With little fanfare -- only a small sign on the front door -- Ponderosa Steakhouse announced today that it is closing its Batavia location. The simple sign reads "This location has closed. We thank you for your patronage." It then says that people with coupons can take them to one of Ponderosa's locations outside of the area.
Buyers: Please remember the six-month rule -- please don't buy a gift certificate you bought within the past six months.
Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.
Kravings Kafe, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.
Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, teas and spices -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $15 gift card for $7.50.
Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Pizza, wings, subs and even hamburgers and hot dogs, Main St. Pizza makes everything deliciously. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.
SOLD OUT
I'm hanging out at The Daily Grind, Main and Jackson, for a little while this morning. I'll be doing a couple of posts from there -- including the Deal of the Day -- so if you're in the area, feel free to stop in and say hello.
Minor injuries, and possibly no injuries, are reported for a driver whose car hit a tree in the area of 1487 Ledge Road in Basom.
A first responder reports that the driver is out of the car and walking around.
Mercy EMS is responding.
In a compliance check of local stores that sell alcohol on Friday, three store clerks were cited by the Batavia Police Department for allegedly selling liquor to minors.
The police used an under-age buyer with a valid New York driver's license in the compliance check. The person entered 18 local stores and attempted to buy beer, wine or liquor.
The clerks cited worked for Kwik Fill, 99 Jackson St.; Plaza Spirits, 563 E. Main St.; and, Wilson Farms, 355 W. Main St..
The clerks will be given a chance to complete a server-training course in exchange for possible dismissal of the charges. The names of the clerks were not released.
The operation was supervised by detectives Rich Schauf and Todd Crossett.
The Batavia Muckdogs will host their home opener for 2010 on June 19, according to a schedule released by the team today.
Game time will be 7:05 p.m. and the opposing team will be the Auburn Doubledays.
It will be one of 38 home games for the minor league team.
The Muckdogs open the season the day before in Auburn.
There will be six Friday and seven Saturday games played at Dwyer Stadium in 2010.
Holiday packs, ticket packages, and season tickets for the 2010 season are now on sale. They can be purchased by calling 585-343-5454, or in person at Dwyer Stadium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The Muckdogs will also be at Christmas in the City on Friday, Dec. 4.
For a complete schedule, visit www.muckdogs.com.
Rob Crede, manager of The Daily Grind on Main and Jackson in Batavia, serves Jim Kujawski on the first day of business for the new coffee shop and juice bar.
Owner Ken Mistler (pictured below) has been preparing for the opening for months, but characterizes this week's opening as "soft" so any kinks can be worked out. But soft or not, Rob served a steady stream of customers this morning.
Meanwhile, the gym, Next Level, adjacent to the coffee shop, is moving closer to opening in a few weeks. More pictures follow the jump.
Mistler stands in front of an in-progress mural by Vinny Del Plato at the top of the stairway leading to the lower-level workout area and men's locker room.
The kids' room, with mural painted by Karen Reisdorf.
Batavia's representative in Albany issued a statement this morning critical of a legislative plan to reduce spending because, he said, it hits Western New York harder than wasteful downstate interests.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said he voted against the plan.
"Yes, tough choices need to be made, but once again the downstate leaders have attempted to balance their inflated spending on the backs of Western New Yorkers," Hawley said in a statement. "Just as I voted against the excessive 2009-10 State Budget, I also voted against this "reduction" plan that does nothing but further shift the burden of Albany's irresponsible spending onto the backs of hardworking Western New Yorkers."
(UPDATE: The Batavian's news partner, WBTA, spoke with Steve Hawley this morning. Listen (mp3).)
The Buffalo News reports that the deficit reduction plan leaves New York still in the hole about $1 billion. The News characterized the cuts as "politically painless."
"Putting off the pain" is how the Albany Times-Union described the so-called deficit reduction plan.
