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Announcements

Batavia Downs is going "Crazy Cheap" for Old Fashioned Night

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY – Old Fashioned Night returns to Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack this Saturday night (August 11) for the first time during the 2012 racing season, but with a twist.

Historically, Old Fashion night prices include 50-cent Sahlen’s hot dogs, sodas and racing programs, however this year the nation’s oldest lighted half-mile harness racetrack is going "Crazy Cheap."

Thanks to sponsorship of the evening by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield, Sahlen’s hot dogs will be just 3 for $1 in the paddock room beginning at 5pm. First race post time is 6:25 p.m.  Guests wanting to take advantage of the reduced price simply need to ask for the “Crazy Cheap Price.”

“We’re proud to be working with the folks at Batavia Downs on the Crazy Cheap night promotion,” Mike Ognibene, owner of Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield said. “We’re looking forward to a great evening at the track.”

“The first Old Fashioned night of the season is usually our biggest night of the year,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Todd Haight.  “Not only does it bring out a great crowd which enhances the on-track excitement but it creates larger betting pools for our racing customers. We want to thank Mike for partnering with us on this promotion.”

One day later another top promotion takes place at the Genesee County oval, Super Seniors Day.  Beginning at 12-noon in the clubhouse and running until 2:30 p.m., all seniors 55 or older that purchase the Sunday lunch buffet at the regular price of $8.95 will receive a racing program and $10 in casino free play. It's like dining for free. Sunday reservations are strongly recommended. To make a clubhouse reservations, please call 585-343-3750.

“It’s a great way to thank all our seniors for their many years of supporting Batavia Downs,” Haight added.

A complete list of all the 2012 racing promotions can be found at www.bataviadownscasino.com 
 

Batavia Motor Speedway hosts 'ATV Exreme Dirt Track National Championship'

By Daniel Crofts

On Saturday, Aug. 11, the Batavia Motor Speedway -- at 3500 Harloff Road in Batavia -- will host its first national championship ever. The ATV (all-terrain vehicle) Extreme Dirt Track National Championship will take place from noon until 7 p.m., with the races themselves starting at 5 p.m.

Registration begins at 2 p.m., followed by practice from 3 until 4 p.m. and a rider's meeting from 4 until 5 p.m.

The WNY Extreme Dirt Track Racing Club is sponsoring the event, which will feature over 200 ATVs at speeds of 60 miles per hour or more.

For more information, call 737-5698 or e-mail donaldjones@frontiernet.net.

'Topanga' is missing

By Howard B. Owens

Kathie Watkins is looking for help in locating her missing cat, Topanga. She  said Topanga is a gray, fluffy cat, around 4 pounds, with orange and white speckles running up her right front leg and side. "She is very affectionate and has dermatitis."

UPDATE: Topanga is home safe.

Graham Team fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of WYN

By Billie Owens

A fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of WNY in conjuction with the Graham Team in Training will be held Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Polish Falcons club in Batavia.

It will feature DJ Mamaluke, 50/50 Raffle, Chinese Auction and a Beer Pong Tournament. The fun starts at 6 p.m. at The Polish Falcons Club, 123 S. Swan St.

Come out and help us attain our fundraising goal of over $22,000 for cancer research.

Pre-sale tickets $15 -- at the door $20 includes donation, beer and food! Basket raffles will also be available. Registration for the Beer Pong Tournament will be $20 per team. CASH PRIZES!

Sign up ASAP and bring your friends!

Call Ashley, Brian or Arlene at 343-2216 to register.

If you can't make it that day, visit our Web site at http://pages.teamintraining.org/wcny/nikesf12/Graham and help our team raise $22,400 to kick cancer to the curb!

Batavia Area Jaycees to hold 26th annual Labor Day 5K

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 26th Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on Sept. 3 beginning at MacArthur Park in Batavia. The route is USA Track & Field certified course #NY-06038-JG.

Participants should check in from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Race time is 10 o'clock. The registration fee for runners is $12 if preregistered by Aug. 27 and $15 afterward, including the day of the event.  Walkers can register for $10.

