Announcements

Above, Marty the art 'bot with co-leader Quinton Tarbell and ACES Club members.

Submitted photos.

By Renee Chapell, 4-H ACES Club member

Can robots make art? They can indeed. With individually controllable motors and a bunch of sensors, Marty the art 'bot can draw, walk, turn, dance, kick a ball, and react to his environment as programmed.

The 4H ACES Club focused on customizing Marty to change how he draws. Marty can be controlled remotely over Wi-Fi, but can also be programed in a variety of programming languages.

The team learned that with Marty, coding is as simple as clicking and dragging blocks. Marty makes learning about programming, electronics and mechanical engineering a fun, challenging and engaging process. Sure, there are a ton of other robots made for kids, but Marty is astonishingly special!

Come learn about building robots and meet Marty, the creative art robot debuting at 4H Genesee County Fair. Stop by and see him, Marty would love to meet you!

Marty will doing a live demo on Saturday in the Kennedy Building, following the talent show. We hope to see you at the fair!

Below: Marty the Art 'bot.

Bottom photo: Marty the art 'bot and ACES Club Team – Luke Kozak, Shane Coast, Alexandria Tarbell with Marty, Gabrielle Crandall and Colton Tarbell.

Press release:

The Genesee County and Batavia Youth Bureaus are planning the annual Safe Summer Children’s Carnival open to the public to take place on Thursday, July 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Falleti Ice Arena, 22 Evans St. in Batavia.

One dollar buys a ticket to play 10 games, and children can win “funny money” to redeem for prizes. Entertainment by “Bubblemania” is scheduled from 10-10:45 a.m. and the games will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break. Folks from the community should plan to bring a bagged lunch or plan to leave for lunch.

There will also be several community agency booths. There will be a grand prize, which consists of two Fantasy Island Amusement and Water Park Admission Tickets and a one-year membership to the YMCA that can be won by visiting the booths.

For more information on the carnival please contact Chelsea at the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960.

Press release:

The Batavia City School District (BCSD) applied for and was granted federal funding that will allow all students attending a District school to receive one nutritious breakfast and one nutritious lunch each day that school is in session.

This four-year funding will begin in 2018-2019, with the District being eligible to reapply for additional four-year terms as long as the federal program is funded.

Batavia qualifies for this Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) funding – a provision of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – because of its classification as an economically disadvantaged community due to a significant number of students already qualifying for free or reduced meals.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for the District, and we are very excited to be able to take advantage of a federal program that allows us to offer every student one healthy breakfast and lunch every school day at no cost to our families,” says Superintendent of Schools Christopher J. Dailey.

“Research is conclusive that good nutrition is a critical factor in learning. This is a program that allows us to bring some of our federal tax dollars back to our community to provide nutritious meals for all of our students.” 

The CEP funding is for the first full breakfast and first full lunch. If a student would like a second breakfast or second lunch, or would like one or more particular separate items (“a la carte” items), then those will need to be purchased. Purchases can be made with cash or through My School Bucks – the Nutrikids computerized payment system which has been used by families in the District for several years.

Because all children will receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost, the option of charging items to a tab to be paid at a later time will no longer be available.

To qualify for other income-based funding and grants – a process which was formerly measured by information recorded on the Free and Reduced Meal Applications -- all students’ families will be asked to submit a short household form to establish the level of community need.

The District currently receives a significant amount of money in grants and other funding based on economic need. Collecting data from all households will permit us to continue to apply for and receive funding for which we are eligible.

The new form is currently being developed to ensure that the information required for applications to grant-funding agencies is gathered while not being unnecessarily burdensome or invasive to families.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for Batavia City School District

Question:  Who receives free meals?

Every student enrolled in the Batavia City School District will receive the first breakfast and the first lunch at no cost each school day regardless of the family’s household income.  Students are not required to participate; students may still bring their lunch if that is their preference.

Question:  Is my child able to make purchases, such as for milk (if bringing lunch from home), for other a la carte items, or for a second school meal? 

