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Announcements

Muckdogs play double-headers tonight and tommorrow

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs will have two back-to-back double-headers on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 25 and 26 due to wet field conditions on Tuesday evening. Game time is 6:05 p.m. both days with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Any ticket purchased for Tuesday's game can be exchanged for two tickets to any future Muckdogs regular season game.
 
Wednesday is Homer’s Birthday Bash. In celebration, we will be giving out free ice cream bars to the first 250 fans courtesy of Hershey’s Ice Cream.

It’s also Drug Free Communities Family Four Pack where fans can get four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12 oz. sodas and a 2010 Program for ONLY $30. Plus you’ll receive a FREE prize pack courtesy of Drug Free Communities.
 
Thursday offers the Knot Hole Game presented by Turnbull Heating and Air.
 
For tickets, call the Muckdogs Box Office at 343-5454, ext. 1005.

Clor's holds chicken barbeque to benefit Oakfield family

By Daniel Crofts

John Hatch, pastor of Batavia's United Pentecostal Church, will be hosting a Chicken Barbeque with Clor's Meat Market, at 4169 W. Main St. Road in Batavia, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday. The proceeds will benefit the family of Matthew Ware, a 22-year-old Oakfield resident who was killed in a car accident earlier in the month.

Ware was a graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School and a member of the Pentecostals of Genesee in Batavia. His pastor and family hope for a generous response from the community.

The cost is $8.50 per dinner. For more information, please call Clor's at 343-5122 or The Pentecostals of Genesee at 345-0925.

Auditions next week for 'Oliver!'

By Billie Owens

The search is on for Oliver! The 2010 Batavia Rotary Club Production of "Oliver!" is calling all actors and actresses between age 6 and 14 to audition for the title role and 35 other roles, which portray orphans and/or pickpockets.

Throughout August, Laurie Mastin, show chair, and Director Patrick Burk, are scouting Western New York for 36 young thespians for the 62nd Rotary Show Musical Production.

"Oliver!" will be performed Nov. 4 – 7, with rehearsals starting Sept. 13.

Auditions will take place at Batavia High School, 260 State St., at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.

All young people will learn a song, sing in small groups, work on choreography and present a monologue from the show. No experience is necessary.

Batavia Rotary is looking for a great cross section of young actors and actresses to be a part of the largest Rotary Show in recent memory. Joining in the selection process will be past cast members of "Oliver!" and a long list of guest judges in the areas of dance, music and acting.

At the conclusion of the Oliver Search 2010 evening, the top 36 -- who will be cast in the show -- will be announced, along with several runners-up.

The announcement of who will play the title role will happen after the adult and ensemble auditions. These will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 and 8 at Batavia High School. All 36 youngsters will be asked to attend those evenings as well.

Parents of young actors and actresses interested in Oliver Search 2010 are asked to call and register their Oliver hopefuls with Burk at his office (585) 343 9721.

All pre-registered actors and actresses will be given audition numbers and be asked to show up at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.

Walk-in auditions that have not pre-registered are also welcome. They will be added to the audition process on a first-come-first-serve basis and will receive audition numbers upon arrival.

For more information, please call Patrick Burk at (585) 343-9721 or Mastin at (585) 344-5880.

GCC to offer ecology tour of Costa Rica and the rainforest

By Billie Owens

Next spring, Genesee Community College will offer an immersion trip to Costa Rica to study the Central American rainforest.

The tour is open to all students as well as community members who are interested in learning and studying the ecology and conservation methods of Costa Rica.

Participants will have the chance to earn college credit while learning about ethnobotany, elementary botany, ecology and earth science during this nine-day ecological tour.

The tour is led by Genesee biology professor Maureen Leupold, who has traveled to and studied the rainforests of Costa Rica on two previous college trips.

Students who enroll, will earn three college credits while studying the stunning ecological terrain of Costa Rica, including volcanoes, rainforests and beaches.

Genesee continues to attract students from around the globe to study and earn a wide array of different degrees. Last year, the college had 101 students from 27 different nations.

"A decade ago, studying aboard was primarily the domain of baccalaureate and graduate level institutions -- but today, forward thinking community colleges are fully engaged in the global network of teaching and learning," said Eunice Bellinger, Ed.D, executive vice president for Academic Affairs.

