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Announcements

SADD car wash will feature Dancing Derek

By Billie Owens

Genesee Countywide Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will be holding a fundraiser car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15.

It will take place at Center of Attention Auto Spa, located at 8318 Park Road, right next to Alex’s Place. People are asked bring donations of school supplies or money to help buy school supplies for local youth.

Also come out and see Dancing Derek from So You Think You Can Dance while getting your car washed!

Event Date and Time
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Wanted: nominations for Community Volunteer of the Year

By Billie Owens

Attention friends of do-gooders...Batavia City Manager Jason Molino wants to hear from you -- and soon!

The City of Batavia is seeking nominations for the Community Volunteer of the Year recognition award to be presented by City Council at its Sept. 14 business meeting. 

Nomination Forms can be picked up at the City Manager’s Office or by phone at (585) 345-6333. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 17.

Food preservation class offered by Cornell extension

By Billie Owens

Do you have an abundance of tomatoes that you would like to enjoy throughout the coming winter months? Have you ever wanted to get started with preserving the wonderful bounty of summer fruits and vegetables from your garden?
 
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering a hands-on food preservation class from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Extension Center, located at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.

Event Date and Time
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Williamsville woman wins Mustang raffle

By Gretel Kauffman

Nancy Crane of Williamsville was the lucky winner of this year's Elba Volunteer Fire Department's annual Mustang raffle. Crane chose the $18,000 cash prize over the car. 

Approximately $8,000 was raised in ticket sales, with all profit going to the fire department.

New forensics course offered at GCC this fall

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College is offering of a new criminal justice course in forensics this fall.

CRJ161 -- Introduction to Forensics -- is being added to the criminal justice curriculum.  Along with the current CRJ118 Forensic Anthropology course, the new forensics course will enhance student preparation in the CSI field (crime scene investigation).

The class is offered on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 12:20 to 1:15 and on Friday from 12:25 to 2:25 p.m..

Taught by criminal justice faculty member Karen Wicka, Introduction to Forensics is a three-credit course that will familiarize students with the basic principles of CSI and the scientific concepts and techniques used in a forensic laboratory.

Students participate in crime-scene analysis, evidence collection and evidence preservation. They also work in a number of forensic crime labs involving various branches of forensic science including fingerprinting, toxicology, serology (the study of blood serum) and impression evidence.

Specific forensic labs include blood spatter analysis, chromatography and handwriting analysis, blood typing, DNA fingerprinting and developing fingerprints using multiple methods such as Super Glue fuming.

Wicka has taught criminal justice full time at GCC for the past year and has been an adjunct faculty member since 2001. She has also taught criminal justice and forensics with Genesee Valley BOCES for 10 years, where she set up simulated crime scenes for students to solve. She has a law degree from Albany Law School and remains current on the latest innovations in the field by attending continuing-education training sessions with top forensic experts.

In Forensic Anthropology CRJ118, students examine human skeletal remains in the context of medico-legal issues. They analyze the scientific evidence of skeletal or badly decomposed remains to establish circumstances of death, and identify the decedent by estimating age, gender, racial affinity, stature, pathologic conditions, and traumatic injury.

The course also introduces human osteology (the study of bones), and presents methods and techniques used in forensic anthropology. The course discusses case reports, contexts in which human remains are found, and methods of recovery. Forensic Anthropology is taught by Dr. Jennifer Prutsman-Pfeiffer and will be offered on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 this fall.

Prutsman-Pfeiffer is a pathologist's assistant at the University of Rochester Medical Center in autopsy pathology. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at the School of Nursing. In addition to her work at Genesee, she teaches at St. John Fisher College, and is a National Institute of Forensic Nursing faculty member.

Prutsman-Pfeiffer has served as a consulting forensic anthropologist in counties throughout western and central New York State since 2000, and she is a former member of the Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team, assisting with identification of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Students in her CRJ118 Genesee class this fall will see and learn about actual cases she has consulted on locally, and possibly participate in some aspect of real case studies that may occur during the semester.

Genesee's growing criminal justice program will soon offer a course called Emergency Management. The program will also soon be adding special concentrations within its Associate's in Applied Science curriculum. Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Forensics, Policing, Corrections Counseling or the traditional general concentration will be among the options for students to consider.

"Genesee's Criminal Justice Program has a strong history of excellence." said Barry Garigen, professor of Criminal Justice and program coordinator. "The new courses and concentrations will enhance learning and allow students to focus on emerging areas within the field while still continuing to receive the traditional educational foundation necessary to become successful criminal justice professionals."

