SPECIAL SHORTS (12/5/2008)
By Gerlind Dubey

Starting Saturday December 13 the FLAVOR HAUS will open its doors for your pulled pork fix. Winter hours will be Thursday thru Sunday. You know the place with the huge wooden carved hot dog as it’s located just a stones throw from Ellicottville on the corner of 242 and 353 in Little Valley. My old buddy George Tinnerman has expanded the Flavor House creating a new business; The RENEGADE HOG COMPANY will cater to pork lovers across Cattaraugus County. He tells me he will also do slow cooked briskets of beef. Filling the void created with the closing of the “Whole Hog Café.”

SPEAKING OF FILLING THE VOID: I am deeply saddened over the fact that Darlene and Travis Baugh are moving back to the Lone Star State. Yes it’s true they are returning to Travis’s home state of Texas where he has accepted the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Healthpoint ltd. On a brighter note the two promise to return as often as possible. In their short stay in Ellicottville the two have touched many lives and have made a positive impact on this community by spreading kindness to everyone they encountered, they will be missed!
Thanks to the power of the internet Travis will be submitting his informative articles to Special- E-fects as time allows.

SPEAKING OF TOUCHING LIVES… On December 11th The Cattaraugus County Community Action is holding a Holiday event for all Cattaraugus County children through the 5th grade; SANTAS CARNIVAL 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. from 3-5PM- at Cattaraugus Community Action, 25 Jefferson Street, Salamanca, New York.-

SPEAKING OF SANTA ….make shopping fun… ASK DESIGN JEWELERS invite you to a night of Jewelry, Champagne & Gifts on December 13 from 6:30 - 10.

SPEAKING OF SHOPPING …Are you looking for a unique holiday gift? Artist Peter Goergen will hold an open house in his pottery studio this weekend Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Goergen’s hand-thrown stoneware reflects the philosophy that form follows function, tracing back to the Bauhaus School of Design, and aims to enrich our everyday activities. The open house takes place 10 am and 4 pm both days at 3385 Maple Avenue, Allegany. Please contact Peter Goergen at 373-5419 for more information.

MORE GREAT GIFT IDEAS…  Stumped for a gift?  What better gift, than….Travel gift certificates.  It allows recipients to choose when they want to travel and where they want to go.  To wrap up a gift certificate that denotes a gift of travel to will please most everyone on your list! give a gift of travel for any value …… call my friend Molly at Ellicottville’s exclusive Molly’s Travel Agency.