The City of Batavia is currently seeking nominations for the Community Volunteer of the Year.
This 2009 recognition award will be presented by City Council at the Sept.14, 2009 City Council Business Meeting.
Nomination Forms can be picked up at the City Manager’s Office or by phone at (585)345-6333. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 14.
West Jackson Corners is name-sake of the same geographical locale as it was once known – say back around the turn of the last century. West Jackson Corners village is located directly across the road from East Shelby Community Bible Church, and this Sunday, July 19th – the Annual Old Tyme Days – the population of the village will once again flourish as visitors come to get a look at life in a bygone era.
Old Tyme Days, an annual event sponsored by Community Bible Church, always draws a good crowd. And why not, given the opportunity to step back in time, to the days when hot dogs and home-made pie cost a penny? When ice cream and lemonade were home-made and so was the bread. I almost forgot to mention the home-made jam, goats-milk fudge and home-made cheese.
Not only can you eat for a penny – and eat well – there will be entertainment in the form of the West Jackson Players, the West Jackson Band of Renown and a barber shop quartet. Horse-drawn rides will be offered as well as weaving and spinning demonstrations, blacksmith and tinsmith shops and much more including old fashioned games and activities.
The family-oriented event lasts all day, beginning with an old fashioned worship service at East Shelby Community Bible Church at 10 a.m. West Jackson Corners is located seven miles southeast of Medina on the East Shelby Road.
Photos courtesy of Jim Dolan. You can see a full collection of Jim's photos at NewYorkStatePhoto.com
Now here's something you don't see on Main Street every day -- I have no idea what this protest parade is about. The guy in denim is holding a sign that says "Free ..." and I could not read the rest. I didn't get a better picture because I wasn't looking through viewfinder -- I was too busy trying to read the dang sign and figure out what this was about. I'm hoping they walk back by on the south side of Main, and if they do, I can ask what this is about. Anybody know what those two flags in the back are? (and thanks to whomever texted me to alert me, or I might not have noticed -- hope you weren't texting while you were driving!)
UPDATE: From a reader:
The one with the star on a blue field is Burma
The Star on red is the flag of the National League of Democracy--a Burmese group for peace.
There was a van parked out front for awhile that had a sign on the side that said "March for Burma, Ft. Wayne, IN to NYC"
From another reader:
I'm guessing the protest is to free Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Could be wrong -- but there's been some news about her. And the other flag - though I can't really tell what it really looks like -- looks like the ones she has pictures with.
It’s not just the advanced dancers collecting medals and trophies at the McMahon School of Irish Dance. Their Under Age 7 Three-Hand won first place at the Rochester Feis on Saturday, July 11, where more than 1000 dancers from a number of states and Canada competed. Pictured are Courtnee Yasses, Ty Heineman, and Sarah McGinnis who all attend the Batavia location of the McMahon School (GCC).
Overall at this competition, the McMahon dancers who participated received 32 medals and trophies, including 6 first place awards, and a first place by Rachel Prutsman at the Preliminary Championship level.
Other dancers that competed were Madison Ball, Maeve Cooper, Jennifer Crossen, Taylor Heineman, Courtney Kacur, Quinn Kacur, Elayna Kinney, Katelyn Knoll, Megan Knoll, Magdelyn McGinnis, Shelby McGinnis, Valerie Mostyn, Eileen Torres, and Ashlee Yasses. All dancers are instructed by World-Certified Instructor Moira McMahon. For class information please visit www.McMahonIrishDance.com
An eight-car funeral procession passed through Main Street off of Bank a few minutes ago -- smooth as silk, even with DPW crew setting up to paint the crosswalk on Bank Street (far right of picture).
Today's Deals:
Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, N.Y.: People come from all over the region for a fine dinning experience at Alex's. Alex's is best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St. The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's is a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St., Batavia, N.Y.: Need a gift? Need some sparkle? Valle's has a large selection of jewelry and gifts starting at under $25. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. The patio is open. It's also a great place to host group events. See the ad on the right side of the page for contact information. We have a $20 gift card for $10.
Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, N.Y.: Ribs, brisket, steak, prime rib -- Center Street is a meat lovers paradise. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.
Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar & Grille: Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the regions most popular entertainment venues. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, N.Y.: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Note: We're changing pick-up/mail policy. Please read.
A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10. The fee is 50 cents on items below $10.
Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before. Gift certificates cannot be combined with other offers without prior approval of the merchant. Gift certificates bought separately cannot be combined for a single purchase. By state law, gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol purchase.
