Skip to main content

Announcements

Spring classes still available at GCC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

It's not too late to take a class this spring at Genesee Community College. There are a variety of "late start" courses to choose from and many are offered online through GCC's eLearning program. Some are even offered on Sundays, beginning March 17.

The spring eight-week session boasts nearly 60 course offerings that include a number of introductory sports classes, public speaking, children's literature, even a class about the History of Rock and Roll. For a list of all the course options visit www.genesee.edu/Options.

"Many times students need to pick up three more credit hours for graduation, or at the other end of the spectrum – new students may not have been ready to start their coursework in early January," Tanya Lane-Martin, assistant dean for Enrollment and director of Admissions said. "The eight-week session is another opportunity for students to access to higher education on their own schedule."

Genesee Community College also has several spring Open Houses planned for new students of all ages to think ahead for enrollment in the summer and fall semesters. All campus locations will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 6 and March 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. Register online at www.genesee.edu/openhouse, call the Admissions office at 585-345-6800, or stop by any campus location:

•    Albion, 456 West Avenue / 585-589-4936

•    Arcade, 25 Edward Street / 585-492-5265

•    Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800

•    Dansville, 31Clara Barton Street / 585-335-7820

•    Lima, 7285 Gale Road / 585-582-1226

•    Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road / 585-798-1688

•    Warsaw, 115 Linwood Avenue / 585-786-3010

Free seminar - 'A Woman's Guide to Money Matters' - by Edward Jones Financial Advisor

By Billie Owens

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Michael R. Marsh, of Batavia, is hosting a free educational seminar titled "A Woman's Guide to Money Matters" at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at 7 Jackson St., in Batavia.

During the upcoming seminar, participants will learn more about:

  • What one can do now to prepare for retirement;
  • One's options to pay for a child's or grandchild's education;
  • Developing a strategy to help achieve one's financial goals.

The seminar is free, but space is limited. To make a reservation, call Robin Ettinger at 345-1773.

Cartooning workshop for young people

By Billie Owens

Batavia Youth Bureau’s Youth Connection Program is sponsoring a cartooning workshop facilitated by “Mr. Scribbles.” It's for young people, ages 8-18, at the Community Center, located at 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

It will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. It's free of charge, but registration is limited so please call the Batavia Youth Bureau to register: 345-6420.

Registrations will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. This event is being sponsored in conjunction with the Genesee ARC.

Mr. Scribbles is an artist, originally from Rochester, now residing in Perry. His list of talents range from cartooning with kids as “Mr. Scribbles” (participation art) where by children make a scribble, and that is transformed into an original art masterpiece or cartoon or character…to fine art produced with various media. Mr. Scribbles offers cartoon classes, basic drawing classes, and his newest endeavor is a “kid safe” Web site for children and grown-ups. Mr. Scribbles is also available for festivals, events and parties. Check out his Web site at mrscribbles.com.

This is assured to be a day filled with cartooning fun. Call the Batavia Youth Bureau today to reserve a spot for you and a friend. The number is 345-6420.

47th Annual WNY Reunion is March 6 in Palmetto, Florida

By Billie Owens

The 47th Annual Western New York Reunion will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at the Tropic Isles Park Auditorium located at 3100 10th St. W. and 28th Avenue in Palmetto, Fla.

Coffee and donuts at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. Bring a dish to pass that will serve eight and your table service. Entertainment, business meeting, and door prizes follow lunch. Registration is $3. For further information, please call Chuck at (941) 721-9748.

Black kitten found at Days Inn, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Dee Neilans, the manager at the Days Inn in Batavia, said a little black kitten walked up to the front door this morning and appears to have no home.

She said it's all black with a little white mark on its belly.  She doesn't know what to do with it. She can't keep it and the shelter is closed today.

If you can help, contact her at the Days Inn, (585) 343-6000.

Austin Heineman fundraiser scheduled for Friday

By Daniel Crofts

From the "Amanda's Rage Cranking it up for Austin" Facebook page (with a few edits):

(Area band) Amanda's Rage will be cranking it up to help Austin Heineman in his battle with cancer.

