Monday, December 26, 2011

Holiday Valley Snowmaking Update



Mother Nature has not been her normal snowy self yet this winter, but never fear...she will eventually arrive! In the meantime Holiday Valley has been making snow at every available opportunity. Below are photos showing the 10 to 15 foot mounds of manmade snow on the Northwind trail.




These mounds were made over 2 nights when the temperatures dropped to the low 20's and teens. The crew lets the snow "cure" for a day then the mounds are spread out over the slope with a hydraulic grooming tractor.



After the anticipated snowfall on Friday night the slope will be groomed once again to open for skiing on Saturday. Holiday Valley currently has 6 slopes open and has made snow on and additional 6 slopes that they anticipate will open over the weekend.

For more information contact



Jane Eshbaugh
Director of Marketing
Holiday Valley Resort
716-699-3904
jeshbaugh@holidayvalley.com



For More Information On Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living Visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Short on real estate down payment? Use your IRA


Real Estate Tax Talk
By Stephen Fishman
Inman News™
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CORRECTION: The original version of this column contained an error that has been corrected. For the purposes of individual retirement accounts, individuals are considered first-time homebuyers if the individual or the individual's spouse did not own a principal residence at any time during the previous two years.
With the much stricter loan qualification standards in effect today compared to times past, borrowers are often required to put down at least 20 percent of the purchase price to obtain a home loan. There are lots of people who would like to purchase a home in these times of low interest rates but can't come up with the down payment.
Fortunately, first-time homebuyers who have IRAs (individual retirement accounts) may have more money available for a down payment than they realize. Ordinarily, the money in an IRA can't be withdrawn before age 59.5 without incurring a 10 percent income tax penalty.
However, there is a special exemption for first-time homebuyers. They can withdraw up to $10,000 in IRA funds to purchase a first home without paying the penalty. A married couple can each withdraw $10,000, giving a total of $20,000.
Are taxes due on the withdrawal?
Whenever money is withdrawn from a traditional IRA, it must be reported as income and regular income tax paid on it. This applies to withdrawals for buying a first home. However, this rule does not apply to Roth IRAs.
Like traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs are tax deferred. Unlike traditional IRAs, however, contributions to Roth IRAs are not tax deductible. Instead, withdrawals are tax free after age 59.5.
So long as the Roth IRA has been in existence for at least five years, withdrawals up to $10,000 for a first-time home purchase are completely tax free -- neither income tax nor a penalty tax need be paid.
However, if the Roth IRA is less than 5 years old, income taxes may have to be paid on the withdrawal, but no penalty tax.
Who is a first-time homebuyer?
The good news is that a person can qualify as a first-time homebuyer for these purposes even if he or she has owned homes in the past. For IRA purposes, you're a first-time homebuyer so long as you, or your spouse, did not own a principal residence at any time during the previous two years.
The two years are measured from the time the new home is acquired. This is the date a binding sales contract is signed or building or rebuilding has begun.
What can the money be used for?
The IRA withdrawal can be used to help pay for any costs involved in buying, building, or rebuilding a home. It may also be used for reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs.
Moreover, the money can be given to a child, grandchild, parent, or other ancestor to buy a first home so long as that individual qualifies under the rules.
The money must be used to pay these costs within 120 days after it is withdrawn from the IRA account. If the home purchase is canceled or delayed, no taxes will be due so long as the money is put back into the account within 120 days of its withdrawal.
Stephen Fishman is a tax expert, attorney and author who has published 18 books, including "Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Contractors, Freelancers and Consultants," "Deduct It," "Working as an Independent Contractor," and "Working with Independent Contractors." He welcomes your questions for this weekly column.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Peek'n Peak prepares for winter


By: Mark Goshgarian



With the snowflakes falling, a Chautauqua County ski resort is prepping for the winter season. YNN's Mark Goshgarian sat down with the new owner of Peek'n Peak for a preview of what's to come.



"Not only was the lake the warmest it’s been in years, but the forecasters are saying there's going to be a lot of snow, so with those two in combination we feel like it’s going to be a great season,” said Nick Scott Jr.



Scott Enterprises Vice President and owner Nick Scott Jr., predicting a great winter at Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa in Findley Lake. The family owned hospitality business in Erie, Pennsylvania, purchased the financially troubled resort in August. Since then, it has already lowered the prices on its season passes and recently purchased a brand new snow groomer.



