Stow Hotel on Chautauqua Lake

Stow Hotel Research Nearing Completion

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN

3/29/2007 - STOW — The developer looking to build a Hilton Hotel in North Harmony is nearly finished researching the project and will soon be looking to the Town Board for a decision on its construction.

According to John McGraw, the developer, balloons will fly at the site today to show the building's proposed height and width. The balloons had been scheduled to fly Wednesday, but were called off due to wind and because it was thought there would be rain during the day. The balloons are scheduled to go up at 8:30 a.m. today and remain up throughout the day.

''Our feeling is that we know what we're going to do engineering-wise and know it's all possible, so next comes the building,'' McGraw said Wednesday. ''If they say 'Yes, you can build your building,' then I think you're going to see a hotel. If they say 'No, we want something four stories tall' or some variation that kind of rips the heart out of what I want to do, then there probably isn't going to be a deal.''

As proposed to the Town Board by McGraw in February 2006, the hotel is to be located on the 30-acre Bootey property in Stow. At eight stories tall, it would have 150 rooms and 12 condominiums.

In the months since it was first proposed, town officials have said they are waiting on an application from McGraw to make a decision and will look at the project when it is properly proposed.

According to Sally Carlson, town supervisor, Town Board members have no opinion on the project yet.

''I'm at a point where I just want to find out where it's going to be and what it's going to look like size-wise,'' Mrs. Carlson said. ''I'm really at a point of just taking in information. I really, even personally, do not have a position yet.''

When heading west from Jamestown, the Bootey property is located on the right of Route 394 — just past Hogan's Hut. The property goes from Route 394 to Chautauqua Lake. According to Mrs. Carlson, there aren't many neighboring residents who would be directly affected by the project.

''After Hogan's there's a field on the right and then the next field is the Bootey's,'' Mrs. Carlson said. ''There really aren't many people out there. There's one house on the other side of the road that belongs to the town and then there's one by the town highway building that, I believe, belongs to Dick Sena and he uses it for his business.''

Proposed to be built near the Power Boat Club between Wells Bay and Stow roads, the project would have breakout meeting rooms in addition to hotel rooms. One of the rooms — a 60-by-90 foot room overlooking the bay into Chautauqua Lake — would be used for weddings.

''It's kind of up to the town to decide whether they want the project or not,'' McGraw said. ''I don't know when they will come to that conclusion.''

Four balloons will be flown today, with one at each corner of where the building will sit. According to McGraw, pictures need to be taken of the balloons from various angles to show how tall the hotel would be in relation to the surrounding area.

The next meeting of the North Harmony Town Board will be at 8 p.m. Monday.

Send comments to ndean@post-journal.com.

 

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

 

Chautauqua foreclosure auctions

Demand house repairs

Chautauqua foreclosure auctions should include inspection mandate

Updated: 03/26/07 6:39 AM

 The Chautauqua County Legislature should support an attempt by two of its lawmakers to make winning bidders in tax foreclosure auctions accountable for structural improvements — a measure that could go a long way toward making sure that houses in the region don't just fall into disrepair at the hands of absentee landlords or unprepared homeowners.

The entire foreclosure process, as it stands, is long and arduous and can be relatively ineffective in providing any substantive improvement to distressed neighborhoods scattered throughout the county. When an owner fails to pay city, county and school taxes for three years, and has been given an opportunity to pay any arrears, the property goes on the foreclosure list.

The resolution wants to tweak the process by making winning bidders at those auctions authorize the local code enforcement officer to enter the property after the purchase has been made. The main concern isn't necessarily the need for a new coat of paint, but the hazard of improper and unsanitary plumbing, illegal and improper wiring and other health and safety hazards.

Chautauqua County, like other parts of Western New York, has older housing stock that appeals to out-of-town buyers. Some of these purchasers are would-be landlords, while others are the typical Internet trollers from all parts of the country and beyond, salivating at what they consider low prices. Once they discover there are few, if any, "big returns," taxes go unpaid and these lots eventually wind up back on the tax foreclosure list. Same story, different towns.