"Genesee has always been, and continues to thrive, at the cutting edge, and it is exciting to see those edges in all four corners of our globe."

To find out more about any of these global learning opportunities please contact James Goodwin, director of Genesee's Curriculum Development at 585-343-0055, ext. 6322 or <http://jrgoodwin@genesee.edu>.

GCC photo exhibit will feature all things Dutch

By Billie Owens

An international photography exhibit featuring photographs taken by students who traveled to the Netherlands in May will kick off the 2010-2011 gallery schedule for Genesee Center for the Arts.

The exhibit reflects the students' study-abroad course, which focused on Dutch culture.

Genesee partnered with SUNY Brockport to develop the GCC faculty-led study-abroad program that took students on a month-long cultural journey through Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Genesee faculty members, Josephine Kearney and Heather Jones, led 20 students from Genesee and SUNY Brockport on a study tour to document culture through photography, writing, group discussion and experiential observations.

Three GCC faculty got immersed in Brazilian culture while teaching English

By Billie Owens

Three Genesee Community College faculty members recently returned from an English language cultural program in Sao Paulo, Brazil. And the college is getting ready for several more global education and study-abroad opportunities this academic year.

Connie Boyd, Charley Boyd and Susan Drexel spent three weeks teaching English language and cultural immersion to students at FATEC Americana in Brazil.

"I really felt like I was taken in and was a part of a family when I was there," Sue Drexel said. "The people were so protective and we knew we could trust them to show us around their beautiful country."

The three instructors taught students aged 17 all the way to adults in their 50s. They focused on teaching American culture to the students through video clips, show-and-tell style activities and group projects.

Each night they taught a different topic, including holidays, food, families, music and sports. During the sports night, the Batavia Muckdogs were shown to the Brazilian students through YouTube clips to teach them about American baseball.

The Boyds and Drexel were amazed at the dedication of the students, who many times worked all day then attended the cultural immersion classes from 7 until 11 p.m.

 "The students were incredibly dedicated to the program," Connie Boyd said. "They wanted to know about our culture and were very open with us. The Brazilian people are very gracious and have such pride for their country."

Genesee and FATEC Americana hope to expand and develop the program throughout the next academic year.

This fall, director of Curriculum Development, James Goodwin, will visit FATEC and the first group of Business faculty members will travel to Brazil in January to teach business and culture to FATEC students.

GCC executive vice president learns first-hand about the rigors of ROTC

By Billie Owens

Rappelling down a 50-foot climbing wall was all in a day's work for Genesee Community College's executive vice president of Academic Affairs.

Eunice Bellinger, Ed.D, recently returned from a four-day excursion to Fort Knox near Louisville, Ky, where she joined 80 other college administrators for the annual Army ROTC Leader's Training Course.

Professors, deans, administrators and faculty members who traveled from colleges and universities across the nation were arranged into platoons. They were provided Army uniforms, taught marching techniques and given a taste of the physical and mental demands of an ROTC cadet.

They were exposed to tactical problem solving and team-building with their platoons and even had to eat M.R.E.'s (Meals Ready to Eat) just like real cadets.

Along with rappelling, the educators also got to test their physical endurance at the obstacle course and rock wall at the Forest Hills climbing complex, and worked on team-building at the teamwork development course and stream-crossing. The stream-crossing featured single- and double-rope crossing techniques, which the platoons used to race against each other.

"The stream-crossing was a really big deal to me," Bellinger said. "I can't swim!"

College administrators climbed walls, participated in a high ropes course, sat in on leadership lectures, attended a semi-formal event and "graduated" from the program in a ceremony on the last day.

"Overall, it was a great experience. The ROTC program has wonderful scholarship opportunities for students looking to serve their country and further their education. I'm looking forward to next year's training course in Seattle!"

Bellinger is no stranger to military life. She was born at West Point Military Academy and has taught U.S. military personnel through the University of Maryland's European Division while living and teaching in Kuwait in the 1990s.

This firsthand experience for college educators was designed to develop advocates for the Army ROTC program. Genesee Community College now has a new ROTC office in its Career Center at the Batavia Campus, which is managed under the direction of SUNY Brockport's ROTC program.