 

At the young age of 17 Austin was suddenly up against, and in a battle, with a very aggressive and rare form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor.

 

Austin is now 18. He has completed several rounds of chemo and will soon be undergoing bone marrow transplants in Maryland. He has also had to travel to New York City for several days/weeks at a time for treatment.

 

Austin's father, Jason, has been transporting and staying by Austin's side on each and every trip for treatment.

 

Austin needs your help, support and all-important prayers to continue fighting this battle.

 

Austin's Army is looking for recruits. Do you have what it takes?
Come out March 1 to join Austin's Army & show Austin and his family that they are not alone in this.

 

$3.00 cover/donation - 50/50 raffles - Open donations.

This event will take place at the Batavia Country Club, at 7909 Batavia-Byron Road in Batavia, and last from 8 p.m. until midnight Friday.

For more information, call Dawn at 703-3793.

Genesee County gets $2,800 from feds to supplement food and shelter programs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee County has been chosen to receive $2,800 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; the Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide.

The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. A local board will determine how the funds awarded to Genesee County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profit or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability of deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Genesee County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Community Action, The Salvation Army, and Ministry of Concern participating. These agencies were responsible for providing meals and lodging.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Major Patricia Kurtz at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org or phone 343-6284 for an application.

The deadline for applications to be received is Thursday, March 7, 2013 by 3 p.m.

More than 80 4-H kids countywide to take part in public speaking event

By Billie Owens

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, Genesee County 4-H will be holding annual public presentations at Byron-Bergen Middle/High School. There will be more than 80 youth participanting from across Genesee County, ranging from ages 5 to 18.

They will give public presentations in front of their peers and a panel of volunteer judges. Presentations will include everything from illustrated talks to live demonstrations and even impromptu topics. Each presentation is at least five minutes, but no longer than 15 minutes.

By participating in this event, 4-H youth improve their public speaking skills while developing self-confidence, poise, self-esteem, stage presence and knowledge, giving them an advantage over their peers in this lifetime skills area. These skills will be useful in their future social, educational and career pursuits.

The public is welcome. The school is located at 6917 County Road 31 in Bergen.

Newly formed GC Libertarian Party meets tonight at Coffee Culture

By Billie Owens

Tonight at 6:30 at the Coffee Culture in Downtown Batavia, the Genesee County Libertarian Committee is holding its biweekly formation meeting. Come out and join with fellow Libertarians to continue the journey of establishing the first-ever Genesee County Libertarian Party!

Sick of the way things are, but you're not sure that you're a Libertarian,  or just not sure what we're about? You are warmly invite to attend the meeting, ask questions, and get to know us and who we are! Coffee Culture is located at 6 Court St.

Check out our Facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY

Take the world's smallest political quiz! @ http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

Tonight's agenda includes:

Elected Board Updates --

  • Process to create bank account
  • Finances
  • Bylaws

Committee Updates --

  • Membership
  • Candidate vetting
  • Convention

Ideas from the General Body

Calling all area singers - starting Feb. 19 - Tues./Wed. rehearsals for March choir performance

By Billie Owens

(choir members and/or anyone that loves to sing)

    Come and join a community ecumenical choir to present Joseph Martin’s, “Song of the Shadows,” a cantata – a poignant service of tenebrae – to be performed, Wednesday, March 27, at 7:00 P.M. at the Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd, Batavia and at 7:00 P.M. on Good Friday, March 29, at the LeRoy United Methodist Church, 10 Trigon Park, LeRoy.

   Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. at the LeRoy First Baptist Church, 5 East Main St., LeRoy and Wednesday evenings, 8:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M., at the Batavia First United Methodist Church.

  Interested participants should plan to attend one rehearsal each week but are welcome at both. Each person may choose to perform in one or both presentations.

   Questions, concerns, comments? Contact Carol Weidman, 716-542-6098 or cweidman1@rochesterr.rr.com.

GCC's Multicultural Communications Club is abuzz with accomplishments

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Multicultural Communications Club, a Toastmasters International Club, is generating a lot of buzz for its significant accomplishments. Five members of the mostly student group have received Toastmasters International certification in communication and four of those five earned leadership certification as well.

