Announcements

Former hostage Terry Anderson will discuss peace in the Middle East at Terry Hills Restaurant on Friday, Feb. 18.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is hosting this dinner and presentation to benefit the War of 1812 Peace Garden being established here in Batavia. There will also be a silent auction.

Seating is limited so people are encouraged to buy tickets early. Cost per ticket is $25 and includes a full course dinner. Tickets can be purchased at the chamber, located at 210 E. Main St. or the Stagecoach Florist in Batavia City Centre.

Social hour is 5 to 6 p.m. with dinner and presentation to follow.

Groundbreaking for the garden is planned for September. It will be part of a trail of Peace Gardens commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Batavia became instrumental in the war after Buffalo burned, playing a major role in holding back the British, according to historians.

The Peace Garden will commemorate the past and play an active part in the future of Batavia and Genesee County. The hope is that in sharing what makes us uniquely human, we'll strengthen our understanding of one another and forge a bond of peace that will never be broken, according to supporters.

For more information contact Barb Toal at 344-2458.

There will be a Winter Guard Competition at Batavia High School Gymnasium from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22.

Tickets are $6; $5 for seniors.

Eighteen winter guards will be competing from Western New York and Canada in this 10th annual "Fantastic Visions."

It is hosted by the Batavia Winter Guard and Batavia Band Boosters.

The school is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

United Memorial Medical Center has scheduled a Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 in Cary Hall, 211 E. Main St., Batavia.

Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments may be made by calling Mary Canterbury, UMMC’s Blood Bank coordinator, at 344-5474.

Each presenting donor will receive a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee!

SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy and the college's deans recently recognized students who excelled academically during the Fall 2010 semester.

"It is impressive to see the diversity of students who have succeeded at SUNY Canton," Kennedy said. "Students from all of the over the world and here in New York are represented on the college's honor rolls. Each of these students has demonstrated that they are committed to getting the most out of their career-driven education."

To receive President's List honors, full-time students must earn a semester grade-point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For Dean's List, full-time students must receive a GPA of 3.25. Part-Time Honors are awarded to students earning at least a 3.25 GPA on six to 11 credit hours.

These local students made the President's List at SUNY Canton:

• Stacy E. Holley, of  Bergen, a Criminal Investigation major. Holley is a 2008 graduate of Byron-Bergen Jr.-Sr. High School.
• Alicia L. Morgan, of  Alexander, a Criminal Investigation major. Morgan is a 2008 graduate of Alexander Central School.
• Justin A. Richardson, of Pavilion, an Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems major. Richardson is a 2009 graduate of Pavilion Central School.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester.

The college's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction of the college's new Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center nicknamed "Roos House" is nearing completion, while the new apartment-style residence hall, featuring 305 single-occupancy rooms, is under construction and will open in August.

The Batavia Area Jaycees are planning now for the 58th Annual Home, Garden & Trade Show at Batavia Downs.

They are seeking vendors for the event, which is March 19 and 20.

Space is available for $325 per booth until Jan. 31. Thereafter it will cost $375 to reserve a booth.

Download an application form at www.jci.cc/batavia, then going to the download section. Or contact Cathy via e-mail at bajhomeshow@yahoo.com.

Seven Genesee County residents were named to the Deans' List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego. Showing this academic achievement, with their major in parentheses, are:

Samantha L. Yager, of Richmond Avenue, Batavia, a junior (history);

Lindsey C. Glazier, of Caswell Road, Byron, a junior (elementary education);

Jennifer L. Aylsworth, of Scribner Road, Corfu, a senior (accounting);

Emily C. Mahaney, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, a sophomore (journalism);

Nikki M. Parlato, of Seven Day Road, Darien Center, a sophomore (public justice);

Sarah E. Olear, of North Street, Le Roy, a senior (zoology);

Vincent S. Kovach, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, a freshman (wellness management).

