Spindle items
JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• FOOT TRAFFIC - I have never met anyone who can say they love battling the parking lots during the holiday season, so I plan to avoid them. My goal for this Christmas season is to purchase all my presents from the locally owned shops and boutiques near my apartment in the Elmwood Village and also along Main Street in Williamsville. I look forward to strolling the festively decorated streets, stopping at the coffee shops to recharge and finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Looking back on the beautiful weekend we just had, I know I will be kicking myself for not doing my "walking shopping" sooner, as I am sure the cold temperatures are on the way.

 PRIORITIES - Moments after the Town Board failed to adopt its 2007 budget on Nov. 20, the members had the audacity to discuss a resolution that would request foundations to open their books to the Town Board. Foundations raise money to support causes and groups they believe in and want to see thrive. Deputy Supervisor Deborah Bruch Bucki, who sponsored the resolution, made no comments about any issues with a foundation. Her only point was that she was surprised by one foundation's wealth. Foundations are independent organizations. This motion is a joke seeing that the Town Board can't even govern itself and now wants to micromanage foundations. Before looking into something that is working, the board should fix itself. Members should

learn to stay within their 11:30 p.m. meeting deadline and control the three-minute rule for resident comment. The board makes these rules and hardly ever follows them. The board needs to get its work done before worrying about the foundations.

 A CHANCE TO GIVE - Luida Balcius of Amherst, a project coordinator for "The Christmas Gifts for Lithuanian Children with Diabetes Project," is seeking help from the community. She is assisting residents in filling shoe boxes with gifts for children ages 10-13 living in Lithuania, where more than 600 children are dependent on insulin. Balcius said the community is asked to help make the holidays more pleasant for needy children living with only the barest of necessities. For more information, e-mail liuda@ frontiernet.net. Those able to help will be provided with contact information for a child, a list of ideas, postal instructions and an introduction note written in English and Lithuanian.

by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

 MAN'S BEST FRIEND - Much has been written about neighbors helping neighbors during the surprise October storm. How about complete strangers helping snare a family pet? "Stella," a mixed breed belonging to Bev and Steve Matisz of North Ivyhurst Road, broke free during the massive debris-clearing effort that followed the storm. Limbs, electrical lines and other hazards were just as much a danger to the dog as were the cars that were trying to navigate the Millersport and Sheridan neighborhood. But thanks to the help given by out-of-town utility and tree workers, as well as prisoners brought in to help clean up the community, Stella was reunited with her family after about two hours. The Matisz family thanks everyone who showed concern that day.