THE BUZZ

Fa, la, la, la, wow

For one merry group of people, Christmas lights always look just alittle bit brighter. These folks sign on each year for the "Gin andTonic" tour of lights, organized by a Manitou Springs man who feelsdownright festive with a little tonic and a little gin in his system.

The tradition started about a decade ago, when the gin-drinkinggroup of eight or nine (including a designated driver) piled into amini-van and toured Manitou, searching for the most twinkly Christmaslight display. This year, they expanded their territory. WhyChristmas lights? "They put us in the mood," says the organizer. Whygin? "You figure it out," he says.

Grrls air their grripes

It's not just a breach of etiquette that has the Etiquette Grrlsall worked up.

It's that, and swing dancing in khakis and sneakers, and thewearing of capri-length pants in winter, and a million-trillion othertacky things that are downright annoying to the Grrls.

And this time of year, in the heat of holiday entertaining, theGrrls are on the alert.

When a reader asks on the Grrls' Web site (www.etiquettegrrls.com)if she can wear Jingle Bell earrings to midnight Mass, they reply:"You may not wear jingle-bell earrings at all, and especially not toMass! Bells should only be worn by Cows or Cats. Also, the EGs aresure the Choir does not want, or need, Musical Accompaniment. If youmust personify a Christmas Carol, stick to 'Silent Night.'"

The Grrls are actually Honore Ervin and Leslie Carlin, who haveestablished themselves in print and on the Internet.

Lost and FOUND

The old saw goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."Davy Rothbard, 26, has set out to prove that statement true, in amagazine as compelling as it is bizarre.

FOUND is a collection of abandoned snapshots, lost grocery lists,love notes and hate notes, dog-eared leaflets, drawings and anythingelse contributors have picked up and mailed to Rothbard.

A yellow sticky note with tire tracks on it and the words "don'tforget to pick me up at 7." A "this is your final notice" statementwith no name orw address. A smeared school paper with a report aboutthe monarch butterfly. All items worthy of FOUND.

On the East Coast and in California, you can find FOUND inbookstores, but the mag hasn't made it to Colorado yet. To order thefirst issue, send $5 plus $2 postage to FOUND Magazine, 3455 CharingCross Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48108-2922.

A subscription (the mag will come out every six months or so) is$21.21, and covers the cost of three issues and a surprise gift.

For information, call (510) 393-6343.To submit items, checkwww.foundmagazine.com for details.

- Deb Acord; The Gazette

Supermarket savers sought

Are you the Coupon Queen? The Budget King? The Gazette is lookingfor folks who save money at the supermarket. E-mailtfarney@gazette.com or send mail to The Gazette, Teresa Farney, P.O.Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901.

- Deb Acord writes The Buzz Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Reachher at 636-0264 or dacord@gazette.com