Starting this fall, SUNY Brockport ROTC students will have the opportunity to take four classes at Genesee's Batavia campus. All four classes are offered on Fridays and are leadership focused. Fall classes include Leadership and Personal Development (MSC 101), Military Fitness and Conditioning (MSC 103), Military Conditioning Lab (MSC 104) and Innovative Tactical Leadership (MSC 201).

For further information about the ROTC programs offered at Genesee, please contact Major Daniel Fletcher at 585-395-2769 or e-mail: <http://dfletche@brockport.edu>.

The ROTC Leader's Training Course website is: <http://leadertrainingcourse.com/>.
 

Learn about birds of prey at GC park and nature center

By Billie Owens

Here's an opportunity to learn about birds of prey. You'll meet a live hawk, an owl and turkey vulture, too.

Join Ron Walker, of Friends With Feathers, who'll give a presentation about these fascinating creatures on Saturday, Sept. 11.

It places place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Genesee County Park and Forest Nature Center, located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany.

Pre-registration is required by calling (585) 344-1122. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family.

New Batavia grad is finalist in NY-Penn League's scholarship contest

By Billie Owens

Melissa Levins, who just graduated from Batavia High School, was a finalist in the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation's scholarship contest.

She and 10 other finalists statewide received $250 for college textbooks.

A total of $10,000 in scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors by the league’s philanthropic arm, the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, as part of its 2010 Scholarship Program.

Three grads, none of whom are from Genesee County, received the grand prize of $2,500 each in scholarship money.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization) in 2003. Its mission is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its clubs and their staff.

In 2009, the total contributions by the league and its clubs exceeded $827,000 and included contributions of cash, food, game tickets, merchandise, and other goods and services.

Adoption event for cats and kitties at Petco Saturday

By Billie Owens

There will be a feline adoption event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Batavia Petco on Veterans Memorial Drive (located in the Target Plaza).

"Think Adoption First" is a collective effort of Petco, Volunteers for Animals and the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

There will be cats and kittens of all ages, colors and personalities. Most are spayed or neutered. All are tested for FIV/FeLV and current with shots.

The adoption fee is $30. If the animal is not spayed or neutered, there is a $35 refundable deposit.

Some are stunning forces of nature. Some are clowns and proudly so. Some are introspective, OK, aloof. Others are lovable because they let you love on them. Indisputably, they are the best cats in Genesee County, quite possibly North America.

Also, six cages are inside the store, so you can meet and greet a cat during regular store hours.

The same organizations teamed up last October to help homeless cats find a home. Since the Batavia Petco opened, more than 300 cats and kitties from the animal shelter have been adopted out of the store.

Nationwide, it is "kittens season" and shelters are inundated. And the GCAS is no exception.

You are encouraged to come out and visit the cats. You just never know who you may meet. It could be your next BFF.

Fiddle players wanted for fiddle competition and barn dance in Elba

By Billie Owens

The Historic Society of Elba is holding a Barn Dance and Fiddle Competition on Oct. 16 and needs to line up fiddle (violin) players so they can be practicing for the event.

Music will be from "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels, but with a slight modification and will become "The Devil Went Down to Elba."

There has been a good response to this planned event. The Kelly Oldtimers are scheduled to perform and call the dancing. Also planned is a performance of The Ebla High School Jazz Ensemble.

Anyone wanting to be involved in the fiddle competition (young and old ) should contact Ron Komar at 585-757-2590 or ron.komar@gmail.com.

Caring For The City Being Held Today

By Robin Walters

Care-A-Van ministries will be hosting their Second Annual Caring for the City Day, today  Friday, August 20th.

The  highlight of the day is the free dental clinic which is offered by Dr. Russ Marchese and his staff. The event is being held at Dr. Russ office which is at 401 East Main Street.  The event will run from 8 AM to 3 PM.  Dr. Russ sees the growing need for people without dental insurance and wants to help make a differerence for them.

Also on hand in the parking lot will be many agencies and churches offering their services as well. Community Action, Cornell Coopertive Extension, GCASA, Cancer Services of Gennesse from UMMC, Circle of Love, Fidelis Insurance, Lake Plains,  St Paul Lutherarn Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church and Faith Community church will be some of those on hand to bless others.

