What's Going On

Amherst Teen Idol first round set at mall

A preliminary round of the Amherst Teen Idol Search will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Boulevard Mall Food Court on Alberta Drive in Amherst. Fifteen finalists will be chosen to compete in the final competition. Contestants will be asked to sing a song of their choice up to two minutes in length. For an application, visit Guest Services in the mall or call the Amherst Youth Board at 631-7215.

Christian Women's Connection luncheon set

Northtown Christian Women's Connection will hold a luncheon fro 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 at Fanny's Restaurant, 3500 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. The featured guest will be Susan Gawronski from Calico Corners Designer Fabrics and the speaker will be Mary Jane Battista whose topic will speak on "Ready or Not" and her life as a rebellious teen. For more information on the group or the luncheon or for reservations, call 626-0815. Childcare is available upon request.

Girl Scouts see volunteers

The Girl Scout Council of Buffalo and Erie County is seeking adult volunteers to assist in carrying out its mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character. Training and support is provided to support volunteers. Short term opportunities are also available. Visit www.bflogirlscouts.org or call 837-6400 ext. 256.

YMCA to offer nutrition lecture series

The Northeast Family YMCA Branch, 4433 Main St., Amherst, will offer a 12-session nutrition lecture series at 7 p.m. Mondays. Lora Williams will present the series where she will cover such topics as long term weight loss, food and mood and nutritional concerns for winter. Classes are free to members and $5 per class for non-members. For more information, call 839-2543.

College planning seminars set

Moldenhauer & Associates will partner with 123 College.com Inc to provide a workshop seminar for understanding and preparing for the financial aid system and developing methods and strategies to receive benefits to help cover today's college expenses Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Amherst High School, 4301 Main St., Amherst. Other seminars will be scheduled throughout WNY. Call 662-4361.

Volunteers needed for companion care

The Alzheimer's Association, WNY Chapter is seeking volunteers from Amherst and Getzville who are interested in becoming a volunteer for the Association's Companion Care Program. Volunteers are set up in teams of two, which can be comprised of friends, co-workers, spouses or relatives. Previous knowledge or experiences with a person with dementia is desired. Call the Alzheimer's Association at 626-0600 or 800-272-3900 or e-mail Julie Schoenecker at Julie.Schoenecker@alz.org.

Kiddie Character Carnival set at mall

The Amherst Youth Board with the Amherst Youth Foundation will present the "Kiddie Character Carnival" from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Boulevard Mall Food Court. The event will feature children's characters including Elmo, The Princesses and Spiderman. Tickets are $6 per child and can be purchased at the Amherst Youth Board Office in the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road. Tickets will also be available at the door. Call 631-7215.

Kadimah School accepting applications

Kadimah School of Buffalo, 1085 Eggert Road, Amherst, is currently accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year. Kadimah offers curriculum for students 18 months through eighth-grade. Call 836-6903 ext. 105, e-mail jillmazzola@roadrunner. com or visit www. Kadimah. org.

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@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 now audition for the group. Rehearsals are held at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Amherst Central High School. Call director Walter Reitz at 839-1106.

Recreation department ID cards now available

Town of Amherst 2008 ID Cards are now available for renewal and purchase 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.

College seminar set at library

A seminar entitle "How to Choose the Best College for Your Student and Your Pocketbook" will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Williamsville Library, 5571 Main St., between Village and Town halls. The seminar focuses on high school sophomores and juniors but all grade levels are welcome. Reservations are suggested. For more information on the seminar, call 632-6176.

Feng Shui Basics set at for Jan. 19

An introduction to Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of science and placement, and how it can work in your life by Linda Ellson of Feng Shui Your World, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 at Slim & Tone, 55 Cross- Point Pkwy, at North French Road and Millersport Highway, Suite 106, Getzville. Cost for the session is $25. For more information or to register, call 636-5300 or e-mail slimwny@aol.com.

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 now through Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Jewish Community Center's Bunis Family Gallery, 2640 N. Forest Road, Getzville. For more information on the exhibition, the artist or the gallery, call the JCC 688-4114 ext. 337.

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. The Feb. 7 selection will be "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver. For more information on the book club or any further selections, call the library at 689-4922 or visit www.buffalolib. org.

Nursery school to hold open house Jan. 22

Open Door Nursery School, 5681 Main St., near Oakgrove Drive, will hold its annual open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Call 633-1655.

Vendors sought for flea market

St. Stephens Bethlehem is seeking vendors for a flea marketon Saturday, April 5 at the church, 750 Wherle Drive. Tables are available for rent for $15. Call 632-4226.

Belly dancing classes set at yoga studio

Rising Sun Yoga Studio, 13 Lincoln Road, Snyder, will hold a six week belly dancing class from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesdays now through Feb. 12. Cost for the class, which is taught by Cathy Skora, is $70 for all six weeks or $16 per class. The class is appropriate for all levels, genders and ages. Attire is loose fitting clothing. For more information on the classes or the studio, call 632-5802.

Handprint, pawprint keepsakes event set

Now It's Personal Keepsakes & Gifts will be at Fairy Tales, a children's boutique located at 17 Lincoln Road, Snyder, making impressions of children's hands or pets' paws in soft clay to be turned into ceramic keepsakes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. To make an appointment or for more information, call 523-7575 or 839-6711. Visit www.nowitspersonal.biz for product and pricing information.

