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Ham Dinner

By Pamela Klotzbach

Ham and Fixin's 4-7pm or 'til we run out! $10 per person. Come on down! (Handicap accessible!)

Trinity United Methodist Church

585-591-1549

Event Date and Time
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Artist's exhibit pairing unrelated photos from 1980s onward at Roz Steiner Gallery Oct. 1-31

By Billie Owens

(Above: "Cowboy Mouth.")

Submitted photos and information from Genesee Community College.

At Roz Steiner Gallery at Genesee Community College artist Nigel Maister's tight. word. lit. will be on display Oct. 1 - 31.

There's an Artist Talk at the gallery Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m., with receptions at 1 and also 5 p.m.

tight. word. lit. -- Through the pairing of unrelated photographic images, Maister creates a narrative both implied and explicit and manifested in emotional, formal, aesthetic, intuitive and intellectual expression, and an evocation of action.

About Nigel Maister

He is a South African born, Rochester-based photographic artist, using found, appropriated and original imagery in his work.

His work has been a finalist in Klompching Gallery’s Fresh 2016 (New York), and seen, most recently, at Gallery Q (Rochester), Main Street Arts (Clifton Springs), and at the Cleveland Print Room.

A work from the series "tight. word. lit." as chosen by SaveArtSpace for public art exhibition during August 2018 on a billboard in the Neighborhood of the Arts in Rochester. He was a MacDowell Colony Fellow in 2018.

Maister is also a collector of 19th century and vernacular/functional photography, as well as a director, writer and designer of theater. He currently serves as the Russell and Ruth Peck Artistic Director of the University of Rochester International Theatre Program.

(Below: "Drag.")

Here's Maister's statement about his exhibit tight. word. lit.

This work explores narrative both implied and explicit; and narrative in the form of a past photographic action that, through a contemporary recontextualization and dialogic combination, is brought into the present.

The raw material for tight. word. lit. is snapshot photography. These images, from the 1980s onward — the last gasp of the analog snapshot — are overlooked in the current vogue for vernacular photography, which fetishizes the snapshot as art object (albeit an inadvertent one).

These "late" snapshots frequently betray little of the charm that characterize the genre at its zenith. I was drawn to images that might have been discarded by the picture-taker: those that are out of focus, inexpertly composed, blanched by a too-close flash, etc. In others, content or composition might be considered banal in their simplicity or apparent “artlessness.”

And in yet other selections, the performative nature of the subject matter — divorced from its context and rendered enigmatic, perplexing, or disturbing—was my departure point. But in all these variants, the series recontextualizes the nature and meaning of the snapshot: that object that serves as a commemorative artifact with a distinct function in the world.

It discards that function and meaning and allows the image to transform and to evoke a potential narrative event far from the intent of the original maker. The title of the series, tight. word. lit. similarly refers to recontextualization, but this time of vernacular language and slang, repurposing adjectives, nouns and verbs for utterances of approbation, enthusiasm, and affirmation.

Thus this work undermines the notion of the primacy of the individual image as a valuable artifact in and of itself, or even of the image as a signifier of a particular meaning or referent fixed in an identifiable past. Rather, it looks at the combination of photographic artifacts in dialogue with each other for its worth.

It is this that serves my goal: to rewrite these visual histories, making the viewer an active participant, forcing them to forge connections and create personal narratives that are compelling, mysterious and durable.

The world portrayed in these works is decidedly not our world. I hope they speak to us viscerally on some other level. They are intended to present us with a "third reality": not a document of their time, nor a document of ours.

These works are evocations of that interstitial space where past and present intersect and create an emotional, imaginative bridge into the subconscious, which should feel immediate yet also prescient.

www.nigelmaister.com

Upcoming events at Alexander Fire Rec Hall: Fall Gun Raffle, Christmas Crafts Show, Harvest Dinner Dance

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Upcoming events hosted by the Alexander Fire Department:

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting its Annual Fall Gun Raffle at their Recreation Hall, 10708 Alexander Road, Attica, from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2nd.

Tickets are $20 per person. Main ticket prizes include 11 rifles, seven shotguns, two pistols and three cash prizes. Door and floor raffles will include eight additional guns.

Food, beer and pop included. Also 50-50 and bell jar available. Only 975 tickets sold.

