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Speaking of Muller Quaker Dairy, it was The Batavian the first news source to tell you that "Project Wave" was going to be a yogurt plant built by PepsiCo and a German company.

Over the years, we've brought you in-depth coverage that you rarely get anywhere else about Genesee County:

• An investigation into the finances of Pontillo's,
• More continuing coverage of controversy in Corfu,
• No other news agency has given you more facts about the tax breaks for COR Development than The Batavian,
• We've provided comprehensive coverage on the attempt to save and the eventual demolition of the Wiss Hotel,
• We provided region-leading coverage on bath salts last summer,
• We also broke the story about Jacquetta Simmons at Walmart on Christmas Eve 2011,
• And more recently The Batavian provided the first coverage about a man accused of slamming his son to the floor at Walmart.

Consistly for more than five years, The Batavian has brought you more breaking news coverage and more in-depth coverage than any other local news source.

And we want to keep it going, which is one reason we need you to join The Batavian Club.

Right now, we're offering a free 8x12 canvas print of a Genesee County photography by Howard Owens to new members. See the slide show below for available choices.

Don't forget: Club members get gift certificates from local businesses worth more than $320.

The prints will be made by Vinylsticks, a Batavia business that creates all manner of signs, prints, decals and stickers. 

Use the PayPal buttons below. After you complete your order, please e-mail howard@thebatavian.com with name of the picture you want (mouse over the photo in the slide show to see the name).

Or, you can phone in your credit card number and details to (585) 250-4118 during normal business hours, Monday thru Thursday.

To join by mail and pay by check or credit card, download this form and mail it to us. Be sure to specify on the form which picture you want. Titles are in the upper left.

To learn about the club, visit the club's new Web site.

Annual membership, no recurring payment, $60
(Use this button if you want to make a one-time payment through PayPal. You will be asked to renew again in a year.)
 

Annual membership with automatic recurring payment of $50 per year
(Use this button so your membership automatically renews each year and save $10 annually on your dues.)
 

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, starting two out of every five fires. Heating is the second-highest cause, followed by intentional fires and electrical systems/lighting equipment. Smoking is the fifth highest cause, but is the leading cause of home fire deaths. Candles are also a significant cause and are responsible for approximately 35 home fires being reported every day.

Cooking Fires
To prevent a cooking fire, follow these tips from the National Fire Protection Association site, www.nfpa.org:

• Be on the alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the oven or stove.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you need to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the oven or stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep your stovetop clear of anything that can catch fire, including oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains.

If a cooking fire starts:

• Be prepared. Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking on the stovetop. If a small grease fire occurs, smother it by sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the stove and leave the pan covered until it has completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Whenever fighting a fire, be sure others leave and that you have a clear way out.
• If the fire continues or grows, get out immediately! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.

Heating Equipment
To prevent a heating equipment fire:

• Consider replacing older area or space heaters with new ones that turn off automatically when overheated or tipped. Keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable. 
• Have furnaces and chimneys professionally cleaned and inspected every year.
• All fireplaces should have a sturdy screen. Never use flammable liquids to start a fire in a fireplace. Allow ashes to cool completely and use a metal bucket for disposal.

Electrical Systems & Equipment

To prevent an electrical fire: 

• Have your home inspected by a qualified electrician, especially when purchasing an older home. 
• Use a qualified electrician when having electrical work done. 
• Protect your home against arc faults. An arc fault occurs when an electrical short produces an arc: intensely hot sparks that can set fire to nearby flammable materials. Arcs often happen in appliance or extension cords that have become frayed or cracked. To prevent arc faults, have Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) installed in your home. These devices look and work like conventional circuit breakers. When an AFCI detects an arc, it shuts off the circuit. 
• Power surges can damage appliances and even cause fires. Protect your home with a two-tiered surge protection system: a whole house surge protection device (SPD) on the main electrical service to the home, and point-of-use SPDs for all valuable electronics and appliances. 

Note: According to the National Fire Protection Association, effective Jan. 1, 2008, the National Electric Code made AFCI installation a requirement in the majority of circuits in new residential construction.

Candles
Each year, candle fires account for hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage and hundreds of unnecessary injuries and deaths. To help protect your family, please observe these safety tips:

• Only burn candles under constant supervision.
• Keep burning candles a minimum of one foot away in all directions from flammable and combustible items.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to within ¼ inch from the top of the candle.
• Do not allow candles to burn down to the bottom of their container.
• Extinguish all candles before leaving the house or when going to bed at night.
• Place candles in safe locations, out of the reach of children or pets.
• Only place candles on secure furniture that is unlikely to tip over. 