The first 50 registered participants will receive a free T-shirt and awards will be presented to the top finishers.

Registration forms are available online at www.bajny.com http://www.bajny.com.

The race committee is actively seeking sponsors for this event. If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship, please leave a message at 585-343-5775 or email to: bajny@yahoo.com

GCC launches redesigned Web site

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College has just launched a redesigned Web site at www.genesee.edu, exemplifying the college's continued efforts to best meet the changing needs of its broad student population – both through its degree and certificate programs and online.

The underlining purpose and theme of the new design is user-friendly interactivity. Now more than ever, the vibrant atmosphere of campus life at Genesee Community College comes across on its home page.

The site was overhauled to give users streamlined page portals for fast access to essential departments and utilities, while infusing interactive options and information. For instance, the popular and ever-updated rotating home page photos now include a multi-dot navigation bar beneath the photos allowing users to click through the informational options at their whim and will, instead of waiting for the images to cycle through at their own pace.

Beneath the rotational photos is the new resource carousel featuring links to the most popular Web pages, such as Orientation, Homecoming, Open Houses and Course Schedules. Like the rotational home page photos, these are "clickable" using the right and left arrows giving the user maximum interaction control.

Below the resource carousel, two popular features return with greater prominence, College News and the Events Calendar, while the new Faces of GCC column on the right highlights student success, which is the central, unifying force behind the college's overall mission. Faces of Genesee provide photos and related comments by students of all ages alongside their academic area of interest. Each time a user returns to the home page, a new Face of GCC pops up. But here's a quick tip: by clicking on the headline, a user can view all the current of Faces collectively.

"The college's Web Team, which has representation from every department and division, meets monthly and is continuously monitoring webpage usage and exploring the newest utilities for the most effective user experience," said Richard Ensman, director of External Affairs and chair of the Web Team. "The digital world offers so many new opportunities and we are vigilant in maintaining the most up-to-date presence on the Internet."

The new site also features daily updates to the calendar of events and college news, and designated tabs for users to quickly find the resources they need in Academics, the ACE program, Admissions, Athletics, Arts, Campus Life, the Alfred O'Connell Library and The BEST Center.

The bright yellow Quick Links tab at the upper right of the page provides yet another fast connection to important pages, by expanding the homepage size and giving access to important resources such as Financial Aid, the Directory or the Course Catalog. The user can quickly collapse the home page back to its original size when desired.

At the bottom right, social media icons link to GCC's Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WordPress and Flickr accounts, and to the college's RSS feeds. Each of Genesee Community College's campus centers -- Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw -- also has its own link in the footer of the site.

Beyond the homepage, many tertiary pages have also been revised and updated. Of specific interest is the Student OneStop page, which provides more than 60 links to key departments and resources. The library page not only provides 27 alphabetical categories of online databases, but users can also quickly see the newest acquisitions using left and right scrolling arrows and quick-click information about access, availability and sign out.

"At GCC, our Web development work is never done. We are always looking for new ways to share information and make our resources readily available to the community in the best possible manner," Ensman said. "We also always encourage comments and suggestions to make our Web site ever better."

First EnviroChamps Camp is this week, public invited to tours Friday

By Billie Owens

This week, youth from all over Genesee County are taking part in the first ever EnviroChamps Camp held at Genesee County Park and Forest in collaboration with the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Throughout the week, campers grade six through eight are having the chance to experience and explore many different topics in the environmental field. Some of these include forestry, sustainability, GPS, wildlife, and many others.

From 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Friday, the public is invited to come visit and see what the week entailed. Campers will be leading tours of the park and sharing what they learned through out the week.

The park is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany. The Interpretive Nature Center's phone is 344-1122.

Dr. Anna Lamb elected president of New York State Osteopathic Medical Society

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Anna M. Lamb, DO, FACOFP of Batavia, New York has been elected as the new president of New York State Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) as of March 2nd 2012.