All services are free and open to the public. 

 

Elba Presbyterian Church to hold 5K race on Saturday

By Gretel Kauffman

This Saturday, the First Presbyterian Church of Elba will be hosting its first 5K run/walk.

Race-day registration will be from 8-8:45 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park (located on Main Street in Elba) and is $18 a person ($15 for participants under the age of 18).

The 3.1-mile race will begin at 9 a.m. on Maple Avenue and will go down West Avenue -- with drinking water at the turn-around point at Weatherwax Road -- and end at the park. 

Post-race festivities in the Veterans Memorial Park will include the awarding of prizes and giveaways for the participants, refreshments, a bake sale, 50-50 raffle and live music from The Thunderbirds. All proceeds will be used toward the mission and ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Elba.

"This is an exciting first effort for our congregation," says Reverend Barbara Tipton. "The pre-registration response has far exceeded our expectations. The cooperation of the community officials in helping us organize our run/walk has been extraordinary.

"Our goal is to raise funding not only for important projects in our church, but to enable us to support those community agencies that address needs on all of our behalf."

For more information go to http://www.elba5k.com or contact Dave Bateman by e-mailing him at racedirector@elba5k.com or calling him at (716) 374-4741.

Local PTSD program manager lands VA job in Buffalo

By Billie Owens

VA Western New York Healthcare System announced the selection of Terri Julian, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, for the position of Health Behavior Coordinator (HBC) at VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo site.

Julian was program manager of the Batavia VA Jack Wisby Jr. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Center.

During her 10 years of service at the PTSD Program, she contributed to the expansion of the men’s residential program, the establishment of the women’s residential program, and the currently planned women’s program expansion.

She also gained national recognition for her work establishing a peer-support program and partnerships with veterans' service organizations. She contributed to PTSD research literature with peer-reviewed publications and served as local principle investigator in a collaborative research project with the National Center for PTSD in Palo Alto, Calif.

In addition, Julian serves on the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office’s National Disaster Management Senior Leadership Team, Mental Health Component.

UMMC celebrates 10th anniversary Saturday with BBQ and health fair

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from United Memorial Medical Center.

United Memorial Medical Center celebrates its 10th anniversary with a Health Fair and Chicken Barbecue from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Jerome Center, 16 Bank St., Batavia. The celebration has been planned to coincide with the City of Batavia’s “Summer in the City” event.

Proceeds from the Chicken Barbecue will benefit the Surgical Expansion Project at the Hospital’s North Street Campus. Tickets are $8 each and are available at the Hospital Cashier’s office or by phoning (585) 344-5415. Tickets may be purchased using cash, check or major credit card.

The barbecue will run from 12 noon until sold out. Dinner includes grilled barbecue chicken, potato salad, vegetable, roll and beverage. They will be packaged for take-out but tables and chairs will be available under the tent where guests can enjoy live music performed by the local band, Buffalo Road Show from 12-2:30 p.m.

Rochester radio’s WBEE 92.5 FM will host a live remote with on-air personality Billy Kidd from 3-5 p.m.

This is an opportunity for the community to celebrate United Memorial’s 10th anniversary and learn about current and future hospital projects such as the surgical expansion, housing renovation, physical therapy facility and urgent care service.

The project to renovate the top four floors of the former St. Jerome Hospital is nearing completion and guided tours of the senior apartments will be offered.

The Health Fair will feature free screenings, within the Jerome Center, provided by United Memorial’s Healthy Living Department for total cholesterol, blood pressure, body fat analysis, and blood glucose. (Please fast for two hours prior to the blood glucose test for accurate results.)

Outside, under the tent, several community partners will offer information, free giveaways and have a Child Safe ID booth.

Participants include the YMCA, the Genesee County Sheriff's Department, City of Batavia Police Department, HCR Home Care, Cancer Services Partnership of Genesee and Orleans Counties, Batavia Ophthalmology, Genesee Hospitalists, Conifer Realty, Lake Plains Community Care, GCASA, and The Justice for Children Advocacy Center.

'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' to be performed at BHS

By Daniel Crofts

Batavia Players, Inc. presents "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," their 2010 Summer Youth Theatre production.

