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High Voltage offering tattoos and piercings Friday to help raise money for local charity

By Howard B. Owens

Friday is your chance to get inked and support a local charity.

High Voltage Tattoo & Piercing, 110 W. Main St., Batavia, will tattoo or pierce anybody who shows up at the door from 10 a.m. until there's nobody left to tattoo or pierce, and donate all of the proceeds to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.

Tattoos are $25 and piercings are $15, with 100 percent of the fees going to Community Action.

Above, Lisa Vokes, a tattoo artist, and Mark Fanara, tattoo artist and owner, with a examples of the tattoos they will apply Friday for $25 each.

Tattoo artist Kevin Lockwood, not available today for a picture, will also have a series of tats available for people to choose.

All proceeds from jewelry and aftercare product sales will also be donated.

Free refreshments will be provided by Southside Deli, Michelle's Catering Co. & Bakery and High Voltage Tattoo.

Community action helps people from preschoolers to the elderly and those in between with a variety of services.

"Our community has treated us well and we would like to return the favor," Fanara said. "We hope people will stop in to help us raise money to help people and change lives."

Law and Order: Driver accused of transporting 15,650 untaxed cigarettes

By Howard B. Owens

Nedal Abdul Mansour, 48, of Jay Street, Rochester, is charged with possession and transport of more than 10,000 untaxed cigarettes, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlicensed operator, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely. Mansour was stopped for alleged traffic infractions at 10:51 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Mansour was allegedly found in possession of 15,650 untaxed cigarettes.

Ajayc Kweese George, 18, of St. Marks Avenue, New York City, is charged with trespass. George was reportedly told on Dec. 10 not to return to College Village property and allegedly did return at 10:03 p.m., Tuesday.

Marion G. DeFelice, 55, of Bernd Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, unlicensed operation and failure to keep right. DeFelice was stopped at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Route 33, Town of Batavia, by Deputy Tim Wescott.

Earl Shateek-Anthony Lockhart, 19, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and harassment, 2nd. Lockhart is accused of shoplifting $85.86 from Walmart. Lockhart allegedly pushed a loss prevention officer who attempted to apprehend him and then ran out of the store. Lockhart was located a short time later by a Sheriff's deputy.

Jessica Lynn Barber, 26, of 647 Lapp Road, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone and unlawful possession of marijuana. Barber was stopped at 12:36 a.m. Tuesday on County Line Road, Darien, by Deputy Patrick Reeve.

Jonathan Robert Hyman, 39, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Hyman was allegedly found on a property on Rose Road without permission at 11:04 p.m., Dec. 9, looking in a window to a residence.

Brandon Cody McCoy, 20, of Angling Road, Corfu, is charged with harassment, 2nd. McCoy is accused of pushing another male during a domestic incident at 8:28 p.m., Monday.

Photos: Christmas lights, December 13

By Howard B. Owens

I was able to get out and about after sunset this evening. Here's a few of the houses I photographed in all their Christmas light splendor.

Above, Vine Street.

Ellicott Street

Ellicott Place

Backyard, Ellicott Place

Ellicott Place

Trumbull Parkway

Elm Street

Elm Street

Elm Street

Bank Street

Bank Street

Photo: Present and tree bell ringers

By Howard B. Owens

Jackie Davis and Wayne Younge, of Summit Physical and Occupational Therapies, spent their hour ringing a bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign dressed as a present and Christmas tree. The duo said they usually dress up for their hour at the kettle, but this year when they found out the would be ringing together, they decided to develop a coordinated costume.

Dryer fire reported at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

A dryer fire has been reported at Genesee Community College on the main campus.

An evacuation is in progress.

Town of Batavia Fire Department is dispatched to the main circle entrance.

UPDATE 9:21 a.m.: Genesee County Emergency Services on scene. Building evacuated. Fire units told to use service entrance. The dryer is near the loading dock.

UPDATE 9:26 a.m.: Fire is out.

Law and Order: Batavia man faces coercion charge

By Howard B. Owens

Patrick Shawn O'Neill, 46, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with coercion, 2nd. O'Neill was arrested following an investigation into a complaint that allegedly occurred Sunday morning in Bethany.