Dr. Lamb is a graduate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (1996) and has her master’s degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo (1992) with a focus on natural sciences.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Bonaventure (NY) University (1989). She owns and operates a family practice, Lamb Family Medicine, in Batavia where she also serves as President of Medical Staff at United Memorial Medical Center.  Dr. Lamb was awarded a Fellow designation by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) in 2009.  Dr. Lamb also belongs to the New York State ACOFP, the American Academy of Osteopathy, the American Osteopathic Association and the Cranial Academy.

Dr. Lamb is actively involved in her community. She is a member of the Batavia Rotary Club, Zonta Club and concert band.  She is a member of the Genesee County CASA for Children Board as well. 

Genesee County Undersheriff William A. Sheron Joins Undersheriffs from across the State to Receive Trainin

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Genesee County Undersheriff William A. Sheron, along with thirty-six undersheriffs from across New York State, recently attended a training conference at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Sponsored and organized by the New York State Sheriffs' Association and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute, the program provides the undersheriffs with training in the latest advances in law enforcement and correctional practices and a forum to discuss current law enforcement issues and share best practices.

Representatives of several New York State agencies, including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Division of Criminal Justice, the Department of State, and the Comptroller’s Office, met with the group.

Topics covered at the three-day program included: discovery rules for police in a high-tech environment, next generation 911 issues, and updates on homeland security labor laws, foil law, retirement law,  and personnel and budget issues.

“The undersheriff is appointed by the county sheriff and most often functions as the chief administrative officer,” said Sheriffs’ Association President and Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith. “In this role, undersheriffs review all operations of the sheriff’s office, including the sheriffs’ road patrol and investigative divisions, the county jail, the civil law enforcement division, court security, and 911/communications and dispatch division,” he said.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation, formed in 1934, for the purpose of assisting sheriffs in the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public. It comprises all of the elected and appointed sheriffs of New York State.  The Sheriffs’ Association is committed to providing education and training to advance the professionalism of all aspects of the office of sheriff. Visit www.nysheriffs.org.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute, Inc. was established in 1979. The mission of the Institute is to assist the office of the sheriff in advancing education in the criminal justice community, preventing juvenile delinquency, developing lawful and productive citizens, and supporting victims of crime and their families. Visit www.nysheriffsinstitute.org

Photo:  Genesee County Undersheriff William A. Sheron (center), upon completion of the 26th Annual Undersheriffs’ Training Program, with New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute Executive Director Chris O’Brien (left), and New York State Sheriffs’ Association President and Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith. (right).

City Slickers donating money to cancer victim for new Facebook likes

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

City Slickers Bar & Grill is giving back. This time, it's all powered by Facebook. Starting today, anyone that likes their facebook page, www.facebook.com/cityslickersbar , will have add another $.25 that will be donated to Austin Heineman. Austin, a recent 2012 Pembroke graduate, was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer. The donations are being given to help pay for medical bills and treatments that his insurance would not cover. The donation count will continue to grow until $500.00 is raised for Austin's Army!

Master Gardener Training

By Jan Beglinger
If you would like to help improve your community and enjoy gardening, landscaping and related activities, please consider becoming a Master Gardener volunteer. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering the popular Master Gardener Training series on Wednesday evenings, September 5 through November 14 from 5:45 to 9:00 p.m. Participants will be required to attend an additional training on Saturday, November 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sessions will be held at the Extension office at 420 East Main Street, Batavia. Master Gardener Training covers a wide variety of horticulture topics including: botany, growing fruit at home, herbs, insects, perennials, organic gardening, pruning, soils & fertilizers, turf grass, vegetable gardening, weed identification, woody plant materials, and how to diagnose plant diseases/problems. Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Graduates of the program are then eligible to become Certified Master Gardeners by volunteering time on horticultural projects with their local Extension Office. A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their skills and knowledge is a must. Pre-registration by August 22 is required. No walk-ins will be allowed. The fee for the series is $225 per person. Class size is limited. For an application or to register contact Brandie Schultz at 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by the Extension office located at 420 East Main Street in Batavia. More information can be found on the Genesee County Extension website at http://genesee.shutterfly.com/gardening.

