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Are the kids already bored with their holiday presents and restless being home during winter recess? Why not bring the entire family to the Niagara Falls Family YMCA (1317 Portage Road) Dec. 26-31 for winter recess - family style.

Crosby's, a division of Reid Group Inc. raised $10,000 to benefit the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure during its month-long October breast cancer awareness promotion. Crosby's consists of 45 locations In Western New York into Northwestern Pennsylvania and has been in business since 1922. In October, Crosby's went "Pink for the Cure" at all of its locations.

The YI-DAN-CHA-GI Martial Arts Center is bustling on evenings with karate classes led by Grand Master Jim Wood, Krav Maga close combat self-defense and Kid Safe Network classes.

One of the largest Christmas displays in the area is done by the Greinert family over three acres at 6962 Errick Road, Wheatfield. Paul Greinert carries on the tradition started 26 years ago by his dad, Ed Greinert, former town supervisor.

Visitors are welcome, but asked to stay in their cars due to the vast amount of wiring involved for the many different scenes, showing elves, snowmen, a nativity scene, shooting stars, snowflakes, candy canes, wreaths, Christmas trees, carolers, Santa's sleigh, and much more, including the toy-filled choo-choo train shown above right.

To this technician, said Hooker Lab Supervisor Art Bartlett, "Al, will you cover Christmas?"

To this, you say "Of course," for not just recently you came back from New York City after waiting for a berth on an Esso Standard tanker with your tail between your legs, with your eyes sunken in from insufficient rations. Therefore, working on Christmas Day would be more of a joy than an annoyance. Besides, there was pay.

Right off the bat it was pleasant. A little more than a mile from home, 17th and Ferry, large snowflakes in the mild winter darkness hitting you in the face, Christmas carols in your mind, you walk to work. You say "Hi" to the guard Bill Oliver, who drives in from Wilson, punch in, and walk the 150 feet to your lab building, where you analyze poison gas for the U.S. government. Wow, all those stars.

This Christmas marks 20 years that Norm Cerrillo of Grand Island (Santa at Kelly's Country Store) has been making glad the heart of childhood.

The recent Tour of Homes drew nearly 1,900 to the Village of Lewiston to see five beautifully decorated homes by some of Western New York's most talented designers.

Holiday passage over the Niagara River - and through the woods and beyond - is again free for Christmas on the three bridges the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission operates.

The Wheatfield Seniors enjoyed their annual Christmas dance on Dec. 10. (photos by Walt Bissett)

Francesca Baase's new children's book, "Didn't You Hear the Rumor?" has been recently released nationwide.

Florida singer wins 'The X Factor' title, $5 million recording contract and Pepsi commercial.

The holiday spirit is alive and well at Niagara-Wheatfield High School.

A festive atmosphere hovered over the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education meeting as students performed, people were recognized, and gifts from donors received.

A group of third-graders performed several traditional Christmas carols and the entire room joined in on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Student carolers, under the direction of Nicole Mosier, included Elizabeth Teal, Maya Marcyan, Makenna Barrientos, Emma Sand, Nathan Rhodes, Olivia Naughton, Julia Thomas, Meghan Baio, Graciana Auer, Ciaran Edwards, Alexandra Lee, Ellie Phillips, Jaden Lombardo and Isabella Tolliano. Vicki Mehr accompanied.

Much greater insight on the state of the radioactive Interim Waste Containment Structure was shared at the Dec. 14 session of the Lake Ontario Ordinance Works Community Action Council, held on the Lew-Port campus.

Passage of two capital project propositions by voters Tuesday indicates renewed trust in the school district, Board of Education members said.

The capital project, totaling $51 million, passed by wide margins. A $46.8 million proposal passed with 1,610 yes votes and 292 no votes, an 84.6 percent approval. Proposition 2, a $4.6 million project for work on the Grand Island High School auditorium and athletic fields, passed 1,361 to 516, or 72.5 percent in favor.

"I think it's a resounding demonstration that the board put together a good package, two good propositions, and I think we're starting to build back the trust that the community expects of the board," said School Board President David Goris, after the vote totals were announced in the high school Viking Mall by Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann.

The New York Elks Association has announced this year's drug awareness poster and essay contest and an Americanism essay contest.

Grand Island Neighbors Foundation: need to assist Islanders down on their luck this holiday greater than last year; donations have risen even faster.

... a $5 million recording contract and a Pepsi commercial. Singer tops Chris Rene and Josh Krajcik in season finale.

The following activity occurred Monday, Dec. 12, to Sunday, Dec. 18, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD reported a total of 79 response calls during this period.

With nearly a dozen family race teams in the Ransomville Speedway pit area, you can add another to the list when the facility opens for its 55th year of operation in May of 2012.

Darrell Borkenhagen, who has competed in the Ransomville Speedway Thursday night go-kart program, will join his brother Derrick, a two-time track Street Stock champion. It will be the first time that Darrell will be in a stock car on a competitive basis.

Darrell recently purchased the Billy Coleman Street Stock, which finished second in 2011 Street Stock points behind Derrick. Both Derrick and Darrell have their cars inside the family garage with preparations being made for the upcoming season. Their father Rick, who has overseen the maintenance of Derrick's car, will work on Darrell's car as well.

Still in need of a last-minute gift idea?

Michael and Lindsay Fiore, the new owners of The Village Bake Shoppe on Center Street, celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month.

Year-end planning and some leftovers dominated much of the Porter Town Board's Dec. 12 regular meeting.

Lewiston Town Board members met in low-key, pre-holiday fashion and addressed mostly year-end procedural items at its Dec. 12 work session, en route to the board's upcoming final audit/regular meeting next week.

In response to a special request from U.S. military serving in Afghanistan, NBC 10 Philadelphia announced that it will live stream a Christmas Eve Mass from St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Gibbsboro, N.J., on www.nbcphiladelphia.com at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. The special Mass will also air live on NBC Philadelphia Nonstop, the station's digital channel.

Christina Aguilera, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson and disney friends share holiday joy Dec. 25 on ABC.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo today asking him to restore funding to the NFTA.

Niagara Presbyterian Church will offer its annual living nativity through Dec. 25, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and live animals at the stable at the corner of Lockport and Military roads in Town of Niagara.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association.

Commanders from the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing met with local Marine Corps reps for a Toys for Tots drop-off for bags of donated toys by members of the 107th Airlift Wing.

An open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the new Cancer Education Resource Center, located in the 18th Street Community Resource Center at 1667 Linwood Ave., Niagara Falls.

Auditions for the world-premiere of "Frankenstein," adapted and directed by L. Don Swartz, will be conducted from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3, 2012, at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda.

The Wheatfield Town Board on Monday approved a final refuse/recycling contract with Modern Disposal Service, retaining the right to set criteria to provide smaller recycling totes to residents who might need them.

Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik or Chris Rene will walk away with "The X Factor" title, a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music and an iconic Pepsi commercial. The two-night finale ends Thursday, Dec. 22 (8 to 10 p.m.), when America's choice is revealed.

The following calls were received by Town of Niagara Police between Dec. 8 and 12.

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office from Wheatfield and the Town of Niagara between Dec. 5 and 11.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance has announced a new option taxpayers can choose to receive their state income tax refunds. Beginning next year, a prepaid card will be available as an alternative to paper checks.

The American Legion Riders from Wheatfield Post 1451 donated $500 to the Airman and Family Readiness Center of the 914th Airlift Wing at the Niagara Falls Reserve Center.

Congratulations to all of this year's winners in the annual Niagara Frontier Publications Christmas Coloring Contest.