On Sunday, Feb. 26, Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the most glamorous event of the year, the 84^th Academy Awards. To help fans mark Hollywood's biggest night with a celebration of their own, Oscar.com has launched its official party blog, www.oscar.com/partyblog, with everything needed to throw the "Ultimate Oscar Sunday Viewing Party." Highlights include:

•Every great bash begins with a great invitation. The party blog features the introduction of The Oscar Collection by Marc Friedland, who last year designed the first-ever Academy Awards winners envelope and announcement card. This year, in partnership with Evite Postmark (www.postmark.com), Friedland has created 10 online custom invitations. Each design has its own matching envelope.

•Oscar.com teams with ABC's daytime series "The Chew" (1 p.m.) for fun, easy and affordable recipes and party ideas for fans who want to celebrate Oscar Sunday like a star. On Friday, Feb. 24, "The Chew" will host its own "Oscar Party" with dishes inspired by this year's Oscar-nominated movies, Daphne Oz's "Oscartini" cocktail recipe and Clinton Kelly's Oscar Style -- where he will show viewers how to incorporate this year's red carpet looks into their own wardrobes. "Chew Crew" correspondent Evette Rios goes behind the scenes during the preparations for this year's Governors Ball in Los Angeles.

•The Moët Red Carpet Glamour, the exclusive champagne cocktail of the Governors Ball, is the ultimate addition to any Oscar viewing celebration. The winning recipe, submitted by Adam Seger, was selected by the social media community and a panel of expert judges.

•Oscar's official party planner, Cheryl Cecchetto, sets the stage for glamour at the Governors Ball and gives viewers tips on how they can host an award-winning party at home.

•World-renowned master chef Wolfgang Puck shares his official Oscar recipes, and more importantly, shows fans how to prepare their own Oscar menu.

•The official "My Picks" interactive ballot is a must for partygoers to go head-to-head on their Oscar prediction skills. Hosts can print out the ballots or guests can fill out ballots online before the show. Oscar.com and the iPad app will refresh and calculate results as categories are presented. For guests who can't make it in person, the game is shareable via Facebook.

•No party would be complete without a backstage pass. With more than 20 live cameras strategically placed on the Red Carpet, throughout the Kodak Theatre, backstage during the event and even in the Governors Ball, the backstage pass on Oscar.com and the official Oscars app is the perfect complement to watching the live show. Partygoers can pull it up to check out the behind the scenes action before, during and after the show.

•Schedule of events. The festivities begin bright and early Oscar Sunday and go well into the night on ABC. Oscar.com has the full list of what to watch and when to ensure fans don't miss a thing.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, Feb. 26, from the Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on ABC. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. A $20 ticket donation provides pop, beer and food. There will be door prizes, side raffles and a Chinese auction. Prizes include a 5,000-watt generator, a Playstation 3, an iPod Touch, an iPad 2, four chainsaws, four flat screen TVs, and a pair of tickets to a NASCAR race in Bristol, Tenn.

The sponsor of the event is Ransomville's Stevenson Hardware. Tickets are available from Ransomville firefighters or at Stevenson Hardware.

"You really need to do all you can to give your crews the tools and equipment to work safely every day. This winter we have painted and built new barricades, purchased new cones, safety vests, and the men have added additional lighting to our trucks, which will allow them to be safer at roadside," Herman said.

He also has implemented a weekly safety meeting.

"Every Monday morning, we talk about safety issues that can affect our health and safety on the job or at home," he said, noting the opportunity to talk about safety concerns does make a difference.

Shown is the Highway Department's Jim Scalzo.

Both teams were winners on the court as well on Feb. 17 against Lewiston-Porter. The varsity girls won 65-58, led by Rachel Pawlak's 21 points and Melissa Smith's 17 points. The junior varsity girls won 32-13, as Allison Rickard and Bailey Milleville combined for 16 points.

Pictured, from left, are varsity captains Kelsey Nielsen, Jessica Hastings and Kenzie Oddo with junior varsity captains Bailey Milleville, Kelsi Linton and Hannah Carrier.

