Preservationist report makes six recommendations to Chautauqua regarding future of historic Amphitheater...
A report from a panel of preservationists charged with looking at Chautauqua Institution's proposed amphitheater project includes several recommendations... including delaying the project. Institution officials released the 14-page report by the Historic Preservation Panel Thursday. Spokesman George Murphy says the six-member panel looked at the current Amphitheater... and, alternatives to demolition. Murphy also says the panel says institution had to decide between continued expansion of amphitheater programming... and, preserving the current amp. He says more "dynamic" programming has been added to the amp... and, that "stretches" the capabililty of the facility. Murphy says the groups suggest putting up another facility... but, he says the money is not available for that, and goes against their mission. Murphy says the preservationists came to understand the dilemna the institution has had since the project was first looked at in 2010. That's the "tension" between Chautauqua's mission and preserving the amphitheater as it is. He says one recommendation the panel made was to add more bleachers... but, he says aside from the new bleachers added to the back of the Amp in 1981... that was never the intension for the facility. Murphy says the report will now be considered by the Institution's board of directors at it's Aug. 29 meeting... where it's expected to vote on Amp design plans.
Local preservationist who opposes demolishing Amphitheater says they "embrace" report...
The head of a local preservation group that has called on Chautauqua Institution to reconsider demolishing the entire amphitheater... and, building a new one... says they "embrace" the preservationist's report. The head of the Committee to Save the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater says they also embrace the documents six recommendations. Brian Berg says they also outlined how to preserve the historic facility in a "straight-forward" way. In addition, the group had been advocating for such a study to be done for the past 3 to 4 years, and, the "Save the Amp" group is pleased that's come to fruition. Berg says it also confirms that the Amphitheater is historic... and, been changed -- or upgraded -- from time to time. However... he says the basic structure has remained intact for well over 100 years. While institution officials say they need a facility to handle programming needs now, and into the future, Berg says they need to better define what that programming is... and, the best way to handle it.
Erie Co. Executive signs Microbead Ban...
Cosmetic products containing small plastic beads are now banned from being sold in upstate New York's most populous county. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Thursday signed into law a local measure that bans the sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads. The signing comes after lawmakers in the county, which includes the city of Buffalo, approved the bill in a unanimous vote last month. Supporters of the ban say the plastic particles are too fine to be caught in wastewater treatment plants... and, are flowing by the billions into the Great Lakes and other waterways. Scientists say they're also showing up inside fish that are caught for human consumption. Stores will now have six months to pull microbead products down from their shelves or face possible fines.
Jamestown Babe Ruth Committee president looks back on 35 years, and this world series going forward...
The man who helped bring the first Babe Ruth World Series to Jamestown in 1980 is at the helm again for the 2015 series that begins tomorrow. Host President Russ Diethrick says they're ready to go... and ,he feels very "confident and excited" about it. Thirteen-year-olds on nine visiting teams have arrived in Jamestown to play a total of 25 baseball games at Russell E. Diethrick Junior Park over eight days. This is the 16th world series hosted by Jamestown since the 13-year-olds first came to play here in 1980. Diethrick says each time is a little different. He says the banquet, and living arrangments are all set... and, there's been nothing "negative" other than maybe a glitch on how things have gone. Through community sponsors... all the games in this year's series will be open to the public free of charge. Teams in the series have a picnic and skills competition at Bergman Park today, and a banquet tonight at JCC. The opening parade is at 9 a.m. Saturday on Third Street downtown. Games begin at noon Saturday at the ball park on Falconer Street.
