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After tonight's livestream, the Old Hippies are goin' fishin' for a spell

By Press Release

Press release from the Old Hippies:

GONE FISHIN'! Kay and I have come to a difficult decision to pause our Home to Home Concert Series for the Common Good livestream after this evening's show -- #60 in a row -- May 22 at 7 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who has joined in our fun and music.

We will keep you posted on our website when the livestreams will start again, www.oldhippiesmusic.com, facebook old hippies, and billmcdonald, instragram Oldhippiesbillandkay, and twitter Ohippies.

The livestream can be found as follows:

We appreciate all your support,

Bill and Kay McDonald

PathStone Section 8 wait list for Genesee County is open

By Press Release

Press release:

PathStone is accepting applications for the Genesee County Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Applications are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in our lobby at 30 Jefferson Square (Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union building) in Batavia. Please use the side entrance that faces toward the mall.

All applicants will need to have complete names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for everyone that would be in the household. Income and asset information is also required. There is no minimum income, but there are maximum income limits based on the household composition.

Please note that there is no immediate or emergency assistance. All income eligible applicants will be placed on a wait list.

RSVP by May 28 for Zoom info to attend WNYIL's virtual annual Membership Meeting June 8

By Press Release

Submitted photo and press release:

Western New York Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL) is celebrating its decades of service to the community and citizens with disabilities with its virtual 41st Annual Membership Meeting to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8.

The WNYIL Board of Directors invites everyone to join in the celebration by registering in advance by May 28, emailing Jillian Moss-Smith at jmoss@wnyil.org, or calling (716) 836-0822, ext. 146. Once one’s RSVP is received, information will be sent enabling one to attend via Zoom.

The Guest Speaker is Christina Mills (inset photo right), the nationally renowned executive director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, which works to increase access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of Independent Living Centers.

As executive director of CFILC she is responsible for seamlessly implementing six statewide programs while also building the capacity of her Independent Living Center membership. In 2020, Mills launched California’s first statewide cross-disability Disability Disaster Access & Resources program. The program works to ensure that disabled individuals are provided services and resources to maintain their wellness and independence during an emergency or disaster. 

Other activities at the annual Membership Meeting will include: recognizing the WNYIL Employee and Volunteer of the Year; the Elayne G. Wels Community Support Award for a person’s contribution to our broader work; Corporate Support Award to a business that helps to advance the Independent Living Philosophy of, “All people, regardless of disability, have the right and responsibility to assume control over their own lives”; the Year-in-Review Video; the election of officers; employee recognitions; plus raffles.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Stafford Garden Club hosts annual plant sale at new venue this year -- Emery Park

By Billie Owens

The Stafford Garden Club will host a Plant Sale on Wednesday, May 19 at a new venue this year -- Emery Park.

It is located 6079 E. Main Road (Route 5), Stafford, and has a pavilion, so the event will go on -- rain or shine.

The sale starts at 11 a.m. and there will also be hanging baskets and containers filled with plants and flowers.

All proceeds go for town improvements and scholarship funds.

June Rouse, one of more than 40 Stafford Garden Club members, said the club more or less follows the process used by the Cornell Coorperative Extension of Genesee County. Members grow the plants to be sold, then they are divvied up, arranged, with some of them planted "in good-size pots."

Expect to find perennials, a variety of hostas, regular aliums and drumstick aliums, Shasta daisies, phlox, peonies and small pines. Rouse is contributing aloes, spider plants and lush, fragrant basil, too.

"The officers set the prices, and they are reasonable," she said.

The move to the park was made because of the coronavirus pandemic, but she said she thinks it's a good idea because most garden clubs in the area hold their plant sales outside.

Spring Basket Raffle presale and fundraiser for Crossroads House is next month

By Press Release

Press release:

The Annual Spring Basket Raffle fundraiser for Crossroads House will take place on Saturday, June 5th from 12 to 4 p.m. A presale will be Friday, June 4th from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

This event will be hosted at the Arc Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, behind Notre Dame High School in Batavia.

There will be more than 100 baskets! In addition, we will have mega raffle prizes which are valued at $100 or more.

Masks will be required, and social distancing maintained.

This will be a “walk-thru” raffle, so you will be notified by phone on Saturday if you have won.