Students can still enroll for the fall 2009 semester for any of the following three Criminal Justice degrees at Genesee Community College: an Associate's degree (A.S.), an Associate's in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.), or a certificate. The A.S. degree program prepares students to successfully transfer to a four-year institution for a baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice or a related field. The A.A.S. degree program is designed for students preparing to enter the workforce upon graduation for a career in law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, community service or private security. The Criminal Justice certificate program prepares students for employment opportunities, or helps develop a deeper background in the field for those who are already employed within the criminal justice system.

All of Genesee's criminal justice programs may be taken in a distance-learning format.

For more  information on Genesee's Criminal Justice program, please contact Barry Garigen, Criminal Justice professor and program coordinator at 585-343-0055 x6307 or visit www.genesee.edu/legal/crimjust <http://www.genesee.edu/legal/crimjust>.

Lots in store for Muckdog fans in the week ahead

By Billie Owens

Tuesday evening Aug. 10 is Super Hero Night at Dwyer Stadium. Join the Muckdogs staff and dress up as your favorite Super Hero. It is also Free Dog Night presented by Zweigle’s. The first 200 fans through the gates receive a free hot dog courtesy of Zweigle’s.

Also on Tuesday, KRAFT Singles presents KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Fans can bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the Muckdogs box office for a buy one/get one ticket courtesy of KRAFT Singles. Visit kraftsingles.com for more details.

Well before Tuesday's game time of 7:05 p.m., Muckdogs players Niko Vasquez and Beau Riportella will be signing autographs at Applebee’s in Batavia from Noon to 1 p.m..
 
The second game of the first series, which is against Vermont, starts at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, with gates opening at 6. It's Family Four Pack Night. Fans can purchase four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a 2009 program for only $30.
 
There will be the first ever Belly Busters Night on Wednesday, too. Belly Busters features an eating contest between 10 lucky contestants. Fans can sign up at the Muckdogs' concession stand on Tuesday or by emailing tsick@muckdogs.com.

Starting in the 2nd inning, each contestant will attempt to eat a food item during that inning. Food items will start out relatively harmless and become progressively more challenging to the palate. Whoever is left at the end of the game, will be crowned Belly Buster King or Queen and will receive a prize pack from the Muckdogs.
 
Prize pack includes:
      A Baseball autographed by the 2009 Muckdogs
      $20 gift certificate to Alex’s Place in Batavia
      2 golf passes to Brockport Country Club
      2 golf passes to Silver Lake Country Club
      4 free tickets to a future Muckdogs game
      A Muckdogs T-shirt
     
Round three of the series with Vermont will be at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, with gates opening at 6 p.m. Thursday evening’s promotions will include a Knot Hole Game presented by Turnbull Heating & Air.

Knot Hold Gang members can purchase a General Admission ticket for $2 and Knot Hole Gang parents can receive a buck off their tickets. The Kiwanis Club of Batavia will also be hosting its annual Bike Raffle, with a bike given to one lucky girl and boy.
 
Beginning on Friday, Aug.14 through Sunday, Aug.16, the Muckdogs start a three-game series with the Staten Island Yankees, a New York Yankees affiliate. Games on Friday and Saturday are at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6. Sunday’s game time is 5:05 p.m., with gates opening at 4.
 
The Friday Night fireworks are back for another spectacular show on Friday, Aug.14, along with Launch-a-Ball presented by Hillside Family of Agencies. Fans can purchase numbered tennis balls for $1 with the proceeds going to Hillside Family of Agencies. Following the game, fans will then attempt to throw those tennis balls into inflated pools on the field. Each ball that successfully lands in a pool will automatically enter that fan into a chance to win the grand prize, a night in a suite at a Red Wings game next season.
 
Round two of the series with Staten Island is 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. The “Rock the Ballpark” pre-game concert series returns, featuring "Papa and Mama Root," presented by Tim Horton’s of Batavia and New Buffalo Impact. They play jukebox favorites from the '50s and '60s, as well as their own original recordings.

Saturday also features the annual Team Photo Giveaway for the first 500 fans through the gate courtesy of LP Graphics.
 
The Muckdogs finish up their three-game with Staten Island at 5:05 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, with gates opening at 4. That night is post-game run the bases with Homer, as well as Homer’s Birthday Bash. Local mascots will be on hand to help celebrate this special occasion and the first 300 fans will receive an ice cream novelty.

