The Niche Program provides therapeutic experiences for those in need of spiritual reflection with hiking and walking trails in the Finger Lakes.

Trails include famous Finger Lakes nature spots such as Letchworth State Park, Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, Hi Tor (Naples) Stony Brook State Park and many more. The Niche Program includes one-on-one talks, healthy lunches, nature identification, and group health and wellness sessions.

The Niche Program

“This program was designed to help others by using nature and its properties to introduce a change in thought and behaviour patterns,” says Mark Perticone, Instructor and Guide. “Here you can find your healing niche with a therapeutic experience to help you reflect and learn to think and behave properly, those who are not in need of therapy will enjoy more time learning about the surrounding environment.”

The Niche Program provides service to those with bipolar disorder, alcoholism, chemical dependency, depression, schizophrenia, and adults of all abilities, we also cater to business and nature retreats. Groups or one-on-one sessions can be registered online or by phone.

About Mark Perticone, Instructor and Guide:

Mark’s many years of experience include environmental conservation, therapy, education, nature interpretation, and a gift of caring and communication with others. His work experience includes the Veterans Recovery Center/Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program at the VA Medical Center. Previous Employers: NYS Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Organization, CDS, Chandler/Gilbert ARC, Arizona. Through tremendous self care and preservation and through his spirituality, he has learned to overcome personal challenges and has also equipped himself to help others take on various challenges of their ownwith grace.

Contact:
Mark Perticone
50 Beeman Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-857-6441
mark@nicheofnature.com

Canandaigua merchants once again hosts its annual Holiday Open House celebration Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19, 2011.

Holiday Open House celebration is set for downtown Canandaigua.  The annual event introduces the holiday season to area residents and tourists.  Merchants and businesses usually unveil specials or promotions, introduce holiday merchandise, and provide fun activities to bring in the season.

“We have a great schedule of activities for the weekend,” Aimee Ward says, president of the Canandaigua Downtown Merchant Association.  “Bring the entire family and spend the weekend in Canandaigua.”

The celebration kicks off Friday with a Holiday Drink Contest by merchants from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Shoppers can vote on which location has the best tasting holiday drink.  There will be a list of merchants with their drinks available during the event.  There will also be holiday specials and promotions from merchants, including refreshments.   The annual $1000 Shopping Spree also begins on Friday.  Shoppers can fill out their names and enter to win $1000 worth of downtown certificates.

On Saturday the festivities continue with family fun activities:

• Look for holiday elves from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. handing out Downtown Dollars and free turkey giveaway tickets
• Turkey giveaway every hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Horse drawn carriage rides run from 1-4 p.m.
• Seasonal music playing on the street

For more information about the Holiday Open House celebration go to: http://www.downtowncanandaigua.com/events/holiday-open-house/

Contact Info:

Aimee Ward
Canandaigua Downtown Merchant Association
P. O. Box 453
Canandaigua, NY 14424-0453
585-396-7210

The Canandaigua ATHENA Awards Announces the 2011 Nominees

Canandaigua, N.Y. — The ATHENA Committee announced today that six women have been nominated for the coveted ATHENA honor. 2011 is once again a year with many outstanding nominees for the ATHENA Award. The individuals nominated this year exemplify the qualities of leadership in the 21th Century; Learning, Celebration & Joy, Giving Back, Relationships,Authentic Self and Fierce Advocacy.

The Six ATHENA Award Nominees are:

Donna Bennett, Founder, CanandaiguaConnected.com, CanandaiguaZumba.com & Three Chiquitas Publishing;

Marianne Case Gallagher, Grant Writer/Community Volunteer & Owner, Gallagher Consulting;

Ellie Fralick, Retired Health Care Administrator, Community Activist & Board Member, Thompson Health;

Michelle Garlock, Owner, Master Peace Painting;

Diana Griffith, Owner/Master Stylist, Park West Hair Design and Spa;

Barbara G. Risser, Ed.D., President, Finger Lakes Community College

As you encounter this year’s nominees, we hope that you will take the time to congratulate each one of them for this prestigious honor that recognizes their contributions to our community.

The Canandaigua ATHENA program will also be awarding the Canandaigua ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. This award is for an emerging woman leader, 40 years of age or younger, who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession, provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community, and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.

The Three 2011 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Nominees are:

Tracey Fuller, Heiser Brand President/Branch GM, Heiser Logistics;

Margaret Meyer, Vice President and Personal Banking Manager, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust;

Amy Navor, Associate Marketing Manager, Constellation Wines US

The 27thAnnual ATHENA Award Gala will be held Thursday, November 17, at The Inn on the Lake. A media presentation will be shown at the dinner featuring this years’ ATHENA Award nominees. The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. and presentation of the ATHENA and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership awards. There will also be a silent auction this year in addition to the raffle where you can “win” some wonderful gifts/prizes. Tickets are now available at the Chamber of Commerce at $50 per person. If you would like to be a Gold sponsor and purchase an entire table of eight, the cost is $650.