Brandy L. Hare, 30, of 38 Rochester St., Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and passed stop sign. Hare was stopped at 2:24 a.m. Tuesday on Clinton Street by Officer Darryl Streeter.

Five members end council careers on a high note

By Howard B. Owens

There was praise all around in Batavia City Council chambers Monday night as five council members commemorated their final meeting and their colleagues thanked them for their service.

Leaving are Frank Ferrando and Marianne Clattenburg, who were elected to the Genesee County Legislature, and Sam Barone, Bill Cox and Bob Bialkowski.

"The majority of this body is leaving and the majority of the body will be new and most of them are here (tonight)," Bialkowski said. "I can only wish them well. I commend them for their interest and dedication to serving the community."

Nearly every council member spoke about how tough it was to serve on the council a few years ago -- Ferrando said it wasn't fun to come to meetings -- but how much has changed in the past couple of years.

"Whenever we've left a meeting, we always left respecting every one's opinions and we will always be friends," said Rose Mary Christian. "I want to thank you all for serving our city."

Ferrando said the council has done some good work over the past few years that all members can take pride in.

"I think one of the good  things that happened is what we’re sitting in right here," Ferrando said. "What happened with this building is that it transformed our Main Street. I think that’s a very positive thing. It’s going to be more obvious as the years go on."

Photo: Front, from left, Frank Ferrando and Marianne Clattenburg; back, Sam Barone, Bill Cox and Bob Bialkowski.

Photos: Christmas lights, Dec. 12

By Howard B. Owens

For the first time this season, I had some time to get out in the evening and snap some Christmas light pictures. Hopefully, I'll get out more between now and Dec. 25. (If there are photographers in Le Roy, Bergen, Oakfield, Corfu, etc., who have DSLRs and tripods who want to take pictures from their villages, we'd love to see them -- every year it's been hard for me to get beyond Batavia and I'm suspecting this year won't be any different).

Above, Jackson Street

Washington Avenue

Lewis Avenue

Ganson Avenue

Maple Street

Highland Avenue

Kibbe Avenue

Elmwood Avenue

Photo: Batavia rivals ready to play for Lions Tournament crown

By Howard B. Owens

The boys of the Batavia and Notre Dame high school basketball teams will battle over the coveted Lions Tournament trophy Dec. 28 at Genesee Community College.

The JV teams will face each other at 6:30 p.m. and the varsity squads will play at 8 p.m.

The Lions held their annual tournament dinner Monday night at Bohn's Restaurant.

Pictured are Lamar Mobley, of Batavia, and Doane McCulley, of Notre Dame.

Person reportedly trapped in elevator at 400 Towers

By Howard B. Owens

A person is reportedly in an elevator at 400 Towers, 400 E. Main St., Batavia.

The floor is not known.

City Fire Department is being dispatched.

UPDATE 10:44 p.m.: It's the west tower elevator, 2nd floor.

UPDATE 10:50 p.m.: On-call maintenance notified, reporting a five-minute ETA.

UPDATE 11:04 p.m.: The person is safely out of the elevator.

Grease fire on Highland Park in the city

By Billie Owens

A grease fire which began on an electric stove in the kitchen is reported at 17 1/2 Highland Park in the City of Batavia. City firefighters are on scene and everyone has been evacuated from the building.

An interior firefighter says he's in the attic and it doesn't look like there's any extension of the fire. When asked if he can check for two cats, he says "they were on their way down as I was coming up."

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: The fire is out and firefighters are checking for extensions and doing overhaul of the scene. The location is between is between Jackson Street and Pringle Avenue.

UPDATE 9:37 p.m.: The City of Batavia Fire Department released the following information about the fire. The fire caused an estimated $13,000 damage to the building and contents. The building is owned by Philip Pastore. The tenant is Kristin Brockway. The fire was contained to the kitchen. (Fire Chief Jim Maxwell said earlier tonight that firefighters did a good job of containing the fire to the kitchen). Crews were on scene for one hour.

Law and Order: Driver involved in accident on Fargo Road, Corfu, charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

George Franklin Culp, 24, of Fargo Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, unlicensed operation, moving from lane unsafely and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Culp was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 12:03 a.m. Sunday on Fargo Road, Corfu. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Eric Seppala.