"It'll allow us to build new and improved terrain parks for our snow boarders, we're also enhancing the terrain parks for the snowboarders this year,” said Scott.



As part of its overall enhancement plan, the company is looking to hire about 500 employees, many seasonal, and spend more than four million dollars in renovations and upgrades over the next year. Crews are already repairing roofs and making improvements to the Peek's lodging facilities as well.



"We've started designing the interiors of the room and we're getting ready for that renovation. Room renovation is going to be about a million six and so we've started looking at plans for that,” said Scott.



Plans also include packaging the Peek with one of Scott Enterprise's many other ventures, like Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park in nearby Erie that features a brand new 12,000 square foot wave pool.



Scott said, "And so the nice thing is a family can come, enjoy Splash Lagoon in the evening, get up in the morning and go skiing for the day, come back and enjoy Splash Lagoon some more."



Still too early to mark on your calendar when the ski season will begin, the weather will determine when the resort opens for the winter, meantime for updates, you can log on to the Peek's website at http://www.pknpk.com/











For More Information On Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Chautauqua Lake Living Visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

NY Most Visited Ski Resort


November 08, 2011
New Retail Incentive Program Offers Free Lift Tickets, Gives Back to Charity and Provides Unique Slope-Side Demo Opportunity
Ellicottville, (PRWEB) November 08, 2011
It's more than the ski slopes that are being groomed for another exhilarating season in Ellicottville, NY. Skiers and boarders are too.
Six locally owned and operated ski and board shops - all within walking distance in a town ranked one of the top five ski and outdoor destinations in the east - are sealing Ellicottville's top spot as a place to shop for gear and clothing with the launch of a new retail program and a chance to purchase some of the best in snow sport apparel and equipment at the best prices, straight from the pros themselves.
"Anyone familiar with Ellicottville knows that this is a great place to ski or board, with more than 100 runs right at our doorstep," says Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brian McFadden. "What they might not know is that we're also home to some of the best ski and board shops around, including stores that are nationally recognized and Gold Medal rated by Ski Magazine."
This season, Ellicottville's 'Sensational Six' stores are offering a range of perks and incentives for savvy ski and snowboard enthusiasts, from amateurs to seasoned pros. Details include:
Free Lift Ticket at Holiday Valley or HoliMont (weekday only for HoliMont) for anyone spending $500 or more at any one of the participating shops
10% Off Ski or Board Jackets in return for clean and gently used jackets (At participating shops only; used jackets will be donated to local families in need)
Free Demo Day at Holiday Valley - Dec. 17 - A slope-side opportunity to 'try before you buy' with all major brands represented
Not only do Ellicottville shops represent every top brand of snow sport equipment and apparel, but they're also nestled in a fun little village at the base of the ski hills that makes shopping for gear more of a vacation than a chore on a to-do list, adds McFadden.
"Our shops aren't spread out over a major metropolis or situated in an expansive supermall; they're right in our historic downtown tucked next to a variety of other boutiques, restaurants and of course our legendary nightlife, so shoppers can immerse themselves in the whole snow sport experience," says McFadden. "I don't know of any other destination in the east where you will find so many award-winning shops, so many products and styles to choose from and so much expertise, all clustered together."
Price and value also come into play, especially when comparing prices to retail establishments north of the border in Canada. "Anyone who does their homework and compares the exact brand north and south of the border will be shocked by how much you can save when you buy stateside," says McFadden.
MORE ON ELLICOTTVILLE'S 'SENSATIONAL SIX'
Ellicottville's 'Sensational Six' stores: The City Garage, Dekdebruns, Mud Sweat and Gears, The Red Door, Apres and The Boardroom. They can all be found on Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce's website, http://www.ellicottvilleny.com, where visitors will also find recently completed videos on Ellicottville as a snow sport destination as well as video 'shorts' on each of the shops involved in this new promotion.
For more information about Ellicottville, on everything from ski and snowboard getaways (including great mid-week packages) to exploring the town's numerous shops, restaurants and night spots, go to the website or call 800-349-9099. Ellicottville is conveniently located in Western New York - just south of Buffalo, surrounded by the Enchanted Mountains, with Allegheny State Park at its doorstep.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/11/prweb8915977.htm

December deadline for Chautauqua Institution’s annual literary prize

December deadline for Chautauqua Institution’s annual literary prize - ObserverToday.com News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - Dunkirk The Observer

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living Visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Thursday, November 03, 2011

$4M renovation planned for Peek'n Peak

$4M renovation planned for Peek'n Peak will receive a $4 million facelift.

