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For the Week 1 contest, 17 people correctly picked Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders as the week's leader in rushing yards. After a random drawing from among those 17 people, Mark Potwora wins the sheet pizza.

This Saturday, Aug. 13, the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its 4th annual 4-wheeler Mud Races. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the racing starts at 1 p.m. The cost is $15 per wheeler and $10 per spectator. Kids under 11 get in free. The event will be located directly behind the East Pembroke Fire Hall at 2623 W. Main St. Road, East Pembroke. 

This is going to be a huge event, with racers coming from as far away as Canada, and Rome, New York!

The day doesn't end when the races do either! So what else is going on?

T-shirts:

They will be selling 2011 EPFD mud race T-shirts throughout the day. They will be available in pink, and black, and sizes from S-3XL. They will cost $15-17 depending on size. Here's the cool part: $1 from every T-shirt sold will be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention!

 

Mud King/Queen:

A footrace through the mud pits! The winners will be crowned the Mud King and Queen! Who's ready to get muddy!?

Raffle:

More than $5,000 in prizes will be raffled off this year! Tickets are $5 each, or a book of five for $20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.EastPembrokeFire.com/raffle-tickets, or in person on the day of the races. You need not be present to win. The prizes are as follows:

 

1.) $1,000 Cash Grand Prize!

2.) 50-inch Flat Screen TV

3.) Max Pies Recliner

4.) Artemis Spa Package 

5.) 42-inch Flat Screen TV

6.) $400 Cash

7.) Power Tool Set

8.) $250 Cash

9.) $150 Cash

10.) $150 Cash

 

Beer Tent:

The day will end with our beer tent, and a live performance by the band "Savage Cabbage" beginning at 5 p.m. Don't miss it!

For more information, please contact Julie Waldron at 585-813-5330 or Dale Lewter at 585-356-3015.

 

Thermory® Solid Hardwood Flooring is now available in Western New York, in fact, nationwide.

Europeans developed a “thermal modification process” ideal for upgrading in the solid hardwood flooring industry.

Milled from “thermally modified” hardwoods, Thermory® flooring features superior stability, beauty, durability, functionality and is environmentally sound. Thermory® fills a void in the marketplace -- it's the only solid hardwood flooring product line warranted for use over radiant heat and concrete applications.

The “thermal modification process,” developed and refined over the past 20 years in Europe, is a highly technical computer-controlled process carried out in specially designed high-temperature kilns. Only heat and steam (no chemicals) are used, making the process entirely green. The process produces hardwood with outstanding dimensional stability and durability and also brings out the natural beauty of the wood, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to engineered (veneered or layered) flooring and tropical hardwoods from endangered forests.

Thermory® products have been widely used for more than 10 years in Germany, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Japan and Italy for interior and exterior use as flooring, siding and decking. Now, NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) member, Attica Millwork, Inc., is importing Thermory® for use in the U.S. market. Company President, Kevin DeMars states, “We have received our two container shipments and it is beautiful beyond our expectations.”

Mr. DeMars says the flooring is “straight and true, finely machined and sanded with beautiful full thickness color tones.” He states that as a dealer base is established across the U.S., “more and more homeowners, builders, architects and designers will sleep better knowing they’ve used Thermory® Solid Hardwood Flooring. It’s just more stable, it’s just more beautiful.”

Another benefit of the “thermal process” is that the color of the wood is transformed to beautiful, full thickness color tones which highlight the natural beauty of the wood. The color of the “medium-treated” wood, Salsa, varies from light to golden brown, while the “ intense-treated” wood, Tango, is a luxurious dark brown. Current inventories include both Salsa and Tango in domestic Ash, a hardwood comparable to oak in grain and hardness characteristics. Both are available in widths up to 7 ½” in a finely sanded or a brushed finish.

Mike Caroll, of MP Caroll Hardwoods in Buffalo, says “Thermory® is the perfect remedy over radiant heat and to control the movement of wide plank solid wood flooring. Traditionally, consumers have had to settle for swelling in the summer and gaping during the heating season. Now they can enjoy a flat floor in the summer and a tightly fitted floor all winter.” He states that Thermory® installs easily, can even be glued to concrete, and finishes beautifully with little or no sanding required. He also says that the Salsa can be stained to match any color preference and the Tango can be used instead of some of the exotic species at a fraction of the cost.

