John Kennedy Intermediate School's annual Community Night is a tradition older than the school's current name (the "Intermediate" part was added after the recent school district consolidation), and the JK parent group has spearheaded it successfully for the past eight years.

Pictured are members Jesse Boardman (vice president), Jill Halpin (treasurer) and Jen Houseknecht (president).

Community Night, which was held last evening at the 166 Vine St. school, offers a chance for the students, families and community organizations to connect. There were 20 organizations involved this year, including two new ones:

MARCHESE COMPUTER PRODUCTS Paul Marchese served popcorn while advertising his 220 Ellicott St. business.

PIONEER REPTILES Crystal Poyfair and her sons, Seth (left) and Liam, attracted huge crowds with their scaly critters.

And of course, there were familiar faces as well:

Mike Morris and Jerry Yoder proudly represented the Batavia Fire Department.

More after the jump (click the headline):

Representing area Boy Scouts were, from left, John Riley (cubmaster, Pack 2), Domenic Brown (first class, Troop 69), Bill Brown (assistant cubmaster, Pack 69) and Laurinda Liszewski (treasurer, Pack 112).

On behalf of the Kiwanis Club, Pat Corona, Anita Strollo and Dave Chua.

Patti Arroyo, Zoey Arroyo and Erica Hickey, Center Stage Dance Company.

Kevin Keenan, Smoke Free Now (a GCASA program).

Tasia Boland and Jessica Tomidy, Habitat for Humanity.

Plentiful games and activities for kids abounded, as always.

Ashlyn Best happily bounced around on a green ball, like many other children.

Second-degree black belts Dominic Gabriel and Josh Coburn, of Cain's Taekwondo Academy, held boards in place while eager spectators punched:

Kids ran a short obstacle course, courtesy of United Memorial Medical Center Summit Physical and Occupational Therapy Center.

Nevaeh, a third-grader at JK, had a good time at the face-painting station.

And there was some hula hoop action going on, too.

Like every year, student and staff volunteers helped the event run smoothly. Third-graders Ella Houseknecht and Olivia Halpin manned the student activities station.

Meanwhile, Kennedy Kolb took charge of the "Kissing Booth."

Owen, a third-grader, was one of the spectators who came to the Kissing Booth for a hand painting and a "kiss."

Here, he shows off his kiss:

Staff volunteers included:

Greg Ciszak, one of the school counselors.

Fourth-grade teacher Linda Restivo, pictured with former student Maya Reinhart.

Paula Mosman (reading teacher) and Mrs. Drachenberg (teacher aide).

John Kennedy Intermediate School serves students in grades two through four. It now includes former Jackson and Robert Morris kids and families.

The school had to plan to accommodate more people this year, but according to Principal Paul Kesler, it all went very well.

"We had an awesome group of parents," he said. "We had over 30 parents show up to our parent group meeting, and over half of them were new parents. They all said, 'Whatever we can do to help, let us know.' "

He sees this as a continuation of the JK community's collegial spirit.

"We went from JK the way it was (before the consolidation) to JK the way it is," he said, adding that parents, staff and students, old and new, are coming together to make "JK the way it is" the best it can be.

Supplemental photos: Double rainbow

On my way out, I couldn't help snapping some photos of the rainbow that was capturing everyone's attention:

Press release:

New York State Department of Transportation is undertaking a preventative maintenance project next week to resurface portions of Route 5 and Route 77 in Pembroke, Genesee County.

The project limits on Route 77 are from the New York State Thruway to a half mile south of Route 5, and on Route 5 from the Erie County line to just east of Route 77.

Pending favorable weather conditions, the road work will begin Monday, Sept. 17 and is expected to take about five days to complete. Crews will work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone, one direction at a time. Motorists are advised to allow extra time to safely proceed through the highway work zone.

For real-time travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org

We received this statement from Jerry Foster regarding Don Carroll's health:

Donald R. Carroll of Batavia is currently in Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester recuperating from abdominal surgery for cancer of his esophagus and stomach. The surgery that took place on Sept. 12th was cancelled once his surgical team determined his cancer had spread to the point where surgery would not be beneficial.

Don is well known in Western New York for his charity work, which has raised thousands of dollars for many young residents of Genesee County over the last 30 plus years. Just three weeks ago Don ran a 5K Run/Fun Walk as part of Summer in the City to raise money for his annual Toys for Kids program.

