Submitted photos and press release:

The BCSD Foundation lnc.'s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recent recipients of the BCSD Foundation Apple Award.

The BCSD Foundation Apple Award is given by a member of the school and/or local community to a Batavia City School District employee or volunteer. In the opinion of those giving the honor of this distinction, the awardee has gone above and beyond in their role and is being recognized by one or more people for these accomplishments.

Two people received a Foundation Apple Award during the month of April.

Julie Wasilewski, above left, is a counselor at Jackson Primary School. Wasilewski was recognized anonymously as someone who goes above and beyond with everything she does. It is evident that the students in our District are her first priority, and therefore she goes to any length to assure that all their needs are met. She is a strong advocate for our students and staff.

Thankfully, through the breadth of her experiences, she is able to provide support to the families in our community in which she serves. Wasilewski can always be counted on to volunteer or participate at all events at Jackson Primary, as well as throughout the school community; and does so with the most welcoming smile.  Her joyful personality is second to none, and something that contributes to her approachability.

The BCSD is fortunate to have such a dedicated, caring and genuinely good-hearted individual working within its organization, as she continues to have a positive effect on so many lives.

Julia Rogers, above left, is the coordinator of Assessment and Instructional Services for Batavia City School District. Rogers was given this Foundation Apple from the BCSD Foundation Board of Directors. Rogers spent countless hours to ensure the successful establishment and development of this Foundation.

She has served as a leader in all areas of the Foundation since its inception and the members of the Foundation could not be more grateful.

As an administrator here in this district, Rogers has always gone above and beyond the call of duty. It is well known that Rogers gets things done effectively and always with a love for our District in the back of her mind. Behind many of the functions that take place is guidance and assistance from Rogers.

Behind her actions is always the best for BCSD. She exemplifies what it means to "Take Care of BCSD."

Nominations for a Foundation Apple Award

Local artist, Mark Jensen, will be making each individual resin apple -- none will be exactly the same. If you are interested in giving a Foundation Apple Award, please submit your nomination form and $75 (payable to the BCSD Foundation Inc., 260 State St., Batavia NY 14020, att: Allison Chua). Nomination forms may be found on our webpage (at www.bataviacsd.org under Quick Links).

Community members with questions are asked to email us at foundation@bataviacsd.org

BERGEN – The Village of Bergen has received its second award for restoring and repurposing a historic building in the village.

Mayor Anna Marie Barclay has announced they have been notified that the New York State Conference of Mayors has selected Bergen as winner of NYCOM’s Local Government Achievement Award for 2019. The awards program, in its 32^ndyear, recognized the village for its Sage Pavilion. 

The Sage Pavilion in January also earned Bergen the honor of being named the American Public Works Western New York Project of the Year.

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, president of NYCOM, said in a press release, “The Village of Bergen is to be commended for its desire to improve the village through innovation and efficiency.

"The Sage Pavilion Project will benefit Bergen for years to come and is just one example of how local officials continue to work diligently to enhance their communities and the quality of life for their residents. Congratulations to Mayor Anna Marie Barclay on this important accomplishment.”

 The Sage Pavilion was formerly an old, deteriorating water pump building, which the village rehabilitated into an all-season pavilion, which has now become the hub of the community, the mayor said.

In its first year after restoration, 65 events were hosted at Sage Pavilion, providing a versatile gathering space at a fraction of what it would have cost the village to build new.

Other winners of NYCOM’s Local Government Achievement Award for 2019 were the villages of Ellicottville and Rockville Centre and the cities of Corning, Poughkeepsie and Syracuse. 

The awards were presented May 5 at NYCOM’s annual meeting in Cooperstown. NYCOM represents 573 cities and villages in New York State.

Press release:

Genesee County will hold a Public Information Session regarding the Jail Construction Project at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at the Old County Courthouse Chambers, 7 Main St., Batavia.

The session will last until approximately 8 p.m. and the public is encouraged to drop by at any time to chat with County and SMRT representatives.

The purpose of the informational session is to allow for citizen questions and inquiries early on in the jail design process, and to provide County justification and rationale for the steps taken to date and planned into the future.

We welcome any and all citizen views regarding any aspect of the project’s scope, purpose and implementation.

The County will provide project information including, but not limited to project timeline, bed need analysis, and possible jail site. County staff along with SMRT, the County’s Architect and Engineer consultants will be on hand to answer questions and receive feedback.

The County has also created a page on its website dedicated to the jail project that we encourage citizens to check on over time for updates on the progress of the Jail Construction Project.

Terry Ross, from the Genesee County maintenance department, works on a new lighting system at the base of the Upton Monument.

The LED system was donated by Batavia-based Lighting Design Innovations, which two years ago donated a new color-changing light system for the Old Courthouse cupola.