Guns supplied by Sugarbush Armory, of Attica. Tickets available at the Alexander Country Deli or call Barbara at 585-507-9930.

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting a Harvest Dinner Dance at their rec hall at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.

A buffet meal will include stuffed pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, squash, seasonal breads, dessert, coffee, tea, pop and water. Cash bar will be available.

Live music by Highway 31 will be from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets are $15 per person and are limited to 250 persons. Reserved tickets only by calling Heidi at 585-813-6598.

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting their Annual Christmas Crafts and Vendor Show at the rec hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. More than 80 tables available.

Admission is free and refreshments will be available. For table rental contact Barbara at 585-507-9930.

Public hearing on 2020 budget to be held Oct. 8 for East Pembroke Fire District

By Billie Owens

Notice of Public Hearing

A public hearing will be conducted by the East Pembroke Fire District in the East Pembroke Fire Hall, 8655 Barrett Drive, Batavia, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 8.

It will be held to permit public review of the proposed budget for the East Pembroke Fire District for the calendar year of 2020, pursuant to Town Law 176.

A copy of the proposed budget has been filed with the town clerks at Alabama, Batavia, and Pembroke, and is available for review.

All persons residing within these areas served have the right to be heard in person or by representative at the public hearing. This includes all persons, firms and corporations owning real property within the service area, and all persons, firms and corporations whose business interests or employment would either be benefited or adversely affected (regardless of whether they reside or own property there).

This hearing is called by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Pembroke Fire District, towns of Alabama, Batavia, and Pembroke, Genesee County, New York.

William R. Joyce, Secretary East Pembroke Fire District

RECOVERY WOW sponsors 'Biking with Ricco & Ride to Recovery' Sept. 21

By Billie Owens

RECOVERY WOW (WithOut Walls) offers a variety of safe, sober opportunities and activities for individuals in recovery and their families to enjoy. All recovery allies are welcome!

Biking with Ricco & Ride to Recovery: Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us for a morning ride from GCASA’s Main Campus at 430 E. Main St. in Batavia to Elba for lunch (then ride back). Rich from Ride to Recovery will be supplying bikes/helmets if you need to borrow one -- just let us know.

For questions or more information, please contact Sue Gagne at: sgagne@gcasa.org or call (585) 815-5248.

PathStone Section 8 Wait List is Open

By Billie Owens

Press release:

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

Applications are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. 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 if assistance is approved. In addition, one of the following proofs of residency is required and must show the name and current address of the applicant:

  • Current Lease (DSS landlord statements are not acceptable)
  • Most recent fuel and/or electric bills
  • Federal or New York State award letter (Social Security, SSD, SSI, DSS, SNAP)
  • Most recent bank statements
  • 2018 Federal and State tax returns

For further information, please call (585) 343-3861, ext. 115, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

BHS Class of '89 to hold 30th reunion Oct. 12 at Center Street Smokehouse

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia High School Class of 1989 will celebrate its 30th class reunion at Center Street Smokehouse, located at 20 Center St. in Batavia, on Saturday, Oct. 12.

The event starts at 7 p.m.

Ticket prices are $15 per person, which includes appetizers and money to use toward purchasing a brick that will be placed at the new Daniel A. VanDetta Stadium at Woodward Field in our class name.

If you are interested in attending, you may purchase a ticket by Venmo @Melissa-Kasmarek or paying at the door.

There will be a cash bar.

Please feel free to bring any old high school memorabilia to include on our memorabilia tables.

For more information go to the Class of '89 Facebook page here.

Iroquois Job Corps Center in Medina recruiting 16- to 24-year-olds for free career training

By Billie Owens

The Iroquois Job Corps Center in Medina has immediate openings for individuals seeking free career training in the nation’s leading industries, including construction and health care.

Offered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps is the largest nationwide residential career technical training and education program in the country and has been operating for more than 50 years.

The program helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education, earn college credits, train for meaningful careers, and connect with employment, apprenticeship, military, or higher education opportunities.

Job Corps centers also provide on-campus housing, nutritious meal options, basic medical care, uniforms and class supplies, and enrichment and recreation activities.  

Job Corps is an open-entry program that accepts new students on a weekly basis. To obtain additional information about the specific training programs and educational opportunities offered at the Iroquois Job Corps Center, interested individuals can contact Job Corps by visiting jobcorps.gov, or by calling (800) 733-JOBS.

Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence kicks off Sept. 14 with seven weekends of special fun, open weekdays too through Oct. 31

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The Great Pumpkin Farm’s Fall Festival will celebrate its 24th year as Western New York’s favorite fall destination when it opens at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14.

For seven consecutive weekends, the Fall Festival offers something for every age, including: amusement rides; hayrides; corn maze; the pumpkins and mum patch; pumpkin cannon; shooting gallery; homemade donuts, pies, cookies and pastries; Halloween decorations; and special events, such as the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, the Trebuchet Contest and OINKtoberfest, New York State’s BBQ Cook-off – and so much more!

This year, the Great Pumpkin Farm has once again declared opening weekend – Sept. 14 and 15 – to be Armed Forces Weekend, in collaboration with WNYHeroes, Inc. The regular admission fee will be waived for active duty and retired military, police or fire department personnel who present proper identification to WNYHeroes representatives at the gate; they will also be permitted to bring one guest for free.

WNYHeroes representatives will also be on hand at an informational booth in the Event Center at the Great Pumpkin Farm.

Kicking things off on Armed Forces Weekend, there will be dinosaurs -- animatronic Vinnie and Teddy roaming the Corn Maze from noon to 4 p.m. both days in search of prey, and The Balloon Experts will be around, too, making their incredible balloon characters.

All attractions will be up and running on opening weekend. New features added this year include a Superheroes-themed Corn Maze and The Witches Brew Bar, which will be open every weekend, with live music inside or out (depending on weather). View the schedule.

The Great Pumpkin Farm is located at 11199 Main St. in Clarence and features plenty of free, onsite parking. 

Festival Hours: 10 a.m. to dusk, weekends beginning Sept. 14-15.

Admission: $8 per person; children 2 and under admitted free.

(Discounted tickets ($6.50) can be purchased at all Buffalo & Rochester Wegmans locations.)

The admission fee includes the Magic Show with Mike & Annie; Cackling Hen Revue Show; petting zoo; face painting; cow train ride; tractor-drawn hayride; children and adult pie-eating contests; scarecrow-making contest; pumpkin decorating contest; mummy-wrapping contest and kids’ craft area. 

Coupons with paid admission include: $2 off the Corn Maze; $1 off Panning for Gems; Boo Barn; Zombie Train; Jumbo Pillows; Pumpkin Slingshots (not available Oct. 20). 

For More Info: Complete event information is available at www.greatpumpkinfarm.com.

WEEKEND #2: Sept. 20-22– OINKtoberfest 2019, including Friday Night BBQ Preview Night (FREE admission); OINKtoberfest, New York State’s official KCBS-sanctioned BBQ Cookoff on Saturday; Zombies in the Corn Maze; The Balloon Experts and live music in The Witches Brew.

WEEKEND #3: Sept. 28-29 – The World Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest on Saturday; Funny Face Drawing Contest; Dinosaurs in the Corn Maze; The Balloon Experts; live music in The Witches Brew and Indepumpkins Dayon Friday night (with fireworks!).

WEEKEND #4: Oct. 5 & 6 – Superheroes Weekend and World Pumpkin Weigh Off on Saturday;Dinosaurs in the Corn Maze; The Balloon Experts; live music in The Witches Brew and In Jest Juggling & Comedy Show

WEEKEND #5: Oct. 12, 13 & 14 (Columbus Day Weekend) Pumpkin Drop on Monday (Columbus Day); Pumpkin Olympics; In Jest Juggling & Comedy Show; Zombies in the Corn Maze; The Balloon Experts; live music in The Witches Brew; Awesome Paws Rescue and $20 Wristband Day (Monday only)

WEEKEND #6: Oct. 19 & 20 - Annual Trebuchet (catapult) Contest with local high school teams (practice Saturday, contest Sunday); Zombies in the Corn Maze; The Balloon Experts and live music in The Witches Brew.

WEEKEND #7: Oct. 26 & 27 – FINAL WEEKEND; Costume Contest; The Balloon Experts and live music in The Witches Brew.

WEEKDAYS AT THE GREAT PUMPKIN FARM:

The Great Pumpkin Farm will also be open weekdays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to dusk. There is NO admission on weekdays, except on Columbus Day, Oct. 14.

