The event will take place at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel starting with a cash bar and silent auction at 5:15 p.m., followed by seating at 6:00 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m.

The fundraiser and awareness building event starts with socializing and cocktails, then each guest is blindfolded and led into the dining room by sighted guides, trained by the CBA staff.

The sighted guides stay with their table of guests and assist them with their meal. The evening is filled with recognition and both a live and silent auction.

All proceeds from the dinner support the Youth Vision Screening Program which screens over 3,000 children ages 3 to 6 years old every year for early childhood eye disorders.

Tickets are $65 per person. Visit cbavision.org for more information.

Executive Director Amy Rohler said they have a new way for people to donate this year, “Text ‘U-W-Hope’ to 9-1-9-9-9. So that’s ‘U-W-Hope,’ all one word, doesn’t matter if it’s lowercase or uppercase, to 9-1-9-9-9. And you’ll see that on our website, you’ll see it on our brochures, on our materials, but that’s a way you can give right on your phone, not have to write a check, not even have to go on our website. So it’s a really convenient way to learn about what we’re doing because you learn about the impact, you can watch our video, but it’s also a great way to just make a donation right then and there.”

Rohler said donations impact 43 programs run by 28 local agencies, “Many of those agencies, I would probably say, are ones that have touched your own family, someone you love, you probably didn’t even know it was a United Way program, or that it was free for you but because United Way was subsidizing it. Things like Meals on Wheels, or you know, a child getting screened by Chautauqua Blind Association, or maybe tutoring with Chautauqua Striders – those are all agencies supported by our United Way.”

The campaign results will be announced January 25, 2022. Donations can be made online at https://www.uwayscc.org/.

Blackman said there wasn’t an executive director of the CBA until the 1970s, with much of the work being handled by an executive secretary and help from the Lion’s Club who still help today, “So that’s where, you know, you give your old eye glasses to because they recycle those for those who are in need and we call on them when we need some financial support for those who need, say, a white cane, or different things they support for us.”

The Chautauqua Blind Association will be holding a centennial celebration dinner on Wednesday, July 28th at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. The evening will feature dinner, a silent auction, and program on the history of the agency. Tickets for the dinner are $65 and can be purchased at chautauquablind.org.

This year’s list of award recipients include:

• New Business of the Year, Fringe Hair Salon
• Young Business Person of the Year, Andrea Latona of Full Moon Rising Bakery
• Service to Humanity Award, Chautauqua Blind Association
• Pride of Jamestown Award, Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown
• and the Business of the Year Award to JRSC Digital.

A special Hometown Legacy Award will be presented this year to Geer-Dunn Co. Inc. for its 100 years of service to the Jamestown community.

The cost is $38 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members, or you can reserve a table of eight for $280.
To register visit chamberrsvp.org or call the Chamber at (716) 484-1101.

• VIEW MEETING AGENDA

The agenda includes a pair of resolutions that focus on replacing more than 150 light fixtures in the Cherry St. and Main St. parking ramps, in order to create more energy efficiency and long-term savings for the city.  According to City Council and Public Works Committee member Tom Nelson (D-Ward VI), the initial cost to replace the fixtures is $92,170, but that will be reduced to $74,770 after an energy efficiency rebate. He said the annual savings resulting from the new fixtures is estimated to be nearly $14,000/year. Funding for the new fixtures comes from a state grant.

The council will also act on the purchase of the Medic 35 vehicle in the Fire Department, at a cost of $30,000, which will be paid for with funding that was left over due to unexpended salaries in the Fire Department.

OPPOSITION TO JACKSON SPRING PROJECT EXPECTED

In addition to the resolutions, WRFA has learned that some residents may also attend the meeting to voice their opposition to the proposed Jackson Spring apartment development, which would be built by CODE, Inc. and would be located on North Main. St., just to the south of Crossman St. The $12 million project would involve the demolition of eight dilapidated homes and the construction of two complexes. One building will have 36 units, with 28 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments. A second complex will include seven town houses, five with two bedrooms and two with three bedrooms. The new housing complex, if approved, will also be the new location for Southwestern Independent Living Center and CODE will be working with the Chautauqua Blind Association to assist the visually impaired.

It’s worth noting the city government does not have the ability to stop the proposed project, so long as it follows local zoning and planning laws. The future of the development rests in the hands of New York State. CODE has applied for state funding from the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal to help pay for the proposed development, and CODE executive director Patrick Morris has said the development of Jackson Spring hinges on the state aid coming through.

Monday’s meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers, second floor of city hall, and is open to the public.