The new lights are on a 14-volt system and draw only 20 watts. They are replacing four 400-watt lights.  

Ross said lights are being installed to light the plaques of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and another light, which is what he's working on in the picture, will illuminate the statue of Gen. Emory Upton. Ross said the DOT has given permission for the county to install an LED light at the top of the stoplight poll next to the monument that will illuminate the eagle at the top, but first the county must figure out how to run the power up to the light on the outside of the pole.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is 100 years old this year. It was dedicated in August 1919.

Thursday evening GO ART!, located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia, the Livingston Arts Council is hosting a bartender challenge. 

Come see Deborah Bump and Gregory Hallock at GO ART!'s Tavern 2.o.1 from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 9.

Admission to the bar and galleries are free to all. If you would like to have a beer, some wine or mead, Gregory or Deborah will be more than happy to serve you and compete for your tips (donations).

Support them as they compete to be the ultimate celebrity bartender (fundraiser). All donations go toward GO ART!’s many programs offered to the public and cheating is ENCOURAGED here! Who will reign as the victor director in this intense battle?

Tell all your coworkers, friends and family to come and help support ART and CULTURE within our region.

A little over a week ago, Maceo Harrison, a professional dancer, conducted a workshop at Law Dance Studio. I was asked to cover his appearance and intended to do just that but got the time wrong, so the studio sent me some video of the workshop and I got busy and didn't get it posted.

But since I said I would post it, I wanted to follow through.

Law Dance Studio opened on 218 W. Main St., Batavia, in 2018. The studio is the business of Lisa Blaun, originally from Elba. She majored in Dance at Valencia College in Florida and has worked professionally as a dancer, choreographer and director of competition, in Florida, Alaska and Georgia, and she is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor.

Voters in the Batavia City School District will be asked on May 21 to approve a budget of $50,518,573, with a projected increase in the tax levy of 2.93 percent.

The Board of Trustees approved the proposed budget Tuesday night, following a public hearing, sending it to the voters for final approval before the 2019-2020 school year.

Spending in the district will drop 3.20 percent, or more than to $1.6 year-over-year if voters approve the budget.

The proposed tax rate is $22.06 for 2019-2020, up from $21.67 this year.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Robert Morris building and Batavia High School.

As part of the public hearing, Superintendent Chris Dailey, in his final budget hearing with the district (he's taken a job with the Gates Chili Central School District) shared a good deal of detail about the district.

This year, there are 2,377 students enrolled, and though the district provides free breakfast and lunch to all students, under government guidelines for free and reduced-price lunches, 59 percent of the district students qualify.

The attendance rate is 95 percent. Dailey said that is the highest in the area.

"It doesn't hurt that students know they are getting two free meals a day," Dailey said. "They know they're going to eat at least twice." 

There are 259.4 teachers in the district, 122 teachers aides and clerical employees, 39 maintenance staff, four assistant principals, four principals, five people in IT, 24 in nutritional services, and seven in the central office.

The BHS graduation rate is 92 percent. That is, again, one of the highest in the area, Dailey said.

In the coming year, the district will add a Batavia police officer as a school resource officer.

Some of the programs in the district that are not mandated by the state but that Dailey said the community demands:

• Kindergarten
• K-12 art classes
• K-5 music
• Instrumental lessons starting in the third grade
• School plays and musicals
• AP and college credit courses
• Athletics
• Extracurricular clubs
• A college and career center
• Small class sizes
• Teachers' aides

Pudgie’s Lawn & Garden Center is kicking off it's 20th year in business and we are offering delivery for Mother’s Day week. Follow the link to order something special for mom and receive a FREE Mother’s Day card & bow. Delivery charges apply. Click here for more information.
Pudgie’s would also like to announce we are now booking kid’s birthday parties beginning in June and continuing year-round! Click here to find out more info.  Pudgie’s Lawn & Garden Center is located on 3646 W. Main St. in Batavia.

Neither Billie nor I know our birds very well. We spotted this red-breasted bird in our backyard and are curious about what kind of bird it is.

UPDATE: It's a rose-breasted grosbeak. Fellow Southsider Jason Smith sent over a video of one in his backyard.

Above, GCC students channel "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" while posing in costume in a special scene called "Camp" during last weekend's Fashion Show.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Forum Players Theatre Company at Genesee Community College just announced their first and biggest show of the 2019-2020 season.

"It's just a jump to left, and then a step to the ri-i-right…Let's do the time warp again!" This is one of many songs that will be emblazed upon your brain after seeing Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," coming to GCC, courtesy of Samuel French Inc., Oct. 17 - 20.

Tickets for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will go on sale this summer.

This performance will take full advantage of all the high-tech sound and lighting equipment at the state-of-the-art Stuart Steiner Theatre. In addition, the full scene and costume shops will offer dynamic sets, clothing and the outlandish regalia that Rocky Horror fans look for.

