Members of Boy Scout Troop 829 and Cub Scout Pack 829 will spend Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, collecting canned goods for the Youngstown/Porter Community Christmas Baskets. The collection effort will start at 2 p.m.

For the third year in a row, Kelly's Country Store, at 3121 Grand Island Blvd., is selling Christmas trees, with proceeds to benefit the Grand Island Lions Club's annual Special Kids Picnic, as well as the club's other service projects.

Robert A. Stone, an airport manager with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, has been elected president of the Riverdale Cemetery Association Board of Directors for 2012-13.

Flag etiquette is to lower your flag to half staff from sunrise to sunset on Pearl Harbor Day, this Friday, Dec. 7, according to Old Glory Flag & Banner Co., a division of Cooper Sign Co., located in Town of Niagara.

Albert McFadyen will offer a portrayal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Friday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Niagara County History Center Meeting Room, 215 Niagara St., Lockport.

The Niagara County History Center welcomes local Korean War veteran Stephen Lacki who will present a free public program titled, "KW60," on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. at the History Center, 215 Niagara St., Lockport.

Dr. Stuart Weinstein is again offering the community an opportunity to brighten their holiday smiles and, at the same time, the financial outlook of families with members serving in the military.

Paul and Jan DePlato of Bergholz once again are offering a chance to see one of the area's largest Christmas displays, with an added bonus: a visit with Santa.

On Sunday, Dec. 9, the Village of Wilson will open up its streets and its heart to celebrate a community Christmas event titled, "A Very Country Christmas."

Holiday gifts are just a click away in the American Red Cross' 2012 Holiday Giving Catalog.

Old Falls Street, USA, will host its first ever "Blues Christmas" event on Friday, Dec. 14, inside The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls. The event runs from 6:30 to 11 p.m.

The New York Power Authority has kicked-off the holiday season with its annual Festival of Trees, running through Jan. 5. On Dec. 8, NYPA will hold its annual Deck the Halls holiday event featuring photos with Santa. Both events take place at the Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road.

The third annual Native American Benefit Concert will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St., Lewiston.

The Cancer Wellness Center, 84 Sweeney St., North Tonawanda, is offering the Cancer Coach Program for those who are going through a cancer diagnosis.

Smokin Joes plans to give away $28,000 for the holiday season to its "Loyalty Customers" through its "WinBins."

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 17 for the Tree of Warmth at Dental Care Associates, 2145 Lancelot Dr., Wheatfield.

Consumers who shop for holiday gifts at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst can support the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

The world-famous entertainer known as "Mr. Las Vegas" will become "Mr. Niagara Falls" this Friday, as Wayne Newton joins Seneca Niagara Casino and the City of Niagara Falls in celebrating the holidays.

A vocally talented country/Christian group and one of the defining rock bands of the early 1970s will kick off entertainment at Seneca Casinos on a high note to start the new year. Diamond Rio and Creedence Clearwater Revisited will play at Seneca Allegany Events Center on Jan. 12 and Jan. 27, respectively.

With the holiday season officially upon us, it's important to make time to celebrate with family and friends - and holiday lighting is a key part of those festivities. By following a few simple tips, customers can benefit from a more environmentally friendly, safe and cost-effective way to light up the holiday season.

One Facebook "like" equals a $1 donation this month as the Taste of Buffalo presented by TOPS partners with Headway of Western New York Inc. to help make a difference in the lives of those who need it most this holiday season. For every new "like" the Headway of WNY fan page (http://www.facebook.com/headwayofwny) receives now through Dec. 31, the Taste will make a $1 donation, up to $1,500, to Headway.

Beaver Island State Park is currently issuing permits that will allow snowmobilers to use the more than 12 miles of designated and signed snowmobile trails on state park property located on Grand Island. The trails will be open between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. beginning on Dec. 15. Snowmobiling is not allowed within Beaver Island State Park.

PHOTO GALLERY: A long-standing tradition in Niagara Falls continues this holiday season. The Greater Niagara Ballet Company presents its 35th annual production of "The Nutcracker."

Grand opening to feature free health screenings, organic/health food samples and advanced clinical pharmacy services.

Statement by Benjamin Geyerhahn, New York director of Small Business Majority, regarding Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's call to pass bipartisan legislation that could help small businesses secure much-needed credit.

Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, the largest locally owned credit union in Western New York, is announcing plans for a new branch located at 721 Center St., in the Village of Lewiston (inside the former HSBC). This latest branch will open in January 2013.

Buffalo Bills star running back Fred Jackson was back on WBBZ-TV with co-host Bob Koshinski on "The Fred Jackson Show" Monday night to recap the Bills 34-18 victory Sunday over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Known as innovators of the game of basketball for decades, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters are again introducing something unparalleled in the history of sports and family entertainment, taking kid participation and fun to a whole new level.

It's that time of the year again. Are you looking for something fun for children to do during their holiday vacation? If so, YMCA Camp Kenan has the answer with its "Winter Camper Retreat" on Dec. 22 and 23. This overnight will be filled with activities such as camp crafts, winter nature activities, holiday cookie decorating, snow relays, rock climbing, campfires and songs.

Amarpreet Grewal Bath, M.D., has been appointed medical director of the new Niagara County Health Home at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was presented Tuesday with the Buffalo Billion investment development plan by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo continued a statewide Regional Economic Development Council Progress tour Tuesday in Buffalo and Niagara Falls where he was briefed on Western New York projects to understand their progress and their economic impact in the region.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced an agreement Tuesday that will prevent the Maid of the Mist scenic boat excursions from shutting down. The multilateral agreement spearheaded by the governor provides for the Maid of the Mist to continue to operate in the Niagara Gorge and for it to produce increased revenues for Niagara Falls State Park.

The agreement will also lead to improvements of the boat tour experience for park visitors and will protect New York state from potential disruptions to a critical tourism attraction for decades to come.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute has been named to The Leapfrog Group's annual Top Hospitals list for a third consecutive year. One of only three National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in New York state, RPCI is the only New York facility to be named a Leapfrog Top Hospital for 2012.

Two of the Niagara County Legislature's top officials announced Monday that they would oppose the nomination of Democrat Elections Commissioner Nancy L. Smith at Tuesday's meeting of the Niagara County Legislature following Smith's appearance before a Legislature committee last week.

More than 200 of the world's greatest snowmobilers to race in AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series during three action-packed days - Feb. 22-24

Each year, the Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives group names a local business leader its Executive of the Year. Russell J. Salvatore, president and CEO of Russell's Steaks, Chops and More Restaurant and Salvatore's Grand Hotel, has been selected to receive the 2012 honor during the annual awards gala on Monday, March 4, 2013, at Salvatore's Italian Gardens.

Candles twinkle in the windows of the 286-year-old French Castle. Outside the imposing stone structure, lanterns line Old Fort Niagara's walkways as soldiers in cocked hats and wool coats prepare their muskets to perform a grand feu de joie, a firing of joy, in honor of the holiday season.

The enduringly popular daytime television game show "The Price Is Right" is set to feature Braddock Point Lighthouse in Hilton, N.Y., in a "Lighthouses Around the World" vacation getaway showcase prize early in 2013.

During a Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Niagara University community will celebrate the life of Brother Augustine Towey, C.M. The Mass will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. in the Alumni Chapel on the Niagara University campus. A small reception will follow in the Glynn Family Atrium in Bisgrove Hall.