The Pumpkin Palace is open weekdays and features Halloween decorations, a bakery and candy store. Guests can purchase pumpkins; cornstalks; gourds and cider. There’s also a petting zoo, hay maze and playground. Group tours are also conducted during the week for school and community organization groups.

About the Great Pumpkin Farm and the Fall Festival

Since 1996, when it first hosted the World Pumpkin Weigh-off and was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for the first 1,000-pound pumpkin, the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence has grown. Its annual Fall Festival is Western New York’s largest fall family event in the region, and includes popular events such as OINKtoberfest, New York State’s Official BBQ Cookoff; the Pumpkin Trebuchet competition and the Pumpkin Farm Olympics.

Total of 28 volunteer firefighters complete skills refresher course

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Designed to review previously learned skills and improve proficiency, the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus / Interior Firefighter Operations (SCBA-IFO) four-hour refresher is an engine company refresher that combines skills learned in the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) program and IFO program into a scenario-based response format.  

Twenty-eight Genesee County fire personnel completed the refresher class held on Aug. 19 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. 

ALABAMA

  • Richard T. Brunea
  • Ronald Bauer
  • Sidney Eick
  • Aron J. Kehlenbeck
  • Michelle L. Patnode
  • Ryan M. Thompson

DARIEN 

  • Thomas Bieler
  • Jeff Luker 
  • Joe Marino
  • Joseph Murphy 
  • Teresa Tesch

CORFU

  • Dean T. Eck 
  • Glenn Eck
  • Jayden D. Eck 
  • Bruce Fauth
  • Casey Felski
  • Kristen Gaik 
  • James Hale
  • Tyler G. Lang
  • Matthew P. Lenhard
  • Ethan J. Librock 
  • Justin S. Rodland 
  • Steven Rodland 
  • Lori Ann Santini
  • Brian Schollard 
  • Dan Smith 
  • Jacob Stiles
  • Megan Stiles 

Visit your local fire department to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

Free anti-rabies immunization clinic offered Sept. 19 at Pembroke Highway Department

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department is offering a free Anti-Rabies Immunization Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 19th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Pembroke Highway Department, 1145 Main Road (Route 5), Pembroke.

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Voluntary donations are accepted.

You can save time by filling out your registration form before going to the clinic. To do so, click here. If you fill out your registration form in advance, please be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you.

Play Cafe'

By Katie Elia

Are you a relative, nanny, or friend in charge of   a baby, toddler or  preschooler?

Then, join us for Play Café to relax, laugh, and  support each other!

10:30-10:45– Welcome!

Free coffee , see our weekly display, and chat with other caregivers.

10:45-11:00 - Enjoy interactive stories and songs.

11:00– 11:30 -  Play!  Young children play to interact with the world around them. We offer: play centers, sensory activities, and visits from community friends!   

Begins 9/11/19

Richmond Memorial Library

19 Ross Street  

Batavia, NY

 

 

Those Alabama/Oakfield seniors are at it again with their Senior Luncheons -- first one is Sept. 17

By Billie Owens

The newly reorganized Alabama/Oakfield Senior Luncheons are starting up again!

“We’ve Only Just Begun.”

The first one is slated for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Oakfield Community Bible Church​, which is located at 80 N. Main St., Oakfield.

These will be held on the third Tuesday of the month going forward.

Come and bring your favorite dish-to-pass and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with friends!

Please use the door at the back of the church, directly into the Dining Hall (located at the back of the parking lot).

Contacts: Michael Hamm (585) 734-5921, or LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.

Free workshop offered Sept. 11 for those working with clients of substance use disorder

By Billie Owens

Press release:

A six-hour workshop will be offered in Batavia on Sept. 11 for people working with those with substance use disorder.

It is titled "Taking a Coach Approach -- A Conversation for Change" and is intended for recovery peer professionals, counselors and clinicians.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in and practice using evidence-based coaching strategies and tools relevant to their work.

The International Coach Federation defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

Coming from a strength base and client-centered perspective, coaching honors the individual in recovery/family member as the expert in his/her own life and believes that every individual is creative, resourceful, whole and fundamentally brilliant about their own lives.

Coaching addresses the entire person, challenging them to expand their definition of recoverywhile focusing on the “gap” between the quality and scope of their recovery today and wherethey would like their recovery to be tomorrow.

This free class is taught by Keith Greer or Lori Drescher of the Recovery Coach University. Limited space. Reservation required.