The talented and enthusiastic theatre department is already busily preparing for this performance, which will set the tone for a new season of great theater, as well as a few Halloween celebrations, in late October.

"With a piece as dramatic and fun as the 'Rocky Horror Show', our students will combine their vocal talents, acting and dancing skills and technical skills, along with their innate theatrical enthusiasm, to bring the eccentric Rocky Horror characters to life," said Brodie McPherson, director of the show and also GCC's instructor of theater technology.

"Some crew members are already hard at work planning the special effects required for this production. Without giving away any of their surprises, this promises to be an interactive, exciting, fun performance that will be truly engaging for everyone. Save the date, indeed."

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will feature members of the community, GCC students of all majors, alumni, faculty, and staff, both on stage (as you've never seen them before!) and behind the curtain.

GCC's Fashion Program students alluded to the production including a special scene in the 38th annual Fashion Show last weekend called "Camp," (above photo) which was coordinated by theater student Alannah Gross and styled by Theater Arts and Theater Technology students. The scene featured adjunct dance instructor Tara Pocock and student models representing some of the iconic characters in full makeup and costume.

At Tuesday's school board meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Batavia City School District honored three students with certificates of appreciation for being good students and good classmates.

Top photo: Dominic Darch and Board President Pat Burk.

Amelia Tripp

Sophia Lawrence

The forecast for Saturday currently looks like good baseball weather, which is a good thing, because the Rotary Club of Batavia will host its annual baseball tournament at Dwyer Stadium.

The first game, Le Roy vs. Notre Dame, starts at 10 a.m., followed by Oakfield-Alabama at 1 p.m.

The championship game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Press release:

Fresenius Kidney Care, the dialysis division of Fresenius Medical Care North America and the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, invites the community to attend an Open House celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at its new Batavia clinic.

It is located in a newly constructed 8,000-square-foot state-of-the-art building at 4185 Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia.

The clinic, which can treat a maximum of 102 patients a week, enables Fresenius Kidney Care’s local team of expert medical professionals to better serve the Genesee County area’s growing dialysis community. In New York, nearly 30,000 patients require dialysis treatment.

At the Open House, local experienced medical professionals available to discuss patient services and the latest dialysis treatment options, including:

• In-center dialysis – provides the reassurance of staff-assisted treatment and labs all in one place;
• At-home dialysis -- offers greater independence, convenience and health benefits to patients who would otherwise spend up to 12 hours a week in a center receiving the life-sustaining care;
• How the center’s care team meets patients’ physical and emotional needs by individualizing their care;
• How Fresenius Kidney Care Batavia strives to empower people to thrive on and live the healthiest, fullest way possible – with kidney disease treatments that fit in with life, not the other way around;
• How FreseniusRx renal-trained pharmacists can help dialysis patients manage their medications.

Tour the clinic and meet the treatment team and see the treatment rooms. Learn about other services offered at the center, such as hemodialysis travel services, and ongoing educational programs.

Light refreshments available.

About Fresenius Kidney Care

Fresenius Kidney Care, a division of Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), provides dialysis treatment and support services to more than 190,000 people with kidney disease every year whether in their own homes or at more than 2,400 facilities nationwide. Fresenius Kidney Care’s dedicated teams help address the physical and emotional aspects of kidney disease through personalized care, education and lifestyle support services. For more information about Fresenius Kidney Care, visit www.FreseniusKidneyCare.com.

About Kidney Disease and Dialysis

One in seven adults will develop chronic kidney disease, with many not detecting the condition until they have lost more than 90 percent of their kidney function. More than 660,000 Americans live with end stage renal disease, or kidney failure, which requires either a transplant or dialysis to remove waste from the blood, maintain safe levels of potassium and sodium and control blood pressure. Currently, 468,000 people in the United States depend on dialysis as a life sustaining treatment. The leading causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes.

Richard L. Bailey, 63, (inset photo right) of Thorpe Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree menacing; fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Bailey was arrested after he allegedly was involved in a disturbance at 7:09 p.m. on April 25 wherein he threatened a neighbor on Thorpe Street with what appeared to be a handgun. Following arraignment in Batavia City Court the next morning, he was jailed without bail. He was due in city court again on April 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

William G. Schultz, 45, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief -- intentional damage of property, and second-degree criminal trespass -- entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling. He was arrested on May 1 after an investigation into an incident that occurred at 2 p.m. on April 21 at Bill's Auto on Evans Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in city court and jailed on $2,500 cash bail or bond. Then at the jail while being processed he was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was subsequently charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; and introduction of contraband into prison in the second degree. He was due back in city court on May 7. The cases were handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