Earning the communication certification is no small feat. Members must give 10 presentations from the Toastmasters International Competent Communication Manual. Each one focuses on a specific area. Among them:

*    Introducing oneself

*    Getting to the point

*    Organizing a speech

*    Using body language

*    Using visual aids

*    Giving a persuasive speech

*    Giving an inspirational speech

In addition, the Leadership Certification involves 10 projects completed at meetings. Members may act as Toastmaster, timer, grammarian or may bring someone new to the club. Serving in different club roles gives them practical leadership experience in using people skills, being decisive and authentic, and moving the club forward.

"Earning the certifications takes a high level of commitment from both the students and the faculty advisors," said Club Co-advisor Jacqueline Di Bella, adjunct professor of Humanities at GCC. "The students we have are so motivated and committed to the discipline of communication and leadership. We are happy to support their efforts."

Di Bella also serves as the club's vice president of education.

The Toastmasters Club started in March 2011 and currently has 22 members. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit education organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. At meetings, members act as evaluators, offering feedback on speeches to help other members improve.

"It's known as the 'feedback sandwich'," Di Bella said. "First you praise, then you recommend how the speaker can improve and you finish with praise. It's a very supportive environment that generates great results."

"To have these students achieve this designation so early in their academic and professional lives is amazing," Di Bella said. "It will open many doors for them in the future."

'One-stop Center' opens in Buffalo in April to help WNY vets

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Veterans One-stop Center of Western New York, Inc., (“One-stop Center” or “VOC of WNY”) announced Tuesday that it will open a “one-stop” veterans advocacy and service center at 1280 Main St. in Buffalo in April.

VOC of WNY is intended to serve the seven counties of WNY, including Genesee County, which is estimated to have a veterans population of more than 4,500.

The VOC of WNY is an independent, nonprofit collaborative, that will offer U.S. veterans, service members, and their families the convenience of a barrier-free “one-stop” location to access coordinated, individualized and integrated social, health, educational, economic, and supportive services.

The “One-stop Center” will feature the comfort of a “home base” environment to welcome, affirm, and respond to each individual veteran’s specific needs. A variety of services will be provided by existing, independent providers working together in a coordinated, seamless way to provide programming to assist veterans and their families in developing wellness, successful achievement of their goals, realization of their full potential, and reintegration into the community.

Services include: accredited benefits counseling; employment resources and services; peer mentoring; readjustment, behavioral, and mental health counseling; legal services and veterans treatment court mentorship; financial counseling and coaching; education resources services; and housing and emergency services.

The VOC of WNY will be able to tailor all services to have a male, female or a family-specific focus.

The Veterans One-stop Center of WNY has launched a Web site, Facebook page, and Twitter account that contain additional information and provide the opportunity to support the initiative. They can be found at  www.vocwny.org, www.facebook.com/VOCofWNY, and on Twitter at @VOCofWNY.

Can and bottle drive to help Byron Bergen HS band buy marching shoes, travel

By Billie Owens

The Byron Bergen High School Band is having a can and bottle drive this Saturday to raise money for the band, which would like to be able to go a a trip to perform as well as new marching shoes.

The drive will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the band room. The high school is located at 6917 County Road 31 in Bergen.

Rising Americana star Natalia Zukerman performs on Valentine's Day at GCC

By Billie Owens

Americana artist Natalia Zukerman performs at Genesee Community College's Stuart Steiner Theatre at 7 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. Tickets are adults $12; GCC alumni, seniors, staff $10; and GCC students with valid ID are $6.

“Natalia’s voice could send an orchid into bloom while her guitar playing can open a beer bottle with its teeth.” The New Yorker

“...a strutting brass band one minute, a sighing lover the next.” The Boston Globe

“...a wise mix of rootsy styles from torch blues to country swing. If you’re a fan of Madeleine Peyroux, Bonnie Raitt or even Amy Winehouse, you’ll find stuff to connect with here.” Philadelphia Daily News

Press release:

As singer, songwriter and guitarist, Natalia Zukerman shares her “rootsy warmth” through a blend of folk, jazz, blues, rock, bluegrass, country and classical music.

This “Dusty Valentine” concert will be a special night for all, as she plays her unique slide guitar with her seductive vocals, unapologetic lyrics and sharp wit.

Zukerman is also a visual artist who allows her artistic and creative instincts to move, shape and influence one another. She is a mural painter and designer, and while living in San Francisco she had her own mural company, Off the Wall. Now a resident of Brooklyn, Zukerman has numerous murals in restaurants and public spaces in and around Brooklyn, as well as across the U.S. and in Cuba.

She passed through this region last summer impressing audiences at a "blue moon" concert at the Silver Lake Institute.

Her new album is titled “Gypsies and Clowns.”

The GCC Box Office phone number 345-6814 or boxoffice@genesee.edu

Free tax prep assistance available by appointment only

By Billie Owens

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in under way to help people prepare their taxes. Trained volunteers will be in the office of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee on Tuesdays now through April 15.

This is a FREE service, by appointment only, and E-FILE is available.

The office is located at 5073 Clinton St. Road in Batavia. Please call 343-7798 to schedule your appointment.

Batavia Players present Pulitzer-prize winning play 'The Gin Game'

By Billie Owens

Batavia Players, Inc., presents D.L. Coburn's Pulitzer-prize winning tragicomedy "The Gin Game" at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7-9 at Harvester 56 Theater.

Seating is reserved. Call ahead -- phone is 343-9721; or buy tickets online at <www.showtix4u.com>. General admission is $10. Students and seniors pay $8.

The two-person, two-act play features Peg Marone and Norm Argulsky.

According to wikipedia, it's about Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey, two elderly residents at a nursing home for senior citizens, who strike up an acquaintance. Neither seems to have any other friends, and they start to enjoy each other's company.

Weller offers to teach Fonsia how to play gin rummy, and they begin playing a series of games that Fonsia always wins. Weller's inability to win a single hand becomes increasingly frustrating to him, while Fonsia becomes increasingly confident.

While playing their games of gin, they engage in lengthy conversations about their families and their lives in the outside world. Gradually, each conversation becomes a battle, much like the ongoing gin games, as each player tries to expose the other's weaknesses, to belittle the other's life, and to humiliate the other thoroughly.

Oatka Hose Company in Le Roy hosts BBQ dinner on Sunday

By Billie Owens

Le Roy Fire Department's Oatka Hose Company will have a chicken BBQ beginning at noon on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 11 North Ave. in Le Roy (between North Street and the dead end). It lasts until sold out.

The BBQ benefits the Oatka Hose Company.

Tickets are $9. Eat in, drive up, take out available.

To get tickets, order online at <www.showtix4u.com> or by calling 1-866-967-8167.

Fashion Tea at GCC to focus on trends, careers in fashion industry - RSVP deadline Feb. 5

By Billie Owens

Press release:

"Sew, what's happening" in the world of fashion?" Genesee Community College Fashion Design, Business and Computer Information Systems Professor Donna Ehrhart is bringing leading voices together to share insights with students and the community at a Fashion Tea on Friday, Feb. 8.

It takes place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room T119 at the Batavia campus. Tea and light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public, but advance reservations are required by Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Ehrhart has lined up a panel of diverse experts from around Western New York to talk about fashion trends and careers. The following guest speakers bring a wealth of expertise from a dynamic array different backgrounds and professions:

•    Jill Bates, of Jill Bates Fashion, a formalwear expert and "fashion physician," Rochester

•    Donald M. Brown, vice president of Charles Men's Shop, Batavia

•    Candace Cooper, a GCC student who has started her own clothing line "Can'de Couture"

•    Raul Siro Ferreira, owner of Each 1 Stitch 1 Fabric Store and Design Studio, Rochester

•    Kathy Healey, owner of Healey Wear, a sworn "fabri-holic" and designer of garments and window treatments, Greece

•    Kristine Iannazzi, CEO of Embrasse-Moi, a lingerie designer, Pittsford

•    Karen Schimpf, president of Sew On-Sew Forth, Depew

The event is specifically developed to give all the attendees, from the guest panelists, to students, and community members the chance to network, mingle and share ideas and information about fashion news, trends and opportunities.

