Announcements

GeneseExcel Sports is proud to present its first-ever Cheerleading Boot Camp, designed specifically for cheerleaders aged 13 through 18. Scheduled to begin July 20 and continue through July 29, the camp will be held at the Community Fields Complex located on Bank Street Road (at the E. Saile Dr. intersection) in Batavia on Mondays & Wednesdays from 1 – 3 p.m.

Cheerleading Boot Camp is designed for the cheerleader who wishes to prepare for high-school try-outs this fall. Participants will take part in intense stretching and conditioning, jump & sequence, tumbling and basic stunting with a superior coaching staff that includes Krista Shamp, two-time sectional winning coach from Batavia High School. Shamp, a former Buffalo Jill, cheered for Buffalo State College and Batavia High School. She took coached at BHS from 2002 – 2007 where she led two teams to championship titles; the first-ever wins in Section V history for Batavia Cheerleading. She also is a five-time Section V Coach of the Year. “My staff and I are devoted to inspiring young athletes to understand and enjoy the sport of cheerleading.  We have many years of experience collectively ranging from high school cheerleading to college national teams, All-Star performances to professional cheerleading. My hope is that we can bring a new level of expertise and spirit to local cheerleading.”

Cost of the camp is $125; sign-up by July 9 and receive a free t-shirt. For more information call Patty Hawley at 585.343.3329 or email info@geneseeexcelsports.

Basket donations are being sought for the Andrew McLaughlin Benefit, a fundraising event to benefit Andrew McLaughlin, who is currently undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Andrew is scheduled to undergo a bone marrow transplant in August. The benefit will be held at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, 76 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY on August 20 from 6 p.m. – 9p.m. $20 donation includes a Chinese auction, music, & snacks. Andrew is the son-in-law of Jeff and Carol Boshart, owners of Boshart Enterprises & Aircraft Services, Inc. located in the town of Batavia.  To donate an item, or for more information about this event, contact Carol Boshart at 585 344-1749 or carol@boshartaviation.com  or Susie Boyce sboyce@lawleyinsurance.com

Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees accepted $2,223,950 in bids to upgrade the outdoor athletic fields, the Anthony T. Zambito Gymnasium and locker rooms.

The project also includes construction of a new artificial turf field for soccer and lacrosse. Joy, McCoola and Zilch of Glens Falls is the project architect.

The board awarded four of the five recommended bids, subject to the acceptance of post-bid information by the architect and college. They are:

• Facilities Equipment and Service, Inc., of Liverpool, $146,950, for gymnasium bleachers;
• Kaplan-Schmidt Electric, Inc., of Rochester, $19,000, for electrical services;
• Pooler Enterprises, Inc., of Fishers, $1,734,000, for site work;
• Concord Electric Corporation, of Rochester, $324,000, for site work electrical services.

Bids came in well within the project budget, said Kevin Hamilton, Vice President for Finance and Operations. Work should be underway in early July, Mr. Hamilton told trustees, and targeted to be completed by mid-fall.

V.J. Gautieri Contractors, LLC, had the recommended low bid of $394,450 for general construction work in the gymnasium. However, two of the six trustees present abstained from voting because of possible conflict of interest. Six yes votes were necessary to approve these actions. The board will take action on this part of the bid package on or before the Board's next scheduled meeting in July when additional members are present.

The last part of the project, the renovation of the locker room areas, will be put out to bid within the next month.

The state has already approved funding for half of the $4.1 million project cost.

A new, free, digital version of the Genesee County Housing Assistance & Information Directory is now available online.

Download it at www.co.genesee.ny.us/community.html

The Genesee Region Housing Initiatives Committee says the directory is intended to provide information to Genesee County residents desiring to improve their current housing situation.

It consists of a comprehensive list of agencies that provide housing assistance as well as apartment complexes, subsidized housing options for seniors and families, student housing, mobile home parks, utility providers, and much more.

The document lists contact information, location, number of units and rent prices.