How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. The winner has up to 48 hours to make arrangements to pick up the gift certificate at The Batavian office in Downtown Batavia, or, unless other arrangements are made, the gift certificate will be mailed to the address associated with the PayPal account.
Alex's Place
SOLD
Larry's Steakhouse
SOLD
Valle Jewelers
SOLD
Center Street Smoke House
SOLD
T.F. Brown's
SOLD
Batavia Downs
SOLD
Adam Miller
SOLD
Sometimes, I don't even need to leave the office to find something interesting to post. I just look out my window.
A few minutes ago, I happened to glance out and spot this group of, um, chefs?, on Main and Bank.
I have no idea what this is about.
UPDATE: Just received this from Melinda Chamberlin:
You might be wondering what was going on today in Batavia when a bunch of student chefs were seen walking across Main Street.
The Genesee County Business Education Alliance is an organization directed by Melinda Chamberlin. The organization works to foster partnerships between business and education and to prepare students for the world of work. Each summer, the BEA offers two career camps for students who will be entering 7th or 8th grade in the fall.
The 2009 Culinary Arts Camp was Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17, 8:30am-12:30pm. The camp began on Monday with a tour and a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of Tops Food Market. Tuesday through Thursday was spent learning culinary skills and cooking under the tutelage of Chef Kyle Haak, the Genesee Valley BOCES Culinary Arts Instructor. Some of the food that the students prepared included: ham and cheese frittatas, orange flavored French toast, roasted potatoes, oven fried chicken tenders, broccoli with homemade cheese sauce, brownies with a chocolate glaze, scones with strawberries and homemade whipped cream, and frozen smoothie popsicles. The students all received aprons, chef hats, cookbooks, and cookbook holders. The cookbook, There’s a Chef in My Soup: Recipes for the Kid in Everyone by Emeril Lagasse, provided the majority of the recipes. Chef Kyle Haak shared some of his personal recipes with the students. The final day of the camp was spent touring restaurants in downtown Batavia. The camp started at Jackson Street Grille/Belladessa’s where each student made their own personal pizzas. Then, they proceeded across Main Street to Sunny’s Restaurant where they all helped make the garlic butter. At Larry’s Steakhouse, the students learned about the differences in the cuts of meat offered on the menu. The students wrapped up the tour and the camp back at Jackson Street Grille/Belladessa’s where they enjoyed their pizzas.
The other career camp offered this summer is M.A.S.H. (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp. It is July 28 – 31. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30am-4:30pm, the camp will be hosted by United Memorial Medical Center. Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm, the camp will be at the New York State School for the Blind. The final day of the camp will be a half day, 8:30am-12:30pm, at the Genesee County Nursing Home. Students will receive scrubs and other medical tools. The camp is $35.
If you are interested, have questions, or would like to register a student, please contact Melinda Chamberlin at 343-7440 ext. 25 or at mchamberlin@geneseeny.com. Transportation is not provided.
Here in Batavia, we've had a bit of a problem recently with a thief or thieves breaking into unlocked cars and taking whatever isn't screwed down.
It doesn't just happen in Batavia, of course. Places like Fargo, N.D. have thieves, too.
Of course, our thieves don't leave notes telling car owners they should have locked their car.
Neary was about to leave for work Wednesday morning when he discovered a note on a B.B. King CD sitting on the console of his unlocked 1999 Cadillac Escalade in his south Fargo driveway.
“You have amazing taste in music,” the note read. “Don’t worry about your credit cards and driver’s license – I know I can’t use them … after tonight at least. Seriously though, lock your car in the future.”
Sure enough, four of Neary’s bank cards were gone along with his license, $60 in cash and a flashlight. The wallet was still inside the vehicle along with Neary’s Social Security card. A GPS unit inside another family car also was taken.
Neary had left the keys in the ignition of his SUV, his wallet in the console and the doors unlocked.
We were at Columbia Avenue tonight for our weekly cookout. I got to tell you there was alot of old fashioned fun going on! With Pastor George Williams playing his washboard to jump roping on the streets! Our Care-A-Van band is growing! Tonight we had Dave Hollenbach, Rich Campbell, Roxy Yeager, Mike and Shirley Wagner, Kara Laird, Pastor Williams, Pastor Charlie Piscitello, and Dave Scherff and son join us. We are always looking for more volunteers. Anyone good at face painting? The kids would love it!
I loved the sound of the ole washboard!
Care-A-Van band singing to their heart's content
Pastor Charlie Piscitello and seeing eye dog Wolf
LOTS OF TREASURES TO BE FOUND
Whether they were young or old, they enjoyed jumping on the street!
Our friend Rick who is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and is from out of state enjoyed the time on the streets tonight!