Reservations must be made through Elisha Snow at the Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce by calling (585) 394-4400 ext. 203.

A portion of proceeds from the event go to women’s scholarships. The evening is made possible through the generous support of our Diamond Sponsors: Randall Farnsworth Auto Group, Constellation Brands, EFP Rotenberg, LLP, Five Star Bank, and Thompson Health.

Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce

Elisha Snow
Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce
394-4400ext. 203

NAPLES, NY (SEPTEMBER, 2011)

Bristol Valley Theater, Naples’ award-winning live professional theater, will reprise and expand their FALL FOLK FEST for four Saturdays in October. This a rich harvest of music featuring the region’s most popular folk groups will add a fourth concert to the series, which premiered in fall of 2011.

“Last season’s Folk Fest was such a success, we’re back for more this year” says Bristol Valley Artistic Director, Karin Bowersock, “As the weather cools and the leaves start to take on color, folk music is the perfect accompaniment.”

The Festival will begin October 1 at 7 p.m. with the annual visit by Paulsen, Baker and Garvey, perhaps the Finger Lakes’ favorite traditional folk trio. The group’s repertoire—sprinkled with down home humor– is influenced by artists as varied as James Taylor, Peter Paul and Mary and the country sounds of Willie and Waylon.The folk trio’s annual autumn appearance at Bristol Valley is a popular event, so advance tickets are recommended.

The following week, on October 8, Eva and the Dog Boys will take the stage with their own brand of bluegrass and acoustic music—with attitude. The group features Mike Cloonan, John Denniston, Tom T’Bone Farley and Elaine “Eva” Verstraete. Concert starts at 7 p.m.

On October 15, the festival will feature An Evening with The Prickers: Delight in Disorder. This will mark The Prickers first Bristol Valley Theater appearance, hot on the tail of their recent album release and appearances at The Bug Jar and Water Street Music Hall. The band, who specialize in foot-stompin, whiskey-soaked, dirt bag porch muzik, features Karl Neubauer, Nick(rodamus) Fargnoli, John “Banjovi”Yerkovich, Carrie Blackwood-Kennedy,”Modest” Mike Fargnoli , and Kendall Paul Wilt.

The Fall Folk Fest concludes with a concert by another regional favorite, Bristol Mountain Bluegrass, featuring the Bristol Brothers on October 22 at 7 p.m. Bristol Mountain Bluegrass performs the best of favorite old-time and traditional bluegrass tunes to loyal audiences throughout Upstate New York and well beyond and features award winning artists Don Springer, Perry Cleaveland, Rob Collins, and Norm Darling on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass.

Tickets for each concert are $15 for adults, $5 for kids under 18 and are available online at www.bvtnaples.org,, by phone at 585 374 9032, or at the door at the theater at 151 South Main Street in Naples. Box office for each event opens one hour before showtime.

“We’re offering a wide variety of artists and styles this year, something for every taste, from traditional to cutting edge–but if you can’t choose one concert to attend, you don’t have to,”adds Bowersock. “We’re offering a Folk Lover’s Special package to attend all four concerts for a reduced price of $50!”

Bristol Valley Theater’s Fall programming is sponsored in part by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Contact Karin Bowersock
Bristol Valley Theater
(585) 374-9032
bvt@bvtnaples.org
www.bvtnaples.org

For the month of August, Canandaigua is seeking art goers for their Art & Go Seek game, where one lucky winner will win $500 in cash and certificates.

During the month of August, consumers hunt for clues while visiting merchants, all while learning about art. Art goers can grab a passport and match the offered clues to the respective artist, whoever matches the most clues wins.  The promotion runs through August 31, 2011, and the winner will be announced September 6, 2011.

Art & Go Seek is part of the August’s Celebrate the Arts Month in Downtown Canandaigua, a promotion run through the Canandaigua Downtown Merchant Association to celebrate visual, culinary, and performing arts in Canandaigua.

“Everyone loves a scavenger hunt,” Judi Cermak, from the Ontario County Arts Council says.  Judy was instrumental in the making of Art & Go Seek.  “Strolling through the shops and learning about art is a fun way to win the prize.”

The idea came when Judy was searching for an event for August’s Celebrate the Arts Month.  She found different scavenger hunts with original art, but decided to make this a little different.  “This is more community based,” she adds, “and educational for everyone.”