The Cancer Services Program provides free colon cancer screening for men and women age 50 to 64, and free breast and cervical cancer screening for women age 40 to 64 who do not have health insurance.

No appointments are necessary. Representatives will make appropriate referrals based on each individual's risk factors. Educational materials will also be available.

Those completing an assessment can enter a drawing to win a Tim Hortons gift card. For more information, call 278-8254.

The meeting will feature a "Coffee Klasch Caucus." Want to hear more about the Republican candidates? Come to the caucus to see how the caucus process works. Experience a little democracy in action with public discussion and a straw vote at the end of the meeting. There also will be updates on Niagara County Legislature and Middleport Library taxation issues.

The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call Amy Deull at 731-9623.

The board is looking at ways to reduce a budget deficit of approximately $10.9 million caused by reduced revenues and increased expenses. Proposals range from cuts in teachers and administrators to elimination of some non-mandated programs.

This month, the board approved moving on an interim basis Colonial Village Principal Timothy Carter to the high school principal vacancy being covered by Edward Town Middle School Principal Laura Palka, and appointed Charles Smilinich, West Street assistant principal, to fill Carter's position at Colonial Village.

Interim Superintendent Kerin Dumphrey wrote on the district's website:

"The challenge in preparing the 2012-2013 budget is greater this year, than in any other I have seen in my 18 years at Niagara-Wheatfield. Our district is at a crossroads like never before in all my years working for this district. As your new interim superintendent, I ask all of you for your support.

"While we have been keeping tax rates at the second lowest level in Niagara County, and about 30 percent below the average real property tax rate in the county, we are now faced with a very harsh fiscal dilemma. We are at a point where we are facing a tax levy limit with no provision for the exclusion of budgetary items mandated by the state and contractual obligations, over which the school district has no control.

"While capping the property tax levy limit has a natural appeal, the impact on our school district could be devastating. Any limit that does not include real and significant mandate relief leaves no choice but to cut programs and eliminate jobs.

"If a proposed tax levy, higher than the levy limit, is defeated by the voters, the district's tax levy would be at the prior year's tax amount. This would be devastating.

"Building the 2012-2013 school budget is going to involve difficult decisions. If Niagara-Wheatfield schools are to remain a place we all can be proud of, it needs your support now more than ever. Please participate in the budget building process by attending board meetings, budget workshops and visiting our district website to fill out the board budget survey."

On your next visit to the Aquarium of Niagara, snap a few shots of its favorite birds, or send in photos taken of other penguins.

A good opportunity to see the aquarium's penguins and its other attractions, plus sample a variety of food and wine, will be at the facility's annual fundraiser, "SEAsonings," from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at the aquarium, 701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls. The $45-per-ticket event provides food samplings by local wineries, restaurants and food vendors, a raffle and a basket auction. For reservations, call 285-3575, ext. 206.

The aquarium also is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In the penguin photo contest, three winners will be chosen: first place, second place and honorable mention. Each entrant may submit between one and five photographs of penguins in either black and white or color (no slides).

Mail photographs and required entry form to the Aquarium of Niagara, Exhibits Department, at 701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls, NY, 14305, by March 13. For more information, contact the events department at 285-3575, ext. 206, or email aquariumnf@aol.com.

Finalists may be asked to submit model releases of recognizable subjects, signed by the person(s) appearing in the photograph.

The first-prize winner will receive a penguin encounter; the second-prize winner will receive an 8-by-10-inch unframed piece of art by a penguin from the aquarium; and the honorable mention winner will receive a 4-by-6-inch unframed piece of art by a penguin from the aquarium. Each winner will also receive an award certificate, a matted enlargement of the photo and media recognition. The enlarged photograph will be displayed at the aquarium's annual Penguin Days Celebration on March 24 to 25.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Steve Richards expects to have more information on the transfer of former U.S. Army property on Porter Road to the town after attending a conference with military officials next week.

