Announcements

The annual cheese tent sale at Yancey’s Fancy, Inc., is being postponed until autumn due to construction delays and safety concerns. Instead of its original date of May 10th, it will take place to Sept. 13th. The hours will remain the same (8 a.m. till sold out) and it will be held at Yancey’s Fancy headquarters on Main Road, Corfu.

Please e-mail <customerservice@yanceysfancy.com> or call 585-599-4448 with further questions or concerns.

The First Presbyterian Church of Elba, located at 23 N. Main St. in Elba, is holding a free mobile food pantry from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21.

Fresh produce, baked goods, packaged food will be provided by FoodLink of Rochester. The exact food items available are not known, but fresh produce will be available. There is no income verification required and no ID is necessary, but you must be 18 years old to pick up food from the pantry.

Please provide your own bags/cart/vehicle to transport items to your home.

Enjoy a spaghetti dinner at the Generation Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, in recognition of Genesee County Foster Parents Month.

The event is sponsored by the Holland Land Office Museum. Cost is $9 at the door or $8 pre-sale. Mark Graczyk, "Hidden History" columnist and managing editor for the Batavia Daily News, with be the featured speaker. There will be live music by Chordially Yours.

The Generation Center is located at 15 Center St., behind the Masonic Temple building in Downtown Batavia.

The City of Batavia Community Garden is hosting an Open House on from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at 10 MacArthur Drive (behind the Batavia Youth Center).

This a great opportunity for City of Batavia residents to view how a vacant wading pool has been made into the new “City of Batavia Community Garden.” Meet with the garden’s staff and learn more about the efficient “Square Foot Gardening Method.”

There will be refreshments and gardening demonstrations.

For questions or more information contact the Youth Bureau at 345-6420.

Press release:

ROCHESTER, NY — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, along with lead sponsor, University of Phoenix, will host “Hiring Our Heroes – Rochester,” a hiring fair for veterans and military spouses. More than 55 employers are expected to participate with jobs available for veterans and military spouses of all ranks and levels of experience. Companies range from America's biggest employers to dozens of small companies from the region. The event will also include a free Hiring Our Heroes employment workshop focusing on resume writing, interview skills, and job search techniques for military members – past and present – as well as their spouses.

Since Hiring Our Heroes began in March 2011, more than 1,500 companies have hired 21,600 veterans and military spouses as a result of more than 700 hiring fairs. In March 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Capital One launched Hiring 500,000 Heroes, a national campaign to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. Thus far, more than 1,400 businesses of all sizes have pledged to hire 411,000 heroes toward this goal. To date, 255,000 hires have been confirmed toward this goal.

WHAT:    Hiring Our Heroes – Rochester
WHEN:   Thursday, May 8  -- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Workshop begins at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE:    National Guard Armory
76 Patriot Way
Rochester, NY 14624

RSVP:    
Interested job seekers should register for free at hiringourheroes.org. Walk-in job seekers are allowed (veterans must provide proof of service).

This hiring event is also being held in partnership with the New York National Guard, Rochester Business Alliance/RBA Staffing, NYS Department of Labor, Veterans Outreach Center, Inc., NY Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), U S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Goodwill Industries International, The American Legion, and other local partners.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

HiringOurHeroes.org            @hiringourheroes           FreeEnterprise.com

Press release:

Batavia High School Class of 2015 will be hosting the Dodge Test Drive Fundraiser and a Clor's Chicken Barbecue, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Batavia High School.

This fundraiser is open to all community members, age 18 and over, and is extremely easy to participate in. For every community member who comes to Batavia High School on May 10, and test drives a new Dodge and fills out a brief survey, the BHS Class of 2015 will receive a donation from Dodge toward the class senior trip and prom. Participation is free and takes less than 10 minutes.

The test drive will also coincide with the class chicken barbecue, which will be sold during the event.

Please come out to support the Class of 2015 and their exciting plan for their senior year by participating in the Dodge Test Drive and purchasing some delicious Clor's barbecue. 




Batavia High School


260 State St., Batavia

(585) 343-2480

Press release:

From the Village of Le Roy to Florida's Treasure Coast, John Scanlan may now live far from his childhood home, but the lessons he learned in Western New York and at Genesee Community College are still with him. A police officer in Palm Beach, Fla., Scanlan is also a writer. His second crime novel, "Victims of Circumstance," has just been published by Sunbury Press, Inc. His first book, "Of Guilt and Innocence," was Sunbury's best seller for February and March 2013.