For more information, search for “candle safety tips” at www.nfpa.org.

Smoking
To prevent a smoking accident from causing a fire, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that you:

• Use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something stable and hard to ignite.
• Make sure butts and ashes are out before disposing of them.
• Never smoke in a home where medical oxygen is used.
• Don’t smoke if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken over-the-counter or prescription medications.
• Choose fire-safe cigarettes if they are available in your state. They usually go out by themselves if not actively smoked. Go to www.firesafecigarettes.org to learn more.

Be prepared in case of fire
Plan escape routes:

• Plan at least two ways to get out of any room.
• Agree on a meeting place outside where everyone can gather.

Get the most protection out of your smoke alarm

Alarm type

• Battery-powered alarms may use a nine-volt battery or 10-year lithium battery.
• Hard-wired smoke alarms operate on the home’s electrical system and include a battery backup in case of power failure.
• For the hearing-impaired, smoke alarms with an audible alarm and bright flashing lights are available.
• Make sure your alarm is listed or approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old. They should also be replaced whenever they do not respond properly.

Installation

• To install a battery-powered alarm, all you need is a drill and screwdriver. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
• Hard-wired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician. All hard-wired smoke alarms should be interconnected: if one alarm is activated, all alarms will sound.
• Install a smoke alarm in each bedroom.
• Never install a smoke alarm too close to windows, doors, vents, or ceiling fans where drafts could blow smoke away from an alarm.
• If you have questions about where to install your alarms, contact your local fire department. Many departments will conduct home smoke alarm inspections for free or a minimal fee.

Testing/Maintenance

• If you have stand-alone battery-powered alarms, test them once a month and replace the batteries once a year.
• Make sure that everyone in your household knows the sound of the alarms.
• Never paint any part of a smoke alarm.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your alarms. Dust and debris can usually be removed by using a vacuum cleaner attachment.

Have a fire extinguisher handy
To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

• Select a multi-purpose Class ABC extinguisher that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.
• Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher training.
• Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
• Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape.
• Remember that each extinguisher must be serviced annually and may need to be recharged.

Consider a home fire sprinkler system

• Residential fire sprinkler systems provide added protection above smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
• Fire sprinklers immediately respond to a fire while it is still small—controlling the spread of deadly heat, flames, and toxic smoke whether or not the occupants have appropriately responded to the signaling smoke alarm.
• These sprinklers are smaller than commercial or industrial sprinklers and can fit in with almost any décor.
• During home construction or remodeling, a home fire sprinkler system requires minimal extra piping and labor.
• A home fire sprinkler system may qualify you for a discount on your homeowners insurance premium.

Safety can be simple
Be sure to take the basic preventative steps outlined here, and file this sheet away for future reference. Just by being aware of common fire hazards and keeping an eye out for problems, you could save your home and possessions from serious damage.

For more information or insurance coverage: please call the Mark Lewis Agency at: (585) 343-4959 or stop by -- we're located at: 8331 Lewiston Road, Batavia, NY. Visit us online at: http://www.marklewisagency.com/

Join The Batavian Club today and receive a free vinyl print of a photograph by Howard Owens of Genesee County. See the slide show below for available choices.

The prints will be made by Vinylsticks, a Batavia business that creates all manner of signs, prints, decals and stickers. 

Use the PayPal buttons below. After you complete your order, please e-mail howard@thebatavian.com with name of the picture you want (mouse over the photo in the slide show to see the name).

Or, you can phone in your credit card number and details to (585) 250-4118 during normal business hours, Monday thru Thursday.

To join by mail and pay by check or credit card, download this form and mail it to us. Be sure to specify on the form which picture you want. Titles are in the upper left.

To learn about the club, visit the club's new Web site.

Annual membership, no recurring payment, $60

Annual membership with automatic recurring payment of $50 per year

Come celebrate the 1 year anniversary of City Slickers this Saturday with 1/2 price drinks & appetizers all night! The party starts at 9:30 p.m. and there is no cover charge! Fullblast Productions has confirmed there will be a few Buffalo Bills players at City Slickers for this event as well! For more info visit Facebook.com/CitySlickersBar.

West Main Wine & Spirits is our first local business to start using editable ads.

Editable ads allow a business owner to change the message of an ad any time right from his or her own computer or, even, smart phone.

For readers, it means more timely information about sales, special offers and promotions.

Watch the right column of ads for West Main Wine & Spirit's special messages and messages from other local businesses as they start using editable ads.

Business owners, for more information, contact Lisa Ace at (585) 250-4118.

To download the app to your iPhone, click here.

To download the app to your Android, click here.

