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Announcements

UMMC now provides inpatients with free TV and phone service

By Billie Owens

As of April 1, United Memorial Medical Center offers free television and telephone service to inpatients.

As a result of a new telecommunications contract with Time Warner, patients will have free access to basic cable channels and local telephone service; including free long distance. New flat panel televisions were installed in patient rooms last month.

This change means that patients will no longer have to go through the lengthy process of establishing service through a separate vendor or receive bills for these services following discharge. Both services are readily available to them upon admission to the hospital.

The change was precipitated by comments made on patient satisfaction surveys, which indicated that the former television and telephone services caused a great deal of frustration to patients. The previous service required patients to dial 1-800 numbers and enter financial information to a remote vendor call-site. Customer service issues were difficult for not only patients, but for the nursing staff as well when they were unable to intercede on a patient’s behalf.

Currently, the televisions and telephones are functional; however the full transition to Time Warner will not be complete until mid-May.

For the next six weeks, patients may dial telephone numbers with the 585, 716 and 315 area codes directly. Long distance calls to other area codes will need to be placed through the hospital switchboard although they will not be charged.

In May, following the completion of the transition, patients will be able to make all long distance calls directly from their room without operator assistance.

This initiative was made possible by the UMMC Foundation.

 

Richmond Library holds 'American Girl' on Saturdays this month

By Daniel Crofts

Girls age 7 and up get a chance to celebrate being a girl with crafts, outdoor activities and other projects at the Richmond Library.

The library's "American Girl" program, based on the popular children's book series, will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on April 10, 17 and 24.

Here are the names of the sessions:

4/10 - "Meet Julie"

4/17 - "Meet Lanie"

4/24 - "American Girls & their pets"

Please contact the library at 343-9550, ext. 4 for more information.

College professor 'pays it forward' by donating bone marrow

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College Assistant Professor of History Garth Swanson has a lot to be thankful for. Two years ago his toddler son, Anders, underwent treatment for a life-threatening brain tumor at the University of Rochester's Medical Center and he has been brought into remission and cancer-free for two years.

Swanson is showing his gratefulness and "paying it forward" by donating his stem cells to a complete stranger. He recently donated stem cells at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester and a 58-year-old man with leukemia will receive the cells. The Wilmot Cancer Center offers the only program in the area for bone-marrow or stem-cell transplants.

Swanson, from Stafford, is familiar with donating marrow, as his 4-year-old son did it during treatment for a pineoblastoma at Golisano Children's Hospital. Doctors retrieved Anders' cells early in his treatment regimen of high-dose chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery and later used the stem cells to jump-start his bone-marrow production.

Swanson's act of kindness was recently featured on channel 13 WHAM News. The full
story as well video can be found at:
<http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Giving-a-Precious-Gift-to-Someone-Hes
-Never-Met/ELUjUpuI4EG858nsvE0kHA.cspx>.

Swanson and his wife, Amy, joined the Be The Match Registry, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program, a few years back in support of a girl from Elba in need of a transplant. He was contacted as a potential donor once before, but wasn't a perfect match. To join the Be The Match Registry or to find the nearest marrow drive, visit: <http://www.marrow.org>.

"I would love to encourage everyone to sign up for the National Marrow Donor
registry," Swanson said. "It is my hope that we can hold a donor drive event
at the college in the near future."

For the University of Rochester Medical Center's coverage please visit:
<http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2798>.

Volunteers needed for event displaying replica of famed Vietnam Veterans Memorial

By Billie Owens

The half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. will be on display from June 24-28 on the grounds of the Batavia VA Medical Center, 222 Richmond Avenue.

Volunteers are needed to man information tables, help visitors locate the names of loved ones and assist with daily site clean-up.

Vietnam veterans are particularly encouraged to volunteer for this special event.

Those interested in volunteering may call Bill Davis at (585)297-0055 or e-mail <thewall2010@yahoo.com>.

AmeriCorps to hold planting project at DeWitt Park

By Daniel Crofts

Genesee County AmeriCorps will host a planting project at Batavia's DeWitt Recreation Center, 119 Cedar St., from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. Around 50 volunteers are needed.

The goal of this project is to remove invasive plant species from the park and to raise plants designed to reduce soil erosion, provide the wildlife with food and shelter, and give visitors something more aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Supplies and water will be available, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water as well.

The day will include activities for youth and lunch will be provided.

