A large crowd came out to American Legion Post 1451 to celebrate Wilson resident Bob Burtwell's 100th birthday.

Knights of Columbus Council 14622 sponsors its fourth annual pasta dinner, to be served at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, the opening of the shrine's 21st annual Festival of Lights.

An aerial sketch of the soon-to-be-proposed recreation center behind the Red Brick Municipal Building on North Fourth Street.

From long waits to short tempers, undercooked food to over-sauced fare, there's nothing worse than poor service at a restaurant. Fortunately, most of Western New York's restaurants excel at pairing exceptional cuisine with outstanding service.

Organizers of the annual Ransomville Lighting of the Wreaths announce this year's celebrations will take place Sunday, Nov. 27, with events taking place throughout the hamlet.

The friends of Patty Wise held a benefit in her honor.

Wise was the victim of a devastating ATV accident on July 23 while visiting with family out of state. She has remained in a coma in Lakeland, Fla., ever since.

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For sophomore Michelle Ball, volunteering her time at Lewiston-Porter's annual Veterans Day Dinner on Nov. 10 was simply a matter of showing respect.

Recognizing the need to serve more and more struggling families and individuals, the Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission is leading the "500 Meal Mission" initiative in Niagara Falls, where staff and volunteers from area churches and the community will prepare 500 home-cooked, complete turkey dinners and deliver them to the homes of the homebound, seniors, families and anyone in need.

The Rescue Mission is not yet "sold out" of its 500-meal capacity, so those desiring a meal can call 716-253-1463 to place an order free of charge to any household in the City of Niagara Falls or adjacent town.

Local veterans found that the younger generation does appreciate their service at the annual Veterans Day Dinner on Thursday.

Organizers of the annual Electric Lights Parade are so excited about the results of the "care a ton" food drive, they've decided to extend the collection.

Horizon Health Services has applied to the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services for permission to establish an addiction service satellite center at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

If approved, the integrated center for primary care and addiction would be the first of its kind in Niagara County and one of the first in the state.

"This is a groundbreaking approach that will meet a very pressing community need. The integrated center takes a one-stop approach to serving patients, making it more convenient for patients to access a broader range of services at a single location," said Memorial Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sheila K. Kee.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education, reeling from an audit report received at last week's regular meeting, is looking at extra workshop meetings in upcoming off-meeting weeks to deal with some hard decisions on future school district spending.

On Nov. 2, Wayne Drescher of Drescher & Malecki presented a report on the district's external audit, which showed the district could end up having a deficit as high as nearly $8 million for the 2012-13 school year.

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council on Wednesday finalized and adopted the council's five-year strategic plan and priority projects for the region, which is composed of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Focused on preparing the region's workforce for its key industry sectors, investing in smart growth infrastructure to pave the way for private investment, attracting and retaining more visitors and leveraging Western New York's research capacity to drive innovation and commercialization, the plan will be submitted in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's challenge to stimulate real, regional economic development.

When the first African-American woman to serve in the Niagara County Legislature retires in December after an 18-year legislative career, she will leave having repeatedly commanded the attention of some of the state's top leaders.

At least two of them will be on hand to toast her retirement at a gala later this month.

H. Carl McCall, who served as state comptroller during much of the George Pataki era in state government, will be the keynote speaker at a tribute honoring the accomplishments of Deputy Minority Leader Renae Kimble, D-Niagara Falls. That tribute will be held Nov. 17 at Niagara County Community College. Also on hand will be Assemblyman John D. Ceretto, the Lewiston Republican who often worked across the aisle with Kimble on a number of issues impacting western Niagara County.

The Niagara County Early Child Care QIP is set to graduate its first cohort of child care centers.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today accepted an application for assistance from One Niagara LLC for a proposed $6 million renovation of the Niagara Falls landmark on 360 Rainbow Blvd. The owners plan to create a mixed-use center focused on tourism, retail, food and beverage; office space; data services; and hospitality. In total, this would create 17 new jobs while retaining 38 jobs.

The NCIDA board also approved applications for assistance it received at the October board meeting from Olin Corporation, Gateway Harbor Inn, Frank's Vacuum Truck Services Inc., Mawhiney Trucking Inc. and Taylor Devices for projects that, combined, total $30 million in new investment and 74 new jobs, while retaining 328 current jobs.

The Lewiston Community Lions Club is partnering with the newly opened Family Video, 731 Center St., to help those in need over the holidays.

Why bake for the holidays when the Fiores will do it for you?

That's Michael Fiore's thought, anyway. He and his wife, Lindsay, are the new owners of the Village Bake Shoppe at 417 Center St., Lewiston. On Thursday morning, the store will reopen with a new look, newly painted walls, the previous staff ... and original owner Bridget Schroeder's from-scratch recipes.

Michael, who has known Bridget for several years, says her no-mix, original cakes, pies, cookies and brownies "can't be easily duplicated."

