Announcements

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College and the American Red Cross have partnered together to provide Family Care Giving Classes at the Lakeville campus center located at 5999 Big Tree Road. The classes will provide instruction to families caring for loved ones of any age. Four classes will be offered on various Saturday mornings, starting Saturday March 14, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The cost for all four classes is $25.

The first class, scheduled for March 14, will focus on Home Safety and Healthy Eating. The second class, on March 28, will focus on General Care. The April 4 class will concentrate on Personal Care, and the last class in the series will take place on April 25 and will discuss Caring for the Caregiver, Legal and Financial Issues and Alzheimer's.

"These classes are an excellent way to serve our community members who may be caring for a loved one and have many questions," Serena Cooke, Campus Associate at the Lakeville campus center said. "With the growing number of elderly parents being cared for by their children, due to personal choice or economic reasons, training and support needs to be available for these families."

The Lakeville campus center is located at 5999 Big Tree Road (Route 20A) in Lakeville. Class sizes are limited, and registration is required. Please call the Lakeville Campus Center for further information or to register at 585-346-5070.

From the Genesee County Democrats:

Two Democrats were unanimously endorsed for the upcoming Village of Corfu election. Todd "Skeeter" Skeets, incumbent mayor, and Al Graham, incumbent trustee, received the endorsements at the Committee's monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10th. Democratic Committee Chairwoman Lorie Longhany expressed the members impression of the two men. "The Genesee County Democratic Committee proudly endorses Todd Skeets for Mayor of Corfu and Al Graham for Village Trustee.  These gentlemen represent public servants who have dedicated their time and talent for the betterment of the Village of Corfu with the kind of no nonsense approach that is needed in local government."

Committee members were impressed by the considerable resume of accomplishments the two share as public servants and their record of fiscal responsibility. "We reduced the hauling of sludge from at least once a week, but sometimes more often, at a cost of $400 to $800 to not having to haul at all for 18 months." said Mayor Skeets. "In addition, we're working very hard on establishing relations with surrounding municipalities for the use of our sewer plant as well as other shared services."

The Genesee Democratic Committee is looking forward to supporting these outstanding local candidates and many more in upcoming elections.

From the Batavia City Schools:

Batavia City School District’s Kindergarten Registration for the 2009-2010 school year begins the week of February 23-27. Children who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2009 are eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall.

To register, parents must go to the main office of the nearest public elementary school (see addresses below) on school days between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and bring with them proof of residency such as a current utility bill or formal lease agreement, as well as the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, and complete record of immunizations. Please note that no child can be registered without the required documentation. At the time of registering, parents should also make an appointment for the kindergarten screening procedure which will be scheduled for late May and early June.

Parents of new first grade pupils are also asked to register their child in the same time frame and with the same documentation.

For more information, please call your elementary school office (see below) or the District’s Director of Learning, Pam Schunk, at 343-2480 x1023.

Jackson Elementary, 411 South Jackson Street, phone 343-2480 x 4000. Jackson registration begins the week of February 23; screenings will be scheduled for June 3 and 4.

John Kennedy Elementary, 166 Vine Street, 343-2480 x 5000. John Kennedy registration begins the week of February 23; screenings will be scheduled for May 27 and 28.

Robert Morris Elementary, 80 Union Street, 343-2480x 6000. Robert Morris registration begins the week of February 23; screenings will be scheduled for June 10 and 11.

Notre Dame High School has extended the ticket deadline for its 17^th Annual Trip Night on Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Genesee Community College.

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College and the Xerox Foundation have successfully combined their efforts to fund and support the President's Innovation Award (PIA) program. The President's Innovation Award provides funding for innovative activities and projects that promote community involvement in the life of the College, stimulate student and community pride in the College, and help establish pilot programs or initiatives with the potential for positive, long-term impact on the College. The Xerox Foundation was supportive of the PIA concept and gave $5,000 in support of the award program this year.

One of the recipients of the award was the Collegiate Entrepreneurial Organization (CEO Club) in the development of their SCHOLARS brand project. The project began two years ago to produce and market a gourmet food product that would provide practical, hands-on business and entrepreneurial learning opportunities for the students. The club developed and now markets SCHOLARS brand Apple Cider Syrup; an apple pie flavored syrup used over pancakes, waffles, French toast, pork recipes and even ice cream. Profits from the syrup sales will be put back into the program, as well as used to fund student scholarships. SCHOLARS Apple Cider Syrup is available in Genesee Community College's book store or contact the CEO Club at scholars@genesee.edu.