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 7:24am EDT
The new owners of the Chautauqua County resort plan to renovate its hotel and purchase new equipment for its ski hills, according to the Jamestown Post-Journal.
Also included in the plans are a new phone network and a new reservation system.
Peek'n Peak was purchased by Scott Enterprises for $11.3 million in August through U.S. Bankruptcy Court proceedings. The 1,150-acre resort employs more than 1,000 in the winter and 350 in the summer.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/


Thursday, October 27, 2011

November in Chautauqua County


Upcoming Events...
November 12 - 20 -2012 United States Figure Skating Eastern Sectional Championships, Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arnea, Jamestown.
November 19 -Thanksgiving with the Birds, Jamestown Audubon Center
November 23,  - January 14, 2012 - Annual Holiday Exhibit, Fenton History Center,  Jamestown
December 2 - Christmas Parade, Third Street, Jamestown
December 3 - Homemade Holidays, Jamestown Audubon Center
Fredonia Miracle on Main St 
December 3 - Miracle on Main Street, Fredonia
January 15, 2012 - Currier and Ives Sleigh Rally, Chautauqua Institution
 
 

Monday, October 24, 2011

Ski season looks bright at recently bought Peek'n Peak

The coming ski season is looking bright -- and white -- thanks to the sale of a financially struggling regional resort and the reopening of another.




Western New York's Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa, operating in bankruptcy for the past year, was recently purchased by the Erie, Pa., family that owns the nearby Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark.



"It's a fantastic resort," said new owner Nick Scott Jr., vice president of Scott Enterprises, which also owns a dozen hotels and restaurants in Erie. "It just needs a little TLC."



The Clear Fork Ski Resort near Mansfield, closed since 2006, was purchased this year by four Richland County men, who plan to reopen the 191-acre park in December.



Though the resort has appealed to skiers and snowboarders primarily from the Columbus area, marketing manager Heidi Flynn said, "We're hoping to bring people here from all over Ohio."



Regional skiing info

Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa in Findley Lake, N.Y.: 716-355-4141. Clear Fork Resort in Butler, Ohio: 419-883-2000. More ski information: The 2011 Cleveland Winter Sports Show is next weekend at Lakefront Arena, 5310 Hauserman Road, Parma. The event — which will feature information from dozens of resorts, plus sporting goods outfitters and more — runs 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Admission is $5; free, children 12 and younger. For information: jjgadventures.com or 216-496-4685.

Changes at the Peak



Peek'n Peak, 90 minutes east of Cleveland and a favorite destination for Northeast Ohio skiers, was purchased in 2006 by Chardon real estate developer Paul Kiebler, who never was able to fund his grand plans for the resort. In 2010, he filed for bankruptcy, citing $28 million in debt.



The property was auctioned in August, when the Scott family emerged as high bidders, paying $11.3 million for the resort and its 1,150 acres.



Top priority for the new owners: fixing the roof and making other improvements to the Inn at the Peak, the 107-room hotel; adding new grooming and rental equipment; and upgrading the sewer and water systems.



Longer term, Scott said, he hopes to add more four-season attractions to the resort, including a zipline course, mountain biking trails and more.



In the meantime, Peek'n Peak has lowered the price of its season passes (hurry -- the deal is good only through October) and has already begun creating links between the resort and Splash Lagoon, which is about 20 miles west of Findley Lake.



Despite the bankruptcy, Scott said Peek'n Peak had a good year last year, drawing 225,000 skiers. "It's been a very special place for a lot of people," said Scott, who himself learned to ski there.




For More Information On Chautauqua Lake Real Estate and Living Visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Holiday Valley's Mountain Coaster

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rickandjuliarealtors has shared a video with you on YouTube:

The Mountain Coaster is located at Holiday Valley Resort in the Tannenbaum area next to the Aerial Adventure Park.
The Mountain Coaster is similar to a roller coaster with cars that ride upon a track. One or two riders load a car and travel 1,865 feet up the hill parallel to the Spruce Lake lift. At the apex the car begins its thrilling 2,490 foot descent zigzagging and spiraling down through the woods. There are 15 curves, 12 waves, 2 jumps and a giant spiral along the length of the ride. The average grade is 15.2% with a maximum of 23.6%. Riders can accelerate or decelerate using handles on the sides of the car.