Ronald A. Szot, a Democrat in Dunkirk, and Chuck Cornell, a Democrat in Jamestown, are cautiously optimistic their resolution in response to that threat will gain approval during the next regular Legislature meeting Wednesday. The legislators want to give would-be purchasers something to think about — accountability. Instead of swooping down and grabbing up "deals," purchasers would be mandated to make significant repairs.

Critics of the plan worry that, if approved, this new rule will have a chilling effect on the auction process. Chautauqua County holds "absolute auctions," so whatever the property will bring, it brings.

A professional auctioneer generally starts high and solicits bids until someone begins. If a property is worth $100,000, the auctioneer will ask if anyone is willing to pay that price and keeps going down until someone says yes, and then competitive bidding starts to go up. The county takes a loss on some properties and gains on others. But for the last 23 years, the county has always gotten, overall, more money than the taxes that are owed, according to officials.

But those throughout the county who have dealt with the problem of decaying stock and vacant properties view this proposal as a means to revitalize areas that have been plagued with deteriorating structures. While the inspectionand- repair mandate would add accountability, fair notice of that requirement would make this a reasonable change to the process. The legislators' proposal is an effort to prevent people from speculating at auction, milking the property and not paying taxes so that the county winds up with the property again in a more deteriorated condition. That's good protection for the county, the property — and the taxpayers.

 

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

 

Ellicottville Townhouses

Ellicottville project worth $30M

Business First of Buffalo - July 14, 2006

by Tim O'Shei

Business First

• A $30 million townhouse project, the richest residential undertaking in Ellicottville's history, has been proposed for the resort community.

AWSC LLC, an Amherst investment group, is working with Ellicottville officials on a proposal to construct the Morningside Estates complex not far from the intersection of Route 219 and Route 242. The group acquired a 10-acre parcel from developer Peter Krog. Krog is not part of the development group.

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Morningside Estates will feature 54 three-story townhouses averaging 3,500 square feet, with price tags ranging from $650,000 to $1.2 million, depending on buyers' special requests. The property is less than one mile from Ellicottville's main Washington Street hub and a short drive from Holiday Valley Ski Resort and HoliMont Ski Resort.

"Each new project seems to be raising the bar in the community," said Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce.

The Jackson Hole-themed development will be constructed in multiple phases over the next five years, said Craig Marlatt, executive vice president of Ross Wilson & Associates. The Amherst-based development company is taking the lead in the project.

Pending final municipal approval and a green light from the New York State Attorney General's Office, construction and marketing will begin later this summer, with the first units ready to welcome homeowners by next summer.

Marlatt said his company originally wanted to construct a series of midpriced townhouses, but an internal consumer and marketing survey found a stronger demand for upper-end residential units.

"Ellicottville is really one of those special places that has that certain appeal," he said. "All of our research tells us there is sufficient demand for high-end homes in Ellicottville."

The townhouses will be marketed to a diverse market including Toronto, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, he said.

Broadcast Media Ideas, a Cleveland-based marketing firm whose clients include the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, has been retained to attract buyers.

Tim Kupinski is an architect with Foit-Albert Associates, the Buffalo firm hired to design the complex. He said Morningside Estates will play off of Ellicottville's picturesque background.

The units will come with a drive-in garage and two stories of living space. The development will have two- and three-bedroom models. All will have stone fireplaces in the interior and the option for exterior stone fireplaces. Another highlight: a two-story wall of glass offering a panoramic view of Ellicottville and the surrounding area.

"We tried to design something that's unique and doesn't look like all the other new units being developed in Ellicottville," Kupinski said.

Morningside Estates is the latest development in a residential and commercial building boom in Ellicottville. The town has issued or is considering issuing more than $250 million in building permits, including several new townhouse and condo complexes and a series of improvements and upgrades to Holiday Valley and HoliMont.

 

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

 

Bemus Point, Chautauqua Lake

Officials Envision Renovated Bemus Point

By PATRICK L. FANELLI

Telephone poles and overhead wires clutter Main Street in Bemus Point, which is crowded with pedestrians during the summer season. Village officials and local business owners are hoping to one day renovate a short section of Main Street and Lakeside Drive to make it more pedestrian friendly. P-J photo by Patrick L. Fanelli

3/26/2007 - BEMUS POINT — Looking out the village hall office window, Bryan Dahlberg, Bemus Point mayor, spies broken curbs, leaning telephone poles and overhead wires cluttered along Main Street.

