NIAGARA FALLS, APRIL 25, 2016 – The 4^th Annual Amateur “Bird Walk” at the historic Oakwood Cemetery (OC), 763 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls, NY is scheduled for 8 AM on Saturday, April 30^th.

Free and open to the public, birders are asked to meet at the Oakwood House to register and pick-up a free “Migrating Birds of Niagara Checklist”.  Please, bring your binoculars and your cameras; wear weather appropriate clothing with comfortable shoes.  Free parking and open restrooms are available on-site.  Even a pleasant stroll through the park-like setting is invigorating.

Whitney Mallam, president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association board of directors and chair of the event, invites interested persons to join him on this special outing: “I look forward to sharing this experience with other birders and nature lovers.  Our historic, mid-19^th century, 18.5 acre site is a jewel in the center of the city.  It’s truly an out-of-doors museum and the migrating birds enhance its beauty.”

A breath of fresh air – this unique experience is delightful!  While walking along the historic lanes in the early morning light, today’s birders will come upon wonderful sightings – budding 100-year-old trees, a rolling landscape with curvilinear lanes, and birds from as far away as South America making their spring migration up the East Coast of the United States.  Many resting sites can be found in Western New York and, for some, a summer nesting place.  Oakwood Cemetery, with prime vegetation and habitation, is one of these sites.

While contemplating the plants and animals, birders also have an opportunity to study 150-year-old grave markers and notice that:  Niagara’s History is at Oakwood.

Oakwood Cemetery was founded in 1852 on land donated by Livinia Porter, daughter of original businessman Augustus Porter. Oakwood is home to many of Niagara’s movers and shakers.

Community Missions has launched its 11^th Annual Parents’ Day Campaign, a drive that allows community members to honor their mothers and fathers while supporting the work of one of Niagara County’s most impactful and compassionate institutions.

Executive Director Robyn Krueger

For over 90 years, Community Missions has served the Niagara community with a wide range of services. These began in the mid 1920’s with our homeless shelter and soup kitchen, both of which still operate at 1570 Buffalo Ave. in downtown Niagara Falls.

Today, the Mission offers 19 distinct programs, with the common thread of providing services to the underserved. The Parents’ Day Campaign focuses on raising money for the Mission’s Crisis and Community Services, which include programs like the Emergency Housing Shelter, Community Soup Kitchen, Clothes’ Closet, Food Pantry and Parole Re-Entry.

Donations made to the Mission are vital to these programs. Last year, Community Missions provided 87,136 meals to our neighbors in need, which was over 10,000 more meals than the year before! Keeping up with this demand cannot happen without the support continually shown by the Niagara community.

Last year’s Parent’s Day Campaign was a fantastic success. This year, we have set an ambitious goal of $35,000. We know that we can count on you to help us make this target a reality over the coming weeks.

Thanks to the generous support of a few long-time donors, your contributions to this campaign will be matched, making your gift even more impactful.

Please take a moment to contribute to the 11^th Annual Parents’ Day Campaign today, to honor your parents and help your neighbors in need. Just visit bit.ly/CMIDonate and select the “Parents’ Day Campaign” option under the “Apply my Donation to” heading.

On behalf of all those who will benefit from your generosity and kindness, we sincerely thank you!

When the music ended at the battle of the country bands competing for the right to be the “House Band” at Smokin Joe’s Native Center in Niagara Falls it was JB Aaron and the Brethren taking top prize. The Hootz claimed the second place prize of $500 and Alision Pepitone Band took home $250 for third.

JB Aaron and the Brethren with Lee Wallace, Bob Koshinski and Katie Morse

The six bands who competed for the top prize of $750 were The Heenan Brothers, North of South, The Hootz, Alison Pepitone Band, 2nd Time Around and JB Aaron.

An estimated crowd of one hundred loyal country music fans were on hand to applaud their favorite bands enjoying a selection of wings, pizza, beer, wine and softdrinks. MC Bob Koshinski also distributed dozens of free giveaways during the night including tee shirts, hats, frisbees and mugs. Future entertainment events including country and other genre of music are expected over the summer months.

WKBW-TV anchor Katie Morse, 97 Rock‘s Dave Jickster and Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace served as judges for the competition.

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Smokin Joe’s Native Center in downtown Niagara Falls is searching for a talented ‘house band’ with a rockin’ country flavor. To find the right group to perform at various functions in that facility’s showroom, Smokin Joe’s is holding an open audition Friday, April 22^nd on the main stage of the Native Center located at the corner of 1^st Street and Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls.

The “Search for the Sound of Smokin Joe’s” begins at 6pm on the 22^nd and admission is free. Family, friends and interested spectators are encouraged to attend, free admission and beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for sale.

Interested bands and musicians should go to the registration page at www.smokinjoes.com/search-for-the-sound to sign up. Only registered bands will have an opportunity to play on the 22^nd and registration for the auditions ends on Wednesday April 20^th at 5pm.

A celebrity panel with musical back grounds will help judge the participants and will be announced on Friday April 15^th. Go to www.smokinjoes.com/search-for-the-sound to register your band today!