To be included on the Deans' List, students must have a semester grade-point average of 3.30 to 3.79, on a 4.0 scale.

Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News & World Report named the college among the Top Regional Universities in the North for 2011 and includes it in its annual guidebook "America's Best Colleges." The Princeton Review counts Oswego among "The Best Northeastern Colleges."

A 149-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,300 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.

Elmira College boasts of having the longest-running Honor Scholarship program in the nation and two of this year's winners are from Genesee County.

Amy Schmidt, of Batavia, has received the Presidential Scholarship.

Jessica Pcionek, of Oakfield, has been awarded the Salutatorian Scholarship.

Elmira College awards in excess of $14.5 million in Honor Scholarships each year. Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need and are renewable based on full-time status and continuous enrollment for three additional years with the appropriate grade-point average.

All applicants for admission who are accepted are then automatically reviewed for Elmira College Honor Scholarships and are awarded the highest scholarship for which they qualify.

Money magazine has named Elmira College in the Top 10 Colleges in the Nation for Academic Scholarships. U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition has named the College a "Great College, Great Prices" institution.

Elmira College, located in the Finger Lakes Region of beautiful, historic upstate New York, is one of the great small colleges of the nation. To learn more about what Elmira College has to offer, navigate to www.elmira.edu or call 800-935-6472 to schedule your visit to Elmira College.

Mark your calendars: Genesee County’s annual “State of the County” is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26 in the Chambers of the Old Court House.

The Chair of the County Legislature, Mary Pat Hancock, will deliver the brief address as part of the regularly scheduled Legislature meeting.

Her remarks will include the accomplishments of individual departments during 2010, as submitted by those departments, and point out some of the unique challenges that face the county this year along with "strategies to maximize the impact of a proactive, positive county response during the coming year." The public is invited to attend.

Here's the Spring 2011 new Roz Steiner Art Gallery schedule (subject to change):

The new Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery opens this spring with a GCC Fine Arts Student Show. It is scheduled for March 1 through April 5, with an opening reception from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. The exhibit highlights current student artwork in GCC courses on drawing, painting, photography, 2D, 3D, and ceramics.

Community members and art enthusiasts should save the date for the Roz Steiner Art Gallery Grand Opening Reception, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 15. Complete details will be available soon!

The spring semester will round out with a GCC Digital Arts Student Show from May 11 through, with an opening reception from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 12.

 

The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College has announced the calendar for live performances for its 19th season at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Live Performances in the Stuart Steiner Theatre:

The Forum Players start the spring season with the performance of In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks, a modern interpretation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, "The Scarlett Letter." The Forum Player's production is set in a post Hurricane Katrina backdrop that follows the daily trials of Hester, an illiterate, single, homeless, African-American woman who must find a way to rise above her situation and care for her five children.

Performance dates are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. onThursday, Feb. 3-5. Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $5 seniors (55+) and students and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC alumni card.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra returns to Genesee Community College with its 64th season with two performances at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"Love Notes" will be performed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, with special guest Michael Ludwig, violin.

"GSO on Broadway" will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, featuring the GSO 2011 String Workshop Orchestra.

Ticket prices are: $12 adults; $8 seniors (62+); $5 students (18 & under or GCC students with a valid ID); or $30 per family (parent plus children 12 & under) and are available at the following locations:

Hi-Tek Graphics in Oakfield; Bank of Castile in LeRoy; Roxy's Music Store; GO ART!; The Enchanted Florist; and the Box Office at Genesee Community College in Batavia. Tickets are also available at the door one hour prior to the performance at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Two acts of musical talent and originality will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25. Tony Brown and the Faithful, with opening act Swati.

Tony Brown is a former member of Upstate NY's infamous Ozone, now touring with his band the Faithful -- a gathering of experienced, eclectic musicians hailing from around the globe. Brown's soulful, powerful voice, along with the acoustic world vibe that his band mates bring, creates a sound that mixes blues, folk and alternative rock.