Other PIA projects in progress this year are: Student Story Corps Project, Shushing 21st Century Style, Genesee Community College's Formal Exploration of the Educational Uses of Second Life, and Cougar Pride Day.

For information on PIA projects, or for financial support of Genesee Community College Foundation programs, please contact foundation@genesee.edu.

From the VA Healthcare System:

Beginning Monday, March 2, 2009, VA Western New York Healthcare System’s Jamestown community based out-patient clinic will be moving to a new location; 610 3rd Street.  The clinic, under a new contract with Sterling Medical Corporation will be serving Veterans only at this location.  Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with free parking. Veterans have had the opportunity to get VA health care in Jamestown since 1995, the first of seven community based outpatient clinics under VA Western New York Healthcare System.

Primary care, behavioral health services and on-site laboratory services will continue to be available at the new site.  In addition, nutritional counseling, social work, and urgent care services will be available with prescriptions to be mailed directly to Veterans’ homes.  “We want Veterans to stay healthy and encourage them to receive VA care available in Chautauqua county.  It is an opportunity to be a provider of choice for almost 2,000 Veterans in Jamestown last year and we look forward to serving more,“ said Dr. Bradford Mersereau, Primary Care Service Chief.

To enroll in VA health care call 1-888-823-9656 and to make an appointment at the Jamestown clinic, call 716-338-1511 after February 23. 

Last year VA Western New York Healthcare System provided care to more than 40,000 veterans at medical centers in Buffalo and Batavia as well as community-based outpatient clinics in Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Olean, and Warsaw.

Our Lady Of Batavia K of C will host its 12th annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner with corned beef, cabbage, beverage and dessert on Saturday March 14, 2009 at 5:00pm until sold out. Dinner will be held at St. Mary's Church Hall 18 Ellicott Ave., Batavia, NY. Takeouts will be available. Cost is $8.00 per dinner and tickets are available by calling Mike at 343-3810. Proceeds will fund local charities.

First off I'd like to say hello to all the readers of The Batavian !!!  I live in Genesee County and have since I can remember, I also went to school at Oakfied Alabama.  I am currently the VP of a karting club located in Avon, NY.  Me and my family have been involved in karting for 3 yrs now but have been around motorsports since I was 14 !!.  My son now races karts at local near by tracks.  This year just happens to be The Genesee Valley Kart Club's 50th Anniversary.  One of the longest running karting clubs in the US.  I thought it would be expensive to get into the sport but it was realatively easy.  Start up cost is right around $1500 for a complete turn key kart !!  I know there not alot of people who know this is still around but on a sunny sunday in Avon, NY you can hear the roar of many different types of 4 cycle engines and 2 strokes also !!  Avon NY has one of the nicest facilities around and the people are awsome !!!!    I will be putting some pics of my sons kart so all of you can take a look.  If anyone has any questions or comments please feel free to go to my guestbook or send me an email to jp121800@yahoo.com. 

On March 1^st,  the Genesee Valley Kart Club (GVKC) will be holding it’s annual organizational meeting at the Avon Veterans Hall 5480 E Avon Road (rt 20), just east of Avon NY . The meeting will be held from 12:00 to 2:00pm and will lay the ground work for the upcoming race season and is a good opportunity for interested people to come out and learn about the sport of kart racing. Membership applications will be available and can be submitted at the meeting. For more information about the club, visit our web page at www.gvkc.org.

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Batavia’s Irish Afternoon

Fundraiser

Batavia’s Irish Afternoon celebration will be held in the Genesee Community College Forum from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.  This afternoon of family-oriented fun will feature dancing by the award-winning McMahon School of Irish Dance.  The musical entertainment will be provided by Step In Time.  Attendees will be treated to delectable desserts, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.  Additional fun will be offered in the form of Chinese auctions and 50/50 raffles. 

Tickets cost $10. Children 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

The event will benefit the non-profit McMahon School of Irish Dance Parents’ Group, which will use the funds for dancers’travel and performance expenses.

