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Batavia NY

Tommy DeCarlo Boston Singer with (Special Guest) Rudy Cardenas at Batavia Downs

By Steve Ognibene

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Tommy DeCarlo, lead singer of the legendary rock band Boston, played Friday evening at Batavia Downs as part of its annual summer concert series.

DeCarlo has performed on every Boston tour since 2007 playing to sold-out audiences all over the world.

This show closes with a full set of Boston classic hits from the 1970s and 80s. Touring professionals in DeCarlo's backing band include August Zadra on lead guitar/vocals (Dennis DeYoung Band), Walter Ino (Survivor/The Babys), Mike Morales on drums (Dennis DeYoung Band), Tommy DeCarlo Jr. on guitar/vocals, and Payton Velligan on bass/vocals.

The two-set show started with Rudy Cardenas of American Idol and a full set of Journey classic hits including the hits from both the Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie eras.

Cardenas has had a long relationship with Journey music starting in 2007 when he debuted on season 6 of American Idol singing "Open Arms" on national TV.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Friday night Jackson Square Concert Series with Deanna Spiotta

By Steve Ognibene

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The Friday Night Jackson Square concert season opened last night and featured on the bill was up-and-coming local artist Deanna Spiotta.

The Batavia High School graduate has been singing for most of her life.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music from Nazareth College, lived in Nashville for a couple of years, and moved back home to WNY to continue her music and songwriting career.

She released her debut EP, “The In Between” last year, produced by 1809 Studios in Macedon.

Deanna is performing solos in the Rochester area and singing with Eric Carlin’s Half-Dead, a tribute to the Grateful Dead, and also performing in an acoustic duo called, Pushin’ Time with her fiancé, Eric Carlin.

Her music and tour can be found at deannaspiotta.com

Opening up for Deanna were local artists Crimson Crossroads, Dave Knaudt and Ross Chua, two Batavia natives that just recently connected to start performing together. They can be followed on Instagram @daveknaudtmusic and @ross.chua.music

The Old Hippies and the Ghost Riders also performed Friday.

For a list of upcoming shows, click here.

To view or purchase more photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Local unite@night Walk Offers Hope to those Affected by Neurological Disorders

By Steve Ognibene

A local unite@night fundraising walk will be held tomorrow Saturday, July 29th with registration starting at 6:00 p.m and a 1 mile casual evening walk starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Kiwanis Park on West Main Street Road in Batavia.  There will be a Silent Auction and more than 100 items/baskets that will be raffled off.  

Rachel Fisher, local unite@night walk chairperson explains why she organizes this event.  “My daughter Maire, who is 5 years old, was diagnosed with a Chiari malformation and syringomyelia in 2014 and hydrocephalus in 2017.  In December 2014 Maire underwent a 6-hour brain surgery to help reduce the effects of the Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.  Surgery is not a cure and she will have annual neurosurgical appointments for the rest of her life.  Each day brings a new challenge as these conditions affect how her body responds to things like the weather, noises, light, and physical activities. 

My daughter and our family would really appreciate your support as we strive to find answers for individuals living with these disorders.  The goal is to help them live better, more pain-free days while raising awareness throughout the medical and lay communities.”

This walk is one of many around the country that will provide awareness, support, and important funding for the education and research programs of the Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation (CSF).  Chiari (kee-AR-ee) is a malformation in which the back compartment of the skull is too small, causing the lower part of the brain to hang down into the spinal canal, which prevents cerebrospinal fluid from flowing properly, causing a wide range of symptoms. Syringomyelia (sear-IN-go-my-EEL-ya) occurs when a cavity, or “syrinx”, is formed inside the spinal cord from fluid build-up. A syrinx may injure nerves, causing pain that is hard to manage medically.

Currently, the only treatment for Chiari and Syringomyelia is highly invasive and expensive surgery. There is no cure.

If you want more information or to register, visit: http://unitenight.kintera.org/Batavia  You can also contact Rachel directly at rachel.fisher1980@gmail.com or 585-300-3159.

Sponsored Post: Open House this Sunday from 12 to 2 p.m.

By Lisa Ace

Amazing tri-level home with amenities galore! 5 BD/3.5 BA, double lot, attached 2.5 car garage, deck, remodeled kitchen w/ granite, soft close, pull outs, and radiant heat under tile. Basement access from garage. Multizone heat, 2 a/c units, 2 water heaters, furnace and boiler. Whirlpool water filtration system, transferable home warranty through 2018, cedar closet, master suite, the list goes on and on. Schedule your showing today! Call Charles Flynn at 716-860-2222 or click here to view the full listing.