A short drive away on Chautauqua Avenue in Lakewood, early morning pedestrians walk along brick-lined sidewalks dotted with benches and early 20th-century style lampposts — the air above empty since telephone, power and cable lines are buried beneath the ground.

Dahlberg dreams of the day Bemus Point's main thoroughfare will be just as pleasant on the eyes and just as friendly to foot traffic as Lakewood's central pedestrian business district.

''The appearance would be so nice, and to have the brick walkways and new sidewalks and to redo some of the parking, it would make it a nicer place for residents and for our visitors,'' Dahlberg said.

In August, Tony Caprino, Lakewood mayor, and Bill Evans, Lakewood Community Development Corporation chairman, dedicated the recently renovated Chautauqua Avenue — Lakewood's historic business district that deteriorated as Fairmount Avenue became the village's central retail spot.

The project was nearly 10 years in the making and cost $2.5 million, most of which was raised through private donors. Since the bulk of the work was completed a couple of years ago, new businesses have moved in to the neighborhood.

Thom Shagla, who owns the See-Zurh House restaurant on Main Street in Bemus Point, has been working behind the scenes to see if a similar project could be in the village's future.

''Bemus Point, to me, is the only true pedestrian community (in Chautauqua County),'' Shagla said. ''It's the only pedestrian community in Chautauqua County where everything can be walked to. We want to make that experience better.''

'A Wonderful Goal'

Shagla explained that curbs are non-existent in many places along Main Street and storm water doesn't drain properly since the road has gradually become a few inches too high.

He hopes the village can one day convince county and state officials to tear up a short section of Main Street and Lakeside Drive to repave the roads — and while that project is under way, utility lines can be buried underground.

''That would be the ideal time to take a lot of the old antiquated telephone polls and these tons of wires and put them down underneath,'' Shagla said. ''Being a seasonal place here, it could cause a lot of disruption, but in the final analysis it would make the community look really nice.''

It's not the first time the idea has come up. County Legislator Richard Babbage, R-Bemus Point, served as village mayor during the early 1990s and said the idea of giving Main Street a facelift wasn't even a new thought then.

''What a wonderful dream that would be, a wonderful dream and a wonderful goal — but the bottom line is money,'' said Babbage, who predicted rebuilding the street would not be a high priority because it isn't in bad condition.

Dahlberg says county or state highway crews would have to be involved because the village could never fully fund a project of that magnitude.

''One of the things we run into as far as the situation with the way Main Street looks is it's a county-maintained state highway inside the village. We don't seem to get sometimes our fair share, we think,'' Dahlberg said. ''If the county doesn't have any extra money, and if the state doesn't have any extra money, this thing won't fly.''

Village officials believe a renovated pedestrian thoroughfare could have a significant economic impact on the village, which already draws tens of thousands of visitors during the summer season.

Dahlberg notes that Bemus Point is unique because everything in the village is within walking distance — visitors can get their hair cut, buy groceries, shop, go to the bank, eat, hang out in the park, swim, launch a boat and take a ride on the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry without walking more than a couple of blocks.

Pie In The Sky

Evans, who led the effort to renovate Chautauqua Avenue in Lakewood, attests to the challenges of a project like the one Shagla hopes will one day be a reality.

''It was a long, long, long process. The obstacles are tremendous,'' Evans said. ''They'll need to have someone in Bemus Point — one, two or three people — who are really committed to doing this, because it isn't going to happen unless you have that.''

Aside from logistics, the biggest obstacle seems to be money. The Lakewood project cost $2.5 million, $1.5 million of which came from private donors after several years of fund raising. Community leaders originally believed the project would cost $900,000 — and $450,000 was donated at the start of the fund-raising effort by Betty Fairbanks and her late husband, Reg Lenna.

''The interesting thing for us was we were able to get the ball rolling by getting some private benefactors to step up first,'' Evans said.

Shagla believes it would be difficult to raise that kind of money in Bemus Point.