In addition, for the first time, web addresses and email contact information is included where available. The information has been provided by the named agencies, landlords, and municipalities and assembled by the Genesee Region Housing Initiatives Committee with the help of the Genesee County Department of Planning.

Since going digital in 2005, the directory has regularly been listed in the top 10 most visited/downloaded pages of the Genesee County website.

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market, in cooperation with Oliver’s Candies, will give away a $50 gift card to the popular West Main St. candy store as part of a series of cross-promotional events that couple the Farmer’s Market with local, independent retailers. No purchase is necessary to win the gift card. Anyone may register to win at the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market, Park Road (Batavia Downs parking lot), Batavia, on Tuesday, July 6 and Friday, July 10. The drawing will be conducted on Friday. The winner need not be present to claim their prize.

 According to Market Manager Patty Hawley, “Fruit and chocolate is a popular pair. Beyond the expected ‘chocolate-covered strawberries’, there are endless combinations that highlight both the sweet-tart nature of fruit and the creaminess of milk or dark chocolate.” Chocolate can be paired with raspberries, cherries (both currently either in season or imminent at the market) and wines & cordials to enhance the flavors of both foods. “Partnering with Oliver’s Candies is a perfect fit since fresh fruits are in abundance in the summertime and representatives from the Niagara Wine Trail will be available each week at the market to offer suggestions on pairing wine with chocolate.” 

Aside from the Oliver’s Candies promotion, there are several other events planned at the market this year. Children from the Batavia Player’s Youth Theatre group will be performing highlights from their upcoming show on Friday, August 7, instructors at Blue Pearl Yoga Studio will present a yoga demonstration on Friday, July 24, and “we’re planning another gift card raffle with Roxy’s Music Store this summer as well,” Hawley noted.

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through October. For more information on the Oliver’s Candies Gift Card Giveaway or upcoming events at the market, call Patty Hawley at 585.343.3329.

      ###

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Paul Fenton: 585.356.2358
                     fentonfarm@aol.com

Patty Hawley: 585.343.3329
                       pfhawley@gmail.com
 

Mayhem Riders MC Club

East Bethany

New York 14054

Phone (585) 356-0889

e-mail mayhemriders@hotmail.com

website: www. mayhemriders.com

June 29, 2009

Local Businesses Around

Batavia NY

The Mayhem Riders MC Club along with other local Clubs, Businesses, Friends, and Family member’s are having a benefit-fund raiser on August 22^nd 2009 @ 2:00 p.m. at the East Bethany Fire Hall, for one of our members father, Mr. Patsy Rapone is from Batavia he is also in the local carpenters union, a long time horse owner/racer at Batavia Downs. Mr Rapone was diagnosed with Small Cell Cancer earlier this year, he is currently in the hospital trying his hardest to fight this cancer, we are asking local businesses to please donate what you can to help us raise funds for the family of Mr. Rapone.

With this donation your business will be mentioned on local radio, newspaper, and internet sites.

Please contact us at (585) 356-0889 and we will arrange pickup of your donation. Please check out our website for the benefit flyer

Thank you,

Audrey Johnson

Treasurer

Co-Founder Mayhem Riders MC Club

I am in the process of planning a 20 year high school class reunion at Elba Central School.  There is only one person I have not been able to find any contact information for.  His name is Steve Hall.  If you know him or his whereabouts, please comment so that I can get in contact with you.

Downtown Batavia Rocks  -  The Jackson Square Concert Series, “Friday Night In The Square” runs weekly through Aug. 28. The concerts are held in historic Downtown Batavia’s Jackson Square (located in the alleyways off of Jackson and Center streets). The concerts are free and start at 7 and end at 9. Come early to get a good seat. Check out the Square and dine and shop in downtown Batavia.  

The musical entertainment ranges anywhere from blues, country, celtic/folk, to classic rock. On June 26, “Ghost Riders” (country) perform. The rest of the lineup is:

• Craig Wilkins (country), July 3rd,
• Ghost Riders / Sierra & Friends, July 10th, 
• Westside Blues Band (blues), July 17th,
• Red Creek (classic rock), July 24th,
• The OHMS Band (rock), July 31st, 
• The Flying Sideburns (classic rocks), August 7th,
• Penny Whiskey (Celtic/folk), August 14th
• Jack Civiletto (Singing Sinatra), August 28th. 

There is something for everyone! More than 5,000 people from all over western New York attend this event annually.

Also, don't miss the The Ramble Music & Art Fest in Jackson Square on from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 11. More than 20 different groups and individuals will be performing. There will be chalk art on the streets, other activities and food and refreshments.

This series of concerts is brought to you by the Batavia Business Improvement District.  The major sponsor for this event is M & T Bank.

Rain days the concerts will be held in the Batavia City Centre (formerly Genesee Country Mall). Bring your own seating. A variety of food and refreshments will be available. For more information contact Don Burkel, Batavia Business Improvement District, at 585-344-0900. For downtown events visit www.downtownbataviany.com..

Residents of College Village, Genesee Community College's student residence, especially like their appliances, responsiveness of safety staff members, and evening and weekend programs offered to students, according to the results of a recent survey of College Village students.

But residents would also like to see faster internet service, changes to the discipline and conduct code, and different styles of furniture, according to the same survey.

The second annual College Village Resident Satisfaction Survey was completed by 249 students in April and the results released earlier this month.

Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman said the survey gives students an opportunity to express their views about life at College Village and helps staff members shape priorities in the years ahead.

College Village is home to 380 students during the academic year. Located at the northeastern end of the Batavia Campus, it consists of 95 apartment-style suites located in nine residential buildings. Students who live there are all full-time students at Genesee. Most live more than 50 miles from the Batavia Campus, although a growing number of local students are choosing to live at College Village. Last year, about 50 international students lived at the residence. College Village is operated by the Genesee Community College Foundation, a charitable organization that provides volunteer and philanthropic support to the College.

Seventy-one percent of residents living at College Village completed this year's survey, up from 53% of residents who did so in 2008. Students responded to questions about their satisfaction with College Village, their reasons for choosing College Village as student housing and they had the opportunity to offer open-ended comments about their likes and dislikes.

Other results include:

• Resident satisfaction increased on all 10 satisfaction measures between 2008 and 2009.
• Students reported significant increases in satisfaction with student discipline, perceptions of safety, and ability to talk to staff members about problems and concerns.
• Length of residence does not appear to influence satisfaction, except that satisfaction with internet service and maintenance request turnaround time declines among residents who have lived at College Village three or more semesters.
• Three out of four students chose College Village because living on campus was important to them.
• Three out of four returning Genesee students have chosen College Village again.

Survey results indicate that changes in student programming and safety procedures had a positive impact on students, Mr. Ensman told the college Board of Trustees. Survey results also indicate that, in the future, students might be involved in the selection of furniture and programs about conduct and discipline.

A strong student housing program is vitally important Mr. Ensman said. "Students come here from across the globe because of the programs we offer, and the College's excellent reputation," he said. "Students need quality housing. It supports and enhances the college experience of each of our students."

The Albion School Board bestowed its "Friend of Education" Award on Genesee Community College President Stuart Steiner earlier this month.

The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to education and the well-being of Albion School District students.

Albion School Superintendent Ada Grabowski, Ed.D, cited the partnerships that Steiner established with the school district and other community groups as the reason the nine-member school board gave him the award. Steiner has demonstrated exemplary support of Genesee Community College's Albion Campus Center, Genesee Promise Plus program and the college's new career coaching initiative.

The Genesee Promise Plus program gives area high school seniors the opportunity to attend up to two summer college courses through a scholarship at Genesee after graduation. Albion students were among the heaviest users of this scholarship program when the program was instituted last year.

Under the career coaching initiative, the college will locate a career coach at the high school at least two days a week. The career coach will help students navigate the increasingly complicated financial aid application process, provide information about college opportunities, and help students identify career options. This program is designed after a highly successful cooperative model implemented between community colleges and high schools in Virginia.