Scanlan grew up in Le Roy, where his parents Mary and John Jr., and siblings, Beth, Tim and Tom still live. He now lives in Stuart, Fla., with his wife, Jessica, and children Alexandra (5), Taylor (4), and Ben (9 months).

After graduating from Le Roy High School in 1999, Scanlan came to Genesee Community College where he majored in Computer Science and played on the Cougar baseball team. He graduated in 2001 and continued his studies at the College at Brockport.

"Two great spring training trips to Myrtle Beach, SC., and Cocoa Beach, Fla., as well as the everyday camaraderie with my teammates really enhanced my time at GCC," he recalls. "Though I changed my major to Criminal Justice after leaving GCC, the things I learned while earning an associate degree in Computer Science have really helped me in my job as a police officer.

"Having more than just a working knowledge of computers certainly gives me an advantage in law enforcement, not to mention helps with my other job as a writer."

From 2001-2004, Scanlan worked for the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Border Patrol. In 2005 he joined the police department in the Town of Palm Beach where he serves on the Crisis Intervention Team and regularly encounters material that inspires his writing.

His first book, "Of Guilt and Innocence," tells the story of a 5-year-old girl's kidnapping from an affluent community in Boca Raton, Fla. Reviewers on Amazon call it an "amazing book" with a "really exciting conclusion." "I could not put it down." There are similar reviews for his second novel, "Victims of Circumstance," which chronicles how new evidence sets a convicted killer free and how that impacts the victim's husband.

Scanlan believes his ability to write about the emotions involved in a criminal investigation sets his writing apart.

"I know what investigators go through when they deal with difficult situations. And as a father...I know how that then affects your perspective on things," he said in an interview on the blog Author Quiz.

Scanlan says his writing began as a "secret hobby" that he pursued further when he found himself with some quiet hours at home. Depending on his schedule, he writes between one and three hours a day, but sometimes doesn't write at all.

"I never push it and that keeps it fun and me looking forward to it," he said on another blog.

Copies of both of Scanlan's books will soon be available at GCC's Alfred O'Connell Library.

Press release:

Genesee Community College photography students will once again exhibit their work at the Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center in East Bethany. Following last year's successful display, "Around the Bend: The Shared Landscape," students this year will share "Environmental Portraits of Western New York."

The show opens with a receptionfrom 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at the Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center, 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany. Refreshments will be provided.

Photography instructor Joe Ziolkowski introduced his students this semester in both COM 105 (Intermediate Photography) and COM 118 (Introduction to Digital Photography) to portrait photography. The students, from both the main campus in Batavia and GCC's Albion Campus Center, were assigned to photograph a subject in an environment that helped illuminate that subject's life and surroundings.

The portraits reveal characters in a variety of settings. There's a farmer with cattle in a barn who appears to be doing early morning chores; a mother surrounded by the detritus of a busy day with small children; an artist pencil drawing a portrait of her own.

"Creating a portrait of a subject in its natural surroundings adds elements to their character, and therefore portrays the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features," Ziolkowski said.

Students in COM 118, Introduction to Digital Photography, learn how to use the manual functions on a digital camera to control light and color. They also learn software workflow to enhance their digital files. With a digital camera, results can be seen instantly on the liquid crystal display (LCD).

"As they progress through various assignments during the course, they continue to improve on composing images in camera and reading the light available to make effective photographs," Ziolkowski said.

The COM 105, Intermediate Photography course helps students refine their photographic skills by exploring more advanced technical techniques while on location and adding studio lighting, advanced printing and camera techniques and portfolio development. Students in COM 105 have already taken COM 118 and COM 103, Introduction to Black and White Photography.

"This class combines elements of both of those classes to offer a unique experience in both analog and digital photography," Ziolkowski said.

In photography classes students learn about photographic elements, including composition, foreground/background relationship, color schemes, values, shades and contrast. They also refine the use of "Qualities of Light" such as silhouette, rim, accent, radiant, dramatic shadow, and Chiaroscuro. In addition, they exercise time management and workflow skills.

For more information about photography coursework at GCC, contact Joe Ziolkowski at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6558, or jlziolkowski@genesee.edu.