Richards, Councilman Rob Clark, town Industrial Development Agency member Timothy Heary and Dan Bristol, executive director of the town's Local Redevelopment Authority, will be attending the Association of Defense Communities conference in Miami.

Richards said he usually does not attend these conferences, but as the town's chief financial officer, he is hoping to get more information on the ownership transfer of the former U.S. Army Reserve Center and Area Maintenance Facility. He also wants to take advantage of information available from other communities in the nation that have already been through the process or are in the process of acquiring former military property.

Richards said the town still would like to use the big hangar on the property at 9400 Porter Road for aircraft-related business, but said, "The NFTA has been less than cooperative in granting access to the airport's taxiways." The town also is investigating the possibility of a major hotel and/or inexpensive airport parking at the facility.

In other meeting news:

•The board approved a change of venue for its next meeting. It will be held on Tuesday, March 20, at the Calvin K. Richards Center in Veterans Park, across Lockport Road from Town Hall. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. as the town's Bicentennial Committee honors senior citizens and businesses that have been in the town for more than 50 years.

•Another part of the town's bicentennial celebration received approval with a contract to hire Skylighters of Western New York to produce a fireworks show on June 30. Price is not to exceed $10,000.

•The board approved the request of Robert Nichols of Niagara Falls Transportation Inc. to combine two lots on Porter Road (Marco's Foreign Cars property) to relocate his tour bus agency.

•The board approved the purchase of a new commercial mower with bagger and power assist for $8,134.56 (plus $250 freight) and a 4-by-4 utility vehicle for $10,761.44 from low bidder Niagara Lawn and Garden Equipment. Richards abstained from the vote, noting that the owner of the business was his son Michael. He added that the equipment will be paid for by a $25,000 grant for equipment obtained for the town by State Sen. George Maziarz. The town plans to use the remainder of the grant for a ball field grooming tractor.

•The board changed the town's out-of-town travel expenses guidelines to increase the per diem rate of $60 per day (set in 2007) to $100 per day.

•The board approved $3,000 for 2012 training of K-9 Cody from the Town of Niagara Police Department.

•The board approved the outdoor liquor license for the LaSalle Sportsmen's Club.

A new interim director and a veterinarian have been appointed at the SPCA of Niagara, as the facility struggles to get back on track after charges of mismanagement and excessive euthanasia of animals.

Amy Lewis, supervisor of admissions and rescue at the SPCA Serving Erie County, has been named interim director of the Niagara facility on Lockport Road in Wheatfield.

Lewis was on the job at the Niagara facility this week.

Barbara Carr, director of the Erie County facility, was hired to do an independent investigation on Niagara's operations, and when that report was released, Niagara's board of directors fired its executive director and several members of the board have since announced plans to resign.

The Niagara board has also approved Dr. Peter J. Freyburger of Pendleton, president-elect of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society, to be its interim veterinarian.

In addition, the Niagara board has announced it will follow a series of steps in order to facilitate the new board of directors election in May. A nominating committee, organized by the current board president, Bruno A. Scrufari III, will review the applications for candidacy.

According to a press release from the board, the majority of the nominating committee will be comprised of "persons of high standing in the community, with diverse viewpoints." After reviewing potential candidates, the committee will meet with the current board to provide their suggestions for a slate of 15 to 17 candidates for board positions.

SPCA membership will vote on the candidates at the May annual meeting. All members who are in good standing as of Feb. 29 will be eligible to vote in the May election.

The new board will be responsible for instituting the process utilized to select a permanent executive director.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists and those involved in the protests outside the SPCA of Niagara in January are reportedly getting the cold shoulder when they try to visit to volunteer their help.

Morgan Dunbar of Animal Allies of Western New York said a volunteer working the reception desk has hung up on her and refused to relay her messages when she asked to let Lewis know that "we're here to do anything we can to help."

Dunbar said she has paid her dues as a member of the SPCA of Niagara and went to the Lockport Road facility in a professional capacity. "The next thing I knew two sheriff's deputies were behind me," she said.