Anyone 18 or over can register and pick up their passport before the end of August at Finger Lakes Gallery & Frame, 175 South Main Street.  There is a $1.00 entry fee and the more participating merchants who are visited, the more chances they are to win.

For more information visit: http://www.canandaiguaarts.com

Judi Cernak
Ontario County Arts Council
175 S. Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-234-6032

The fifth annual Rendezvous with Riesling event will take place on August 12, 2011, from 7-10pm at the New York Wine and Culinary Center, to coincide with the Finger Lakes Riesling Festival weekend August 13-14, 2011.

Rendezvous with Riesling is a celebration of New York’s signature wine varietal. This will be great chance to tour the recently renovated facility at the New York Wine and Culinary Center, and taste Riesling, along with other signature wines from New York’s best wineries.

Sample gourmet foods will be available by the Executive Chef and expertly designed to pair with Riesling. There will also be several New York State specialty food items at numerous food booths throughout the building.

Tickets are $40, which includes all the wine and food tastings, plus a free souvenir wine glass and tasting notebook.  During the event, live music entertainment will be playing.  Must be 21 years old with photo ID to enter Rendezvous with Riesling event.

Featured Wineries (scheduled to appear):

Anthony Road Wine Company
Atwater Estate Vineyards
Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery
Casa Larga Vineyards
Damiani Wine Cellars
Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars
Eagle Crest Vineyards
Eveningside Vineyards
Fox Run Vineyards
Fulkerson Winery
Glenora Wine Cellars
Heron Hill Winery
Hosmer Winery
Hunt Country Vineyards
JD Wine Cellars
King Ferry Winery-Treleaven Wines
Knapp Winery
Lakewood Vineyards
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars
McGregor Vineyard
Penguin Bay Winery
Prejean Winery
Ravines Wine Cellars
Sheldrake Point Vineyard
Swedish Hill Winery
Thirsty Owl Winery
Three Brothers Wineries
Wagner Vineyards

For more information, and to purchase tickets contact: http://nywcc.com/events/rendezvous-riesling/

Contact:

New York Wine and Culinary Center
800 South Main Street, Canandaigua, New York 14424
Tel (585) 394-7070 | Fax (585) 394-3037
info@nywcc.com

New York Wine and Culinary Center

August 3, 2011 – Heron Hill Winery will release it’s next bottling of the Game Bird Series with an innovative new screw cap closure! Winemaker, Bernard Cannac along with the production team have been working diligently on the transition from the standard cork bottling line to a newer style screw cap bottling line.

Owner and grape grower, John Ingle says, “As part of Heron Hill’s continuing effort to make the freshest, purest Rieslings and Chardonnays, we have invested in an Italian made Fimer machine capable of bottling wines with either cork or screw cap closures. We believe the screw cap option will provide the best storage for select products and that it ensures these wines will retain their profile so that consumers may enjoy the wines as our winemaker intended.”

The Game Bird Series will be the first wines to hit the shelves at Heron Hill’s three locations, restaurants and wine stores. The Game Bird Series of wine is special because they were developed to honor Jo Ingle’s father, Wally, a great hunter, sportsman and gentleman. The red, white and blush blends are great for picnics, BBQ’s and enjoying with friends.

Winemaker, Bernard comments, “The Game Bird White is first on the schedule to be bottled using the Stelvin screw cap closures. We are very excited about the new line, which we have already used for bottling the 2009 Riesling Reserve and the 2009 Ingle Vineyard Riesling with natural corks. Our production team has not used a screw capper in past experiences, so we are all very anxious to learn it’s intricacies and see it work. After the Game Bird Series, screw caps will be used on the white wines from the Heron Hill Classic line. We are choosing wines that do not require bottle aging, like the Chardonnay, Riesling and Muscat. The Classic Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc will continue using natural corks because these wines benefit from bottle aging. The Game Bird and whites in the Classic series are ready to drink wines, which makes them the perfect candidates for our new screw cap bottling machine, it’s a nice start I think!”

For more information about Heron Hill Winery, the Blue Heron Café and Tasting Rooms on Seneca and Canandaigua Lakes, visit http://www.heronhill.com.

NAPLES, NY (JULY 2011)

Bristol Valley Theater, the central Finger Lakes live professional theater continues their 2011 summer season with Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps starting August 4 at the theater in Naples and running through August 14.

Based on the classic Hitchcock film, The 39 Steps weaves a story of murder, espionage and international intrigue. Richard Hannay, just an average Englishman, makes a seemingly innocent trip to the theater for a night’s entertainment, and is enlisted by a mysterious woman to help her foil a plot to sell British military secrets to the enemy. From there he is drawn into the web of adventure, mystery, and murder.