"Environmental Portraits of Western New York" will be on view through Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Interpretive Center at Genesee County Park and Forest. The Center is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon to 4 on Sundays. For more information about the center, contact Conservation Education Program Coordinator Judy Spring at (585) 344-1122 or jspring.geneseeconsed@yahoo.com

The Holland Land Office Museum offers a program called "Have History will Travel" and invites schools and organizations that would like a history presentation to contact the musuem at 343-4727.
 

SADD -- Students Against Destructive Driving -- is holding a fundraiser night of bowling at the Mancuso Bowling Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 25.

Cost is $12.50 per person and includes two hours of bowling and shoe rental.

Pre-register by calling the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960.

Have the profits will go to the countywide SADD chapter, which is supported by GC STOP-DWI & the Youth Bureau.

The annual Global Premier Soccer New York Summer Festival returns to Batavia Sports Park on May 17.

As in years past, it is expected to attract teams from throughout Upstate and Eastern Canada.

This promises to be another great soccer tournament, so get your team signed up today!

Each team is guaranteed three games with a cost of $300 per team.

It's a great opportunity to get some game practice before your season starts.

For more info contact Declan Doherty via e-mail  ddoherty@globalpremieresoccer.com or 716-380-5080.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners on April 16th for “Square Foot & Container Gardening.”

Would you like to grow nutritious, great tasting vegetables but always come up with the same excuses? Too much work – too many weeds – takes too much space – bad soil…

Square Foot Gardening solves all these problems in a simple, easy and logical manner. Let us show you how it is done. Still not sure? Try growing your veggies in a container. We will share with you the basics of container gardening.

Fee for the class is $10. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Pre-register by April 15 by calling Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext 101.

This program is part of the Genesee County Master Gardeners popular Coffee and Dessert Series. Participants enjoy a variety of gardening topics taught by Master Gardeners along with coffee, tea and dessert.

For more information visit our Web site at: www.genesee.shutterfly.com <http://www.genesee.shutterfly.com

Press release:

The BEST Center at Genesee Community College has the training that can land you a job. In a recent report, the Job Development Bureau at the Genesee County Career Center cited 20 openings for service desk technicians at a Batavia computer firm. The positions require A+ Certification, for which The BEST Center provides the essential training and test-preparation courses.

The A+ Certification from CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) is the industry standard for validating the skills expected of entry-level computer technicians. This certification opens doors to exciting career options in computer technology. The BEST Center offers this training through ed2go, the industry leader in online learning for adults. The program is convenient, interactive and enjoyable.

Students can start this course at any time. Online learning offers maximum flexibility to fit the coursework into your life schedule. Students who successfully complete the program will: understand operating systems and software for both desktop and mobile devices; know how to install computer hardware; perform routine troubleshooting and more. They will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare themselves to take the A+ exams to attain certification.

"These skills are very marketable right now," said Rosemary Jonientz, director of Business Skills Training at The BEST Center. "Technology is essential for almost every business today and these positions are in demand."

The A+ certification training program can be completed in 230 hours. The program costs $1,695.00. Scholarship training funds may be available for dislocated workers and low income earners. For more information on training scholarships, contact the Genesee County Career Center at (585) 344-2042.

"For those looking for a career change or in need of a new job, this is a terrific opportunity to retrain yourself in a field that will be growing well into the future," Jonientz said.

For more information, contact The BEST Center at Genesee Community College at (585) 345-6868 or bestcenter@genesee.edu.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 6-13, United Memorial Medical Center held a dinner on April 8 at Bohn’s Restaurant to recognize volunteer service within the organization. Their gifts of time were spent assisting visitors, comforting family members waiting for a loved one in surgery, helping patients on Hope Haven, serving coffee at the refreshment kiosks at the Hospital and at the Jerome Center, and helping someone choose just the right item in the gift shop.

Their dedication and compassion assists United Memorial in caring for patients and visitors every day. Volunteers are part of our team and part of our UMMC family. We depend on them and turn to them when we need assistance on large projects or a helping hand. Last year, 85 individuals volunteered more than 13,500 hours. While we can measure the time they have donated, their true gifts of compassion, empathy and care is limitless.