Kids' carnival at Falleti Ice Arena on Thursday

By Daniel Crofts

The annual "Safe Summer Children's Carnival" will be held Thursday, Aug. 2, from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Falleti Ice Arena, at 22 Evans St. in Batavia, will be the venue. Genesee County AmeriCorps is running this event in partnership with the Genesee County and Batavia Youth Bureaus.

Nickel City Reptiles will be there for the first hour, followed by games from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Kids can play 10 games with a $1 ticket. They will have the chance to win "funny money," which can be used to redeem for prizes. Additionally, they can win an iPod Nano by visiting community agency booths.

Call Angela at 344-3960 for further details.

 

Muckdogs partner with NY's 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan for essay contest

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs and New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan have announced that they are partnering together with an essay contest for local students and children.

The goal of the essay contest is to have kids submit an original 100-word essay on the topic of "What would you like to be when you grow up?"

The Batavia Muckdogs front office staff will read over all entries, selecting the three most compelling submissions. The three winners and their parents/guardians will then receive complementary tickets to the Sunday, Sept. 2, Muckdogs’ home game at 5:05 p.m.

In addition to receiving a free ticket, the winners will receive a back-to-school backpack with supplies, courtesy of New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan. The three selected winners will also have the opportunity to throw out the honorary first pitches for the game. 
 
Eligibility: The contest is open to all children who attend a school in the local communities surrounding Batavia. This includes schools in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans, Erie, and Niagara counties.
 
Contest Period: Students may enter submissions until Aug. 19. At that point, the Batavia Muckdogs front office staff will begin reading submissions and select the three winners.
 
How to Enter: To enter, participants must submit their essay (100 words) either by mailing it to Dwyer Stadium or dropping it off at the stadium in person.

The mailing address is: Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank Street, Batavia, NY.

Along with the essay submission, we ask that participants include their: full name; school; date of birth; and telephone number.
 
If there are any questions in regards to this contest feel free to contact the Muckdogs front office staff at (585)-343-5454. Also feel free to check out New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan at www.ny529plan.com <http://www.ny529plan.com.

Genesee Christian Academy offers fall preschool classes

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The necessity for education to procure a job in our society has grown immensely over the recent years and the need for an edge in learning is essential. Preschool is becoming a highly desired pursuit of many parents with the future of their children at the heart of their decision making process.

Genesee Christian Academy, a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church on the Galloway Road, is offering K3 through K5 classes this fall. We will be offering half day, full day and extended day options depending on your desires and needs.

Genesee Christian Academy, with 37 years of educational experience is well qualified to foster your children’s educational experience. They are using a phonetics-based learning system, with the highest national accreditation, which allows your student to gain a solid foundation on which to build an education.

The compassionate staff has the success and well being of your child at heart.

Give a call today for an appointment and interview with a staff that is ready to accommodate you. Openings are limited.

The church office phone is 344-1898.

Red Cross hosts blood drive Thursday at Clarion Hotel

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Local residents and the American Red Cross will join together for a “Community That Cares” blood drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Clarion Hotel at 8250 Park Road in Batavia.

The blood drive is a Red Cross initiative to help engage local citizens and boost regional blood supplies by enlisting community support.

All presenting donors during the month of August will receive a coupon for a free 57.6 oz. container of any variety of Turkey Hill SunBrew Iced Tea. Additionally, all presenting donors will receive a flier for Bob Evans restaurant in Batavia. For all donors who visit this restaurant on Aug. 2 and redeem the flier, Bob Evans will donate 15 percent of their total bill to the American Red Cross Blood Services.

With extreme heat keeping some donors at home and severe storms forcing the cancellation of dozens of blood drives earlier in the month, the Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for donors of all blood types. Red Cross blood donations are at the lowest they have been in 15 years.

Public support from the organization’s late-June appeal helped temporarily stop a decline in the blood supply. However, the mid-week Independence Day and extreme summer weather have contributed to a decrease in donations lately. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.