''The problem we have here is they consider this a wealthy area since so many people come here and buy second homes. Well, you know, not all of us make $200,000 a year and live in half-million-dollar houses,'' Shagla said. ''There is a misconception that there is a lot of wealth around here.''

Dahlberg remembers privately raising money for a new playground in recent years. He said it was tough, and that was only a fraction of what a major capital undertaking like renovating Main Street would cost.

Right now, there isn't even a plan in place — just a general objective and a vague notion of how it could work. Shagla hopes the village will one day be able to obtain state grant money to jumpstart the project, while village board members wonder if the 40-unit $15 million condominium project underway on Lakeside Drive will expand the tax base enough to help as well.

But the Chautauqua Avenue project began the same way — some general objectives and vague notions.

''We took a long time to develop the plan,'' Evans said. ''It's extremely important to have a good plan.''

 

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

 

Chautauqua County Fishing

Chautauqua County Fishing

Spring brings better fishing Spring has sprung and numerous fishing opportunities present themselves. Ice fishing is going to get scary with the warm trend and rainfall in the forecast for the weekend.

There have been reports of fair-to-good catches of yellow perch on Lake Erie, by anglers trekking 1 to 1 1/2 miles offshore from Sturgeon Point. Live minnows on perch spreaders have been the ticket, but conditions are going to get risky.

Lee Weber at Weber's Bait & Tackle (736-2465) reports that anglers can do great at the same area, right after ice out, in a well-equipped boat. Something with some deep sides and enough horsepower to get you off the lake in a hurry when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Bill's Hooks in Dunkirk (366-0268) reports that trout fishing has improved off the Probst Platform over the hot-water discharge area in the Dunkirk harbor. White Power bait is reported to be the hot bait and early morning usually is the time for best results. This area has limited space so fishing with one rod when space gets cramped is suggested. Both brown trout and rainbows have been reported.

As of Wednesday local creeks have also been producing fish from all reports, but continued snow melt and a hard rainfall can quickly change that scenario.

Rick Miller in Irving reports that smaller creeks, like Silver Creek and Walnut Creek, were producing more trout than the Cattaraugus Creek, which was running a tad muddy. Lee Weber in Evans reported that several trout were caught out of Big Sisters Creek.

Lisa Green at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle (736-5815) reports that as of Wednesday Chautauqua Lake still had lots of safe ice and hungry, smaller-sized pan fish. Since walleye season closed March 15 the fishing pressure has diminished, but anglers continue to hook up with pan fish out of Burtis Bay, white perch out of Maple Springs and Maple Grove, and yellow perch out of Mayville.

Calendar: This Saturday the Red House Chapter of Trout Unlimited will present a trout/steelhead seminar at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club located on Mullet St.in Dunkirk (take Route 5, turn toward the lake at the Country Fair Store). The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature four speakers: Jim Markham from the Dunkirk-based DEC Fisheries Station; Nick Poinessa, expert class fly tier, fly fisherman and guide; Steve Wascher, pro muskie fly fishing guide /fly tier/fly fisherman ;and Alberto Rey, internationally recognized artist and steelhead guide. The event is free and open to the public.

Bear Lake Rod & Gun is having a two-day hunter safety training course starting on Friday from 5-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This course will focus on spring turkey hunting, compliments of instructor Rich Lazarczyk. Pre-register before Friday at Cassadaga Shurfine. For information call 595-3917.

Steak shoot Sunday at Westfield Fish & Game starting at noon. Open to the public. They will also offer a hunter safety training course on Monday, April 2 from 7-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 326-3218 for information.

Ripley Rod & Gun will host a steak and ham shoot April 1 starting at noon.

The Chautauqua Lake chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual fund-raiser banquet at Vullo's Restaurant on April 5 starting at 6 p.m. Call Ed Sanderson at 665-5471 or Budda Haskins at 326-3531 for tickets and information.

