council meeting, Floral Park, New Hyde Park and south shore villages voiced concerns about a new air traffic design plan that's in the works. My question, "Will it reduce noise or will it only address aircraft safety issues?" Again, I invite community members to attend the next Council meeting in Lawrence with me to hear firsthand the discussions related to air traffic. While the overall numbers of flights has decreased and aircraft engines have become quieter over the years, Floral Park continues to be vexed by overflights of airplanes and helicopters. If concerned about this issue, please add your name to our correspondence list by calling Lauren at 326-6300.

West end residents may have noticed the timing at the traffic light at the intersection of Floral Blvd. and Carnation Avenue has been adjusted. Extra seconds of green now give drivers incentive to take the Floral Blvd. route to Carnation Avenue instead of Atlantic Avenue. The intersection at Atlantic and Carnation Avenues is one of the village's busiest, mainly due to commuter traffic.