Attractions & Events : Eastern Grip Trail Running Series Expands

The bright sunshine and warmer temperatures are encouraging everyone to get outside. Every day we see more runners hitting the roads and trails, people who were forced to train indoors or limit their activity due to snow & frigid temperatures.

If you're among those fast-paced foot-powered folks, start gearing up now for the Eastern Grip Trail Running Series, 2010!

Started last year, runners reacted so positively to this Series that organizers have expanded it to include an eighth event this year.

Start with the Muddy Sneakers Trail Run in Naples in April, a rugged 20K run that will definitely leave you with wet feet and a feeling of accomplishment.

In May, move to Allegany State Park for a 22K in Allegany Adventure Run, which includes a two-mile climb and plenty of other elevation changes.

June will bring you to Portville for Woods Walk & Trail Run. Run 10 miles over two mountain ridges, and through an old-growth forest.

July gives you a few weeks to rest and recover, or to train a bit more.

In August you can be back on the trails with the Ultra Trail Run. This 12-mile trail through Ellicottville's ski country can be grueling.

There's nothing like Letchworth State Park. But can you run it? In late August? That's what the 'Dam' Good Trail Run aims to find out over their 14 mile course, the newest addition to the Eastern Grip Series.

As the weather cools down a bit in September, join other runners for 8 in the Rough in Glenwood. Heck, 8 miles sounds short compared to some of the other runs!

Two more to go...

In early October, push yourself in the Out Of Bounds 1/2 marathon at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort.

Close out the series and marvel at the fall leaf colors at Ridgewalk & Trail Run.

Earn points for every race you participate in, and for winning overall or in your age category. The final winners will be announced and prizes awarded at Ridgewalk.

For more information, visit the Woods Walk website, or call Pfeiffer Nature Center at 716.933.0187.

Now get your running shoes on and head outside!

Business Focus : Genesis House

1107 South Barry Street; PO Box 139
Olean, NY 14760
373-3354 • Fax 373-3354 • ghouse@roadrunner.com

The Genesis House is a not for profit homeless shelter that serves families, single women and children who find themselves with nowhere to turn during unsettling times. Over the years the Genesis House has helped over 400 families. In December 2008, Genesis House opened a three bed men’s shelter. The Genesis House celebrates 15 years in 2010.

The Genesis House is operated on FAITH with support from member congregations, individual contributions, private support and a small percentage from Governmental agencies. They partner with several area agencies to assist guests that come to the home.

They are proud of the relationships they have with various agencies, such as Cattaraugus County Mental Health, Cattaraugus County Department of Aging, the Rehabilitation Center, Cattaraugus County Community Action, Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc., Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services and Project Head Start. Together we work diligently to bring services to our guests. The house business hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 AM - 4 PM.

Business Focus : protocol 80, Inc.

69 Birch Street
Bradford, PA 16701
(877) 277-4795 • (800) 877-1601 info@protocol80.com

Since 2002, protocol 80 has been building brands online, and providing IT services to their respected clients.  As a team, they've evolved from a basic web development and technical support firm, into a full service web marketing firm, and a dedicated IT Services firm. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM, with 24/7 customer service support. Although web marketing and development is their focus, they have a full time staff dedicated to IT services.

Headquartered in Bradford, Pennsylvania, they have had the pleasure of servicing clients in several industries, including: manufacturing; government; health care; legal; accounting; education; non-profit; and several others.

GOACC MEMBERS
are entitled to a 20% OFF the
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(Search Engine Optimization)

Arts & Entertainment : 4th Annual Pfeiffer Nature Center Film Festival

It's that time of year again, when spring is calling us to go out and enjoy the sunshine, even if it's still cold and there's snow on the ground. Spring will be here soon in all its glory. This should provide lots of inspiration to photographers.

Pfeiffer Nature Center is pleased to announce our 4th annual Film Festival, and we want to see YOUR photos! Whether you're 8 or 80, shoot video or stills, draw animation or use computer graphics, employ comedy or drama, Pfeiffer Nature Center's Film Festival is a great way to share your work with the general public.

"This year's theme, My Backyard, is open to lots of interpretations," said Margaret Cherre, Nature Center Director. "Do you think of your backyard as the little spot behind your house, or does it encompass the entire planet? Is your backyard a place of beauty with lots of living things or a parking lot? Either way, we really want to have YOUR vision." Cherre continued, "We've made some changes this year, compressing our age categories and increasing our format categories. We hope this will encourage people to experiment with their submissions. We are still accepting both videos and automated PowerPoint presentations."

Get submission guidelines and an entry form at the Nature Center's new website. THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE, and entries are accepted through July 31, so there's plenty of time to create your own work of art.

Cherre concluded, "I've been asked before if all the pictures need to be taken locally, or if they all need to be recent. The answer to both questions is no. They just need to be your own work, and to express your unique point of view."

Grab your camera and go outside!

Announcements : Now taking registrations

Registrations are now being accepted for the 2010-2011 school year at Portville Baptist Christian School. Pre-K will be added this year in addition to grades K through 12. The registration fee for new families is $40.00. For more information contact 716-933-8164, stop in at 24 Temple Street, Portville or check us out on the web at www.portvillebaptist.com and click the Christian school link on the left.