Pairing high-end products with a fresh décor, he says his plan is to develop the Village Bake Shoppe into "more of an attraction."

"I want this place to be a destination," Michael says.

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston on Monday opted not to talk about festival suggestions submitted by Mayor Terry Collesano's ad hoc committee. Though Collesano asked to discuss the five-person panel's recommendations for when and how to close Center Street, his colleagues asked for more time to review the letter submitted last week.

The Village Board did speak with accountant Pat Brown of Brown & Co. He informed trustees of a need to raise the water rate from $2.80 per 100 cubic feet to $3.55, and the sewer rate from $3.95 per 100 cubic feet to $4.65, to offset cost increases from the Niagara County Water District and the Town of Lewiston Master Sewer District.

The proposed increases would take effect with the Jan. 1, 2012, billing. Brown said the average Village of Lewiston resident would pay about $25 more per year.

In one year, Americans will go to the polls to make their voice heard as they cast their vote for president of the United States.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Manning & Napier Benefits, will host an educational seminar providing business owners with crucial answers to a variety of health insurance-related questions.

Santa Claus will visit the North Tonawanda History Museum at 54 Webster St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

The Youngstown Free Library will accept "Food for Fines" from Nov. 8 through Dec. 10. Library patrons are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items. In exchange, the library will waive each participant's fines.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School Band will play a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the school auditorium at 2292 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn.

The following is a list of area Veterans Day observances and programs.

Sabres, ECMC, First Niagara join forces to purchase breast cancer prevention and education bus.

This year's Lewiston Lions Peace Poster Contest was held at Stella Niagara Education Park. First place was awarded to Camille Bennett. The second-place award went to Susan Dobrasz, who, incidentally, placed third in the 24-club district in last year's contest.

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees will review recommendations related to closing Center Street (for festivals or large-scale events) at its 6 p.m. work session on Monday.

In September, Mayor Terry Collesano formed an ad hoc committee to review how, when and why the village's main thoroughfare is closed. The panel wasted little time in drafting a letter that suggests the creation of an all-encompassing event application and event/procedure form.

"It seemed like there was no set application form or process to get approval" to close Center Street, said Rick Haight.

Look for a somewhat low-key Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 8, especially if you're voting in the towns of northern Niagara County.

The New York Power Authority and Seaway Trail, Inc. have installed three history- and nature-themed Great Lakes Seaway Trail "Outdoor Storyteller" signage units at the Niagara Power Project locations in Lewiston and the City of Niagara Falls.

The "Fort Schlosser: Guarding the Upper Landing" panel is at the project's water intakes in a scenic overlook park that is part of the NYPA project, but located in the City of Niagara Falls on the shoreline of the Niagara River. The natural history-theme Great Lakes Seaway Trail "Outdoor Storyteller" featuring the "Great Cataract of Niagara" is also here.

Two of the panels chronicle the local area's role in the French and Indian War. The panel titled "Fighting for Homeland: American Indian Allies" is located next to the outdoor turbine exhibit at NYPA's Power Vista Visitor Center for the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

Assemblyman John Ceretto today invited Gil Quiniones, who has been nominated as the new president and CEO of the New York Power Authority by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to visit Niagara County. The two would discuss Niagara County's role in the NYPA system. Quiniones currently serves as NYPA's acting president and CEO.

The Western New York Land Conservancy recognized the acquisition of the first protected property on the Niagara Escarpment, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.

Tuesday's general election features a rematch of the 2007 race for town supervisor between Peter McMahon and Mary Cooke.

Cooke said four years ago after her defeat that some had urged her to run a negative campaign, which she declined to do. This year, she's pointed out what she considers McMahon's shortcomings and called a vote for the incumbent a vote for the status quo. McMahon's campaign has primarily focused on his tenure as supervisor, saying that with regard to his accomplishments in such areas as reducing debt and expanding green space, "leadership is the key."

For one county lawmaker retiring as the Niagara County Legislature downsizes in response to a public referendum, the final weeks of his term have provided an opportunity to bring a multi-year battle to a successful close.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce hosts its next business "Blender" on Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Lewiston Village Pub, located at 840 Center St., Lewiston.

The American Legion Wheatfield Post 1451 will conduct Veterans Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Wheatfield veterans monument on Ward Road.

On Election Day, Holy Ghost Lutheran School will have hundreds of homemade baked goods for sale starting at 6 a.m.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, is urging state leaders to provide $10 million to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to help close the authority's $15 million deficit and avoid service cuts and layoffs.

Seneca Nation of Indians President Robert Odawi Porter wrote Wednesday to the Cuomo administration scolding it for what he described as not negotiating in good faith about gaming money withheld from the state and casino host communities. However, Porter also agreed to waive the negotiation process required under the state gaming compact and proposed an expedited arbitration process to quickly resolve the issue.

Porter noted that he wrote to Gov. Andrew Cuomo nearly nine months ago. In that letter, the president proposed an alternative so the Nation could pay directly to Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Salamanca and other casino host communities.