Meanwhile, in Niagara Falls ...

It was a busy Thursday in downtown Niagara Falls.

•The Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association held a college basketball tournament watch party/fundraiser at Chill 443 inside the Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls Hotel. Guests dined on pizzas, flatbreads and veggies while listening to the sounds of deejay Pat Proctor. Patrons also entered to win prizes, including an autographed Christian Laettner magazine cover and an actual piece of the basketball court where Syracuse University won the National Championship in 2003 (signed by coach Jim Boeheim).

•The Aquarium of Niagara hosted its “Savor Del Mar” event, and celebrated the brand-new “Aliens of the Sea” jellyfish exhibit. The venue’s premier wine and food fundraiser also featured live music and tasting stations.

•The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation presented its annual “Heroes of Niagara” awards dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. This year’s honorees included The Cedar Bus Co., Peter Lovering, Alan Montanari and The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q.’s owners, Ken Bryan and Eric Matthews. WGRZ-TV Channel 2 meteorologist Patrick Hammer served as master of ceremonies. (Photos by Joshua Maloni)