Announcements

Press release:

WNY Independent Living, Inc., wants feedback from youth and young adults 14-24 years of age with mental /behavioral health problems and their parents and educators.

Focus groups are wanted that are comprised of individuals with a “behavioral health” diagnosis, parents of youth/young adults with mental/behavioral health challenges and/or educational service providers/teachers who work with youth/young adults. These focus groups are focused on areas which include disability, developmental/mental health challenges, substance abuse/use, trauma, eating disorders, and environmental disabilities, etc. Focus groups are available to youth/young adults, parents, teachers and service providers.
 
Each focus group is looking to create a report which shows stakeholders (youth/young adults, parents and services providers) feel is needed in Western New York to support youth/young adults with mental health/behavioral health needs, parents/caregivers, and education/service providers. Through the overall outcome of the focus groups, WNY Independent Living's goal is to create programs and services which will close gaps in current behavioral health services, training, and information to provide to youth/young adults, families and educators within the WNY community.
 
The focus groups can be set up at any location or WNY Independent Living, Inc., can provide a location in Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Batavia. The focus group takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. We greatly appreciate input as it will create long term outcomes and goals to assist transition age youth/young adults in need of support while attending and remain in high school, transitioning to college or work in being successful and sustaining employment down the road.

Our goal is also to divert youth in high school from dropping out, based on mental health/behavioral
health challenges and needs.
 
If interested in being part of a focus group to design new and inventive future services please contact Lynnette Torgalski at (716) 836-0822, ext.154, or e-mail at ltorgalski@wnyil.org, or Chris Hoff at (716) 836-0822, ext.103, e-mail at choff@wnyil.org.

GO ART! Workshop -- "Eavesdropping on the Writing Life"

Join author Joe Langen for a look into the magical and mysterious world of writing.

This program will be presented at GO ART! Center Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, at 1 p.m. on Saturday April 18.

He is a retired psychologist and has written for publication since 1990. He started writing a biweekly column which appears in the The Daily News in Batavia on alternate Saturdays. He has published two collections of columns, "Commonsense Wisdom for Everyday Life" and "Navigating Life: Commonsense Reflections for the Voyage."

He has written a memoir of his nine years in a Catholic seminary and monastery, "Young Man of the Cloth," which took place during the turbulent and exciting years of change for the Catholic Church.

He wondered about the many abusive priests who were in the seminary at the same time he was. He explored this topic in "The Pastor’s Inferno," a novel about an abusive priest coming to terms with his abuse. There do not appear to be in print any other books which explore the mind of an abusive priest.

He recently published Release Your Stress and Reclaim Your Life, a self help book which explores the nature of stress, where it comes from, how it affects your body, mind, feelings and soul. He details physical, mental, emotional and spiritual approaches to dealing with stress and also considers the future of stress.

He is currently completing a self help book for teens, "Navigating Your Teen Years: Tips for the Voyage." This book is based on the author’s 35 years of working with teens and their families as well as interviews with teens in Genesee and Monroe counties.

All of his books have been self-published. He will discuss his joys and challenges in seeking publication for his work. He will also share selections from his writings. If you have wondered what it would be like to publish your own work or just want to understand a little more about what it is like to be a writer, please join us for a taste of the writing life.

Read more about Joe Langen’s writing at www.slidingotter.com

Ascension Parish will host the Fruit of the Vine Wine Tasting Fun Raiser ™ on Sunday, April 25th from 5-8 p.m.

This year the event is open to the general public and for adults 21 years of age and older (proper identification is required). This event will feature premium Finger Lakes wines handcrafted by Eagle Crest and O-Neh-Da Vineyards of Hemlock Lake.

Hors d'oeuvres along with assorted cheeses and crackers will be served. A classical guitar ensemble will accompany the evening’s festivities along with works of art by local artist Carole LaValley. All proceeds benefit Ascension Parish.

The cost of the event is $25 per person or $26.75 online at ascensionrcc.weshareonline.org

Ascension Parish
19 Sumner St.
Batavia, NY 14020
Phone:  585-343-1796
Fax:  585-343-0919
office@ascensionrcc.com

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners on Wednesday, April 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn about creating a cutting garden. Cut flowers are not difficult to grow and the range of flowers is diverse; from annuals, perennials, bulbs and herbs to shrubs and even ground covers!