Community blood service sets public blood drive

Upstate New York Transplant Services Community Blood Service will hold an open-to-public blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at Adeptive Solutions, 435 Lawrence Bell Drive, Williamsville. To schedule an appointment or for more information on any other blood drives in the area, call 853-6667 ext. 7940 or e-mail donateblood@unyts.org.

Watercolor society to hold meeting, demo

The Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Highway, Snyder. A demonstration will be given by noted artist Paul Taylor. The public is invited for $3. For more information, call 634-7015.

BNI Business Makers meeting set

BNI Business Makers will meet at 7 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at Amberleigh, 2330 Maple Road, west of Transit Road, Williamsville. Tim Royer, a life underwriter training council fellow, will be the guest speaker. His topic will be "Disabled...Who pays the bills?" For more information, call 913-1541.

Forest Stream Garden Club to meet

The Forest Stream Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Forest Elementary School, 250 N. Forest Road, Williamsville. Judith Tucholski, First Assistant Director of Eighth District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, will present a demonstration and lecture on basic flower arranging.

Blood drive set at Trinity church

Upstate New York Transplant Services will hold a community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 711 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. To schedule an appointment or for more information on any other blood drives in the area, call 853-6667 ext. 7940 or e-mail donateblood@unyts. org.

Klezmer Band to be featured at service

"A Bissele Klez" klezmer band will perform as part of Temple Beth Am's Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 at 4660 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville. Following the service, there will be an Oneg Shabbat, sponsored by the Sisterhood at which there will be an opportunity to meet the musicians. For more information on the event or the band, call 633-8877.

Spaghetti dinner set at Trinity

Trinity United Methodist Church will hold a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 at the church, 711 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 7 to 10 and free for children 6 and younger. For more information, call 835-7711.

Kosher Italian Dinner set at Kadimah

An "All-You-Can-Eat" Kosher Italian Dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 at the Kadimah School of Buffalo, 1085 Eggert Road, Eggertsville. Dinner will include Spaghetti with meat sauce, vegetable sauce, a chef salad, Italian bread and biscotti. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12. Advanced reservations are required and will be take for up to 200 people. Call Jill Mazzola at 836-6903 ext. 105.

Maplemere playground fundraiser set

Maplemere Elementary School, will hold a fundraiser to help rebuild its playground from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 at Banchetti by Rizzo's, 550 N. French Road, Amherst. The event will include a basket raffle and auction. Call 250-1550.

Towne Players of Ken-Ton auditions set

The Towne Players of Ken-Ton will hold auditions for Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues" from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 21 and 22 at the Sheridan-Parkside Community Center, 169 Sheridan Parkside Drive, Tonawanda. Needed are five men between the ages of 17 and 25, one man aged 25-35, one woman aged 17-25 and one woman aged 30-55. Actors should prepare a monologue and acapella musical number. Actresses need only prepare a monologue. Call 912-5284.

Houghton College Choir to play at Randall Church

The Houghton College Choir will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 at Randall Baptist Church, 6301 Main St. The chorus focuses on sacred A'cappella literature. For more information, call 634-9800 or visit www.randallchurch. org.

Temple Shaarey Zedek to hold theater night

The Sisterhood of Temple Shaarey Zedek will see "Sweeney Todd" at its 6th Annual Theater Night Out, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at MusicalFare Theatre Company, 4380 Main St. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $28. For more information, call 838-3232.

Planning ahead seminar set for Jan. 23

Dengler & Roberts Funeral Home and Perna-Pellegrino Funeral Home will hold a "Planning Ahead Seminar" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 at Perna Pellegrino, 1671 Maple Road, Williamsville. Topics covered will include three easy steps to planning ahead, why many people do this type of planning, suggestion as to the right and wrong way to plan, funding options and exempt asset for Medicaid planning process. For more information or to RSVP, call 632-8200.

Blood drive set at church

Upstate New York Transplant Services will hold community blood drives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 at Evangel Assembly of God, 1800 Maple Road, and at the University at Buffalo North Campus, Putnam Way. Call 853-6667 ext. 7940.

NARFE to meet Jan. 22

Chapter 439 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst. The guest speaker will be Region I National Vice President Augie Stratoti from New Hampshire

Community blood service sets public blood drive

Upstate New York Transplant Services Community Blood Service will hold open-to-public blood drives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 at Columbus McKinnon Group, 140 John James Audubon Parkway, and at the University at Buffalo North Campus Student Union, Amherst. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 853-6667 ext. 7940 or e-mail donateblood@unyts.org.

Amherst Garden Club to meet

The Amherst Garden Club will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 at St. John Lutheran Church, 6540 Main St., east of Hampton Hill Drive, Williamsville. The nomination committee will present the slate of new officers and an education program will be held on floral design. Call 634-5749.

Memory wellness presentation set

Clare Bridge Williamsville, 6076 Main St., will hold an "Introduction to Memory Wellness" presentation by Michael Dollard from the Alzheimer's Association at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. Topics will include learning how factors such as exercise and diet affect risk for memory loss and cognitive problems and how memory works throughout the normal aging process. The event is free but seating is limited. Call Diane at 632-7123.

Fish fry dinner set at Amherst church

A fish fry dinner will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 711 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. The cost for the dinner is $9 for adults, $5 for children. For more information on the dinner, call 835-7711.

Free course in Barbershop Harmony set

The Buffalo Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will offer a free, four evening course in singing in a barbershop quartet at 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11 and 25 at the Maryvale Community Center, 777 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga. Participants will be provided with music and learning tapes and CDs. For more information on the organization or the classes or to reserve a space in the classes, call Dick Nowicki at 684-6623.