It will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Lake Plains Community Care Network, 575 E. Main St., Batavia. (In Eastown Plaza, near Aldi, next to Family Dollar.)

To register, call 585-345-6110 and request by class name and date.

Some of the topics to be included in this workshop include:

  • The use of both powerful questions and empathic reflections;
  • Using both a coaching plan and coaching contract;

  • Being "in the inquiry" vs. being "in the answer";

  • Moving away from a focus on “helper as the expert” to the role of coach who facilitates an inquiry based and action oriented process viewing their client as a resource (vs. object);

  • Practice with several established coaching tools.

This class is sponsored by Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse -- GCASA.

Encompass Genesee to hold debut get-together Sept. 17 in Kiwanis Park

By Billie Owens

Encompass Genesee is a Corfu-based, nonprofit organization whose mission it is to provide social activities and employment training for people with developmental disabilities.

They will hold their debut get-together event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Kiwanis Park in the Town of Batavia. Food will be provided!

All are invited to come out and enjoy an evening of fun making new friends.

Attendees will get a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card!

Kiwanis Park is located at 3808 W. Main Street Road.

Workshop on getting loved ones sober to be held Wednesday at Northgate church

By Billie Owens

A workshop for individuals in recovery and their friends, family and allies -- based on the book "Get Your Loved One Sober: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening" by Robert J. Meyers and Brenda L. Wolfe -- will be held Wednesday (Sept. 4) at Northgate Free Methodist Church.

Time is 6 to 8 p.m. Address is 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia (North Campus). Presenter is Pastor Vern Saile.

About the Book

Historically there have been few options available for individuals seeking help for treatment-resistant loved ones suffering from substance abuse. Coauthor Dr. Robert eyers spent 10 years developing a treatment program that helps concerned significant others improve the quality of their lives and learn how to make treatment an attractive option for their partners who are substance abusers.

"Get Your Loved One Sober" describes this multifaceted program that uses supportive, nonconfrontational methods to engage substance abusers into treatment.

Called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), the program uses scientifically validated behavioral principles to reduce the loved one's substance use and to encourage him or her to seek treatment. Equally important, CRAFT also helps loved ones reduce personal stress and introduce meaningful, new sources of satisfaction into their life. 

For more information or to register, please text/call Sue Gagne at 585-815-5248 or via email at sgagne@gcasa.org

Presented by RECOVERY WOW (WithOut Walls), providing safe, sober health and wellness activities geared toward individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder and their families. ("You are not alone in this." Peer recovery advocates are here for you 24/7: (585) 815-1800.)

Open house is Sept. 10 to learn more about solar energy facility planned in Byron

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The community is cordially invited to attend an informational open house Tuesday, Sept. 10 for the Excelsior Energy Center, a 280-megawatt solar energy generating facility with 20 megawatts of energy storage proposed in the Town of Byron.

At the open house to be held at the South Byron fire hall, information about the project will be displayed on large poster boards.

Rather than a structured, formal presentation, the open house will provide many opportunities for any member of the public to speak directly with project representatives and subject-matter experts about questions they may have.

The public is invited to arrive anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or 5 and 7 p.m.

Please arrive anytime during the hours above. Information will be provided and questions will be answered throughout the duration of these sessions. Each session will follow the same open house-style format containing the same information.

South Byron Volunteer Fire Department
7389 Route 237
South Byron

Leaf Boats

By James Morasco

A two - hour introspective and interactive exploration into how each of us has come to be who we are and how we would like to positively influence others today and in the future.

September 13, 2019

Moon Jave Coffeehouse

56 Harvester Ave, Batavia, N Y

7pm - 9pm

Reserve a seat via email to jmorasco@rochester.rr.com or bartden@me.com

No fee however donations are welcome.

Led by Jim Morasco and Bart Dentino

Artist Shauna Blake to give hands-on demo of alcohol inks at GO ART! Sept. 10

By Billie Owens

Photos and information from Teresa Tamfer, Batavia Society of Artists:

The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Shauna Blake (in top photo) from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10th at GO ART!, inside Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., in Downtown Batavia.

Blake will be doing a hands-on alcohol ink demonstration.

Non-members welcome with a $5 fee.

Below, Blake's "Teal Rust Reflect."

Bottom, Blake's "Purple Bloom."

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