For Information or to buy tickets, contact (585) 813-8701 or (585) 343-3220

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Grants to Cost-Share Advertising & Promotion; Available First-Come, First-Serve Basis

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the availability of funding for a pilot Pride of New York “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program.  Members of the Pride of New York Program can receive up to $5,000 on a first-come, first-serve basis to advertise and promote specialty crop food and agricultural products grown or processed in New York State.

“New Yorkers have some of the best products grown or processed right here in their backyard, yet unfortunately many don’t know where to find them,” the Commissioner said.  “I am pleased that the Department was able to secure federal funds for this important program that will help consumers identify local products and help the State’s specialty crop producers build awareness, preference and sales of New York products across the State.  I encourage all Pride of New York members to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

The Pride of New York’s “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Grant Program, a pilot project of the Department, provides up to $5,000 to create and develop promotional messages, purchase media time, print space or signage or pursue other promotional activities.  Members can choose from a wide range of advertising and marketing options that best fit their budget and target audience, in multiple media markets.  Cooperative advertising funds will be awarded on a first-come, first serve basis.  The program options include: 

·       Pre-Negotiated and/or Custom-Built Television Ads: Includes professional production of a 23-second TV commercial with a 7-second Pride of New York tag at the end. 

·       Pre-Negotiated and/or Custom-Built Radio Ads: Includes professional production of a 45-second radio spot that ends with a 15-second Pride of New York tag.

·       Print: Pride of New York will cost-share approved print advertisements and placement in a variety of consumer publications.

·       Point of Purchase and Promotional Items:  Pride of New York will cost share approved point of purchase and promotional item such as:  signs, bags, banners, product packaging, brochures, flags and rack cards.

Funding for the Pride of New York “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program is provided through the 2006 and 2007 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  The Department is utilizing 2008 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants to cost-share third party Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits and to assist producers with developing farm food safety plans.

The Pride of New York program is the State’s marketing program for food and agricultural products grown or processed in New York State.  The program was created to help consumers identify fresh, high-quality New York State products where they shop.  The Pride of New York also assists farmers and food processors in branding their products by using the Pride of New York emblem, and encourages retailers and restaurants to highlight the New York State products they use and sell by displaying the emblem. To find out more about the Pride of New York Program, call 1-800-554-4501 or visit http://www.prideofny.com.

For more information on the Pride of New York Cooperative Advertising Program or other promotional opportunities, please contact the Pride of New York Program at 1-800-554-4501 or visit the Department’s website at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us and click on “Funding Opportunities.”

From the VA Healthcare System:

Over twenty different sponsors that included several Veteran organizations, community businesses, as well as individual Veterans throughout Western New York helped to purchase new vans for the Disabled American Veterans Volunteer Transportation Network at VA Western New York Healthcare System. The vans will be put into use after a ceremony at the medical center, 3495 Bailey Avenue, Tuesday, February 24 at 9 a.m. in Freedom Hall, room 301.

Overall, $15,000 were raised along with matching contributions from Colorado Trust in cooperation with the National Disabled American Veterans Organization to purchase the two new vans. “These donations allow us to continue to expand and replace vans to transport our Veterans to necessary medical appointments.  Without this support, this would not be possible,” stated Richard Kloc, DAV Van Transportation Coordinator. During the last reporting period, 62 volunteer van drivers donated over 22,800 hours of their time. Volunteer drivers and donations are always needed; call the VA Volunteer Program Office at 862-8667.

Last year VA Western New York Healthcare System provided care to more than 40,000 Veterans at medical centers in Buffalo and Batavia as well as community-based outpatient clinics in Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Olean, and Warsaw.

From the VA Healthcare System:

In observance of Black History month, VA Western New York Healthcare System will celebrate events in Freedom Hall, room 301. African American Business Day will take place at 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 11. Cultural wares will be available. “Taste of Soul” will take place on Friday, February 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. African American dishes such as collard greens, sweet potatoes, pig’s feet, and much more will be served.

Take the journey of “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad” with Joy O’Banion and Yvonne Harris, where they will share the struggles of Tubman’s journey to free the slaves scheduled Friday, February 27 at noon. All events are open to the public.

