On Saturday, the Batavia Kiwanis Club hosts one of its most popular events, Pancake Days, this time for the 58th consecutive year.

Pancake Days are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ARC Community Center on Woodrow Road, Batavia. The price is $6 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under, and $4 for senior citizens.

Pictured are committee members Theresa Asmus-Roth, Susan Maha, Lawrence Friedman and Jeanne Walton.

Larry Hanley was out on Ellicott Street this morning driving his electric-powered, with a radio, C-Cab three-wheel bike.

He built the C-Cab himself.

"I made the templates with cardboard and I kept cutting them until I got it to where I liked it," Hanley said. "That saved on wasting wood."

He started the project with a "plain old three-wheeler" in May and it didn't take long, he said.

Asked why, Hanley said simply, "It's just something that I've wanted to do for a long time."

Le Roy and Bergen took one big step forward Monday night toward the goal of community leaders winning a competition with a $3-million prize to help drive local economic development. Consultants presented the outline of a strategic economic development plan.

The plan focuses on bringing infrastructure to the Le Roy Food and Tech Park as well as Appletree Acres in Bergen, but also contains several other goals and tactics for spurring economic growth.

Le Roy and Bergen entered the competition as a team and are among the finalists, and as a finalist the community group leading the effort received $50,000 to come up with the plan to submit to the America's Best Communities competition, which is sponsored by Frontier Communications.

The competition committee hired Saratoga-based Camoin Associates to do the research, conduct the interviews and come up with recommendations for the plan.

The committee came up with the following vision statement to include in the plan:

Our economy is grounded in strong agriculture and food-production industries, a resilient manufacturing sector and vibrant village centers. Our proactive economic development investments provide the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth. Our communities maintain a high-quality lifestyle and livelihood through a collaborative ethic and adaptation and reinvention and by leveraging our historic and natural assets.

Robert Camoin, president and CEO of Camoin Associates, said the second sentence is meaningful in the competition and significant.

"It says you're not going to let happen to you whatever happens to you," Camoin said. "You're taking a proactive approach toward your economic future."

Alyson Slack, an economic development analyst for Camoin, outlined 11 key points in the plan, which includes further investment in the Le Roy Food & Tech Park, marketing the park to target industries, preparing the I-90 interchange for future development, promoting the region's top-quality workforce, exploring the creation of a craft manufacturing incubator for entreprenuers who wish to work out of their homes, and protecting farmland.

"Employers are pleased with the local workforce," she said. "They appreciate the work ethic and the skills that are based on the agriculture history of the area, which fosters a strong willingness to work, problem-solving skills and mechanical know-how."

The big problem facing both Appletree Acres and the Food and Ag park is the lack of high-speed broadband, insufficient electric capacity and no high-capacity natural gas pipeline. If the community wins the $3 million, those issues could be addressed.

The 40 or 50 people who attended the "stakeholders meeting," were invited to provide feedback. Robert Taylor raised a concern about the need for housing to support economic growth and another audience member pointed out that a study of the village land area some years ago found about 50 percent of the village is under-used for housing.

Camoin asked several times for feedback on the proposed plan with little response, then asked if people in the audience were happy with what they saw and heads nodded yes. Taylor said he liked the plan, he just thought housing needed to be more strongly addressed.

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

I am deeply disappointed in the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals’ Second Circuit to uphold the core provisions of the NY SAFE Act. This legislation infringes on the constitutional rights of gun owners across New York State and is clearly unconstitutional. My district alone is filled with thousands of law-abiding citizens with firearm ownership as part of their family’s traditions. This law disrespects their way of life and hinders their ability to defend themselves in the unfortunate event of a burglary or break-in.

“Aside from the facts that this law is arbitrary to a fault and lacks the enforcement mechanisms to make it effective, the process by which it was passed through the Legislature is deeply troubling. The SAFE Act was passed under cover of darkness on one of the first days of the legislative session, and I can attest to the fact that few members of the Legislature had even read the bill before it was voted upon.

"As lawmakers, we are supposed to hold transparency and accountability in the highest magnitude. The SAFE Act was forced through the legislative process with complete and utter disregard for these objectives and should be repealed immediately. I will continue to sponsor legislation that repeals this unconstitutional measure and places integrity above political ambition.”

Press release from Raymond Tourt, city superintendent of Maintenance:

Citywide leaf collection begins Oct. 26 and continues until Nov. 25.

Residents of the following streets can rake to the parkway but do not place in the street; these streets are: Clinton Street, Oak Street, Main Street (including East and West Main Street), Pearl Street, South Main Street (between Oak Street and Walnut Street),Walnut Street, Richmond Avenue (between Oak Street and Prospect Avenue). 

If your street has a route number (i.e. Route 5, Route 33, Route 63 and Route 98), then please keep leaves out of the roadway.

All other streets are asked to rake leaves to the curb line, taking care not to block storm drainage structures/ catch basins.

Leaf operations typically have one crew on the Southside beginning on River Street moving east in areas south of Main Street and second crew on the Northside will work from Grandview Terrace moving west, north of Main Street. A third crew will work using a vacuum along main roads and numbered routes. It takes about a week and half to go through the entire city.

Any resident with leaves can also bring them to the yard waste station until it closes for the season on Dec. 5. Effective Nov. 2^nd, the hours of the Yard Waste Station operation will be adjusted to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAF COLLECTION

• Leaf piles must be clear of sticks and other debris.
• Grass clippings, flower pottings, branches, pumpkins cannot be picked up and residents an encouraged to bring those items to the Yard Waste Station on Law Street.
• Leaves should not block traffic.
• Leaves should not be piled near intersection corners. This causes sight issues for motorist/bicyclists/pedestrians.
• Keep leaf piles clear of drainage ways and catch basins. Blocked drainage leads to localized flooding. 
• Leaves should not be piled around mailboxes, power poles, fences, fire hydrants or other obstacles. 
• Do not park on leaf piles. The heat from a vehicle exhaust system could start a fire.
• Do not wait to get your leaves out. We will normally collect leaves twice within the month of leaf collection.
• If it is snowing, we plow first. If it continues to snow, then leaf operations will be suspended.
• There is no leaf pickup in the Spring.

(Submitted photo by Jim Dusen of the local band Red Creek at HLOM holding a paper replica of the museum's facade.)

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum in partnership with the Willow Bend Inn present their second annual Fall Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, with live music by the band Red Creek.

The event will be held on location at the one of Genesee County’s oldest buildings, the historic Willow Bend Inn at 3489 W. Main St. Road in Batavia.

Reenactors will be there in full regalia to share the history of building as well as what life was like as a traveler in the 19^th Century. There will be a basket raffle with produce from local farms and activities and games for children. 

The Willow Bend Inn will have food and drink specials all afternoon, and live classic rock and country music by the local band Red Creek. Admission is $5 at the door for adults; FREE for children 12 or younger.

All proceeds benefit the historical and educational programs at the Holland Land Office Museum. For more information, contact Jeffrey M. Fischer, the new director, Holland Land Office Museum by e-mail hollandlandoffice@gmail.com  or phone 343-4727.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Sumner and Colby roads, Darien.

Darien fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: Minor injuries reported.

D&C: Uber plans push for upstate NY expansion

A car accident is reported on the westbound Route 490 at mile marker 4.7. The vehicle is in a ditch and the female driver is complaining of chest pain. Bergen fire and ambulance are responding.

Start a business and make it well into your second year and you're doing better than nearly 20 percent of the other people who tried doing the same thing. Make it to five years and you've lasted longer than nearly half of your compatriots. How about 30 years? Well, the Small Business Administration doesn't publish those stats, but does tell us 75 percent of new businesses are closed by year 16.

And in the age of speedy delivery from computer to doorstep, it gets even tougher on retail businesses.

That makes 30 years of owning Neptunes Gardens for Nick and Cathy LaFarnara quite an accomplishment.

Nick said customer service and an ongoing effort to diversify what they offer has helped them survive, especially against growing Internet competition.

Just this past Thursday, as an example of going above and beyond for a customer, Nick said he drove nearly 150 miles to retrieve a saltwater aquarium filter and deliver it to an elderly customer after she tried unsuccessfuly to purchase it at Petco.

"It's stuff like that, you kind of bend over backwards to try to make ends meet," Nick said.

A big part of their business now is live bait, and they do well in the summer with goldfish for fairs and carnivals, and stocking fish for residential and commercial ponds.

Nick's father opened Neptune's Gardens at 33 Liberty St., behind the Pok-A-Dot, in 1967.

Nick and Cathy's daughter, Jamie, works in the store now and will likely run it someday, but Cathy thinks a fourth generation is already eager to take over.

"Our grandkids are already involved," Cathy said. "One time we had a customer looking for a fish and I was, 'I don't think we have it,' and Victor, I think he was 6  years old, said, 'Grandma, we have it.' He took the lady right to it."

Now 9, Victor has a way with reptiles in the store and he thinks nothing of walking around with a snake wrapped around his waist.

"He probably sells more reptiles and snakes than I do," Nick said.

Dignitaries, politicians and business leaders gathered at Batavia Downs today for an official groundbreaking ceremony for a new $5.4 million hotel being developed by ADK Hospitality, a company from Buffalo that reached an agreement earlier this year to build the hotel on land formerly owned by Western OTB.

The project turns the land from tax-free acreage to tax-generating acreage and is expected to create 25 full-time equivalent jobs in the 82-room facility. To help finance the project, Genesee County Economic Development Center has granted more than $600,000 in tax relief. Once open, hotel guests with balconies will be able to watch harness racing from their rooms.

Western OTB VP Mike Nolan, left, and CEO Michael Kane.

 ADK Hospitality CEO Anthony Baynes.

High Voltage Tattoo and Piercing will be hosting a benefit for the owner, Mark Fanara, on Oct. 23 thru 25. We'll be offering $30 tattoos and $15 piercings throughout this event. Tattoos will be limited to designated tattoo flash sheets designed by Jeremy Fridman, Andrew London and Kevin Lockwood. Lettering will also be available, up to 15 letters.

Mark is a single father of two young boys, a tattoo artist and a small business owner. He is now fighting a rare form of lymphoma called lymphatoid granulomatosis (LYG). He has been unable to work for the past few months and will not be able to return in the foreseeable future. He needs your help. All donations will be appreciated.

If you would like to donate, but you cannot make it in, you can mail a check to Benefit for Mark Fanara, High Voltage Tattoo, 110 W. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020. Make check payable to Mark Fanara, memo: Benefit. You can also donate at https://www.gofundme.com/p857yxts

New and gently used winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves, scarfs and boots in all sizes are being accepted by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee in Batavia.

These will be given to adults and children in need during this cold season.

Please donate only items that are clean, without holes or broken zippers.

Drop off donations at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, located at 5073 Clinton Street Road, Batavia, anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call 343-7798 for information.

Press release:

Notre Dame High School is sponsoring a program about good manners for all fifth- through eighth-grade students at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. This interactive program is presented by Beverly Thomas, founder of Buffalo-based Etiquette for a New Generation.

Etiquette for a New Generation's programs focus upon skills to help individuals succeed in the classroom, at home, in the world of business or in a college interview. Application of these manners and skills leads to increased opportunities, greater confidence and improved self-esteem.

Topics to be covered include: Communication Skills, including cell phone etiquette, Social Etiquette, Self Image, Creating a Personal Preference and Elements of Good Sportsmanship.

Notre Dame High School is located at 73 Union St. in Batavia. Cost is $10 per student and includes lunch. Please call 585-343-2783, ext. 100, for more details and to make reservations.

A three-car accident with injuries is reported at Slusser and Pratt roads, East Pembroke. Law enforcement is on scene and says extrication will be needed. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 9:48 a.m.: There were only two cars involved; the third vehicle was driven by a witness who stopped to block off the accident scene. The drivers involved in the accident had minor injuries and both were transported to a hospital; neither had passengers.

City firefighters are responding to a complaint about "a recreational fire" behind the residence at 7 Ross St. Law enforcement is also dispatched to the scene.

Press release:

Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha shares the following safety tips to help you plan a safe, fun Halloween for your family. Review these safety guidelines with your family and set ground rules before heading out. The sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies will have increased patrols on October 31 but planning on your part is the best way to ensure a safe Halloween.

Never leave your house unattended. If you have to leave your house, make sure all the doors are locked.

Parents DO:

• Map out your route and check it against the New York State Sex Offender Registry at www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor

• Accompany your young children and plan to go when it’s light out.
• Feed your children a meal or substantial snack before trick or treating.
• Have children save all candy until they get home.
• Inspect all treats; throw away unwrapped, open, or suspicious looking goodies.

Trick-or-Treaters DO:

• Travel in pairs or groups and stay together.
• Walk on the sidewalk or on the left side of the road facing traffic.
• Stop, look and listen at corners.
• Plan a safe route; stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick.
• Carry a cell phone if going without an adult.
• Be respectful of people and their property.

Trick-or-Treaters DON’T:

• Go into a stranger's house or get into a stranger's car.
• Run across yards or streets.
• Venture down dark, empty streets.
• Approach dark, unlighted houses.
• Go between parked cars or crisscross back and forth across streets.
• Eat any treats before your parents check them.

At Home:

• Put away anything children could trip over.
• Turn the lights on and replace any burned-out bulbs at the walkway and front door.
• Remember, your jack-o-lantern and any other candles or electrical decorations can be a fire hazard. Keep them out of the reach of small children and away from flammable materials.

Press release:

Genesee Community College will offer two open house events this fall at the Main Campus in Batavia, allowing perspective students and their families to explore the many opportunities the College has to offer. Those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register at www.genesee.edu/OpenHouse or by calling 866-CALL-GCC.

The first event is scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 - 11 a.m. The admissions, financial aid and advisement staff will be available to answer questions, and enjoy complete tours of the Batavia Campus, College Village and the College's Nursing labs and classrooms located across the street in the Med Tech Building.

The College will also hold its annual Veterans Day Academic Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. As the biggest recruitment event of the year, visitors have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with professors and instructors at the Academic Fair which runs from 9 to 9:45 a.m., gaining inside knowledge about GCC's many majors and some long-term career projections. In addition, representatives from several four-year colleges will be on hand to talk about transfer options from GCC. If you want a comprehensive look at academics, admissions and the overall GCC experience, don't miss this event!

Genesee Community College provides a variety of convenient learning options for students of all ages. Students can take classes at the main campus in Batavia or at one of six campus centers in GCC's four-county service area, including Lima and Dansville in Livingston County, Albion and Medina in Orleans County, and Arcade and Warsaw in Wyoming County. GCC also has a robust online learning program with more than 100 online courses offered each semester and 15 degrees can be earned fully online.

Establishing new degrees, certificates and concentrations that are focused on careers and jobs of the future has always been a priority for GCC. Among the newest programs are Food Processing Technology AAS, Polysomnographic Technology, AAS, (the study of sleep disorders), Supply Chain Management Concentration and Economic Crime Investigation as two concentrations within the Business Administration program, and GCC recently realigned the science programs into four Natural Science concentrations, specifically Physics, Environmental Biology, Biology and Chemistry.

"I have been at GCC for nearly 20 years and I continue to be impressed by the diversity of our student body," Tanya Lane-Martin, assistant dean for Enrollment Services and director of Admissions said. "While we enjoy our traditional aged students who come from high school, I'm also delighted by our growing number of international students, parents and some grandparents who are attending classes with their children, students from Downstate who love our rural community, and the displaced workers who want to retrain and get back into the workforce ASAP. Serving the needs of all these students and helping them achieve their success is what makes GCC such a special place."

For those interested in upcoming courses, a complete listing of GCC's Winterim, Spring and Summer 2016 course schedules can be viewed here: http://www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/