Announcements

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be holding an “Arrangements from the Garden” class on Sept. 24. The best bouquets and arrangements come from your garden. Learn the basics and then create your own beautiful masterpiece to take home. Cost is $10 per person, which includes supplies. (Bring your own scissors.) Class size is limited. Register by Sept. 17. The class is from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kennedy Building, Genesee County Fairgrounds, Route 5, Batavia.
 
For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our CCE Web site www.genesee.shutterfly.com <http://www.genesee.shutterfly.com> or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee “Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County provides equal program and employment opportunities.”

YWCA of Genesee County will be hosting its second American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at 301 North St., Batavia.

In order to continue being a host site, the nonprofit must get at least 20 donors during this time.

"Please help us to continue helping others in need by stopping by to donate," Operations Manager Myra Schroeder said.

No appointment necessary, or call (585) 343-5808 to set up a time.

A Southern Gospel Group that has visited before, The Crist Family, will be back for a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Batavia Assembly of God Church. A free will offering will be taken.

The church is located at 24 Spruce St. in the City of Batavia.

Check out the family's Web site at cristfamilymusic.com

Or for more information, call (585) 762-9151 or e-mail the nonprofit organizer who brings concerts like this to the area:  Ischoenthal@rochester.rr.com

Press release:

Batavia High School will be hosting a Transition Day for freshmen and transfer students from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Incoming freshmen, transfer students and pre-approved Link Leaders will be the only students attending school on this day. Upperclassmen should not attend school on this day.

The first day of classes for all BHS students is Friday, Sept. 6.

On Transition Day, incoming freshmen and transfer students will be participating in a freshmen transition program called “Link Crew." Link Crew is based upon a simple concept: linking freshmen with successful upperclassmen. While creating a sense of comfort for the incoming students, the Link Crew concept also addresses the attitudes of the upperclassmen toward the freshmen and respect for freshmen becomes the norm.

Schools today are different than ever before, as are students, families and communities. The transition from middle school to high school is one of the most difficult ones young people face, expectations are greater and schools are larger.

Research has shown that if a student makes it successfully through his/her first year of high school, he or she will have “made it,” and he/she can be expected to graduate. With this in mind, Link Crew has been developed as a program to help students make the transition with specific intervention and support from older peers.

Freshmen only will participate in an orientation training called “Link Crew Assembly” in the morning. Then transfer students, faculty and staff will join the BHS freshmen for lunch on campus. During the afternoon orientation program, all new students to BHS will meet their counselors, receive their schedules, locate their assigned lockers, walk through their schedules, visit their classes, and meet their teachers.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact the BHS Counseling Center at 343-2480, ext. 2002.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is seeking artists interested in exhibiting their work in all four of its galleries in 2013-14. There is no cost to apply or to exhibit.

The galleries are:

• Bank of Castile Main Gallery at GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia;
• Batavia Satellite Gallery in the Genesee County Senior Center, 2 Bank St., Batavia;
• Albion Satellite Gallery in the GCC Albion Campus, 456 West Avenue (Route 31) Albion;
• Medina Satellite Gallery in the Shirt Factory Café, 115 W. Center St., Medina.

Since 1977, GO ART! has served area artists by providing exhibit space for their work. Gallery exhibits are typically displayed for two months and feature visual art by local and regional artists.

For additional information, contact the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council at 585-343-9313, e-mail info@GOart.org or download an application online at www.GOart.org <http://www.GOart.org>

Join Alex's Place for its 6th annual charity golf event, which includes golf, lunch, drink specials, prime rib dinner, prizes, and giveaways!

Date: Sunday, Aug. 25
Time: Registration & festivities begin at noon. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Location: Terry Hills Golf Course, Batavia
Cost: $95 per golfer for registration
To Benefit: Crossroads House & the Chef Russell Scholarship

Registration forms are available through the Web site of Alex's Place. Print them out, fill them out, then send via mail or fax.

Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by Aug. 16 and mailed to:

Alex’s Place, c/o Colleen Kemp, 8322 Park Road Batavia, NY 14020

Faxed registration forms must be sent by Aug. 19. The Fax number is (585) 219-4303

The Chef Russell Memorial Golf Scramble serves as a dual benefit. The money raised is donated to Crossroads House of Genesee County and for a scholarship created in Memory of Chef Russell Bugbee.We are honored to put on this yearly scramble and are proud to donate the proceeds to two very deserving causes:

• Crossroads House is a comfort care home that serves the residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties who have been medically determined to be in their last stages of life. It is an alternative to a hospital or nursing home when care can no longer be provided in the patient’s own home. Crossroads is an incorporated not-for-profit organization that provides service free of charge.
• The Chef Russell Bugbee scholarship is awarded as a tribute to Chef Russell, who we tragically lost in Oct 2010. The scholarship will be awarded to an area high school graduate that is not only pursuing an education in the culinary field, but also has the drive and passion that Chef Russell had for the culinary arts.

What is included for the day:

• 18 holes of golf at Terry Hills Golf Course with cart
• Grilled lunch with draft beer and soda at registration
• Beverage service throughout the tournament, including $1 beer specials
• Dinner (hand-carved prime rib, stuffed chicken breast and pasta marinara
• Prizes, skins and 50/50
• Giveaways and goody bags for all!

The Genesee County Women’s Republican Club will host its annual Lucky Numbers event which will be held Thursday, Aug. 22 at the Batavia Country Club, 7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia.

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30.

Cost is $18 per person. For more information or to make a reservation contact Michele Smith at 494-1548.

Genesee County United Way Backpack Program is the Club’s 2013 Caring for America Organization. People attending are encouraged to bring a donation. Come join the fun!

Lifespan and the Older Adult Ministry Team at Batavia First United Methodist Church are sponsoring a Scam Prevention Presentation from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

It will take place at the church, located at 8221 Lewiston Road.

Attendees of this free event can learn more about:

• Identity Theft
• Elder Abuse
• Scams
• Home Safety
• Personal Safety
• Financial Exploitation
• Computer Safety
• Medicare Fraud & How to Report it.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please make a reservation by calling 343-1611.

The Holland Land Office Museum is offering a senior bus trip to Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica, and the Buffalo Botanical Gardens, with lunch at Ilio DiPaolo’s Family Restaurant (Wrestling Hall of Fame Honoree) for an all-inclusive price of $30 per person.

Bus leaves Holland Land Office Museum at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18 and returns at approximately 4 p.m.

Limited to 40 people -- seniors and their guests of ANY age. Please make your reservation by calling the Museum at 343-4727. Payment must be in by Sept. 1.

Press release:

BATAVIA -- Chapin International is in full swing for its Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament at 1 p.m. Aug. 10 at Terry Hills Golf Course.

Each year the company features a different organization as the event beneficiary, and this year it has chosen YWCA of Genesee County. Inc. More specifically, the proceeds will go to the its Domestic Violence & Crisis Prevention Services program.

Staff at the North Street facility not only deals with walk-in emergency cases when victims have nowhere else to turn, but help them go from crisis to calm through medical treatment, counseling, the legal system and often getting bare necessities of groceries, secure shelter
and some refuge at the nonprofit's safehouse.

"We are so grateful for companies like Chapin that recognize the tremendous need to help victims of domestic violence in this community," Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. "Our staff serves approximately 700 new people each year, and the number just keeps growing. This is a great way to bring some fun and financial help, as well as some awareness, to a worthy cause right here in Genesee County. We look forward to meeting you out on the golf course next month!"

Golf and dinner is $70 a person for a team of four or $22.50 for dinner only. There are other ways to help. Supporters may sponsor a hole for charity, donate a tournament prize or become an event sponsor.

To sign up for golf, be a sponsor or donate a prize online, go to www.chapinmfg.com.

This year’s special events include Hole in One for a chance to win a car or Harley, courtesy of Ken Barrett Chevrolet Cadillac, Stan's Harley Davidson and Toyota of Batavia.

There will also be a putting contest with a chance to win a lounge chair courtesy of Max Pies Furniture, plus Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive prizes for best male and female.

Organizer Norm Hubbard wants to remind participants that it's not all about the game.

