Chautauqua County

County Passes New Bed Tax Forumla

Bed Tax Allocation United Arts Appeal $29,000 Peek N' Peak Classic $20,000 Concord Grape Belt Heritage $10,000 Findley Lake Watershed $10,000 Bemus Bay Pops $10,000 DJDC $10,000 Fenton History Center $7,000 Snowmobile Federation $5,000 Dunkirk Historical Society $2,050 Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse $1,000 Roger Tory Peterson $1,000

8/24/2007 - Allocation Of Reserve Fund To Area Groups Also Clears

By DENNIS PHILLIPS

MAYVILLE — The new bed tax distribution formula and allocation to area tourism related groups didn't have every legislator satisfied about the resolution, but did gain enough support to pass Wednesday in Mayville.

The legislature passed two occupancy tax resolutions — bed tax distribution formula and allocation of reserve funds to area groups and organizations – which didn't come easy.

The legislature took about a half-hour recess to discuss the resolutions because some legislators weren't happy with the allocation of reserve money to tourism groups.

After the meeting legislator Keith Ahlstrom, D-Dunkirk and chairman, said the Planning and Economic Development Committee, who constructed the resolutions, put a lot of time and energy into the laws, which, most likely, would have fallen apart if multiple amendments would have been made to meet individual legislator request.

Ron Szot, D-Dunkirk, after the meeting, thanked legislators for passing the two resolutions.

''This policy is truly a bi-partisan achievement, and provides and objective mechanism and a rational framework for spending occupancy tax revenues,'' he said. ''I would especially like to thank the hard work of legislators Maria Kindberg and Fred Crosscut for their dedication and thoughtful vision.''

The new bed tax distribution formula will give 50 percent of revenues to the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, 30 percent to enhance county water ways, 15 percent to county funded items, which would include parks and the Sheriff's Department water navigation and snowmobile patrol, and 5 percent to the county's Finance Department for occupancy tax administration.

 

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Chautauqua Mayville Events

International Folk/Blues star Eric Bibb presented a return visit to the Mayville Cool Jazz Festival with a preview concert at Celebration Hall Feb. 13 at 8 pm. This is the third year the ICE Festival Weekend events included the Jazz Festival, and the second time a midweek headline event has been offered. Besides the Eric Bibb Concert on Tuesday, Jazz shows continued on Wednesday, Feb 14 with a Jazz Vespers Service at Hurlbut Church, and then on Saturday, Feb. 17 in various venues in the Village of Mayville Mayville Guitar Show to Feature Chuck Pyle Mayville, NY- The Third annual Mayville Guitar Show and Stringed Instrument Expo will feature an array of instruments builders and dealers, as well as world-renowned performers and workshop leaders. It will be held October 13-14 in the brand-new Celebration Hall event facility at the end of Chautauqua Lake in Mayville, NY. (click here to read more...)     For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com	The Village of Mayville, NY is one of the fastest-growing arts, dining, and entertainment communities on Chautauqua Lake, and is quickly becoming a year-round destination. From the June Bluegrass Festival February ICE FESTIVAL, this little town by the lake offers a bunch of things to see, do, and hear. Make sure to mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Mayville Guitar Show and Stringed Instrument Festival, October 13-14! The Mayville Guitar Show kicks off the fall season with some of the best instrument dealers, players, and workshops in the Western NY area. For more info contact Mayville Events at 716.753.2800

Chautauqua Events

8/26/2007 - Cameron Run for Ronald McDonald House , Point Gratiot, Dunkirk , Chautauqua County  Start time of 9:30am. Prizes for age group winners. Refreshments to follow race. Call 366-9283 for details.  Cost is $16 untill August 11th , $20 after August 11th. , More Info. at: Cameronrun314@Yahoo.com. 257

8/31/2007 - 2nd Annual Hoedown , Plumbush Barn, 4541 Chautauqua-Stedman Rd., Rt. 33 1 mile from Andriaccio's, Chautauqua , Chautauqua County  Be entertained by Bill Ward and Friends with music and calling. Door prizes, great food, a basket auction and a lot of fun! Come out and support the abused and neglected children of Chautauqua County.  Cost is Tickets - $10.00. , More Info. at: casaofchautauqua@madbbs.com , 716-753-4123. 233

8/31/2007 - Third Annual Bike Run & Campout for MDA , Sheridan Bay Park, Sheridan , Chautauqua County  Music by Ozone Rangers on Friday , Motorcycle Run on Saturday - $25.00/Rider , $15.00/Buddy Chicken barbecue by Evans Volunteer Fire Company. Refreshments, vendors, Chinese auction, 50/50, raffles.    , More Info. at: 716-488-0395. 254

9/8/2007 - BIG BLUE Fall Garage Sale , Clark and Liberty Streets, Warren , Warren County  Event is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Cost is FREE. , More Info. at: www.warrenpamainstreet.org. 127