Yes, students may make purchases instead of or in addition to the first free breakfast or first free lunch. The purchase of all a la carte items will remain the same, in that families are responsible for payment. Additional meals are not covered under the program and it is each family’s responsibility to pay for those meals. Payment is due at the time of purchase. Purchases may be made with cash or through My School Bucks, the Nutrikids computerized payment system which has been used by families in the District for several years.

***Please note: there is NO charging allowed for additional meals or a la carte items. 

Prices for second meals and additional milk (or milk purchased a la carte) for 2018-2019 are:

Jackson and John Kennedy                     Middle School and High School

Second Breakfast                      $1.35                                              $1.45

Second Lunch                            $2.10                                              $2.30

A la carte Milk*                           $0.60                                              $0.60

Milk is included with the first breakfast and the first lunch or any additional paid meals. However, milk purchased separately (for students who bring their lunch) will be charged at a la carte prices, which is $0.60.  

Question:  How does the program work?

The New York State Child Nutrition (CN) Department began this program several years ago with federal funding backing the program.  School Districts must be eligible based on their specific poverty rates and have to apply to CN for approval.  Batavia City School District is eligible because it has an Identified Student Percentage of 40 percent or higher according to building level data. An Identified Student refers to any student certified to receive free meals by any means other than the submission of individual paper applications, such as SNAP and Medicaid.

Question: What impact does this program have on school taxes?

There is no impact on school taxes.  The General Fund budget (which the taxpayers vote on each year) is completely separate from the self-sustaining School Lunch Fund.    

Question: Who needs to fill out the CEP Household Income Eligibility Form?

All District families are asked to fill out the CEP Household Income Eligibility Form. The completion of this form is essential for the District. Many state and federal programs use socioeconomic data (that is, household and income information) to determine eligibility for their programs. In addition primary state funding calculations use socioeconomic data.

In order to continue to receive such funding and grants, the income information still needs to be gathered from our student population. The form is available in the school calendar, online at the Batavia City School District Nutritional Service Web page at:  https://www.bataviacsd.org/Page/5872  and will also be available at all school open house events. 

Question: If I have questions about the Household Income Form or if I received a letter this school year indicating that my children are approved for free meals, who can I contact?

Please contact the Food Service Department at 585-343-2480, ext. 1007. The office will be able to assist you with any questions or paperwork.

Question: Who do I include as members of my household and what if my monthly income is not always the same?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives or friends) who share your income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (people that you do not support, who do not share income with you and your children and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do NOT include them.

List the income that you normally receive if your monthly income varies. If you have lost your job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

Question: Does this program change the quality of food that can be served?

There is no impact to the quality of food that is served.  The District must still continue to follow all food and dietary guidelines that are set by New York State Child Nutrition Program.

Question:  What constitutes a complete meal for breakfast and lunch?

The District complies with the Federal Program: Choosemyplate.gov.

For breakfast, the District offers two grains, a fruit, and a milk. Students must choose at least three of the four offered items, and one of those chosen must be the fruit. For lunch, the District offers a protein, a grain, a fruit, a vegetable and a milk.

Students must choose three of the five offered items, and one of those chosen must be the fruit or vegetable.

Question:  May a student be charged for an incomplete meal if the student refuses to select the required components for a complete meal?

The District will offer a complete meal to each student in order to qualify for the CEP fully funded reimbursable meal. However, if a student refuses to take the complete meal then the student will be charged a la carte prices for the foods selected on their tray.  

Question:  My child has a positive balance on his/her “MySchoolBucks” account. What happens to the current balance?

The balance on the My School Bucks account can be used for a la carte purchases or for any additional/second meals.

If you would like a refund of your account balance please send an email to: Susan Presher at slpresher@bataviacsd.org or a written letter to Susan Presher, Nutritionals Services Director, 260 State St., Batavia, NY 14020.

Public Notice -- July 13

Notice is hereby given that there has been introduced before the Legislature of the County of Genesee, a Local Law Introductory No. Four Year 2018 entitled:

"A local law amending Local Law No. One of the Year 1967 in relation to increasing and staggering the terms of office of the members of the Genesee County Legistature."

