Sally Fields Two Weeks

Ashville Fire Department Wants New Helipad

NORTH HARMONY - Ashville Fire Department officials are hoping to raise funds for a new helipad behind the fire department on Stow Road.

Chief Bob Fredrickson said a couple of acres of land was donated by Bob and Mary Jane Miller for the helipad, which, he said, is needed by the department so it can have year-round, quick access to area hospitals.

Currently, he said, there are problems finding landing spots in winter or wet springs when helicopter pilots are weary of landing in wet fields. A helipad, however, he said, provides access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

That is need he said, adding a stroke victim, for instance, has better chances of recovery if they are treated within a certain amount of time. He wants to make sure a helicopter is available to get them to a treatment facility within that time.

"Time is critical," he said. Fredrickson said a helicopter was needed in the area three times in two weeks recently. Providing one in Ashville, he said, would also allow other area municipal fire departments access. Sherman, Bemus Point, Maple Springs, Mayville and Chautauqua could also use it, he said.

Fredrickson said costs are estimated at about $30,000, but, he said, he is still working on getting prices to determine the exact cost since heat pads are needed to keep snow and ice off the landing. He said fire department crews could not call for a helicopter and then ask its pilots to wait for the landing area to be plowed.

Fredrickson is hopeful the helipad will be able to be in place this summer. Donations for the helipad can be sent to the Ashville Fire Department's Helipad Fund, P.O. Box 129, Ashville, 14701.

The matter was brought up during a recent Town Board meeting.

Also at the meeting, Republican Duncan McNeill was appointed to fill the council post left vacant by the death of Art Thomas. The appointment lasts through Dec. 31 when Thomas's term expired. Town Supervisor Sally Carlson said McNeill has served the Planning Board and been involved in town matters, expressing interest in town affairs. She said he can also bring representation of a portion of the town to its board.

Mrs. Carlson said the board also received correspondence from Busti officials regarding the Goose Creek Corporation. She said North Harmony officials have been working with those from the subdivision regarding lot sizes, a matter to go before the town's Zoning Board of Appeals as 15 lots are within its borders. She said Busti officials said three lots are within its town and would require a variance due to lot size.

The Weekend Blend 12/1 – 12/3 - CinemaBlend.com

Last week Hollywood overloaded theaters with nearly half a dozen great new turkey-day releases. They have nothing left for this weekend. It’s a sad group of castoffs and leftovers which drag into cinemas this Friday. The movie industry is taking a breath before the last holiday push of the year starts in earnest. Till it does, you’re better off catching up on whatever you missed seeing over Thanksgiving.

Here's our usual look at what's opening and worth watching this Friday in theaters around the country:



12/1 – 12/3

Limited Releases (Opening in fewer than 500 theaters.)
With everyone still savoring over last week’s platter of Hollywood treats, it’s a dire week for Limited Releases. The only ones worth mentioning is MGM’s Two Weeks and ThinkFilm’s 10 Items Or Less . In 10 Items Morgan Freeman plays an actor who meets a quirky grocery store clerk played by the beautiful Paz Vega. Two Weeks is a comedy about four adult siblings who reunite at the home of their dying mother. Neither movie is getting great reviews, but 10 Items has Morgan Freeman and Two Weeks has Sally Fields. If you’re a fan of either, look for their films in a handful of theaters.

Sneak Previews
With so few worthy wide releases this weekend, Hollywood is taking this as an opportunity to advertise the movies they’ll be releasing later this month. Blood Diamond , the new African adventure movie from Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Honsou will play for a single showing in 705 theaters across the country on Saturday. The new rom-com The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law gets a similar 800 theater sneak peek at the same time. Keep an eye out for them.

The Nativity Story (Opens in 3,183 theaters.)
Check the “Still In Theaters And Worth Your Time” list at the bottom of this page for the best places to spend your money this weekend, but if you’re dead set on seeing something brand new then Nativity Story is really your only choice. As you’ve probably guessed from the title it’s a religious movie, but one from a decent director with a decent enough cast. It’s not the second coming of The Passion , but it looks better than all the other religious garbage the newly devout studio system has been shoving down the Bible-thumping community’s throat.

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