9/8/2007 - Chautauqua Region WORD's Local Music Showcase 2007 , Downtown Jamestown, Jamestown , Chautauqua County  Chautauqua Region WORD's Local Music Showcase is an annual fundraising event for The Infinity Performing Arts Program. This exciting event brings together over 50 local musicians and bands who will be donating their time and talent for a full day of music to benefit The Infinity Performing Arts Program, Inc. The daytime portion will take place outside on East Third Street. The street will be blocked off, bleachers will be provided and free concerts will be held from noon until 6 on the main stage at Potter's Terrace. Starting at 7:00 PM programming moves inside to the following venues: Infinity Café, The Holiday Inn, Roberto's, The Labyrinth ,The Jamestown Ice Arena, Mojo's, The Wine Cellar, The Pub, Forte`, Reg. Studio, and Shawbucks. The following musicians & bands will be performing at those venues:
Big Leg Emma, Porcelain Bus Drivers, The Bill Ward Band, The Audience, Kev Rowe, The Haybalers, Little Dirty Goat, Phantasm, Everything Ends, The Rude Boy, Desecrator, I am Frankie Scrapmetal, Discidium, Jeff Erickson, FDH2O, Two for Flinching, Fatal Mishap, Machine Complex, Matt Maloof and Contra Band, Brain Hanna, Gary Peters, Cindy Haight,
Cale Hawkins, RnD Welling, Andy Minton, Saving Chance, Jacinta Whitcome, GAHU Drum Ensemble, Tiny & Twiz, Tiny B, Charity/Amanda/Steve, Infinity Performing Arts Bands.  Cost is Tickets for a single venue will be $5 each, or an all access pass to all venues is just $10.. , More Info. at: 716-664-0991. 249

9/8/2007 - Wild Wind Folk Art & Craft Festival , Warren County Fairgrounds, Pittsfield, PA, Warren , Warren County  Award-winning Festival features 140 juried artisans, delectable foods, live music, children's activities, educational demonstrations, sheep herding demo on Sunday. Held rain or shine as most exhibits are under cover.  Cost is $6 adults; $4 seniors (65); 12 and under free (two day pass). , More Info. at: www.wildwindfestival.com. 250

9/8/2007 - 2nd annual Brocton Portland Community Festival , Downtown Brocton, Brocton , Chautauqua County  Saturday Events: Community Unity Walk along Rails to Trails, Classic Car Cruise In, Crafters and Vendors, Childrens' activities 12-4 p.m., Bounce House, Petting Zoo, Auto paint , smash and blow up followed by extraction demo by the Brocton Fire Dept. Chaut. Co. Sheriffs' Operation Safe Child, Car seat safety check and R.U.O.K. senior Citizen program, Chinese Auction, Magic show with the Great Runfola, Street dance 7-11 p.m. with BOGUS OTIS.
Sunday: Chicken BBQ by the Brocton and Portland Fire departments, Festival Idol Karaoke Finals, Main St. Parade, Horseshoe tournament, Antique Tractor and Engine Show, Street dance with THE RUSTIC RAMBLERS  Cost is FREE. , More Info. at: 716-792-9930. 251

9/8/2007 - "Hi Neighbor" Golf Classic , Rosebrook Golf Course, Silver Creek , Chautauqua County  Entry fee includes golf cart, day of golf, lunch, dinner and entertainment. Chinese Auction and lots of prizes.  Cost is $60 per person. , More Info. at: 716-951-7282. 253

9/8/2007 - SeptemberFest , 2264 King Road, Forestville , Chautauqua County  Silent and live auctions to be held Saturday with all proceeds to benefit Buffalo Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller's Steadfast Foundation. Special appearance by Ryan on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Cost is FREE. , More Info. at: www.merrittestatewinery.com. 272

9/19/2007 - Chad & Jeremy , 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia , Chautauqua County   8 p.m. The famed 60s pop duo with hits including Yesterday's Gone, Summer Song and Willow Weep For Me, on tour for the first time in 30 years. One of the most successful of the British invasion acts, Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde still deliver the lush sound that made them folk pop royalty!  Cost is $22 , $20 Opera House members. , More Info. at: www.fredopera.org , 716-679-1891. 80

9/22/2007 - Harvest Roast Beef Dinner & Theme Basket Raffle , 4th Street & Washington Avenue, Dunkirk , Chautauqua County  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Annual Roast Beef Dinner and Theme Basket Raffle will be held Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, 4th and Washington Ave. Dinner includes roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, beets, carrots, cole slaw, sliced tomatoes, rolls and butter, homemade pies and beverages.  Cost is $8,00 for Adults, and $5.50 for Children. , More Info. at: 716-366-1750. 274

