Announcements

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!"

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.

Paul is believing for full healing and recovery during this trying time in his life. We want to take this day and celebrate how far he has come through this already!

Come out and have some fun with us! The country club is located at 7909 Batavia Byron Road.

For presale tickets contact Andrea Agan at (585) 813-6586 or Paul Lamendola at (585) 331-0669 or send check to Paul Lamendola at 7470 Batavia Byron Road, Byron NY 14422.

The Grand View Cemetery Board of Directors is selling Christmas wreaths either for your door or a grave. This is a fundraiser with the profits going to fund cemetery care.

Wreaths are 22" with red velvet, weatherproof bow, pine cones and holly berries. Wreaths are $20, including an easel stand if desired. Place orders by Nov. 10.

Pickup will be at the cemetery garage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 10. Orders may be placed by calling 343-0350 or 343-0877.

GO ART! continues its new workshop series “Embracing Innovation: The Business of the Arts” with a presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 14, by Mark Peterson, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise.

The approximately two-hour workshop is titled "Fundraising and Development for the Local Organization."

It will begin at 9 a.m. at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. Light refreshments will be available.

Peterson will share the knowledge he has gained through his various fundraising and development experiences. He will describe strategies that will be useful for “small-town” organizations and those starting out at the grassroots level.

A certified fund-raising executive (CFRE) since 1992, Peterson has an impressive history of garnering substantial monies at several first-class nonprofit organizations totaling more than $120 million.

This workshop is free for GO ART! members. There is a nominal fee for non-members or organizations wishing to attend: $10/individual or $20/organization (up to three attending).

You may pay over the phone, online, or at the door, but advance reservations are required by calling (585) 343-9313 or email info@goart.org.

For more information on the workshop series and future workshops in the series, please visit www.GOart.org

New York Premiere Soccer is holding "Soccerween 2012" this Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Batavia Sports Park.

Age groups are U7 through U13 and all participating teams are guaranteed three games and all teams compete in Halloween costumes. The best dressed teams for each age will win a prize.

For more information, contact Brian Patterson at bpatterson@newyorkpremieresoccer.com or 292-0788.

St. James Episcopal Church presents a special holiday Spooktacular by showing the silent movie classic "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Charles Bradley will play the organ in concert with the movie.

It starts at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at the church, located at 405 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Tickets are $10 and the money will benefit the bell tower restoration fund.

The 1923 American film released by Universal Pictures is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It centers on the tortured life of Quasimodo, a deformed, deaf and half-blind bell-ringer at the Cathedral of Norte Dame in Paris in the 15th Century.

It is known for its spectacular sets and the performance and makeup artistry of Lon Chaney Sr. He was a well-known actor but his portrayal of Quasimodo made him a star and his grotesque characterization set a new benchmark for film makeup. Patsy Ruth Miller plays the lovely Esmeralda.

Phone 343-6802 for tickets or other information. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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.

Gardner, who died in a motorcycle crash near his Pennsylvania home in 1982, was a novelist, poet, critic and teacher, whose best known works include "The Sunlight Dialogues," a novel set in Batavia about brooding police chief Fred Clumly and his pursuit of a magician known as the Sunlight Man, and "Grendel," a retelling of the Beowulf legend from the monster's point of view.

He also penned three influential works on the art of writing: "On Becoming a Novelist," "The Art of Fiction," and "On Moral Fiction." For more information about the celebration, contact Bill Kauffman at (585) 757-2455 or GCC English Professor Charley Boyd at caboyd@genesee.edu.

You can also learn more about the writer by visiting the John Gardner Appreciation page on GCC's website: http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/gardner/.

The HIstorical Society of Elba would like to thank all of the sponsors of the Third Annual Barn Dance that was held on October 13 In Memory of Ron Komar.  We truly appreciate our sponsors: John and Carol Torrey, Chap's Elba Diner, Boyle's Motor Sales, L&L Transmission, Earl Roth, CPA, Michelle's Bakery, Monroe Tractor, Mike Ranzenhofer, State Street Animal Hospital, Harrington's Produce, Riexinger Crop Spraying, R&W Trucking, Underhill Farms, S&S Restorations.  Thank you also to MAC & Friends, ECS Jazz Ensemble, and Kelly's Old Timers.  A big Thank you to all who attended the dance.  Thank you for your support of the Historical Society of Elba.

Press release:

The Genesee County Republican Committee and the Genesee County Women’s Republican Club invite everyone to attend their 56th annual Fall Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25 at Terry Hills Banquet Facility, 5122 Clinton St. Road, Batavia.

Keynote speaker will be Thomas Doherty, a partner of Mercury – an industry leading, high stakes public strategy firm.

The evening starts with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Cost is $30 per person or $55 per couple.

For more information or to make a reservation please call Michele Smith at 494-1548.

All Catholic students in grades eight through 12 are invited to participate the 2012-13 Knights of Columbus essay contest. The contest is sponsored locally by Our Lady of Batavia Council 11728.

