Skip to main content

Announcements

Two Batavia Board of Education seat petitions will be available on March 12

By Kathie Scott

The Batavia City School District’s May vote will include decisions on two Board of Education seats, as those held by Patrick Burk and Steve Mountain are ending.

The available seats are for three-year terms (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016).

Petitions for those interested in pursuing a Board seat will be available on March 12, 2013, at the District’s administrative offices, located at Batavia High School (260 State St.). They must be returned to the Business Office at the District’s administrative offices in Batavia High by April 24 before 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21 is voting day with polls open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

First ever Elba Central School Square Dance - you're invited

By Billie Owens

The Elba Central School Junior Class is sponsoring the premiere Elba Central School Square Dance. This will take place from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.

It's open to the public. Cost is $4 per student and $7 per adult. There will be basket raffles, 50/50 raffles and food available.

This will be at Elba Central School in the Sherwood Gym at 57 Main St., in Elba. There will also be line dancing. Please come and have some old-fashioned fun and support the class of 2014!

Second Annual Members Exhibition now on display at GO ART!

By Billie Owens

The Second Annual Members Exhibition is now on display at the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) Bank of Castile Main Gallery, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

The exhibit coincides with March as Arts Awareness Month and it runs through April 26.

An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

Call for visual artists for possible exhibition at GCC's Roz Steiner gallery

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College invites visual artists to submit their work for possible exhibition at GCC's Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery located in the Genesee Center for the Arts on GCC's Batavia campus. This call for work is open to individual artists and group exhibitions in all media interested for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Steiner Gallery's mission is to foster community involvement in the arts while enhancing the learning experience for all GCC students, faculty and staff. Proposals are selected by the GCC Gallery Committee, which seeks out exhibitions rich in content and quality craftsmanship.

According to Gallery Manager Shirley Verrico, "Our gallery attracts both artists and visitors from throughout Western New York. We are currently averaging about 300 visitors each month. Our committee is always looking for artists that can contribute meaningfully to the education of our students while participating in the larger discourse of the contemporary art world."

The Roz Steiner Gallery opened in Spring 2011 and offers 1,700 square feet of outstanding exhibit space featuring 25-foot walls, moveable island walls, bamboo flooring, and multimedia capabilities. See more at the Gallery's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gccgallery.

Artists interested in submitting their work can do so via the submission process available on the Gallery Web site at http://www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts/gallery/submissions.cfm. The deadline for consideration for the coming academic year is May 1.

High school artists sought for Congressional Art Competition

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) is encouraging local high school students to participate in this year's Congressional Art Competition. The winning artist from New York's 27th Congressional District will travel to Washington, D.C., and have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

"Each day, members of Congress and hundreds of visitors to the Capitol walk by the award winning artwork submitted by high school students from around the country," Collins said. "I look forward to great participation from NY-27 schools this year and the opportunity to welcome our wining artist to Washington this summer."

Now in its 31st year, the Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in New York's 27th Congressional District. Local submissions are due by April 19 and will be judged by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Collins' office has notified local high schools regarding contest rules and submission guidelines. Interested students should see their art teacher for details or contact Emily Knight from Congressman Collins' office at (585) 519-4002.

Batavia Middle School Hosts Family Literacy Night

By Kathie Scott

   On March 14, from 5-7 p.m., Batavia Middle School will host a Family Literacy Night for students and their families! This evening is dedicated to promoting literacy by giving parents and students the opportunity to attend exciting learning sessions led by our BMS staff. In addition, we will be joined by the Richmond Memorial Library's Mobile Van, Literacy Genesee, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

   The four major sessions that will be offered include:

  • What No Bedtime Story Means… Reading aloud with younger children and encouraging teen and young-adult readers
  • Digital Literacy: User-Friendly Electronic Resources: Website exploration and iPads!
  • READ 180 Overview and Investigation: Sessions for grades 5/6 and for grades 7/8
  • Lexiles - The New Frontier! What Lexile measures are and how to use them with our libraries!

   FREE pizza and other refreshments will be offered along with babysitting provided by the Batavia High School Z-Club for any young children of attendees.

   Another highlight of the night for families will be "Books Galore!" - a chance to select FREE books to take home and enjoy with your families!

   This is a very important community event, and it centers around an issue that truly benefits students and parents. We encourage all family members and students of BMS to join us while we celebrate reading, and provide some helpful tips and tools to take home.

GCC hosts job fair for careers in health care

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College will host a Job Fair dedicated to careers in the health career industry from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at the College's centrally located William Stuart Forum.