9/23/2007 - Folk in Fredonia Free-for-All , 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia , Chautauqua County  3 p.m. Fredonia Folk music favorites Dick & Carmen Gilman gather friends from throughout the state for a great afternoon of fun folk music and dance.  Cost is FREE. , More Info. at: www.fredopera.org , 716-679-1891. 81

9/28/2007 - 30th Annual Falling Leaves Festival , Veteran's Park; Broad Street, Salamanca , Cattaraugus County  Food, crafts, live entertainment, boxing, 5k run, Dueling Pianos, Lumberjack Show, and much more over the weekend event.  Cost is FREE. , More Info. at: www.SalamancaChamber.com. 179

9/30/2007 - Busti Apple Festival , 3443 Lawson Rd, Busti , Chautauqua County  11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be around 130 homemade craft vendors, demonstration of weaving, spinning, corn husk dolls and many others will be performed, farmers market, apple, peach, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, cherry and strawberry rhubarb pies, a variety of apples for sale, apple cider, candy apples and funnel cakes, country store with fresh baked goods, hot dogs, hamburgers, beef on wick, Kettle Corn. Busti Mill & Museum will be open.  Cost is $3.00 per person, children under 12 are free. , More Info. at: 716-483-3670. 277

10/20/2007 - The Ying Quartet , 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia , Chautauqua County  8 p.m. The quartet-in-residence at the Eastman School of Music, the Ying siblings have been performing together for nearly 15 years and are one of the nation's most sought-after string quartets.  Cost is $15 , $12 Opera House members, $10 students. , More Info. at: www.fredopera.org , 716-679-1891. 82

10/21/2007 - Trail Of Treats , Warren Mall, 1666 Market Street, Warren , Warren County  On Sunday, October 21, children can visit the Warren Mall, for Trail of Treats, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to parade their costumes and fill their bags with goodies. The PNC Bank Trail of Treats event will provide a fun, indoor, climate-controlled environment for children to enjoy the Trick or Treating experience.  Cost is www.achievementctr.org. , More Info. at: www.achievementctr.org , 814-459-2755 , 888-821-3110. 266

11/10/2007 - Fieldstone , 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia , Chautauqua County  8 p.m. This trio from northeastern Pennsylvania gives Celtic music an artful American twist by mixing traditional Irish and Scottish tunes with Old Time and Appalachian influences.  Cost is $15 , $12 Opera House members. , More Info. at: www.fredopera.org , 716-679-1891. 83

11/10/2007 - Annual Turkey and Gun Raffle , Pleasant Social Hall 40 Fuller Avenue, Warren , Warren County  Doors Open at 6 p.m. Raffles start at 7 p.m.  Cost is Admission Free with Gun Ticket or $2.00 Donation. , More Info. at: 814-726-9594. 206

11/14/2007 - Anything That Floats, Allegheny River Raft Race , Rt.62, behind Wildwood Inn, Tidioute , Warren County     Cost is $5.00 per person. , More Info. at: 814-730-9351. 120

12/8/2007 - Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold , 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia , Chautauqua County  8 p.m. Sister is back! And in this, the latest in the Late Nite Catechism series, she employs techniques from her favorite TV show, The Forensic Files, to discover the whereabouts of the Magi's gold. It's hysterical interactive theatre!  Cost is $27 , $25 for Opera House members. , More Info. at: www.fredopera.org , 716-679-1891. 109

12/14/2007 - Dufflebag Theatre's A Christmas Carol , 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia , Chautauqua County  7 p.m. It's interactive theater at its finest when Dufflebag Theatre presents the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits with three Christmas spirits. Because it's interactive, unsuspecting audience members are called upon to play some of the tale's key roles.  Cost is $10 , $8 for seniors and students

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Lake Condos

Crews dig in on Bemus Point condos

Business First of Buffalo - 12:22 PM EDT Thursday, August 23, 2007

by James Fink

Business First

Construction has begun on the first new upscale condominium project in Bemus Point in several years.

Crews have started pouring the foundations for the 40-unit Bemus Bay Condominiums. Located on the edge of Chautauqua Lake, the project is being constructed on the site of the long-closed and demolished Browning and Columbian hotels. In a nod to the property's historic past, the project's developers, Lee Chilcote and Paul Goldberg -- both of Cleveland, have named the two condo buildings after the hotels.

The Bemus Bay Condominiums will be constructed in two, four-story buildings. Each unit comes with a boat slip. The units range in size from 1,525-square-feet to 1,700-square-feet with prices averaging about $500,000, said Pete Holt, a principal broker with Howard Hanna Holt Real Estate in Bemus Point. Howard Hanna Holt is marketing the condo project.

Holt said 16 of the 40 units are under contract with a mix of buyers coming from the primary marketing area of Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

"This is really a vacation or second-home orientated project," Holt said. "Although, some may end up buying (one of the condos) as their primary residence."

