TODAY

Audubon Community Nature Center Christmas with the Critters

1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. Adults $8, Nature Center members $6, children 9 to 15, $6. Free 2 and under. Reservations appreciated. Visit ACNC for a holiday open house all about the critters! There will be live animals out and ready to visit, some animal specimens and artifacts to explore, a craft station to make a holiday gift for the wild critters, a behind-the-scenes eagle tour, and mini-presentations about the live animals every half hour. Admission for this event (or the Nature Center this day) may be a gift taken and purchased for the Giving Tree, located in ACNC’s lobby. Gifts should be wrapped and presented to the receptionist redeemable for admission. Cash and credit cards are accepted as well.

American Red Cross Blood drive

DoubleTree by Hilton, 150 W.Fourth St., Jamestown from noon to 5 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 30

American Red Cross Blood drive

Chautauqua Mall, 318 Fairmount Ave., Lakewood from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The Marvin Community House presents Dinner Theater: “All She Wants for Christmas” 2 W. Fifth St., Jamestown at 6 p.m. The dinner theater production stars Broadway performer Todd Wagner. The venue features an exhibit of decorated Christmas trees. Hundreds of ornaments were selected to show the materials used at the turn of the 20th century. The cost of the event is $50 per person. Reservations are required. Call 716 488-6206.

FRIDAY, DEC. 31

Audubon Nature Walk

1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Donations encouraged. Reservations requested by Dec. 29. Join an Audubon educator for a winter walk on the last day of the year. Dress for the weather.

SUNDAY, JAN. 2

Audubon Sunday Storytime

Children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers are invited to a free nature-based storytime at the Audubon Community Nature Center, 1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sunday admission is also free. Come for storytime and stay to explore the indoor Nature Play Area, live animals and exhibits.Participation is limited to 15. Reservations by the previous day are suggested. Call 716 569-2345.

TUESDAY, JAN. 4

St. Joseph’s bingo

Bingo will take place at St. Joseph’s parish, 145 E. Main St., Fredonia. Doors open at 5 p.m.; bingo begins at 7. Masks should be worn by those not vaccinated and social distancing will be observed.

THURSDAY, JAN. 6

Dunkirk Elks Lodge bingo

Dunkirk Elks Lodge bingo will be held at 428 Central Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission sales begin at 6 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Social distancing will be followed. Masks must be worn by those who are not fully vaccinated.

FRIDAY, JAN. 7

First Friday at the Audubon Community Nature Center

1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown from 11 a.m. to noon. $8 non-members, $6 Nature Center members. Topic: First Peoples and the Natural World. Reservations needed by Jan. 6. Walk-ins welcome if room.

SATURDAY, JAN. 8

Audubon Community Nature Center Little Explorers: Oh, Deer for children 3 to 8 with an adult

1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown from 10 to 11:30 a.m. $8 adults, $6 Nature Center members and children 3 to 8. Paid reservations required by Jan. 6. Limited enrollment.

Fredonia Farmers’ Market

The Fredonia Farmers’ Market is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday November through mid-May at the Masonic Lodge, 321 E. Main St., Fredonia. It features a variety of vendors, with special events TBA. See the Fredonia Farmers’ Market FaceBook page for updates.

Lakeshore Humane Society open adoption hours

The Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 E. Chestnut St., Dunkirk, will hold open adoption hours from noon to 3 p.m. For those who are not vaccinated, masks covering the nose and mouth must be worn at all times on the grounds of LHS. Masks are optional for those fully vaccinated. Those who are ill or have tested positive for COVID are asked to delay a visit. Tours of the facility will not be given. The Cat’s Meow Boutique will be open for purchases by the public. For details, call 672-1991.

Live at the Met: “Cinderella”

1891 Fredonia Opera House. 1 p.m. Captured live from a special New Year’s Day performance, Laurent Pelly’s storybook staging of Massenet’s Cendrillon, a hit of the 2017-18 season, is presented with an all-new English translation in an abridged 90-minute adaptation, with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as the rags-to-riches princess. Call 679-1891 for information or visit www.fredopera.org Tickets: $20 (Adults), $18 (Opera House Members), $10 (Students).

1891 Fredonia Opera House Cinema Series

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House presents the semi-autobiographical “Belfast” at 7:30 p.m. Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh based on his own life, it details a nine-year old boy whose life has been turned upside down. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6.50 for Opera House members/seniors, $5 for students, At this time, ALL patrons are asked to wear masks when attending Opera House events.

