When you think about the activities that you can do with your dog, your list might look like this: walk, run, play fetch. With such a short list, you probably cycle through these pretty quickly. Why not shake things up a bit and introduce your dog to something new?

Celebrate the Sisters of Mercy with the second annual "Fun with the Nuns" event at the Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga. Join Emcee Danny Neaverth Sr. Wednesday, May 21, from 6-9 p.m. for an evening of "Fun with the Nuns," which includes a "Raffle with a Twist."

On Saturday, May 10, Lewiston No. 1 Volunteer Fire Co. will sponsor "Firefighter For A Day '14." The recruiting event is being held in conjunction with "RecruitNY," a program aimed at assisting volunteer fire departments across New York state recruit new members.

Village of Lewiston residents could have three candidates for mayor on June 17.

Jacqueline Lampman, a 30-year resident, is gathering petitions to run on an independent party line.

On April 22, Lampman lost her bid to secure the Democratic Party endorsement. She was selected to run for trustee, but was set to decline when her party was disqualified April 23.

Lampman wanted to run for mayor, and is now pursuing the office, "Because, in my career, I've risen to positions of authority," she said. "It kind of fit in that that's where I would go."

"I'm all for reasonability here; we're not going to nitpick every dime."

So commented John Camp, chair of the Artpark & Company board of directors, following conclusion of a prolonged discussion Monday among the Lewiston Town Board over Artpark funding. Included was a heated debate between Town of Lewiston Supervisor Dennis Brochey and Town Board member Ron Winkley. When it was all said and done, Artpark did get approved for an estimated $100,000 in town funding assistance. But the vote was not unanimous; Brochey, who is on record in opposition, voted a staunch "no."

You'd never know it by the cloud cover, but Friday marked the start of summer in Lewiston. The annual Smelt Festival drew in crowds from across Western New York, with each person hungry for a free sample of the tiny, deep-fried fish.

The Niagara River Anglers were set to batter and fry 400 pounds of smelt, which would be distributed inside white paper boats to festivalgoers.

The state fishing season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opens Saturday, May 3, marking the opening of most of New York's freshwater sportfish seasons, state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced.

The Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. and Niagara County today announced an agreement in principle that would extend the tourism agency's contract with the county for three years, effective June 1, 2014, until June 1, 2017.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute has been awarded a five-year, $1.5 million contract to operate the Western New York Tobacco Health System Change Center. It is funded by the New York State Tobacco Control Program and will promote systems changes supporting expanded tobacco-cessation services throughout Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Peregrine's Landing Senior Community of Cheektowaga has collected a generous donation for Ben Sauer. The staff, residents and guests held a basket raffle throughout the month of April, sold candy bars, and collected pop can refunds. The staff celebrated weekly with "Blue" surprises in its life enrichment program and dining services to support his cause.

More than 220 volunteers from Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center and the Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence were honored at the annual volunteer recognition luncheon Thursday at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Assemblyman John Ceretto today reacted to news Howard Milstein is expressing interest in buying the Buffalo Bills and keeping them in Western New York. These reports suggest Milstein, who owns undeveloped property in downtown Niagara Falls, could purchase the Bills and build a new stadium on the property.

Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School will hold its "Day of Caring" Tuesday, May 6. The "Day of Caring" is an opportunity for the Niagara Catholic family to give back to the community by helping various nonprofit, religious and civic organizations.

Ransomville Speedway announced the cancellation of its season-opening program, which was scheduled for tonight, due to the heavy amounts of rain that fell through the middle of the week. Big R reported the speedway grounds are simply too saturated, forcing officials to cancel the 57th season opener.

Town of Niagara residents had an opportunity Tuesday to review revised plans for Benderson Development's Military Place plaza on Military Road.

Rumors were rampant in the Town of Niagara this week that Supervisor Steve Richards will be accepting a plea deal in State Supreme Court on Monday and stepping down from office.

Three new Military Road businesses are celebrating openings this weekend - Petco, Firehouse Subs and Supercuts.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration of Firehouse Subs, located in the Fashion Outlets of Niagara mall, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3.

Supercuts is holding its grand opening at 1520 Military Road with $5.99 haircuts from Friday, May 2, through Friday, May 30.

Coming soon in the LaSalle Center are a Five Below discount store and a Shoe Carnival store.