The person at the desk also called police to the facility Tuesday evening on another former protestor, not affiliated with Animal Allies. That woman, who has donated materials and offered to volunteer at the SPCA, was running late for an appointment on adopting a dog she had seen at the facility. The woman had called a board member who assured her it would be all right to enter late, Dunbar said.

Susan Mikula Campbell contributed to this report.

"I'm pleased that the EPA listened to our concerns and has decided to move this waste to a more suitable facility outside New York," Ceretto said. "The EPA's decision closes the door on these materials coming to the Lewiston-Porter area, a fact that should help local parents rest easier."        

"I welcome this decision," Maziarz said. "From the beginning, I have said that should the EPA find it necessary to remove these barrels for the public health and safety of the LeRoy community, any transfer to Lewiston would simply renew those concerns here in our own community. It wasn't a matter of where the waste was going, it was where it wasn't going - and it was never coming here, if I had anything to say about it. That door is closed."

Maziarz and Ceretto were made aware of attempts to bring the barreled contaminants from the LeRoy Superfund site to Lewiston on Friday, Feb. 3. The lawmakers, along with Lewiston Porter Superintendent of Schools Chris Roser, were able to successfully convince the EPA to look for alternatives.

Infertility, diabetes, back pain, shingles, eating disorders, disc problems, depression, arthritis. These are a few of many health problems that can consume a person's daily life. And while these ailments are daunting, there may be a solution to resolve some of the associated aches and pains: acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Rehab Center is a comprehensive, alternative treatment center in Amherst. Owner Dr. Lisa Zhou, a licensed acupuncturist in New York and Georgia, is National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine certified. She says acupuncture is not painful, but rather effective and contributes to good health.

 "Your health is so important since the quality of life matters," Zhou said. "Many people battle with pains and many other chronic diseases on a daily basis. I have patients coming in to tell me that their western doctors have told them that they have to live with the pains or the diseases for the rest of their lives. Traditional Chinese medicine provides an alternative solution for the treatment of these diseases."

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points. The practice is an ancient Chinese tradition that works to reprogram and restore bodily functions by stimulating "chi," a Chinese word for energy. In this process, energy is believed to circulate throughout one's body to maintain good health.

"Chinese medicine looks at the ... organs - lungs, kidney, heart, spleen - as interconnected with each as well as every part of our body," Zhou said. "The kidney is our body's generator, for example. A weak or disfunctioning kidney can cause a series of health problems. The Chinese medicine tries to identify the inter-relationships between diseases and parts of human body. It goes to the cause to find solutions for the health problems."

In that regard, Chinese medicine is different from western medicine. Its doctors diagnose with observation (hearing, smelling, touching) and background information, whereas practitioners of western medicine often depend on lab tests and biological symptoms to identify one's health problems.

"Chinese medicine works best to treat those diseases that western medicine cannot find causeful. Chinese medicine is best for chronic diseases, because it uses a holistic approach and a very different diagnostic methodology to find the causes of the problem rather than depending on machine and lab tests. It aims to treat the causes of the problems, not the symptoms of the problems," Zhou said.

Acupuncture assists in promoting good health by regulating the flow of chi through energy channels, or meridians as they are called in traditional Chinese medicine. Needling the acupuncture points can influence the meridians; the acupuncture treatment opens up the channels of energy that were blocked, thus improving functionality. Acupuncture re-establishes the regular flow of energy through the meridians.

Sherry, a Colden resident whose doctors told her they were clueless as to how to treat pain in the low part of her belly, turned to the Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Rehab Center.

 "I knew there was something wrong with my body," Sherry said. "Doctors told me they couldn't do anything. All tests show everything is normal. I said to the doctors, 'I don't feel right ... someone has to be able to help me.' But that's when I found Dr. Lisa online. She's a wonderful person and she's easy to talk to. It separates her from other acupuncturists. She looks at the body as a whole, and it helps detect problems."