Learn the basics to planning, growing, cutting and conditioning fresh flowers for cutting. When planning your gardens why not think about incorporating plants that can be dried and are perfect for arrangements, wreaths and decor!  We will also look at the various plants and flowers you can grow and dry to make simple and beautiful arrangements.

This class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration is requested by April 13 as class size is limited. Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register. Visit our Web site at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information.

Back by popular demand, the Color Me Rad 5K, a nationally recognized human tie-dye spectacle and run/walk, is returning to Darien Lake for a third year. The park expects more than 6,000 color-plastered racers to attend this year’s fun-run.

It will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. Participants with early bird registration (until May 8) pay $35 plus a $9.27 service fee. On-site registration is $45 plus a $9.81 service fee. A Kid's Rad Pack is $15 plus a $4.19 service fee. All participants get free admission to the park on race day. Parking is free.

Proceeds from the run will go to Special Olympics of New York, Camp Good Days and Special Times, and Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. There are several new additions to the race this year, including:

DOUBLE THE COLOR STATIONS -- It’s the same 3.1-mile fun run with twice as many color stations. That means every half a mile our volunteer Color Bomb Squads will cover you from head to toe in pink, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

NEW GEL COLOR STATIONS -- Meet the newest member of the family that will RAD you from head to toe, with a cooling sensation and full coverage of spectacular colors.

FREE PHOTOS -- This year, every RAD participant will have access to free photos from our professional action sports photographers so you can brag about your RAD experience without spending a dime.

We’ve stepped up our game this year – offering every participant our best T-shirts yet and a famous RAD tattoo, but you’ll also receive a pair of killer knee-high socks for free!

Registration for the run/walk is now open at www.Colormerad.com

Darien Lake is offering weekend packages for Color Me Rad participants, which include discounts on select lodging options – hotel, cabins, RVs, and campsites, $50 in-park credit, and $12 in “Games Bucks.”

Visit www.DarienLake.com for more information on package options and to book a stay.

Press release:

Are you currently disabled? Have you lost your ability to work full-time based on a new disability? Have you been receiving SSI or SSDI and want to work part-time, but are afraid to lose your benefits?

Many individuals with disabilities fear that work activity will result in an immediate loss of benefits through SSI /SSDI and/or loss of health insurance through Medicaid or Medicare. WNY Independent Living, Inc., as a family of agencies, offers a benefits advisement program to individuals with disabilities throughout Western New York.

This service is designed to assist people with any disability (i.e. physical, learning, intellectual, sight, hearing, mental health and/or co-occurring disabilities) to obtain or maintain government benefits in order to manage their disability through financial and medical support.

If you or a loved one have questions regarding disability benefits, working while on benefits/ social security work incentives, and/or returning to work after being classified and disability, WNY Independent Living’s benefits advisement program can assist with applying for the programs available.

The Benefits Advisement Program provides information to potential beneficiaries regarding the following areas: disability benefits (SSDI, SSI and others); applying and maintaining benefits; finding and continuing employment; working while on benefits; interest in learning about available Social Security work incentives such as, “Trial Work Period, EPE, EXR, IRWEs, etc.” If you are unfamiliar with these terms, they will be discussed at the advisement meeting, if related to the disability or eligibility for benefits.

The Benefits Advisement Program is available to assist in understanding an individual’s disabling condition, determined and apply, if eligible, and explore potential work opportunities through available work incentives and support the applying individuals to overcome fear of employment and explain the opportunities, without negative financial impact to the household. Our agency can keep you informed of all available work incentives, employment options for individuals receiving Social Security disability or Social Security insurance, while developing a plan for long-term supports that may be needed.

For more information, or to sign up for your first benefits advisement program, please call Andrea at (585) 815-8501 (Genesee Region), 716-836-0822 (Erie County), or 716-284-4131 (Niagara County), ext. 412, or e-mail: adevault@wnyil.org

Within the past year, the WNYIL family of agencies has saved New York State taxpayers over $71 million by helping individuals to leave and avoid institutionalization. We have been practicing the principles of education, empowerment and equality for persons with disabilities for over 30 years.

Tuesdays, Apr. 7 - May 19, 6:30-7:00 p.m.

This group is for ages 3-6. Listen to stories and sing songs.  Learn rhymes, fingerplays, and sign language. Tell stories with puppets and the flannel board. Each story time ends with coloring and bubbles.