Help for low-income residents needing prescription medications

By Billie Owens

Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has announced that applications are available at his district office for the recently created NY Prescription $aver program (NYP$), sponsored by the State Department of Health.

The NYP$ is a free discount card that can reduce the cost of prescriptions by 30% to 60% for eligible lower-income residents.
 
Participants must be a New York State resident between the ages of 50 and 64 or a person of any age who has been determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration. Annual household income must be below $35,000 for singles and $50,000 for married persons. Medicaid participants are not eligible for the program. 

Applications for the program are available at Senator Ranzenhofer’s District Office, 8203 Main Street – Suite 4 in Clarence.  For more information, please contact Senator Ranzenhofer’s office at (716) 631-8695. Applications are also available by calling the NYP$ Helpline at 1-800-788-6917 or by visiting http://nyprescriptionsaver.fhsc.com.

Onion Festival celebrates new and old traditions

By Gretel Kauffman

The first Onion Festival, also known as Field Day, was on Saturday, Aug. 14, 1937.  Almost 5,000 people gathered at the Four Corners (Main, Chapel and Mechanic streets) to take part in the parade and other festivities such as bicycle races, dancing, tire-racing, water fights and a pie-eating contest.

Barbie Ognibene, who is the chairman of the festival, says that it was originally planned to celebrate the harvest.

"The farmers wanted everyone to get together for harvest time, when they were all harvesting their crops," says Ognibene, who has been involved in the planning of the festival for 21 years.

Today, the two-day event is held at the Elba Park, and most of the original activities, such as rolling-pin throwing and the soap-box derby, have been replaced by carnival rides and games.

However, many of the old traditions, such as the crowning of the Onion Queen and the Elba Volunteer Fire Department’s car raffle, still remain, and of course the "onion spirit" is still alive. Onion soup, rings, and petals will be available, as well as bags of Elba onions. The parade, another beloved tradition, will kick off the festivities at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Ognibene says that to many native Elbans, the Onion Festival is more than just a carnival:

“A lot of people plan their vacations around this weekend. There's going to be a high school class reunion, two weddings and several family reunions."

Ognibene says that although all the profit from the festival goes to the Volunteer Fire Department, the event is really more about keeping a fun tradition alive than fundraising. 

"It's really more of a service act," she says. "The fire department gets one-hundred percent of the profits, and that's put towards serving the community."

Lots of aid available for those college bound

By Billie Owens

Fall semester at Genesee Community College is quickly approaching and students are taking full advantage of financial-aid opportunities. As economic times get tougher, it is imperative for all students to be able to apply for and receive financial aid.

The federal government has recently launched a campaign to encourage people to attend higher education institutions, especially community colleges, and is now informing current and prospective students of the financial aid opportunities that they may not be aware of.

A letter from Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, was sent to Genesee President Stuart Steiner outlining financial aid opportunities. As an instructor at a community college herself, Jill Biden is helping to spread the word about financial aid for people who have suffered during the current economy.

Her letter highlights financial-aid opportunities that many students may be unaware of, including:

  • Students or family members of students who have had a change in financial circumstances and are collecting unemployment insurance may have their financial aid adjusted in order to help finance the cost of higher education.
  • Pell Grants and Federal student loans are available for tuition and books, but also can be used for the costs associated with transportation and living expenses that help students attend their classes.
  • Students may have their incomes adjusted to zero for financial aid purposes if they are now receiving unemployment insurance.

There are  a variety of programs including federal Pell Grants, New York State TAP fund, fiscal loans, and numerous college scholarship programs available. Approximately 84% of Genesee's students receive some form of financial aid.

"Last year, students at Genesee received $19 million in financial aid," Joseph Bailey, director of Financial Aid at Genesee, said. "There is money available, and we hope we can reach students of all ages and backgrounds to let them know that college is more affordable than they think."

To receive more information, or to apply for Federal Student Aid, visit www.genesee.edu/financial/apply <http://www.genesee.edu/financial/apply> .

The fall 2009 semester starts on Aug. 24, at all Genesee Community College campuses, with the exception of the new Lima Campus Center, which will start classes on Sept. 21.

For further information, please contact Genesee's Financial Aid office at 585-345-6900 or at www.genesee.edu/finaid <http://www.genesee.edu/finaid>.

Young go-getters wanted for college program

By Billie Owens

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, is searching for the next generation of CEOs. Students interested in creating their own business, product or non-profit organization still have time to apply for the YEA! Class of 2009-2010 at the University of Rochester and SUNY Geneseo locations.