Opening act Swati, a NYC native who began her musical career in the classical world, plays a 12-string guitar that has been fitted with eight. Ticket prices are: $12 adults; $10 seniors (55+); $5 students (18-) and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC alumni card.

A concert by the Genesee Chorale and Chorale Orchestra, "AElinor, the Oratorio," is also scheduled this spring at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 6 at the Stuart Steiner Theatre. Words and music by Ann Reid, and conducted by Ric Jones with the Genesee Chorale and the Chorale Orchestra.

This concert storyline takes place in 1147, AElinor, Countess of Poitou, Duchess of Aquitaine, and Queen of the Franks leads a band of women on the Second Crusade. In so doing, she learns about earthly love and her marriage to Louis VII, King of the Franks, is annulled. She runs off with Henry Plantagenet, a penniless lord. Six months later, the penniless lord becomes Henry II, King of England.

Developed in the Lehman Engel Workshop, Los Angeles, this project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Ticket prices are: $10 adults; $8 for seniors (62+) and students (18-); $5 GCC student with GCC ID; and $18 family (parent plus children under 17). Tickets are available at the Box Office at Genesee Community College, GO ART! in Batavia, and from all Chorale members.

The Fine and Performing Arts committee is pleased to have Stone Row returning to the Stuart Steiner Theatre for one performance at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Stone Row is a fusion of Celtic, folk, country and rock that combines the local talent of four dynamically versatile musicians. Each band member brings a whole new spin with diversified attitudes and styles.

Ticket prices are: $10 adults; $8 seniors (55+); $5 students (18-) and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC alumni card.

The Genesee Center for the Arts continues its commitment to introducing performing art to children, families, and schools throughout the Western New York area with Nobody Likes Mordacious (And That's How He Likes It), a stage fantasy by veteran children's theatre playwright Jack Stokes.

The Forum Players and local grammar-school students present the audience with a girl who needs to rescue her parents from the stratagems of a very wicked fellow. On an epic quest laced with humor, she encounters genies, shadows, monsters, and pirates, and enlists the aid of a witch-fighting guide in order to restore her family.

Not everyone can be redeemed; sometimes evil is just plain evil; as always, bullies of any stripe must be confronted. These are just a few of the things Orafu learns on her quest. This show is appropriate for any audience, particularly elementary and junior-high students.

Performance dates are scheduled for Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24, by invitation only, and there will be one public performance at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25. Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $5 seniors (55+), students, and GCC faculty/staff; and $3 GCC students with GCC ID.

The last live performance at the Stuart Steiner Theatre this spring is Blood Brothers by Willy Russell, performed by the Forum Players. Blood Brothers is one of the longest-running musicals in London theatre, with the 1988 West End production still running.

It is a musical that has a contemporary nature vs. nurture plot, revolving around fraternal twins who were separated at birth. The twins' different backgrounds take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum, leading up to a tragic ending.

Performance dates are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 through Saturday, April 9. A matinee is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $5 seniors (55+), students, and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC Alumni card.

For more ticket information or reservations, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at 585/343-6814 or by email at <http://boxoffice@genesee.edu>. All seating is general admission.

The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash and checks only, credit cards are not accepted. For door-to-door directions, sent via email, visit http://www.genesee.edu/

 

Attention music lovers: The Batavia Concert Band is currently seeking additional board members.

The board meets every other month and oversees band management officers in preparation for the annual summer concert season.

If you are interested, please contact Pam Frisby at 343-8560.

 

The International Collectors Association presents the Ohio Valley Refinery & Roadshow at the Comfort Inn in Batavia next week.

Collectors anticipate $300,000 in sales from local residents wanting cash for their antiques, collectibles, and gold and silver items.

The Ohio Valley Refinery & Roadshow travels across the globe in search of rare and unique items. During this event, people will have the exciting opportunity to sit with experts from around the world and sell their items to collectors if they wish to do so.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Jan. 11-14. and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15.