Learning about GCC's new Fashion Design concentration and the upcoming annual GCC Fashion Show, entitled "Fashion Forward" is also part of the agenda.

"I want people to realize what a vibrant fashion community there is in Western New York," Ehrhart said. "This event will be an opportunity for students and the community-at-large to learn, share, and connect with the many outstanding resources we have in our region."

Those interested in attending the tea are asked to RSVP to Professor Donna Ehrhart by Tuesday, Feb. 5 at djehrhart@genesee.edu or 330-9877.

GCC announces Spring lecture series on Civil War

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College has finalized its four-part spring lecture series on the history of the Civil War. All are scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Batavia campus in Room T102. They are free and open to the public. Pre-registration for each lecture is encouraged by contacting The BEST Center at 345-6868

On Feb. 6 -- "Hanging Henry Wirz: Debating the Meaning of 'War Crimes' during the American Civil War" will be presented by Carole Emberton, assistant professor of History at the University of Buffalo.

Her presentation will explore how the concept of "war crimes" emerged in response to Wirz's trial as commandant of Andersonville Prison. The debate over Wirz's guilt as well as other atrocities committed during the war, including the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre and even the act of secession itself, reveal the anxiety produced by the war's immense devastation and the struggle to control its meaning for future generations. It also highlights the importance of mid-19th Century developments in international law pertaining to the rules of war and justice for those who violate them.

On March 13 -- Stephen McKinley Henderson will speak about "Story-Line Acting" and his experiences as an actor in both film and on stage. The audience will be particularly interested in his role as Abraham Lincoln's personal valet in the film "Lincoln," which was recently nominated for 12 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.

Henderson is a professor of theater and dance at the University of Buffalo. He was nominated for the Tony Award in 2010 for his work on the Broadway production of "Fences" with Denzel Washington, and he has appeared in Steven Spielberg's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." He also appeared in the comedy "Tower Heist" and the HBO series "The Newsroom."

On April 3 -- A lecture titled "Myths and More at Gettysburg" with George McGaughey.

No Civil War battlefield is more famous (at least in the North) than Gettysburg. To many, it is sacred ground that warrants many visits and careful study, and like any other historical landscape, it is prone to myths and legends. In this talk, McGaughey will discuss the basis of those myths and the many discoveries he has made as a frequent visitor. His findings will surprise even the most knowledgeable Civil War buff.

On May 1 -- The Spring 2013 Lecture series in Batavia concludes with GCC Professor Garth Swanson presenting the "New York's Forgotten War -- The War of 1812 and the Making of the Empire State."

The War of 1812 remains a confusing and little remembered chapter in the history of the United States. New York, as a result of its extensive border with British-controlled Canada, was one of the primary fronts of the war and its residents experienced considerable hardship over the three years of the conflict. In addition, political divisions brought on by the war threatened to tear the state apart internally. Yet, New York quickly emerged from the war stronger and more economically vibrant than ever. In his talk, Professor Swanson will assess the role of New York in the conflict and evaluate the ways the war helped to create a modern New York State.

(In addition to the lecture series, a three-day Civil War encampment will take place at the Medina Campus Center from Friday, April 26 until Sunday, April 28. The encampment will include reenactors in authentic soldier costumes setting up Union and Confederate camps and many other events and reenactments throughout the weekend.)

For further information on the Civil War and the initiative at GCC, check out the Civil War blog at http://civilwaratgcc.wordpress.com/.

Kids can learn about animal tracks at Richmond library

By Billie Owens

Do you know which animal has been here? Many different animals leave tracks in the snow. Come to the Richmond Memorial Library from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 to discover the animals in our area and the types of tracks they leave behind.

We'll play games, listen to a story, create a craft and enjoy a snack. This Animal Tracker Program is perfect for children in grades 2 - 4. Please register by calling 343-9550, ext. 4, or register online!

Authentically Local