This year, United Memorial and its auxiliaries, the UMMC League and St. Jerome Guild, Inc., honored volunteers who reached milestones in the cumulative number of hours they have volunteered. Guild members Sandy Colson, Jamie Kendall, Donna Morrow, and Mary Dee Ognibene received 100-hour pins; Jerry Pollino and Ann Valone were honored for 500 hours; Anita Rynkowski for 1,000 hours; Jeanette Attardi, Donna Condello and Geri Wiess  for 2,000 hours; Guild Secretary and Gift Shop Cochair Marilyn Dickinson received her pin for 3,000 hours. Carmela Gualtieri has achieved 4,000 hours and Frances Scafetta 6,000 hours. Donna Morrow was also honored as the 2014 Guild Honorary Member.

United Memorial Medical Center League members who were honored include Bev Bennett, Joyce Diegelman, Carole Grooms, and Mary Sage for 300 hours; Norma Meyers for 500 hours; Nancy Arras, Carol Balaz, Anna Barone, and Kathy Bender for 1,000 hours; Diane Buchholtz and Lynn Houseknecht for 1,500 hours; Sharon Andrews and Diane Fraser for 2,000 hours; Kay Wickson for 3,000; and Linda Pembroke for 4,000 hours.

Augustine Fleming, has volunteered at United Memorial’s Hope Haven unit for over 7,500 hours. Her dedication to assisting patients recovering from addiction equals four years of full-time employment.

Volunteer recognition services are organized by United Memorial’s Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Tennity. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at United Memorial, call (585)344-7465 or visit us online at www.ummc.org/join-our-team/volunteers

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be offering their popular Coffee and Dessert Series this spring.  Participants enjoy a variety of gardening topics taught by Master Gardeners along with coffee, tea and dessert.

April 9 – “Herbs & Edibles”.  Growing a kitchen garden with herbs and other plant edibles is a great way of combining two of our favorite pastimes, gardening and eating!  After a long winter and checking the food prices on the grocery shelves, there is so much reward in starting your own garden of herbs and plant edibles.  With little space and $$, you can start this spring project with the kids, family and friends!  Call to register.  Space still available.

April 16 – “Square Foot & Container Gardening”.  Would you like to grow nutritious, great tasting vegetables but always come up with the same excuses?  Too much work – too many weeds – takes too much space – bad soil…  Square Foot Gardening solves all these problems in a simple, easy and logical manner.  Let us show you how it is done.  Still not sure?  Try growing your veggies in a container.  We will share with you the basics of container gardening.  Registration deadline is April 11.

April 23 – “Groundcovers - the Rodney Dangerfield of the Plant World”. -  Ground covers are more than the plants of last resort for difficult to grow areas.  Find out when and where to use these versatile plants to both benefit and enhance your gardens and landscapes.  Registration deadline is April 18.

April 30 – “Nobody Eats Nightshade, Everyone Eats Potatoes”.   Even within the same plant family, parts of one plant can be eaten while another plant should be avoided.  Learn to know the difference to keep your pets and family safe.  Registration deadline is April 25.

All programs are from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 East Main Street, Batavia.  Cost is $10 per person per class.  Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.  Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by our office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia to register.  For more information visit our website at: www.genesee.shutterfly.com.

Insource Urgent Care is offering a free seminar on Friday morning, April 11, on how to survive the Affordable Care Act, and to demonstrate a new model of healthcare delivery that coordinates our patients with their physicians while at the same time dramatically reduces their “cost of care” across the spectrum.

The target audience for this seminar is: physicians, practice managers, administrators, personnel/HR managers, employee benefits administrators, educational administrators, government leaders, CEOs and COOs.

It will take place at the Homestead Event Center inside City Centre. Registration starts at 8 a.m.; continental breakfast is available from 8:15 to 8:45; seminar runs from 8:45 to 10; optional tours available afterward.

RSVP: TinaWilson@insourcehealthcare.com or by calling 585-750-2794.

In New York State, Insource Urgent Care Centers operate in Auburn and Batavia; and are co-located with a full spectrum of diagnostic imaging; 100 percent of patients seen at these centers are immediately referred back to their primary care providers.

Advanced Telemedicine equipment is in place to have immediate access to clinical specialists such as Orthopedics, Cardiology, Dermatology and others. Specialists and PCPs can have “real time” instant access to their patients through a smartphone, a computer or iPad, or, with visual communications into the patient exam / procedure room.

If you would like to join us, please register for the upcoming seminar, or let us know when you might like to have a one-on-one meeting. If at any time, you and your staff would like to tour our centers, facilities and capabilities, we would be happy to set this up for you.