Thanks to Zhou's acupuncture and herbal medicine, Sherry's health problem is almost non-existent. Doctors told her they could not help her, but the miracle of Chinese medicine has enabled her to watch her teenage daughter grow up.

Zhou started to learn Chinese medicine at the age of 6 when she watched her grandfather practice medicine in China. She pursued medical degrees in Chinese and western medicine. Now, with 25 years of experience under her belt, Zhou practices acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medical treatment modalities, including tuina, cupping, guasha, moxibustion, acupressure and qigong.

Zhou has had success treating patients with both acupuncture and natural herbs. In many cases, this combination treatment works better than acupuncture alone. Together, these treatments can be effective on hard-to-treat chronic diseases such as asthma, insomnia, carpal tunnel, hair loss, tendonitis, post-stroke complications and weight problems.

"In addition to acupuncture, she provides me with herbs to be boiled as tea to drink," Sherry said. "At first it tasted bitter, but now I crave it. The acupuncture and herbal medicine is wonderful for me and, now, I am not in pain anymore. I have only been seeing (Zhou) since November and it's really helped me."

Zhou runs Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Rehab Center in conjunction with her husband, Dr. Zongqing Zhou, the company's president. She first opened her business in 1998 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, when her family members lived in Lewiston. When they moved to Amherst, they decided to relocate the center closer to home. In 2008, they moved to 4229 Maple Road.

The Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Rehab Center is currently offering special deals. Clients who mention the company's online advertisement will receive $25 off their first treatment session, plus a free initial consultation. For more information, visit www.acumedrehab.com or call 716-803-8899.

Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Rehab Center is located at 4229 Maple Road in Amherst. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 803-8899 or email lisa@acumedrehab.com.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. on March 22 and 29, and at 7:30 p.m. on March 23, 24, 30 and 31. In addition, 2 p.m. matinees will be presented on March 24, 25 (with post-show discussion) and 31, as well as April 1.

Cast members who portray the royals and the fairies include the following Niagara University theater studies performance majors: Kelsey Anderson (Cobweb, Courtier) and Kyle Baran (Theseus, Oberon), both of Buffalo; Megan Kemple (Hippolyta, Titania) of Fort Drum; Brianna Lanoye (Peaseblossom, Courtier) of Getzville; Lauren Parrow (Moth, Courtier) of Fairport; and Dan Urtz (Philostrate, Puck) of Verona. Also, NU student Megan Kelley (Mustardseed, Courtier) of Elmira is in the cast.

Cast members who portray the lovers in the production include the following NU theater performance majors: Meghan Deanna Smith (Helena) of Wheatfield; Patrick J. Tighe (Lysander) of Hamburg; Grace Turner (Hermia) of Buffalo; and Mike Van Dyke (Demetrius) of Jacksonville, Fla. Additionally, cast members who play the mechanicals in this Shakespearean comedy include the following NU theater performance majors: Sean Craig (Snug, Oberon Elf) and Alan Trinca (Nick Bottom), both of Buffalo; Fabio H. Del Carlo (Tom Snout, Egeus) of Harrison, N.J.; Billy Leonard (Frances Flute, Oberon Elf) of Ransomville; Eric Madia (Robin Starveling, Oberon Elf) of Grand Island; and Dino Petrera (Peter Quince, Oberon Elf) of Syracuse.

Theater design/technology major Brittany Metz of Albion is the costume designer, and theater studies performance major Annise N. Celano of Amherst is providing additional dramaturgy for the production. Stage manager is theater studies performance major Jamie Lynn Nablo of Cheektowaga. Assistant stage managers include theater performance majors Nathanial W. C. Higgins of Springville, and Kendyl Litwiller of Naples.

For more information, or for tickets, call 716-286-8685, email theatre@niagara.edu or visit http://theatre.niagara.edu/boxoffice/.

