Pet Connection Programs Inc. is counting on support from the generous residents of Western New York to make this a happy holiday season. Volunteers from the nonprofit maternity and special care animal shelter located in Marilla will be at several locations throughout Erie County in an effort to raise funds for the care of dozens of dogs and cats in need of loving homes.

For two nights in December, visitors to Old Fort Niagara will experience the holidays as they were celebrated in early America. Historical characters will bring Christmas past alive with 18th and 19th century holiday recipes and portrayals of colonial-era people. The highpoint of the evening will be a traditional Feu de Joie (firing of joy), a nighttime musket and cannon salute.

Programs will take place from 7:00 pm through 8:30 pm on Saturday, December 11th and Saturday, December 18th. The historic French Castle (built in 1726) will be illuminated entirely by candles, as will the Fort's parade ground. The Fort's log trading post will serve as a colonial tavern complete with hot beverages and period music.

LOCKPORT, N.Y. - Niagara County Clerk Wayne F. Jagow wants parents and guardians of young drivers to know about the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Teen Electronic Event Notification Service or TEENS.

TEENS is a voluntary free service offered by the DMV that provides an opportunity for the parent or guardian of a minor, under the age of 18, to be notified in the event that a ticket, conviction, suspension, revocation or crash appears on the minor’s driver’s license record.  The TEENS program is the first resource to be made available through MyDMV, an online resource for DMV customers.

“TEENS is a very helpful new service for parents or guardians,” said Mr. Jagow.  “Signing up is quick and convenient, and can be done at any one of our three DMV locations, by mail or online.”  From May 2010 through October, there have been more than 12,700 enrollees in the program. Most enrollments have been completed at county clerk DMV offices.