FREE! TAKE ONE! VOLUME 5 ISSUE 4
JANUARY 22 - 28, 2016
The Official Newspaper
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of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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Upcoming Events
Shake Off the Blues
January National Learn a Snowsport Month
Winter Blues and Brews Festival Jan. 22-24
January 22-24 Winter Blues and Brews Festival January 23 Harley-Day Valley January 23-24 Olean Area Outdoor & Rec Sports Show
© 2015 Ellicottville Times / Keystone Designers Inc.
Cabin fever? Winter blues? Time to face ‘em head-on! This weekend’s Winter Blues and Brews Festival is a surefire way to stop the doldrums of winter in their tracks. Happening Jan. 22-24 in the Village, this funfilled weekend in EVL is one not to be missed! What makes this year even better than in the past? The addition of brews, of course! The Ellicottville Chamber has partnered with the Buffalo Niagara Brewers Association to offer guests a chance to sample craft beer from across the region. Head to Ellicottville Brewing Company, where you’ll find a variety of samples from local breweries. $10 gets you four six-ounce samples of some awesome local selections from places such as Resurgence, Flying Bison, Southern Tier Brewing and more. The beer tasting portion of the weekend happens from 4 to 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. When you’re ready to get down and liven things up, get ready for music, music and more music! The village hot spots, from Gin Mill and Balloons, to Madigan’s, Villaggio and EBC, will feature blues bands from around the region, starting early and going well into the night. Now’s your chance to get your dance on while you shake those blues off. If this time of year has got your down, use this as your excuse to get out and have a great time. Blues, brews, friends and fun—that’s what it’s all about! See the schedule of events on page 8.
Winter Blues & Brews Festival schedule of events page 8
Snocross Racing to Salamanca
Photo John Hanson
AMSOIL Championship Snocross Feb. 5-6 By Eva Potter
The AMSOIL Championship snocross series is once again making a stop in Salamanca
this February with a lineup of crazy-talented, super-daredevil racers. On Feb. 5-6, the U.S. Air Force Snocross National will take place at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, N.Y. This is the second of an
eight-race national series of the ISOC-sanctioned AMSOIL Championship Snocross (ACS). In addition, the East Coast Snocross teams will be competing alongside ISOC national stars during the twoday, nationally televised event. International Series of Champions (ISOC) crew will work their magic for several weeks, turning one million gallons of water into snow to blanket a plot of land the size of a football field to create a racecourse filled with wicked twists and giant ramps to allow more than a dozen competitors at a time to catapult dozens of See Snocross page 4
Your Turn Women’s Ski Clinic Feb. 11-12
Calling all intermediate to advanced female skiers! Holiday Valley Snowsports School is featuring the third annual “Your Turn” women’s clinic on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 11 and 12. The clinic will be led by Lisa Densmore Ballard, a widely acclaimed coach,
instructor and ski racer, and assisted by several of Holiday Valley’s female instructors. Intermediate through advanced level skiers who can comfortably ski blues and some black diamonds will benefit from this clinic. The clinic will include, talks about ski equipment and
proper boot fitting, continental breakfast an lunches both days and Thursday evening dinner, plenty of skiing with Lisa and HV Instructors, video analysis of each participant, demo equipment and door prizes. Cost of the clinic is $290. Lodging and lift tickets are not included, but are available at special rates. Pre-registration is advised as attendance is limited. Stop at or call the Snowsports School Desk, (716) 699-2345, ext. 4422 or the Creekside Lodge Children’s Desk, (716) 6992345 ext.4424.
February 5-6 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Seneca Allegany Casino February 18 SkiScape HoliMont February 28 Aspire Ski the Valley Holiday Valley March 12 Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival See Third in the East page 9
Improve Your Skills
During National Learn a Snowsport Month By Alicia Dziak
Wendy Frank, Adele Wellman and Mike McDermott of HoliMont’s Snowsports School
It’s January— the snow is finally here, the ski resorts are open and it’s National Learn a Snowsport month. Even if you already know how to ride or ski, the season is just getting into full swing and now’s the perfect time to take a lesson and improve your skills.
Holiday Valley Lessons are broken down by age and ability to ensure a fun and tailored experience for everyone. For the kiddos: Three-year-olds who want to try skiing will love Cub Kadets Skiers, which provides a 50-minute private lesson,
See Lessons page 10
Mansfield Employees Get Municipal IDs Town Reorganizes for 2016 By Jann Wiswall
All Town of Mansfield employees and elected officials are in the process of obtaining official identification cards from the County’s Department of Emergency Services (DES). The new program is intended
to ensure that only authorized municipal employees in the county can be cleared to enter emergency areas within their municipalities. Emergency areas include those that have been damaged by natural or man-made disasters, such as floods, ice storms, tornados, chemical spills, etc.
While the IDs will be required for municipal employees who have an official need to be in an emergency area, they also are important as employees perform their daily duties. Residents can now ask anyone who says they are an employee of Mansfield to show See Mansfield page 4
EVL Board Approves Local Noise Law Hearing Set for Zoning Law By Jann Wiswall
The Town of Ellicottville’s board passed an amended Local Noise Law at its Wednesday, Jan. 20 meeting following a public hearing. Cheri Giancarlo, whose
noise pollution problems with a logging operation near her home prompted the board to review and revise certain sections of the law, attended the hearing. She asked the board for clarification of Section 5a, which specifies permitted noises within the limits of the town “by persons engaged
in logging, construction, building, repairing, grading, leveling, excavating during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.” Giancarlo pointed out that weekend permitted hours should be specified. The board agreed and added SeeTown Board page 11