"It's a day for everybody to enjoy and have a good time," Hubbard said. "And to remember they are not there to win, they're there to support the charity."

For more information, call Norm Hubbard at 343-3140, ext. 3103, or e-mail him at nhubbard@chapinmfg.com.

WHAT: Chapin International Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament
WHEN:  1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
WHERE: Terry Hills Golf Course, Batavia
CALL: 343-3140, ext. 3103

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center will host a free cancer support group on the last Thursday of each month beginning at 5 p.m. The group will meet in United Memorial’s Healthy Living Department at 211 E. Main St., Batavia.

The group will provide information and support for those who are cancer survivors or have received a cancer diagnosis. In a group setting, individuals can find a warm and caring environment to learn, laugh and heal. Members can find comfort, renewed strength, and receive hope from others who truly understand their unique story and treatment journey.

Men and women who are interested in joining the group should call Healthy Living at 344-5331 to sign up or for more information.

Press release from Bill McDonald:

The overall composite of cooperation, contributions, and support of the many businesses, agencies, and individuals in our community, mentioned below, creates a suitable environment for “the sound track of Batavia” reflected at each year’s Ramble Music & Arts Fest.

Extremely deserved gratitude is extended to all who shared their talents in any way for this year’s Ramble 8, July 6, 2013, including but not limited to:

• Batavia Business Improvement District
• Jackson Concert Series sponsors
• City Council
• City workers
• Go Art!
• Mike McDonald and Platt Properties
• Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
• Genesee Valley Penny Saver
• John’s Studio
• WBTA Radio
• John Dayton and BNB Sound
• Bill Kauffman
• O’Lacy’s
• T.F. Brown’s
• Bourbon & Burger Co.
• Larry’s Steakhouse
• Center Street Smoke House
• Grass Roots
• Craig Gillard
• WCJW Radio
• Steve Ognibene
• The Road Crew of Jim Starkweather, Tom Trescott, and West Coast Kowalik
• St. Vincent Parrish
• JAMS Music
• Gwen Ladd
• Daniel Cherry
• Chalk Art Gals
• The Batavian
• The roving buskers with Dick McClurg, Dave and Donna of South Main Attraction and the Pigeon Post Stringband
• T-Shirts Etc., Inc.
• The Batavia Daily News
• Batavia Turf Farms
• Marathon Realty and Insurance
• Tom McBride
• and musicians who volunteered use of their equipment, such as Keith Worthington, Warren Skye, Jim Patric, Steve Kruppner, Jim Catino, Ken Drury, Mike Murray, and Charlie Del Plato.

Special recognition and heartfelt thanks go out to Batavia’s and the surrounding area’s talented musicians who have the commitment and passion to perform, artists, and their families friends, and fans, as well as all who attend and become part of the music and art fabric of Batavia.

Looking down the trail to Ramble Music & Arts Fest #9, the Posse — Wild Bill, Mild Bill, Mike Murray, Kay McMahon.

Care-A-Van Ministries along with Dr. Russ Marchese and his office staff will be hosting the 5th annual Caring For The City Day. This annual event is being held this Friday, July 26th from 8 AM until 3 PM.  It is being held at Dr. Russ Marchese office at 401 East Main Street, Batavia. 

This annual event includes a free dental clinic. The dental clinic is for those people who do not have dental insurance. Each person in need of dental care will  be evaluated for their individual need. There will be free cleanings, fillings, and even extractions performed. 

Along with the free dental clinic, there will be many other services and information offered by local churches and agencies. Free haircuts will be offered by local beauticians. There will be a prayer table set up for those in need of prayer. Batavia Photo club will be on hand to offer free family portraits. Kids will enjoy the face painting and games that will be available.  P. C.  Publications will be giving away free books. Community Action, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Mental Health Association, GCASA, Smoke Free Now Program, will be on site as well. 

Salvation Army, Discovery Chapel, Living Waters Apostolic Ministries who all currently work side by side with Care-A-Van will be their to offer their services and support. Fidelis Care will be available to assist people in need of health care insurance. 

The event is held rain or shine! This event is to let the people of Batavia know that God cares and so do we! Please let your family and friends know about the event. 

Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for Children will be holding an informational session on becoming a volunteer advocate. The session will take place in the conference room at the ARC Community Center, located at 38 Woodrow Road in Batavia from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday July 30.

Attendees will be able to listen to current advocates as they tell their stories about why they chose to become a volunteer and how they've been able to help the most vulnerable children in our community. Light refreshments will also be provided.

In order to become a volunteer you must be 21 or older, have reliable transportation and be able to pass a background check. A 30-hour training, utilizing an independent study workbook is required. Genesee County CASA for Children is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

CASAs are assigned to abuse and neglect cases by our family court to advocate for the best interest of children. CASAs also act as mentors to children and assist both them and their families with additional community resources.

To register for the informational session or for more information about CASA, please contact  Executive Director Ashley Hausfelder at 344-2550, ext. 2331, or by e-mail at director@geneseecountycasa.org. You can also visit CASA's Web site at www.geneseecountycasa.org

Press release:

On Monday evening, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees reelected Maureen T. Marshall as board chair for the 2013-2014 year. The Board also reelected Diane D. Torcello as vice-chair and Laura J. Bohm as secretary.

Marshall, of Elba, is owner and operator of Torrey Farms, also based in Elba. Torcello, of Pavilion, is a Bank of Castile branch manager. Bohm, of Batavia, is a retired housing administrator.

Trustees met at the Batavia Campus for their annual meeting.

The 10-member volunteer Board of Trustees is the governing body of Genesee Community College.

Press release:

Dan Kennedy, author of "The Wired City: Reimagining Journalism and Civic Life in the Post-Newspaper Age," will be signing copies of the book at Present Tense on Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m.

The book is a vivid, on-the-ground account of the changing face of contemporary journalism. In it, Kennedy tells the story of The New Haven Independent, a nonprofit community Web site at the leading edge of reinventing local journalism. He also examines a number of other online news projects, including a lengthy section about The Batavian, a local, online-only news source for Batavia and Genesee County.

"The Wired City" includes the perspectives of journalists, activists and civic leaders who are actively re-envisioning how journalism can be meaningful in a hyperconnected age of abundant news sources.

Kennedy provides deeper context by analyzing the decline of the newspaper industry in recent years and, at a time of pessimism over the future of journalism, this book offers hope. What Kennedy documents is not the death of journalism, but rather the uncertain and sometimes painful early stages of rebirth.

Dan Kennedy is assistant professor of journalism at Northeastern University and has been a working journalist for nearly 40 years. He currently contributes to the Huffington Post and the Nieman Journalism Lab. You can follow his Media Nation blog at http://dankennedy.net <http://dankennedy.net/>.

The book signing is free and open to the public. Present Tense, a locally owned, independent bookstore, is located at 101 Washington Ave., Batavia. For more information call 815-7640 <http://www.presenttensebooks.com>.

As many of you know, Henry Cook was seriously injured in a motorcycle/deer accident near Pembroke recently. Having the helm of a leading business in the Genesee County area, Henry, his company, and his sons have been in many of our homes "fixing whats broke".

Please join me in wishing Henry and his family a successful and speedy recovery.

Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia is presenting a “Mine” for Poetry Contest for adults in the "Dig into Reading" Summer Reading Club (free and easy to join).

Dig into a page of text — from a book, a magazine, or a newspaper (Please make a copy, if it is not yours!). Find words to make a poem...and eliminate the rest as artistically as possible. Samples are available at the library.

Entries are due at the library by Friday, July 19 at 5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded. More information is available at the library, by calling 343-9550, ext. 2, and at www.batavialibrary.org.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council’s 35th annual family event “Picnic in the Park” takes place this Fourth of July.

The festivities run from Noon until 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th, in historic Centennial Park on Richmond and Ellicott avenues in Batavia.

As is tradition, the “Picnic in the Park” is kicked off by the Batavia Concert Band performing on the Main Stage at Noon. This year’s “Picnic in the Park” includes all-day musical entertainment, arts and crafts show, folk arts programs, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more. Admission is free.

Please call GO ART! at 585-343-9313 or e-mail info@goart.org or visit <http://www.goart.org> for more information.