As radiant floor heating becomes even more popular with today’s homeowners and specifiers, Thermory® offers a much needed alternative. Peter Harman, owner of Harman Hardwood Flooring Co. in Rochester, says that it’s always been a “crap shoot” knowing what to use over radiant. Peter states “You are offering the best product since sliced bread and I’m a skeptic, but if this flooring does what it says it will, we just revolutionized the solid hardwood flooring industry.”

Charles Peterson, well-known award-winning hardwood flooring Master Craftsman -- featured in "Fine Homebuilding," "This Old House" and author of the bestselling book “The Art of Wood Flooring” -- says the timing is perfect for Thermory® to hit the U.S. market. “In this billion-dollar-plus flooring market, with multimillions spent each year to remedy hardwood flooring problems, mostly attributable to moisture, imagine the positive impact Thermory® Solid Hardwood Flooring, with its stability and beauty, will have on this industry.”

All of the photos from this weekend are now available for purchase of prints.  Click here.

The photos include the clean up at Genesee County Park, the tree planting in Austin Park, the track meet at Van Detta Stadium and Saturday at the Carnival.

Again, prints can be purchased by clicking here.

Also, the first weekend in April was also a busy weekend and I never let anybody know the pictures were available for purchase.

That weekend included Eco-Fest, GCC women's softball and men's baseball, the Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, the fundraiser for Brooklyn Sputore, the Le Roy Fire Department dinner, the Easter Bunny at Oliver's, and I also included the Easter egg hunt at Centennial Park.

To purchase prints of those pictures, click here.

Remember, we offer prices on prints well below the suggested retail price.

When it’s time to spend money on upgrades to your home -- new windows, roofing, siding or renovations inside -- arguably the biggest decision to make is choosing who is right for the job. Here are a few tips to steer you in the right direction:

Choose a Local Business

Yes, it’s nice to help out business in your hometown or county. But let’s face it, finding a knowledgeable, reliable contractor that you can trust to make changes to your nest shouldn’t be based on doing the local economy a favor, right?

Well, think of it this way – the local guy is the one that drives past your house regularly. Hiring a company from out of the immediate area could be giving them the “out of sight, out of mind” feeling for your house, making it just another job for them.

A local contractor doesn’t want to have to avoid dissatisfied patrons while they’re grocery shopping or going for a walk. He wants you to tell your neighbors (and his neighbors) that he did a job that exceeded your expectations.

References

When it comes to project work like home renovations, it’s important to ask your potential contractor for references. A reputable contractor will be more than willing to provide you with many references for you to check out.

If the contractor has only a few, it's almost like admitting he only has a few satisfied customers, and what does that tell you? Of course, the references he has elected to give you will tell you exactly what you want to hear. In some cases, the one or two references could be just a friend, family member or even a bar buddy.

An established contractor will offer a list of projects they’ve done in the past and encourage you to call any name or number on the list.

Deposits and Supplies

As a general rule of thumb, contractors shouldn’t ask for more than 10 percent of the overall project cost as an initial deposit. If someone has to ask for 50 or even 30 percent down, it indicates that he is paying for supplies as the project progresses – not receiving them from a supplier on credit. A typical contract asks for the project balance upon completion.

Unfortunately, many “handyman” contractors get a large portion of project costs up front and then fail to complete the job. From there, it's up to the homeowner to find recourse against the individual.

Also, if a contractor has to buy his supplies as he goes, it is likely that he may be trying to save money by purchasing the cheapest supplies. Another method of skimping is to use just scraps of materials instead of using larger, seamless pieces.

But established, reputable contracting companies turn in their scrap materials for credit with their suppliers – meaning they always use the best pieces for your home.

Warranty

Warranties vary when it comes to what type of changes are being made to your home, but a good contractor will offer guarantees for his work in the form of some kind of warranty.

For example, American Home Remodeling in Batavia offers a lifetime warranty on parts and labor for new windows.

“Once we put a window in your home, we aren’t going to nickel and dime you. If something happens, we’ll come out and fix it for free because we handle top quality products,” said owner Tim Stoddard.

Quality contractors are knowledgeable about manufacturers' warranties as well, and will consider the best value for each customer -- such as siding that is guaranteed not to fade or change color.

