Announcements

This information is from a press release:

Dog Crazy Daycare & Spa is a new cage-free facility opening Oct. 3 in Batavia where dogs get to run around and play with toys, each other or just chill on a bed. They will also get lots of love from caring staff that are of constant supervision to give your dogs a safe place to stay while your away.

Our staff is knowledgable with expertise in kennel management, dog rescue, certified training, grooming, and other skill sets that ensure your dogs' utmost safety at our facility.

Daycare is a great training tool. Socializing with other dogs and staff will give your pet an opportunity to get exercise, learn proper social skills and gain confidence. This will result in a happier and healthier dog, and allow them to direct their energy toward good behaviors. We offer both full- and partial- daycare. Drop off starts are 7 a.m. and pick up by 6 p.m.

We will also be offering full-service grooming. Set up an appointment to have the “Works”: bath, blow dry, haircut, and nail trim. Or just bring them in for a nail trim. Other services that will be offered are having your dog’s ear hairs plucked and cleaned and having anal glands expressed.

Dog obedience training services will be offered by a certified dog trainer and a doggie boutique will be opening by the beginning of 2012.

Owners Jen & Melissa are eager to see you stop in and say hello. Pamper your pooch and enjoy our modern services to help your pets remain happy and healthy!

We are located at 1 Mill St. in the City of Batavia. Phone Melissa at 752-4916 or, for grooming appointments, call Jen at 781-0198.

For rates and more information please visit our website at www.dogcrazydaycare.com

"Nature's Spirit: Large Format Nature Landscape Photography" is the title of an exhibit on display at GO ART! in Downtown Batavia from now through Oct. 28.

The works are by Albion resident Walter Jakubowski. There are 16 images primarily inspired by nature in the Adirondack region. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and by appointment. The address is 201 E. Main St.

Jakubowski is a native of Wellsville and is a lifelong resident of Western New York. He says his scholastic studies concentrated on math, science and music but in his spare time he explored various visual artistic media.

After graduating from Alfred State College with a degree in Engineering Science, he briefly attended Alfred University and studied painting and photography.

"The first part of my professional career was spent in the world of corporate design engineering," he writes in a press release. "The last 16 years of this career I changed 'hats' so to speak utilizing my artistic talents working as an industrial design sculptor.

"I created virtual products with 3D surface modeling computer software. As much as I enjoyed this work, I was sculpting forms in a collaborative effort to the satisfaction of the industrial designer. This did not fulfill my creative needs. Photography has been a personal pursuit for my last 36 years."

He says he spent many frustrating hours in the darkroom limited by what can be achieved there, then his interest in the medium was rekindled several years ago with the advent of digital scanning and digital darkroom technologies.

"I now have the tools to bring my visions to fruition," he said.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) recently announced the overwhelming response to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Students from all over the region participated, spending their vacation honing both their reading skills and their minds.

“The students in our area certainly made good use of their time off this summer,” Hawley said. “Children in communities like Albion, Medina, Holley Pavilion, Hilton, Brockport, Batavia and
more learned firsthand the joys of reading this summer.

"Their participation makes the Summer Reading Challenge such a gratifying program, and I thank them for joining me in promoting the joy of literature.”

Children that read for 40 days over the summer wil receive a New York State Assembly “Excellence in Reading” certificate from Assemblyman Hawley.

Kiwanis Club of Batavia's 53rd Annual Pancake Day Saturday October 29- 7am-2pm First Presbyterian Church Service Building Corner of Main and Liberty Streets Adult $5, Seniors over 62 - $3, Children under 10 - $3 Each child in costume (one child per accompanied adult) $Free$ Takeouts available-Full table service All you can eat pancakes,sausage, juice, coffee, milk Entertainment, giveaways... for more information call Anita @ 813-5371 or GET YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR!!!

Batavia First United Methodist Church is hosting its "Terrific Treasures" Sale on Saturday, Oct. 1. This annual event is at 8221 Lewiston Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a Bag Sale at 2 p.m.

Some antiques and furniture, many yard sale items, as well as baked goods and produce are available for your shopping pleasure. Hot dogs and popcorn will be sold by Scout Troop 6.

Are you afraid of bats? Are you intrigued by bats? Join batphile, Liz Thompson, as she shares her passion for bats. Learn about bats around the world, popular bat myths, and uncover the many ways in which bats can help humankind.

This program takes place at Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. Please preregister by calling 344-1122.

The nature center is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany.

jspring.geneseeconsed@yahoo.com

This information comes from a press release from the publishing company.

PublishAmerica is proud to present "Calling All Angels" -- written by Corfu resident Miranda Fix.

