Early summer is the traditional time for planting. And activity in the city of Butler has been unusually busy in recent weeks with three planting projects, all involving the city's Shade Tree Commission and a variety of partners.

Each project makes a noticeable improvement to the look of Main Street and the downtown district and sends a message that people here care and take pride in the appearance of their city.

Several weeks ago, the hanging flower baskets were put up on light posts along Main Street and across the General Richard Butler Bridge. Armstrong Utilitiesprovided valuable assistance to the Shade Tree Commission in hanging the now-blooming baskets in place.

Following up that effort was the planting of an extensive perennials bed with some small trees and shrubbery at the southern end of the South Main Street bridge. On this project, Butler's Shade Tree group partnered with the AMRotary Club of Butler and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to beautify the southern entrance to the city, which had already been enhanced a year ago by the erection of a colorful sign proclaiming "Welcome to Butler, a great place to live."

Now, an attractive layout of flowering plants and shrubs will reinforce and amplify that message.

This weekend, Shade Tree members are working with city employees who volunteered to help replant the lawn in front of and around the City Building. The Butler Garden Club also is involved in the work at the City Building, which features new trees, shrubbery and an annual bed to add a seasonal dash of color to the entrance of the City Building.

While not the same as a new or renovated building on Main Street, the impact of these flowers and other plantings should not be overlooked, or taken for granted. Without these projects, Main Street and the city would be more drab.

Taken by themselves, each of these projects might be seen as a small change. But small improvements such as these planting projects and others around the city enhance the appearance of Butler and play an important role in projecting an image for the city — in this case, one that is alive and vibrant.

These planting projects also demonstrate what a dedicated group of people from a variety of organizations, nearly all of them volunteers, can accomplish.

People who vent their frustration over the skyrocketing gasoline prices at the places where they purchase their fuel aren't accomplishing anything.Instead of slamming their money on the counter or expressing their anger verbally where they have just filled up their vehicles, they ought to deliver their messages to their elected representatives in Washington.Some motorists' responses to the high price of gasoline were reported in an article in the June 1 edition of the Butler Eagle.Even though lawmakers themselves don't have direct control over the price at the pump, they have the power to set better vehicle fuel-efficiency standards and to adopt policies expanding domestic oil exploration and production.Actually, lawmakers are elected and paid to listen to their constituents' complaints, not only about gasoline prices but also about other issues and things going wrong in this country.Alicia Wenck, manager of Planet Mart on Route 8 in Middlesex Townshiip, said the latest comment going around is, "Everyone should take a week off. Shut the nation down for a week to protest."While that isn't likely to happen, Americans have the option of telling their federal lawmakers that there will be ramifications at the ballot box, if those lawmakers are seen as being indifferent to their constituents' hardship.The gasoline price spiral is having a ripple effect throughout the American economy, causing hardship and inconvenience on myriad fronts. And, there's no sign that's about to change anytime soon.But those who are criticizing gasoline station owners and station cashiers for the gasoline pump pain they are feeling are, using an old saying, "barking up the wrong tree."Any optimism for the future will emanate from Washington, not from the gasoline-selling businesses that, like their customers, are struggling to make ends meet.

The 2007-08 edition of the Pittsburgh Penguins instilled a new level of hockey spirit in Western Pennsylvania.No doubt, part of Butler professional heavyweight boxer Brian Minto's interest in holding his July 2 title fight at the new Pullman Park is aimed at bringing about a similar result in regard to his sport.Regardless, he merits praise for his loyalty to his hometown in an event that would provide the city international exposure, because the fight will be televised live on ESPN2.Whether or not all of the necessary arrangements can be accomplished by local officials in less than a month, to allow the fight card to be held here, remains to be seen. Local officials have a heaping plate of details to iron out in the days ahead, and that challenge will test their tenacity.Presumably the fight card would move to The Harv in Chester, W.Va., if the details involving Pullman Park cannot be worked out in the short time frame.Local officials must regard this boxing proposal as a great opportunity that must not be squandered. Getting the arrangements in place will require a committee of hard-working, detail- and results-oriented individuals.Unfortunately, the Penguins ended up the "bridesmaid" in the Stanley Cup quest. Butler shouldn't allow itself to be Chester, W.Va.'s, "bridesmaid."