"The Nutcracker," the Greater Niagara Ballet Company's annual family-friendly holiday show, returns the weekend of Dec. 8-9 to the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center. The Beverley Feder-directed show features local dancers, guest artists and character performers.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team's giveaway items and promotional schedule for the 2017-18 season. The team will host eight giveaway nights, 22 promotional nights and four theme nights.

At Stella Niagara, its Montessori program is second-to-none, and I wanted to share my experiences to hopefully encourage parents to not only consider a Montessori program for your child, but also why Stella offers a unique learning experience in this specialized area.

The Buffalo Philharmonic's 2017-18 season celebrates American ingenuity while honoring the European roots of the classical tradition.

The City of North Tonawanda's Youth Center will have a new home this fall.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and Assemblyman Sean Ryan on Tuesday announced the unveiling of "Flat Man" on Buffalo's Outer Harbor.

The Carnegie Art Center will host six weeks of jazz concerts beginning Sept. 14. "Jazz at the Carnegie" will include performances by The Bobby Militello Quartet, Sharon Bailey, Jon Lehning, Mark Filsinger, Carina & the Six String Preacher, and the Fredtown Stompers.

United Way of Greater Niagara President and CEO Connie Brown announced the organization's annual goal on Wednesday. The United Way of Greater Niagara hopes to raise $1,150,000 this year, which represents a 5 percent increase of what UWGN raised last year.

The next Peach Queen will be crowned on Sunday, Sept. 10, on the final night of the 2017 Niagara County Peach Festival.

Life-changing. Surprising. Inspiring. These were some of the words enrolled students used to describe the experience they had designing prosthetic hands for children in need using 3-D printing technology as part of the "Hand in Hand Powered by AT&T" science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) experience organized by WNY STEM and AT&T.

One month to the day after an EF-2 tornado hit the Erie County Fairgrounds, the 178th Erie County Fair in Hamburg concluded its 12-day run Sunday night.

The Niagara Falls Water Board on Wednesday offered additional commentary regarding an overflow that occurred on Aug. 15, following a heavy rain event in Niagara County. This volume overflow situation was formally reported via the SPDES permit and NY Alert System Tuesday afternoon.

The Lewiston/Niagara-On-The-Lake Rotary Club once again participated in the Lewiston Art Festival. The organization has been serving hot dogs at the event for more than 40 years. This tradition was started by Al DiMino, one of founders of the Tops supermarket chain.

Empire State Development on Thursday announced Ross D. Levi has been promoted to executive director of tourism. He will lead the iconic "I Love New York" tourism program and help coordinate marketing efforts to increase awareness and promote statewide tourism visitation.

The 10th annual Walk Off Hunger, presented by Life Storage, raised a record-breaking $93,000 for the Food Bank of WNY. The proceeds from the event will help the Food Bank of WNY provide approximately 558,000 nutritious meals for hungry local families.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and Assemblyman Sean Ryan announced Monday that ECHDC has entered into an agreement with Griffis Sculpture Park to erect a major sculpture on Buffalo's Outer Harbor. "Flat Man," a 30-foot steel sculpture, will be located on the Greenway Nature Trail near the water's edge.

The Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation and Footprints on the Heart held a blessing of the grounds and dedication ceremony Wednesday at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston. Thanks to a donation by Catholic Charities, a community butterfly monument has been established for families dealing with the loss of a baby.

The Kenan Center is planning a 1960s-style wrap-up to the summer to mark its 50th anniversary, and organizers said it's shaping up to be the "party of parties."

Monday's Lewiston Town Board public hearing on establishment of a single town water district en route to a proposed $10.3 million townwide waterline improvement project saw a mere two comments offered by residents, and two board members absent.

On Sunday, Aug. 6, 2016-17 Peach Queen Angelica Beiter will hold a basket auction and vendor fair to raise money for the Make-A-Wish program. This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Parish Center located at 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls.

One week ago, J. Fitzgerald Group successfully closed its 10th-anniversary CreateAthon by producing 32 marketing and advertising projects for six regional charitable organizations over 24 hours.

It was on "American Idol" audiences first met faith-proclaiming - and in many cases faith-based - performers Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery, Colton Dixon, Angie Miller, Hollyn, Chris Sligh, Mandisa and Danny Gokey.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski has been elected chairman of the Western Region of the New York State Association of County Clerks, and is already promising to use the post to advance several hot-button state issues impacting county clerks across the state.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard announced two successful canine tracks conducted July 18 located and returned two elderly individuals back to their families, including one from Grand Island.

Ellen Doyle, R.N., was awarded the 2017 Ruth and William O. Sass, M.D. Scholarship.

More than $3,000 in local restaurant gift certificates will be given away at the conclusion of the 2017 Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY, on Aug. 25-26.

For the first time in 30 years, a new harbor seal pup has been born at the Aquarium of Niagara.

Spectra Venue Management, the company that manages The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls and Old Falls Street, USA, has hired new directors and managers, while several key members of the current management staff have been promoted to new positions.

The Food Bank of WNY is seeking participants for its 10th annual "Walk Off Hunger," which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Island Park in Williamsville. Presented by Life Storage, this family-friendly event will help the Food Bank of WNY provide more nutritious meals to hungry children and families this summer.

Navy Fireman Ryan Hall, of Buffalo, closes a valve in the main machinery room prior to a scheduled boiler light off aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during Talisman Saber 17.

A new princess was crowned at the annual Tuscarora Picnic, which has occurred for 172 years. Quinna Hamby of the Turtle Clan took the title. She recently graduated from Niagara-Wheatfield High School, where she was active in sports such as cross-country, lacrosse and basketball.

Empire State Development on Monday announced the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Graycliff Estate in Derby is to receive $3.7 million in Buffalo Billion phase two funding to fully bring the property back to its 1931 condition. The $4,047,000 project will include complete interior restoration of the Isabelle Martin House and the Foster House, landscaping improvements and rebuilding beach access.

Bald eagles are thriving in historic numbers across New York and the State Department of Environmental Conservation reports the highest number of nesting pairs, a record-breaking estimated 323 breeding pairs, since the agency undertook a restoration effort in 1976, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

From 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 22, Niagara Hospice will hold its 14th annual Memorial Butterfly Release, while also conducting a special tribute to the 10th anniversary of Niagara Hospice House. Festivities will take place in the Niagara Hospice Memorial Gardens located behind Niagara Hospice House at 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport.

Niagara County 2nd District Legislator Rebecca Wydysh presented the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Kristen Trunzo and Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY Board Chairman George Osborne monies from the Seneca Casino Community Development Funds.

Lanny McDonald, chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and John Davidson, chairman of the selection committee, announced Monday that seven individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, five in the Player Category and two in the Builder Category.

Soil samples will be collected from homes in the southeastern part of Grand Island in August, said Jackie James-Creedon, executive director of Citizen Science Community Resources. That soil will be tested for 130 different types of contaminants, including benzene, pesticides, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

The Buffalo Sabres and the NHL today announced the team's 2017-18 regular-season schedule. Ticket pricing information for individual home games will be released at a later date.

The annual return of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to Artpark is one of Western New York's summer traditions. Artpark & Company and the BPO have announced a special show, "Broadway Today!", will be staged in the Mainstage Theater at 8 p.m. Friday, July 21.