This year's Lewiston Kiwanis Club Peach Festival Cheerleading Competition will be held on Friday, Sept. 7, at 5 p.m. in Academy Park.

Fifth annual 5k/10k road race expected to draw more than 1,500 participants and raise more than $150,000.

Stacey Zahno of Ransomville, wife of powerlifting American record-holder Dan Zahno, recently set two state records.

The Mighty Niagara Half Marathon will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m. in conjunction with the Hospice Dash 5K Walk/Run. The half marathon, which was added to the event in 2011 (and had a turnout of more than 1,000 participants), has been expanded this year. The event will include more live bands and music, a new website at www.mightyniagarahalfmarathon.com, and a new name.

Bodybuilder, actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, "Bodybuilding is much like any other sport. To be successful, you must dedicate yourself 100 percent to your training, diet and mental approach." Grand Island native fitness expert, Blast Fitness personal trainer and construction inspector Michael Del Zoppo, could not agree with this statement more.

The Lewiston-Porter Academy of International Business and Finance, a volunteer group of professionals that provides students with knowledge and skills intended to give them an advantage in their future academic and professional careers, has announced one of its latest student endeavors.

Despite a 90 percent chance of rain, Ransomville Speedway was able to complete its 15th show of the 2012 season without a drop. Lucky? Perhaps. Suffice to say it was good to be at the Big R last Friday night (Aug. 10) despite the meteorologist's dismal forecast. Lesson to learn - don't listen to the weather "experts."

Independent Living of Niagara County recently held their seventh annual fishing contest in the Lower Niagara River. The contest was organized by ILNC for clients with disabilities.

Mike & Nate give new meaning to the phrase, "God works in mysterious ways."

Over 50 days, the two churchgoing college buddies - Mike Buonaiuto, 22, and Nate Frankoski, 26 - biked 2,500 miles to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Niagara Falls Sports Hall of Fame voted in 11 new inductees, to comprise the Class of 2012, at a recent meeting of their board of directors.

Time to Dance hosts a free "Community Day" from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. The dance studio is located at 5000 Saunders Settlement Road, just past the Town of Lewiston.

Jack Hughes of Williamsville (18 minutes, 15 seconds) and Stephanie Schmidt of Sanborn were the winners in the 10th annual River Run to benefit the Center for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.

I often get asked by people where there is a good, safe place to take kids fishing - where they'll catch fish, be safe and learn to fish without a boat. Those are good questions for sure, especially the last one. We have lots of places around here to do that.

Thursday night's Bills-Redskins preseason opener was one marked by a largely lackadaisical offense for the Bills first string, but also impressive showings by two new QBs in their first games on both squads.

Great weather greeted race fans as week 14 of the 2012 season was completed Aug. 3 at Ransomville Speedway. A total of 85 cars entered the pit area set to battle in the Four Star Program presented by Grelak Mechanical.

BJ Willard invaded the Big R and took home a cool grand for his efforts aboard the 50-lap Grelak Mechanical Sportsman Nationals. Willard took control at the drop of the green and quickly pulled away from the field aboard his No. 77 machine. In only his second appearance of the season, Willard proved he adapts well as he mastered the one-half mile clay oval and captured his first win ever at Ransomville Speedway.

The sixth annual Dave's Memorial Dice Run benefit, held July 21, netted $3,313 for the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s "Ambulance Drive for Life."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that Irwin P. Raij, a nationally recognized professional sports expert with extensive experience in stadium development and the sports industry, will advise the state on its efforts to keep the Bills in Buffalo.

"New York state is committed to doing all we can to keep the Bills a part of the Buffalo community, while also protecting taxpayer dollars and seeing that the team can thrive in Western New York for years to come," Cuomo said. "Irwin Raij has years of experience working together with sports franchise owners, local communities, and government in sports development projects, and he will be a valuable addition to the state's efforts to keep the Bills right here in New York."

Last week, when it was so hot the trees were whistling for the dogs, my wife and I took a little car ride.