All of the units come with three bedrooms. There are four variations to the basic floor plan.

Besides the Chautauqua Lake slips, other amenities include a community swimming pool and gazebo. Every unit has either a private balcony or porch that overlooks the lake.

The units were designed by the Jamestown architectural firm of Harrington Sandberg Architecture & Engineering P.C.

The project is expected to be completed by June.

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

 

Chautauqua Lake Idol

And The Winner Is...

Ben Blood performs at Chautauqua Idol on Wednesday. P-J photos by Nicholas Dean

8/23/2007 - Ben Blood

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN

BEMUS POINT — An underdog who judges initially had pegged as just a rock singer, Ben Blood wowed a packed Bemus Point crowd Monday night with a soul song and earned the title of 2007 Chautauqua Lake Idol.

First to perform in the final round of SE93's regional vocal competition, Blood, a Busti resident, surprised judges with a perfect rendition of the Motown classic ''I Heard It Through The Grapevine.''

Admitting that she had been worried Blood would be limited to rock 'n' roll, Idol judge Sarah Malinoski said the contestant had proven himself a master of everything from Christmas carols to disco tunes.

''You rose to the occasion,'' Malinoski told the 2007 champion. ''You surprised me and you probably surprised yourself. I can't imagine this competition without you.''

Though one of several memorable performances, judges agreed that Blood's opening song was the highlight of the evening's first half.

Split into two parts, Monday's finale featured two performances from each of the three remaining contestants. Along with ''I Heard It Through The Grapevine,'' Blood sang ''Zoot Suit Riot'' by The Cherry Poppin' Daddies while Rich Beatty performed the Josh Groban song ''You Raise Me Up'' and ''But It's Alright'' by J..J. Jackson. Lydia Marks sang ''Respect'' by Aretha Franklin and ''Somewhere Over The Rainbow.''

In addition to current contestants, Idol's past winners — Lauren Cecchini (2006), Marla Harris (2005) and Susan Waite (2004) — returned to The Floating Stage to remind the audience just how high the bar had been set.

When Andrew Hill, host and SE93 on-air personality, asked Blood what he was thinking, the 2007 champion responded with the honest and approximate answer of ''a billion things.''

As winner of the 2007 Chautauqua Lake Idol regional vocal competition, Blood won a multitude of prizes, which included a two-year lease on a Chevy Cobalt from Ed Shults, a $500 Simon Mall Gift Card, an overnight stay at Webb's Year-Round Resort in Mayville and a Sept. 1 performance during the end of the Bemus Bay Pops summer entertainment series.

''It's an honor. It was hard to compete against all these people,'' Blood said of participating in Chautauqua Lake Idol. ''I want to thank the band and everybody who came out here to support Chautauqua Lake Idol. You've been great.''

SE93's first male Idol, Blood had what judges like Tim Edborg, Steve Swanson and LouAnn Dobmeier had described as the total package.

''He's got it. He can sing anything you throw at him,'' said Tom Torbjornsen, Idol judge, after Blood was announced as the 2007 winner. ''He's got a great way with the crowd and an outstanding stage presence. He's got versatility, consistency, professional quality. I truly mean it when I say this guy has everything. He's everything that we were looking for.''

Chautauqua Lake Idol was created and is organized each year by WWSE 93.3 FM — a Media One Group radio station.

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

 

CHAUTAUQUA

Chautauqua Morning Lecture Series To End With Dr. Ruth

8/19/2007 - CHAUTAUQUA — Dr. Ruth Westheimer will be the final morning lecturer for the 2007 season at Chautauqua Institution at 10:45 a.m. Friday in the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater.

Starting Monday, morning speakers will focus on Healing and Healthy Aging: Nurture and Nature.

Dr. Westheimer is a psychosexual therapist who helped to pioneer the field of media psychology with her radio program, ''Sexually Speaking.'' What began in 1980 as a 15-minute taped show that aired after midnight soon became part of a network, which has included television, books, newspapers, games, home video and computer software. Dr. Westheimer is an adjunct professor at N.Y.U., an associate fellow of Calhoun College at Yale University, and a fellow of Butler College at Princeton University. She is a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and in addition to having her own private practice, she frequently lectures at universities across the country and has twice been named ''College Lecturer of the Year.''

Dr. Westheimer has been celebrated with numerous awards for educational programming on television and cable. She has received three honorary doctorate degrees, and People Magazine included her in their list of the ''Most Intriguing People of the Century.'' In 2002 she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and in June of 2006, Columbia University's Teacher's College awarded her their Medal for Distinguished Services.

Also on Friday, Neil Sedaka will perform 8:15 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Sedaka had eight Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1962, including ''Oh! Carol'' ''Calendar Girl'' ''Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen'' and ''Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.''