The Genesee County Legislature will conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed local law at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Old Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia.

All interested persons will be heard.

Pamela LeGrou

Clerk, Genesee County Legislature

Press release:

Batavia’s premier consumer-run human service and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will hold an ADA Picnic to celebrate the 28^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Open to the general public, and offering FREE food, fun, and games, the event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at Kiwanis Park, 3808 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Contributing to the fun will be the University Heights Art Association (UHAA), which regularly partners with ILGR on the ARTiculations Ability Exhibition in the Independent Living reception area. Artists with disabilities are given the opportunity to display and sell their artwork at the Center. UHAA will bring projects and materials that will enable picnickers to creatively celebrate the birthday of the ADA.

To ensure that we have enough food and materials for the fun, if you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

At the time the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed in 1990, a patchwork of laws existed to protect the civil rights of citizens with disabilities only in certain situations, such as access to airports, fairness in housing, and non-discrimination by federally funded institutions.

The ADA broadly bars disability-based discrimination in employment, telecommunications, by state and local governments, in places of public accommodation such as stores, restaurants, banks, theaters, hotels, and stadia, among other protections.

This has made it the single most important body of law for a particular population, the disability community, since the protections for racial and ethnic minorities and women of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which inspired some of the ADA’s provisions.

We look forward to having you celebrate with us, but please remember to R.S.V.P.!

• July 11
• Aug. 8
• Sept. 12
• Oct. 10
• Nov. 14
• Dec. 12

Press release:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, sponsored by Turnbull Heating and Air, is hosting its annual Angels in Action Golf Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 5^th, at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Fancher.

*Golfers and sponsors are needed!  

Price for golfing (including cart, lunch, buffet dinner) is only $70!  

Donations of products and/or services are also graciously accepted for our raffle.  

Please join us for a fun filled day with raffles, prizes, food and FUN!

Please call Lisa at 585-343-7798, ext. 116, or Michelle at 585-589-5605.

Proceeds benefit Emergency Services Programs in both Genesee and Orleans counties. Thank you for your support.

*P.S. -- Also Needed:

Press release:

The Batavia New York Rotary Club has a long history of making significant capital contributions to local projects which are typically multi-year commitments.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the most recent and major fundraiser –The Annual Corvette Raffle – was put on hold while the State of New York’s elected officials in Albany reformed outdated 1950s laws with regards to nonprofit/charitable gaming raffles. Specifically: to whom, where and when tickets could be sold.

In the 21^st century of Internet, credit card and remote sale transactions, the current NYS limited raffle laws continue to be a major constraint on Batavia Rotary Club ticket sales necessary to cover the previous cost of the car, 10 other $500 winners, the expenses to run such a raffle, and net proceeds to satisfy our financial commitment to donations.

These donations go toward the UMMC operating room renovations, YMCA/UMMC wellness center and our annual $18,000 college scholarship program for three deserving high school graduates from Batavia High, Notre Dame and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

All that said, the Batavia Rotary Club is pleased to announce they are reentering the game with a 100-percent NYS Raffle Laws-compliant Cash Raffle having a $20,000 top prize.

Only 999 tickets will be sold at $100 each and the vast majority of the tickets will be sold here in WNY -- in the counties of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Erie (as is still required by antiquated NYS Lottery laws).

The Batavia New York Rotary Club – 85 members strong -- will be soliciting and reaching out with tickets through a limited distribution and face-to-face contacts starting today, July 6.

The top prize winner will be selected as part of our Annual Brew Fest Event on Sept. 29 at the Batavia Downs Gaming. Five other lucky ticket holders will receive $100 cash prizes.

Contact any Batavia Rotarian for tickets. Tickets will also be available at:

• Lawley Insurance at 20 Jefferson Ave.
• Michael Kubiniec, DDS, at 180 Washington Ave.
• WBTA at 113 Main St., Suite 1

For further information:

Cash Raffle Event Chair, Sharon Kubiniec at (585)356-2771 or sharonKubiniec@gmail.com

Or at www.bataviarotary.com

Thank you in advance for your support! -- Laurie Mastin, president, Rotary Club of Batavia

The Le Roy Democratic caucus for Town Board position will be held at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall of Le Roy on July 31. Open to all registered Democrats.

