Amherst News-Times, 2005-12-14

              downtown gets $400,000 - page 3 i mihalic scores 1,000th o n t ci pvo oh c ru a mn 55 r yj h sol1 15 "id amherst news-time ro w m letters to santa this year, claus asked use the news-times mail box again collect from local kids tradition he's been observing for decades in amherst. we took look at his an mall before forwarding it north pole. some wanted say thank you, others had very specific requests, and still tried their hands bribery. here's what they say: you so much gifts give me year after year. hope apd;lrs. claris have gresjjt christmas ?tto spend lot of dfnfccdth your family. j love, madison. geraghty dear chrishmis is my favorite holiday. all presents youve made tha past chrishmiss. one day will send present sama. every put carrots cookies on plate.fbr reindeers. do share with elfs. asked, because elfs work hard tom.ake toys. wonder toys get chrismas day, 1 good haw chrismis santa. santa, how are ? mrs. claus? i've girl brother has gop4 boy, please can have: io0kmi4$mim, magic pegasui'mkjkvdanc&xsi";! finger vmsmcd player arid; ; jewelry bqx. ' . .. cm jjjffox$mn cuddly ;j bear t6 sfelftmhe's only $ mldsol'm'asmfmrhim. h. p.s i'll waiting berime. 4-yeers old : tor more, sea 12. additional lettero be printed trie dec, 21 odhion news-times. new aldi, dollar tree plannj negotiations continue as commission takes gridlock isstie! by jason hawk reporter city leaders arc scratching heads week, wondering two 15,000 square-foot low-cost retailers could affect traffic along amherst's busiest corridor. six months bring german grocer aldi bargain-bin outlet kresge drive expected finalized according lorain developer victor nardini, who approached planning com mission project approval nov. 29. micah properties wants build century plaza between giant eagle dp (across mayflower square) phases, nardini said. rear two-thirds property would developed first includes building, while lots front later accommodate possible restaurant office space, he "aldi think great it's strong largest europe 6,000 grocery stores," told "they're quality merchandise too. average fam ily always interested savings." owned narrow since 1990, but unable find viable until now, "commercial development strange thing. times can't enough, other slow. we've many offers sell it, that's never intention," continued 5 'old soldiers die... ...they just fade away' editor's note: fifth piece series about veterans, wars fought, issues now face. 'talcs battlefront' run through veterans stories urged to. call 988-2801. say-mat die, away. greatest generation fading too fast. donald cherry kid ney, stiff knees, sleeps respirator. most days, 86-year-ola won't make up stairs bedroom despite continuous exercise walk er. "it hard. yourself long left," bright west street man says. "but i'm going sur prised if something happens any time soon. reach 90." not (lie four million viving world war ii america cherry's confi dence age its toll ranks thinned 1,100 each day. threw itself threats hitler hirohito, 16 u.s. citizens donned mili tary uniforms. today, donning hospital gowns fight lives once again. last more than five mil lion people received care va health centers, outpatient clinics served (54 patients, department affairs. beginning millennium 2001 , havejontributcd '22 percent increase "the system's cost $29.1 billion. others, like cherry, refusing surrender march illness. problems joints, breath ing, ongoing battle type diabetes, said able stay home help daughter, susan, consider option. memory comes hard, too, slipping away casts mind back 64 years vivid recol lections days searing pacific island heat that burned him bone. "now different kind fear when health. then was scared engine failure gave deep belly went air," "i okay fear." 2 (second right) poses group photo canton air base 1943, where helped b-24 spy planes. below, five-star generals hover over maps taken flight crew, which were used plan marine invasions japanese strongholds pacific. tickle-me-elmo? spill beans season's hot holiday gift ideas darn gap come way bb guns, legos, bears, g.i. joes yester parents hardly keep gizmos gadgets, styles fads involved shopping season. clear confu sion, panel experts nord middle school shed light hottest they're keeping wish ful fingers crossed. answers sure spin exam ple, $400 them making matters even mind-blowing top request. priority number sixth graders getting cell phones, came reasons might, (he tender ages 10 11, actually need them. brandon toothman must-have gift: $100 adidas shoes "what fell off bike?" shannon sfero. "we football games, forgot pick body up?" corissa faria. llic object obsession, apple ipod, tiny portable mp3 music device hold 7,500 15j000 songs (depending the, model). course, begs ques tion: know jooo songs? listen music. p9 12 faria electric scooter sfero skateboard bhh'v-'''''' cj. baslntki must-hava cedar point aoo p4ts ij j.