The Amphitheater scheduled closes at 8:15 p.m. Saturday with Michael Bolton, who has sold more than 53 million records, won multiple Grammy trophies for Best Male Vocalist and countless other honors, earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and sold out arenas worldwide. Bolton has also sung with Luciano Pavarotti and Ray Charles, written songs with Bob Dylan, penned hits for Barbra Streisand and KISS, played guitar with B.B. King and been sampled on a track by hip-hop superstar Kanye West.

Other speakers speaking during 10:45 a.m. sessions in the institution's Amphitheater this week are:

On Monday, Donald Barlett and James Steele will be the featured speakers. They have been working as an investigative reporting team since 1971, first at the Philadelphia Inquirer until 1997 an then as editors-at-large at Time Inc. from 1997 to 2006 before becoming contributing editors at Vanity Fair since 2006. Their specialty is researching, analyzing and writing about the complex issues and institutions that profoundly affect American life. Their most recent book, entitled ''Critical Condition: How Health Care in America Became Big Business and Bad Medicine,'' was described as ''a devastating indictment, supported by excellent research,'' by Publishers Weekly.

Their previous books include ''Forevermore: Nuclear Waste in America;'' ''America: Who Really Pays the Taxes?;'' and ''America: Who Stole the Dream?''

Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, one of the world's leading experts in integrative or complementary medicine, Alzheimer's disease and memory loss, will speak Tuesday. His groundbreaking holistic medicine program for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and memory loss, for which he is most widely known, was shared with the public in 1997 through the acclaimed international best-seller, Brain Longevity.

For close to 15 years, Dr. Khalsa has also served as President and Medical Director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Foundation. In this capacity he testified before Congress about his work in the area of lifestyle influence on Alzheimer's disease. Recently, Khalsa was named Associate Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Center for Spirituality and the Mind, where he is conducing a breakthrough research project in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Medical School to examine the effectiveness of meditation on early cognitive impairment.

As a literary journalist, Gail Sheehy, who will speak Wednesday, was one of the original contributors to New York magazine. A contributing editor to Vanity Fair since 1984, she won the Washington Journalism Review Award for Best Magazine Writer in America for her in-depth character portraits of national and world leaders, including both Presidents Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Margaret Thatcher, Saddam Hussein and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Sheehy is a seven-time recipient of the New York Newswomen's Club Front Page Award for distinguished journalism, most recently for her Vanity Fair article ''September Widows.'' Other honors include the National Magazine Award, the Penny-Missouri Journalism Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in Race Relations for her book, Spirit of Survival. She is one of the founders of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women.

Christina Economos, an assistant professor of nutrition at Tufts University's School of Nutrition Science and Policy and a research scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, will be Thursday's featured speaker. Her research efforts are focused on the interaction between diet, exercise, body composition, and aging, with an emphasis on techniques that develop and preserve skeletal muscle and bone mass throughout the lifespan.

Dr. Economos is dedicated to communication strategies and public health policies that deal with the complex relationships between nutrition, health, disease and human performance. She directed the country's largest statewide osteoporosis prevention initiative for two years prior to joining Tufts. In addition to her teaching and research, she serves on the Massachusetts Osteoporosis Awareness Program Advisory Committee, is an appointed member of the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, and is Vice President of the National Association of Governor's Councils on Physical Fitness and Sports.

 

For more infomation on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

 

Chautauqua Watershed

CLMC To Discuss 2008 Plan With County Committee

By DENNIS PHILLIPS

''The most important thing we can discuss with them is where we are with the 2007 action plan and what we hope to accomplish the rest of the year, and what we hope to do in 2008.'' • Bill Evans, commission chairman

8/15/2007 - MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua Lake Management Commission received more than $550,000 from the county in 2007 for its lake action plan.

Today, the commission will be asking the county for more money to continue working on enhancing the lake in 2008.

During the county's Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting in Mayville, Bill Evans, commission chairman, will discuss the group's 2008 action plan and request more financial assistance from the county. The group will also be making a similar presentation in front of the full legislature next week.

''The most important thing we can discuss with them is where we are with the 2007 action plan and what we hope to accomplish the rest of the year, and what we hope to do in 2008,'' he said.

Evans said the group is in the process of organizing its 2008 master plan with its new lake management coordinator, Jane Conroe. Ms. Conroe, a Maple Grove High School science teacher, will be a part-time lake coordinator. Evans said she teaches physics, chemistry and earth science, and has been involved in lake projects for more than 30 years and works with the Chautauqua Lake Association and Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy on current projects.

''She has come on board and she has been a great help to us,'' Evans said.

Last month, the commission fired Carolina Wetlands Services as its lake coordinator, citing a difference in approach and philosophy with managing the lake's various challenges.

Evans said the group is now busy working to survey the lake for the comprehensive plan needed to get permits from the DEC to work on eliminating the invasive weed problem in the lake.

