SPECIAL SHORTS (11/28/2008)
By Gerlind Dubey

TIS THE SEASON

SANTAS CARNIVAL A Holiday event for all Cattaraugus County children through the 5th grade December 11th from 3-5PM- at Cattaraugus Community Action, 25 Jefferson Street, Salamanca, New York.- features Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as the Grinch. Of course there will be a bag full of toys and gifts for all good girls and boys. There will be face painting, balloon animals, and a caricature artist on hand for holiday fun!  Every child leaves with prizes, decorations, toys, and homemade Christmas cookies and hot cocoa.
This is second year that CCA’s is sponsoring the event.  Each of CCA’s departments creates at least one game, craft, or contest for children. Interactive events may include creating Christmas tree decorations, Grinch bowling, and making holiday or get well cards for our military service men and women at Walter Reed Hospital, the limbo, and of course, photos with Santa and the Grinch.  CCA’s will also be raffling off a homemade gingerbread house, which is being donated by an Ellicottville resident

IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS!!
When doing your Holiday cards this year take one card and send it to this address:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed
Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

CHEF SIGNATURE CATERING will be holding an open house on November 29 from 11 to 4. I’ll be heading to 5165 Bryant Hill nexta Saturday to “THE KITCHEN” Chef Brigid Marie Pommerenck will be serving up some of her special Pumpkin Pie to welcome visitors to her new little slice of heaven.

MIKE RANDALL TO APPEAR AT SPRINGVILLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS… Mike Randall will perform CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Saturday December 13 at 8 pm at Springville Center for the Arts. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. In March of 1868, Charles Dickens visited Buffalo while on a tour of the United States performing a solo version of A Christmas Carol.  Mike recreates a perfectly crafted version of Mr. Dickens’ reading and this is your opportunity to experience the richness of his interpretation in the ambiance of our 19th century building right in the heart of the village. The performance will take place in two acts with intermission refreshments provided by board members from the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation. Be sure to complete your holiday season with this captivating portrayal by our very own Western New York talent. Tickets are available by calling 592-9038 or by visiting Springville Center for the Arts at 37 North Buffalo Street, Springville. Business hours are Wednesday and Friday noon to 6 pm, Thursday noon to 8 pm and Saturday 10 am to 3 pm. Order early: seating is limited and tickets are selling quickly.

FRIENDS OF GOOD MUSIC, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE REGINA A. QUICK CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY, present a special Holiday Concert with The Celtic Tenors at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean. The group will appear with their musical director Colm Henry for this one performance only. The Celtic Tenors have established themselves as the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland. With more than 1 million albums sold worldwide and a full international touring schedule, The Celtic Tenors have topped the charts in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Tickets for the performance are $18 at full price, $15 for St. Bonaventure staff and senior citizens, and $5 for students. For tickets and information, call The Quick Center for the Arts at (716) 375-2494 Remaining tickets can be bought one hour before the concert at the church’s main entrance on West Henley Street.

THE COMMUNITY CHOIR GROUP IN SALAMANCA … Comprised of 40 very talented members formed from many different churches. Under the direction of Babette Martin, Jonathan Brooks & Wendy O’Neil the Choir will be performing “Touched by a Child, Touched by a King” on Dec.2, 2008 -3 pm, at the United Methodist Church 134 Broad Street with a reception to follow. Opening performances given are a Piano solo by Mike Flanigan, Trumpet solo by Jon Wilder, Jim & Annette Ieda will perform a piano & violin duet & The Supper Club Puppets will be singing too. This performance is done in conjunction with the Silver Bells Festival is free and open to the public.

JEANIE THOREN ENDORSED CLINIC AT HOLIMONT
Do your skis wander or cross? Do your heels lift up in your boot? Do your feet move in your boots? Do you lean back on your skis? Do you fatigue easily? Do your feet get cold or tired? Do you ski “knock-kneed? Guess what? It’s not you, it’s your equipment. Jeannie Thoren, one of the most respected women in skiing has endorsed the HoliMont Snowsports Program Clinic to be held February 20-22. If you need help with your boots, skis or skiing, we will help you get on track with our exciting clinic. Registration is limited, so be sure to register early. The clinic includes an evening talk by Greg Dekdebrun, and a two day, on-snow clinic at HoliMont. Greg Dekdebrun, Adele Wellman and our “Jeannie” trained instructors will work with you to personalize your ski equipment needs. You will also have a lot of time on-snow to try many different skis, and to develop and fine tune your skills with our instructors. There will be a video session and a wine and cheese party after the clinic.
Price: The clinic is $199.00 for members and $299.00 for guests (includes 2 day lift ticket)
To Register: Call the HoliMont Snowsports office 716-699-8159, email snowsports@holimont.com, or mail the registration form to the Snowsports office PO Box 279, Ellicottville, NY 14731. You must pre-register for these clinics. Space is limited to 20 participants.