After railing against Gov. David Paterson's deficit reduction plan for more than a month and a half, legislative leaders essentially endorsed half of his proposed measures. However, they spared themselves the political risk of cutting aid to schools that the governor says most districts -- sitting on plenty of reserves -- could have afforded. Instead of going along with an admittedly tough, unpopular move that the governor could still make, lawmakers opted to use $391 million in federal stimulus money that the state was holding for next year.
In an editorial, the Buffalo News also raps the legislature for its inaction, and includes this gem:
Rare is the politician who seeks office based on the promise that he will spend less on your children’s school and your grandmother’s hospital. But New York spends so much more than any other state on both functions without making our offspring smarter or our elders healthier. Like other states, our schools and health care institutions will simply have to make do with less money.
The New York Times editorial says the blame for the state's spending problems rests primarily with the Senate.
The State Senate, on the other hand, has done little more than issue press releases. Senators are too busy eyeing next year’s elections, especially those lawmakers with the least political security — that is, a few suburban Democrats in dicey districts and all 30 of the Republicans, who want to regain the majority next year.
They don’t want to do anything unpleasant or really difficult like pare state expenses in midyear — in other words do their jobs — even if it means facing an even larger deficit in April, perhaps as high as $10 billion.
Hawley's full statement following he jump:
After months of knowing that this year's revenues would force budget cuts and after weeks of returning to Albany with no agreement on the table, I was pleased that both houses were able to come together to agree on some of the necessary cuts. However, by taking next year's federal education funds, cutting aid to municipalities (including to the City of Batavia) and reducing access to health care in rural communities, like those in Western New York, this plan is full of problems.
Yes, tough choices need to be made, but once again the downstate leaders have attempted to balance their inflated spending on the backs of Western New Yorkers. Just as I voted against the excessive 2009-10 State Budget, I also voted against this "reduction" plan that does nothing but further shift the burden of Albany's irresponsible spending onto the backs of hardworking Western New Yorkers.
Instead of adopting the many proposals to reduce the deficit that I proposed along with our Conference, downstate leaders decided to turn their backs on implementing real solutions. Under the cover of darkness, with smoke and mirrors, after four weeks at a cost of $322,000, downstate leaders adopted the old adage of "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul." Only they robbed next year's federal money from Obama to pay Shelley, Dave and John.
On top of these hurtful cuts, this plan also includes cuts to community colleges and Roswell Park as well as cuts $10 million from Timothy's Law, causing more increased costs again for small businesses. Additionally, this plan cuts fees for out-of-state CPAs but does nothing for those instate. They did the same thing to insurance small businesses last year, sending a consistent message that Albany does not care about New York State small business and further weakening our state's economy.
This plan cuts too little and doesn't address the nearly $4 billion deficit we have this year. What's worse is cutting $391 million from education and replacing that with next year's federal stimulus, further exasperating the problem. Coupled with these other dangerous cuts, this plan is a deficit deferral not a reduction and it sets up our state for a deeper deficit next year, which is already estimated to mount $10 billion.
Buyers: Please remember the six-month rule -- please don't buy a gift certificate you bought within the past six months.
Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.
Kravings Kafe, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.
Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Great Kutz is Batavia's newest full-service hair salon. Women, try Great Kutz for a haircut at the incredibly low price of $7, exclusive offer from to The Batavian. (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).
Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.
Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.
SOLD OUT
Button's only since this these are second-time-around for these GCs. Please follow the six-month rule to save Billie and I this extra work.
Great Kutz - Men (two available)
Buyers: Please remember the six-month rule -- please don't buy a gift certificate you bought within the past six months.
The Color Salon, 35 Center St., Batavia, NY: Susan Francis, the owner and stylist at The Color Salon reminds women, "your hair is your greatest accessory." Francis has more than 20 years of experience helping women get the best hair color. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, teas and spices -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.
Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.
Kravings Kafe, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.
Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $15 gift card for $7.50.
The Mane Attraction, 99 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: The Mane Attraction is a spa and salon offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and massage. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.
SOLD OUT
Both drivers in a weather-related two-car crash in Pembroke were taken by Mercy Flight to the Erie County Medical Center this morning.