We’re sorry, we won’t be serving lunch this year, but we know that you’ll be amazed at the variety and high quality of our baskets.

We look forward to seeing everyone and are so grateful for the support of our wonderful community. We could not do what we do without you!

Next Saturday morning St. Paul Lutheran School holds annual auction

By Press Release

Photo and information from Cindy Canale:
 

Above, St. Paul Lutheran School Board members and students display some of the items to be auctioned Saturday, May 22.

Browsing for the annual auction will begin at 10:30 a.m.; bidding starts at 11 under the big tent in the St. Paul parking lot, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia.

Bring your own chair. Food trucks available. Proceeds benefit the school.

Notable plein air painter Kevin Feary to give live demo at DeWitt Recreation Area June 8

By Press Release

Submitted photos and press release:

Did you ever want to add some bushes or cattails to a painting but thought what you were looking at was just too busy or complicated?

Well it can be done simply and it doesn't have to be daunting.

The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Kevin Feary (top photo) outside at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street in the City of Batavia at 6 p.m. on Tuesday June 8th.

He is demonstrating methods for plein-air painting  -- all different kinds of landscape elements -- bushes, reeds, a pond, and any general scrub you may see in a field or hedgerow -- using simple application methods and color mixtures.

All types of brushes, pallet knives, paper towels, your fingers or whatever tools are at hand can be used.

The live demo will be in Pavilion #3, the smallest one. Please bring a chair in case Kevin wants to get closer to the pond!

There is a charge of $5 for nonmembers. See our facebook.com/bataviasocietyofartists for more info.

About Kevin Feary

He has taken classes and workshops from local and nationally known artists throughout his career and has been honing his skills studying, drawing and painting. He creates commissioned paintings and murals, and paints from life through figure/portrait sessions and plein air.

He teaches plein-air and portrait workshops and demonstrates for art groups here and nationwide.

Feary is a member of The All Weather Gang, the Batavia Society of Artists, a signature member of the Genesee Valley Plein Aire Painters, signature member of the Rochester Art Club, Penn Yan Art Guild, and an associate member of the National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society.

He has been juried into multiple shows and events such as: Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Lighthouse Plein Air Festival 2016, 2017; Plein Air Funfest 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020; National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society (NOAPS) Best of America Small Works National Exhibitions 2019 and 2021; a finalist in the 2010 Oil Painters of America (OPA) Eastern Regional Exhibition; and finalist Artist's Magazine 25th Annual Art Competition.

Feary has won numerous awards. His work is collected throughout the United States.

County offers free drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic May 20 at fairgrounds

By Press Release

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a FREE drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, May 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 E. Main St., Batavia). 

“We encourage all Genesee County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

“Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in Genesee County and is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit four pets per car maximum. 

Face coverings are required and please follow all social distancing requirements. 

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic. 

The next anti-rabies immunization clinic in Genesee County will be held on Aug. 12th. For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us

Hawley and colleague host e-waste recycling event in Batavia Saturday -- must preregister online

By Press Release

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Assemblyman David DiPietro will be hosting a free electronic waste recycling event with Sunnking on Saturday, May 15, at the parking lot of 5130 E. Main St. (Department of Social Services parking lot) next to National Grid, in the Town of Batavia. Time is 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Any e-waste including cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, and more will be accepted for recycling at this event, though preregistration online is required by FRIDAY MAY 14 AT 4 P.M.

Those interested in attending this event can preregister using this link: https://www.sunnking.com/events/batavia-05-15-21.

“Electronic waste is some of the hardest and most expensive to dispose of,” Hawley said. “This event will provide residents from throughout the area with a convenient and economical way to dispose of their electronic waste, giving people the opportunity to do some spring cleaning, while also preventing their old gadgets from becoming pollutants.”

Cars should enter off Ag Park Drive West.

Podcast host of 'History Comes Alive' to speak on 'Popular Evangelical Presuppositions' in Bergen

By Press Release

Press release:

Jeff Nichols, host of the “History Comes Alive” podcast and member of Webster Bible Church, will speak for the Reformation Society of Western New York on May 13 at Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 38 S. Lake Ave. in Bergen.

The event, which begins at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public.