Gene Pauszek is an outdoor columnist for the OBSERVER For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com draft by rickandjuliarealtors 8:01:00 AM Delete

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Chautauqua County Comedy Show

Comedy Show Begins Tonight

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN

Local radio station 103.1 FM The Fox will hold a ''Last Comic Standing'' contest tonight at Shawbucks. Disc jockeys Jason Sample, left, and John Erickson, right, will host the event. P-J photo by Nicholas L. Dean Funny Business Radio Station To Hold ''Last Comic Standing'' Contest Tonight Event Is An Open Mic Audition And One Contestant Will Win A Gig At The Reg Lenna Civic Center

3/22/2007 - Anyone with a joke to tell and a few free hours to kill tonight could earn themselves a stand-up gig at the Reg Lenna Civic Center or other prizes, simply by participating in a ''Last Comic Standing'' contest being held by 103.1 FM The Fox and Shawbucks.

The first event of its kind for the local radio station and Jamestown bar, tonight's comedy show begins at 8 p.m. and is open to anyone above the age of 21. Registration to participate as a comedian begins at 7 p.m.

''We were just thinking about what we can do at this time of the year that's fun and new to do,'' said Marcus A. Maloney, station manager and Media One Group general sales manager. ''We were sitting around one day and thought — 'Why don't we try doing a comedy show?'''

More than just a stand-up event, Maloney and disc jockeys Jason Sample and John Erickson said the focus of tonight's event is to spotlight the community and its many comedians. The first in a series of three comedy nights being held as part of the contest, tonight's open mic is the only opportunity to enter the three-week-long event.

According to contest details, the top 10 performers from tonight's show will be asked back for a second round of judging on Thursday, March 29. The comedians selected to move on in the contest will be announced on the radio Friday morning. Of the 10 who perform next week, five will be asked back for an April 5 show — where one person will be chosen as the winner.

In addition to other prizes which contestants will receive just for participating, the winner will open for the Nobodies of Comedy performance at the Reg Lenna Civic Center on April 28.

All material should be in good taste — within reason.

''It shouldn't be X-rated. Not Andrew Dice Clay stuff,'' Sample said. ''We're fine with Rated-R material, a George Carlin kind of witty and smart material. If somebody wants to use a little bit of profanity, that will be fine. Everyone will be 21 years old at the show, so it is for adults.''

Unlike contest shows such as American Idol, judges of the local ''Last Comic Standing'' contest will not be overly critical of performers.

''We don't want to put that pressure on anybody,'' Maloney said. ''We don't want someone to feel intimidated or be afraid that they're going to be criticized in public. We're not going to rate anybody in that sort of form.''

According to Sample and Maloney, if the three nights go well, the local ''Last Comic Standing'' contest could become a regular yearly event.

Hosted by Sample, Erickson and Bill Dorrion, the event will be judged by Jeff Erickson, of the Arts Council; Lee Cain, of Subway and Chad Eckloff, host of Blue Screen Radio. To register, call Sample by at 487-1151.

 

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

Chautauqua County Fishing

Spring brings better fishing

Gene Pauszek

3/22/2007 - Spring has sprung and numerous fishing opportunities present themselves. Ice fishing is going to get scary with the warm trend and rainfall in the forecast for the weekend.

There have been reports of fair-to-good catches of yellow perch on Lake Erie, by anglers trekking 1 to 1 1/2 miles offshore from Sturgeon Point. Live minnows on perch spreaders have been the ticket, but conditions are going to get risky.

Lee Weber at Weber's Bait & Tackle (736-2465) reports that anglers can do great at the same area, right after ice out, in a well-equipped boat. Something with some deep sides and enough horsepower to get you off the lake in a hurry when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Bill's Hooks in Dunkirk (366-0268) reports that trout fishing has improved off the Probst Platform over the hot-water discharge area in the Dunkirk harbor. White Power bait is reported to be the hot bait and early morning usually is the time for best results. This area has limited space so fishing with one rod when space gets cramped is suggested. Both brown trout and rainbows have been reported.

As of Wednesday local creeks have also been producing fish from all reports, but continued snow melt and a hard rainfall can quickly change that scenario.

Rick Miller in Irving reports that smaller creeks, like Silver Creek and Walnut Creek, were producing more trout than the Cattaraugus Creek, which was running a tad muddy. Lee Weber in Evans reported that several trout were caught out of Big Sisters Creek.