Since premiering in November 2010, "Conan" has been a hit with TBS's core audience of young adults. The show recently charted its third consecutive month of audience growth. The success of "Conan" also extends well beyond the show's TBS telecasts to include widespread DVR, online and mobile viewing; interaction through Twitter, Facebook and TeamCoco.com. In the past year, "Conan" has conducted special events throughout the country, including a week of shows from the Beacon Theater in New York and fan art exhibits in New York City and San Diego. In June, "Conan" will travel again, this time for a week of shows in Chicago.

"We are proud to be in business with Conan O'Brien for the long run," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies. "Night after night, Conan and his team have put together terrific shows that draw a young and fiercely loyal audience. As if that weren't enough, they have also built a dynamic online presence that keeps fans engaged like no other show in late night."

Conan O'Brien added, "I am excited to continue my run with TBS, because they have been fantastic partners. This means I'll be taping episodes of 'Conan' well into the Ron Paul presidency."

"Conan" has enjoyed three consecutive months of audience growth. In January, the show was up 27 percent in total viewers compared to October 2011, while adults 18-34 were up 18 percent and adults 18-49 up 21 percent. Already in February, "Conan" is showing an additional 12 percent growth among adults 18-34, 11 percent among adults 18-49 and 8 percent among total viewers. In 2012, "Conan" has averaged 1.1 million viewers, with 407,000 adults 18-34 and 702,000 adults 18-49.

O'Brien is a true powerhouse when it comes to online activity and engagement. He has amassed 5,020,000 followers on Twitter, more than any other late-night host. Video clips from "Conan" presented through TeamCoco.com, viral players and YouTube attracted more than 83 million video views in 2011. And the Team Coco Facebook page has drawn more than 1.8 million fans, nearly doubling the page's January 2011 figures.

In its first year on TBS, "Conan" earned three Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Variety Music or Comedy Series and another for the show's outstanding team of comedy writers. In addition, O'Brien won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Talk Show Host. Meanwhile, the Team Coco website has garnered a wide array of industry recognition, including a 2011 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media and a 2011 Webby Award for Best Fan Site.

Produced by Conaco LLC, the Emmy-nominated "Conan" airs Monday-Thursday at 11 p.m. on TBS.

by Joshua Maloni

The owners of two popular Lewiston eateries are thinking growth, while two new investors are planning to open a wine bar in the village.

Three proposals - one each for second-story additions at The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. and Brio Pizzeria & Restaurant, and one to turn 700 Center St., into a wine bar - are on the agenda for Tuesday's Village of Lewiston Board meeting (6 p.m., Red Brick Municipal Building).

The Village of Lewiston Planning Board approved all three proposals earlier this week.

At The Brickyard, proprietor Eric Matthews said he and business partner Ken Bryan are adding a second level to their restaurant's outdoor patio, because "(We) like to change it up a bit."

Matthews said the proposed 450-foot expansion "is something different and unique." He said the addition would provide additional shelter for patrons when it rains, while still maintaining space for them to sample barbecue while sitting outside in the sun.

Guests will walk up a staircase to find additional tables and chairs. No food will be served on the top level, but Matthews said diners are welcome to bring their drinks and/or takeout orders upstairs.

Despite The Brickyard's success - and sometimes-cramped quarters - Matthews said there is no plan right now to expand the business onto Ridge Street.

Next door at Brio, owner Mike Wylke plans to convert the building's fire-damaged top level into extra restaurant space.

"I'm thinking about putting a patio deck on the upstairs," he said when he re-opened in December.

Brio, like The Brickyard, would have a two-story outdoor patio.

Down the street, Jack Lyon and Kelly Wiepert, the new owners of 700 Center St. - also known as Amy K's Mystick Korner - plan to expand their building and use it for first-floor retail (three units) and second-floor apartments.

"We thought this was a great opportunity," he said.

The partners propose a corner wine bar, which they've dubbed "Taste!".

Lyon is aware of Emery Simon's recent wine bar proposal, and said both parties have an amicable understanding.

