If you’re looking for something to do this summer, you won’t have to look far. The Southern Tier is on the verge of a busy, fun-filled summer. There’s something for everyone, including music, festivals, great food, art, history, sports and more!

Here’s a short breakdown of some of the popular events this summer:

Don’t just celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, check out the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo July 3-5. Sponsored by Sommerville Valley Riding Stables, enjoy a professional rodeo at affordable prices, or just come for the Western trade show, chicken barbecue, concessions and crafts. Tickets are available by calling (716) 699-4839.

The Gazebo Series also starts on July 3 and runs through August 6. Every Thursday from 7-9 p.m., enjoy a free concert at the Village Gazebo. Bring a blanket and the family, sit outside and enjoy the fresh summer air. If you wish to be an entertainer call David Elder at (716) 833-3281.

The first week of June is a busy week! Take a drive to Cuba to celebrate Dairy Week June 3-6. Treat yourself to a carnival, tractor pulls, games, food, music and fun. A parade will be held on June 9. For more information, call (585) 968-2530.

If dairy isn’t your thing, play golf with the Bonnies at Bartlett Country Club in Olean at St. Bonaventure University’s Athletics Department will host its annual Golf With The Bonnies tournament. To sign up or for additional information, contact Barb O’Keefe at (716) 375-2282 or e-mail bokeefe@sbu.edu.

On July 17 and 18, take a short drive and visit the Zippo Fan Fest at the Zippo Case Visitors Center in Bradford, Pa.

On your way, stop at the Wellsville Balloon Rally on July 17 at Island Park on Route 417. The event runs through July 19. The hot air balloons are a site you won’t want to miss. Visit www.wellsvilleballoonrally.com for more information.

What would summer be without golf, golf, and more golf? For all you golfers and fans, check out the Ellicottville Golf Classic at the Holiday Valley Resort July 21-22. Enjoy a wine and European beer tasting, uptown barbeque, great entertainment and a Fantasy Casino Night. Call (800) 349-9099 for tickets.

During August 8-9, treat your taste buds to the Taste of Ellicottville. There you can sample the best of 22 fine restaurants. The event will take place throughout the village from 12-4 p.m.

To experience a world-class competition, visit the IBO World Bowhunting Championships at Holiday Valley August 12-15. This event will bring 2,000 competitors and their families from over 20 countries. Call (716) 699-2345 for more information.

And to experience some more local competition, cheer on the teams at the Gus Macker Tournament in Olean August 14-16. The three-day event will be organized by and benefit both the Olean High School Sports Boosters and the Olean City School District Foundation. For information on sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities, contact John Irving at (716) 397-8223 or Meme K. Yanetsko at (716) 372-4433.

That was just a preview of things to add to your summer to-do list. For a complete list of events in the Olean area, visit oleanny.com, and to check out all the summer happenings in Ellicottville, visit ellicottvilleny.com. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

Mellon & Co. is pleased to announce the launch of its new Web site at mellonco.com.

The new Web site is easy to use and navigate. Site visitors can learn about the many Web design and marketing solutions Mellon & Co. offers for any business needs. Visitors can check out the updated portfolio feature, displaying recent projects. They can find all the information they need, including our downloadable media, with a few simple clicks.

Prospective customers can download our proposal planner. Once they have filled it out, Mellon & Co. can start to prepare a quote based on their wants and needs. And if they’re interested in learning more about other projects, the business or Mellon & Co., they can download forms for it all, giving them the information they need right at their fingertips. All they have to do is hit print!

Site visitors can also check out Mellon & Co.’s Facebook and Twitter pages via links on the homepage. Like before, they can also check for recent news by viewing the blog.

But, that’s not all. Mellon & Co. plans to launch two additional Web sites: one for its highly intuitive content management system, Mellon EditPro, and another for the technology sector the company, MellonTech.

Mellon EditPro allows customers to create, modify, organize and remove content from their Web sites. It is one of the best ways to provide their customers with fresh information all while saving time and money.

MellonTech offers technology support, computer repairs and sales as well as consulting for all computer-related needs.