The event is designed to introduce potential new employees to employers, and also provides health care businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community. More than 25 local and regional health care companies and four-year colleges will be available to answer questions, accept resumes and distribute material relating to their company / college. Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistants and Respiratory Care, Polysomnographic Technology, Veterinary Technician, and Fitness and Recreation Management businesses will all be represented.

As of Feb. 26, the following employer representatives will be available to distribute career information and other printed materials, answer questions, and receive resumes (this list is subject to change):

Catholic Health System, Buffalo
Companion Care of Rochester
Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo
Fidelis Care, Getzville
Finger Lakes DDSO – Nursing, Rochester
Finger Lakes DDSO – Phys. Therapy, Rochester
Genesee County Health Department, Batavia
HCR Home Care, Rochester
Highland Hospital, Rochester
HomeCare & Hospice, Olean
Lifetime Assistance, Rochester
Lifetime Care, Rochester
Monroe Community Hospital, Rochester
NYS Veterans Home at Batavia
Olean General Hospital / Bradford Regional Medical Center
Orleans Community Health, Medina
Precision Scribes, Las Cruces, NM
Rehab Resources & Little Lukes, Oswego
Rochester General Hospital, Rochester
Unity Health System, Rochester
University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital - Physical Therapy Dept
WNY DDSO at West Seneca, Hamburg

The following four-year colleges will be available to discuss their RN to BSN programs (this list is subject to change):

Daemen College, Amherst
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix
Keuka College – Accelerated Studies for Adults Program, Keuka
Niagara University – Department of Nursing, Niagara University
Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester
St. John Fisher College – Wegmans, School of Nursing, Rochester
SUNY Delhi School of Nursing, Delhi
The College at Brockport – Army ROTC, Brockport
The College Network, Indianapolis
Trocaire College, Buffalo
University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester

"With the increasing need for qualified health care professionals, this Health Careers Job Fair gives students and employers a great opportunity to connect," said John McGowan, Career Services Center coordinator.

The job fair is FREE and open to the general public. For a current listing of registered employers / schools, please visit the Career Services Web page at www.genesee.edu.career/events. Employers interested in attending the fair should contact the Career Services office at 585-345-6888 to register for this event.

Spring classes still available at GCC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

It's not too late to take a class this spring at Genesee Community College. There are a variety of "late start" courses to choose from and many are offered online through GCC's eLearning program. Some are even offered on Sundays, beginning March 17.

The spring eight-week session boasts nearly 60 course offerings that include a number of introductory sports classes, public speaking, children's literature, even a class about the History of Rock and Roll. For a list of all the course options visit www.genesee.edu/Options.

"Many times students need to pick up three more credit hours for graduation, or at the other end of the spectrum – new students may not have been ready to start their coursework in early January," Tanya Lane-Martin, assistant dean for Enrollment and director of Admissions said. "The eight-week session is another opportunity for students to access to higher education on their own schedule."

Genesee Community College also has several spring Open Houses planned for new students of all ages to think ahead for enrollment in the summer and fall semesters. All campus locations will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 6 and March 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. Register online at www.genesee.edu/openhouse, call the Admissions office at 585-345-6800, or stop by any campus location:

•    Albion, 456 West Avenue / 585-589-4936

•    Arcade, 25 Edward Street / 585-492-5265

•    Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800

•    Dansville, 31Clara Barton Street / 585-335-7820

•    Lima, 7285 Gale Road / 585-582-1226

•    Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road / 585-798-1688

•    Warsaw, 115 Linwood Avenue / 585-786-3010

Free seminar - 'A Woman's Guide to Money Matters' - by Edward Jones Financial Advisor

By Billie Owens

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Michael R. Marsh, of Batavia, is hosting a free educational seminar titled "A Woman's Guide to Money Matters" at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at 7 Jackson St., in Batavia.

During the upcoming seminar, participants will learn more about:

  • What one can do now to prepare for retirement;
  • One's options to pay for a child's or grandchild's education;
  • Developing a strategy to help achieve one's financial goals.

The seminar is free, but space is limited. To make a reservation, call Robin Ettinger at 345-1773.

Cartooning workshop for young people

By Billie Owens

Batavia Youth Bureau’s Youth Connection Program is sponsoring a cartooning workshop facilitated by “Mr. Scribbles.” It's for young people, ages 8-18, at the Community Center, located at 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

It will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. It's free of charge, but registration is limited so please call the Batavia Youth Bureau to register: 345-6420.

Registrations will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. This event is being sponsored in conjunction with the Genesee ARC.