Photos: 2016 Labor Day 5K race

By Steve Ognibene

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Batavia Jaycees held their 30th annual 5K race this morning starting at MacArthur Park in Batavia. More than 50 people participated in the annual event. 

The winner was Eric Boyce pictured below with an unofficial time of 17:30. Kimberly Mills was the top female, who finished fourth in the field.

Top 10 finishers were:

1.  Eric Boyce

2. Zak Jantzi

3. Kevin Sheehan

4. Kimberly Mills

5. Mario Rosales

6. Jim Lane

7. John Bruggman

8. Frank Gioia

9. Thomas Ognibene

10. Paul Hackett

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To view pictures and purchase prints click here.

Sponsored Post: Super location for this solid and well maintained 4 bedroom home! Call Reliant Real Estate today!

By Lisa Ace

Super location for this solid and well maintained 4 bedroom, 2 full bath home! This is a home you must come into to see everything it has to offer - excellent layout and a space for everything, there is over 33ft. of closet space-storage galore! Also, an extra large garage! Many updates including tear off roof, windows and entry door. The home features a white Georgia marble fireplace with gas insert for cozy nights! Outside has awesome 12x16 deck overlooking peaceful park like backyard for fun summer nights! Great neighborhood and neighbors and awesome location makes this one a must visit! Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Real Estate 585-344-4663 to see this beauty or click here to view this listing.

Sponsored Post: We thank you servicemen & women!

By Lisa Ace

The YNGodess Shop would like to thank our servicemen and women, both past and present, for their service. God bless them and their families!
Pictured above, lower right, is our cousin Marci, serving in Afghanistan. The flag belongs to my stepfather, Dean, who had 1,000 jumps in the Korean War.

Sponsored Post: Crossroads House Basket Raffle is this Saturday at noon!

By Lisa Ace

The Annual Crossroads House Spring Basket Raffle will be held Saturday May, 14th at the ARC Community Center 38 Woodrow Road in Batavia. The event runs from noon to 4pm. We are already over 100 high quality baskets with more arriving. There will be Mega Raffles with a variety to suit everyone!

Additional sheets of 25 basket tickets & side MEGA raffle tickets are available for $5.

Beef on weck, chicken salad wraps, snacks and desserts will be available for purchase. You need not be present to win, so stop on out, drop your tickets and have some lunch. Crossroads House is the areas only free-of-charge Comfort Care Home for the dying, which is why we say, “We are a gift to the Community made possible by the Community."

For questions, please call Call Peg at 585-343-3892. 
All proceed to benefit Crossroads House, located at 11 Liberty St., Batavia, NY. “A comfort home for the dying” that serves residents of Genesee, Wyoming & surrounding counties.

Visit us online at www.crossroadshouse.com

Sponsored Post: Purchase tickets now for Genesee Symphony Orchestra's 'American Made'!

By Lisa Ace

Genesee Symphony Orchestra presents: "American Made Concert" on Sunday, April 17. Bryan Eckenrode, conductor. Pre-Concert Talk: 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. Concert at 4 p.m. at the Elba Central School Auditorium. It is located at 57 S. Main St. in Elba.

Featuring participants of the 2016 GSO String Workshop. An All-American lineup of works composed or transcribed by American composers, including Batavians, Gary Call Hanley and Ross Chua.

Program:
Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera | Don Gillis
Rodeo -- Aaron Copland, Saturday Night Waltz, Corral Nocturne, Hoedown
Frankie & Johnny Overture | Maurice C. Whitney
Blues in 6/8 | Milton Weinstein
West Side Story | Leonard Bernstein; Arr. by Jack Mason
A Spectacle in Flight | Ross Chua
Plight of the Common Man | Gary Call Hanley
Paul Bunyan Suite | William Bergsma
Dance of the Blue Ox, Country Dance, Night
Variations on a Theme by Handel | Maurice Whitney
Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban | John Williams; Arr. by Michael Story

For tickets, please visit: 
GO ART!, Roxy's Music Store, Batavia Senior Center, or in Le Roy at the Bank of Castile. Adults -- $15, Students -- $7, Senior -- $10, Family -- $35 (Parents and Children 12 & under).

Tickets are also available at www.geneseesymphony.com. The Genesee County Symphony is on FACEBOOK. Check out our page and “Friend” us!

This concert is made possible , in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New State Legislature.

8th Annual Silver Shoe Farm Carriage Driving Competition

By Lisa Ace

Announcing the 8th annual Silver Shoe Farm carriage driving competition on June 28th at 3336 Pratt Road Batavia. Classes will begin at 9am and continue throughout the day until 4pm. The event is free and open to the public. Come out and take a step back in time and view horse and carriage driving at its finest.

Event Date and Time
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