WE HAVE SOME ANIMALS WITH SOME SPECIAL NEEDS BUT DON’T BE SCARED. THEY JUST NEED SOME EXTRA LOVE AND CARE BUT MOST OF ALL THEY NEED A CHANCE. WE MADE SOME VIDEOS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE JUST HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE - SO TAKE A MOMENT, SIT BACK AND ENJOY. YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO CONNECT TO YouTube FOR A PEEK AT THESE GREAT ANIMALS.

THERE IS A $30 FEE FOR ALL ANIMALS, A $35 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR ANY ANIMAL NOT SPAYED OR NEUTERED, AND ALL DOGS MUST BE LICENSED BEFORE LEAVING THE SHELTER.

PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING A SHELTER ANIMAL TODAY! 

HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU!
Maxine, Bruno & Scooter

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME! Socks the Cat

DUTCH vs THE SANDMAN 

I WANT TO BE LOVED BY YOU...  Missie the Cat

From the VA Medical Center:

Veterans in Lockport and surrounding areas can learn about their VA health care and other veterans benefits at an event being held at the VA clinic in Lockport, 5883 Snyder Drive, Saturday, February 21 from 10am to 1pm. Staff and veterans benefits counselors will assist veterans with eligibility for VA health care, and other state and federal benefits that veterans may have coming to them that often go unused. Benefits have recently been extended for veterans returning from combat that includes five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The five year window is also open to activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, if they served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. The five year limit has no effect upon veterans with medical conditions related to their military service. Veterans may apply at any time after their discharge from the military, even decades later for medical care for service-connected health problems.
 
Representatives from the VA Lockport Clinic, NY State Division of Veterans Affairs, Niagara County Veterans Service Office and VA Western New York Healthcare System will be available to answer questions. Bring discharge papers and financial records for accurate benefits counseling. For more information, you may contact the VA clinic in Lockport at 438-3890.

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce the 56^th Annual Home Garden and Trade Show is going to be held on March 20-22 at the Batavia Downs!

We are still looking for vendors for this event!  All booth prices will be $279!!!! 

Weekend Passes have been slashed to $1

For contract details visit: www.geneseeny.com/bataviajaycees and click on the home show link! 

Show hours are:
March 20 (Friday) from 5-9pm
March 21 (Saturday) from 10am - 7pm 
March 22 (Sunday) from noon - 4pm

If you have any questions, please contact us at 585-343-5775 or email at info@bataviajcs.org

Pavilion is looking for a couple good men or women to fill the vacancies on its Town Board and the Board of Assessment Review. One position is open to take the Town Board seat vacated by Shirley Dills, who recently resigned after 22 years of service.

Interested applicants are urged to send their resume, along with any other pertinent personal information, to the town of Pavilion at the following address:

Attn: Pavilion Town Supervisor
Pavilion Town Hall
P.O. Box #126
Pavilion, N.Y. 14525

From the Cornell Cooperative Extension:

The fourth annual New York State Agriculture Literacy Week (formerly Ag Literacy Day) has been scheduled for March 16-20, 2009, which will coincide with National Agriculture Week.
 
This year the program will highlight the NYS Apple Industry. Volunteers from around the county, many of whom are closely tied to the agriculture industry, will visit elementary school classrooms to read The Empire State Investigator:The Applesauce Bandit. The books will then be donated to each school library courtesy of generous donations by Genesee County Farm Bureau, local agricultural businesses, and individual donors.
 
Barb Sturm, coordinator from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, said “Ag Literacy Day gives schools and industry volunteers a perfect opportunity to focus on agriculture awareness, especially in a region where agriculture provides a livelihood for so many people. We hope that by talking to students about how food gets from the farm to their plates, they’ll grow to appreciate all the people, processes and businesses contributing every single day to the industry that provides us with almost everything we eat, use and wear.”
 
New York Ag Literacy Week is a statewide educational effort organized by New York Agriculture in the Classroom (www.nyaged.org) with help from many agencies and organizations, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York Farm Bureau, and the NYS Apple Association.
 
For more information to become a volunteer reader or to sponsor the purchase of books, contact Barb Sturm by February 11, 2009, at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 East Main Street, Batavia, 343-3040, ext. 122, e-mail: bbs28@cornell.edu, or visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu.