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Announcements

Funds still available for the HEAP Clean and True Benefit

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The HEAP Clean and Tune benefit opened Aug. 1 and will run until Nov. 4 or until funds are exhausted. Anyone interested in the Clean and Tune program must contact Genesee County DSS at 344-2580. 

Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

You may be eligible for a benefit if:

·         You are the homeowner;

·         Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted on the table below;

·         Your primary heating equipment is more than 12 months old;

·         Your primary heating equipment or chimney has not been cleaned within the last 12 months;

·         You do not have a service contract with your vendor that includes clean and tune services;

Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.

Here are the current income eligibility guidelines:

2016 HEAP            Elderly or Disabled figures                

Household Size

Max Monthly Income

1

$2,300

2

$3,007

3

$3,715

4

$4,423

5

$5,130

 

Tamatha Arneth and Jennifer Zambito hired by Genesee Community College

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo of Jennifer Zambito (left) and Tammy Arneth.

Press release:

Genesee Community College Foundation recently announced the hiring of two new employees, welcoming Tamatha L. Arneth to the role of director of development and Alumni Affairs and appointing Jennifer M. Zambito to the position assistant director of Alumni Affairs. Both began their new roles with the College's Foundation earlier this month.

As director, Arneth will manage the Foundation's annual campaign and related philanthropic activities. She will be tasked with coordinating and cultivating efforts for fundraising and major gifts, and oversee donor communication, recognition, on-campus and campus center donor events, and scholarship and grant programs. 

Tamatha joins the College after working with All Babies Cherished, Pregnancy Assistance Center in Batavia, where she served as executive director since 2004. During her time there, she oversaw all fundraising campaigns and events, including the Center's annual fundraising banquet, 5K run and baby bottle campaign. Her previous work experience includes time with Whiting Law Office in LeRoy and Ron Willig, Esq. in Williamsville, where she worked as a paralegal. Arneth earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from SUNY Fredonia and holds a Paralegal Certificate from the National Academy of Paralegal Studies. She is a member of Interagency Council of Genesee County and a volunteer and team captain for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. She currently resides in LeRoy. 

A Batavia native, Zambito recently held the role of assistant director at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA). She began as a community outreach specialist before being promoted to supervisor, then assistant director, and she was responsible for securing new contracts with local high schools, coordinating all prevention programs within Genesee County schools, budgeting and reporting, as well as executing all communications efforts for the department. Previous work experience included a stint at P.W. Minor and Sons in Batavia as account executive and marketing assistant and as an account executive at WBTA-AM in Batavia. 

Zambito earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Finger Lakes Community College before obtaining a Bachelor's in Communications from SUNY Cortland. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's Degree in Communications with a concentration in Marketing from Walden University. Jennifer is a board member of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and a past board member of the Batavia YWCA. She is a 2012 class member of Leadership Genesee and volunteers at St. Joseph Catholic School in Batavia. She resides in Batavia. 

In her new role with the College, Zambito will be responsible for the coordination and management of alumni activities and supporting general Foundation activities. She will manage the alumni recognition and awards program, and coordinate student and alumni giving as well as alumni communications.

The GCC Foundation promotes philanthropy and volunteer support on behalf of the College and recently completed a successful capital campaign which was instrumental in securing the funds for the currently under-construction Student Success Center and Richard C. Call Arena, a 45,000 square foot events center. Through its leadership and initiatives, the Foundation continues to collaborate with the College to promote academic excellence, accessibility to higher education, and economic vitality in the GLOW region.

Car Wash Saturday to benefit GVEP Drag Race Club

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Drag Race Club will be hosting a car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 22. The profits from the car wash will benefit the Drag Race Club.

The car wash will take place at the BOCES Genesee Valley campus, located at 8250 State Street Road in Batavia. Upon arrival, follow the signs through the campus.

Students from the Conservation, Metal Trades, Health Dimensions, Automotive Technology and Collision, Custom and Repair are working together to build a drag car.  The students have been working on disassembling a Ford Ranchero. 

For any question please contact Bob Yates, Automotive Technology Instructor ryates@gvboces.org

New auction items still being accepted for Saturday's 13th annual Fur Ball to benefit Spay/Neuter Program

By Billie Owens

New items are still being accepted for the auctions at the 13th annual Fur Ball to benefit the Volunteers for Animals Spay /Neuter program at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia. You can drop new auction items off this week during shelter adoption hours.

Adoption hours are:

Monday and Tuesday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday -- 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

CLOSED THURSDAYS.

Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

The Fur Ball begins at 6 p.m. at the Days Inn in Batavia on Saturday, Oct. 22. The Days Inn is located at 202 Oak St.

The Fur Ball will feature food, fun, surprises, stupendous desserts and auctions!

Cost is $25 for adults; children 12 and under are $15; tables of 10 are $250. Limited to 200 attendees.

Fall Afterschool Theater and Music Program offered for second- through eighth-graders

By Billie Owens

This information comes from Batavia Players Inc./Harvester 56 Theater:

A Fall Afterschool Theater and Music Program is being offered by Batavia Players Inc./Harvester 56 Theater for second- through eighth-graders.

The program will be held on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30. Tuition is $250 and includes all supplies. It can be paid in two installments of $125. Only 30 spots are available.

Instruction will take place at the theater at 56 Harvester Ave. Nov. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 30, and in December on the 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th.

Registration is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at the theater.

The program is designed for your child to explore a wide array of theater and music skills that will include auditions, script reading, musical theater and songs, and costume and prop exploration.

It is the ogranization's intent to provide a solid education program that will let your child explore and discover the world of theater and live performance.

Planned and executed by Wendy Williams, known music and theater performer and teacher, this will be a solid start course for the beginner as well as useful to the experienced child performer.

Classes will be held exclusively at the Harvester 56 Theater and in its Education Center.

This program is just in time for your child to gain the experience needed for auditions for Spring school musicals.

Sign your young theater enthusiast up today!

Email for a registration form or drop into the registration event Oct. 24.

For questions contact:

Executive Director Patrick Burk:    burk.patrick1956@gmail.com

Education Director Wendy Williams:    kindersinger@yahoo.com

For more about Batavia Player Inc. visit:    www.bataviaplayers.org

Mark Your Calendar: Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble to perform Autumn Concert in Elba on Nov. 13

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble will perform its Autumn Concert "First & Final Steps" beginning at 4 p.m. in the Elba Central School Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 13.

The school is located at 57 S. Main St.

The purpose of the ensemble is to serve and provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar live music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature and to create the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents.

Admission is:

  • $25 -- Family Deal -- for immediate family and children defined a mother and/or father and up to four children
  • $10 -- Adult
  • $8 -- Senior (55+) & Veteran
  • $5 -- Student with ID
  • Free -- Children age 5 and younger

Also, printed on the back of the tickets will be a coupon for Chap's Elba Diner, which can only be used immediately following the concert for 10 percent off their bill.

To contact the ensemble, email    geneseevalleywindensemble@gmail.com 

The concert will feature these works:

"A Movement for Rosa" by Mark Camphouse

"Music for a Darkened Theatre" by Danny Elfman

"Over the Rainbow" by E.Y. Harburg & Harold Arlen

"Commando March" by Samuel Barber

"A Fifties Time Capsule" -- arrangements by Paul Jennings

"Chorale and Shaker Dance" by John Zdechlik

"Library of Congress March" by John Philip Sousa

"Star Trek: Into Darkness" -- arrangements by Michael Brown

'Aging with Options' forum at Manor House in Batavia on Friday

By Billie Owens

The Manor House is hosting a forum called "Aging with Options" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21. It's is free and open to the public intended to help the 50+ folks better understand options for the aging.

There will be workshops, vendors and mini clinics offering vision tests, blood pressure checks and hearing tests, and more. UMMC is sponsoring the event.

To register or for more information call 344-2345.

The Manor House is located at 427 E. Main St.

Dementia Care Conference for families and loved ones is Oct. 27 at Terry Hills, it's free but registration is required

By Billie Owens

A Dementia Care Conference for families and loved ones will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility in Batavia.

It is free and open to the public but registration is required. Call 1-800-272-3900 to register.

Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton Street Road.

The event is offered by the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and it is sponsored, in part, by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities are available.

There are three areas of focus:

  1. The Basics of Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
  2. Legal & Financial Planning for Dementia
  3. Caregiver Resources

Benefits for volunteer emergency responders exempt from federal income tax

By Julia Ferrini

Press release:

Benefits volunteer emergency responders receive as a reward for their service is no longer subject to federal income tax, withholding and reporting. On Sept. 21 the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation exempting these nominal benefits. 

Language from the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA), which excludes property tax benefits and up to $600 of other types of benefits for the 2017 tax year, was added to the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act. The Committee approved the benefit by a voice vote. The amendment was sought by senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the sponsors of VRIPA (S. 609/H.R. 2752).

“On behalf of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) I’d like to thank senators Schumer and Collins for their work on this important legislation, which will help local emergency response agencies recruit and retain volunteer personnel,” said NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn. “On average a volunteer firefighter in the United States donates services worth more than $18,000 to the community that he or she serves. It is common sense to clarify that the nominal incentives that volunteers receive as a reward for their service should not be taxed by the federal government.”

The NVFC will continue to work to identify opportunities to pass VRIPA before the end of the year and will provide updates if and when votes take place on the House or Senate floor. In the meantime, you can use the NVFC’s Legislative Action Center to contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to ask them to support VRIPA.

WANTED: Winter coats in show of support for victims of domestic violence

By Billie Owens

WANTED: Your gently used coats, sweaters, parkas and such for women, men, boys, girls and babies, too. All humanity!

Bahama Bay Salon and Spa in Downtown Batavia is having a winter coat drive through the month of October to benefit the Genesee County YWCA.

"We are doing it to support victims of domestic violence as October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month," says Shirley Puleo.

The business is located at 2 School St.

Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sunday.

For salon services, call for appointment. Phone is 345-9644.

Arts & Crafts Sale by local artists this weekend in East Bethany

By Billie Owens

Several local artisans have gotten together to sell their homemade items from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16.

The location is 5444 Ellicott Street Road (Route 63), East Bethany.

Some items include home decor, fall decor, fine art done on reclaimed wood, refinished/painted furniture, repurposed items, jewelry, and flavored popcorn.

Discover all-handcrafted rustic and primitive decor, and pottery, too.

Office for the Aging to offer four vendor fairs to help people make sense of Medicare maze

By Billie Owens

According to a specialist in aging services and Medicare at the Genesee County Office for the Aging, "this year is utter chaos with Medicare Advantage Plans as FIVE out of six companies selling in Genesee County have dropped at least one plan."

"We have been slammed with calls (as many as 43 within hours!) from people seeking guidance on what to do," she says.

So they are holding four Medicare Open Enrollment Vendor fairs during Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7) to help people sort through the maze. ​The fairs are provided through grant funds from the NYS Office for the Aging, the Federal Older Americans Act, and generous support of the Genesee County Legislature.

Charts will be available at the vendor fairs (and in the Office for the Aging) comparing ALL available plans for 2017. Reps from local Medicare Advantage Plans and AARP Medigap will be present to help attendees understand the changes for 2017. They can help sign you up if you wish to choose a different plan or company. And Medicare trained/certified counselors from the Office of the Aging will be there to answer questions and offer unbiased assistance.

The fairs are scheduled as follows:

  • Monday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Paddock Room at Batavia Downs, 8315 Park Road
  • Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Oakfield Community and Government Center, 3219 Drake St., Oakfield
  • Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
  • Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia

Applications now being accepted for Batavia Jr. Blue Devils Boys Basketball Saturday Program

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Jr. Blue Devils Boys Basketball Saturday Program will be offered from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17 at John Kennedy School's gym. It is only open to boys in grades one through six who attend school in the Batavia City School District.

The Satruday program is FREE but there will be a fee for league play to cover the cost of uniforms/gym use, etc.

  • Grades 3-4 will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Grade 5-6 will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon
  • Grades 1-2 will meet from noon to 1 p.m.

The program will focus on the offensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, and ball handling, with a major emphasis on shooting. There will be contests with full-court and half-court games.

Participants will have the option to join our youth league from January until early March. Practices will start after Winter Recess and will be held twice per week in the evening. Games are played on the weekends, either on Saturday or Sunday or both.

A parent or guardian must fill out an application that includes: name, address; age; grade; school; phone number; medical concerns; and signature.

If you want yopu child to play on one of the teams that competes in the league, which is for grades 3-6 only and runs January through early March, you will have to choose a jersey size -- Youth S-XL and Adult S-XL, and it is advised that you order a size up as they run small.

Batavia City Schools are not responsible for injury that may happen during the program.

Refer questions to Coach Jim Fazio at (585) 356-0901. Email:     jfazio@gvboces.org

Fazio is the Jr. Blue Devil youth director and he coaches current Blue Devil players.

Emmy-winning stylist and best-selling author David Zyla returns to GCC for Fashion Speaker program

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

His style is authentic and colorful. His fashion is Emmy Award-winning. His books have influenced followers all over the world to adopt his unique approach, and on Wednesday, Oct. 26, he will return to Genesee Community College as part of the Fashion Business Program's Fashion Speaker Series to give a presentation that will show exactly why he is a sought after authority on fashion and color in the media.

David Zyla, who spoke as part of the Series in 2014, has collaborated with some of the most recognizable faces of contemporary culture, including Neil Patrick Harris, Hillary Clinton, Susan Lucci, Tom Hanks, Carol Burnett, Amber Rose and Kelsey Grammar. A believer that "every person has the right to feel empowered and look fantastic," Zyla's lifelong passion is helping people discover their individual palette of flattering colors and unique style – the best version of themselves – through private and group style consultations all over the world.

Zyla started his Seventh Avenue evening wear label, which was featured at New York's Fashion Week and sold by luxury retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel, at the age of 22. By 2001, he had already earned a reputation as a tastemaker with strong ties to the global fashion community and was recruited by ABC to reinvigorate the visual quality of its daytime programming. David has held position of head costume designer for various long-running television shows, including ABC's "All My Children" (2010 Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design Emmy Award), "General Hospital," and Lifetime's "Devious Maids."

A guest speaker, panelist and lecturer on the transformative power of color and its application to wardrobe, home and lifestyle, Zyla is known for his engaging, educational and fun presentations on fashion. He has been profiled in People magazine and The New Yorker, and featured in publications including Life & Style, More Magazine, Real Simple, Women's Wear Daily, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Traditional Home, and more. David often serves as a teacher and guest lecturer at major design institutions, museums, and schools, including New York University, Hofstra University, SCAD, LIM, Otterbein College and UC Davis. He is a faculty member at Marymount Manhattan College where he teaches a regular course on Fashion, History and Society.

Don't miss David Zyla at GCC on Oct. 26 in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at the GCC Batavia Campus as part of the Fashion Business Program Speaker Series. The event is free and open to the public, however, seating will be limited. Those wishing to attend can RSVP by calling (585) 345-6830.

For more information on David Zyla, including services and contact information, visit his website at www.davidzyla.com

Foxprowl owner Bill Hume to talk about collectables at HLOM event

By Billie Owens

Bill Hume, owner of Foxprowl in Batavia, will talk about popular culture collectables beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Holland Land Office Museum, 131 W. Main S., Batavia.
 
These aren't your grandfather's collectables. Hume will give an overview of collectables, which got their start in comic books and movies like Super Man, Bat Man, the X Men, Godzilla, Star Wars and Ghostbusters. You'll learn what's trending and what's not and what you wish your mom had not thrown out years ago. Hume will bring along plenty of his favorite items to show off.
 
This free presentation is open to the public. We do serve refreshments!
 
Reservations would be helpful, but not required. Phone 343-4727.
 
To see weird and wonderful collectables and more, visit Foxprowl at 97 Main St. in Batavia.

Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars is Wednesday at Denny's in Corfu, starts at 4 p.m.

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
There will be a Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars fundraising event from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Denny's in Corfu.
 
It is located at 8484 Alleghany Road.
                    
Help provide college funds by purchasing a meal at the Pembroke Denny's during this event and Denny's will award 20 percent of the meal cost to the Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars for future college scholarships to Pembroke graduates.
 
There will be representatives from Dollar for Scholars present to talk with you about how to increase your chances of winning one or more of the 15 scholarships we offer.
 
Information on how to apply for scholarships will also be provided at this MEET, GREET & EAT event. As you know college isn't cheap.
 
If you value education, care about children or are preparing to send your son or daughter off to college someday this event is for you and your family!

Annual BMS Open House is Thursday evening

By Billie Owens

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, Batavia Middle School will host its annual Open House for parents and students. The school is located at 96 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Participants may visit classrooms and other learning areas in a relaxed manner, meeting with any or all of their child’s teachers.

