Ballet returns to Artpark after a 10-year absence with a stunning production of ballet's greatest comedy. The Greater Niagara Ballet Company brings "Coppélia" to the Artpark Mainstage Theater for two shows on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 2 and 8 p.m.

April's "Business Blender" promises to be a real ball.

Support continues to build with favorable news heard on the proposed Town of Lewiston Civic Center.

The Lewiston volunteers of Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center have been chosen by Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steven Reiter as Citizen of the Year.

Chef Carmelo Raimondi and sous chef Bruce Wieszala of Carmelo's Restaurant were selected to compete as challengers in the annual "Nickel City Chef" competition at Artisan Kitchens and Baths in Buffalo.

Members of the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works Community Action Council held a productive session with the U.S. Army Corps, Buffalo District, earlier this month at Lew-Port. Discussions covered the Corps' ongoing feasibility study on the Interim Waste Containment Structure at the Niagara Falls Storage Site.

The Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course is introducing its new season pass for 2013. The "Frequent Fairways Pass" includes unlimited golf, unlimited range, unlimited cart, a 14-day booking window, and the New York State Golf Association Handicap. This package runs for $2,750 plus applicable taxes.

Old Fort Niagara is looking for outgoing individuals who enjoy history to serve as volunteer tour guides for the 2013 season.

Lockport Community Television will hold its next orientation session at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at its studio, 293 Niagara St., Lockport. Attendees can receive training using LCTV's new, high-definition portable equipment, which volunteers can use to produce their own programs.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission announced Tuesday that the public comment period has opened for the 33rd round of projects. Included for consistency review is a submission for the Town of Lewiston Civic Center and one from the Lewiston-Porter School District for the Lewiston-Porter Recreational Center complex phase II.

Details on these and other project submissions are now posted on the Greenway website, http://www.niagaragreenway.org. The public comment period is now under way and will remain open with comments accepted until Tuesday, April 30.

With spring on our doorstep and a beautiful summer filled with family fun ahead, Artpark has put out the call to spruce up the green areas of the Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park. Come and celebrate Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation's "I Love My Park Day" on Saturday, May 4, at Artpark.

The DiMino Lower Niagara Running Series is gearing up for another great running season with a generous $10,000 donation from Anthony DiMino, owner of Tops in Lewiston, and the addition of three new races.

The Women of the Moose, Lower Niagara, recently presented a donation to the Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence. The funds will be used to provide hair-styling services to residents in need.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - both nationally and in Niagara County. To commemorate this month, Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara program participant Laura Welder and her mom, Jen, of Youngstown, accepted a proclamation from the Niagara County Legislature.

Historical Association of Lewiston Museum Director Pam Hauth shows off the professional-grade time capsule that arrived Monday.

Opening day for trout and salmon fishing is April 1, with high, cold water and icy banks and streambeds anticipated, which could make for a dangerous early season angling - particularly in northern areas of the state, said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens.

Town Hall, an upscale bistro in Lewiston, opened during the USA Today/Rand McNally "Best of the Road" mega food tour last June. The addition gave us all yet another option for dining on Center Street.

Plans have been revealed for the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival's annual fundraiser.

The Town of Lewiston Senior Center will hold its annual "Spring Dance" on Tuesday, April 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 4361 Lower River Road. Entertainment will be by Second Time Around.

Dave Ruch and The Canal Street String Band will perform in concert on Saturday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at Youngstown First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue hosts a volunteer/foster meeting on Tuesday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St., in the community room. Heart of Niagara's directors, along with Dr. Kristen Ruest from the Village Vet of Lewiston, will be in attendance to answer questions about fostering, animal care and other volunteer opportunities.

Four area schools have teamed up to raise money for Niagara Hospice in the "Homerun for Hospice" tournament, to be held April 9-10. Varsity and junior varsity baseball teams from Lew-Port, Wilson, Depew and Starpoint will compete on the field and off to raise money for Hospice.

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston said Monday it's their intention to not raise taxes in the 2013-14 budget; Tennis center to be built at WTS.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, has joined the auto industry pension task force for the 113th Congress. Made up of members of the House of Representatives from both political parties, the group works to bring attention to the issues related to the termination of Delphi salaried retiree pensions.

Sharing their time and talents, St. Peter R.C. School students, under the direction of art teacher Erika Conti, created 116 Easter baskets in art class. The pre-K through grade 8 students donated the filled baskets to Heart & Soul.

Bill and Jean Siddall (pictured) have been chosen by the Town of Porter Supervisor Merton K. Wiepert as the recipients of the 2013 Town of Porter Citizen of the Year award. The couple leads an active schedule of community service, dedicated to making this area of Niagara County a great place to live.

The Lewiston Porter Board of Education meeting Tuesday night was an evening of ups and downs.

Youngstown First Presbyterian Church announces an Easter sunrise service will take place on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 6:30 a.m. at Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown. Residents are invited to join area churches in a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

Ransomville Rural Retirees will meet on Thursday, April 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co. firehall, 2525 Youngstown-Lockport Road.

With spring steadily approaching, the Niagara Falls Country Club already has a sense of being in full swing. Granted, golf season is a little ways off, but stop by on a Wednesday or Friday night and see if you can tell the difference. Our Wednesday "Happy Hour" events continue to draw large crowds with live entertainment and drink specials.

Town of Wilson Supervisor Joseph Jastrzemski welcomed Congressman Chris Collins and State Sen. George Maziarz to the Wilson Town Hall on Friday to urge their support of proposed dredging legislation regarding harbor maintenance of the Wilson Harbor.

Lewiston-Porter Partners in Education will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in the high school library. Featured speaker that evening will be Col. Lance Dickinson, USAF (retired), who serves as senior aerospace science instructor for the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Looking to fill up your Easter baskets with the kids this weekend? Hop on down to any of these fun-filled events to kick-off your Easter festivities.

Mary Pizzi, a 72-year-old Youngstown resident, spent a year in a local long-term care facility after suffering a stroke. Thanks to her dedicated family, including her husband Guy, and the additional supports provided by the Complete Senior Care program, she was able to go back to her home.

The Sanborn Area Historical Society will present a special program by Christopher Kreiger Sr. on "Support Our WNY Vets" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Sanborn Volunteer Fire Co. firehall, 5811 Buffalo St., Sanborn.

Waste Management announced Wednesday that the company delivered $892,994 in gross receipt taxes to various local community partners. Last year, the total payment was $646,401. These payments are over and above property and school taxes paid by the hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. New York state requires a hazardous waste facility to charge 6 percent GRT on all hazardous waste landfilled.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce welcomed 13 new members during the month of February. NRRCC officials said membership to the Chamber of Commerce helps to maintain a strong and viable business environment, as well as improve the civic and professional life in the community.

The Historical Association of Lewiston welcomes Niagara County Historian Catherine Emerson, who will speak on "Michael Huskey, the Unforgotten Sailor," at a free event Monday.

Longer days mean spring sunshine and warm summer days not far behind, bringing thoughts of gardening and landscaping projects. The Lewiston GardenFest, presented by the Lewiston Garden Club, is now accepting vendor applications for its eighth annual event, to be held on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, along Center Street in Lewiston.

Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Reiter (right) and Councilman Michael Marra recently visited Susan Geissler's Youngstown studio to check on the progress of the Tuscarora Heroes Monument. The larger-than-life bronze sculptures will depict a tableau of two Tuscarora men saving a Lewiston woman and her baby during the War of 1812 British attack on Lewiston.