The condition of both drivers is unknown at this time. A spokesman for ECMC said both patients are currently in the emergency room.
One driver apparently lost control of her car, reportedly over corrected and spun about 90 degrees, skidding into the oncoming traffic lane. Her SUV rolled over.
Injured were Jessica Maurer, 22, of 2033 Main Road, Corfu, and Patricia A. Warren, 51, of 748 Gabbey Road, Corfu.
Maurer's Chevy was westbound on Route 5 in the area of Boyce Road. The accident occurred at 7:07 a.m..
Maurer was driving vehicle one, a 2004 Chevrolet SUV and Warren was driving vehicle two, a 2005 Chevrolet SUV. Maurer received a ticket for allegedly driving too fast under the conditions.
The accident is being investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson.
Jade Wolff works with her father, Leigh Wolff, late this morning on her first snowman of the winter (maybe her first ever -- I forgot to ask) just before all the snow melts away. The Wolff's were in the front yard of their south-side Batavia home.
New York taxpayers could be spared as much as $760 million in unnecessary expenses by sharing services, according to Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Tax dollars are tight and families are struggling,” said DiNapoli. “Now more than ever we need to find ways to cut costs and lower property taxes. A good number of local governments are already saving millions in tax dollars by pooling their resources and eliminating duplication. But there are 3,175 local governments in New York State. All of these counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts and fire districts should use this report as a road map to save tax dollars without hurting the quality of services they deliver.”
In other state economic news:
The South Byron Volunteer Fire Department has a new tanker that it hopes to have in service by January.
To meet that deadline, there will be intensive driver and operator training, according to Scott Blossom, who supplied the picture and information.
Tanker 87 was received by the department on Sunday. It was built by Crimson Fire, Inc. in Brandon, South Dakota. It's a 2009 Kenworth T370 Chassis with a five-man commercial cab.
It can pump 1,250 gallons per minute and has a 2,750-gallon water tank with a remote controlled tail pump. It will have 1,000 feet of 4-inch supply hose, one 3/4-inch attack hand line and two 1/2-inch heavy attack lines.
The truck is capable of being a front-line engine.
It replaces a 1984 Ford tanker with a 500-gallon per-minute pump and 2,000 gallon tank. That tanker is now up for sale.
UPDATE: I sent a follow up e-mail to Scott and asked about the price of the tanker. Below is his response, which also clarifies some of the terminology.
Around $265,000
A few boo boos in the posting, I should have been clearer with firefighting terms. It is a tail dump, that is to say where the water dumps out of the truck into a portable tank for engines to suck water out of to fight fires. Used in areas without fire hydrants. The tankers bring water to the scene from ponds, streams, or the nearest hydrant.
The sizes of the attack lines are 1.75 inches and 2.5 inches, as we write them 1 3/4 and 2 1/2.
No biggee, my fault for not being clear. When your used to talking a certain way, you forget to adjust your terms for those who are not in you line of work.
A Le Roy man who was riding his ATV on abandoned railroad tracks was hurt Sunday when his ATV hit a rock and became airborne, landing on his foot.
Jeffery L. Bowker, 45, was riding along a half-mile of unused track north of Route 5 in Stafford at 4:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.
Bowker was taken to UMMC. The accident remains under investigation.
Billie and I got back from California just in time for the first snow.
I'm getting a late start this morning -- taking the red eye back last night really messed up my sleep schedule.
WBTA reports there were some weather-related accidents this morning, including some roll overs, but no serious injuries.
The snow is likely to melt off today with temperatures in the low 40s and into the 50s tomorrow. Still, be careful out there.
UPDATE: William Buckley did road condition updates for us live this morning. If you missed it, it will give you some idea of what things were like earlier.
It's about time we place our order for The Batavian sweatshirts. If you want one, order now. Please click the button below to order, or send a check to The Batavian, 200 E. Main St., #5, Batavia, NY 14020. Please before to specify size. The price is $19.95, plus $1 for shipping.
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