We are so ever grateful for the continued support of all of you in the community who help us go forth to make a difference. We will be back on Columbia Avenue this Sunday at 2:30 for Street church. Come on out and join us!
God Bless and Keep the Light On!
Robin Walters, Public Relations Director Care-A-Van Ministries
I've finally gotten my videos to upload, so here's the first of player interviews. Many more to come in the upcoming weeks...let me know who you want to hear from...Enjoy!
It's been non-stop kids since 11 a.m. at Oliver's Candies, where the Jelly Belly RV made a stop today. The RV will be at Oliver's until 3 p.m.
Audio:
Larry J. Falkowski
Batavia
Age: 88
Died: Thursday, July 9, 2009, at UMMC. He was a retired City of Batavia Policeman. He also had worked for the Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was a member of Ascension Parish. He was inducted into the Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
I will always remember Larry as the crossing guard at St. Anthony's School when I was a child; a friend of our family, and an all around good guy.
May he rest in peace.
Because people use different size cans of beans to make their dish, I am just going to give the basics. Ingredients can be measured according to the size of dish prepared.
Spread a layer of beans in a roasting pan.
Sprinkle bacon and brown sugar over the beans then drop, by tablespoon) BBQ sauce. Do not stir in the BBQ sauce.
Continue layering and end with a layer of baked beans.
Bake at 350F until beans are bubbling.
Serve hot or cold.
(you can add chopped onions and/or a chopped chili pepper if you like the extra heat.)
WBTA interviewed Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble about underage drinking enforcement at Darien Lake concerts.
It's almost as if he's been reading comments on The Batavian, addressing the suggestion by some that being under 21 and having a beer or two isn't a serious issue.
"I think underage drinking is, (but) on its surface people would say, 'it's no big deal kids having a few beers,'" said Dibble. "That's not what we're seeing on the law enforcement side. We're seeing people that are drinking underage for one thing, but drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and it's directly affecting their behavior to the point where they're getting arrested, they're getting injured and at these concerts. They get lost, they get disconnected -- there are too many opportunities to get hurt when they get drunk, especially to the extent that we're seeing." (Listen)
Also, WBTA reports that Joseph Devlin, the 37-year-old bus driver for the Kid Rock tour, was allegedly found to have a BAC of twice the legal limit. He's $10,000 bail has been paid.
Delavan's Restaurant & Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, N.Y.: Take a casual but classy atmosphere, some of the best dishes you can order anywhere and a fine choice of beers, and you've got a great place to dine. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, N.Y.: From cozy to contemporary is what you'll find at this well-stocked gift store. We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.
The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: Brighten up your home or office with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.
Jackson St. Grill and Belladessa's Pizzeria, 9 Jackson St., Batavia., N.Y.: Ever try to eat one of their giant cheeseburgers? Can you beat the champ -- Mark's record time of 7 minutes, 13 seconds. We have TWO $10 gift certificates for $5 each (two separate winners).
Picasso's Pizza, 419 W. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: A great variety of pizza, subs and salads -- and try the wings, too. We have three $5 booklets of $1 gift certificates ($15 value) for $7.50. The gift certificates can be used collectively or individually).
Note: We're changing pick-up/mail policy. Please read.
A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10. The fee is 50 cents on items below $10.
Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before. Gift certificates cannot be combined with other offers without prior approval of the merchant. Gift certificates bought separately cannot be combined for a single purchase. By state law, gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol purchase.
How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. The winner has up to 48 hours to make arrangements to pick up the gift certificate at The Batavian office in Downtown Batavia, or, unless other arrangements are made, the gift certificate will be mailed to the address associated with the PayPal account.
Delavan's
SOLD
The Enchanted Florist
South Main
SOLD
Jackson St.
SOLD
Picasso's
SOLD
My press pass is more valuable than I thought. Until last night, I didn't realize it could also act as a "get out of jail free" card.
This, I learned from Peter H. Scrooby, who admitted last night he isn't paid for his internet writing, but he did think his credentials -- which, unfortunately, he wasn't carrying -- entitled him to avoid a night in jail on a disorderly conduct charge.
Scrooby, who said he went to the Kid Rock concert to cover it for Los Angeles-based American Chronicle, carried no ID whatsoever (his girlfriend had his wallet, he said), which presented a puzzle for Darien Town Court Justice Gary Graber.
How could Graber release a defendant on his own recognizance who couldn't even prove his identity?
As Graber and Scrooby bantered about Scrooby's suitability for a no-bail release, I checked out American Chronicle on my laptop. Sure enough, Scrooby is listed as an author (picture borrowed from Scrooby's profile page). So are 5,000 other people.