American Home Remodeling also touts lifetime warranties on roofing shingles through their manufacturer and they also offer a 15-year installation guarantee "no questions asked."

“If our customers have any issues with their roof in the next 15 years, we’ll come back and fix it no charge,” Stoddard said.

You really do get what you pay for

Although it’s important to find ways to cut costs in a difficult economy, everyone knows the saw "you get what you pay for."

It is possible to find a happy medium. With a solid, trustworthy contractor, an open line of communication can make the budget a priority without having to make unreasonable sacrifices with regard to quality, timeliness of the project, and/or supplies used to upgrade your home.

A kitchen isn’t just for cooking anymore. A modern kitchen can be used as a gathering space, for entertaining guests, and much more.

Local Nothnagle Realtor Nancy Crocker weighed in on what makes a desirable kitchen in the home-buying market today.

“Today’s homebuyers have different desires in a kitchen than they did in the '80s and '90s," she said. "Living room and family room activities are merging into kitchens, making them a gathering place for family, a central work space or just an open area to pursue craft projects or even to simply entertain.”

Crocker has been in the real estate business for more than 35 years and with Nothnagle Realtors for the past 11. When it comes to what folks are looking for lately, Crocker said that having a versatile and open floor plan for kitchens has become a hit with recent homebuyers.

“Existing homes typically have a wall separating kitchens from dining rooms and other parts of the home but with a modern kitchen, those walls are removed and the room is designed in a less utilitarian way.”

Crocker cited larger windows, fewer and more user-friendly cabinets, soft lighting and sleek countertops as a few indicators of what a modern kitchen should look like.

“Improvements to kitchens are a major appeal to homebuyers and they certainly enhance the value of the home for sale,” Crocker said.

She suggested a few improvements for anyone interested in revamping their home to sell.

“Modern, eye-appealing kitchens and bathrooms are major wants of almost every homebuyer,” she said. “If a seller wants to make a worthwhile investment, they should consider a few improvements.”

A kitchen island that has functional benefits but also provides space for entertaining, informal dining and extra storage. Crocker said that buyers are attracted to size-appropriate islands that are consistent with existing décor in the kitchen.

Crocker maintained that any seller can make a good investment in his or her property by updating their kitchen and/or bathrooms.

“A serviceable, eye appealing and updated kitchen is high on the list of most people looking to buy their home. A kitchen needs good strong bones which can be enhanced by updated countertops, hardware, flooring, cabinets and appliances.”

Through a special arrangement with Max Pies Furniture, 400 South Jackson St., Batavia, The Batavian is able to extend this special, online-only offer to its readers:

We are able to offer a handsome Spider Lamp through The Batavian at a $101 savings. This lamp normally retails for $199.  You can use the PayPal button below to buy it online now for $98. (Sales tax and a $6 PayPal service fee will be added)

You can't buy this lamp in the store at that price.

The winner of this exclusive item will be able to choose from an in-stock Spider Lamp from World Imports.

Here's a chance to add some contemporary eloquence to your home decor.

There is only one item available at this price and it is exclusive through
The Batavian. The winning purchaser will need to arrange to stop by The Batavian office to pick up a purchase voucher. Final arrangements to take delivery of the lamp are made at the Max Pies location at 400 South Jackson St. This item will be available until it sells and only one at this price is available.

The voucher has no cash value, but can be used toward an upgrade purchase on another item.

Deliver is free in Genesee County.

To purchase this online exclusive from The Batavian and Max Pies Furniture, click the PayPal button below (this is the only way you can make this purchase -- this price is NOT available in the store).

If you're a local business owner and would like to offer The Batavian readers great deals either as part of The Deal of the Day or as an Online Exclusive, call me at 585-260-6970.

Today, we start a new feature: The Deal of The Day. With the Deal of the Day we'll offer valuable gift certificates to local businesses at greatly discounted prices.

Today's Deal: A $25 gift certificate from Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia.  The Batavian Price: $12.50.

Rules: E-mail me at howard (at) thebatavian dot com. First e-mail in can purchase the gift certificate for $12.50. We will arrange a time for the winner to drop by my office on Main Street some time today.  If the first e-mail in can't make an appointment today, the second e-mail will be eligible.

Business Owners: If you would like your business featured on The Batavian in Deal of the Day, contact me at 585-260-6970.