Look forward to a day of golf, games and food on Wednesday, Aug. 1. That day, the Niagara Police Athletic League will hold its seventh annual "Great Niagara Steakout" at the Hyde Park Golf Course and Oasis.

Nathan Morski (left) shot his first hole in one this week at the Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Club on Creek Road.

Niagara University Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin has accepted the athletic director position at Virginia Commonwealth University, it was announced on Tuesday.

Intense, extreme, challenging, enjoyable, unique. These are just a few adjectives Niagara-Wheatfield High School alum, Matt Daniels, uses to describe his unique workouts he creates for his clients.

Two-time NCAA Division I national champion Matt Valenti of Pennsylvania University will headline the first "State Champ Boot Camp" hosted by Lewiston-Porter.

Town of Lewiston councilmen Steve Reiter and Mike Marra unveiled the new playground behind the Red Brick Municipal Building in the Village of Lewiston.

Occasionally I bump into a long time friend of mine and we get into some great conversations, and a few evenings ago this was no different.

Celebrating upstate New York's unique history and scenic beauty, 500 bicycle riders from 36 states joined with state and local officials at Quackenbush Square in Albany Sunday to mark the completion of Parks & Trails New York's annual week-long bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany.

The Albany celebration recognized the riders' achievement and highlighted the importance of the Erie Canalway Trail to upstate New York's quality of life and economy. When the Canalway Trail is finished, it will be the longest statewide trail in the U.S. It is 75 percent complete along its 524-mile total length.

Miss Bev's Dance Studio will sponsor its third annual "National Dance Day" celebration on Saturday, July 28. This day has been created to encourage people of all ages to get out and enjoy all that dance has to offer.

The family of Jonathan Miller, a member of Lewiston-Porter High School's Class of 2010 who died in a tragic car accident, announce that the upcoming J-Mill Memorial Charity Giving Fund's third annual golf outing and dinner will be the last. However, the cancellation of future fundraisers is not for a lack of generosity, support, kindness, and empathy from the Niagara Falls community.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission announces the seventh annual Paddles Up Niagara will take place along the southeastern shores of Grand Island on Saturday, July 28.

The highly anticipated "Mighty Niagara" half-marathon will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m.

On June 26 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, Chuck Thore of Harvey Road was the honorary PALS member (Person with ALS) at a Buffalo Bisons game, and got to throw out the first pitch of the game with the assistance of his wife Kristen, and step-daughter Sarah Brand.

Despite Mother Nature's best efforts - Ransomville Speedway pulled off its races Tuesday night for the third annual "Battle at the Border." Presented by Waste Management and Gater Racing News, the event proved to be action packed for the 2,200 in attendance. As has been the norm on Fridays this season, close to 100 cars filled the pit area for this mid-week special.

Danny Johnson of Rochester took top honors aboard the Mighty Taco/DIRTcar 358 Modified 75-lap main. Johnson threaded the needle on lap 18 splitting the likes of leader Ryan Susice and Chad Brachmann.

Grand Island's Dick Bessel Independence Day road race set another record for participation, race director Jim Masiello told runners at the starting line.

The Niagara River Anglers provided this youngster with the thrill of the catch at the Waste Management picnic last Friday.

The Niagara Power baseball team will host the 2012 New York Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game at Sal Maglie Stadium, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, on Wednesday, July 11.

On Tuesday, July 10, Niagara Falls State Park welcomes the 2012 Minor League All Star Game participants. Players, coaches, team representatives and families from across the USA will be visiting the Falls as part of the All Star Week festivities. The Buffalo Bisons are proudly hosting the All Star Game, which includes the Home Run Derby and other fun-filled events.

Join in the fun at "Putting for Penguins," an annual event to benefit the Aquarium of Niagara, on Friday, July 13, at the Newfane Pro-Am course at 2501 N. Main St. (Route 78).

Both avid golfers and those who just play once or twice a year won't want to miss the annual Niagara County Builders Association Golf Outing on Monday, July 9, at Tan Tara Country Club in North Tonawanda.