Thinking about running for office? Or thinking about one day thinking about running for office? We want to talk to you!

If you care about your community and if you’re willing to work hard, we think you’d be a great candidate and we want to help you.

Contact the Le Roy Democratic Committee at LeRoyDems@gmail.com

Join us at our next meeting held at 7 p.m. on July 24th in the Le Roy Town Hall. It is located at 48 E. Main St. in Le Roy.

Contact Info:

Nikki Calhoun
Chair Le Roy Democratic Committee
585.519.3170

Volunteers are wanted to help with setup, traffic control, food and cleanup at the upcoming GLOW Corporate Cup on Thursday, Aug. 2.

If interested, register at the front desk at GLOW YMCA Inc., located at 209 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Volunteers are needed for various times between 4:30 and 8 p.m. on race day Aug. 2. You must be at least 18 years old.

For questions, contact Rachel Hale, Community Development coordinator, at 344-1664 or email her at  Rhale@glowymca.org

Press release:

Individuals with disabilities in Genesee County who seek to hone their job-hunting skills are invited to attend the free series of CAREERS training classes, sponsored by Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR).

CAREERS stands for “Committed, Ambitious Reliable, Educated, Enthusiastic, Responsible, Successful.”

This series of classes teaches the necessary skills for securing employment. Location is 113 Main St. (at Center Street), Suite 5, in Batavia. They will be held on six Tuesday mornings, starting July 17^th.

Classes begin PROMPTLY at 10 a.m. and end at 11:30. The Agency stresses that attendance at all the workshops is vital to your success in the program.

Topics to be covered in the classes include résumé preparation; communication skills; online applications; interviewing; networking and more.  Participants will receive materials and skills to increase their chance of gaining employment.

Participants MUST pre-register to attend; to RSVP or get more information, please call Dominique Johnson at 815-8501, ext. 405, email him at djohnson@wnyil.org, or call Rae Frank, at ext. 406.

ILGR is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press releases:C

Genesee County Fair Seeks Exhibitors

2018 marks the 179^th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair – one of New York’s longest consecutively running county fairs. It will run from July 16-21.

We are a short drive from both Rochester and Buffalo. The Genesee County Fair is seeking exhibitors for our home (domestics) department.

Items that can be entered, include Flowers, Needlework, Arts & Crafts, Culinary (Jams, Jellies etc…), Vegetables and Antiques. There is also a junior department to get the youth involved! The Home Department is open to people of all ages and abilities!

You do not have to be a pro to enter an exhibit! If you think that you would be interested in submitting exhibits for the week of Fair, please visit gcfair.com and download the 2018 Fair Premium Book and fill out the Home Department Entry Form.

Be sure to mail your entry form with payment by July 11^th to:  26 Spencer Court, Batavia, NY 14020.

Volunteers and Sponsors Wanted

With your help, we hope to make 2018 a memorable year for the fair by adding more new and exciting events. We would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer and or a sponsor of the fair.

Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the week before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work!

Becoming a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers who live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to our Fair’s website gcfair.com to download all of the forms and to obtain contact info.

New This Year: Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest

For this year’s Fair, we would like to include a Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest.

The contest will be open to individuals, as well as businesses and community organizations. Each hay/straw bale must be provided by the contestant.

Any size bale may be used – large or small you can decorate it all!  Entries will be judged by fairgoers throughout the week of fair, July 16-21.

They will be encouraged to judge on eye appeal, construction and creativity!

Hay/Straw bales must be delivered to the Exhibition Building at the Fair between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 15^th.

Decorations must be of good clean wholesome fun, no vulgar or suggestive decorations will be allowed.

Hay/Straw bales must be removed from the Fair by 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 22^nd.

Participate in the Genesee County Fair’s Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest to show your stuff!

Visit gcfair.com.

