What's Going On

Free winter vacation

guide available

The 2007-08 New York State Winter Travel Guide is available from Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst. The guide lists more than 100 special events across the state along with information about snowmobiling safety and the best places to go. There is also information about skiing and ski centers by region. To request a copy of the free guide, contact Hayes' at 634-1895 or via e-mail at hayesj@ assembly. state. ny. us.

Volunteers needed

for police auxiliary

The Amherst Police Auxiliary is seeking residents, 21 to 62 years of age, who are in good health and have a clean criminal record to join the volunteer group. For more information, call 308-7818 or 688-0822, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Amherst Museum

accepting donations

The Amherst Museum's annual Mitten Tree is looking for new hats, gloves, scarves and mittens to be given to children at Buffalo School No. 45. Books for children kindergarten through eighth grade or cash contributions will also be accepted. Donations will be accepted until Monday, Dec. 31 at the museum, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road. Those who donate will be given free admission to the museum. Call 689-1440.

Citizen Police Academy

seeking participants

The Amherst Police Department will be offering a spring session of its Citizen Police Academy beginning Feb. 12. The 13-week program is intended to educate the general public on the workings of the police department. Class size is limited. Applicants should contact Capt. Stephen McGonagle at 689-1311, smcgonagle@apdny.org or Lt. Ronald Farszmil, Farszmil@apdny.org. Applications may also be printed online at www.amherst.ny.us/police.

Amherst Male Glee Club

announces auditions

Any WNY man interested in singing in the Amherst Male Glee Club's annual Red Blazer Variety shows in April can audition for the group after Jan. 1. Rehearsals are held at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Amherst Central High School. For more information, call director Walter Reitz at 839-1106.

Sculpture and art

showing extended at CFI

The 2003 "Best Sculptor in Buffalo" artist David Derner has extended his 31-piece showing, "The Visionary Realism of David Derner," at the Center for Inquiry, 1310 Sweet Home Road, Amherst, through Jan. 1. The collection is a retrospective exhibit of his work, including his most acclaimed pieces produced over the years. The artist uses bronze sculpture and other media to capture the human body in moments of passion and drama in vivid context. Visit during normal 9-to-5 business hours and all evening events. Entry and parking are free. Call 636-4869, ext. 409.

New Year's celebration

set at Clearfield

The Amherst Recreation Department will present a New Year's celebration with crafts and activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 at the Clearfield Community Center, 730 Hopkins Road, Williamsville. All participants must have a valid Town of Amherst Recreation Department ID. Call 631-7132.

WNY landscapes

featured in exhibit

Artist Jeffrey Swaluk's landscapes featuring Western New York, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and New England scenes from Boston, Cape Cod and Maine will be on display from Tuesday, Jan. 1 through Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Jewish Community Center's Bunis Family Gallery, 2640 N. Forest Road. Call 688-4114 ext. 337. Northeast Family YMCA

to hold free trial week

YMCA Buffalo Niagara will launch its annual January Jump Start membership campaign with a free week-long trial from Wednesday, Jan. 2 through Thursday, Jan. 13. During the trial, guests can take advantage of full-privelege YMCA member benefits at the Northeast Family Branch, 4433 Main St., near Harlem Road, Amherst. The YMCA will waive the entire joining fee for those who become members during the campaign. For more information, call 839-2543 or visit www.ymcabuffaloniagra. org.

Audubon Library to host

monthly book club

Librarian Raya Then will lead the Audubon Library Book Club from 7 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of every month from January to May at the Audubon Library, 350 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst. Jan. 3 will be "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith. For more information, call 689-4922 or visit www.buffalolib.org.

Recreation department

ID cards available Jan. 2

Town of Amherst 2008 ID Cards will be available for renewal and purchase on Wednesday, Jan. 2 for $5 at the Recreation office, 1615 Amherst Manor Drive, Amherst. A driver's license must be presented at time of renewal to verify residence. Children's residency can be established with the parent driver's license accompanied by the child's 2007 Town of Amherst ID card or birth certificate. For more information, call 631-7132.

Masonic lodge

announces open mic

The Amherst Masonic Lodge 981, 5808 Main St., Wiliamsville, will hold an open mic night at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 that will be hosted by Brother Samuel Balduc. Refreshments will be available.

Community Singles

meeting set

Community Singles introductions club for busy single people will hold its next meeting on Sunday, Jan. 6 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 6320 Main St., Williamsville. For more information, including the time of the meeting, call Maggi at 681-3480 or Eva at 877-4295.

New Beginnings sets

January meeting

New Beginnings will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 711 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. All are welcome. Call 683-8897 or 833-5127.

Community blood service

sets public blood drive

Upstate New York Transplant Services Community Blood Service will hold an open-to-public blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 at the East Amherst Fire Department, 9100 Transit Road, between Casey and Clarence Center roads, East Amherst. Call 853-6667 ext. 7940 or e-mail donateblood@unyts. org.

Study set for fathers

of ADHD children

The University at Buffalo's Center for Children and Families is running a study for fathers of children age 6-12 years with ADHD. The goal of the study is to determine whether a parenting program for fathers helps improve the functioning of children with ADHD. The families of qualifying children will be assigned to receive additional or to continue current psychological treatment. There is no fee for participating. All treatments will be provided free of charge. Call 829-2244 ext. 124.

Red Cross, Masonic lodge to hold blood drive

The American Red Cross with Amherst Masonic Lodge 981 will hold a joint blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 at 5808 Main St., Williamsville. For more information, call Rick Gattone at 830-2225.

Toastsmasters meeting

set

Northpointe Toastmasters, a non-profit organization that gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities, will hold meetings from noon to 1 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of each month at 25 Northpointe Parkway, Suite A, Amherst. For more information, call 689-8139 or e-mail lsegarnick@gmail.com.

Christmas Tree recycling

set by village

The Village of Williamsville will sponsor Christmas Tree recycling now through the second week of January. The drop off point is the Department of Public Works lot on South Long Street next to the Train Depot. DPW will grind trees as time permits and use them in the Village, or interested residents can take some. For more information on the tree recycling program or any questions related to the drop-off, call Mayor Mary Lowther at Village Hall at 632-4120 ext. 3006