What to do with unspent money?

Dr. Daniel Wiseman, secretary of the Van Nuys Neighboorhood Council, recently suggested, through an e-mail, ways neighborhood councils could use their unspent funds. Several councils have money that they've not spent yet and the end of the fiscal year is June 30.

His suggestions are:

1. Buy books for your local library. Wiseman says the L.A. City Council recently took away all the money that local libraries had to buy books.

2. Buy equipment for your local park or the fire or police departments. A call to your local park, fire station or police station will help identify items they can't buy at this time because of budget restrictions.

3. Put on a health fair, job fair, concert or some other community event.

4. Support local charities, service clubs or fraternal organizations with their programs, projects and activities.

Any of these expenitures should produce benefits that you can see in your neighborhood, Wiseman said.