Nichols will present a paper entitled: "A Brief History of Some of the Popular Evangelical Presuppositions and Why They Matter." 

The Reformation Society of Western New York is in partnership with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (alliancenet.org). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RefSocWNY/.

Batavia shopper wins $10K of 'Food & Fuel Stimulus' in Tops Monopoly Tip It and Win It Game

By Press Release

Press release:

Yesterday, Tops was excited to award $10,000 in Food & Fuel Stimulus as part of its Tops Monopoly Rip it and Win It Game to MaryAnne D., of Batavia.

Tops kicked off its 12thseason of Monopoly® Rip It & Win It Game on March 7. This year you’ll not only have a chance to win one of 50 Grand Prizes of $10,000 like the lucky individual noted above, in Food & Fuel Stimulus, but millions of other prizes and great money saving offers!

MaryAnne was lucky winner number 15 of a potential 50!

  • Her initial reaction when the realized they won – "Not real, someone added an extra 0 at the end of the grand total. Starting to sink in but I won’t really believe it until I get the gift cards in my hand. People were so excited at the store when I showed them the ticket – it was like a party going on."
  • Where were they when they realized they won – "I was home and alone. ... usually thrown them in my purse and don’t bother with them right away. Wasn’t even supposed to shop that day. I had to pick up some items for a gathering so I stopped in. Another unusual thing happened is that I changed lanes to the one next to me and I never do that. My daughter had a bunch of tickets and opened all of them right away, but wasn’t as lucky."
  • Who did they tell first (if they weren't around anyone when they realized) – "Went to my daughter’s that day and showed her the ticket.  She was very excited."
  • Are they regular players of the game/how long – "Retired and used to play the board game, but she likes the Rip It & Win much better."
  • What do they think they will buy first – "Don’t know, don’t spend a lot on groceries or gas, I will probably give away as gifts."

Also when you play online select game tickets will award Magic Tokens, new in 2021. Magic Tokens can be saved in the player’s online game account and may be redeemed to receive an eCoupon for that week’s Weekly Lucky Token special which is loaded into their BonusPlus Card.  This way you never have to miss out on a great deal just because you don’t have that week’s Lucky Token!

And what’s more-one lucky winner will be guaranteed to win our Second Chance Sweepstakes of $20,000 Food & Fuel Stimulus Prize!

For more details on this year’s game, visit www.topsmarkets.com today!

A hundred meals left to sell: Mother's Day drive-thru chicken BBQ at hall to benefit Alexander Fire Dept.

By Press Release

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting a drive-thru only Mother's Day Chicken BBQ on Sunday, May 9th, from 12-1:30 p.m.

Meal includes half chicken, mac salad, salt potatoes, roll and cookie all for $12/meal.

Don't make Mom cook on her day! Preorder your meals by calling (585) 356-3301 or (585) 507-9930.

Barbara Eddy wrote an email today to The Batavian saying: We have about 100 meals left. We really need to sell out. Thank you again, as always."

Town of Alexander to hold public hearing on zoning to regulate large-scale solar projects

By Press Release

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by Alexander Town Board regarding a Local Law to establish Zoning Codes to regulate Large Scale Solar Systems, within the Town of Alexander, NY.  

Said hearing will be held on Monday, May 10th, 2021 at the Alexander Town Hall, 3350 Church Street Alexander, New York 14005 at 7:05 p.m. at which time all interested persons will be heard.  Written comments will be accepted prior to that date. A copy of the Local Law is on file at the Town Hall for review.

By order of the Alexander Town Board

Free 2021 rentals for five raised growing beds available at city's Community Garden, first-come first-serve

By Press Release

Press release:

Attention City of Batavia residents -- you can be one of five gardeners to receive a 4' x 4' raised bed rental – for FREE for the 2021 growing season at the City of Batavia Community Garden.

This opportunity is offered on a first-come first-serve basis to city residents who do not already have a growing plot in the Community Garden.

It is made possible thanks to a donation by a community-minded gardener who would like to help expose more people to the enjoyment and benefits of growing their own plants/flowers/food.

The rental fee is normally $20 per year.

The Community Garden is located at the end of MacArthur Drive next to the Batavia High School.