"Recommencer" by DoKashiteru (feat. ditto ditto, Grayson Wray) http://ccmixter.org/files/DoKashiteru/20513
© 2011 YouTube, LLC
901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Autumn in Chautauqua County


 
 
  

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Chautauqua County Autumn  
 Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau                                     Autumn 2011  
Taste the Harvest...
Bring home local produce from area farm stands and Farmers' Markets that stay open into October.
  
Busti Cider Mill  
The Busti Cider Mill & Farm Market operates mid-September through November with group tours of the working cider mill.  
Call for an appointment 716-487-0177 or  716-484-7300.  Busti Cider Mill & Farm Market is located at 1135 Southwestern Drive, Jamestown.
 Jamestown Farm MArket
Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market
Every Friday 10am - 3pm through October 28th. Weekly farmers market offering locally grown produce, fresh flowers and herbs, goat milk fudge, fresh-frozen meats, pumpkins, maple products, jams and jellies, homemade baked goods, eggs and more!
119 - 121 West Third Street, Jamestown  716-664-2477  
 
21 Brix Winery 
Open for business!
Stop at Lake Erie Wine Country's newest member,  21 Brix Winery, located on Route 20 between Brocton and Westfield. Try some of their delicious wines, including a Cherry Wine, Noiret Ice Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Noiret, Chardonnay, and Riesling as well as three house blends. The retail area offers a wide variety of merchandise, including seasoning packets and chocolate. The Tasting room is open 10 AM to 6 PM, 7 days per week.
 
Upcoming Events...
October 1 & 8 - Saints and Sinner Cemetery Tours, Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown
October 2 & 9 - Twilight Mausoleum Tours, Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown
October 8 - Chili Cook-off, Crossroads Market, Westfield
October 8 - Laughter is the Best Medicine, Benefit for Centaur Stride, Dunkirk
October 8-9 & 15-16 - Peek'n Peak Fall Festival, Findley Lake
October 14 - Derek St. Holmes, & The Queen City All Stars, Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, Jamestown.
October 14-15 - Harvest Moon Cemetery Tours, Fredonia
November 4-6 & 11-13- Harvest Wine Weekends, Lake Erie Wine Country
November 5-6 - Christmas Through the Village, Findley Lake
November 12 - Open Studio Tour, Chautauqua Lake Erie Art Trail
November 12 - 20 -2012 United States Figure Skating Eastern Sectional Championships, Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arnea, Jamestown.
  
Chautauqua County Autumn Road

Ahhh Fall...the aroma of grapes ready for harvest, the brilliance of changing leaves, and the welcome of community festivals and celebrations. What a perfect season to be in Chautauqua County.
 
  
Fall at the Peek...
Chautauqua County Autumn Festival
Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa Fall Fest
- Celebrate the turning of the leaves at the 24th annual Fall Fest October 8 & 9 and October 15 & 16 from 10am - 5pm. Enjoy family fun with a handmade craft show, pumpkin cannon, ski lift rides, farmer's market, and more. Purchase your snow season pass during Fall Fest at the lowest rates in years. Visit Peek'n Peak  for season pass pricing and full event details.  
 
 Sip, swirl, savor the wine...
Chautauqua Wine Harvest Fest 
Harvest Wine Weekends
November 4-6 and 11-13
 
Celebrate the fall harvest in Lake Erie Wine Country
over two weekends in November, just in time to collect recipe ideas for the holidays. Sample bounteous autumn fare paired with inspired wine choices. Purchase a ticket and set your own itinerary, visiting any of 21 wineries over two days. Receive an event wine glass, gift, and a $5 voucher to spend on wine at any winery or on food at participating restaurants. All tickets are reserved.
 
Laugh with Lucy...