In addition, the Library Media Center will host the Book Fair, which is sponsored by our Parent Teacher Group.

Open House is focused on teachers and parents becoming acquainted and for parents to learn about the curriculum for their child(ren) this year. Each teacher will have materials on display and be available to meet and greet parents and answer general questions. Individual conversations about the progress of your child should be held at a parent-teacher conference, which can be set up at any time by calling the Counseling Center. 

There will be refreshments in the cafeteria, along with a Parent Portal table to sign up to be able to view your child’s electronic grade book. In addition, there will be table displays with information about various clubs.

Public meetings scheduled for the Smart Growth Plan 2016 Review

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Department of Planning will present and gather comments on the draft revisions to the Smart Growth Plan as part of its 2016 triennial review in a series of public meetings. There will be three meetings, all beginning at 7 p.m., as follows:

Monday, Oct. 24 -- Oakfield Community and Government Center 3219 Drake Street Road, Oakfield

Tuesday, Oct. 25 -- ​Genesee County Building 2 – Large Conference Room, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia

Wednesday, Oct. 26 -- Le Roy Town Hall, 48 Main St., Le Roy

On May 9, 2001 the Genesee County Legislature adopted the Smart Growth Plan. The Plan is a mitigating action of potential significant environmental impacts of the Genesee County Water Supply Project upon the viability of agriculture in Genesee County.

Smart Growth Development Areas throughout the county were designated based on their access to transportation, minimal conflict with County Agricultural districts and State regulated wetlands, feasibility of extending public water service, and the potential for extending public infrastructure to support development.

The Plan requires that it be reviewed every three years by the Legislature and that recommendations for its revision be made at that time.

During this review, the towns of Alabama, Darien, Le Roy and Oakfield proposed changes to the Development Area Boundaries. The meetings will focus on the modifications being recommended to the County Legislature by the Planning Department, County Planning Board, County Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board, and County Water Resources Agency.

For individuals with disabilities, requests for reasonable accommodations should be made with at least five days’ notice. Call The Genesee County Planning Department at (585) 815-7901 or email at Felipe.Oltramari@co.genesee.ny.us.

GCC hosts ninth annual Fall Nursing Job & Transfer Fair on Oct. 27

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College continues to demonstrate a commitment to student success and community connections on Thursday, Oct. 27, when more than 25 of the area's top healthcare employers and four-year universities will attend the ninth annual Fall Nursing Job & Transfer Fair to explore career and educational opportunities.

The event is open to the public and will be held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Batavia Campus of Genesee Community College in the Forum. Parking and attendance are free.

The fair is designed to introduce potential new employees and/or transferring students to four-year nursing colleges or a future employer, and also provides healthcare businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community. It is free and open to all community members.

As of today (Oct. 6), the following employers and universities represented will include:

ArnotHealth, Elmira

Elderwood, Williamsville

Nursefinders Inc., Rochester

The Arc of Monroe County, Rochester

GreenField Health & Rehab Center, Lancaster

Visiting Nurses of Rochester

Guthrie Healthcare System, Sayre, Pa.

Jewish Home of Rochester

Campanion Care, Rochester

Livingston County Center for Nursing, Mt. Morris

Kaleida Health, Williamsville

Medical Staffing Network, Rochester

Newfane Rehab & Health Care, Newfane

Air Force

Highland Hospital, Rochester

Rochester Psychiatric Center, Rochester

Lifetime Care, Rochester

HomeCare & Hospice, Warsaw

Chamberlain -- College of Nursing

The College at Brockport

D'Youville College -- School of Nursing

Grand Canyon University

Keuka College

Nazareth College -- Nursing Dept.

St. John Fisher College -- Wegman's School of Nursing

Roberts Wesleyan College

SUNY Alfred State

SUNY Delhi School of Nursing

Trocaire College

Participants are encouraged to dress prepared for an interview and to bring their resume. Students will have the opportunity to access real jobs, promote themselves and get their "foot in the door" at several local health centered organizations. This is also an opportunity to obtain information about furthering their education to obtain their BSN. For a full list of attendees, please visit www.genesee.edu/career and log into and/or create an account with Purple Briefcase.

For directions and additional details, please contact the Career Services office at 585-345-6888.

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