ERIE COUNTY

Green envelopes called vital to retaining auto fees locally

The green envelopes in Erie County’s “Just Mail It/Just Drop It” campaign are now postage-paid, as the latest step to get motorists to renew their auto registration locally to keep dollars in the area.
“Many of our customers are surprised to hear that Erie County receives none of the fees if they use the pink envelope that comes with their vehicle registration renewal from Albany, or if they renew online at the NYS DMV website,” Erie County Clerk Christopher Jacobs said.
Taxpayers lose 12.7 percent per renewal – totaling $1.5 million annually – by not mailing the renewals directly to the county clerk’s office.
Residents can find the postage-paid green envelopes at any of the Erie County auto bureaus or mobile sites, at the clerk’s office in Old County Hall or at their village, city or town clerk’s offices. The envelope can also be requested by visiting www.erie.gov/clerk and clicking the “Just Mail It” tab.
NEWS JAZZ SERIES

Technical problems cancel final concert for the season

Problems with the sound system scuttled the appearance of vocalist Cindy Miller on Sunday during the Buffalo News Summer Jazz Series at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
Miller, who has performed with jazz luminaries including Hubert Laws and Chuck Mangione, would have been the season’s final installment of the free five-concert lineup.
Miller had been rescheduled from Aug. 5.
Fundraiser

Softball tournament raises money, awareness about DWI

Crusade Against Impaired Driving (CAID) raised more than $7,000 during its annual softball tournament Saturday at Sunshine Park in West Seneca.
The money will go toward education and advocacy efforts for the organization, which aggressively works to raise awareness of the dangers of drunken driving. Sixteen teams participated, with team “Pitches Be Crazy,” winning the tournament. The families of Alexandria “Alix” Rice and Bryce Buchholz, both killed in drunken-driving incidents, were present.
“Events like today’s CAID Day at the Park help discourage drunk driving and pay respect to those that have lost their lives due to poor choices,” said Deanna Russo, event organizer and CAID executive director. This year’s fifth annual tournament brought in almost double the amount of money raised last year.
BugFest

Close encounter with insects planned for Bond Lake Park

LEWISTON – The Bond Lake Park Beautification Committee will hold its annual BugFest from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Bond Lake Nature Center of Bond Lake Park, on Lower Mountain Road.
Displays of all kinds will offer an up-close view of insects and insect life and help visitors understand the benefits of having insects in our world. Pinned insects will be visible up-close with the aid of lenses and a microscope. For more information, visit www.freewebs.com/bondlake or email bondlake@gmail.com.