The Comfort Inn is located at 4371 Federal Drive.

"Greening Your Business" is the focus of a free workshop on incentive programs for improving energy efficiency in your business.

It will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at the Generation Center, 15 Center St. in Downtown Batavia (across from the Smoke House restaurant).

It is sponsored by the Batavia Business Improvement District Management Association, Inc.

Participants will learn about National Grid's Small Business Program. This is for business customers with an average demand use of 100 kW or less. National Grid can help you reduce your company's energy costs by installing energy efficient equipment.

It can provide a free energy audit and report of recommended energy efficiency improvements. The program pays up to 70 percent of the cost of installing energy efficient equipment and can finance your share of the cost, interest free for up to 24 months.

Cost-cutting, energy efficient equipment available through this program include: lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors and walk-in cooler measures.

NYSERDA offers Pre-Qualified Incentives to encourage applicants to purchase and install more energy-efficient equipment for small-sized energy projects and equipment replacement projects.

These incentives are available on a $/unit basis for pre-qualified energy efficiency measures. Applicants can receive up to $60,000 in pre-qualified incentives ($30,000 – electric, $30,000 – natural gas) per facility per calendar year.

National Fuel Gas customers using less than 12,000 Mcf per year can receive a maximum natural gas incentive of $25,000 per facility per calendar year.

Also learn about the Energy Audit Program, which provides energy audits to small businesses and other facilities to help them make informed electrical energy decisions and implement energy-efficiency strategies. Audits help identify economically viable improvements that yield substantial annual energy savings.

RSVP by Friday, Jan. 14 by calling Don Burkel at the BID office at 585-344-0900. Or e-mail him at: dburkel@downtownbataviany.com

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, the Genesee County Department of Motor Vehicles will provide an overview of its agency and explain the services it provides. This is a free information session for everyone and it runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Genesee County Office for the Aging/NY Connects.

The overview will include:

• Documents that are processed and recorded documents that are of “public record”;
• ID and authorization needed to obtain information birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates;
• Passports vs. Enhanced Driver’s License Senior Driver Testing.

NOTE: If you have specific questions, send them ahead of time to: ofa@co.genesee.ny.us

The Genesee County Office for the Aging/NY Connects is located at 2 Bank St. in Batavia. Phone is 343-1611. Please call to make a reservation. Seating is limited!

This program is made available through grants from the New York State Office for the Aging, the Federal Older Americans Act and the support of the Genesee County Legislature.

The agencies involved offer special thanks to the Genesee County Clerk's Office.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has new exhibits in Genesee County for January and February.

GO ART! Bank of Castile Main Gallery, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia – An exhibit entitled “A Retrospective of Roz Hayes” is on display. It features 50-60 works by the late Rosalind Zeis Hayes, most of which are available for purchase.

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 2-4 p.m. Exhibit dates: Friday, Jan. 7 through Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and by appointment.

GO ART! Batavia Satellite Gallery, Genesee County Senior Center, 2 Bank St., Batavia – “Young at Art,” an exhibit by the “senior” students in Lorie Longhany’s classes held at this location is on display.

A Meet-the-Artists Reception will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 5-7 p.m. Exhibit dates: Monday, Jan. 10 through Thursday, Feb. 24. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

GO ART! exhibits are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency. For more information, contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313, info@GOart.org or visit www.GOart.org.

John and Margaret Volpe, husband and wife, and teachers for more than 20 years at St. Joseph School in Batavia, will be honored later this month at a WNY Catholic Education Dinner.

They will receive the "Making a Difference Award" on Thursday, Jan. 27 at the Adam's Mark Hotel, Buffalo.

The award was established by Buffalo native and NBC newsman Tim Russert, as a way of honoring his former teachers for the difference they made in his life. It is given to a Catholic schoolteacher in the Buffalo diocese.