Lisa Green at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle (736-5815) reports that as of Wednesday Chautauqua Lake still had lots of safe ice and hungry, smaller-sized pan fish. Since walleye season closed March 15 the fishing pressure has diminished, but anglers continue to hook up with pan fish out of Burtis Bay, white perch out of Maple Springs and Maple Grove, and yellow perch out of Mayville.

Calendar: This Saturday the Red House Chapter of Trout Unlimited will present a trout/steelhead seminar at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club located on Mullet St.in Dunkirk (take Route 5, turn toward the lake at the Country Fair Store). The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature four speakers: Jim Markham from the Dunkirk-based DEC Fisheries Station; Nick Poinessa, expert class fly tier, fly fisherman and guide; Steve Wascher, pro muskie fly fishing guide /fly tier/fly fisherman ;and Alberto Rey, internationally recognized artist and steelhead guide. The event is free and open to the public.

Bear Lake Rod & Gun is having a two-day hunter safety training course starting on Friday from 5-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This course will focus on spring turkey hunting, compliments of instructor Rich Lazarczyk. Pre-register before Friday at Cassadaga Shurfine. For information call 595-3917.

Steak shoot Sunday at Westfield Fish & Game starting at noon. Open to the public. They will also offer a hunter safety training course on Monday, April 2 from 7-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 326-3218 for information.

Ripley Rod & Gun will host a steak and ham shoot April 1 starting at noon.

The Chautauqua Lake chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual fund-raiser banquet at Vullo's Restaurant on April 5 starting at 6 p.m. Call Ed Sanderson at 665-5471 or Budda Haskins at 326-3531 for tickets and information.

Gene Pauszek is an outdoor columnist for the OBSERVER

 

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

 

Peek'n Peak

Peek'n Peak, TOUR announce extension of Nationwide Tour event

 

Mar. 19, 2007

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. -- Peek'n Peak Resort & Conference Center and the PGA TOUR announced Monday an extension of the Peek'n Peak Classic tournament agreement through 2011.

Tournament officials also announced an increase in the purse from $560,000 to $600,000 this year, escalating to $725,000 in 2011.

The 2007 edition of the Nationwide Tour event will be played June 25-July 1 at the Peek'n Peak "Upper Course" in Findley Lake, NY, near Erie, PA. GOLF CHANNEL will televise the event, one of 16 Nationwide Tour tournaments they will air in 2007.

"This tournament is one of the most significant events we do at Peek'n Peak. It brings national exposure to our resort and to the region, and it's a real pleasure for all of our staff members to work with the PGA TOUR staff and players," said Brad Gravink, General Manager of Peek'n Peak.

"Winning at Peek'n Peak helped my career a great deal," said former champion and current PGA TOUR member Kevin Stadler. "It did wonders for my confidence. I didn't have much of a career prior to winning there, so it launched the career I now have. I love the area around Findley Lake and the whole week is so nice. The community does a wonderful job embracing the tournament and making the players feel welcome."

"The Nationwide Tour has enjoyed an excellent relationship with Peek'n Peak Resort since 2002 and we are very pleased to announce we will return through 2011," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "The players love the golf course as well as the wonderful hospitality that is extended to them. With two playoffs and two other single-shot victories in the first five playings, the tournament always provides great drama and excitement for the fans and I'm sure this year will be no different."

The Peek'n Peak Classic was first played in 2002. Its past champions include Stadler, Patrick Moore, Guy Boros, Esteban Toledo and John Merrick last year in a playoff. All five were played on the "Upper Course".

The tournament's charitable recipients are the American Cancer Society and The Foundation for Cancer Research and Education. They are two of the hundreds of organizations that benefit from Nationwide Tour events across the United States and contribute to the PGA TOUR's umbrella support of charity.

 

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Chautauqua Watershed

Watershed Conservancy To Conduct Assessment

By The Post-Journal Staff

3/19/2007 - The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is conducting a stream and watershed assessment on the stream and its tributaries in Busti and Lakewood which collect water from the Baker Street Extension, Southwestern Drive, Sunset Drive, Mall Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue areas, and flows into Chautauqua Lake at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club.