Registration is required.  Children must be at least 3 by the first session. This session begins Tuesday, April 10 and runs through Tuesday, May 19.

Limit of 15 children. Register online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org or by calling 585-768-8300.

Monday, Apr. 6 - May 16, 2015, 10:30-10:50 a.m.

Toddler Time is a special storytime for children who are 2 years olds and 3 year olds and a caring adult. Spend approximately 20 minutes on Monday mornings listening to stories that feature themes like shapes and colors, singing songs and dancing, coloring, and playing with bubbles. Toddler Time is a fun time to bond over stories and activities and to make new friends. Each session runs 6 – 8 weeks in length and you only have to sign up once.

Child must be at least 2 by the first session and must be accompanied by an adult. This session of Toddler Time begins Monday, April 6 and runs through Monday, May 18. 

Registration is required. Limit of 10 children. Register online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org or by calling 585-768-8300.

Community Action Angels

Vendor Blender

Saturday May 2, 2015

10:00am - 3:00pm

ARC Community Center

Woodrow Road Batavia

Crafters, Vendors, Raffle Baskets, & Food available

Volunteers Needed!

Still Accepting Vendors/crafters.

For more information call 585-343-7798

Press release:

The Genesee County Fair announces that seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to current New York State high school seniors and also students enrolled in college.

The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) and the New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA) sponsor the scholarships.

Qualifying students must be active at the Genesee County Fair or The New York State Showpeople’s Association.

All applicants from Genesee County must submit their applications through the Genesee County Fair or the New York State Showpleople’s Association no later than Friday, April 10, 2015.

Information is available through the Genesee County Fair at (585) 344-2424, through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and from local high school offices.

Applications must be printed and completed from the Web at:

www.nysfairs.org.

For more information, contact the Genesee County Fair Office at (585) 344-2424.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY: The City of Batavia Fire Department will be offering an EMR original/refresher. Call 585-345-6375 for details.

Read more http://www.batavianewyork.com/fire-department/news/training-opportunity

Fight the Blight – Late Blight that is. Do you grow tomatoes or potatoes in your garden? Have you had problems with late blight wiping out your plants in the past? If so, then join the Genesee County Master Gardeners on March 25th from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn about this serious plant disease.

We will cover what this disease is, effective management strategies for your garden and what to do if it does infect your plants. Our guest speaker will be Elizabeth Buck, a member of the Cornell University Vegetable Team.

The class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration by March 20th is requested as class size is limited. Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register.

You can also find the registration form on our Web site at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events/2015/03/25/late-blight-in-the-home-garden

On Saturday, March 21, the Vaness Strollo Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post #1602 will host a Spring Fling to benefit veterans' programs here and overseas. It will be held at the VFW Hall, located at 25 Edward St. in Batavia.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and pizza and snacks will be available for purchase. Entertainment will be by 87 Southbound, a popular country and rock band.

A $3 donation will be collected at the door.

There will be a Chinese Auction and a 50/50, the latter will benefit a special project called Team Red, White and Blue. This is a program that enriches the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.

Please come out and support our veterans, active military, and have some fun doing it.

Press release:

In celebration of National Agricultural Literacy Week, March 16-20, volunteers throughout the state will read a book with an agricultural theme to second-graders. In Genesee County more than 40 volunteers will be visiting and reading at schools throughout the county.

Students and teachers benefit from hands-on lessons and receive follow up activities. The book will be given to the school library with a bookplate recognizing the donor and NY Ag Literacy Week.

This year’s book is "Weaving the Rainbow," written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Stephanie Anderson. It is a beautifully blended story of agriculture and art. A young woman raises sheep, shears them for their wool, cleans and cards the wool, spins and dyes the wool, ultimately using it to create beautiful works of woven art from the fiber. The story will help students begin to make the connection between agriculture and its many uses and influences.

The focus this year is on fiber production in New York State from sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, rabbits and more. Agriculture is more than the food we eat, it is also the clothes on our backs, the materials that keep us warm and dry, and are used each and every day of our lives.

Last year, 1,400 books were donated statewide while thousands of students participated in fun educational activities. For more information about NY Ag Literacy Week or Agriculture in the Classroom please contact Barbara Sturm, at 585-343-3040, ext. 122, or at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/ag-in-the-classroom

The HomeCare & Hospice Guild is selling raffle tickets for handmade quilts, Afghans and blankets in its effort to “Spread the Comfort.”
 