Rock band Monster Johnson will be live rocking the stage at City Slickers tonight starting at 8 p.m! Stop by for great food and drinks!

Mark your calendars for June 21st as the Zac Brown Tribute Band takes over for a live concert at City Slickers!

B-Town Yellow Taxi Cab, Inc., serves Batavia and more! Have you ever wanted to make weekend plans to go out, but didn't have a designated driver? Well, B-Town Yellow Taxi Cab is the City of Batavia's only fully compliant taxi cab service at this time. So don't worry, give us a call anytime day or night and we will get you where you need to go.

General pricing for rides start out at $2.30 for the first 1/6 of a mile and then $3 per mile thereafter. That's only 50 cents per 6th of a mile. We provide flat rate airport transportation to the Buffalo and Rochester international airports from Batavia -- ask about our prices when you call.

Collage students, need to go shopping or catching the Greyhound Bus? Call B.T.Y.T.C special student discounts apply when comming or going from the campus/dorms. $10 one way per trip. 

Also starting soon, we are going to be offering a "Safe Ride Home" special. $12 - 12 hours program! $12 takes you from the bar to your house (within city limits) then when you're sober (12 hours later) bring you to get your car. We want to encourage all, not to drink and drive, but to have a safe, fun night out with your friends.

Remember, we're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call 585-356-1881. Closed Christmas Day. Keep up to date with specials, Like us on Facebook or visit us online: http://www.btownyellowtaxi.com

Visit us online for more information: http://www.wnydtv.com

• Check your roof for loose, missing, worn or damaged shingles. Make sure flashing is secure around vents and chimneys.
• Gutters should be clean, properly aligned and securely attached. Downspouts should direct water away from the house.

I meet a lot of people around the county who tell me they intend to join The Batavian Club but haven't yet.

Now would be a great time to do it. 

We're extending the free T-shirt offer for new Members through the end of the May 1 (The Batavian's fifth anniversary).

If you use one of the PayPal buttons below, e-mail me (howard@thebatavian.com) your T-shirt size.

Or click here for the new member form to pay by credit card or check.

As always, members receive a membership card and $325 in gift certificates to local businesses.

Readers who aren't members can purchase the T-shirt for $16 each. Use the PayPal buttons below or to order by check or credit card, download this form.

Annual Single Membership - $50 per year
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual membership, one payment of $60

Includes membership card, bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.

We are pretty close to getting the new ad server running properly. There are some details to clear up today to make sure all the ads are displaying properly, but the main work is done.

This virus crisis was very stressful and I want to thank all of the readers and local business owners who were so patient and understanding over the past week. We didn't get a single angry phone call or e-mail; nobody accosted me in the street. Everywhere I went people were more curious than upset with the situation. Billie and Lisa and I are very thankful for that understanding response.

Added bonus: We now know we are using a more secure ad server, but here's a benefit I didn't anticipate -- the new ad server seems to be much, much faster. At least for me, even on my iPhone, the site seems to download much faster than it did with the previous ad server. I hope you're noticing a difference, too.

The other thing Billie and Lisa and I are very thankful for is the "Spirit of Downtown" award we received yesterday from the Downtown Improvement District. We're feeling very honored to be recognized by the BID for our work with The Batavian.

And thank you to Dan Fischer of WBTA for his kind words during yesterday's presentation.

As I said yesterday, we feel very fortunate to have been so warmly accepted by the people of Genesee County in just a few short years (The Batavian's fifth-year anniversary is Wednesday). Thank you all -- readers and local business owners -- for your support of The Batavian.

From the reports I'm getting from the people doing the work, we remain on track to have the new ad server up and running tomorrow.

Thank you to everybody for your patience and understanding during the past few days.

For readers, this is a great time for you to patronize our sponsors and let them know why you're there. I posted a list yesterday and there is a list on the left side of the page.

Here's a hint for sponsors of what's coming with the new server: If you choose the feature, you'll be able to modify your ad with your special deals in real time from your own computer and have the changes appear immediately on The Batavian.

So, we'll have not only a more secure ad server, but one that offers more services.

As it stands, we're still looking at Friday morning before we have our new ad server operational.  If you missed the previous post about our old server being hacked, click here.