For the second year in a row, Niagara University is organizing an end-of-year community garage sale. The public event will take place in the Kiernan Center Thursday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you have any plastic, two-liter pop bottles laying around in the garage, or in your recycling bin, consider donating them to the Lewiston Council on the Arts for a new art project that will take place at the "Modern Art Zone" during the 48th Annual Lewiston Art Festival Aug. 9-10.

Congress Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, spoke on the House Floor urging Congress to make a bold investment in this nation's infrastructure.

On April 9, Whitney Mallam, president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association, awarded Tim Baxter, operations director, with a certificate of recognition from the "Wreaths Across America" organization for his dedication as committee chair.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is offering tips to those who have been affected by increased electrical bills. According to media reports and data collected from customers, electric rates for National Grid have gone up, on average, 60-75 percent this winter and spring, compared to the same timeframe last year. The attorney general's office continues to receive numerous consumer complaints about high electric bills.

The University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts and the University of Florida Center for the Arts in Medicine announce the seventh annual Arts in Healthcare Clinical Practice Intensive, to be held Aug. 4-15 in Buffalo at the Center for the Arts.

The Buffalo Jr. Sabres have announced the first Buffalo Jr. Sabres Golf Tournament will take place Monday, July 7, at Westwood Country Club in Williamsville.

Congressman Brian Higgins spoke on the House Floor to recognize the week of April 27 as the Holocaust National Days of Remembrance.

Assemblyman John Ceretto voted Tuesday in favor of new protections for victims of domestic violence.

As part of its "Dialogues on disABILITY Speaker Series," the Museum of disABILITY History welcomes Susan Conners, author and president and founder of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater New York State.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue will be present with adoptable dogs this Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Grandpaws Pet Emporium, 784 Center St. (near the corner of North Eighth Street), Lewiston. Meet Joey, Hal, Sally and Penny, and get information about the adoption process, animal care, upcoming meetings and events.

The New York Power Authority's "Sensational Saturday: Staying Safe in the Sun" event will be held May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Niagara Power Vista, the visitors center at the Niagara Power Project.

During American Stroke Month in May, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, asks all New Yorkers to learn two things that may save a life.

Stroke is the most preventable cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, yet 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

According to the American Stroke Association, knowing if you are at risk for stroke is critical, because many risk factors can be modified and controlled. The No. 1 stroke risk factor is high blood pressure.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano will represent the Republican Party in the June 17 election. The incumbent took 56 of 77 votes in Tuesday's caucus, defeating challenger Jamie Symmonds.

"I accept your nomination; thank you," Collesano told a crowd of almost 100 inside the Red Brick Municipal Building gymnasium.

Border Community SERVICE of Niagara University is hosting a free community preparedness conference Saturday, May 17.

A pair of Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters and a hospitality magnate will address Niagara University graduates during commencement ceremonies taking place in the Gallagher Center May 8 and 10.

State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, and Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, today announced their joint efforts to advance legislation that would restrict private lobbyists from obtaining pensions through the New York state and local retirement system.

A new regulation that prohibits hunting or trapping of free-ranging Eurasian boars in New York State was formally adopted, state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced Monday. The regulation is designed to ensure maximum effectiveness of DEC's statewide eradication efforts.

The Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board announced it recommended $1,720,000 in funding to three Western New York enterprises: We Care Transportation Services, Nexus Natural Gas LLC and Innomotive Solutions Group LLC.

In total, the latest projects recommended for funding awards are expected to create 128 jobs and result in investments by project applicants of $23.25 million.

Two of the projects recommended are related to energy. The WNYPPAB Act stipulates 15 percent of funds need to be dedicated to energy projects. The recommendations are expected to be considered by the New York Power Authority board of trustees at its May 20 board meeting.

Leadership Niagara will host its annual awards luncheon and celebrate its 30th anniversary on Wednesday with 250 Western New York leaders in downtown Niagara Falls.

Catholic Health, Ascension Health and Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center have agreed in principle to formalize a comprehensive agreement to have Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in Niagara County become a full member of the Catholic Health System.

The Historic Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center will officially dedicate the completion of the iconic marquee's restoration and the venue's improvement project Friday, May 2, at 10 a.m. State and foundation officials who were key funding sources of the project will be on hand along with state and local elected officials, theater staff, board of directors, volunteers and local businesses.

The public is welcome to attend; the theater will be open to the public after the ceremony.

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti recently announced Joseph Gregory Chudoba as the fourth recipient of his "Veteran of the Month" recognition program.