The topic of the 500-750 word essay this year is "The Responsibility of the Catholic Citizen in a Free Society." Applications for the contest are available from the various church religious education directors and the Catholic schools in Genesee County.

The essay deadline is Dec. 17.

Judging is based on grammar, contest and creative writing. The winning essays in the local contest will be sent on to be judged at the New York State and National contest. Monetary awards are presented to the winners of local as well as National levels.

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with more than 1.8 million members in over 14,000 local councils. In 2011, Knights donated more than 70 million volunteer hours and $154 million to charitable and benevolent causes sponsoring projects to benefit their church, communities, culture of life, families and young people.

For additional information on the contest or joining the K of C contact the Grand Knight of Council 11728, Bernard Hoerbelt at (585) 343-9122.

Press release:

The Salvation Army announces the beginning of its free Super Sparks After School Program. It is open to children in grades K-8 and meets from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 5 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Children who attend are invited to participate in homework time, open gym, puppets and drama, rhythm band lessons and dance. A snack and dinner are offered.

Local transportation is available from school to The Salvation Army and home after the program ends. There is no cost for the program or transportation.

For more information contact: Major Patty at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

Press release:

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.

Press release:

Leadership Genesee, a community leadership program uniting a diverse group of people from business, government, and non-profit organizations to study local issues is seeking applicants for its 2013 class.

Our community needs succession planning for leadership, not just elected, appointed or paid employment leadership, but the kind that receives no ‘paycheck’.  Community volunteers who work tirelessly for organizations that improve the health of the human condition must understand the issues facing the community in order to be effective.  Leadership Genesee provides the education and training for leaders as it explores the community and encourages the leader within.

Each year, Leadership Genesee selects 25 individuals to participate in a unique form of adult citizenship education.  The year-long curriculum is designed to raise awareness of the needs and challenges that affect Genesee County and enhance individual leadership skills through practice with a focus on civic responsibility and community stewardship.  Through group activities, tours and presentations by key community leaders, Leadership Genesee is developing leadership for our community, with our community and in our community.  Annual tuition is $1,950.

For an application or information, call Peggy Marone, Leadership Genesee director at 343-3040 x 118 or visit our web site at www.leadershipgenesee.shutterfly.com.  Leadership Genesee is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension which provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Press release:

A half-day program aimed at showcasing the quality, diversity and opportunities available at all colleges within the State University of New York (SUNY) system will take place at the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

More than 100 guidance counselors from high schools in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties region are expected to take part in Operation Inform, or OpInform. The program is cosponsored by the College Admissions Professionals at SUNY and Office of Enrollment Services.

It's intended to make sure the high-school counseling community is fully aware of nature and scope of the SUNY system and to provide information on admissions practices, criteria, application processing and special programs.

Information about each SUNY campus will be available the Conable Technology Building of GCC from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a number of workshops will cover a full slate of topics covering the admissions process, including:

•    Eligibility and access

•    The changing face of the SUNY community

•    New programs such as Vet Tech, Golf Management and Fashion Business

•    Student transfer opportunities within the SUNY system

•    The financial-aid process

•    Application processing

Guidance counselors will also be able to network with college admissions officials from the various campuses and will leave the workshops with a better understanding of the value and quality offered by the SUNY system.

"We are delighted to host this annual event, which is critical to the enrollment process and is an excellent way to highlight the exceptional programs offered through the SUNY system," said Tanya Lane-Martin, GCC's director of admissions and assistant dean for enrollment services.

To register for the workshops, high school guidance counselors should contact Christie Thompson at 343-0055, ext. 6380, or via email: clthompson@genesee.edu.

Student members of Phi Theta Kappa at Genesee Community College -- at 1 College Road in Batavia -- will host their second annual "Walk for a Cure" to assist victims of breast cancer on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. until an unspecified time. The walk itself will last 30-45 minutes, followed by a post-walk event in the student forum beginning around 11 a.m.

The walk will start at GCC's nature trail, which is on the west side of the campus, and then wind through the nearby woods and across the field, ending at the student forum.

Guest speakers will include two people from "Komen for the Cure" and a GCC student who is a breast cancer survivor. Food, drinks, a Chinese Auction and a raffle will be included.

This event is open to the public. The cost is $3 for the walk, or $7 for the walk plus a t-shirt. Tickets and t-shirts will be for sale the morning of the event, but they can be purchased along with Chinese Auction tickets on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information, e-mail Michelle Williams at sixxpup1@yahoo.com.

Press release:

Jail Superintendent Edward Minardo of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office was among the 79 jail administrators from across New York State recently attended the 14th annual training conference in Saratoga Springs.

Sponsored by the New York State Sheriffs' Association and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute, it provides participants with training in the latest advances in law enforcement and a forum to discuss current corrections issues, receive updates on new legislation impacting corrections and law enforcement, and share best practices.