Apparently, to become a corespondent for American Chronicle, all you need to do is create an account.
At least Scrooby has written some articles for the site. A couple of them even seem to be based on some original reporting.
This budding Hunter S. Thompson was one of three people I saw marched or dragged into the Darien courtroom during my two hours observing the proceedings and chatting with Graber -- when no wayward concert-goers demanded his attention.
Graber earns a living dispatching trucks out of Buffalo, but he's also spent more than 30 years on the Darien bench. A music fan himself -- he's seen such varied acts as Elvis Presley (twice -- young and older), Jeff Beck and the Beach Boys -- he said the Darien Lake shows keep him plenty busy during the summer.
"We're happy when the snow starts to fly," Graber said, noting the signal that the Darien concert season is over.
The backlog of cases and paperwork created over the summer won't be cleared from his desk until late February or March.
A naturally jocular and affable man with a face warmed by laugh lines and framed by graying hair, Graber seems temperamentally inclined to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. He clearly wishes no ill will toward any of the defendents who are brought before his bench, even when they try his patience.
Even so, let's not be fooled by that benevolent exterior: nobody is getting off easy.
Kenneth Koban of North Chili found that out after being brought in by Deputy Brian Thompson on a trespass charge.
Cobin, sporting a black leather vest with "Eagle Spirit" emblazoned on the back above a picture of an eagle's head, didn't understand why he was charged with trespass after he paid $100 for a ticket.
Koban allegedly refused to leave the concert venue after being ordered to do so by security officers. What precipitated him drawing the ire of Darien security wasn't discussed.
As he stood unsteadily before the justice, Koban repeatedly interrupted Graber either trying to explain his innocence, offering to display the $100 ticket in his pocket, or asking Graber if he could ask questions.
"I'm asking the questions," Graber said.
"I've got a couple of things to say," Koban said.
"This isn't the time for that," Graber said. "This is an arraignment. After you talk with your attorney, then you can explain about your $100 ticket."
"I would like a public defender," said Koban, who previously said he earned more than $100,000 a year and owned 10 homes.
Graber said Koban likely wouldn't qualify for a public defender.
"You do make $100,000?"
"Yes, I make $100,000," said Koban, raising his voice.
"There's no need to get agitated."
"I didn't even do nothing," Koban said. "I'm here in handcuffs right now, but I'm not agitated. I respect you and I respect the court, for what it's worth."
Koban was remanded to Genesee County Jail on $200 bail.
While Cobin stood before Graber, another defended was escorted into the courtroom, shackled at her ankles and handcuffed. She initially raised a ruckus, crying loudly and babbling. Within minutes, Sgt. Brian Frieday got her settled and calm, so Graber could proceed with Cobin's arraignment.
While Graber left the courtroom to finish up Cobin's paperwork, Cobin acted like he knew the young woman, telling her to stop crying and shut up, and saying, "Just tell the judge your boyfriend is a piece of shit."
When the woman tried to lay down on a "Darien"-engraved wooden bench, Sgt. Frieday made her sit up.
"Don't touch me," she yelled, then adding more softly. "I'm not trying to hurt you and don't want to hurt any one, so you can't touch me."
Jamie E. Otto-Trott, a 24-year-old, high-school pool supervisor from Rochester, appeared before Graber on two counts of harassment in the 2nd degree.
Otto-Trott, who made repeated requests of both Sgt. Frieday and the justice to have strands of her long, black hair swept from her face, allegedly pushed a Darien security guard and then allegedly kicked a Sheriff's deputy in the leg.
After being told about the charges by Graber, Otto-Trott said she just wanted to go home.
"My boyfriend took my car and left," she said. "I live an hour-and-half away."
Even though at one time Otto-Trott said she could afford to pay for her own attorney on her $200-a-week salary, she later said, "I don't think I can make that decision right now," so Graber said he would send her case to the Public Defender's office. He entered a not guilty plea for her and remanded her to Genesee County Jail on $300 bail.
After Graber left the room, Otto-Trott sat on a chair in the front row of the orderly, clean and well-lit courtroom and started asking Sgt. Parker questions, trying to find out his age. She thought he looked pretty young for 37.
With the age question settled, her mood changed again. The young lady, who minutes earlier told Graber she is returning to SUNY Brockport this fall to finish her degree in psychology after taking time off because her mother died last year, started sobbing again.
"I don't really like Kid Rock," she told Frieday, "but my boyfriend loves Kid Rock and wanted to go to this concert, and then I had to leave the concert. I just ruined the whole thing. We never go out. I just ruined the whole evening. Now he will want to break up with me."