April M. Palmer, 33, Lake St., Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 4:20 p.m. on April 14 following a shoplifting complaint at the Dollar General on East Main Street in Batavia. She was issued an appearacne ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on May 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Ashley B. Farrell, 33, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large and unlicensed dog. She was arrested at 3:08 p.m. on April 21 after her two dogs were found running at large in the city and they were unlicensed. She is due in city court on May 14 to answer the charges. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Samantha R. Jones, 34, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. She was arrested at 5:45 p.m. on May 1 on Oak Street. It is alleged that her dog ran at large without a leash onto another person's property. She was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there on May 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Anthony L. Rice, 26, of Post Avenue, Rochester, was located and arrested by New York State Police on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. The warrant was issued April 25 after he failed to appear in city court regarding traffic offenses. He was turned over to Batavia PD and processed at headquarters. He was put in GC Jail on $1,000 cash bail or bond and was due in city court May 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Robert V. Howard Jr., 66, of Lockport Ollcott Road, Lockport, was taken into custody by Batavia police on May 5 from the New York State Police, who had stopped Howard for vehicle and traffic violations in Niagara County. NYPS determined Howard had a bench warrant for his arrest out of Batavia City Court. After his arraignment in city court, he was put in GC Jail or $500 cash bail or bond. He was due in city court again on May 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Last night, I stopped by St. Anthony's with no intention of covering anything. All I had with me was my iPhone but when I walked in, dancers from Divine Dance Studio were just about to start performing and then I watched Ryan Macdonald talk about "doing what you can do to make a difference" before giving away a bike to Alex Baker, so here are two short videos.

Batavia High Schoool Girls Softball will hold a Meat Raffle from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 21st, at the Sacred Heart Social Center, located at 17 Sumner St. in the City of Batavia.

Doors open at 6, first spin is at 7 o'clock.

Bring dollar bills, and a cooler for winnings.

The venue is handicapped/wheelchair accessible.

Price of admission is $10 (21 and over), and includes food and select beverages; cash bar available. There will also be a 50/50 and basket raffles.

Tickets can be purchased from players or parents, with a tentative deadline of June 6th -- so a "guesstimate" can be made of how much meat to purchase for the raffle.

Additional tickets, if available, can be purchased up to the day before the event.

Tables of eight or more can be reserved.

Call either Lori at 585-409-0452 or Steve Ognibene at 585-409-8358 to purchase tickets, or reserve a table (for eight).

Not too many 18-year-olds run for elective office and even fewer decide to challenge their dad's bid for reelection but that's just what Samantha Ianni plans to do in the May 21 Pembroke Central School District Board of Trustees election.

Dad, Art Ianni, facing reelection for the first time after a single five-year term, is fine with it. Though he really doesn't want to lose.

"I have a lot of respect for my daughter and her decision making has always been pretty good so I'm going to stick behind her," Ianni said. "At the same token, over the five years, I've developed a lot of relationships with people on the board. So, through my experience and knowledge, I think that I can finish."

That sounds like a challenge, he's told.

"At age 55,I might know a few more people than my daughter. But again, it'll be interesting to see what she brings."

For Sam, being young is an advantage, she said. She's only a year removed from high school and will be a student herself throughout her entire term, if elected, first as an undergrad in education at the University at Buffalo and then working on her master's in education.

She also thinks that while her classmates are pretty tied up with their own studies and possibly in college out of the area, the students who were just a year or two ahead of her might be around and they might be eager to come out and support her candidacy.

Sam was the student ex-officio member of the school board a year ago and in January one of her former teachers, Alexis Langheier, suggested to Sam that she run for the seat.

"I was talking to her about how school was going and everything and she brought it up to me," Sam said. "She was like, 'I think this could be a really cool opportunity for you. You would learn a lot. I think that you also have a lot to offer the board.' "

Art was bemused when Sam first mentioned the idea to him but quickly decided it was a good thing for her and the community.

"Well, after I laughed a little bit I said, 'You know, I'm happy that one of the products of the school, any student, would want to be that involved in their community and want to come back is a wonderful thing,'" Art said. "That's what we do as a school board. That's what we try to accomplish. It's cool that it's my daughter but any 18-year old who would run against me I would be very proud of."

There is only one seat open in this election and Art and Sam aren't the only candidates. There's also Jeanna Clark. (Strassburg before her recent marriage). 

The natural question for Art is whether having Sam on the ballot might split any potential vote against him but he said he doesn't think Sam running helps him. She could bring in her own voters.

"I'd like to think that my experience on that board will push me all the way through," Art said. "Sam may bring in another 50 voters, which may not be the whole scale but it'll be close. Yeah, it'll be close. It'll be heartbreaking either way. Someone's losing whether it's myself whether it's Sam whether it's the other one obviously someone is losing. So, yeah, I'll feel bad but not for long."