"There's definite growth in the Niagara Wine Trail," Lyon said. "I'd be surprised if we were the last wine bar to open."

As for the other retail units, Lyon said current occupant Katy Reese (middle unit) has expressed an interest to stay in her present location following the renovation.

A third space will be built on the east side of the building. At present, Lyon has no plans for that unit. He will have four apartments in total, including one where a garage now lies.

Lyon said he hopes to start construction on the new addition this spring. As for the current structure, "The building needs some TLC," he said, noting a fresh coat of paint, electrical repairs and restoration of original features are planned. Lyon expects that work to begin this summer.

•Brickyard photo courtesy and copyright of Fittante Architecture P.C.

•Brio photos courtesy and copyright of Giusiana Architects & Engineer.

Submitted release

Modern Disposal Services of Model City and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority celebrated the opening of a compressed natural gas fueling station at the company's headquarters today.

NYSERDA provided $1.25 million in U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities funding to help purchase 15 compressed natural gas (CNG) garbage trucks and install the CNG fueling station. The company is investing an additional $3.9 million into the project.

Modern, a 48-year-old company with a long history of clean-energy projects, is planning to continue purchasing additional CNG trucks. The new station can fill 40 vehicles overnight, and the company plans to have nearly 30 CNG vehicles by the end of 2012, or about a quarter of its fleet.

CNG vehicles are cleaner than trucks that run on diesel. They have lower emissions of greenhouse gases, particulates, and nitrogen oxides. The vehicles are also quieter than diesel-powered trucks.

"Modern is thrilled to be involved with a project that is a win-win for us, our customers and the community," said Gary Smith, P.E., C.O.O. of Modern Corporation. "We would also like to thank NYSERDA for its role in helping to fund this environmentally responsible initiative. Modern has had a long history with clean-energy projects, and we will continue to invest in environmentally friendly solutions in the future."

When used as a transportation fuel, natural gas can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent when compared to petroleum fuels, and can significantly reduce other pollutants as well, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative-transportation fuel commercially available today. The use of domestically produced alternative fuels such as natural gas, propane, electricity and bio-fuels can curb harmful emissions and help reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum.

"The transportation sector accounts for 67 percent of the oil consumed in the United States. Without a comprehensive plan to address this consumption, the number is projected to reach 72 percent by 2020," said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. "NYSERDA is proud to join forces with Modern Disposal to unveil this major investment in alternative transportation fuels and help continue to reduce the state's petroleum consumption."

Officials from Modern and NYSERDA joined State Sen. George Maziarz and other dignitaries in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new CNG station.

"The opening of the fueling station at Modern Disposal is something that Niagara County can be extremely proud of," Maziarz said. "As chair of the Senate Energy Committee, I see how important it is to invest in alternative fuels. I commend Modern and NYSERDA for this collaborative effort, as it will not only create job opportunities, but will also result in a cleaner environment for all residents of Niagara County."

Modern, which owns and operates an on-site landfill, has a variety of clean-energy projects. The company burns its landfill-generated methane using 11 generators to create 12 megawatts of electricity, then redirects the waste-heat to maintain a 12-acre hydroponic greenhouse, H2Gro. The power plant capacity is enough to provide electricity to more than 10,000 homes. The computer-controlled greenhouse uses crushed coconut husks to grow tomatoes - 5 million pounds last year.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are now 106 CNG filling stations in New York state, including 34 that are open to the public. NYSERDA has helped pay for 18 stations, other than Modern Disposal. Of the 18, 10 are on Long Island and the others are distributed across the state.

by Joshua Maloni

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees approved development plans for The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. and Brio Pizzeria & Restaurant at Monday's monthly meeting. The owners of both eateries intend to add a second-floor patio to their respective businesses.

Brickyard owners Ken Bryan and Eric Matthews plan to put a 450-foot second level onto their existing outdoor patio at 432 Center St. Brio owner Mike Wylke seeks to rebuild the fire-damaged second level of his building at 440 Center St., and convert it into a 24-by-26-foot patio above his current outdoor seating area.