Don has received numerous awards for his work in the community and in 2009 was inducted into the Oakfield-Alabama Alumni Hall of Fame.

Two weeks ago a fund raiser organized by several Batavia business people was held to assist Don with his medical bills and living expenses.  Donations may still be dropped off at T-Shirts Etc., Main Office of Birchwood Village, or mailed to Jerry Foster, 20 River St., Batavia, NY 14020. Checks should be made out to Donald R. Carroll.

Readers may follow Don’s progress by visiting: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/donaldrcarroll/journal

Don isn’t going to let this setback keep him down. He has a very positive attitude and is determine to beat his cancer which was first diagnosed this past April.

Better late than never, as they say -- today, we return with the weekly Fantasy Football Challenge, this year sponsored by T.F. Brown's. This week's question: Which QB will have the most passing yards? The prize, a $25 gift card from T.F. Brown's. Click here to register and enter.

The sound of three gunshots was heard off Howard Street in the city. Police are checking the grounds of Graham Manufacturing to see what's going on. The location is off Harvester Avenue and the cemetery.

Attention citizens! Police are on the scout for a large blue garbage truck with a heavy drill press in the back of it. The drill press was allegedly stolen about 20 minutes ago from 35 Jackson St. in the City of Batavia. According to the caller, the truck pulled up, winched up the drill press, put it on the big blue garbage truck and left. The caller then contacted the landlord and was told no permission was given to anyone to remove the equipment. So, the dispatcher said, "If you see a blue garbage truck, look for a drill press in the back." Then call the cops. The Thruway Authority is being notified to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: No direction of travel was given and no information about whether there are any graphics -- lettering -- on the truck. There were a lot of blue garbage trucks making their rounds in the city today. The disposal service in Orleans County uses blue trucks, too, and if this vehicle was stolen from that company, an officer says dispatch should expect to be getting a call from them.

UPDATE 10:59 a.m.: The truck with the heavy drill press in back has been located. It's a PSI garbage truck, which will be returning to 35 Jackson St. to put back the drill press. The driver told authorities "he thought the item was trash because it was sitting next to the Dumpster." (Well, it's still bulk item pickup time in the city -- at least until Oct. 1.) Police are going to meet the driver on Jackson Street.

A Batavia resident accused of dealing drugs after police found 44 glassine bags of crack cocaine in his car and then later got into a fight in jail, will serve up to seven years in prison.

Milton H. Simmons III, 29, of 75 Franklin St., Batavia, was sentenced in Genesee County Court on Thursday.

Simmons was originally arrested in April when police responded to the parking lot of a West Main Street business for a report of a fight involving a knife. A subsequent search of Simmons' uncovered the crack cocaine.

As police transported Simmons from the courthouse to the jail, Simmons allegedly tried to escape and had to be restrained with the assistance of deputies at the court facility.

In July, Simmons punched another Genesee County Jail inmate in the face causing the inmate's denture plate to break.

The sentence handed down Thursday covers the multiple charges against Simmons, which included criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, attempted escape and assault.

Judge Robert C. Noonan sentenced Simmons to three years in prison on one charge, and two to four years on another charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

Antonio Lester James, 21, of Avenue A, Rochester, is charged with grand larceny. James is accused of placing more than $2,400 worth of printer ink and electronic merchandise in a plastic tote while in Walmart and then running from the store. James was subsequently charged with promoting prison contraband, 2nd. While being processed into the Genesee County Jail, James was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Matthew Thomas Allen Banks-Jubert, 18, no residence, was arrested on a warrant for alleged violation of probation. Banks-Jubert was interviewed by the Buffalo PD on an unrelated matter and arrested on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court for alleged violation of probation. Banks-Jubert was jailed on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.

Samantha L. Johnson, 25, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Johnson is accused of stealing more than $100 in merchandise from Kmart.

Todd Michael Sirianni, 43, of North Fraley Street, Kane, Pa., was arrested as a fugitive from justice from McKean County, Pa. Sirianni was being held in the Genesee County Jail and with his local case completed, he was arraigned on an alleged violation of probation charge out of McKean County in Town of Batavia Court and held pending extradition.