Below is a list of all our current sponsors. They are all being incredibily understanding of the situation. These are the local businesses that make The Batavian possible. If you enjoy The Batavian, please patronize these businesses and let them know you saw them mentioned on The Batavian.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
Agri-Business Child Development 
Alabama Hotel
Alberty Drug Store
Alex's Place
Alli's Cones & Dogs
Arctic Wholesale Refrigeration & Appliance
Baker's Frontier Kitchens
Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
Batavia Downs
Batavia Gold Rush
Batavia Massage Therapy
Batavia Tailors & Cleaners
Bill Fox and Son Construction & Remodeling
Beds 'n' Bones Pet Lodge
Belhaven Kennels
Blue Pearl Yoga
Bob Adams Automotive
Bohn's Restaurant
Bontrager's Real Estate
Bourbon & Burger Co.
B-Town Yellow Taxi
CB Beach Mortuary
Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
Center Street Smokehouse
Charles Men's Shop
Chesley's Auto
The Color Salon
Concreations, LLC
Continental School of Beauty
Council Opticians
Crazy Cheap Cars
D'Tangles
D&R Depot Restaurant
Dan's Tire
Daphne's Restaurant & Lounge
Darien Auto Parts
Dave's Ice Cream
Deep Blue Pool & Spa
Derrick Monument Company
Detail Shop (Pellegrino's)
The Detail Shop
Don Carroll Toys for Kids Run & Fun Walk
Empire Tractor
The Enchanted Florist
Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc.
Fastec Automotive
Ficarella's Pizzeria
Ficarella's Backflow Testing
Fisher Sports
Foxprowl Collectibles
Floral Fantasies
Frankly Design
Gamzilla
Genesee Community College
Genesee County Emergency Services
Genesee Dental Group
Genesee Graphics
Genesee Orthopaedics
Gilmartin
Godfrey's Pond
Greenbaum Painting, Inc.
Greens of LeRoy
Greg'ry's Bakery
H.E. Turner & Co.
Hair Studio 25
Hardcor Audio
Haul-4-Less
High Voltage Tattoo
Hot Heads
I.R. Systems
The Insurance Center
JB Custom Interiors
J. Leonard McAndrew
Jagged Edges Salon
Jeremy Yasses
John's Service Station
Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors
Ken Barrett
KleenAll
Kreative Design Kitchen & Bath
L&L Transmission, Inc.
L.C. Mosman
Lamb Family Medicine
Lambert's Design Jewelers
Lathan Tree Service
LeRoy Counseling
Le Roy Country Club
Main St. Pizza Company
Making Memories of Travel
The Mane Attraction
The Manor House
Matteo & Mullen, CPA
Max Pies
Michael Tomaszewski
Millennium Computer
Next Level Fitness
Nothnagle - Nathan Shirk
Oakfield Fitness
O'Lacy's Irish Pub
Oliver's Candies
Optique
Paige's Bounce Houses
Palm Island Indoor Water Park
Pellegrino Auto Sales
Pembroke Family Medicine
Penny's Family Hair Care
Present Tense Books
R&D Outlet
RW Vapors
Sallome Heating & Cooling
Salsa & Curry
Santino's Pizza
Scofield Transfer & Recycling
Select Collision
Settler's Restaurant
Short Notice Handyman Services
Sloat's Tire
Southside Deli
Smokin' Eagle Brew & BBQ
Snowbirds & Vacationers
Spirits
Stafford Painters
Sweet Ecstasy Bakery
Terry Hills
T.F. Brown's
The Finishing Line
TIm Kabel Builders
Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel
Trash Away
Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Valle Jewelers
Viking Valhalla/Rose Garden Bowl
West Main Wine & Spirits
Western Regional Off Track
William Kent, Inc.
WNY Fireplace Outlet
Woody's Deli
Yasses Construction
Yngodess Shop
YWCA
Zoom N Groom Dog Grooming

Join us for the Our Lady of Mercy Parish - 2013 Ten Trip Dinner Raffle on Saturday, April 27th from 6 to 10 p.m.!

This year's trips include: 

• Cancun
• Toronto
• Thunderhart Golf Resort
• Florida
• Splash Lagoon
• & more!

Tickets to this event are $25, which includes 10 chances to win, buffet dinner, dessert, beer, wine and soda. For more information about this event or to purchase tickets, please call (585) 768-6543. Our Lady of Mercy Parish is located at 44 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Come out and help support Catholic education!

As we announced previously, we have a special limited edition T-shirt coming out that was designed by Brian and Beth Kemp at T-Shirts Etc.

Existing members should have received an e-mail with a link where you can buy the shirt for $9 each. If you didn't get the e-mail, write to me at howard@thebatavian.com and I'll forward the link to you.

Readers who aren't members can purchase the T-shirt for $16 each. Use the PayPal buttons below or to order by check or credit card, download this form.

Join The Batavian Club before the end of the month and I'll send you the link to purchase shirts for just $9. The next three people to join will also receive a $20 gift card from Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew. Use the PayPal buttons below or click here to download the membership form.

Annual Single Membership - $50 per year
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual membership, one payment of $60

Includes membership card, bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.