Mr. Scribbles is an artist, originally from Rochester, now residing in Perry. His list of talents range from cartooning with kids as “Mr. Scribbles” (participation art) where by children make a scribble, and that is transformed into an original art masterpiece or cartoon or character…to fine art produced with various media. Mr. Scribbles offers cartoon classes, basic drawing classes, and his newest endeavor is a “kid safe” Web site for children and grown-ups. Mr. Scribbles is also available for festivals, events and parties. Check out his Web site at mrscribbles.com.

This is assured to be a day filled with cartooning fun. Call the Batavia Youth Bureau today to reserve a spot for you and a friend. The number is 345-6420.

47th Annual WNY Reunion is March 6 in Palmetto, Florida

By Billie Owens

The 47th Annual Western New York Reunion will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at the Tropic Isles Park Auditorium located at 3100 10th St. W. and 28th Avenue in Palmetto, Fla.

Coffee and donuts at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. Bring a dish to pass that will serve eight and your table service. Entertainment, business meeting, and door prizes follow lunch. Registration is $3. For further information, please call Chuck at (941) 721-9748.

Black kitten found at Days Inn, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Dee Neilans, the manager at the Days Inn in Batavia, said a little black kitten walked up to the front door this morning and appears to have no home.

She said it's all black with a little white mark on its belly.  She doesn't know what to do with it. She can't keep it and the shelter is closed today.

If you can help, contact her at the Days Inn, (585) 343-6000.

Austin Heineman fundraiser scheduled for Friday

By Daniel Crofts

From the "Amanda's Rage Cranking it up for Austin" Facebook page (with a few edits):

(Area band) Amanda's Rage will be cranking it up to help Austin Heineman in his battle with cancer.

 

At the young age of 17 Austin was suddenly up against, and in a battle, with a very aggressive and rare form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor.

 

Austin is now 18. He has completed several rounds of chemo and will soon be undergoing bone marrow transplants in Maryland. He has also had to travel to New York City for several days/weeks at a time for treatment.

 

Austin's father, Jason, has been transporting and staying by Austin's side on each and every trip for treatment.

 

Austin needs your help, support and all-important prayers to continue fighting this battle.

 

Austin's Army is looking for recruits. Do you have what it takes?
Come out March 1 to join Austin's Army & show Austin and his family that they are not alone in this.

 

$3.00 cover/donation - 50/50 raffles - Open donations.

This event will take place at the Batavia Country Club, at 7909 Batavia-Byron Road in Batavia, and last from 8 p.m. until midnight Friday.

For more information, call Dawn at 703-3793.

Genesee County gets $2,800 from feds to supplement food and shelter programs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee County has been chosen to receive $2,800 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; the Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide.

The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. A local board will determine how the funds awarded to Genesee County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profit or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability of deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Genesee County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Community Action, The Salvation Army, and Ministry of Concern participating. These agencies were responsible for providing meals and lodging.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Major Patricia Kurtz at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org or phone 343-6284 for an application.

The deadline for applications to be received is Thursday, March 7, 2013 by 3 p.m.

More than 80 4-H kids countywide to take part in public speaking event

By Billie Owens

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, Genesee County 4-H will be holding annual public presentations at Byron-Bergen Middle/High School. There will be more than 80 youth participanting from across Genesee County, ranging from ages 5 to 18.

They will give public presentations in front of their peers and a panel of volunteer judges. Presentations will include everything from illustrated talks to live demonstrations and even impromptu topics. Each presentation is at least five minutes, but no longer than 15 minutes.

By participating in this event, 4-H youth improve their public speaking skills while developing self-confidence, poise, self-esteem, stage presence and knowledge, giving them an advantage over their peers in this lifetime skills area. These skills will be useful in their future social, educational and career pursuits.

The public is welcome. The school is located at 6917 County Road 31 in Bergen.

Newly formed GC Libertarian Party meets tonight at Coffee Culture

By Billie Owens

Tonight at 6:30 at the Coffee Culture in Downtown Batavia, the Genesee County Libertarian Committee is holding its biweekly formation meeting. Come out and join with fellow Libertarians to continue the journey of establishing the first-ever Genesee County Libertarian Party!

Sick of the way things are, but you're not sure that you're a Libertarian,  or just not sure what we're about? You are warmly invite to attend the meeting, ask questions, and get to know us and who we are! Coffee Culture is located at 6 Court St.

