Announcements

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.

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>.

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 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.

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/>.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.                                                                                                                         

Join the Fun! Save the Date! Register Now!

On your mark, get set, GO! Plans are underway for Genesee ARC’s Annual Friends & Family 5K.  The 6^th annual event is scheduled for September 25 in Elba.  The 5K raises money for disability services and helps fund the Genesee ARC Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship.  Mrs. Graney was a dedicated parent, a long-time supporter of Genesee ARC, and a strong advocate for persons with developmental disabilities.

The Friends & Family event is made up of a 5K certified course, 5K Walk and a Fun Walk, with the route beginning near and ending at the Genesee ARC Day Habilitation Center, 4603 Barrville Road, Elba. Pre-registration for participants in the 5K is $15.00 by September 12 or $20.00 on the day of the 5K. Fun Walkers pay $10.00 before September 12 and $15.00 on September 25.

The “out and back” course will begin on Barrville Road, head west, then turn, heading east on Bridge then north on Luddington to the end, then back to the ARC Day Habilitation Center. Affected roads will be closed while runners are on the course. ARC is working with Town of Elba, Highway officials and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department to ensure a safe, fun time for everyone.

Prizes will be presented to the overall male and female runners, with medals awarded to the male and female first and second place runners in the following age categories: 8–12, 13–18, 19–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and 70+. Medals will be awarded to the top three 5K Walkers (regardless of gender). The first 150 registered runners and walkers will receive a Friends & Family 5K t-shirt. PCR Timing returns this year as the official race timer. 

After the Run/Walk, participants will be treated to a post race party, with music provided by The Buffalo Road Show. Kid-friendly activities include a bounce house, face painting and Magician, Adam Michael. Again this year, to go along with the country theme, event organizers are planning to showcase the produce from Elba area farmers in a “Taste of Elba.”

Title sponsor of the Friends & Family 5K is the Buffalo Law Firm of Webster Szanyi LLP.  Organizers are also welcoming MVP Health Care as the Health & Wellness sponsor.  Promotional support is being provided by Media Sponsor, WBTA, and the T-shirt sponsor is Genesee Valley Penny Saver.   T.F. Brown’s and Clor’s Meat Market have volunteered to help by providing food for the post race party.

For a registration form or information on the Genesee ARC Friends & Family 5K, call Sandy Konfederath at ARC at (585) 343-1123 ext. 226, or email sandyk@rochester.rr.com. You may also pick up a  form at 64 Walnut Street, Batavia and several area locations including WBTA, the Elba Town Hall and post office.

The Batavia Lions Club is sponsoring a raffle for a Bryant HOME STANDBY GENERATOR (8/7 kW LPG/NG) or $2,000 in cash.

All proceeds will be used to help fund several current and future community projects.

Current include: Lions Night at the Ball Park; holiday decorations in downtown Batavia; Christmas dinner at T.F. Brown's; Christmas baskets of food for local families; the annual college scholarship program for students from Batavia and Notre Dame high schools; and most importantly, numerous vision initiatives to assist local residents.

Future projects will include: “Project New Hope”; and the “Lions Hearing Conversation Society”; and the upcoming Batavia Lions Club Bicycle Tour on Aug. 21.

“Project New Hope” assists veterans and their families face the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. The “Lions Hearing Conservation Society” helps community members afford quality hearing aids.

For more information about the Batavia Lions Club’s activities, please visit our website at <www.clubrunner.ca/batavialions>.

This Bryant home generator will allow you to automatically power essentials in your home in the event of a power outage. It operates on natural or LP gas. It will power such items as your lights, sump pump, refrigerator and heating system.

It automatically starts, transfers power from the unit to your home circuits, and transfers it back to line power when the emergency is over. It offers security to your family and protection for your home during those times when the Western New York weather has done its best to shut us down!

The Batavia Lions Club wishes to thank Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., for providing the generator.

The drawing will take place on Oct. 25. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased from a Batavia Lion or through the mail. If purchasing your tickets through the mail, please make your checks payable to:

Batavia Lions Club
P.O. Box 456
Batavia, NY 14020
Attn. Tickets

Please include a posted, self-addressed envelope with your order and a name, address and telephone number for tickets to be returned.

Thank you and good luck from the members of the Batavia Lions Club!