This is the first time two teachers will be recipients.

The Batavia Lions Club "Bryant Generator Raffle" winner was Batavia resident Ed Leising. He decided to take the $2,000 rather than the generator since he already has one.

The Batavia Lions Club would like to thank all who purchased tickets for the raffle.

The club also thanks Bill Hayes at Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for providing the generator.

All profits from the raffle will be used by the Lions Club to fund their many local activities. 

For example, at the annual Christmas Day Dinner T. F. Brown's -- provided in conjunction with Ben, Rick and Mark Mancuso, and Joe Teresi -- the club helped pay for hundreds of turkey dinners that were served to local individuals and families who could use a helping hand during this busy time of year. Along with the meal, each child attending received a beautiful new Christmas toy.

The Batavia Lions would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy New Year.

RSVP of Genesee County and the Genesee County AmeriCorps program are looking for volunteers for a service project they will be holding to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Volunteers will be making -- no sewing required -- blankets that will be given to the Agri-Business Child Development Center. Volunteers can also help to create cards for the military.

The activities are suitable for ages 10 and up. The project will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17 at the Senior Center, located at 2 Bank St., Batavia.

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 for information, or to sign up.

The Genesee Community College Foundation is once again seeking nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on the community.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. All nominations received by Tuesday, Feb. 1 will be considered by the Selection Committee.

The foundation will induct its fifth group of honorees in a ceremony on March 30 at the Batavia campus.

The criteria for nominating an individual to the College Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's alumni website (www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/  <http://www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/> ) and emailed or sent to the Genesee Community College Alumni Office.

New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building.

For further details please contact Jackie Christenson, alumni coordinator at 585-343-0055, ext. 6265, or <http://alumni@genesee.edu>.

 

Genesee Community College's BEST Center (Business and Employee Skills Training) now offers a new menu of fully online real estate education and training courses. It is made possible through a partnership with Career WebSchool.

The BEST Center provides a variety of real estate courses that prepare individuals to become licensed real estate agents and brokers or acquire continuing education credentials all while studying online in the comfort of their home.

These courses include:

Real Estate Sales Pre-license -- Prior to becoming a certified real estate agent in New York, individuals must pass multiple requirements. With the 75-hour Salesperson qualifying course, the educational portion will be satisfied and help to prepare for the New York State licensing examination.

Remedial -- Bridge the 30-hour gap for the new qualifying course requirements for a real estate license in New York with this course.

Broker Pre-license -- Everything needed to prepare and pass the New York Real Estate Broker License Exam. This 75-hour Broker Package consists of the 45-hour NY Broker qualifying course and the 30-hour NY remedial qualifying course. Already have the 30-hour remedial course completed? Then choose the 45-hour NY Broker qualifying package.

Exam Prep -- Choose from NY Salesperson or NY Broker online exam review.

Continuing Education -- Renew a NY real estate license by completing this 22.5-hour course.

Appraisal courses offered online:

Continuing Education – This New York Appraisal Continuing Education Course has everything required to satisfy the 14-hour-per-year appraisal continuing education requirement.

Exam Prep -- Study for the New York real estate appraisal course exam.

Mortgage courses offered online:

Exam Prep -- Designed specifically to prepare for the national S.A.F.E. Mortgage Loan Originator Exam.

Our local residents now have the option to change their career path all with a click of a button," says Lauren Cummings, business training specialist at The BEST Center. "These real estate courses are approved by the New York Department of State and can be completed at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home."

Genesee Community College's BEST Center (focused on Business and Employee Skills Training) is a local provider of business consulting, community training and workshops for companies of all sizes and in all industries.

It offers a variety of tailored programs on-location at businesses across the GLOW region, or at any of Genesee Community College's seven campus locations (Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw).

For further information on The BEST Center, please contact Lauren Cummings, at 343-0055, ext. 6602, or visit the center online at <http://www.bestcenter.org>.