Trustees praised The Brickyard team for utilizing parking spaces behind the building on Ridge Street.

"This is great," Mayor Terry Collesano said. "We thank you for doing it."

Deputy Mayor Bruce Sutherland expressed his concern that Brio, on the other hand, had not added parking spaces in keeping with its growth.

"It sure would be nice (if you found some additional parking spaces)," Sutherland told Wylke. "That's going to take other spots away from other restaurants."

Trustee Therese Mudd said Brio's addition is "going to impact all the businesses, so (additional parking spaces) would be helpful to everyone."

The Village Board approved an outdoor shelter (in lieu of a gazebo) for Emery Simon's proposed wine bar at 755 Center St., while approving Jack Lyon and Kelly Wiepert's development plan to rebuild 700 Center St., and transform the corner unit into a wine bar and tasting area (dubbed "Taste!).

"We've got two wine bars going in the town," Collesano said. "That's great."

•Brio photo courtesy and copyright of Giusiana Architects & Engineer. 

by Joshua Maloni

Al Soluri is back in as a Lewiston police commissioner.

At least for now.

Soluri said Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Reiter informed him via a Feb. 15 letter that he was being replaced as one of three police commissioners. Reiter, Soluri said, was intent on appointing Town Councilman Ronald Winkley (the former Lewiston Police Department chief) to serve as a commissioner alongside Town Councilman Ernest Palmer and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Acting Board Chairman Henry Sloma.

"Mr. Reiter, on his own, replaced me," Soluri said at Monday's Village of Lewiston Board meeting. He said he didn't know if the supervisor could make such a decision, and he told trustees, "I'm in no man's land right now. ... This should be rectified one way or another."

At the Town of Lewiston's Jan. 9 re-organizational meeting, Councilman Alphonso Bax moved for the appointment of Winkley, Palmer and Sloma as police commissioners. Councilman Mike Marra seconded the motion. The council voted 4-0 to approve the measure. Winkley was absent from the meeting.

Village of Lewiston Attorney Edward Jesella took umbrage with that decision and, in no uncertain terms, told Soluri he is still the village's representative.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're a commissioner," Jesella told Soluri. "He had no right to appoint someone else."

Jesella, who was the town attorney when the village and town police departments were consolidated into the current Lewiston Police Department in 1995, said the decision to remove Soluri was "ill advised," and contrary to the initial agreement.

"There's nothing in the contract that allows the town to take such action," Jesella said.

He suggested recent requests to discuss the current police contract have fallen on deaf ears. Jesella said he sent a letter to the town on Nov. 14, 2011.

"I never even got the courtesy of a reply," he said.

Jesella said one commissioner is appointed by the town, one by the village, and one by mutual appointment.

Soluri said the commissioner shakeup was unfair to Lewiston Police Chief Chris Salada, whom he said was caught in the middle.

To that, Jesella said, "I'm telling you, Mr. Salada, he (Soluri) is a commissioner."

When reached by phone Monday night, Reiter said, "I don't want to talk about personnel issues."

He said the Village Board is "entitled to their opinion, I guess," and said the Town Council would meet with village trustees to discuss the commissioner positions.

Reiter said part of the issue is that "they (the village) haven't paid their full share this year" of the police budget. The village was charged 23 percent (or $276,710) of the total cost. Moreover, he pointed to more recent contract negotiations and said it's his understanding the town is to handle police and administrative decisions.

He added, "We think there's some issues in the police department," and said, "We just figure that they (Winkley and Palmer) have more experience. We just think that's the better way to go."

Reiter said Winkley and Palmer have almost 50 years of police experience on the Lewiston, Youngstown and Niagara Falls police departments.

Winkley, he noted, is a village resident.

The Historical Association of Lewiston is lining up volunteer guides and ambassadors who are interested in hosting passengers during the "Black Pearl's" Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday cruises this summer. If interested, email editor@historiclewiston.org with your name, address and phone number.