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 21, or until such time as the class cap is achieved. The nine-month program teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own business or social movement.

YEA! class meets weekly from 4 to 7 p.m. this October  through June 2010. Tuition includes all books, field trips and events. Scholarships are available. No prior business experience is required only the drive and desire to succeed! To apply, visit www.yeausa.org  or call YEA! at 585-272-3535.

Kids get close up look at firefighting tools

By Billie Owens

Bob Fix, a reader of this site as well as a firefighter and paramedic wrote the following for The Batavian about a summer program for children:


Batavia’s Youth Bureau got a first hand look recently at the tools the City of Batavia Firefighters, IAFF Local 896, use at emergencies. Approximately 20 children ranging in age from 6 to 14, that are participating in the City’s summer youth program, attended a tour given by Firefighter/EMT Anne Kleinbach  and Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Fix.

The kids were reminded that family fire drills are important to practice. Each family should have an exit plan with a safe meeting place. This allows the first arriving firefighters to quickly check with the family to make sure all occupants are accounted for.

Firefighter Kleinbach demonstrated what a fully turned out firefighter will look like when doing a search of a building and how a TIC or Thermal Imaging Camera is used. She told the kids not to be afraid of the fireman and to stay low to the ground while exiting the building.

The 45-minute tour also included a show-and-tell of the equipment on Engine 12 and Truck 15. It was concluded by firefighter Fix assisting each child in using a fire hose to spray water on the 80-degree day.

Win money or Mustang

By Gretel Kauffman

The Onion Festival in Elba is this Friday and Saturday, and along with the rides and all things onions comes the chance to win a 2009 Mustang (pictured above) or $18,000, courtesy of the Elba Fire Department.

The winning ticket will be drawn Saturday night at the festival, and the winner will have the choice of the car or money. Tickets are $1.

Art lovers will also have their chance to get lucky, with the Republican Party raffling off an original painting by Bernice Yunker. Tickets are $1 each, or 3 for $2, or 15 for $10. They can be purchased from the Republican booth at the festival.  

 

Wednesday is ARC Night at Muckdogs' game

By Billie Owens

Wednesday Aug.5 is Genesee ARC Night at the Muckdogs' game at Dwyer Stadium.

It will also be the regional celebration of NYSARC’s (our State ARC’s) 60th Anniversary.
 
Prior to Wednesday's 7:05 p.m. game, ARC will hold a ceremonial walk with celebration information narrated over the PA system. The walk will be held along the gravel area from the first base line to the third base line.

Event Date and Time
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Free entrepreneurship courses offered at GCC

By Billie Owens

Have an idea for a new product or better service? Genesee Community College is seeking individuals with big dreams, innovative ideas and a desire to be their own boss to take part in a new entrepreneurship scholarship program.

As part of the collaborative WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grant, Genesee Community College will be reimbursing participants for the cost of tuition and books for two college entrepreneurship courses. These scholarship grants are valued at approximately $500 per semester and will be allotted over the next two years for students attending two targeted entrepreneurship classes.

Eligible Emerging Entrepreneurs program courses at Genesee Community College are:  Business 111 / Exploring Business Opportunities, and Business 225 / Entrepreneurship.

The latter is offered this fall and is a fundmental course about the critical process of developing a bona fide business plan. Topics include concept development, management, legal issues, regulation, marketing research and penetration, pricing, and financial perspectives.

At the completion of this program, participants will have a business plan to take to a lender. (All BUS225 courses are 16-weeks long.)

  • Albion Campus, Wednesdays starting Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Arcade Campus, Fridays starting Aug. 28 from 12:30 to 3:25 p.m.
  • Batavia Campus, Wednesdays starting Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Warsaw Campus, Mondays starting Aug. 24 from 2 to 4:50 p.m.

Another entrepreneurial based course, Business 111, will also be available at the Batavia Campus this fall. It will be held Thursdays starting Sept. 21 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. for 12 weeks.

Business 111 explores personal characteristics of an entrepreneur, investigates and identifies business opportunities, and presents business criteria prior to start-up as a basic foundation for success.

"We hope that this scholarship program raises awareness that entrepreneurship is a viable career option," said Barbara Shine, assistant professor of business and entrepreneurship. "With the current state of the economy, people have to turn to alternative job opportunities, like starting your own business, to deal with changing career plans."

There are a limited number of scholarship seats for this program. Applicants must be a resident of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, or Wyoming counties for the past six months, and a U.S. citizen, national, refugee alien or permanent resident alien.

