Island Dispatch, 2003-12-05

              Island DISPATCH Garden Center Prepares For The Holidays Page 3 Wind Ensemble Performs In Rochester Page 10 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: I Very Cold i Heavy Lake Snow l, u iiuht ( h<\'\ tin viu'.lhr on p* - Phone: (716) 773-7676 • Fax: (716) 773-7190 * E-Mail; NFPNcw.s@clmail.com Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 58 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers \ »l. 59 No. 40 December 5, 2003 24 I'ukcs 85c Board announces Pearl Harbor service, sails through agenda items by Lisa Ariganello The Grand Island Town Board moved quickly through a shorterthan-usual agenda at last Monday's meeting. Pearl Harbor Memorial A special announcement was made by Councilwoman Mary S. Cooke in regards to the town's Pearl Harbor memorial service. Each year on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, Grand Island's Charles N. DeGlopper Post #9249 Veterans of Foreign Wars conducts a Remembrance Ceremony at the Post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. This year the service will be held on Sunday at noon. The entire community is invited to attend. "The ceremony provides a meaningful way to mark what President Roosevelt called 'The Day of Infamy,' " Cooke said, "and to remember the thousands who were killed or wounded on Dec. 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and brought the United States into World War II." As they have every year since 1998, the flags at Town Hall will fly at on Sunday, Dec. 7. Citizens are also encouraged to fly their flags at half-mast. Fire Company Contract Although, a public hearing was scheduled in order to discuss the Grand Island Fire Company's 2004 contract, no individuals in the audienceaudience chose to speak for or against the presented contract. Therefore, the board approved the contract, which includes the following: •The Grand Island Fire Company will continue to answer and attend all fire calls in the district. •For such services, the fire company will be paid the sum of $690,750. •Each contract will continue until Dec. 31,2004. Regular Agenda Items As part of its regular meeting, the board approved the following agenda items: •A special use permit renewal to allow the residence on 2855 Staley GIBAC hosts successful year-end tax planning workshop The Grand "stand Business Assistance Center, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Small Business Development Center at Buffalo State College joined forces lo host a free fax planning workshop Dec. 3 at the is>e Chem Building. Presenters included Tax Lady' Esther Guiyas (above center) of EG Tax Service, CPA Chris Learman .left), and John Bonora fright) of AiG Advisor Group. The three area tax experts ied an informative panel discussion that had the comfortable foe! of a living-room chat. Among the topics covered were vear-end tax issues 401K, incorporation and sole proprietor issues. 'The worKshop was very informative !c iiolp my business continue to grow." remarked Mark Czamara of Home Solutions of WNY on Grand Island, one ot several attendees at this session. Grand Island's Scibilia named 'Buffalo Idol' by Joshua Maloni It started on Columbus Day. Just as the famed explorer went in search of new land, WKSE-FM, Kiss 98.5, began a search for Western New York's top musical talent. Hundreds of singers, if not more, spent seven hours auditioning for Kiss morning show hosts Janet Snyder, Nicholas Picholas and Wease. The field was narrowed down to 30 contestants, later joined by six wildcards, who competed live and on-air Monday mornings for six weeks. Six finalists were chosen, and they competed Tuesday morning at the Boulevard Mall for the chance to become "Buffalo Idol." Thursday morning, the winner was revealed. With 32 percent of the estimated 30,000 votes, Western New York has chosen Grand Island's Marc Scibilia as its new "idol." He will perform at the radio station's annual "Kissmas Bash" on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Buffalo's HSBC Arena. "No way," an excited, and underthe-weather Scibilia said as his name was called. "Oh my gosh. Thank you so much." First works Scibilia, 17, a senior at Grand Island High School, first began performing at the age of 2. He wrote his first original piano composition when he was all of 6 years old. At 14, Scibilia recorded his first album, "Live at the Tralf," which featured five original piano pieces. In May, Scibilia won the "Amherst Idol" title. "He has a lot of talent," said Anna Barone, a local music promoter and organizer. "He writes the most beautiful music." Scibilia won week one of the Kiss semi-finals with 7,100 votes out of 12,200 cast (59 percent). He advanced on the strength of his rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed." For his finals performance he sang "The Gift" by Jim Brickman. "His music has I great appeal to the youth of today," said Grand Island High School music teacher Carolyn Lokkan. A Close Race Kiss listeners logged on to www.kiss9Bs.com to vote for the "Buffalo Idol." For the first six weeks, there was no limit to the number of votes a person could cast. For the final event, voting was limited to one per unique e-mail address. Snyder reported that, in a close race, Scibilia pulled ahead Marc Scibilia continued on page 7e& continued on page 7 ew Check Out Our Website for story's & photos at www.wnypapers.com At a Glance Saturday Town of Grand Island Tree Lighting Ceremony I Town Hall Rotary Gazebo I 4:30 p.m. J Pearl Harbor I Memorial Service I Charles N. DeGlopper I VFW Post #9249 I 2121 Grand Island Blvd. I Noon j For a complete listing of area events, visit\ NFP's Web site at www.wnypapers.com J Classified Ads Get ReswJfe j*ffl^ Our Classified Section -^TtflSSw' SBSOO & under Ads FREE  Check out our website www. wnypapers.com ■^Wp^^^n^