Anyone interested in participating in or making a donation to this project should call the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 and ask to speak to Lauren. Information is also available on Facebook (search "DeWitt Planting Project").

An Evening of Jazz - Featuring Bobby Militello

By Pamela LaGrou

An Evening of Jazz - Saturday, April 24th beginning at 7:30 pm in the Stuart Steiner Theater at GCC.  Featured artist is jazz great, Bobby Militello.  Opening selections by Bataiva High School Jazz Band, directed by Jane E.

Event Date and Time
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10th Annual Free Easter Celebration Dinner

By Robin Walters

Care-A-Van Ministries will be holding their 10th Annual  Easter Celebration Dinner.

Dinner will be served at 2:00 PM at Assembly of God Church at 24 North Spruce Street.  There is no charge for dinner

Please call 585-343-0328 for reservations.

God Bless and Keep the Light On!

Event Date and Time
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10th ANNUAL EASTER CELEBRATION DINNER- FREE FOR ALL

By Robin Walters

You are all invited to the Care-A-Van Ministries 10th Annual Easter Celebration Dinner.

The dinner is being held Easter Sunday, April 4th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. It will be held at the Assembly of God Church at 24 North Spruce Street, Batavia. 

There is no charge. Please call Paul and Bridget at 585-343-0328 for reservations.

Last year Care-A-Van served over 90 Easter dinners! I hear the chocolate fountain is out of this world!

Also, All are invited to come and be a part of the Care-A-Van family as they celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the 10:30 AM Easter Sunday Service. Rides are available.

God Cares and So Do We!

Also if anyone is interested in helping with with the dinner, please give Care-A-Van a call at 585-343-0328

Have a Very Blessed Easter!

NY farm bureau wants real stories about real farmers

By Billie Owens

The New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education is now collecting short personal stories to assemble in a collection called, "A Day in the Life of a Farmer."
 

"The most influential way for farmers to educate the non-farming public about agriculture is by telling their unique stories," said foundation Director Sandra Prokop. "There are few things more compelling and engaging than the story of what farmers do and why they do it."

The foundation invites all farmers and farm families to participate in this project. Stories should focus on a personal experience connected to agriculture and/or a story that tells about a day in the life of an active agriculturist.

Stories can portray any sector of agriculture and should be able to carry the message of family farming, regardless of the size of the operation.

This project will be part of an education process to engage the public and raise awareness about the different roles within the agricultural community, what agriculture really is, what an average day might include, and form an impression of good stewardship, family strength and commitment to a strong work ethic.

The first round of submissions is requested by Aug. 15. Stories should be from New York residents (past or present) or based on New York agriculture.

They should be a maximum of one page in length (with at least a 10-point font) and a signed release must accompany all submissions and high-resolution photos. The use of "family" in submissions is strongly encouraged to communicate the true value of family in New York farming.
 
Complete guidelines for submissions and a copy of the release can be found at <www.nyfbfoundation.org/storiesofagpage.htm> or call the Foundation at 1-800-342-4143.

Stories may be submitted to Sandra Prokop at <sprokop@nyfb.org> or by mailing to NYFB Foundation, P.O. Box 5330, Albany, NY  12205, or faxed to her attention at 518-431-5656.

College invites middle-schoolers to compete in poster contest about math in everyday life

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Community College Math Club will celebrate Math Awareness Month throughout the month of April with a poster contest for all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in schools within Genesee County.

This year's theme is "Math and You" and encourages students to ponder and illustrate how math affects each student in their everyday lives.

Cash prizes will be awarded to First ($50), Second ($25), and Third Place ($15) winners overall. Certificates may be awarded for honorable mention as well. A brief awards ceremony will be held on the evening of Wednesday, April 28 to honor all participants.

"We're hoping to have even more entries this year!" said Mary Knappen, mathematics professor and advisor of Genesee's Math Club. "As always, our goal is to help foster a more positive attitude towards mathematics at the middle school level.

"It is our hope that students will recognize that doing well in math provides many benefits in terms of a career path, but also that mathematics is fun in and of itself."

Members of the Genesee Math Club as well as Genesee math faculty will judge the posters for: accuracy of all mathematics included on the poster; overall visual impact of the display for eye-catching appeal and attractiveness; clarity of the poster's message "Math and You"; appropriateness of the graphics; and creativity of the message used to illustrate the theme.

