If you are using .net 4+ then try using
Task
s
Private Sub tm_Email_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles tm_Email.Tick
Task.Factory.StartNew(
Sub()
If IsConnectionAvailable() = True Then
sendMail()
else
tm_Email.Interval = 600000
End If
End Sub
)
End Sub