''The lake is a dynamic body that changes year-to-year,'' he said. ''The last lake study was done in 1990 and we are now bringing that data up to date. The goal is to complete the work this year and over the winter put the findings together to apply for permits for 2008 so we can go into the lake and make some progress on eliminating the invasive weed problem.''

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

 

Chautauqua

Audiences Offered Second Chance To View New Film

By ROBERT W. PLYLER

Above a scene from the film ''Amazing Grace,'' starring Ioan Gruffud and Albert Finny. The film recounts how one man's courage caused England to abandon the slave trade more than 50 years before the U.S. Civil War.

8/12/2007 - CHAUTAUQUA — Audiences at the Chautauqua Cinema are being offered their second opportunity within a week, to see an inspiring new film, and to meet and ask questions of the filmmaker.

Monday and Tuesday, at 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8 p.m., the Chautauqua Cinema will show the film ''Amazing Grace.'' At the conclusion of each showing, the filmmaker, Ken Wales, will be present to discuss the film with the audience and to answer their questions.

Nearly everyone is familiar with the popular hymn ''Amazing Grace,'' which exists in literally hundreds of arrangements and is one of the most popular hymns ever written. Some people know that the words were written by John Newton, an Englishman who served as the captain of a slave trading ship, which brought captive Africans to America in conditions of filth and terror, to be trained for lives as slaves.

Far fewer know that Newton became the mentor to an energetic young clergyman named William Wilberforce, and that Wilberforce succeeded in getting the English parliament to first outlaw the profitable slave trade, and then to outlaw slavery itself.

The film is the story of Wilberforce's heroic efforts, despite fierce odds, including the preaching of churches that slavery is approved by the Bible and therefore, to oppose it is evil.

We spoke with Wales by telephone, before his departure for Chautauqua.

Wales is a successful film executive, whose credits as a producer include the popular television series ''Christy,'' and the feature films ''The Great Race,'' and ''The Revenge of the Pink Panther.'' He was, for more than a decade, the business partner of famed director Blake Edwards, and is known to have introduced Edwards to his wife, Julie Andrews.

I asked how a former Vice President for Production of Walt Disney Studios happened to be coming to Chautauqua.

He replied, ''My father was a minister in the Disciples of Christ, for more than 50 years. He often came to Chautauqua for rest and inspiration. He brought me here several times throughout my youth, and I have come several times on my own.

''Among the people to whom my father served as pastor, was a charming woman named Joan Brown Campbell. She is now head of the Department of Religion at Chautauqua. I was talking with her last winter about a number of things, and she suggested that I come during the season, with my film,'' he said.

Wales began his association with the film industry in a remarkable way. He said he owes it all to Walt Disney.

''Disney was of the opinion that scientific samplings and poll results were all well and good, but if you want to understand an audience, you need to talk with some individuals. Just at the time he was opening the first theme park and starting the first Mickey Mouse Club, Disney called the principal of Santa Monica High School and asked if there was a student who he thought would benefit from a week of touring and working in the Disney offices,'' he said. The principal recommended Wales.

Disney showed the young man films and asked his opinion, introduced him to people who worked in all areas of the studio, from animators to technicians to directors, and took him to the as-yet unopened Disneyland, and asked him which rides he wanted to ride and what he thought about all the rides, and the park itself. Throughout the week, he answered questions openly and plainly for the young man, who still quotes back what he was told.

''I asked why Bambi's mother had to be killed by the hunters, and why he had to be shown fleeing for his life through the forest fire,'' Wales said. Disney answered, ''The true measure of a person is how he deals with troubles. Too many people try to make family-oriented films and television by just showing happy, glowing things. That doesn't prove much. In any Disney film, you're going to see people finding the courage to do what's right, even in the face of danger.''

As a result, Wales has tried, throughout his long and successful career, to encourage people who wanted to do what was right, and this film is just one example.

On the last day of the week's experience, Disney drew out his personal checkbook, and gave the young man a check for the full amount of tuition for four years at the University of Southern California School of Film Studies.

''Amazing Grace'' stars Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce, the crusading Member of Parliament, and Albert Finney as John Newton, the former slave trader who came to write the famous hymn.

Gruffudd has made many films and television series, including ''Black Hawk Down,'' and is probably best known as the title character in the ''Horatio Hornblower'' television series.

Finney burst into the public's notice in the late 1960s, in the title role of the film ''Tom Jones,'' and has had a long and distinguished career in films and on the British stage.

''Abraham Lincoln was a great admirer of Wilberforce. I've heard it said that if it hadn't been for the events shown in the film, it might have been nearly another century before the United States was free of slavery,'' Wales said.

The Chautauqua Cinema is located beside and slightly behind Norton Hall, on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution.