“Calling All Angels, simply put, is a novel about miracles,” Fix said. “It’s about my story and my experiences as a nurse surviving in a profession that is full of illusions, disenchantments and despair. But deep inside that sadness is a rainbow of color and these shades of blues, yellows greens and reds are the true colors of our angels.

"They are there for us; they guide us, empower us, pray for us and keep us safe. They are there when you call upon them…you just need to ask them for help. 'Calling All Angels' is a novel about true life and the amazing strength in the patients I have met along the way. Stories that will make you laugh and cry, but they are full of hope and wonder. I wish you love and happiness as in the ways of the angels…and remember to believe.”

Linda Miranda Fix (her full name) has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She began her nursing career in neonatal intensive care for several years before moving on to pediatric nursing, adolescent chemical dependency and community health just to mention a few.

Torn between her love of helping people and her love of literature and art, she always found her way back to her original dreams. 

She has two children and three grandchildren.

For ordering information, please visit www.publishamerica.com.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of Genesee Valley.

PublishAmerica is the home of more than 50,000 talented authors.  PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers.  Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties and makes its books available through all bookstores.  PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers.

Follow PublishAmerica on Twitter at @PubAmericaNews!

Visit us online at http://www.facebook.com/publishamerica.publisher and www.publishamerica.com.

A Distracted Driving Simulator is be on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.

Students and community members interested in experiencing a texting-while-driving simulator are invited. It will be in the William W. Stuart Forum.

Experience first-hand the devastating effects of driving and texting. The national "Save a Life Tour" was developed to provide state-of-the-art, interactive driving simulation that truly shows how texting can impair driving skills.

The "Save a Life Tour" also brings a shocking approach to alcohol awareness with tragic video, personal stories of the loss of loved ones by peers and a sobering drinking-and-driving simulation experience.

This tour has earned itself national acclaim from colleges, universities, high schools, and military events nationwide. It's sponsored by GCC's Office of Student Activities. For further information please contact Cliff Scutella at 343-0055, ext. 6261.

WNY Extreme Dirt Track will be holding ATV Oval & TT Races Saturday, Sept. 17th at Batavia Motor Speedway (PolarWave), 3500 Harloff Road, Town of Batavia.

Racing on clay and sliding arounds the turns, there will be some exciting, intense racing with the TT Pro top purse at $1,000 and TT Amateur money class at $500, special awards for kids classes.

Practice on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, gates open at 9 a.m. Racing starts at 5 p.m.

Classes will be available for all machines. For more information www.bataviamotorspeedway.com.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) is inviting all residents of the 139th Assembly district to attend a special Town Hall Day on Saturday, Sept. 17. The town-hall tour will include meetings in the Village of Corfu/Town of Pembroke, Town of Alabama, Village and Town of Oakfield as well as the Village and Town of Elba.
 
“This is a great way for constituents to make their voices heard by giving their thoughts, suggestions and concerns directly to their elected representative,” Hawley said. “I look forward to meeting with the people of our community so that I can more effectively serve them and the needs of the district.”

Town Hall Day Schedule

Village of Corfu/Town of Pembroke
9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Corfu Village Hall -- Community Center
116 E. Main St.

Village of Oakfield/Town of Oakfield
12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
Oakfield Village Office
37 Main St.
 
Town of Alabama
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Alabama Town Hall
2218 Judge Road
 
Village of Elba/Town of Elba
1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Elba Town Hall
7 Maple Ave.

Genesee Community College's BEST Center (Business and Employee Skills Training) offers a full menu of new non-credit community workshops and courses. From criminal justice to social media, and Italian to scrapbooking, the BEST Center offers courses to suit a variety of community needs and interests.

Law Series:

• Criminal Law: Speaker --  Frederick M. Rarick, Esq.

Tues. Oct. 25, 7 to 9 p.m.

This course will focus on both the dynamics and process of the criminal justice system.

• Putting Your House in Order: Speaker - Thomas D. Williams, Esq.

Tues. Nov. 15, 7 to 9 p.m.

This course will serve as a basic course in estate law and practice and discuss such topics as wills, living wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, trusts and guardianship.

• Small Claims, Big Claims and Other Civil Matters: Speakers -- Hon. Robert J. Balbick, Batavia City Court and Hon. Michael A. DelPlato, Batavia City Court

Tues. Dec. 13, 7 to 9 p.m.

This course is designed to offer a basic understanding of the principles of civil litigation.

• In the Face of PURE EVIL: The legal history of Criminal Insanity

Wed. Oct. 26, 6 to 9 p.m.

Explore the legal history of Criminal Insanity in New York and learn more about some of the infamous cases and criminals shaping it.

Social Media Series:

• Basic Level: Social Networking for Facebook & Twitter

Thurs. Sept. 15, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Learn the basics of Facebook and Twitter. Students will leave this course with a working Facebook and Twitter account, basic knowledge of how to use these tools, and how to protect themselves.

