Niagara University will host its annual graduate school open house Saturday, April 13, on campus in the Castellani Art Museum.

NYSARC Inc., the nation's largest nonprofit agency serving people with developmental disabilities, is urging the Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve a final budget deal restoring $120 million in state funding to programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.

The reduction is a result of a 6 percent, across-the-board cut, which was contained in the governor's budget. When federal funds are included, the cut is $240 million.

"These cuts are catastrophic," said NYSARC's executive director, Marc Brandt.

Peregrine's Landing Senior Community and The Clubhouse Bro's Family Restaurant in Wheatfield have partnered together to bring "Memory Lane Café" to local residents beginning April 17.

The Lewiston Choraleers will present an Easter cantata, "Come Walk With Me - Through the Passion and Resurrection of Christ," by Pepper Choplin, at four area churches March 23, 24 and 30.

The Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS will hold its first ever technology fair, "Get Wired'N," on Wednesday, March 6, at the Millennium Hotel on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga.

The Western New York community once again demonstrated its generosity as 1,307 donors contributed $72,549 to a diverse group of non-profit organizations that participated in "Spring It On," the area's first 24-hour fundraising event held March 1.

Niagara Hospice has launched a volunteer campaign to recruit dedicated and compassionate individuals looking to truly make a difference. The Power of One campaign illustrates how one hour a week from one volunteer can result in many lives changed, including that of the volunteer.

The dates for the "On the Edge Poetry" series at Niagara County Community College have been announced for the spring semester.

Discussion topics at Monday's Lewiston Town Board session were numerous and varied. A big one concerned the proposed Town of Lewiston Community Recreation and Senior Services Center.

To help promote the importance of colorectal cancer screening, the Cancer Services Program of Niagara County will be at each hospital in Niagara County in March providing colorectal cancer risk assessments.

LaSalle PRIDE Inc., in conjunction with the LaSalle Library, will present a lecture by Teresa Lasher Winslow on the "Street Name Changes of Historic LaSalle" at 6 p.m., Monday, March 4, in the LaSalle Library, 8728 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls.

Congressman Brian Higgins has announced a new schedule of "Congress on Your Corner" stops in Western New York. "Congress on Your Corner" provides satellite office hours, at locations throughout the district, for residents to gain assistance with federal issues.

The Buffalo Sabres "Green Team" has again teamed up with the non-profit Cell Phones for Soldiers organization to provide troops serving in the U.S. military with cost-free methods of communication with their loved ones.

Niagara County Legislator John Syracuse joined Newfane town officials and state representatives in honoring four Olcott volunteer firefighters for their heroic rescue of the passengers of a boat that sank in Lake Ontario during last year's Independence Day holiday.

The Buffalo Zoo has announced the next phase of fundraising for the new polar bear exhibit, and introduced a polar bear cub to the public.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, says the federal sequester is unfairly targeting the military, but he is hoping military leadership will have greater control over how to make cuts. Collins made the case for proposed legislation that would give department and agency heads more flexibility over sequester cuts Friday afternoon at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The History Center of Niagara recently received a New York State Council for the Humanities grant to develop and implement interpretive programming on the War of 1812 in Niagara County.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced Friday the closing of American Falls Historic Bridges, also known as the "Historic Stone Bridges," in Niagara Falls State Park. American Falls Historic Bridges is a pedestrian-only bridge that connects the mainland to Goat Island while crossing over Green Island.

Congressman Brian Higgins had announced continued progress on Buffalo's waterfront with Friday's action by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. board to approve a contract for construction of the east canal.

Due to the strong response to ticket sales for "Spring For Music," the deadline for purchasing the best seats in the house has been extended until March 15. To date, the orchestra has sold more than 800 tickets and is on its way toward filling Carnegie Hall.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. board of directors met Friday to authorize and enter into a contract with Mark Cerrone Inc. for the construction of the east canal and associated features at the former General Donovan State Office Building site in Buffalo.

Family and friends of Mark W. Farrell will be hosting a benefit to help out with his growing medical expenses on Sunday, March 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Vincent De Paul (St. Leo site), 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls.

What started as a small, annual tradition among friends will become a community event on March 9 when Communify: Buffalo hosts a "Spring Clothing Exchange" at the Pierce Arrow Film & Arts Center, 1685 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

Smokin' Eagles leaders Roy "Honcho" Gregory of Wheatfield and Robert Giordano of Lewiston were a part of the Community BBQ held at the former St. George's Anglo Catholic Church at 1910 Falls St., in Niagara Falls.

Applications for the 2013 Non-Traditional Student Scholarship are now available from the Zonta Club of Niagara Falls.

The Town of Niagara Lions Club celebrated its 60th anniversary at Antonio's Banquet Hall in Niagara Falls.

Niagara University has announced that Thomas A. Chambers, Ph.D., has been promoted to the position of associate vice president for academic affairs.

As part of a comprehensive effort by the Obama administration to involve more of the country's youth in science, technology, engineering and math studies, known as STEM, the U.S. Department of Transportation has requested proposals from college and high school students for unique scientific and engineering innovations in aviation and aerospace.

The Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday that MSG will air new episodes of "Beyond Blue & Gold," a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Sabres organization, beginning this Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m.

VIDEO: In front of a crowd of nearly 10,000 people in Abany, Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, called Thursday for the repeal of the controversial SAFE Act.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released this statement on Thursday:

A four-student team from Niagara University claimed the silver medal at the CFA Investment Research Challenge, held Feb. 19 at Canisius College.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, released this statement on Thursday:

On Thursday, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, D-NY, an original author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, hailed the House of Representatives' bipartisan 286-138 vote to strengthen VAWA and extend the law's protections to LGBT, Native American and immigrant victims.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, voted in support of S. 74, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Thursday. The bill had previously passed in the Senate with a vote of 78-22 and now heads to the White House for the president's signature.

During a Wednesday taping of WBBZ-TV's "Political Buzz," Carl Paladino, president of Ellicott Development and former Republican candidate for governor, announced he is running for a seat on the Buffalo School Board.

Naxos Music has released the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of five of Duke Ellington's orchestral works.

"Home Is Where The Art Is," a fundraising event for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, will feature a basket raffle, and art auction on Sunday afternoon, March 10. Organizers said they hope to have 200 baskets and fine art pieces. They are looking for contributed fine art, art prints, company gift cards, gift certificates and/or gift baskets

The Buffalo History Museum presents "Giants of Buffalo," a brand new discussion series that spotlights specific industries and Western New York individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in their field. The first round of this kickoff series is in collaboration with the Buffalo Broadcasters Association, Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued an open letter Wednesday to doctors, pharmacists and other medical professionals alerting them that the prescription painkiller hydrocodone is now a Schedule II controlled substance under New York state law.