SUNDAY, JAN. 9

Audubon Sunday Storytime

Children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers are invited to a free nature-based storytime at the Audubon Community Nature Center, 1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sunday admission is also free. Come for storytime and stay to explore the indoor Nature Play Area, live animals and exhibits.Participation is limited to 15. Reservations by the previous day are suggested. Call 716 569-2345.

Silver Creek’s 20th annual Polar Bear Plunge for charity

The swim starts at 1:30 p.m. at 23 Jackson St. There will be pledge sheets available by calling Pamela Forge, organizer and editor of the Explore NY website. Call 716 430-3775. There will be prizes. Other attractions include Fantasy Black Jack, penny auctions, raffles, food and beverages for purchase and music by Rock ‘n Roll to the Rescue. Masks are needed for safety. Proceeds benefit Oshei Children’s Hospital, the Silver Creek Food Pantry, Silver Creek Rescue Squad and the Sunset Bay Fire Dept.

TUESDAY, JAN. 11

St. Joseph’s bingo

Bingo will take place at St. Joseph’s parish, 145 E. Main St., Fredonia. Doors open at 5 p.m.; bingo begins at 7. Masks should be worn by those not vaccinated and social distancing will be observed.

1891 Fredonia Opera House Cinema Series

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House presents the semi-autobiographical “Belfast” at 7:30 p.m. Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh based on his own life, it details a nine-year old boy whose life has been turned upside down. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6.50 for Opera House members/seniors, $5 for students, At this time, ALL patrons are asked to wear masks when attending Opera House events.

THURSDAY, JAN. 13

Dunkirk Elks Lodge bingo

Dunkirk Elks Lodge bingo will be held at 428 Central Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission sales begin at 6 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Social distancing will be followed. Masks must be worn by those who are not fully vaccinated.

SATURDAY, JAN. 15

Sheridan VFW Memorial Post flea market

A flea market will be held at the VFW Memorial Post, 2556 Route 20, Sheridan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the flea market, there will be breakfast and lunch served by the VFW. The breakfast menu includes danish, breakfast sandwiches on homemade biscuits and fresh brewed coffee. The lunch menu features homemade chili, soup of the week, pizza and wings. The VFW offers a full service bar for a variety of beverages. Come support veterans and shop for great merchandise from local vendors. For information and booth rental, call 814-779-5553.

Fredonia Farmers’ Market

The Fredonia Farmers’ Market is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday November through mid-May at the Masonic Lodge, 321 E. Main St., Fredonia. It features a variety of vendors, with special events TBA. See the Fredonia Farmers’ Market FaceBook page for updates.

Lakeshore Humane Society open adoption hours

The Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 E. Chestnut St., Dunkirk, will hold open adoption hours from noon to 3 p.m. For those who are not vaccinated, masks covering the nose and mouth must be worn at all times on the grounds of LHS. Masks are optional for those fully vaccinated. Those who are ill or have tested positive for COVID are asked to delay a visit. Tours of the facility will not be given. The Cat’s Meow Boutique will be open for purchases by the public. For details, call 672-1991.

St. John’s United Church of Christ meat loaf dinner

The dinner is take-out only. The cost is $13. Pre-registration is required. Call 366-0710.

Drive into the church parking lot from the Eagle Street entrance in Dunkirk.

1891 Fredonia Opera House Cinema Series

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House presents “Julia” at 7:30p.m. The film uses first person interviews, personal photos and more to tell the story of the cookbook author and television superstar Julia Child. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6.50 for Opera House members/seniors, $5 for students, At this time, ALL patrons are asked to wear masks when attending Opera House events.

SUNDAY, JAN. 16

Audubon Sunday Storytime

Children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers are invited to a free nature-based storytime at the Audubon Community Nature Center, 1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sunday admission is also free. Come for storytime and stay to explore the indoor Nature Play Area, live animals and exhibits.Participation is limited to 15. Reservations by the previous day are suggested. Call 716 569-2345.

MONDAY, JAN. 17

HOPE (Healing Our Pain with Empathy) meeting

All parents who have experienced the death of a child are invited to participate in the free HOPE grief support group. The meeting takes place at General physicains, PC Dunkirk office, 3898 Vineyard Drive from 6 to 8 p.m. Meetings are held the third Monday of each month. Call 716 338-0033 ext. 212 for details.