Check out our Facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY

Take the world's smallest political quiz! @ http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

Tonight's agenda includes:

Elected Board Updates --

  • Process to create bank account
  • Finances
  • Bylaws

Committee Updates --

  • Membership
  • Candidate vetting
  • Convention

Ideas from the General Body

Calling all area singers - starting Feb. 19 - Tues./Wed. rehearsals for March choir performance

By Billie Owens

(choir members and/or anyone that loves to sing)

    Come and join a community ecumenical choir to present Joseph Martin’s, “Song of the Shadows,” a cantata – a poignant service of tenebrae – to be performed, Wednesday, March 27, at 7:00 P.M. at the Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd, Batavia and at 7:00 P.M. on Good Friday, March 29, at the LeRoy United Methodist Church, 10 Trigon Park, LeRoy.

   Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. at the LeRoy First Baptist Church, 5 East Main St., LeRoy and Wednesday evenings, 8:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M., at the Batavia First United Methodist Church.

  Interested participants should plan to attend one rehearsal each week but are welcome at both. Each person may choose to perform in one or both presentations.

   Questions, concerns, comments? Contact Carol Weidman, 716-542-6098 or cweidman1@rochesterr.rr.com.

GCC's Multicultural Communications Club is abuzz with accomplishments

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Multicultural Communications Club, a Toastmasters International Club, is generating a lot of buzz for its significant accomplishments. Five members of the mostly student group have received Toastmasters International certification in communication and four of those five earned leadership certification as well.

Earning the communication certification is no small feat. Members must give 10 presentations from the Toastmasters International Competent Communication Manual. Each one focuses on a specific area. Among them:

*    Introducing oneself

*    Getting to the point

*    Organizing a speech

*    Using body language

*    Using visual aids

*    Giving a persuasive speech

*    Giving an inspirational speech

In addition, the Leadership Certification involves 10 projects completed at meetings. Members may act as Toastmaster, timer, grammarian or may bring someone new to the club. Serving in different club roles gives them practical leadership experience in using people skills, being decisive and authentic, and moving the club forward.

"Earning the certifications takes a high level of commitment from both the students and the faculty advisors," said Club Co-advisor Jacqueline Di Bella, adjunct professor of Humanities at GCC. "The students we have are so motivated and committed to the discipline of communication and leadership. We are happy to support their efforts."

Di Bella also serves as the club's vice president of education.

The Toastmasters Club started in March 2011 and currently has 22 members. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit education organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. At meetings, members act as evaluators, offering feedback on speeches to help other members improve.

"It's known as the 'feedback sandwich'," Di Bella said. "First you praise, then you recommend how the speaker can improve and you finish with praise. It's a very supportive environment that generates great results."

"To have these students achieve this designation so early in their academic and professional lives is amazing," Di Bella said. "It will open many doors for them in the future."

'One-stop Center' opens in Buffalo in April to help WNY vets

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Veterans One-stop Center of Western New York, Inc., (“One-stop Center” or “VOC of WNY”) announced Tuesday that it will open a “one-stop” veterans advocacy and service center at 1280 Main St. in Buffalo in April.

VOC of WNY is intended to serve the seven counties of WNY, including Genesee County, which is estimated to have a veterans population of more than 4,500.

The VOC of WNY is an independent, nonprofit collaborative, that will offer U.S. veterans, service members, and their families the convenience of a barrier-free “one-stop” location to access coordinated, individualized and integrated social, health, educational, economic, and supportive services.

The “One-stop Center” will feature the comfort of a “home base” environment to welcome, affirm, and respond to each individual veteran’s specific needs. A variety of services will be provided by existing, independent providers working together in a coordinated, seamless way to provide programming to assist veterans and their families in developing wellness, successful achievement of their goals, realization of their full potential, and reintegration into the community.

Services include: accredited benefits counseling; employment resources and services; peer mentoring; readjustment, behavioral, and mental health counseling; legal services and veterans treatment court mentorship; financial counseling and coaching; education resources services; and housing and emergency services.

The VOC of WNY will be able to tailor all services to have a male, female or a family-specific focus.

The Veterans One-stop Center of WNY has launched a Web site, Facebook page, and Twitter account that contain additional information and provide the opportunity to support the initiative. They can be found at  www.vocwny.org, www.facebook.com/VOCofWNY, and on Twitter at @VOCofWNY.

Can and bottle drive to help Byron Bergen HS band buy marching shoes, travel

By Billie Owens

The Byron Bergen High School Band is having a can and bottle drive this Saturday to raise money for the band, which would like to be able to go a a trip to perform as well as new marching shoes.

The drive will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the band room. The high school is located at 6917 County Road 31 in Bergen.

Authentically Local