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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Post-holiday youth spiritual event returns for the fifth year in a row.

Budget comes in under county tax cap despite state mandates

Niagara County lawmakers approved a $316.5 million spending plan Tuesday night in Lockport, with a slight 1.8 percent property tax increase that is below the county's legally required 2 percent tax cap.

The 2012 county budget was approved by a 16-3 vote.

The approved budget sets a full value tax rate of $7.63 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 13-cent shift from the 2011 spending plan. Taxes remain sharply lower than the $8.78 per $1,000 in 2004. The Legislature has, despite this year's minor tax increase, managed to preserve a 13 percent tax reduction accomplished since then.

The Village of Lewiston accepted Gary Hall's gift of a new, $2 million recreation center at Monday's monthly board meeting. ... Now the question is where to put it.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital is celebrating the nearing of completion of more than $10 million in diagnostic equipment and infrastructure improvements made at the facility over the past three years.

And starting this month, Mount St. Mary's is beginning an investment that will total more than $2.4 million for the implementation of an electronic medical record that will be needed to meet the requirements of the federal Healthcare Reform's Affordable Care Act, while enhancing patient care.

Hospital President and CEO Judith Maness said the investments would add to the overall life of the hospital building and enhance comfort for patients and employees.

"These investments in our hospital's infrastructure and building systems are critical to our sustainability and efficiency," she said.

It's easy to see what customers like about Sandi's Family Restaurant.

Uniquely crafted woodworkings are now on display.

In only its second season in existence, Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course has received another impressive honor.

A four-star hotel and extra airport parking have been added to the possibilities for future use.

Staff members from Mount St. Mary's Hospital visited Lew-Port earlier this month to give students a presentation on the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection.

Take a Christmas tour with "Jolly Old St. Nick" this weekend.

The St. Francis Guild Auxiliary of Mount St. Mary's Hospital recently presented a check in the amount of $60,000 to President Judith Maness.

National Grid understands the importance of celebrating the holiday season with family and friends, and warm, colorful lighting.

A local tradition continues this holiday season. The Greater Niagara Ballet Company presents its 34th annual production of "The Nutcracker."

Pop or soda, the generic term for carbonated beverages has been a source of friendly debate between soft drink aficionados for decades.

The Niagara Parks Commission has rejected a bid by daredevil Nik Wallenda to cross the Horseshoe Falls on a tightrope.

"Safety and our responsibility to preserve and protect the falls, and all those who wish to view its beauty, are our paramount concern in reaching the decision we have," said NPC Chairwoman Janice Thomson.

The denial comes three weeks to the day after Wallenda made a personal pitch to the commission, which has a long history of denying what it considers to be stunts. The NPC controls all provincial parks in and around the falls and a tract of parkway that runs from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie.

"What we're doing is re-affirming our policy against stunting," said Thomson.

The 10-member commission held a conference call Tuesday night. At that time commissioners were asked if they wanted to re-open discussion of the Wallenda proposal. However, actual voting was done on an individual basis with Thomson; the commissioners do not know how others voted.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation's gift-wrap booth is open through Saturday, Dec. 24.

'Flames Through Lewiston' highlights British attack during the War of 1812.

John Ceretto and Richard Pope were on hand as a new household hazardous waste disposal unit was installed in the Village of Lewiston.

The Polish Writers Union has bestowed the honor of Best Book of 2011 in poetry on "Winter Vision," a poetry collection by Western New York author Robert M. Giannetti.

Holiday-related festivities are going full swing throughout northern Niagara.

An information campaign regarding the Grand Island Central School District capital project vote ramps up into high gear Monday.

First Niagara Bank will present the 2011 "Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration" on Saturday, Dec. 3, in Buffalo.

The Sanborn Fire Company Band presented its annual Christmas concert at the Sanborn firehall.

Holiday celebrations kick-off early at the New York Power Authority's admission-free Niagara Power Project's visitors center, the Power Vista.

When Al Oddo retired in June, members of the Niagara University community agreed it would be difficult to imagine a faculty roster that didn't include the accounting professor of 38 years. Now they won't have to.

HART Interfaith Inc. and The Natural Link are sponsoring a raffle to benefit HART. There are three gift certificate prizes for The Natural Link products.

The seventh annual Lewiston Tour of Homes is scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4 in Lewiston. Major sponsors of the event recently gathered in the Lewiston Museum for a photo.

St. Peter R.C. School celebrated a traditional Thanksgiving luncheon on Nov. 17. Parents and grandparents were invited to share in the celebration.

America's favorite holiday tradition, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to dazzle and enchant millions nationwide on Thursday, Nov. 24, beginning at 9 a.m. on NBC in all time zones.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, NUSGA was challenged by the offices of student affairs and campus ministry to assist a Niagara Falls food pantry at one of its neediest times of year.

Before overfilling that plate with fat-laden, high-calorie foods this holiday season, consider this: Experts say not only are Americans getting fatter, but the numbers of those who develop diabetes is growing significantly.

The "Devil Without a Cause" now has a mission and (possibly) a way into Heaven.

The holidays should be a special time for everyone, especially children.

Town of Niagara resident Nick Occhipinti and his grandson, Vinny, drop off a donation at the bin in Town Hall supporting the second annual "Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive" to help area food pantries feed less fortunate families with children.