The play will be performed at Batavia High School, at 260 State St. in Batavia. Show dates are Thursday, Aug. 19, Friday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug 21. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last about 90 minutes.

"Seven Brides..." is the story of Adam Pontipee, a backwoodsman living in 1850s Oregon. He brings a new wife home one day and then, all of a sudden, his six brothers want to get married, too!

Filled with energetic dance numbers, great music, colorful costumes and the performances of 54 youth from Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, Monroe and Seneca counties (ages 4 to 21), this play is sure to please. Don't miss it!

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors. For more information, please call 343-9313, ext. 31.

Hawley announces Patriot Trip III to Washington, D.C. Sept. 23-26

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley has announced his third annual Patriot Trip for veterans to tour Washington, D.C. This special trip is scheduled for Sept. 23 through 26.

“The Patriot Trip is a very special and memorable event every year,” Hawley said. “As the Ranking Member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, a veteran, and the son of a veteran, it is one of my top priorities to support veterans across New York State.

"In addition to my legislative support, this trip is part of my personal commitment to honor these brave men and women. I’m looking forward to this year’s trip and extend an invitation to all veterans of the 139th Assembly District.”

Patriot Trip III will include round-trip, private-coach transportation from Western New York to Washington, D.C. and accommodations at Fort Belvior Army Base in Virginia. The trip also includes tours of the WWII, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials as well as the nation’s Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery and the Udvar Hazy Aerospace Museum.

Cost is $325 and most meals are included.

For more information about the trip and its details, pricing, or to sign-up for the trip or mailing list, please call Assemblyman Hawley’s District Office at (585) 589-5780.

Blue Devil Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on tap

By JIM NIGRO

The ninth annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame dinner is set for Saturday, Sept. 25th at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility. This year's inductees include a contingent of former standouts reading like a who's who from the annals of Blue Devil sports. The inductees include:

Don Cerefin                    1947

Sharon Leising               1964

Barry Sheldon                1967

James Briggs                 1969

James Dzierzanowski    1969

Bruce Beswick               1970

Ernest Found Jr.            1970

Matthew Doward            1986

Teal Fowler                     1989  

Social hour for the event will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a dinner at 6. The cost of tickets is $30 and are available at the athletic director's office at Batavia High School. For more information please call 585-343-2480, ext. 2003.                                                                                                                         

Chamber Member Appreciation at Dwyer Stadium

By Melissa George

Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
Member Appreciation

DATE: Thursday, August 26th
TIME: 6:00pm till end of game
LOCATION: Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank Street, Batavia

IT'S AN ALL MUCKDOG SUMMER!!

We are going back to the ball park on Thursday, August 26th for the Chamber of Commerce Annual Member Appreciation. Once again the Chamber will be hosting "A Night at the Ballpark." Ticket prices include general admission to the game and a Member Appreciation all you can eat buffet under Party Tent in the "The Hot Corner."

 

Buffet will be served between 6pm-7:30pm and includes all you can eat Hotdogs, Hamburger & Cheeseburgers w/all the fixings, pasta salad, potato salad, watermelon, potato chips, ice-cold beer & soda.

 

The cost of this is only $18.00 for adults,
$9.00 for children 4-12

 and free for children 3 and under.

Tickets along with an additional event wrist band MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE AT THE CHAMBER OFFICE, 210 East Main Street, Batavia. If you do not purchase your tickets at the Chamber Office you will NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE PARTY TENT.

Chamber office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m-4:30 p.m.

Please call the chamber at 343-7440 for any questions.

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity begins house # 8

By Ronald Burroughs

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity is starting its eighth house in about 11 years.

The blessing, with the new family that will be working along with many volunteers to completely renovate the house, was held Saturday afternoon with friends and relatives in attendence.

Angelina, Nikalina and Carmelina have been selected for the house at 150 State Street in Batavia.

The mother of two will have to complete hours of "sweat equity," and when finished, the keys will be turned over to her family.

Habitat will carry a 30-year, interest-free mortgage on the cost of materials.

Check geneseehabitat.com for updates on the progress of the renovations and all questions about Habitat.

Jessica Tomidy, executive director of GCHFH, on right, assisted with the blessing.

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