 

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Chautauqua County Gerry Rodeo

It's Rodeo Time Again In Gerry

By PAUL COOLEY

These horses were relaxing at the Gerry Rodeo grounds before having six performances in five days at the annual Gerry Rodeo that begins tonight.

8/8/2007 - Anyone driving past the Gerry Rodeo Grounds a couple of days ago might have thought that the signs advertising the 63rd annual PRCA rodeo slated for tonight through Sunday had the incorrect date as the place was nearly deserted. Only a dozen or so vehicles were there as a few firemen were putting the final bolts into the new bleachers and adding fresh paint to some of the buildings at their arena.

Now, only hours before the opening performance at 8 p.m., the entire scene has changed and the rodeo grounds is a small city on wheels. Semi trucks have delivered the bucking chutes along with more than 110 head of bulls and horses. Campers, motor homes, pickup trucks from across the nation surround the arena as nearly 100 professional cowboys and cowgirls are set to compete for $25,000 in prize money. The license plates read Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and more.

Display tents from the nearly 30 vendors are popping up along the midway. Already one can smell the cinnamon taffy and the cotton candy machine is being tested. Smoke is rolling from the beef barbeque pits where 1,200 pounds of beef is almost done cooking for the dinners starting at 5 p.m. The sights, smells, and sounds of a real Western rodeo are everywhere.

Tonight's opening is the first of six performances this week with evening shows at 8 p.m. through Saturday and afternoon matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. The traditional rodeo events of bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, bull riding , and barrel racing along with the comedy of clowns, the daring of bull fighters, and the specialty acts of Brad ''The Wild'' Hair combine to make this an event for the entire family.

The barbeque beef dinners are served nightly beginning at 5 p.m. and at noon on Saturday and Sunday in the newly remodeled and air conditioned ding hall.

This is a true professional rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association of Colorado. Competitors must be members of that organization and pay entry fees for each event they enter. The stock contractor for the 19th year is the Barnes Rodeo Company of Peterson, Iowa, who have been in the rodeo business for 56 years, producing about 35 rodeos each year across the country.

Another highlight of the week's festivities is the Rodeo Worship Service held in the rodeo arena Sunday at 9 a.m., with a musical concert by Amos and Cookie Mazzant, who feature gospel vocals along with their talents on banjo, guitar, trumpet, and keyboard. Jason Runfola, a saddle bronc rider, will be the speaker. There is no charge but a free-will offering will be taken. In case of rain this event will be moved to the rodeo dining hall.

Additional information can be obtained by phoning 985-5754 or 985-4847 or by visiting the rodeo website at www.gerryrodeo.org.

 

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CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION

GOVERNOR ELIOT SPITZER TO SPEAK AT CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION ON TUESDAY

CHAUTAUQUA , N.Y. — Governor Eliot Spitzer will appear at Chautauqua Institution on Tuesday (Aug. 7). This will be Gov. Spitzer's first trip back to the Institution after being inaugurated as New York's 54^th Governor on Jan.1, 2007.

Governor Spitzer's first appearance on the lecture platform was for his keynote address during the week on applied ethics ("What is the Business of Business?") in 2004. This year Gov. Spitzer has been invited to speak during week seven, which is titled "Security and Preparedness."

In his inaugural address, Governor Spitzer said: "Every policy, every action and every decision we make in this administration will further two overarching objectives: We must transform our government so that it is as ethical and wise as all of New York, and we must rebuild our economy so that it is ready to compete on the global stage in the next century."

Prior to being elected Governor, Mr. Spitzer served for eight years as New York State Attorney General, where he won national recognition for landmark cases protecting investors, consumers, the environment and low-wage workers.

Before he ran for Attorney General, Governor Spitzer worked as an attorney in both the public and private sectors. From 1986-1992 he was an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where he rose to the Chief of the Labor Racketeering Unit. He also worked for the New York City law firms of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; and Constantine & Partners.

Governor Spitzer received his undergraduate degree from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. After law school, he clerked for U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet.

Chautauqua Institution hosts the weekday Morning Lecture Series at 10:45 in the Amphitheater. Tickets can be purchased at the Chautauqua Box Office in the Turner Community Center on Route 394. They may also be ordered by phone at 716.357.6250 or on the Web at tickets.ciweb.org.

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

 

Chautauqua Lake Idol

Idol Will Be Narrowed To Three Tonight

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN

8/6/2007 - BEMUS POINT — Half of the singers who perform at Chautauqua Lake Idol tonight will be cut, leaving the contest with its three finalists for 2007.

After four evenings at The Floating Stage in Bemus Point, this year's regional vocal competition is winding down — and organizer SE93 has nothing but the best left in the game.

The third of three theme nights, tonight's round of competition is entitled ''Remember When...'' and will feature songs from years past. For the theme night, contestants must sing a song from the year of their birth, or high school or college graduation.