Parker told her that he heard on the police radio earlier that her boyfriend was waiting for her at Genesee County Jail.
It was a tough case. While Graber can't discuss specific defendents, after Otto-Trott was escorted away, he looked out on the empty chamber with low-cast eyes, his face betraying an obvious compassion for the young lady.
As we talked about the kind of cases he's seen over the years, he said he has faced many tough decisions.
"These are never easy decisions," he said. "If you want a job with easy decisions, you shouldn't do this, you shouldn't be here. You have to take each case one at a time."
For all his his tender exterior, Graber seems completely immune to excuses.
None of last night's defendants were able to convince Graber that they deserved special treatment, either because the arrest was seemingly unfair, or because not everything was right with their lives.
Even our intrepid, aspiring gonzo journalist, Peter H. Scrooby couldn't justify avoiding a night in lock up. He was sent off to the pokey on $200 bail and ordered to reappear in two weeks.
Hopefully, he'll at least get a good story out of the experience.
AFTER MATTER:
Mr. Scrooby sends along the following note:
Hi Howard,
Just a couple things I would like you to clarify in your article if you could sir. It was not my girlfriend that had my ID it was a friend of my mom's that attended the event with me. I also would like to note that yes anyone can become an author and sign up for free at American Chronicle, but the articles have to be approved and can be denied by the editors. I do not want it to sound as anyone can submit anything that they would like and have it published. Well take care and thanks, I enjoyed your article and have bookmarked your site as I also enjoyed your writing style. I take the Hunter S. Thompson comment as a compliment and only hope that one day I could reach such great journalistic standards as the late Hunter S. Thompson achieved.
Regards,
Peter H. Scrooby
American Chronicle
UPDATE: In my desire to be as non-intrusive as possible with the lawmen, I relied on what I thought I was hearing in court for names. Yesterday morning I tried to confirm the names with Chief Dibble, but he had already left on vacation. Late yesterday, I spoke with the Darien Court clerk, who helped clarify the names, and the story has been changed accordingly. Sgt. Brian Frieday was with Otto-Trott. Deputy Brian Thompson was with Cobin, and though not mentioned in the story, Deputy Chris Parker was with Scrooby. Now, I hope that's all correct.
Reader Bruce Ross submitted this photo from earlier today of an accident on Route 77 in Alabama. We don't have the accident report from the Sheriff's Office yet.
He sent this message with the photo:
There was another two car MVA that occurred about 30 minutes ago at route 77 and Ledge Rd Alabama Fire Dept responded for a report of one minor injury. The accident was called in by the Indian Falls Fire Dept Assistant Chief. One car was about 3 feet from hitting the house on the NE corner of that intersection.
For the 8th time this month, the Muckdogs (12-14) couldn’t muster enough and lost by just one run, this time by a score of 5-4 to Hudson Valley (14-11).
Batavia was down 2-0 after the Renegades scored a run in both the 1st and 4th innings. The Muckdogs looked to come back with three runs of their own after 6th and 7th innings.
The lone run in the 6th came on a high fly ball to left field that resulted in Ryde Rodriguez’s second homerun of the season. In the next inning, bases were loaded after a Ryan Jackson single, D’Marcus Ingram reached on an error and Luis De La Cruz laid down a bunt single. Rodriguez then came up with the big bat again as he doubled to score two.
But history seems to repeat itself, as the Muckdogs couldn’t hold on to their late lead. Hudson Valley battled back to score three runs of their own in the bottom of the 8th to take the lead back again, 5-3.
Batavia came close to a comeback. In the 9th, De La Cruz reached on a force out. Alan Ahmady followed with a single that allowed De La Cruz to move to third while Ahmady himself moved to second on the throw. In the next at-bat, Xavier Scruggs hit a base hit to plate De La Cruz and Ahmady was thrown out at home trying to be the tying run. And that would be the ball game as Rodriguez struck out swinging during the next at-bat to record the final out.
Tyler Lavigne and Josh Squatrito both pitched two innings with one run and three hits each. Lavigne struck out three while Squatrito walked one and struck out one. Deryk Hooker (1-2, 3.48) picked up the loss in his three and two-thirds innings, letting up three runs on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. Santo Maertz faced the last two batters, giving up two hits but getting out of the jam when Rodriguez threw out a runner at home to end the inning.
Rodriguez and Ahmady both finished 3-for-5, Rodriguez with two doubles, a homerun and three RBI. D’Marcus Ingram had his second mutli-hit day in a row, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.
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