Jessie Marie Cramer, 26, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Cramer is accused of shoplifting $54.06 worth of merchandise from Target.

Brian Robert Beach, 40, of West Part Street, Albion, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Beach is accused of striking another person in the face causing physical injury and obstructing the alleged victim's breathing. The incident was reported at 12:53 a.m. Friday, at 8204 Park Road, Batavia.

Joseph Beszczynski, 26, of Darien-Alexander Townline Road, Darien, is charged with criminal mischief. Beszczynski is accused of punching a light switch box causing damage. Beszczynski was jailed on $500 bail.

Photos: Winter wonderland of lights on Fargo Road

By Robin Walters

I am new to this area and have never experienced Fargo Road at Christmas time. If you have not taken your family there, I would highly recommend it. There are many beautiful displays. Just keep on driving down and you will run into this awesome winter wonderland. You can park your cars and get out and take a walk around the whole place. God bless all the owners for bringing some Christmas magic to all!

Batavia couple opens holistic healing center on West Main Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

Richard Wallace has been in a motorcycle accident that led to a near-death experience, had more than 40 bones in his body broken and has been struck by lightning.

But he never takes pain medication.

“I function just fine every day," he said. "That started me to think that if I can do this, other people would benefit, too."

Those experiences led him toward natural healing practices and training in shamanism. After 10 years of training with Native American masters, Wallace said he's been a practicing shaman for 20 years.

This week, Wallace and his partner Antoinette Sidari opened Awakenings Holistic Center at 2995 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

"We feel people need some options," Wallace said. "We have a holistic cancer program because a lot of people don’t really have other options. They go to a doctor and a doctor tells them this is what we’ve got to do and we’ve got to do it quick, and a lot of people aren’t comfortable with that being the only option.  People often research buying an automobile more than they do their own health care."

Wallace and Sidari met in 2008 and found they had traveled a similar spiritual path. More than a year ago, they began planning a business around holistic healing. After looking at several locations in Western New York, Wallace decided to convert the workshop building behind his house into the center.

"There was just nothing else around," Wallace said, explaining why the couple decided to open the center. He said even similar businesses in Buffalo and Rochester are more limited in what they offer.

Among the services offered by Awakenings are amethyst bio-mat treatment, integrated energy services, holistic cancer treatment, shaman services, meditation and soul coaching.

The store offers a variety of books on holistic healing, crystals and aromatherapy supplies.

"We approach the issues that people have not just as a medical approach, where usually you get five minutes with a doctor and he writes you a prescription," Wallace said. "We approach it with mind body spirit, because it could be an emotional issue, it could be a physical issue, so we take the time with people to see what the problem is."

After Wallace's motorcycle accident in 1985, he said he was sent home from the hospital with an undiagnosed broken neck. That led to a near-death experience, which changed his life. He said at that point, spiritual teachers began to enter his life and he "followed the call of my Native American roots"  into shamanism. He studied with the White Brotherhood for 10 years. He became an ordained minister in 2005, and was ordained again in 2009 as a priest in the Order of Melchizedek.

Sidari's printed bio says she began her spiritual journey a decade ago that "turned ionto a miraculous journey of transformation back to her true self." She's studied healing arts.

She is a certified hypnotherapist.

During her spiritual journey, she has studied the teachings of Buddhist, Hindu, Vedic, Peruvian and Mayan traditions.

Wallace said there is no licensing for what he and Sidari practice.

"A lot of what we do, like what I do, as a practicing shaman, there is no piece of paper that goes with it," Wallace said. "There’s years and years of training and lots of experiences, and practice. I would rather have that than a piece of paper."

Photo: Drawing of raffle winner for Toys for Kids basket

By Howard B. Owens

One of the big fundraisers for Don Carroll's Toys for Kids charity is a raffle for a giant gift basket of lottery tickets. Saturday, Carroll had Coffee Culture's Danielle Phelps draw the winning ticket. The winner was Jim and Sandy Foster of Mocksville, North Carolina.

Next Saturday, Santa arrives in town to provide families served by Carroll's charity with presents and pizza.