Joanne Jefferson, 53, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged violation of probation. Jefferson was arrested in the Village of Le Roy, arraigned in county court and released.

Chad Zambito picked 197 votes in the Town of Batavia GOP primary for a seat on the town board, beating John Gerace, who had 89 votes.

This small cluster of cedar waxwings was part of a larger flock that recently descended on a nearby meadow. Whether they came to feast on wild grapes or poke berries, I couldn't say, but they were present in large numbers. And that is how they travel, arriving by the hundreds to feast on ripe berries. 

A closeup of the above photo reveals one of the birds preening below its left wing.

A lone waxwing on one of the uppermost branches of the tree.

And as suddenly as the cedar waxwings appear, they will leave the same way, quickly vacating an area once they've exhausted the food supply. The speciman above momentarily enjoys the sun...

before deciding to preen its feathers.

One late summer/early autumn many years ago, I was paddling on the Tonawanda when I witnessed firsthand the massive flock movements of foraging cedar waxwings. I was a quarter mile upstream from our home in an area where ancient black willows line both banks, their uppermost branches forming a canopy over the creek. Wild grape vines had scaled many of those trees, making their way into the branches high above the water.

On that quiet and sunny day I remember hearing a rustling noise, much like a snake makes as it crawls through dry leaves. Anyway, looking around and not seeing anything, I finally looked up. There must have been dozens, if not hundreds of cedar waxwings gorging themselves on the wild grapes. I found it to be quite an outdoor moment and obviously I've not forgotten it...I doubt I ever will.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for qualified candidates to fill open police officer positions. An open competitive examination is being offered by the Genesee County Human Resources Department on Nov. 17.

Benefits include: Salary- $37,391 to $55,736 per year (2012), Paid Time Off, Health Insurance and NYS Retirement.

Qualifications:

-       Candidates must be legal residents of Genesee County or of a county contiguous to Genesee County for at least two months immediately preceding the date of examination and continue their residency through the period leading to their initial appointment.

-       Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education.

-       At least 19 years of age on or before 11/17/12 but not over 34 years of age unless certain military provisions apply.

-       Ability to pass an appropriate medical and physical agility examination as set forth by the Municipal Police Training Council.

-       Valid NY State driver’s license.

-       U.S. Citizen

Conviction of felony will bar appointment, and conviction of a misdemeanor or other offense may bar examination and appointment

For further information, interested candidates should contact the Genesee County Human Resources Department at (585) 344-2550, ext. 2220, or go to http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/humanresources/policeofficerexam.html

Applications and fees must be turned in to the Genesee County Human Resources Department located in County Building 1, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020, before Oct. 10.

NY Times: Japan Aims to Abandon Nuclear Power by 2030s

Police are responding to a complaint of children playing in the street at Grandview Terrace and Clinton Street in the City of Batavia.

Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local! Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun—all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, president, National Historic Preservation Trust

HARDCOR AUDIO: It’s becoming that time of year again, time to start thinking about a remote start for your car or truck. What a lot of people don’t know is that it will NOT void your factory warranty, as long as it is installed by a professional.  We can install starters on almost all makes and models of vehicles, including diesel trucks, and even leased vehicles. So give us a call and we can tell you all about the different features available, such as extended range, two-way confirmation on your remote, that will tell you when your car is running, and even units that will work with your smart phone! Call 585.343.1530 and make your appointment today! Visit us online: www.hardcoraudio.com

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL: St. Joseph Catholic School of Batavia has a long history with its roots dating back to 1873 when Rev. Thomas Cunningham settled on Jackson Street bringing with him six Sisters of Mercy. Our approach to education focuses on the many aspects of a students' growth. By fostering their intellectual, spiritual, physical and social development, we help children to become better students and well-rounded young men and women capable of succeeding in the future. Our strong academic successes, with consistently above-average test scores, makes us a school to be proud of. We have a great atmosphere at St. Joseph School. It is a place where Christian values are taught in an atmosphere of understanding and love. It is a place where children learn right from wrong, self-respect, respect for others, and responsibility. Above all, it is a place where they can learn about Jesus and their faith. We provide an excellent education centered around the presence of God in every subject and all of our daily activities. To find out more visit www.sjsbatavia.org or call 343-6154.