Steiner, Ed.D, was one of the first college presidents in the northeastern United States to spearhead the establishment of campus centers -- free-standing college facilities that offer college courses and a variety of student services to college students living in a local community. Genesee has six campus centers, located throughout its four-county service area, in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Medina, Warsaw, and Lakeville (soon to be relocated to Lima).

"The success of anything an educator does is measured by its impact on the lives of individual students," Steiner said. "I am very proud of the work that I, and the faculty and staff of Genesee Community College, have done with students in the Albion School District."

The Genesee Community College United Way employee campaign was an enormous success raising $16,214 from 126 donors during the spring fundraising drive. The total included seven Leadership gifts greater than $500, and $1,000 raised by students.

The Genesee Community College/United Way Committee was led by associate vice president of Human Resources, Gina Weaver. "The enthusiasm displayed again this year was overwhelming, and all the committee members and I are grateful to all, students, faculty, staff, retirees, and administrators of the College who participated in and supported the Genesee Country United Way," Weaver said.

Through a series of presentations at departmental meetings, the College faculty and staff learned about the wide array of local service agencies -- many of which serve the College's students and employees. But, employee contributions were not the only means of support.

"Student involvement in campaign planning and implementation added immensely to the United Way campaign success," said Ruthann Richardson, a Genesee student, who was joined by another Genesee student Tim Walton. Both were second year marketing students in professor Rick Dudkowski's Business Problems and Management class, and they were also members of the GCC's Business Forum Club. Together, they initiated the Ducky Derby as a fun and competitive way to raise support for Genesee's United Way agencies. Students sold tickets for the chance to select the winning duck in the swimming pool race that was coordinated by the GCC swim team members: Mike Hoerbelt, Ricardo Jimenez, Dustin Shepard and Josh Sullivan and Swim Coach Scott Hunsinger.

Barbara Shine, Genesee Community College / United Way committee member and an assistant professor in the College's Business division added, "Learning about community service is an important part of our curriculum. Students actively participated in our United Way campaign and they brought meaning to "Live United," the Genesee Country United Way theme."

Genesee's United Way committee members include: Gina Weaver, Barbara Shine, Patricia Hume, Richard Tiede, John McGowan, Anne Feary, TaShonda Gerald, Valerie Pawlowski, Robert Knipe and Alice Weather.  For further information on Genesee Community College's 2009 United Way Campaign, call Weaver or another committee member at 585-343-0055.

The Batavia Muckdogs will host the first Canadian Tuxedo Appreciation Night at 7:05, gametime, Wednesday, June 24.

The head-to-toe denim fashion affair will take place as the Muckdogs take on the Williamsport Crosscutters.

Fans and staff alike are encouraged to show their support for the Muckdogs by donning the denim and committing a JOJO (Jeans-On-Jeans Offense). Urban Dicitonary.com defines the Canadian Tuxedo as “an outfit consisting of a denim jacket and denim jeans.”

The Muckdogs would like to use their platform and standing within the Batavia community to orchestrate the comeback of the Canadian Tuxedo. Muckdogs general manager of baseball operations, Travis Sick said: “The Canadian Tuxedo has been unfashionable for far too long, and the Muckdogs would like to be the first to rally support for denim-on-denim and shock the fashion world. Change has obviously been a major topic this past year, and we decided what better way to contribute than to bring back denim?” 

Fans who dress up will have the opportunity to be a part of the “Best Dressed” Competition with prizes for the winners. In addition, fans who accessorize their Canadian Tuxedo with flare from the 1980s (i.e. mullets, mustaches, REO Speedwagon T-shirts, etc.) will be awarded Cool Points and render the judging process biased and favorable toward their cause.

For more information, or questions regarding Canadian Tuxedo Appreciation Night contact the Muckdogs Front Office at (585) 343-5454, or visit StocktonPorts.com.