Chautauqua Lake Idol Auditions Take Place

By Nicholas L. Dean, ndean@post-journal.com MAYVILLE - Dozens of singers turned out Friday to audition for Chautauqua Lake Idol. Held at the Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center in Mayville, the open audition was the sole qualifier for the sixth annual regional vocal competition. "We had a pretty good showing," said Andrew Hill, host of the event and SE93 on-air radio personality. "We had about 50 people pre-register online and we've had some people come in off the street as they always do every year." Judges Mike Quimby, LouAnn Dobmeier, Sarah Malinoski and Tim Edborg listened as potential competitors sang a cappella for 60 seconds. From the many who auditioned, a total of 20 will be chosen to compete in Bemus Point this summer. For the past five years, Monday nights in Bemus Point have been synonymous with sunshine and the soulful singing of Chautauqua Lake Idol contestants. Organized each year by Media One Group radio station WWSE 93.3 FM, draws contestants and spectators from throughout the county and region. In past years, the contest has consisted of six shows. Following two preliminary rounds, where 10 of the competition's 20 contestants are eliminated, finalists then perform in three theme nights with a finals night determining the year's winner. For more information about the annual event, visit http://www.chautauqualakeidol.com/ or the Media One Group studios. Questions can also be directed to WWSE 93.3 FM by calling 487-1151. To read a full interview with Hill about the coming 2009 Chautauqua Lake Idol regional vocal competition, visit "The Dean's List" blog online at http://www.post-journal.com/. Subscribe to Post For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Lake Ferry Season To Begin

BEMUS POINT - The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry is set to start the season today, traversing the narrows of Chautauqua Lake between Bemus and Stow. The ferry has had much work done in the past several weeks and received a new paint job. The ferry will continued its nearly 200-year history when it ''sets sail'' at 4 p.m. today, weather permitting. The regular summer schedule will be 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. The schedule, however, is subject to change due to weather, mechanicals or local events. This Memorial Day weekend, the ferry service between Bemus and Stow will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday. On Sunday it will open at 11 a.m. but because of a car show in Bemus Point, the ferry will likely carry only walk-ons and bicycles until around 5 p.m. Sunday. The ferry is adding Memorial Day to its schedule this weekend - noon until 4 p.m. Monday. The cost of the ride is only a donation. For more information, go to sealionprojectltd.com. Subscribe to Post-Journal For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Buffalo Airport to Chautauqua Institution 2009 Rates Announced

Magic Mist Limousine 716-284-7040 Are you visiting Chautauqua Institution this summer for art or just the summer experience? We service to and from Chautaqua Institution daily with private car and limousine service. There is no need to take a cramped shuttle when our affordable car service to and from the area is available. No matter what time your flight comes in to the Buffalo Airport, we can have a regular Lincoln Towncar or Stretch Limousine waiting for you. We supply reading materials as well as beverages and snacks for your 1.5 hours ride from the Buffalo Airport to Chautauqua Institution. Let our friendly chauffeurs assist you or your family members in and out of our vehicles. Special needs and luggage assistance are standard. Our 2009 rates to Chautauqua are: Luxury Sedan (up to 4 with Luggage): $165 Stretch Limousine (6-8 with luggage): $215 Book a round trip with us and receive a $10 discount. Here is a previous comment from one of our Buffalo Airport Transportation customers to Chautauqua had to say about our service: "We just wanted to tell you how pleased we were with our transportation from Chautauqua to Buffalo airport. Our driver was excellent - right on time to pick us up and most pleasant as well as being a very good driver. I would recommend your service to anyone." Sara and Fred M For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Housing Market Looking Up

County, State Sales, Prices Increase By Dennis Phillips dphillips@post-journal.com POSTED: May 5, 2009 The number of homes being bought and the selling price for those homes increased in March for the first time in 2009 for both the state and the county. Jan R. Murray, Chautauqua County Board of Realtors Inc. executive officer, said March 2008 housing numbers compared to March 2009 showed an increase in the number of homes sold by 3.9 percent and the median price increase from $61,700 to $69,000 - an 11.8 percent increase. ''It is a pretty good jump,'' she said. ''In November and December 2008, we noticed things were slow a bit, but with the brutal winter we didn't know how much was due to the economy or the weather. Things are taking off now compared to last year at this time. The increase is a good sign.'' On the state level, the New York State Association of Realtors Inc. reported that March featured a 14.1 percent increase in home sales compared to February and the statewide median rose 6 percent to reach its second highest level in the past 12 months. ''It is important to note that buyers who are waiting for the theoretical 'bottom' of the market have already missed it,'' said Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer. ''Prices have been fairly stable for the past 12 months and are now expected to begin to climb slightly. The market typically gains momentum in the spring and summer months.'' Murray said with low mortgage rates and moderate prices, it is a great time to invest in the housing market. Plus, if you're a first-time buyer there is a possible $8,000 housing credit thanks to President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan. The latest federal economic stimulus plan includes the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers who purchase a home on or after Jan. 1 and before Dec. 1. Unlike previous tax credits for first-time buyers, this one doesn't have to be repaid. The $8,000 tax credit is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that was recently signed into law by Obama. The National Association of Realtors estimates the new tax credit will boost first-time buyer home sales by 300,000 this year. ''This is a good incentive to buy,'' Ms. Murray said. ''If you're on the fence about buying a home, this should help make the decision.'' Subscribe to Post-Journal For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate and Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Boater safety courses start today

MAYVILLE - The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office will be holding four boater safety courses this spring. There is no pre-registration required for any of these courses and the courses are free to everyone under the age of 18. Those over the age of 18 will be required to pay a $10 fee to New York State prior to receiving the certification card. These classes are New York state approved boater safety classes required for anyone 10 years old and above to operate personal watercraft (jet skis) and between 10 and 18 to operate a regular motor boat. The courses will be offered today at the Cassadaga American Legion, beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. The courses will also be offered May 9 and 16 at Southwestern Middle School - courses start at 8 a.m. and end at noon both days. Attendance at both four-hour courses is mandatory. Also on May 30 at St. Timothy's Church in Bemus Point. Course starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Attendance at each of the four-hour courses is mandatory at the Hartfield Fire Department June 6 and June 13 with the course starting at 8 a.m. and ending at noon both days. Subscribe to The OBSERVER For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com