All entries must be received by April 20. Mail entries to:

Math Poster Competition, Math/Science Division (Attn: Mary Knappen), Genesee Community College, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Entries may also be delivered in person to the Math/Science suite (D 359).

For more information about Genesee's Math Club, contact advisors: Mary Knappen at 343-0055, ext. 6382 or <http://mcknappen@genesee.edu> or Michelle Abdella at 343-0055, ext. 6396 or <http://mdabdella@genesee.edu>.
 

'Change for Change,' final update

By Daniel Crofts

The Genesee County high schools' "Change for Change" fundraiser has come to an end. The money raised will benefit United Way charities in Genesee County.

Nancy Harding of the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union reported the following totals after final deposits were made on Friday:

Batavia High: $3,384.27

New York State School for the Blind: $701.73

Oakfield: $459.06

Pavilion: $32.95

13th Annual John Gardner Conference

By Charley Boyd

The 13th John Gardner Conference April 24, 2010
Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY

 

 The John Gardner Society and Genesee Community College invite you to attend The 13th John Gardner Conference. The conference will provide scholars, teachers, writers, fans and other interested parties an opportunity to gather and exchange ideas about Gardner, his works, and approaches to teaching his works.

 

We are also seeking one-page abstracts of proposals.  Topics concerning his fiction, non-fiction, operas, drama, poetry, or teaching will be considered.  Sessions on teaching his fiction, his methods of teaching, or using his work for creative writing are encouraged.    Presentation length may vary between fifteen and twenty minutes.  Abstracts will be published on the John Gardner Society webpage.

 

Registration:

Find a link to the form at http://www.genesee.suny.edu/Gardner/.  Send your $30 check along with the form.  The registration fee includes lunch. For further information or to submit abstract, email:

 Charley Boyd: caboyd@genesee.edu  or

Tracy Ford: taford@genesee.edu,

or call (585) 343-0055, ext. 6270.

 

Conference Time:              9:30 -3:30                                Room: T102   

 

Eastman Wind Ensemble performs at GCC May 1 only

By Billie Owens

Rochester's Eastman Wind Ensemble will perform in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1. Only one performance is scheduled for this highly anticipated, world-renowned musical ensemble.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors (55+) and GCC faculty/students. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended, by contacting the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office, (585) 343-0055 x6814, or boxoffice@genesee.edu. <http://boxoffice@genesee.edu>.

The Box Office accepts cash or checks only; credit cards are not accepted. For directions, see http://www.genesee.edu. <http://www.genesee.edu>

Since the May 1 performance dovetails with a regional high school Jazz Festival hosted by Batavia High School, area high school musicians will have the opportunity to dine with Eastman Wind Ensemble musicians before the 7:30 concert. Interested students should contact their high school band directors, or Jane Haggett at BHS, jhaggett@bataviacsd.org <http://jhaggett@bataviacsd.org> before April 23.

For more information about the Eastman Wind Ensemble, including listening to representative recordings, visit http://www.esm.rochester.edu/ewe/. For more information about this concert, contact boxoffice@genesee.edu <http://boxoffice@genesee.edu>  or rgknipe@genesee.edu <http://rgknipe@genesee.edu>.

The college sent along this background information:

In the early 1950s, Frederic Fennell was a young faculty member at Rochester's Eastman School of Music, brainchild of Kodak founder George Eastman. Fennell loved concert band music, and so founded the Eastman Wind Ensemble, which became one of the world's leading wind ensembles. An entire repertoire of wind ensemble music has grown out of, been commissioned for, premiered and performed by the group, including works known by most professional and amateur musicians who have ever played in a quality concert band.

The ensemble celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002 with a conference of international scope, including the premiere of a new work, the gathering of composers and performers from around the world, and the release of a multi-CD set of recordings compiled from sessions in Japan, Rochester and elsewhere.

The ensemble's current director, Mark Davis Scatterday, was also introduced in 2002 as conductor of the group. Scatterday is professor of Conducting and chair of the Conducting and Ensembles Department at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music. As only the fourth conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Scatterday joined a prestigious line of conductors in the past 50-plus years of the famed ensemble – Fennell, Clyde Roller, and Donald Hunsberger. The ensemble's current core of 50-plus musicians includes undergraduate and graduate students of the Eastman School of Music, currently celebrating a triumphal December 2009 Midwest tour and release of a new CD, "Man! hattan Music."