For more information check out:

Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/BataviaCommunityGarden

City website -- https://www.batavianewyork.com/community-garden

Or call Janice Smith at City Hall: (585) 345-6325

Movie Nights in May at WNY Gas & Steam Show Grounds in Alexander

By Billie Owens

Movie Nights at the WNY Gas & Steam Show Grounds!

  • 7 p.m., May 14 -- "The Goonies"
  • 7 p.m., May 15 -- "Aladdin" (The Original)

Cost is $25 per vehicle, no RVs, busses or limos. Drive-in only.

Food and drink for purchase on site.

Enter Walker Road entrance, Alexander Road. (Steam Show Grounds' address is 10244 Gillate Road, Alexander.)

Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 1st, www.alexandersteamshow.com. COVID-19 protocols to be followed.

Hip Hop dance master Maceo 'Mace' Harrison to teach three sessions in GC this weekend

By Billie Owens

LAW Dance Studio in Batavia is offering master classes with Maceo "Mace" Harrison this Friday, Saturday and Sunday only -- April 23-25.

Harrison specializes in hip hop, acro, and break-dancing.

Options* are:

  • Friday: $20 -- Open Gym class. All ages, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at MCA Gymnastics Studio, 7820 Caswell Road, Byron.
  • Saturday: $50 -- Open Hip Hop Workshop. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at LAW Dance Studio, 218 W. Main St., Batavia.
  • Sunday: $50 -- Recital Choreographed Opening Number -- for LAW dance students only, required, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

*LAW Dance students -- Come to all three classes for $100.

Call to register (585) 297-2559.

About Maceo "Mace" Harrison

He is a hip hop dancer and choreographer born in Maryland, D.C. At age 7, he started pursuing hip-hop dance. At age 15, he began attending hip hop battles, performing at talent shows and even auditioned for "America’s Got Talent." At the age of 17, he joined his first dance studio, where he learned ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and tap.

Spending four years on a dance competition team, he won multiple scholarships and overall awards for his hip hop solos. He also made it to the third round of auditions during season 11 of, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

In 2016, he received a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City for their hip hop program and was featured dancing for Missy Elliot in her music video, “Snatch Your Weave.”

He's also the First Base Dancing coach for the Savannah Banana's Baseball team in Savannah, Ga. Here is a video interview of him that covers the history of Harrison as the dancing first base coach.

You can check out some of his content on his social media channels: 

Twitter: @harrison_maceo / Instagram: @danceiz_lif3 / Tik tok: @danceiz_m3

Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association holds annual meeting May 11 in Alexander

By Billie Owens

Public Notice

The annual meeting of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, of Alexander, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday May 11th at 10276 Gillate Road, Alexander.

All cemetery plot owners and family members as well as any interested community members are welcome to attend.

'Get to know your slimy, singing neighbors': Amphibian Adventure at GC Park & Forest

By Press Release

Press release:

Listen to the chorus of spring and get to know your small, slimy, singing neighbors with Amphibian Adventure at the Genesee County Park & Forest on Saturday, April 17th, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.!

Meet us at the Interpretive Nature Center to learn how to identify our pest-eating pals.

Then we will venture into the wetlands and forest at night to search for amphibians in their habitat! Hear their many calls as they welcome spring and find out what you can do to help your tiny, big-eyed friends!

Dress for the weather, amphibians love rainybnights and this program will go rain or shine!

Cost is $5/person, $10/family.

Space is limited. Preregistration is required. Call (585) 344-1122 to reserve your spot!

Masks must be worn inside the Interpretive Nature Center and whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance.

Participants are encouraged to wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

For more information visit our website, or contact Shannon Lyaski at:   Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us

Gilliana's Diner to donate 30 percent of take-out dinner proceeds April 29 to Batavia women's club

By Billie Owens

Gilliana's Diner in Batavia is donating 30 percent of all take-out dinner sales to benefit the Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club on Thursday, April 29.

Time is 4 to 8 p.m.

The diner is located at 41 Jackson St. in Downtown Batavia.

The club provides scholarships to local youth and monetary wards to nonprofit organizations to help further their missions in our community.

Visit Gilliana's Diner Facebook Page here.

Visit the website of Gilliana's Diner here.

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