• Intermediate Level: Social Media Marketing

Thurs. Sept. 22, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

This class is for anyone who has a working fan/business page or Facebook account as well as a twitter account, but doesn't really know how to work it for their business. (Prerequisite: Basic Level)

• Social Media: Strategy

Thurs. Sept. 29, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

This class will take you from fence sitter to a viable business on both Twitter and Facebook. (Prerequisite: Basic & Intermediate Levels)

Arts and Hobbies Series:

• Quick and Easy Italian

Wednesdays, Nov. 9 through Dec. 21

A quick and breezy introduction to the Italian language. You will learn how to properly read, conjugate, pronounce and master a few handy phrases to know when traveling.

• Railroading A-Z

Thursdays, Oct. 20 trhough Nov. 17

Rail fans, model railroaders, amateur photographers, history buffs and even workers in the railroad industry will enjoy this rich and varied history of how the Iron Horse was created and stretched across our local area and the nation.

• Beginner Jewelry Making

Sat. Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Design and craft your own unique pieces of jewelry in this beginner class.

• Beginner Scrapbooking

Mondays, Oct. 17 to 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In this course students will learn how to organize photos, the basic supplies needed, types of albums, and basic techniques to make simple and quick pages and complete albums.

• Advanced Scrapbooking

Sat. Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In this course learn simple techniques to add variety to your pages. Techniques include chalking, stamping, eyelets, brads, vellum, ribbon, and more.

• Watercolor

Tuesdays, Oct. 11 through Nov. 1, 6  to 8:30 p.m.

Students will learn color theory, wash drawing, liquid masking, glazing, dropping color and more!

For full course descriptions, fees and additional details visit http://www.genesee.edu/best/courses/getActiveCourses/.

Contact The BEST Center to register for any of these courses by calling 585-345-6868 or by visiting www.bestcenter.org.

The Third Annual Pedal to Save the Church -- J.D. LeSeur Memorial Bike Rally is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.

The Landmark Society of Genesee County will be assisting with the 21-mile event. There is a $25 minimum pre-registration fee, $30 registration day of the event, which can be obtained by sponsors or donation.

A $50 gift certificate from the The Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle Shop will be awarded to the rider with the most sponsorship. Also, the bike shop people will be at the church checking over bikes prior to the event.

Optional tours will be given of St. James Episcopal Church and short presentations given at several historic sites in Oakfield. There will be refreshments and prizes.

All proceeds benefit the St. James Restoration Fund. For more information, please call 343-6802.

The public is welcome to enjoy Southern gospel music performed by The Crist Family beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at the New Hope Fellowship. A free-will donation of $10 is suggested.

The church is located at 8052 Bank St. in Batavia.

St. Paul Lutheran Church & School in Batavia is hosting Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. It will take place on the back lawn area of the church at 31 Washington Ave.

St. Paul invites all crafters, local businesses, and organizations to host a booth. If you would like a booth, contact St. Paul at 585-343-0488. Booths are $30 each.

Oktoberfest admission is free!

Participants can welcome fall in the German tradition with German food, an authentic 25-piece German band, kids' activities, crafters, a Chinese auction, and more. This is a family friendly event for all ages!

Local author Tom Rivers will be the guest speaker at the first free spaghetti dinner, "Pasta for Peace," at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St. in Batavia.

The dinner is sponsored by Pax Christi Genesee County. Tom Rivers, who authored "Farm Hands," will share his "food for thought" -- his first-hand experience with farm workers, hard work and lessons from Western New York fields.

Pax Christi Genesee County is part of the national and international Catholic Peace Movement and operates locally on an interfaith basis. Pax Christi has sponsored programs such as a recent Interfaith Witness for Peace at Genesee Community College and a three-part series, "Understanding Islam for the 21st Century."

William Privett, coordinator, Pax Christi Genesee County
Home: 585-599-3366
Cell: 315-866-6925

Dine-Out Days to support local restaurants and student scholarships at Genesee Community College are back with new, delicious local eateries. This year's restaurant revue is scheduled for two full weeks starting Friday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 30.

During this time, 34 restaurants throughout the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties (GLOW) have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to Genesee's Foundation, which supports student scholarships.

This event is a great way to have fun, promote the local economy, try a new restaurant, and sustain student scholarships at the college.

The foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service and support to Genesee Community College. It was formed in the mid-'80s provide philanthropic support, scholarships and grants totaling $599,779 to Genesee students as of last year.

"Dine-Out Days is just one way GCC promotes and supports the local economy," said Dine-Out Days Chair Robert Moore. "This program focuses on our area restaurants and at the same time helps fund Genesee's scholarship program which encourages students to pursue their academic dreams locally and remain in our community to live and work.