Mellon & Co. is interested in feedback on the new Web site. E-mail the company at info@mellonco.com, visit mellonco.com or contact Rachel Blovsky, marketing director, at (716) 372-5996.

Moonlight Snowshoe Tour – February 7
Come and enjoy this fun filled annual Moonlight Snowshoe Tour event held at Griffis Sculpture Park in Ashford Hollow on Saturday, February 7 from 5-8 pm.

For only $50 per person you will enjoy a great feast of chili, provided by Balloons Restaurant, cheer, live music by The Mighty No Stars Blues Band and a pair of snowshoes, compliments of the City Garage Ski Shop.  To make your reservation, please call 716-982-8446 today!  For more information, check out the Griffis Sculpture Park website at www.griffispark.org.

Valentine’s Express – February 14 (6 pm) & 15 (1pm)
Why not surprise your special Valentine with a special treat this year?  Start your evening with a buffet dinner for two at the Slovenian Club located across the street from the New York and Lake Erie Railroad in Gowanda, NY.  After you have enjoyed your delicious dinner, board the train for a two hour romantic train excursion that features live music, an onboard dessert table, onboard cash bar and a “gift” for your sweetheart!  Enjoy all of this for only $99.95 per couple.  Reservations are required.  Please call 716-532-5716 or visit their website at www.NYLETrainRides.com

Boarding for Breast Cancer – February 14 at Holiday Valley Resort
Snowboarders will be taking to the slopes at Holiday Valley on February 14 as the Boarding For Breast Cancer initiative brings information, education and hope to Ellicottville.

According to Boarding For Breast Cancer’s (B4BC) website (www.b4bc.org), the inspiration for Boarding For Breast Cancer was a young woman named Monica Steward. Monica, who was a very dear friend of all B4BC founders, started her battle with breast cancer at the age of 26 and passed two years later from complications that arose from the disease.  B4BD was founded as a result of Monica voicing her frustration about the lack of awareness among young women about the disease to friends and future co-founders, Tina Basich, Shannon Dunn, Lisa Hudson and Kathleen Gasperini. Their idea was to create an event that centered around their mutual passions, snowboarding and music, to communicate the message of awareness while raising money for research and educating young women about breast cancer.

Holiday Valley in Western New York has scheduled various events throughout the day on February 14.  There will be special riding clinics for women, a Rail Jam contest, Burton Demos, and shopping reception party! Also, they will offer a ‘Pink Lift Ticket Option’, whereas anyone purchasing a lift ticket can donate a dollar to the cause and receive a limited edition pin or sticker commemorating the event!

To see more details about this event visit www.holidayvalley.com or www.b4bc.org.

Mogul X Series – February 15 at Holiday Valley Resort

Looking for a fun activity for young skiers up to age 12?  Check out Holiday Valley’s Mogul X Series taking place on February 15.  Your child can try a mogul competition in a fun and supportive environment in the bumps on Morning Star.  Registration is at the
top of the course and the cost is only $5.  Check out www.holidayvalley.com for more information.

The Matchmaker presented by Olean Theatre Workshop – February 12-15

The Olean Theatre Workshop will be performing four performances of The Matchmaker from February 12-15.

According to the Cattaraugus County Enchanted Mountain website at www.enchantedmountains.info, The Matchmaker is a play about a certain old merchant of Yonkers who is so rich in 1800 that he decides to take a wife.  He employs a matchmaker, a woman who subsequently becomes involved with two of his menial clerks, assorted young and lovely ladies, and the headwaiter at an expensive restaurant where this swift farce runs headlong into hilarious complications.  After everyone gets straightened out romantically and has his heart’s desire, the merchant finds himself affianced to the astute matchmaker herself. He who was so shrewd in business is putty in the hands of Dolly Levi. He is fooled by apprentices in a series of hilarious hide and seek scenes and finally has all his bluster explode in his face.

Individual tickets are only $7.  For information about purchasing tickets, check out the Olean Theatre Workshop website at www.oleanworkshop.org.

Annual Art Roscoe Loppet – February 15, 2009

Get ready for a great day of cross-country skiing on the rolling trails of Allegany State Park’s Art Roscoe Trail System. There are three competitions being held; a 6K, 16K, and a 22 K.  There will be custom awards given to the top 5 finishers in each distance competition both male and female.  Refreshments and snacks will be served in the warming hut and there will also be some great raffles and door prizes compliments of the sponsors.

Registration is the day of the event only at the Summit Ski Cabin inside Allegany State Park starting at 7:30 a.m.  For more information see www.heartrateup.com.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Christmas ’08 is now a memory, but now begins the New Year’s Eve celebrations and into the New Year!

Holiday Valley will once again host their Annual Torch Light Parade that starts at 11:30 pm followed by the traditional fireworks at 11:45 pm.  The Valley expects to have all 56 slopes operating, weather permitting.

All of the area restaurants are gearing up for the New Year’s festivities and most will have special menus.  Try Surf ‘N Turf at The Barn Restaurant, or crab legs and prime rib at The Birdwalk.  Tips Up is also planning to serve special New Year’s food items.

You can always expect some special entertainment during the holidays.  Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub will be offering live music by Mo’ Porter from 5 – 9 pm followed by a DJ until 4 am.  The Double Diamond will be featuring one of the best bands in the area with The Tripper Harrison Band.  The Gin Mill will be heading into the New Year with The Headers from 9 pm until 1 am.  These are just a few of our local establishments that will be providing us with entertainment, be sure to check out all the others.

January 1 - Polar Bear Polar Bear Series of Runs & Walks - 5K Run/Walk
Special event coordinated by The Olean YMCA and held on January 1st at St. Bonaventure University. Check out the Olean YMCA’s website at www.oleanymca.org for all the details and registration form.

January 5-9 - Canadian Friendship Week
The year 2009 begins with our annual Canadian Friendship Week which starts January 5 and runs until January 9.  A week for our friends across the border! Holiday Valley will be accepting Canadian money at par for lift tickets.

January 5-31 - National Learn to Snowsport Month
Perhaps you made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.  Well if you or a friend would like to learn to ski or ride, now is the time.  Beginning January 5 is National Learn to Snowsport Month.  Holiday Valley is offering a buy one, get the second for half price learn-to package through January 30.  Dick’s Sporting Goods is also supporting this learn a new snowsport.  Check out this website www.skiandrideny.com,  to get all the information on National Learn to Snowsport Month.

January 9 & 10 - Winter Rhythm & Blues Festival
This fun filled weekend features great rhythm and blues music at over a dozen restaurants and bars throughout the village of Ellicottville.  Be sure to check the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ellicottvilleny.com to print the festival’s entertainment schedule.

January 10 at 8 pm - Greg Allman at the Seneca Allegany Casino The Seneca Allegany Casino says “As a member of one of the most important American bands of all time, Gregg Allman influenced a generation of musicians and forever changed the landscape of Rock n’ Roll and Blues. Now an acclaimed solo talent, Gregg Allman gives audiences memorable concert experiences with his beautifully soulful and distinctive voice, amazing songwriting and brilliant keyboard and guitar playing. Don’t miss this natural talent and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer as he performs only at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel” See their website at www.senecaalleganycasino.com to get all the details on how to get tickets to this great show!

January 18 -Racer X Series at Holiday Valley Resort
For our younger skiers, up to age 12, have a fun day trying out racing in a fun and supportive environment at Holiday Valley Ski Resort.  The event takes place on the Nastar Course on Cindy’s Run and the cost is only $5.  Registration takes place at the top of the course.

January 22 Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble at St. Bonaventure University
Friends of Good Music and The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts invite you to “The Spirit of Music and Dance”. Kevin Locke is known throughout the world as a visionary Hoop Dancer, preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute, traditional story teller, cultural ambassador and recording artist. The Ensemble is a troupe of experienced and highly regarded dancers, singers and musicians whose heritages are inter-tribal.  For more information email fogm@friendsofgoodmusic.com or check out their website at www.friendsofgoodmusic.com.