Photos: Geese at DeWitt Park

By Howard B. Owens

When I drove by DeWitt Park this morning, about an hour after the snow stopped falling, the lake was covered with geese. Of course, when I moved in close for a picture, they paddled toward the other shore, but it was still an impressive site.

As for the winter storm watch/warning, it's been downgraded to a winter storm warning. The radar map predicts some snow for Batavia around 2 p.m. and a bit heavier band of snow hitting around 5:30 p.m.

The warning is in effect until 6 p.m.

Sponsored Post: Breakfast with Santa at Scooter's in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Join in the fun of Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus this Saturday at Scooter's of Batavia. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be waiting by the fireplace from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Get one child's meal FREE with each adult food purchase ordered off the menu. Plenty of seating. No reservations necessary.

Enjoy a great meal and the thrill the kids get when they see Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Scooter's of Batavia, 3711 W. Main St. Road. Phone is 343-2101.

Law and Order: Basom couple both charged with DWI, 'Leandra's Law' felony

By Howard B. Owens

Leiland B. Jonathan, 42, and Larue F. Jonathan, 36, both of Basom, are both charged with both charged with DWI and three counts of driving drunk with children under 15 in the car. Leiland's DWI charge is a felony because of a prior DWI conviction. The couple was involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 11:39 p.m., Thursday, in the Town of Clarance, according to the Buffalo News. Following the accidents, witnesses reportedly told police they saw the driver and passenger switch places. Larue was also charged with charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

Joseph Leonard Elmert, 24, of Dugway Road, Conesus, and Joseph Bly Gohlman, 20, of Maple Beach Road, Geneseo, are charged with criminal trespass. Following an investigation into a report of a suspicious vehicle complaint in Darien at 7:39 p.m., Thursday, Elmert and Gohlman were allegedly found in a secured area of Darien Lake Theme Park without permission. The two men allegedly climbed a fence to gain entry.

Kevin Michael Bartz, 35, of Route 98, Varysburg, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and trespass. Bartz allegedly became involved in an altercation with another person while on private property. The incident was reported in Corfu at 10:50 p.m., Dec. 4.

Jared R. Burns, 25, of 309 Washington Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Burns is accused of pushing another person while that person was holding a child.

Tompkins in running to raise money for local United Way

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

David Cecere, executive vice president for Tompkins Insurance Agencies, has been selected by Safeco Insurance as one of its 12 “community heroes” from across the country. Based on applications submitted by Safeco agents, Cecere’s selection to this group of heroes has earned his favorite local charity, the United Way of Genesee County, a $5,000 charitable donation from Safeco.

But that’s not all. … and you can help! In a nationwide contest to determine which local hero can get the most votes, two of these 12 will win even more for the charity of their choice. When the voting is over on Dec. 15, the hero with the most votes will receive an additional $10,000 from Safeco Insurance for the nonprofit he or she supports! The charity supported by the runner-up gets $5,000.

Anyone can vote for Cecere as our own local community hero, and support the efforts of the United Way of Genesee County. To read more and cast your vote, go to:
http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/175622  before the Dec. 15 deadline. You can vote once each day.

Why vote? One of the strengths of the United Way is that it assists a wide range of people and groups in local communities. Cecere feels strongly about that the breadth of services the United Way can provide. As an extremely active board member for the United Way of Genesee County (affiliated with the United Way of Greater Rochester) in New York, he’s seen first-hand the benefits such a strong safety net can provide to society.

The list of ways the United gives back to the community is too long to list here, but includes youth advocacy, literacy efforts, support for neglected, abused, disabled, pregnant and addicted individuals. (Read the full story on the voting link.)

Over the years, he has served as the United Way Campaign chair, the board chair, and the New Accounts chair and treasurer — an impressive range of roles for a charity that provides such an impressive range of support.

Help our local hero do more by voting today!

Tompkins Insurance Agencies, Inc., has 15 offices in Western New York and six offices in Central New York. A part of Tompkins Financial Corp., (trading as TMP on the AMEX), the agency is affiliated with The Bank of Castile, Tompkins Trust Company, and Tompkins Financial Advisors. It is an independent insurance agency offering coverage through more than 25 different companies for businesses and consumers. Further information is available at www.tompkinsins.com.

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