“The film is classic noir, but the stage version is definitely played for laughs!” said Karin Bowersock, Artistic Director, who also directs the play “Four actors play 150 characters and recreate the whole film, including a train chase and a plane crash, on stage!”

The high energy cast features David Kimple as Hannay as well as Tommy Labanaris, Suzi Takahashi, and Matthew Foster,. The production is sponsored by Mitchell Joseph Insurance and The Villas at Canandaigua.

“Although the play—which was a smash hit in London and on Broadway– is a recreation of a film” says Bowersock, “It’s actually a hilarious testament to the magic of the theater.”

Performances run from August 4 through August 14 at the theater at 151 S. Main Street in Naples. For reservations and further information, call the box office at 585 374-6318 or visit www.bvtnaples.org

Performances times are Thursday – Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 (first week) and Wednesday at 2, Thursday at 2 and 8, Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 (second week).

The Bristol Valley Theater summer season continues through August 21 with The GetAway Cabaret.The season is sponsored by Constellation Brands with additional support from The New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

The Canandaigua ATHENA Award program stands out across the U.S.

Canandaigua, NY. – In the twenty-seven years since its founding, the Canandaigua ATHENA Award program has grown to be a national role model for the more than 400 communities across the United States and in the eight countries of the world where the ATHENA program is held. This year, the Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Women of the Finger Lakes will celebrate their 27^th Annual Canandaigua ATHENA award on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at The Inn on the Lake.

How has a small community in the Finger Lakes gone from holding a simple award breakfast to building innovative and leading-edge features that distinguishes its ATHENA program? Not only does the Canandaigua area ATHENA program recognize outstanding women in their community for their leadership and contributions, but it has also raised significant dollars for women’s scholarships.  Another unique feature of the Canandaigua ATHENA program is its mentoring and coaching partnerships with area colleges.  The program has international ties through ATHENA International, a foundation that has honored many women known throughout the world for their achievements in world politics, medicine, education, business and more.   The 2011 ATHENA Awards program will once again showcase and honor the accomplishments of ATHENAnominees in the greater Canandaigua area.

ATHENA nominees are being sought and the nomination process is simple. All ATHENA nominees will know, in advance, they have been nominated, and are encouraged to work with their nominator to develop the nomination form. To be eligible, nominees must have demonstrated significant business or professional accomplishments, leadership and service to the community, and contributed to the professional growth, development and advancement of women.

The Canandaigua ATHENA program is continuing for the second year the Canandaigua ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.  Nominations for this award are accepted for an emerging woman leader, 40 years of age or younger, who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession, provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community, and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.

Both ATHENA nomination forms are available at the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce, 113 S. Main St. (585-394-4400) and can also be downloaded from the Chamber’s homepage at www.canandaiguachamber.com .

Nominations must be submitted in electronic format by 5:00 p.m. on September 16^th to Elisha Snow (esnow@canandaiguachamber.com).

Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y.  –The Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their sixth annual Anniversary Gala on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 from 6:00pm-8:30pm.  The prestigious Anniversary Gala is an opportunity for the Chamber to show appreciation and recognize its members who understand the importance of remaining a member of the Chamber.  The Anniversary Gala will be held this year at The Inn on the Lake under a tent with an elegant atmosphere ideal for the event.

The 15 highest milestone memberships that will be awarded are:

• 55 Years:  Canandaigua Country Club, Dick Anthony LTD, Murphy’s Tire Service

• 50 Years:  J. E. Miller Nurseries, Inc.

• 45 Years:  WCGR 1550 AM + 104.5 FM / Finger Lakes Radio Group

• 40 Years:  Myles Auto Parts, Parrish & Brassie, LLP

• 30 Years: Crane Coaching & Consulting, Pettinger Sheet & Metal Fabrication, Inc., Wizard of Clay Pottery

• 25 Years:  Allergy Office of Canandaigua, Centerpointe Country Club, Healthsettings Leasing, LLC, Nothnagle Realtors, Ontario Honda

With an impressive ambiance, 88 milestone members will be recognized and awarded.   Kent Gardner, Ph.D., President & Chief Economist for the Center for Governmental Research, will be the keynote speaker.  There will also be a presentation of membership awards by Chamber President/CEO, Alison Grems, and Board Chairperson, Russ Kenyon, of Kenyon & Kenyon.  Attendees will enjoy networking & social hour with, raffles, awards presentation, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast to the milestone members, wine tasting by Constellation Brands & beer tasting by Custom Brewcrafters and much more.

The cost to attend the Anniversary Gala is $30 or two for $55. Space is limited so you must make your reservation by Friday, August 12, 2011 to Elisha Snow at 585-394-4400, extension 203, or online at www.canandaiguachamber.com.

Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce