events

Genesee Community College will welcome potential students and their families to an All-campus Open House beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Prospective students will get a summary of what GCC has to offer academically for transfer and degree-seeking students. They will also learn about the application process, financial aid opportunities, and explore a wide range of different academic and career options, plus tour the college campuses and/or College Village. 

Join in the holiday spirit at the second annual “Taste of the Holidays” on Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Holiday Tent in Jackson Street parking lot in festive Downtown Batavia.

New this year will be The Scavenger Hunt: The Twelve Days of Christmas. This should encourage more people to go into the stores, identify the day, and then look around for holiday gifts.

Another reason for coming downtown will be to see all the festive window displays.

Friday, Dec. 7 (5-9 p.m.):

Join in the holiday spirit at the Annual Christmas in City Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Downtown Batavia City Centre.

Visit with Santa Claus, be entertained by Center Stage and see the various animals at the Zoo Mobile.

The Batavia Business Improvement District wants to remind you to "Shop Small and Local" for the holidays. For more information call 585-344-2518 or visit www.downtownbataviany.com

Join in the holiday spirit at the Annual Christmas in City Centre from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Downtown Batavia City Centre.

On Friday, activities include entertainment by the Batavia Concert Band and a visit with Santa Claus. On Saturday, visit with Santa Claus, be entertained by Center Stage and see the various animals at the Zoo Mobile.

The legendary masked pro wrestler known as "The Destroyer" and "Doctor X" -- AKA Dick Beyer -- will sign his book "Masked Decisions" at Main St. Pizza Company from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17.

If you buy the book, he'll autograph it and you'll get a free pizza!

Also, from 2 to 5 p.m. large pizzas are on sale for $10!

Main St. Pizza Company is at 206 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

The Le Roy Main Street Committee will sponsor a presentation by architect Rick Hauser on a proposal to purchase the Wiss Hotel from the village. The plans include several commercial facilities and five residential apartments at the site.

The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Village Hall. The public is invited. The Village Hall is located at 3 W. Main St.

This Saturday, Nov. 17, is Santa Day at Oliver's Candies!

Santa will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a petting zoo, hot dog stand (done by the Batavia Area Jaycees), Girl Scout Cookies, cotton candy and more.

The candy store is located at 211 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

(Plus Ribbon Candy is now ready for the 2012 season.)

You are cordially invited the 11th annual Wonderland of Trees Gala at the Holland Land Office Museum from 7 to 10 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 16.

The theme is "Home for the Holidays." There will be entertainment by Jeff Fischer and Don Bouchard, a silent auction, and hors d'oeuvres prepared by D & R Depot.

Cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple/family. Proceeds benefit the museum, which is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

The event presented by the president, directors and staff of the Holland Purchase Historical Society and HLOM.

The Batavia Area Jaycees will be hosting a member night on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Bourbon & Burger Co., located at 9 Jackson St., Batavia starting at 6 p.m.

We are looking for young men and women from 18 to 41 to come and join us for a short presentation about the Batavia Area Jaycees and what we do. Afterwards, appetizers will be served and participants will be encouraged to mingle and have fun.

A "sock, hat and glove drive" -- with all donations going to benefit Community Action and the less fortunate in our area -- will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18 at Maurices. The clothing store is located on West Main Street in the Tops Market Plaza.

Erin Coles is coordinating the event.

"'Tis the season of giving," Coles said. "Come out and donate a pair of socks, gloves or a hat...We need items for all ages. New and gently used items only please. See you there!"

An event to collect all kinds of stuff to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy is taking place from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at the Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall. That's at the intersection of routes 98 and 262 in Elba.

A native Elban who now lives in Staten Island is driving here with semi-truck to load up on donations of clothes, nonperishable food and all the basic necessities to help his helpless neighbors. NO MONETARY DONATIONS!

Bring it on!!!

TURKEY NIGHT at Byron Fire Department, November 3rd – 7:00pm till?? Free Admission , turkey and ham Raffles all Night , Pull Tabs, Snacks and Refreshments. Byron Fire Hall, Route 262, Byron, NY Donation $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00

A cancer benefit for Paul Lamendola will be held at the Batavia Country Club from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Cost is a $10 donation per dinner, which includes pulled pork roast and two sides, plus beverage.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle and Chinese auction.

Paul has been fighting colon cancer since March. He has been laid off from work, lost his medical insurance, and has very expensive medical costs for medicine, surgery and equipment. Please come out and support Paul in his journey.

A wicked good time is in store at City Slickers Bar & Grill in Batavia starting at 8 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 27.

Admission is FREE to this Halloween party. There will be karaoke with DJ Marc Tillery, plus, dancing, contests, prizes and drink specials until the witching hour.

Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes so dress to impress!

City Slickers is located at 59 Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

The Oakfield-Alabama High School Senior Class invites the public to a community forum where they will explain the political platforms of President Obama and Governor Romney.

Local, state and regional representatives will be on hand to explain the impact of these platforms on Western New York.

The forum begins at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the school auditorium, located at 7001 Lewiston Road, in Oakfield.

Representatives slated to attend are:

Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Republican 61st District

Batavia-born novelist John Gardner will be celebrated with a night of readings, food and fun on Saturday, Oct. 27.

The John Gardner Society, in conjunction with Genesee Community College, is sponsoring the Halloween-themed celebration at 8 p.m. at the Pok-a-Dot diner at Ellicott and Liberty streets in Batavia.

At 9 a.m. on Saturday,Oct. 27 a new business -- move. fitness studio -- will host a FREE fitness class event in celebration of their grand opening. move. is located at 56 Harvester Ave., in the Batavia Industrial Center, with a street-side entrance.

There will be a 90-minute mash-up of their Zumba, Pilates and weight-less toning classes, as well as refreshments and gift certificate giveaways after class!

Wear your PINK in honor of breast cancer awareness month -- the studio will be collecting donations to be given directly to Roswell Park Cancer Institute

POSTPONED DUE TO STORM -- Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Genesee Community College to find out more about the new company in town -- Muller Quaker Dairy.

From noon to 8 p.m., Muller Quaker Dairy representatives will be on site with information about the products, business and background of the joint venture between PepsiCo and the Theo Müller Group.

* Try free Müller yogurt samples

* Pick up some employment info (resumes will be accepted)

* Learn about the new Batavia facility, sales, marketing and the company

Art ah la Carte celebrates three years in business this Friday, Oct. 26, with a juried art show from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The art studio/classroom/gallery is located at 56 Harvester Ave. in the historic Harvester Center.

Weather permitting, there will also be sidewalk chalk art.

It is that time of the year again -- Harvest Time. The annual Fall Harvest Auction of the Stafford Historical Society will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24, in the courtroom of the Stafford Town Hall.

It is located at 8903 Route 237 in Stafford.

We are accepting contributions of usable-sellable produce and items. Please contact Sue at 344-0834 or Phyllis at 343-1928.