Grand Island is putting out the "Open for Business" sign and taking a proactive approach to business development.

Members of the town's Economic Development Advisory Board are ramping up efforts to promote the town as business-friendly. EDAB Co-chair Tom Knight said the group's goal is to recruit new business to the Island "that are a fit and makes sense, without stepping on the toes of existing businesses."

The Grand Island Board of Education worked through a lengthy agenda of approvals, reports and tabling of items.

The board also had a new look, which included new Interim Superintendent of Schools Paul Hashem, Vice President Paul Krull presiding and trustee Tak Nobumoto in attendance via Skype. Trustee Joan Droit was absent due to a medical problem, and the board is functioning without a president since David Goris' resignation earlier in the month.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick has announced that a Home Energy Assistance Program outreach will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Grand Island Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road. Interviews will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. All applicants will be interviewed.

The Grand Island Historic Preservation Advisory Board is looking to scan pictures to save for future generations. Bring your old pictures of family, friends, buildings, etc., from earlier days on Grand Island, to be saved for posterity.

The music department at Grand Island High School has turned its ship around 180 degrees in presenting "Anything Goes" as its spring musical this year.

John French Wakeley, entered into rest Jan. 28, 2013. He was a resident of Grand Island.

The Town of Grand Island has received a grant of more than $200,000 to improve sidewalks in the Ransom Road neighborhood near Grand Island High School and Veronica Connor Middle School.

Members of St. Stephen School Mission Club lovingly decorated special placemats to be given to incarcerated men and women, through the Kairos prison ministry.

The Grand Island Rotary Club, in its weekly meeting at the Buffalo Launch Club on Jan. 16, was treated to an unfolding story of the difficulties, and successes, of Muslims in Western New York reaching the public with the message of their tolerance and Americanization.

The talk was by Dr. Khalid Qazi, professor of internal medicine at the University at Buffalo, and also chair of the WNY Muslim Public Affairs Council. He led off with an example of how security difficulties kept a "MASH" unit sent by the U.S. Army to Pakistan from really helping after a devastating earthquake there in 2005, until Qazi and other medical personnel (Pakistani natives) who were also there on a relief mission, intervened.

The talk was by Dr. Khalid Qazi, professor of internal medicine at the University at Buffalo, and also chair of the WNY Muslim Public Affairs Council. He led off with an example of how security difficulties kept a "MASH" unit sent by the U.S. Army to Pakistan from really helping after a devastating earthquake there in 2005, until Qazi and other medical personnel (Pakistani natives) who were also there on a relief mission, intervened.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announces a free rabies clinic will be held from 3 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at North Buffalo Community Center, 203 Sanders Road, Buffalo.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard administered the oaths of office to newly elected Grand Island Fire Co. officers on Saturday, Jan. 12, at fire headquarters, 2275 Baseline Road.

Both firematic and administrative officers were sworn to uphold their 2013 community protection duties. Howard was joined by Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick, New York State Assemblyman John Ceretto; representative of New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti, Ron Descenes; Grand Island town officials, including Mary Cooke, other special guests and family members in praising the selfless dedication of these GIFC volunteers.

On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce held its board of directors meeting and installation of newly elected directors at the Holiday Inn Grand Island.

Grand Island High School has announced that Job Search Seminar will be held Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Holiday Inn Grand Island, 100 Whitehaven Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breakout sessions will be provided by local colleges.

Job Search Seminar was developed by the Grand Island High School Business Department in response to local businesses and their need for more qualified and prepared student workers.

The Grand Island Central School District (until May 1) will make available to all hall walkers an individual locker in which to store their personal items while exercising. These lockers are conveniently located close to the high school Viking Mall.

Call Bobby Cushing at 773-8820, ext. 6, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to obtain a locker number and personal locker combination number. Should there not be a person to answer a phone call, press "0" and leave a message, which will promptly be returned.

The next airing of Grand Island High School's Viking Vision news program establishes another milestone for the student-driven news program.