As the nation’s single largest supplier of blood and blood products, the Red Cross is dedicated to ensuring that every patient who needs a lifesaving transfusion is able to receive one. In fact, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood each day to meet the needs of patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

It is the blood on the shelves today that helps save lives tomorrow. The American Red Cross is urging all eligible donors to help keep the blood supply strong this summer by making an appointment to donate blood today by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767 ) or by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Chance to meet Frederick Douglas descendant at Batavia Peace Garden on Sunday

By Daniel Crofts

As part of an interstate tour focused on the history of the anti-slavery movement in the Northeast, 16 educators from California and Kenneth Morris, the great-great-great grandson of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, will come to Batavia's Bicentennial Peace Garden around 3:30 pm on Sunday.

The Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and the office of the County Historian are planning an afternoon of educational entertainment that includes refreshments and costumed reenactments. It is free and open to the public, but people should bring their own chairs.

The Peace Garden is located at West Main St. in Batavia. It is right next to the Holland Land Office Museum, which is at 131 West Main St.

Free Dental Clinic at Caring for the City Day

By Robin Walters

In an economy where many people are losing their jobs or their benefits are being cut, many individuals or families find themselves without dental insurance.

On Friday, July 27th, Dr. Russ Marchese Jr and Dr. Marcela Morales-Ross and their staff will be offering a free dental clinic at their office which is located at 401 East Main Street, Batavia.  They will be providing free cleanings, fillings and extractions for anyone who does not have dental insurance. The clinic will run  from 8 Am to 3 PM.

Event Date and Time
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Local Dentists Offer Free Dental Clinic

By Robin Walters

In an economy where many people are losing their jobs or their benefits are being cut, many individuals or families find themselves without dental insurance.

On Friday, July 27th, Dr. Russ Marchese Jr and Dr. Marcela Morales-Ross and their staff will be offering a free dental clinic at their office which is located at 401 East Main Street, Batavia.  They will be providing free cleanings, fillings and extractions for anyone who does not have dental insurance. The clinic will run  from 8 Am to 3 PM.

The clinic is part of Care-A-Van Ministries Annual Caring for the City Day. This is a day where local agencies and churches come together to care for the community.

Other agencies and chuches that will be on hand with free services and information will be Community Action, Cornell Co-Op, Catholic Charities, Fidelis Care, Mental Health Agency, Genessee Cancer Services, Salvation Army, Compassionate Friends, P. C. Publications, Smoke Free  NowProgram, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Living Waters Apolostic Church and local beauticians will be providing free hair cuts.

All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to receive care. Proof of ID is required. 

 

HLOM presentation on brides, also final week of wedding gown show

By Billie Owens

Genesee County Historian Susan Conklin is giving a presentation "The Brides of Genesee  -- for Better or Worse" at the Holland Land Office Museum at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26.

Refreshments will be served.

The museum will be open to give people the opportunity to view the exhibit "Treasured Wedding Memories" before it is taken down, the first week of August.   

Anne Marie Starowitz and Kathy Jasinski give tours and share tidbits about the gowns and pictures in the exhibit.

HLOM is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

'Stephen's Table' soup kitchen is open this Saturday

By Daniel Crofts

Ed and Beverly Corcoran would like everyone to know that Stephen's Table, the soup kitchen that Ed runs, will be open on Saturday, July 21 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm.

Stephen's Table, a ministry of Batavia Assembly of God Church, serves free meals to needy families in Genesee County. Lunch typically includes a sandwich, a bowl of soup, some crackers, a cup of fruit, a drink and a dessert. Coffee and breakfast sweats are also available.

Ed and Beverly officially begin serving lunch at 11 am, but people can come as early as 10:30 to chat and enjoy some coffee.

Due to church events and other engagements, the soup kitchen is sometimes closed on Saturdays. Whenever this is the case, a sign is posted on the front table during the week notifying people that the kitchen will be closed the following Saturday.

The soup kitchen is at 24 N Spruce St. in Batavia. For more information, contact Ed and Beverly at 344-0270.

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