"Bringing EWE to Genesee Center for the Arts continues the College's long tradition of hosting some of the world's leading musicians," said Bob Knipe,dean of Learning Technologies, member of the Genesee Fine Arts Committee, Batavia Concert Band and Genesee Symphony Orchestra. "Genesee's Stuart Steiner Theatre is a perfect venue offering exceptional acoustics, as well as an intimate setting. We are in for a real treat. This will musically knock your socks off."

Knipe remembers an early affinity with wind ensemble music, which is characterized by complex arrangements for wind, brass and percussion instruments, usually with one musician (only) on a part. "I bought my first Eastman Wind Ensemble record about 1963, with Fennell conducting" Knipe recalled. "I was enraptured – and still am."

In October 2004, Fennell, then aged 90, did a brief guest conducting appearance with the ensemble he founded 52 years earlier.

"I had the singular honor of shaking his hand, getting his autograph, and as an aside, talking with him about his brief stint in the late 1950s as conductor of the then-new Genesee Symphony" Knipe said.

"That 2004 performance with the wind ensemble, in the Eastman Theater, was Fennell's last," explained Scatterday. "He passed away just a few months later, but is fondly remembered by scores of Eastman graduates and music lovers worldwide. His legacy lives on, stronger than ever."

Free car-care clinic for women offered

By Billie Owens

A free car-care clinic for women will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at Dan’s Tire and Auto, 48 Batavia City Centre in Batavia. The class is designed to better acquaint women with their vehicles’ and prepare them for emergency situations.

There will be hands-on demonstrations, including examples of broken and worn-out parts. The class will include explanations of warning lights, how to check the fluids under the hood, how to change a tire and what to do if an accident occurs.

A speaker from the YWCA Domestic Violence program will also be attending to help raise awareness in our community about this growing problem. Donations are welcomed and will go directly to the domestic violence prevention program.

“We found that many women have the same questions and concerns about their
vehicles,” said Dan DiLaura, owner of Dan’s Tire and Auto. “Our goal is to demystify automotive care while supporting a valuable community organization.”

Although the clinic is free, participants must register before April 26 by calling Dan’s Tire and Auto at 343-7210 or visiting the company’s Web site at www.danstire.com.

Two new summer youth programs offered at GCC

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College is introducing new summer programs for area youth. All of the summer camps take place at the Batavia Campus.

The first is the Genesee Sport and Wellness Experience geared toward middle-school students. The second one focuses on physical education and fitness for high-school students. It is a three-week, one credit-college course (Accelerated College Enrollment - ACE).

The Sport and Wellness Experience includes instruction and skill development in the areas of golf, tennis, soccer, and volleyball for two weeks to local middle-school students. Education on a variety of wellness topics such as nutrition, fitness, stress management, peer pressure, and drug and substance abuse issues will also be presented and discussed.

Students in grades six, seven and eight are invited to attend the program weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 through 23. The cost is $100 and includes lunch every day and a T-shirt. A scholarship to attend the camp at no charge will be offered to one student in sixth- through eighth-grades from each GLOW area school.

Students must be nominated by a faculty, staff member or coach from their school. For the general flyer and registration form go to: http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Sport_WellnessFlyer.pdf

For a Wellness Experience Scholarship Nomination Form go to:  <http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Sport_WellnessScholarshipNominationForm.pdf>

For further details, please contact Becky Dziekan, director of Health and Physical Education at 585-343-0055 x6424 or rldziekan@genesee.edu  <http://rldziekan@genesee.edu>.

The ACE Program course is PED171 Body Conditioning. It's aimed at high-school students interested in the areas of physical education and fitness who are looking to earn college credit. Genesee Community College's Health and Physical Education Department will provide an opportunity for students to use state-of-the-art equipment, a Human Performance Lab, and learn the latest in exercise and fitness techniques and trends.

Participants will also benefit from instruction by a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach. The course is scheduled from 9 to 11:15 a.m., Monday through Thursday, July 6 through 22. For further information or for tuition rates, please contact Ed Levinstein, associate dean of ACE programs at 585-343-0055, ext. 6300 or ejlevinstein@genesee.edu <http://ejlevinstein@genesee.edu>.

Please note: Genesee's Performing Arts and Fine Arts Experience summer programs will not be in session this summer due to the anticipated construction of the new art gallery at Genesee Center for the Arts at the Batavia Campus.

