------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
somebodyisfromhere.com
The destination destination.
<<< You can tell by looking at Jamestown, New York that there was
once a semblance of logic to the downtown, but in the meantime it's
become a bit disheveled. In that respect, Jamestown is much like
Somebodyisfromhere.com's hair.
In some ways Jamestown resembles the recession, vacant and outdated.
This isn't new for manufacturing towns, most often associated with the
Midwest, but also common in areas of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York
among other places. These towns have all attempted to evolve with
varying degrees of success.
Jamestown is located not far from the Southern Tier Expressway (Route
86). The Southern Tier is the nickname for the region (you know it's true
when they name a brewery after it) and the interstate centers around
Binghamton (population 47,000) not far from Scranton. Binghamton, home
of the SUNY college, has the town motto "Restoring the Pride" which
accurately implies how much of a work in progress towns like it are.
Between Jamestown and Binghamton, The Southern Tier's exit's represent some of the area's color.
Elmira (pop 31,000) is the final resting place of Mark Twain. Orlean (pop 15,000) is the home of St.
Bonaventure University. The town of Salamanca's (pop 6,100) Seneca Allegheny Casino & Hotel not
only represents one of the area main attractions, but is also an indication of the Native Indian influence
in the area.
Jamestown (pop 32,000) is a fairly concentrated area with offices and apartments and warehouses
each only a few stories tall dispersed evenly throughout an area that is about 5 blocks in one direction
and about 3 blocks in the other. Peppered in the mix are vacant buildings none of which seem to scare
off the local proprietors of restaurants and bars. Jamestown has a British approach to bars offering
about one a block. Fenton Place is the most lit up. Mojo is the hippest and youngest. The Cherry
Lounge serves as the defacto hotel bar for nearby Clarion Hotel since their bar was closed all
weekend. The succinctly named The Pub is old school and is heavily fortified in wood and black and
white sports pictures.
Jamestown, in Chautaqua County, is prideful of their natives. Singer Natalie Merchant was born in town. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was too.
Both take a backseat to Lucille Ball.
Entering town (in either direction) there is a marker memorializing Ball. Inside the Clarion, behind the front counter, there is a painted portrait of her;
the kind of painting usually reserved for grandmothers or revered university presidents. In town there is a theater with her name on it and a separate
gift shop.
The rest of Chautaqua is a bit more traditional. Like much of Upstate New York, Chautaqua
County plays up the relaxing summer by the lake atmosphere. Countless ice cream stands
accessorize Route 394 from Jamestown to scenic Barcelona overlooking Lake Erie.
Close to Barcelona is Westfield and its main street that, at quick glance, feels about as
wholesome as a town can get. Local lore has it that Westfield native Grace Bedell, a child at
the time, convinced Abe Lincoln to grow out his beard in order to look more presidential
The smaller than Erie (yet pretty freakin large) Chautaqua Lake is also on Route 394.
<<< Some might find it promising that there's still a place in the Northeast
in which you can still buy an 8 ounce Coke served in a glass bottle or buy a
grilled cheese for $1.75. But, at the Lake Store on Indian Lake in New
York Somebodyisfromhere.com finds it interesting that one could even buy
Emu lotion (a fact Somebodyisfromhere.com finds peculiar, but confesses
he hasn't kept up on the latest Emu inspired merchandise).
Others might just enjoy the sun that seems to shine brighter and weather
that is just a little bit cooler than the city.
Somebodyisfromhere.com ended up at Indian Lake which is by no means
a forgone conclusion considering that the Adirondacks, last seen in an
early episode of the Soprano's final season in which Tony and Bobby had a
fight, has 3,000 lakes according to http://visitadirondacks.com/.
More Upstate...
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_email"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_favorites"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_print"></a>
<span class="addthis_separator">|</span>
<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=crodgers" class="addthis_button_expanded">More</a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=crodgers"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_email"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_favorites"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_print"></a>
<span class="addthis_separator">|</span>
<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=crodgers" class="addthis_button_expanded">More</a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=crodgers"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_email"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_favorites"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_print"></a>
<span class="addthis_separator">|</span>
<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=crodgers" class="addthis_button_expanded">More</a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=crodgers"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->