The fundraiser will help provide medical care and social/emotional support for patients and families coping with end-of-life illnesses.
 
Tickets are $5 each, five for $20, and 12 for $50. Tickets may be purchased online at www.HomeCare-Hospice.org <http://www.HomeCare-Hospice.org>  or at HomeCare & Hospice offices in Batavia (29 Liberty St.) and Warsaw (450 N. Main St.)

The drawing will be held on May 1.
 
For more information, contact Kathleen Neeson at 1-800-719-7129 or kneeson@homecare.hospice.org

A social media workshop will be held at the BEST Center across the road from GCC from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12. Cost is $49.

"Basic Level: Social Networking for Facebook & Twitter" will teach the basics of using these tools. Participants will leave with a working knowledge of how to use these tools and how to protect yourself. It is highly recommended that you have a web-based e-mail service that includes Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, etc.

This course is not about theory. It is hands-on. Get your feet wet and play with the different platforms in a safe environment with an instructor to help you every step of the way.

Call The BEST Center to register at 345-6868 or go online to www.bestcenter.edu

Press release:

"Frolic in the Forest" this Spring At Genesee County Park and Forest!

Be part of the magic this spring with full moon hikes, adventures in amphibian life, and forays into the pond at Genesee County Park and Forest. Explore the forest by moonlight as we search for animals, see new growth, hear old stories, and discover the world waking up from a long, cold winter.

Long ago each full moon was given a name to mark the season of the year. Join us for the Full Worm Moon in March, the Full Fish Moon in April, and the Full Flower Moon in May.

Evening exploration begins on Thursday, March 5 from 7 to 8:30, and Saturday April 4 from 7:30 to 9, and Saturday May 2, from 7:30 to 9.

Listen to the chorus of spring and get to know your small, slimy singing neighbors with Amphibian Adventure on Saturday April 18, at 8:30 p.m. After we learn to identify our pest-eating pals, we head into the wetlands and woodlands to search for them, listen to them, and find out what we can do to help take care of them.

Delve into some wild creature encounters with Pond Discovery on Saturday, May 9, at 11:30 am. Be prepared to get muddy and wet, you will be using a net and sharing a bucket of water to catch animals, and then learn about them from a Naturalist Guide.

Pre-registration is required for all programs. Cost is $5/person, $10/family. To register call (585) 344-1122.

For more information visit our website at <http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/>

Press release:

Last June we held the first Elba Alumni Reunion with more than 160 people attending. It was a wonderful success and we are not planning a second reunion. This is open to ALL Elba alumni or to anyone who ECS for several years and would like to see former classmates and friends again.

This year’s reunion will again be held at the Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall on Saturday, June 6th. It is located at 7143 Oak Orchard Road.

There will be a social hour at 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner at 6 preceded by appetizer and brunch. A cash bar will also be available. (A tour of the school at 3:30 p.m. will take place for those who are interested.)

As we are not able to contact all Elba alumni we would ask you to pass this information on.

Additional information and forms for the reunion can be obtained on Facebook under the group “Elba Central School Alumni” or you can contact Susan Berg Michalak at 585.343.7086 and a form will be sent to you.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to catch up with former classmates. Last year’s reunion was a fun evening of sharing so many wonderful ECS memories!

Press release:

Join us for our 49^th annual reunion to be held at the Tropic Isles Park Auditorium, 3100 10^th St. West and 28^th Ave., Palmetto, Fla., on March 4^th. Coffee and donuts at 11 a.m.; lunch at noon. Please bring a dish to pass that will serve eight (8) and your own table service.

For further information, call Chuck at (941) 721-9748.

Press release:

We are bringing nature inside with a fun and educational program from Wild Spirit. The program is designed to not only educate, but to spark the interests of the participants. With a visual and hands-on approach to nature education, the naturalists from Wild Spirit are trained to get the participants involved in the lessons.

On Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., the Wild Spirit Program will bring in birds such as owls, hawks and falcons for the audience to view and be educated on. The presentation will take place at the ARC Community Center located at 38 Woodrow Road in the City of Batavia.

The program is being sponsored by the Batavia Youth Bureau Youth Connection Program. This event will be fun and is appropriate for the entire family. For more information or to register call the Youth Bureau at 345-6420.