Mobile Container Gardens are Wanted for Display Contest

It’s time to get creative! The Container Garden Contest means it's time to get out, be more active, and use your green thumb to win bragging rights!

This contest is open to all residents, businesses and organizations of Genesee County.

This year's Container Garden Contest theme is "Everything But the Kitchen Sink." You can grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, and indigenous plants in your container. You can show off your creativity at its finest!

Put your dazzling decor items on display, including sculptures, fountains, and repurposed works of art! Let imagination, creativity, and ingenuity triumph over size! Even with limited space, the possibilities are endless with containers.

This contest is for both new and experienced gardeners. There's even a category for kids! Containers can be anything imaginable, as long as they are mobile such as, buckets, wheelbarrows, funky pots & upcycled/recycled items.

So if you're ready to bring fresh, new life and beauty to your Genesee County Fair, then we say ... Grow For It! Entries must be received at the Fair by 4 p.m. on July 15^th and picked up by 4 p.m. on July 22^nd.

Entries will be on display in the Exhibition Building during the week of Fair. Winners will be selected by members of the CCE Master Gardeners and Fairgoers votes.

For more information and entry form please visit www.GCFAIR.com

Press release:

Batavia  – The Genesee County 4-H Program is seeking volunteer judges for the following events at this year’s Genesee County Fair:

• Kennedy Building Exhibits, Sunday July 15 from noon until 5 p.m. Help us judge youth exhibits in following categories: Horticulture, Creative Writing, Baked Goods, Sewing and more!
• 4-H Livestock Costume Contest -- Friday, July 20 at 10 a.m. 4-H’ers will be dressing their project animals up in fun costumes & accessories; help us decide who is the most creative, most humorous, has the best craftsmanship, the best team, and overall champion!

Interested in helping? Contact Brandie or Jessica for more details, 343-3040 or email genesee4h@cornell.edu

Press release:

Victor Roberts, veterans benefits advisor, NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs, will be at the Downtown Batavia Public Market (Bank Street & Alva Place) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 6^th, to distribute NYS FreshConnect Checks to local veterans.

FreshConnect Veterans Checks are a component of Governor Cuomo's "New York Fresh Connect Farmers' Markets" (FreshConnect) program. The program is designed to assist New York farmers by increasing the sale of locally grown food in communities.

FreshConnect checks will be issued as a one-time annual benefit: 10 -- $2 checks ($20) -- one packet per household, per season.

Checks will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, current members of the Armed Forces, members of their immediate families, or un-remarried surviving spouses.

"Recipients will not require ID," Roberts says, "but they will need to sign a form accepting the program's rules and regulations."

"The checks can be used to purchase fresh produce from participating vendors at the Market," says Market Manager Mike Bakos. "The Market is excited to, once again, be a distribution point for FreshConnect Veterans Checks and we thank all veterans for their service."

Press release:

In July, the premier consumer-run disability service organization serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), is resuming “The Wellness Hour,” a series of five FREE classes to help the whole community to live healthier.

Taking place from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday in July in the front lobby of the ILGR office, 113 Main St. (at Center Street), Suite 5, Batavia, the series of Informational talks is designed to expand participants’ awareness of tools that can promote wellness.

• July 3: Katrina Mogavero and Judy Hysek from Eden Café: 
Learn about the health benefits of a Vegan lifestyle while sampling some tasty treats.

• July 10: Schwab Farm Market and Nice Farms 
Will come and share the benefits of eating local fresh produce, fruits and pasture raised pork and beef.

• July 17: Vicki Wood from Young Living Essential Oils 
Learn about how cooking with Young Living essential oils can contribute to good health and will also bring her favorite recipe.

• July 24: TBA 

• July 31: Katrina Mogavero and Judy Hysek from Eden Café 
Learn about what a Vegan diet is and how it can promote a healthy life. 

ILGR stresses that the information shared is not intended to replace a doctor’s instructions. You should always consult with your physician or health care provider before beginning any new treatment.

While reservations are not required, so that we can plan, we would appreciate participants calling Michelle Whitmore to RSVP at 815-8501, ext. 409.