Santa Claus will make his annual visit to Olean’s Main Street on Saturday, December 21, from 6:30-7:30pm, talking to children of all ages from the rooftop at 660 Main Street.  Santa will be joined by his friends, Buddy the Elf and…the Grinch!  Bring the kids and enjoy this Olean Holiday Tradition!

Santa Claus will be making many stops in the area during the next several weeks, including the Olean Center Mall.  Santa will set up shop across from Kays Jewelry on Fridays and Saturdays, from 1-6 thru December 21, and Sunday’s, from 1-5pm, from December 1-22.  Bring your phones and cameras, and get free pictures.  Donations are gratefully accepted.

Find last-minute items and shop local during the Belfast Hometown Holiday Vendor Event, Saturday, December 21, from 10-3, and Sunday, December 22, from noon-3pm.  Find that unique gift for that hard-to-shop-for person on your Christman list.  Vendors fees will be donated to the Children’s Christmas Foundation.  The vendor event takes place at 9 Merton Avenue, in Belfast.

Directions in Independent Living will hold their 4th annual Warm Drive in November and December.  DIL is looking for NEW hats, mittens, socks, and scarves that will be donated to those in need this winter.  You can drop off your donations at their 512 West State Street location.  There is a cash donation option, where DIL personnel will use the money to purchase items.  For more information, contact Directions in Independent Living, at (716)379-8670, extension 8819.

Directions in Independent Living’s 4th annual Warm Drive is underway, and will take place through December 23rd.  D-I-R is collecting hat, mittens, socks and scarves(NEW ITEMS ONLY!), to be given to those who need them during the Winter months.  You can drop off your donations at their office, at 512 West State Street in Olean…Cash Donations are also gratefully accepted.  For more information, call (716)307-7917.

A Tack and Gift Auction will take place Monday, December 23, from 6-10pm, at the Cherry Creek VFW on Route 83.  Tack and holiday gift items will be available for bid.

The Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community will serve up its annual Community Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 25, with take-out and delivery meals available.  This is a complimentary meal…you must reserve a time to pick up your meal, or to have it delivered.  Call (716)372-4841, extension 115 or 116, between 9am and 2pm until Friday, December 20.  After December 20, call (716)790-3785.  You can pick up dinners at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 119 West Henley Street, from 10-noon Christmas morning…use the South 1st Street lower entrance.  You can also order your meals at:  www.emcatholic.org/christmasdinnerreservations.  Donations to cover costs are gratefully accepted…if you would like to volunteer to help with food  preparation, home deliveries or clean-up, call (716) 372-4841, extensions 115 or 116.  You can also volunteer at:  www.emcatholic.org.  

The City of Olean is requesting all connected to the city’s Water and Sewage services to observe the following suggestions, to limit the amount of matter flowing through the sewer system during heavy rain storms.  Observing these suggestions could help prevent the overflow of raw sewage from getting into the Allegheny River, and avoid a situation of sewage backing up into your personal systems.

1. 1.  Hold off on flushing toilets
   2.  Hold off on showering
   3.  Hold off on doing laundry or washing dishes

Attention local contractors! Allegany County has been awarded $350,000 for certified contractors to make homes lead-safe. EPA lead training is currently free, and you can sign up for upcoming training and bidding updates. Space is limited so call today, (585)268-7582, or visit alleganyco.gov/departments/health.

The City of Olean Youth Bureau and Recreation Department will host three free activities over Christmas Break for kids in grades 3-8. A basketball tournament on Friday, Dec 27, XBOX tournaments on Monday, Dec 30, and football and dodgeball on Thursday, Jan 2. They will take place from 3-5:30 at the former St. Johns School, 921 N. Union Street.

The Cattaraugus County Health Department will have a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 9-11am, at the County Highway Garage in Little Valley.  The vaccinations are for dogs, cats and ferrets…there is no charge, but donations to help defray the cost of the clinic are gratefully accepted.  Please have your animals in a carrier or on a leash.  For more information, call (716) 701-3386.