Representatives of several state agencies, such as the NYS Commission of Correction; the NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision, NYS Association of Incarcerated Education Programs, Inc., NYS DNA  Databank, and the NYS Department of Health, shared their perspectives on new laws and practices with the jail administrators.

Session topics at this year’s conference included: the prison rape elimination act; inmate intake; an overview of the NIC/Urban institute transition from jail to the community model; education for
incarcerated youth, jail accreditation, DNA: 2012 legislation and new responsibilities for jails; and offender workforce development specialist training.

Key speakers included Carrie Hill, former counsel to the Utah State Department of Corrections, and a nationally known lecturer and consultant on jail legal issues, and Thomas Beilein, chairman of the NYS Commission of Corrections, and former Sheriff of Niagara County.

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, said, “Sheriffs remain committed to providing education and training to advance the professionalism of all aspects of our Sheriffs’ Offices.”

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation, formed in 1934 to assist sheriffs in the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public. It comprises all of the elected and appointed sheriffs of New York State. Visit www.nysheriffs.org.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute, Inc. was established in 1979. The mission of the Institute is to assist the office of the sheriff in advancing education in the criminal justice
community, preventing juvenile delinquency, developing lawful and productive citizens, and supporting victims of crime and their families. Visit www.nysheriffsinstitute.org.

Press release:

To supplement funds for our SUPER MAMMOTH Sale next April, we will be providing an opportunity for people to donate any scrap metal they would like to dispose of (iron, tin, steel, aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, etc). Ed Arnold Scrap Processors will assist us in receiving, collecting and sorting the metals and then pay us for its worth.

What a great way to support the MAMMOTH while we provide you with a needed service!

Where: St. Joseph School parking lot (at 2 Summit St. in Batavia)

When: Saturday, Oct. 13

Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What to bring: Metal of any kind...pipes, poles, gutters, metal shelving, bed rails, bicycle frames, pots and pans, lawn furniture, fencing, wire, tire rims, grills, awnings, file cabinets, swing sets, old appliances, radiators, metal sinks, garbage cans, air conditioners, antennas, screen doors, wrought iron railings, tin cans (labels removed), etc.

Absolutely no wood or glass attached to the metal.

We will accept car, truck and boat batteries.

We will not accept propane tanks or refrigerators unless the Freon in the fridge has been removed.

If you have any questions call Kathy Stefani at 344-2701.

Note: LIMITED pick-ups (within city limits) will be available this day only for those who cannot make the drop-off themselves. General donations for the MAMMOTH other than scrap metal will not be accepted at this time.

Press release:

Those considering a career in engineering, biotechnology or computerized drafting and design may be eligible for up to $8,500 in grants to cover tuition and other fees for an associate degree from Genesee Community College.

The funds are available through Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, GLOW Workforce Investment Board, and Rochester Works! as a new state and federal initiative with the New York and U.S. departments of labor.

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Project is intended to serve as a pipeline connecting talented students with existing and emerging manufacturing industries in the nine county Finger Lakes region. These jobs differ from traditional production or "unskilled labor" jobs because they require specialized skills, a higher level of training and offer a more flexible approach to creating products.

Instead of stocking goods for sale at a later date, advanced manufacturing builds inventory for immediate, or near-future sale, and requires an educated and skilled workforce to deliver a more focused demand.

The core competencies needed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding and emerging fields of biomedicine, optics, photonics and nanoelectronics can be acquired in any of three associate degrees available at GCC: Engineering Science, Biotechnology and Computerized Drafting and Design. Students enrolled in additional academic programs at Finger Lakes and Monroe Community Colleges may also qualify for the funding program.

"Because the demand for certain jobs is so high, we want to focus on helping our workforce adapt to the changing technology and needs of modern manufacturers," said Bill Rotenberg, grant coordinator for the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, which is administering the grant. We also want to create awareness for the unemployed and our future workforce of the career and training opportunities available in this region."

Rotenberg says the goal of the grant program is to place participants in jobs that will earn an average annual salary of $45,000.

The grant, which covers tuition, books and fees over the course of a two-year degree program, is open to those who meet the following criteria:

•     18 years of age

•     High school diploma or G.E.D.

•     Unemployed

For more information about the grant and the exciting career possibilities available with advanced manufacturing, contact William Rotenberg at (315) 789-3131 or via email: amcn@fingerlakesworks.com.

GCC is also gearing-up for a first-time, one-credit course aimed at exploring the pathway of engineered products from invention to production to sales. The EGR 100 – Introduction to Engineering course will be offered for the spring 2013 semester at the Batavia Campus to introduce engineering concepts in all disciplines including mechanical, biomedical, civil, environmental, chemical, computer, electrical, aerospace, nuclear and architecture.

The eight-week class will feature presentations by working engineers and visits to production facilities. For more information on the course and its prerequisites, call GCC Engineering instructor Ronald Schumacher at 343-0055, ext. 6303, or via email: rvschumacher@genesee.edu.