Please call Tina Wilcox at 585-750-2794 or e-mail her at: tinawilcox@insourcehealth.com for a follow up conversation or for us to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) announced today that a third round of applications is now available for GCEDC’s Food Processing Training Program <http://www.gcedc.com/index.php/about/workforce-development/>. The program provides individuals with a certification to work in the food processing industry, including many regional food and beverage companies across Western New York. The deadline for submitting applications is April 18.

Applications can be picked up at the Genesee County Career Center at 587 E. Main St., Suite 100, Eastown Plaza in the City of Batavia. The application is also available at the GCEDC Web site (www.gcedc.com <http://www.gcedc.com>). Applicants must be New York State residents, have completed high school or equivalent, and submit an up-to-date resume with their application.

“We want to build off the success of the first classes and get more individuals trained and ready to work in food processing,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. “It is a burgeoning industry in Western New York and especially here in Genesee County with the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.”

The training program is being funded by an Area Development grant obtained by the GCEDC from the National Fuel Gas Corporation with additional financial support from the Finger Lakes Food Cluster Initiative — funded by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration in the amount of $38,000 or 28 percent of the program.

In addition to receiving a non-credit certificate and certificates in Team Building and OSHA Safety in a Manufacturing Environment from Genesee Community College, participants will receive certificates in Lean Systems Six Sigma Yellow Belt (Rochester Institute of Technology) and Basic Dairy Science & Sanitation Certificate (Cornell University).

“This program is so effective because students get hands-on training, four certificates, and complete mock interviews with real companies at the conclusion,” Hyde said. “Anyone looking for a new career pathway should check out the training program.”

The Oakfield Historical Society will be open for the season beginning Saturday, April 5.

The public is invited to the Oakfield Historical Society Research Center on Maple Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the kick off that day. There will be demonstrations based on the two main exhibits for 2014, which focus on women of the 1800s and local veterans.

Sue Conklin will be doing a weaving demonstration and members of the local War of 1812 Reenactment group will also be there. Native American bead work on loan from the Tonawanda Reservation will be displayed, too.

The Local Veterans display has several bits of memorabilia from World War I and II, Vietnam and Korea. Plus, there will be a large display from Steve Cianfrini, whose helicopter was shot down in Iraq and he and the crew had to be rescued.

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce another exciting Job Fair with more than 30 companies expected from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, at the College's centrally located William Stuart Forum.

Genesee's Career Services Center continues to solicit businesses from all types of industries to join the popular, two-hour event that introduces potential new employees to employers, and also provides businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community. The event is free to employers and attendees.

Employers must register; job seekers are not required to register prior to the event but must sign-in upon arrival.

The following employers are scheduled to be in attendance:

• ADT Security Services
• All Star Energy, Inc. / Home Comfort Heating and Cooling
• ATB Staffing
• Avon Products
• Byrncliff Resort & Conference Center
• Claims Recovery Financial Services
• Coastal Staffing
• Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort
• Fidelis Care
• Genesee County AmeriCorps, Genesee County Youth Bureau
• Hidden Valley Animal Adventure
• Independent Living of the Genesee Region
• KR Communications
• Monroe County Sheriff's Office
• New York Army National Guard
• NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
• NYS Unified Court System
• Pembroke Travel Plaza
• Perry's Ice Cream Company, Inc.
• Perschke Business Group (Amway)
• Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc / Sallie Mae
• Premier Designs, Inc.
• Premiere Credit of North America
• Professional Driver Institute
• Rent-A-Center, LLC
• Rochester City Police Department / City of Rochester
• Sutherland Global Services
• The College at Brockport Army ROTC
• Thirty-One
• US Customs and Border Protection
• US Department of Agriculture
• US Department of Homeland Security – ICE – ERO
• US Marine Corps
• WBTA Radio
• WCJW: Radio Stations: 1140 AM Warsaw; 103.7 FM Warsaw; 105.5 FM Batavia; 100.9 FM Geneseo; 104.3 FM Avon

Employers who cannot attend but will be posting job opportunities:

• Country Max
• Genesee County Human Resources
• OATKA Milk Products Cooperative

For more information, visit: http://www.genesee.edu/career/events/

For a detailed listing of job opportunities by employer, please e-mail a request for the list to career@genesee.edu