Spindle items
JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• PLEASE STOP - Every morning I sit in my car at the corner of Main Street and South Cayuga Road. And every morning I see at least two cars fly through the red light. At least once a week I sit at Sheridan Drive and North Forest Road on my way to the police station and see the same thing. I spend a lot of time driving around Amherst and see a lot of drivers who act irrationally, speeding through red lights, or taking it upon themselves to be the second or third car to turn left on yellow. It has always upset me, but these deci- sions really hit home recently when my friend was in a car accident caused by a poor decision. I realized how one driver can change the lives of many people. My friend, who lives in the Syracuse area, was in a horrible accident last month. With some broken bones, bruises and muscle tears, he spent four days in the hospital and is now recovering at home with the aid of a physical therapist. The 19-year-old driver of another vehicle was killed in the accident. Reports say he went through a stop sign into 55-mph traffic. His vehicle struck a Jeep, which then hit my friend's car. The driver of the Jeep also spent a few days in the hospital.

My friend told me that had he not been wearing his seatbelt there was a good chance he might not have survived. I thought about the weight of that statement. He could have been taken from his friends and family because of haste.

It's one of the most horrific scenarios I can think of because it could have been avoided. I watch from my car as bad decisions are made everyday on busy Amherst streets. I want drivers to realize it's just not worth it. I was once told that the average traffic signal lasts 30 seconds per cycle - really not that big of a deal.

Make a decision to be a better, safer driver. Think before you act because you are not the only person on the road and it takes just one split-second mistake to change the lives of many people.

• BUBBLEMANIA - Bubbleman Doug Rougeux will bring his Bubblemania performance to the Children's Summer Theater Camp at Eastern Hills Mall Saturday, July 14. Bubblemania is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Doug's creations grow from intricate and imaginative bubble art forms to 'trapping' people inside bubbles.

The event is free of charge to all who attend, and every child 12 and under will receive a free gift and a coupon entitling them to lunch anywhere in the food court for just $1 on the day of the performance. Performances will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Center Court area of the mall. Families should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to show time to receive their free gift and $1 lunch coupon.

For further information visit www.shopeasternhills.com or contact Eastern Hills Mall at 631-5812. Bee Group Newspapers is the sponsor of this event.

• APPLICATIONS DUE - The Williamsville Central School District is accepting applications for day care transportation for the 2007-08 school year. The applications are due at the district transportation department, 533 Mill St., Williamsville, no later than Friday, July 20. For information, call 626-8388.