State Court of Appeals Associate Justice to speak at GCC

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College's Criminal Justice Club is pleased to welcome New York State Court of Appeals Associate Judge Eugene Pigott Jr., to the Batavia Campus on Thursday, April 15.

Judge Pigott will present an overview of the Criminal Justice Court process and lead a discussion regarding issues facing today's courtrooms. The presentation will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Conable Technology Building, room T102. This event is free and open to the public.

For further information please contact Karen Wicka, instructor of Criminal Justice at 585-343-0055, ext. 6217.

He was born in Rochester in 1946 and graduated from LeMoyne College in 1968. He served on active duty in the Army from 1968 to 1970. While in the service, he was stationed in Vietnam, serving as a Vietnamese interpreter. He graduated from SUNY at Buffalo School of Law in 1973 and was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in 1974.

Judge Pigott practiced law in Buffalo, with the firm of Offermann, Fallon, Mahoney & Adner from 1974 to 1982. In 1982 he was appointed Erie County Attorney and served in that position until 1986. Then he became chief trial counsel for the firm of Offermann, Cassano, Pigott & Greco.

In 1997, he was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court by Governor George E. Pataki and thereafter was elected to a full 14-year term. In 1998 he was designated to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department and was appointed Presiding Justice in 2000. In 2006, he was nominated by Governor Pataki to the Court of Appeals and confirmed by the State Senate.

He and his wife Peggy have two children and live on Grand Island.

"It is quite an honor to have Judge Pigott visit the college community," said Instructor Wicka. "This is a wonderful opportunity for our Criminal Justice students to learn about the current court system and discover the possibilities of careers within the legal system."

Workshop on successful veggie gardening

By Billie Owens

Have you wondered why your vegetables just don’t seem to grow? Do you want to start a vegetable garden but have no idea where to start? Then this class is for you!
 
The “Successful Vegetable Gardening” workshop will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 7 as part of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Coffee and Dessert Series.

It will be taught by Bill Stedman, master gardener, and will cover the ins and outs of successful vegetable gardening. Whether you are a beginner or have been growing your own vegetables for years, Stedman has great tips for creating a bountiful garden. Attendees will also enjoy coffee, tea and desserts as part of the program.
 
The workshop will be held at the Cooperative Extension building at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required by April 5, so reserve your seat now by contacting Amy at 585-343-3040, ext. 106, or stopping by the extension office.

Other upcoming sessions in the Coffee and Dessert Series include: “Planning Your Landscape” on April 15; “Hostas” on May 5; “The Edible Landscape” on May 12; and the always popular “Container Gardening Workshop” on May 25.

Hans Hunz will offer a free session on "Bluebird Beauty" on April 21.

Visit the website www.genesee.shutterfly.com <http://www.genesee.shutterfly.com> for more details or call Amy at 343-3040, ext. 106, to register.

The racy musical "Chicago" comes to GCC April 8-10

By Billie Owens

After "wowing" adult audiences around the world, from Mexico City to Moscow, Sao Paulo to South Africa, "Chicago" comes to Genesee Community College.

A true theatrical institution, Chicago has everything that makes musical theater great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all-that-jazz, one show-stopping song after another and astonishing choreography.

Performance dates are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thurs., April 8 through Sat., April 10 and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sun., April 11. General admission ticket prices are $8 for adults, $5 for students, seniors (55+) and GCC faculty, and $3 for GCC students with a valid ID.

Salvation Army's women's auxiliary holds Spring Treasure Sale

By Billie Owens

The Women's Auxiliary of the Salvation Army will be holding its annual Spring Treasure Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 24 at the Citadel Gym, 529 East Main St., in Batavia

This year there will be a LARGE quantity of craft suppolies as well as kitchen utinsils, household items, clothes, books and toys.

Lunch is available and a bake sale will be run by the Senior Salvation members.

Donations will be accepted beginning April 1 until April 20 at the Citadel.

For more information call the office at 343-6284.

'Friends of the Library Monthly Book Sale' at Richmond Library

By Daniel Crofts

On April 1, the Friends of the Library will hold their monthly book sale -- which is on the first Thursday of every month -- at the Richmond Library, 19 Ross St., in Batavia.

Adult, teen and children's books will be for sale. Book prices will range from $0.25 to $5, depending on how recently the book was published.

The book sale begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.

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