Attractions & Events : Southern Tier Catholic School Open House for 2010-2011 enrollment

Southern Tier Catholic presents our Open House for placement in the 2010-2011 school year for Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten. Join us for an evening of tours of our school, meet our educators, explore our curriculum, and have dinner with the family on us. On this night, we will be sending the parents to the classrooms, while the children enjoy supervised play in the gymnasium. Come and learn of all the reasons that Southern Tier Catholic School is right for your family. Thursday evening, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., March 4, 2010. The address is 206 North 24th Street, Olean, NY. For further information or to arrange a private tour, please call 716-372-2891. Visit us on the web at www.wnystcs.org. We look forward to seeing you!

Announcements : Murphy Family Scholarship increases awards

The John J. Murphy Family Scholarship, established at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation by John J. “Jack” Murphy and through a grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas, is increasing the number of scholarships it awards from four to six.

“This is a great opportunity for our community’s students,” said Bob Busan, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation Executive Director. “Even though Mr. Murphy does not currently reside in the Twin Tiers he continues to reinvest in our local youth. This is the Foundation’s most competitive scholarship and we are very grateful to be able to offer this opportunity to two more students.”

The John J. Murphy Family Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship, with $2,500 awarded per year for four years available to students in the Twin Tiers region. It is also available to students whose family members are employed by or have retired from Dresser Rand in Olean.

Preference will be given to applicants indicating their intention to pursue Bachelor Degrees or higher in nursing, engineering or business. Selection criteria includes scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need as determined by the Community Foundation’s scholarship committee.

Mr. Murphy was Chairman and CEO of Dresser Industries, Inc., from 1983 to 1995, and remained as Chairman of the Board until 1996. An Olean native, Mr. Murphy received an engineering degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1952 and began his career that same year as an engineer in the marketing department for the Dresser Clark Division in Olean.

Mr. Murphy received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1981 and an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1984. He is a former Trustee of both universities.

Applications for the John J. Murphy Family Scholarship are due April 1 and are available from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, online at www.cattfoundation.org, area high school guidance offices and the Dresser Rand human resources office.

The John J. Murphy Scholarship Fund is one of CRCF’s many funds that help enrich lives in the Southern Tier. Donations to any of the funds can be sent to the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation at 120 N. Union St., Olean, N.Y. 14760. For more information call (716)372-4433, e-mail foundation@oleanny.com or visit www.cattfoundation.org.

Announcements : Bonaventure Square Project Focus at GOACC Chamber Luncheon

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Chamber Luncheon Friday, March 12, Noon, at the St. Bonaventure Clubhouse. St. Bonaventure University and its Bonaventure Square Project will be the focus at the luncheon. Bonaventure Square, a $60 million two-phase project will entail the construction of apartments, a family-entertainment venue with bowling, a book store and café, a sporting complex, a hotel and retail shops supportive of the complex

“What Bonaventure Square will deliver is housing and new athletic and cultural facilities,” Brenda Snow, senior vice president for finance and administration, St. Bonaventure University said. “It’s a life-style development that enhances, in the long run, the university’s ability to attract and retain students and faculty while also providing new and exciting facilities for the community.” The cost of the luncheon will be $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members with a menu of clubhouse veggie grill wrap, side salad, beverage and dessert. Reservations can be made by call GOACC at 372-4433 or by emailing nancy@oleanny.com.

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 120 North Union Street in downtown Olean, has been the leading business organization in the greater Olean area since 1906. Their business plan reflects activities related to lobbying local and state leaders and developing programs, to supporting workforce development, small business owners, large corporate entities, non-profit organizations, manufacturers, and area residents.

GOACC

Announcements : Free Irish Concert at JCC-Bonnie Loch Fiddlers

The Bonnie Loch Fiddlers, under the direction of Sue Tillotson, will perform at 7 p.m. on March 10 in Cutco Theater on Jamestown Community College's Cattaraugus County Campus.

The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by Cutco Foundation, Olean Medical Group, and the JCC Faculty Student Association.

The performance, part of the Rising Star Series, includes a blend of traditional, contemporary, and original Celtic music. Band member Lydia Byard, reigning US National Scottish Fiddle Champion in the Open division, will be featured. She was one of six finalists in the Niel Gow International Composition Competition last fall.

Aemile Donoghue of the Olean Area Irish Dancers will accompany the group in selected pieces. Miss Donoghue, a seventh grader at Ellicottville Central School, studies with Katie Duggan.

The Bonnie Loch Fiddlers grew out of the Bonnie Loch Fiddle Club, a monthly gathering of fiddlers. Additional information on the group can be found on Facebook or at www.myspace.com/bonnielochfiddlers.

For more information on Rising Star Series programs, call 716-376-7590.

Announcements : JCC Series Focuses on Alheimer's, Dementia

The Center for Continuing Education at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus, in cooperation with the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York, will offer the following credit free courses during March at its campus in Olean.

These classes are designed for professionals working with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, their families, and caregivers. Instructed by Kelsey Harvey, .15 Continuing Education Units (CEU) are provided for each course.

The Stages - is an in-depth look at the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and the special issues affecting each stage. Course will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon on March 23. Tuition is $29.

Meaningful Activities - Participants will learn techniques for adapting interests and hobbies to create activities that can create positive outcomes for the person with dementia. Great for Activity Directors and staff! Class will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on March 23. Tuition is $29.

Activities of Daily Living and Challenging Behaviors - Topics to be covered include providing personal care, mealtime, communication skills, and intervention techniques for challenging behaviors. Class will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon on March 30. Tuition is $29.00.

Validation, Redirection, and Therapeutic Fibbing - Course will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on March 30 and provide an interactive practice of the three most useful communication skills in dementia care. Tuition is $29.00

For more information or to register, call 716/376-7572 or visit www.sunyjcc.edu/continuinged.