The following Genesee County restaurants are participating this year:

• Alex's Place -- 8322 Park Road, Batavia

• Bohn's Restaurant & Lounge -- 5256 Clinton St. Road., Batavia

• Miss Batavia Diner -- 566 E. Main St., Batavia

• Delavan's -- 107 Evans St., Batavia

• Larry's Steakhouse -- 60 Main St., Batavia

• Pauly's Pizzeria -- 314 Ellicott St., Batavia

• Subway -- 412 E. Main St. and 8351 Lewiston Road, Batavia

• Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility -- 5122 Clinton St. Road, Batavia

• T.F. Brown's -- 214 E. Main St., Batavia

• D&R Depot -- 63 Lake St., Le Roy

• Scooters of Le Roy -- 140 W. Main St., Le Roy

• McDonald's -- 67 Main St., Le Roy

• The Ganson Inn -- 65 Lake St., Le Roy

• Le Roy Country Club and Golf Course -- 7759 E. Main Road, Le Roy

• Pizza Land -- 131 W. Main St., Le Roy

• Caryville Inn -- 25 Main St., Oakfield

• Oakfield Hotel / Scopano Lanes -- 49 S. Pearl St., Oakfield

• Red Osier Landmark Restaurant --  6492 Main Road, Stafford

Participants are encouraged to tell their server or host they are dining there because of their support of Dine-Out Days to benefit Genesee Community College.

For updated information about Dine-Out Days, visit www.genesee.edu/gcc/dineoutdays/  or contact the foundation office at foundation@genesee.edu or call 345-6809.

Genesee Community College announced today that it has selected Shirley Verrico as the new full-time Roz Steiner Art Gallery director. She comes to the job with a wealth of gallery management experience. In addition to her gallery management duties, she will also instruct classes in art history, gallery management and other fine arts courses.

Verrico will focus on organizing calls for art submissions and managing the exhibition calendar, communicating with artists to plan professional exhibits and with faculty and staff to schedule student exhibitions. In addition, she will work with students and artists to hang and take down gallery shows, prepare for art receptions, and integrate gallery experiences into college coursework.

Previously, Verrico was the director of the Carnegie Art Center in North Tonawanda for two years and left that position to work for Young Audiences of WNY, Inc., an arts-in-education organization that serves the eight counties of Western New York.

During that time, she also began teaching Art History for Medaille College's Accelerated Learning Program. Shirley has also worked for Niagara County Community College where she taught Art History and eventually became director of the campus art gallery. Most recently, she  taught for Medaille College and served as an instructional design consultant as the college converted traditional courses for the online format.

"I saw an advertisement for a gallery director in the Buffalo News and immediately recognized the description for my 'dream job.' I researched the gallery and campus and was very impressed with the college's vision and growth," Verrico said.

"I am looking forward to sharing this amazing space with the regional arts community who will in-turn share their work and talent with our GCC community.  I am certain we will have many wonderful exhibition proposals when artists see the potential of this space."

The new director grew up in Grand Island and stayed local for her college education. She holds a bachelor's of Fine Arts from the University of Buffalo (UB), a master's of Arts and Humanities in Art History and English from UB and a post-baccalaureate certification in K-12 Art Education from Buffalo State College.

Outside of work, she enjoys gardening and cooking as well as spending time with her husband of 15 years, Jamie, and their three children Maggie, 12, Michaela, 10, and James, 5. They currently reside in Clarence.

Press release:

"Self-Therapy for the Stutterer" is a classic self-help guide by the founder of The Stuttering Foundation, Malcolm Fraser. It is now available at most public libraries, including the Corfu Free Library and the Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield.

The 192-page book is written to and for the many adults and teens who stutter. If you stutter, you do not need to surrender helplessly to your speech difficulty because you can change the way you talk. You can learn to communicate with ease rather than with effort. There is no quick and easy way to tackle the problem, but with the right approach, self-therapy can be effective.

This book outlines a self-therapy program which describes what the person who stutters can do to work toward better communication. It is often used as a supplement to speech therapy.

A timely feature on page 164 is information about King George VI and how inspirational his speeches were during WWII as depicted in the Academy Award-winning movie "The King’s Speech."

Writes Charles Van Riper, Ph.D., about this book: “There are always some who stutter who are unable to get professional help and others who do not seem to be able to profit from it. There are some who prefer to be their own therapist. In this book, Malcolm Fraser has provided guidance for those who must help themselves.

"Knowing well from his own experience as a stutterer the difficulties of self-therapy, he outlines a series of objectives and challenges that should serve as a map for the person who is lost in the dismal swamp of stuttering and wants to find a way out.”

The book is available free to all public libraries. If your library doesn’t have it, ask them to contact the Stuttering Foundation toll-free at 800-992-9392 for a copy.