''Did I think I was going to make it this far? Not really, but I've enjoyed it,'' said Rich Beatty on Friday night. ''It's been a lot of fun. I've learned a lot and made a lot of new friends throughout this competition.''

Naming last week's ''Christmas In July'' theme week as his favorite performance so far, Beatty joked about having to sing disco and complemented the seven other contestants still in the competition. Responding to complaints and criticisms which have been posted recently in the forums on www.ChautauquaIdol.com, Beatty said he hopes people will look at the positives of the event and not linger on who beat who.

''This is an event that's supposed to bring the community together, so all we're asking is that people enjoy it and support all of the singers in the competition,'' Beatty said. ''''My whole philosophy has been to have fun with it and that's all I'm doing,''

In addition to Beatty, Andrea Bragg, Ben Blood, Michael Valvo, Lydia Marks and Parris Williams are slated to perform tonight.

Now in its fourth year, Chautauqua Lake Idol was created and is organized each year by WWSE 93.3 FM — a Media One Group radio station.

''This is definitely the top eight we've had in four years, it's the most talent I've ever seen,'' said Andrew Hill, host of the event and SE93 on-air personality, after last week's competition. ''I really hate to see any of them go, but we're offering them an opportunity to get better.''

Music for all Chautauqua Lake Idol events is provided by John Cross and the Babalu Band. Cross, who is Cassadaga Valley High School's director of bands, has served as music director for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and has provided music scoring and performed with Paula Poundstone, Ellen DeGeneres, the Smother's Brothers, Bob Newhart and Lucie Arnez. In addition to being a featured soloist and arranger with the Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, Cross has performed in jazz clubs from Chicago to New Orleans and is the founder and conductor of the Chautauqua Concert Band. Joining him onstage this year is Mark Alpaugh on keyboards, guitarist Jim Karapontso and drummer Jim Foti.

''There are many reasons our shows have been so successful these past four summers, and that's because of the amazing group John puts together each year,'' Hill said of Cross and the Babalu Band. ''The singers are great, but they wouldn't be as good without the professional sound we have behind them.''

Chautauqua Lake Idol events begin at 6:30 p.m. and typically run two hours. With four rounds of competition completed, only two remain — tonight's ''Remember When...'' event and the final competition on Monday, Aug 20.

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

 

Chautauqua Lake Charity Bike Ride

St. Luke's Church Organizes Charity Bike Ride Around The Lake

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN

Loop The Lake Cyclists pose for a pre-ride picture before the 2006 Loop The Lake event. Organized by St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Loop The Lake raises money each year for Episcopal Community Services. The 2007 event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4. Submitted photo

8/1/2007 - What started as one man's self challenge to cycle around Chautauqua Lake has become an annual event for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jamestown, which uses the bike ride as a way to raise money for Episcopal Community Services.

Entering its sixth year, the 2007 Loop The Lake event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4. Cyclists interested in participating can obtain registration forms from St. Luke's, Jamestown Cycle Shop or Hollyloft Ski & Bike.

''There's really two reasons for it,'' said Rev. Eric M. Williams, rector of St. Luke's, who began the event five years ago. ''St. Luke's has a long commitment to community involvement and so this is a way for us to be involved in the community by raising money for Episcopal Community Services. Additionally, St. Luke's has also been committed to events that promote wellness and health, and this bike ride fits nicely into our desire to do that.''

Though there is no cost to ride, all registrants are asked to obtain sponsors for the event. According to Williams, all amounts are welcome — from $10 to $1,000. Loop the Lake riders will receive a free T-shirt, free water and snacks during the ride, and a free lunch at the event's end.

Proceeds raised through the ride are donated to Episcopal Community Services, which provides food, shelter, counseling and other services to those who utilize its 15 member agencies in Western New York. Comparing Episcopal Community Services to Catholic Charities, Williams described the organization as the charitable arm of the Diocese of Western New York

''The most important benefit,'' Williams said of participating in the event ''will be knowing you have helped those in need.''

Participating cyclists will leave from St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 9 a.m. Final registration for those interested in participating will begin at 8:30 a.m. that morning. Depending on the speed of the cyclist, the 43-mile trek can take anywhere from two to four hours.

''Experienced cyclists love this event because the hills are gentle,'' Williams said. ''There are a couple of pretty decent hills around the lake, but nothing that an average or just generally recreational cyclist can't handle. There are no really killer hills and it's a beautiful ride with a beautiful view of the lake. Every time you go up a hill, you gain a beautiful vista over the lake — so it's worth the climb.''

In addition to Hollyloft Ski & Bike and Jamestown Cycle Shop, the event is sponsored by Food Is Good. Helmets are required for the ride.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church is located at 410 N. Main St. in Jamestown and can be reached by calling 483-6405. For more on Loop The Lake or to download a registration form, visit www.wingedox.com.

 

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com