On Sunday, Dec. 30, the Buffalo Launch Club installed its new board of directors for the 2013 season.

The Launch Club is one of the oldest and most highly regarded powerboat clubs in the United States. Newly installed Commodore Andy Barbasch says that the club is anticipating one of its best years ever; "While half of our members are non-boaters who join for the facilities and activities, our boating members consider the park-like setting of the 95-slip marina the premier boat club in WNY."

A sign that spring and a new boating season is not far away is the annual installation of officers of the LaSalle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls.

Robert A. Savoy, entered into rest Jan. 10, 2013. He was a resident of Grand Island.

Claude "Bob" Pettitt passed away Dec. 25, 2012, at the age of 88 in Dayton, Ohio. He was formerly of Grand Island.

Jerome L. Szczublewski passed away on Jan. 16, 2013.

John A. McCarthy of Grand Island entered into rest on Jan. 16, 2013.

The Village Inn and Serene Gardens were winners Sunday at the third annual Buffalo Soup Fest, held at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew. Village Inn owner Mike Carr and Sarah Mallare took home the Best Chili award at the event for their Mayan Chocolate Chili, while Satomi and Dr. Joshua Smith of Serene Gardens took home an award for Best Kept Secret.

Rehearsals are ongoing for the Grand Island High School Music Department presentation of the Cole Porter musical "Anything Goes" in the auditorium of Grand Island High School.

Cassie Oursler scored the 1,000th point of her Grand Island Vikings basketball career Jan. 4 in Niagara Falls.

Students from Grand Island High School had a record-setting weekend in Lockport. A team of 101 students in the DECA program traveled to Lockport High School for the Region 12 DECA competition. Fifty-seven returned with awards, the most Grand Island has ever had in the program's history.

In an unexpected addition to Monday evening's Board of Education meeting agenda, board President David Goris announced his resignation from the board, stating he no longer has sufficient time to devote to the position.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church for John Joseph Wesolek of Grand Island, who passed away Jan. 9, 2013.

Niagara County Community College hosted more than 800 students from 22 Western New York school districts at Tech Wars 2013 on Wednesday. Competitions ranged from RC Heavyweight Sumo Robotics to 3D Modeling and CO2 Car Races.

Temporary overnight lane closures are scheduled on the Niagara Thruway for both the northbound and southbound South Grand Island Bridge through Friday, Jan. 14, the New York State Thruway Authority announced.

A car fire broke out on Friday, Jan. 11, by the Buckhorn Island onramp ahead of the northbound Grand Island bridge.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard reports that sheriff's deputies made two arrests on the Island for driving while intoxicated over New Year's Eve.

As part of a yearly tradition since 1999, members of the boys junior varsity basketball team at Grand Island High School and the members of the GIHS Venture Yearbook have teamed up for a noteworthy cause.

Young Island singers have a new outlet for their talents.

Students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades at St. Stephen School diligently created unique Christmas ornaments for the clients of Western New York's Veteran's Housing Coalition.

Grand Island Venture Yearbook staff and editors spread their Christmas spirit this year by fundraising a little harder for a great cause. The group, which includes students from all grades in the high school, raised an extra $500 to donate in gift cards from the Boulevard Mall to the Ray family of Grand Island.

The kindergarten students at Sidway Elementary School entertained parents and grandparents with the annual Kindergarten Holiday Show.

On Dec. 12, the Grand Island Lions Club held its annual Christmas party at the Holiday Inn Grand Island.

One familiar face and one new face were sworn in to public office on New Year's Eve.

At a ceremony in Grand Island Town Hall, lifelong Islander Chris Aronica was sworn in to a seat on the Grand Island Town Board, and John Ceretto took his oath of office to the New York State Assembly.

Grand Islander Dr. Adrienne Cassata, an optometrist with Fichte Endl & Elmer Eyecare, will take her skills and experience to benefit the less fortunate when she travels on a medical mission to the Dominican Republic in January.