Eurasian watermilfoil, a major nuisance plant in Chautauqua Lake, and the target of hundreds of thousands of dollars of control efforts annually, is a major problem in the area of the lake directly fed by the stream. The plant grows most abundantly in fresh deposits of sediments and nutrients which annually accumulate from the stream. Chautauqua Lake's plants and algae blooms are fed by excessive amounts of soils, nutrients and fertilizers reaching the lake via lawns, parking lots, rooftops, streets, storm drains and streams.

John Jablonski, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, working with scientist Gregg Antemann of the Carolina Wetlands Services, will, with the permission of landowners, survey the stream and its tributaries to identify and evaluate stream bank erosion sites as to their severity; sources of excessive storm water or nutrients and opportunities for stream and watershed enhancements to reduce storm water discharge to streams, stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, control flooding and increase groundwater recharge.

The team anticipates doing its field investigations beginning Wednesday.

When the initial investigation is complete, the conservancy will contact landowners to seek their partnership in implementing conservation projects controlling runoff and erosion addressing those conditions which promote nuisance lake plant growth.

''The success of this project will depend upon the voluntary participation of watershed landowners,'' Jablonski said. ''This investigation is funded by private membership donations to the Conservancy. No county government funds are involved.''

Kathy Sullivan, Busti town supervisor, sent a letter to landowners in the watershed area encouraging them to allow access to their properties for this study.

''The town of Busti is making every effort to address the root causes of Chautauqua Lake's sedimentation, algae and plant problems,'' she said. ''The town Highway Department, under the leadership of Gene Johnson, has begun implementing erosion control projects on its drainage system and is participating on this project.''

Founded in 1990, the conservancy's mission is to preserve and enhance the water quality, scenic beauty and ecological health of the lakes, streams and watersheds of the Chautauqua region. It has lead efforts resulting in the conservation of more than 500 acres of important watershed lands across Chautauqua County and 1.7 miles of Chautauqua Lake and outlet shoreline.

For more information, call Jablonski at 664-2166 or e-mail chautwsh@netsync.net.

 

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

 

Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena
Skating With Celebrities Part Of Ice Show div class=auth>By SCOTT KINDBERG

3/18/2007 - Excellence on Ice will return to the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena this spring, featuring a new time and a new concept.

Billed as ''America's Most Spectacular Community Ice Show,'' the annual event, which will be held twice on Saturday, May 5, will not only feature about 100 students of the Jamestown Skating Academy, but also three segments called, ''Skating with Jamestown's Celebrities.''

The ''celebrities'' are Kevin Carroll, Time Warner Cable 8 sports director; Tom McFall, Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association coach and hockey school director; and Ian Morgan, a Jamestown High School student and Raiders Varsity hockey team member. They will be performing a skating routine along with a Skating Academy medal winning partner ala ''Dancing with the Stars.''

Carroll will be paired with Lindsay Erickson of Jamestown; McFall with instructor Meghan Howe of Conneaut, Ohio; and Morgan with Grand Island's Taylor Firth, a United States National competitor. Although there will be no judges, the ''winner'' of the ''pairs competition'' will be determined by audience vote. The ''couple" with the most votes — the audience will receive a ballot upon entering the arena — at the end of the two shows will be the winner.

''Skating with Celebrities was a huge hit on television last season,'' said Kirk Wyse, who is the co-director of the JSA with Lenel van den Berg. ''Programs like these have captured the attention of America and we want to capture the attention of the Jamestown community by presenting our own local version on ice.''

The votes will be counted carefully by Jamestown certified public accountant John Lloyd and the winner will be announced in the Sunday edition of The Post-Journal. Only the winners' vote total will be announced. The other couples will ''tie'' for second place. The winning celebrity will receive a check for $1,000 made out to the celebrity's pre-determined favorite charity.

''This is a contest for charity,'' Wyse said. ''Because our local celebrities have agreed to participate in the show, it's going to help bring in a new audience. Excellence on Ice would like to give back to the charity of their choice in recognition of their efforts.''

Excellence On Ice, now in its 10th year, is sponsored by Windstream Communication, WKSN, The Post-Journal, and The Warren Times Observer. Tickets are available beginning April 30. For more information, call 664-6609.

''This is our chance to use the skills we learned when we were with the Ice Capades and Holiday on Ice that are not used in competitive skating,'' Wyse said. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com