Interested individuals should submit the scholarship application form and related materials as soon as possible. The application deadline is Aug. 20. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Scholarship awardees will be notified prior to the start of each course.

For more information or application forms, go to www.genesee.edu/wee <http://www.genesee.edu/wee>, or contact Barb Shine at (585) 343-0055 x6319 or bashine@genesee.edu.

Summer in the City is just around the corner

By Billie Owens

The 5th annual “Summer in the City Festival” takes place in downtown Batavia Aug. 21-22.

Friday's festival runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from noon 'til 9 p.m. There will be plenty of food and lots of arts and crafts.

Entertainment will be provided by:

Event Date and Time
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Attica's Class of '74 gets together this weekend

By Billie Owens

Attica High School's Class of '74 will hold its 35th Class Reunion Aug. 7 and 8.

Pre-reunion casual night will take place at the Attica American Legion Lawn Fete on Friday evening. 

The Class Reunion will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Batavia Downs Gaming & Racing. No prepaid fees are required. Menu will be available, along with live music
and fun. 

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Cathy(Schum) Uhly at 344-0165 or Gary Sphar at 592-1237; or visit our event posted on Classmates.com and Facebook. Hope to see everyone there!

Cuomo's office sending rep to Batavia to talk with seniors about health care

By Howard B. Owens

A representative of Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo will be in Batavia on Wednesday to speak with seniors about how to protect their rights and help them get health benefits they are entitled to receive.

Cathy Sheehan, assistant attorney General for Cuomo's Albany Office, will give the presentation and answer questions.

"This seminar will inform New Yorkers about how to navigate the complex health care system and offer real solutions to real problems with health care, including billing problems, failure to cover guaranteed benefits, and loss of insurance," according to a press release.
 
For more information about how the Attorney General's Health Care Bureau can help solve real health care problems, please visit the Attorney General's website at http://www.oag.state.ny.us or call 1-800-771-7755. 

Winner picks up his new Harley

By Howard B. Owens

James D. Reese sits on his brand new 2009 Harley Davidson Fatboy for the first time outside Stan's Harley as he congratulated by Lt. Nate Fix of the Batavia Volunteer Fire Dept. Reese won the Harley in the department annual raffle.
 

Circle of Love - Helping our local families

By BILLIE BALL

The Circle of Love Foundation is a non profit foundation that was started in May 2008.  We are a group of volunteers trying to make a difference.  We believe in "people helping people" & with these rough times upon us, many local families are in need. 

Our summer yard event is every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between the hours of 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (weather permitting).  Located at 3282 W. Main St. in Batavia (Country Clippers).

Circle of Love offerings are free as we do ask for donations to enable us to continue with our mission of helping many families.  We are always in need of volunteers to help out - call Billie Ball @ 585-202-2566.

Have a great summer =) Keep in mind that all of the summer clothing that is out now will be put away October 1st.

Some more local help....

  • 1st Saturday of every month - High Point Church gives out free clothing from 9:00am - 12:00 pm - Route 5 in Pembroke
  • Saturdays only - Calavary Baptist /Food Ministries offers low cost non parishable foods & misc. from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm - Galloway Road, Batavia
  • Care A Van Ministries - does meals & church in the streets - call 585-343-0328 for locations
  • Famers Market - Tuesdays & Fridays from 9:00am - 5:00pm - Located in Batavia Downs parking lot - they do accept food stamps!

 

May God bless you!

Billie Ball, Founder

Care-A-Van Brings Picnic to 400 Towers

By Bea McManis

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance" (Psalm 89:15).

Tonight, the residents of 400 Towers were treated to the joyful sound of music as they enjoyed a wonderful picnic provided by Care-A-Van Ministries.

The rain did not dampen the entusiasm of the fantastic group of people who made this picnic possible.  Nor did it keep the residents away. 

The residents would like to thank:

Paul Ohlson and his lovely wife Bridgette who organized the picnic.

Pastor Charlie Piscitello, keyboard, along with Judy, Roxie, and Shirley - vocalists.

Shawn and Clint the capable cooks

Rick from San Antonio, Texas and Martha from Clarendon - along with P.J., John, and David who never stopped serving and  interacting with the diners.

and, of course, Robin who spearheaded the idea of having Care-A-Van visit the Towers.

60 appreciative residents enjoyed the meal, consisting of hot dogs, burgers, salt potatoes, baked beans, macaroni salad, beverages; and ice cream cones.  Five meals were served to shut ins.

Once again, thanks to Care-A-Van for a lovely evening. 

 

 

 

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