NIAGARA FALLS, NY – The 2011 Appeal for Catholic Charities is set to kick off Saturday, January 22nd at 11:00 am with a volunteer training workshop and luncheon.

Held at Antonio’s Restaurant and Banquet Center on 7708 Niagara Falls Blvd, this event marks the beginning of the preparations for this year’s appeal which carries a goal of $10.5 million.

In western Niagara County last year alone, more than 10,800 individuals turned to the organization for assistance.

The official Appeal Week will take place April 10 - April 17 throughout the eight counties of Western New York.

Funds raised will help support more than 70 programs and services offered by Catholic Charities for families in the eight counties of Western New York.

This is the first of two Niagara County workshops. The next will be held Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Tuscarora Inn in Lockport.

This month the Kenan Center in Lockport will celebrate a milestone in its plans to expand and upgrade the recreational facilities of the Kenan Center Arena. A new soccer turf has been installed and will be officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, January 27 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Opening remarks will be followed by a team practice for the five to eight-year-olds and scrimmage games by the Lockport Soccer Club.

The original artificial turf was purchased in the mid-90s, and the Kenan Center established at that time a depreciation fund for the eventual replacement of the turf. Revenues from candy selling efforts by the players and the Kenan Soccer Committee helped to build the fund. Larger donations were provided by area funders to reach the final goals.  Funders include the Grigg-Lewis Foundation, Kenan Arts Council, Rotary Club of Lockport, and Lockport Lions Club.

NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Grammy nominated singer James Blunt is offering up his talents for a free happy hour performance on Tuesday, January 25th at the Hard Rock Café.

A show for all ages, the evening kicks off at 7:00 pm and will offer up a musical selection from Blunt’s new album.

“It captures a bit of the mood of the early ‘80s. There was a global atmosphere in the West that we could do anything – the same optimism we felt as teenagers,” Blunt said. “‘Some Kind of Trouble’ really captures that same sense of freedom and excitement and naivety.”

Blunt has received numerous awards and accolades including two Brit Awards, two World Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, an MTV European Music Award and five Grammy nominations.

For more information, visit www.hardrock.com.