I Love Lucy 
Come and celebrate the 60th anniversary of I Love Lucy.  The show that made TV history first aired October 8, 1951, and this fall, the Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy  and Desilu Playhouse, a museum dedicated to the show, will host special exhibits to commemorate the event. See the door to the now legendary Studio A from CBS Columbia Square in Hollywood. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz walked through this door to shoot the first episode of I Love Lucy. Other special commemorative exhibits include: The Santa suit worn in the "missing" Christmas episode of I Love Lucy, which aired in 1956 but was the only episode not aired in syndication. The Playhouse also features a tribute to I Love Lucy writer Madelyn Pugh Davis, who passed away this year.
Ghostly tours...
Lakeview Cemetery On October 14-15 the historic cemetery in Fredonia, NY comes alive with ghosts of famous, infamous, and villainous residents during Festivals Fredonia's Harvest Moon Cemetery Tours led by ghostly guides in horse-drawn trolleys.  In Jamestown, learn some of the more than 43,000 personal stories of "Saints and Sinners" in Lakeview Cemetery with tours led by members of the Fenton History Center on October 1st and 8th. Twilight Mausoleum Tours take place October 2nd and 9th.  Reservations are required for all cemetery tours.

Visit
Festivals Fredonia and Fenton History Center for more information. 

Hockey anyone...
Ironmen Hockey 
Jamestown's brand new North American Hockey Team, The Ironmen, start their first season at the
Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena Oct 7 at 7:05pm when The Ironmen take on Port Huron Fighting Falcons.
Visit Jamestown Savings Bank Arena for tickets or call the Arena Box Office at 716-484-2624.
 
 
See the full calendar of events for Chautauqua County

SAVE THE DATE!

Plan for Chautauqua-in-June,  
a three-week celebration of lifelong and vacation learning,  
May 25 - June 17, 2012
 
 
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Follow us on Twitter to get the latest tourism news from the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.
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This email was sent to rickandjuliarealtors@yahoo.com by cferraro@tourchautauqua.com |  
Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau | P. O. Box 1441 | Chautauqua | NY | 14722

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Erie's Nick Scott to buy Peek'n Peak

Nick Scott, who owns Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park in Erie is purchasing the Peek for $11.3 Million.
For More Information On Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living Visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Sale of Peek'n Peak to occur by Aug. 25

By ED PALATTELLA, Erie Times-News
ed.palattella@timesnews.com

One of the most important dates in the 47-year history of Peek'n Peak Resort & Spa arrives on Aug. 25.

A bankruptcy judge in Cleveland on that date is scheduled to approve the sale of the 1,150-acre ski and golf complex, near Findley Lake, N.Y.
How that sale will occur remains undecided.
The Peak's main creditor and bankruptcy trustee could pick the buyer, based on a review of bids, on Aug. 22.
Or the trustee and the creditor, Huntington National Bank, could arrange to sell the Peak at an auction on Aug. 24.
Either way, the sale will not become final until a judge in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Cleveland approves it on Aug. 25.
The court has set no minimum bid, though Huntington National Bank is owed $17 million, including fees and costs.
The Peak is not expected to fetch that high of an offer. Huntington agreed it would receive no more than $13.1 million from the sale, indicating the bank already expects to lose millions of dollars on its investment, according to court records.
The sale will bring a sense of certainty to the Peak, whose owner, Kiebler Recreation LLC, of Chardon, Ohio, outside Cleveland, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2010.
Kiebler's owner, real estate developer Paul E. Kiebler IV, failed to come up with a reorganization plan, which would have let his company pay its debts and retain ownership.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Randolph Baxter in June appointed a trustee to run the Peak and prepare it for a sale. Baxter on Thursday approved the bidding procedures.
The Peak remains in business, with about 300 employees during golf season and about 1,000 during ski season. The new owner is not obligated to keep those employees, according to the proposed sale agreement, though the agreement also states that the "buyer intends to hire many of the affected employees as new hires."
The Peak's trustee, David O. Simon, a veteran bankruptcy lawyer in Cleveland, said he expects the Peak to draw a large number of prospective buyers, who have until Aug. 12 to submit sealed bids to him.
"We've had a tremendous amount of activity from prospective serious buyers," Simon said on Monday.
The new owner will inherit a regional attraction that, according to court records, can be profitable if it is not carrying large debts. Kiebler Recreation's debts became unmanageable as it borrowed to pay for the purchase and to expand the resort's condominiums.
Kiebler Recreation bought the Peak in January 2006 from the Cross family, of Waterford. Brothers Eugene and Norbert Cross, both now deceased, bought the Peak in 1988.
Kiebler Recreation owes the Crosses $8.4 million, and the family is likely to recover only a fraction of that amount, if anything, however the Peak is sold, according to court records.
ED PALATTELLA can be reached at 870-1813 or by e-mail.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate or Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/