TURNBULL HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION: We are locally owned and operated with locations on 50 Franklin St., Batavia, and 59 Genesee St., Avon. We use industry-standard flat-rate pricing – there are no hidden fees. Our gas furnace tune-ups and inspections start at only $60. Call us today at 343-2005 or 226-8160 to make an appointment that works with your schedule. Take $5 off the tune-up price when scheduling online with a confirmation from our office. And go on Facebook and “Like Us” today!!! Visit us online: www.turnbullhvacr.com

A driver was cited for alleged improper left turn following an accident in Batavia at 11:47 a.m., Wednesday at the intersection of Porter Avenue and Washington Avenue that injured two people.

Iris F. Hatcher, 37, of 23 Porter Ave., Batavia, was driving a PT Cruiser west on Washington Avenue and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Porter. A Ford hatchback was on Washington Avenue and collided with the Cruiser.

Also injured was Linda M. Clemens, 51, of 11 Mix Place, Batavia.

Both Hatcher and Clemens were transported to UMMC.

(Initial Report)

The second of my previously announced, closely packed set of trips begins this morning.

I'm flying to Chicago for a gathering of local independent online news publishers. The conference is called Block by Block and it's in its third year.

The big news for our gathering in Chicago this year is the official unveiling of LION (Local Independent Online News) Publishers. I'll be on the board of directors of the newly formed nonprofit and serve as its treasurer. LION brings together a group of successful online news publications with the purpose of promoting our segment of the industry, educating publishers on business and editorial practices and providing resources for aspiring publishers.

Of course, news coverage while I'm gone will be altered, but not nonexistent. Most importantly, Billie will be here to stay on top of any breaking news. We also have the help of our official news partner, WBTA.

I should be back Saturday just in time for the Wine Walk (skipping out on the conference a little early, in fact, to catch a flight that should allow me to get into Buffalo by 3 p.m.).

As I mentioned previously, I won't be here for high school football coverage, at least not to take photographs of a game.

Games this week include: Attica at Pembroke (Friday, 7 p.m.); Avon at Le Roy (Friday 7:30 p.m.); Livonia at Batavia (Friday, 7:30 p.m. (the Blue Devils' first home game this season)); Finney at Oakfield-Alabama (Friday, 7 p.m.); Holley at Elba/BB (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (that's what the schedule says ... does that mean Elba is bringing in lights?)); Notre Dame at Alexander, (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.).

The mother of a boy who was bit by a dog two days ago is getting nervous. Nobody has come forward yet as the owner of the dog, and no Good Samaritan has helped by identifying the dog and its owner.

That leaves a week left to try and find the dog and determine whether it carries rabies.

Without the confirmation, her boy will need to go through a painful round of rabies shots.

After further discussions with the boy, more details are available on the man and his dogs.

The man is described as about 6-feet tall, older and with a potbelly. 

The dog that bit the boy is likely a mix breed. After looking through photos with her son, the mother does not believe the dog was a pit bull. It's face was more droopy and had longer ears. The dog was brown and black and brindled (stripes). The owner was walking it with a harness (rather than a collar).

The man was also walking a slightly smaller yellowish dog.

The boy encountered the dogs on Vine Street near John Kennedy School.

It's likely the owner lives within a quarter mile of the school since that's the neighborhood he was walking in. The man has not been seen in the neighborhood since.

Anybody with information that may assist in locating the dog, please call Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

The time has come for the voters of the Town of Batavia to finally put an end to the madness and focus on what counts!

I think we’ve all had enough of the irrational, mentally imbalanced rantings, and judgmental, unfounded comments …

Did you know that JOHN GERACE has been lobbying in Albany at least 3 times a year for 20 + years…For YOU & I, the taxpayers of this town??? Not as part of his job … on his own personal time, at his own cost. Fighting to keep down property taxes, recording fees, mortgage taxes, school taxes, and any other ridiculous State fees and/or taxes that get onto the Assembly floor for a vote.

Did you know that JOHN GERACE has also lobbied in Washington D.C. for all of New York State taxpayers????

Did you know that JOHN GERACE has served with dedication to the Town of Batavia for over 17 years???

·      10+ years as a Councilman*

·      5 years on the Planning Board

·      2 years on the Zoning Board of Appeals

***VOTING FOR AND FINDING WAYS TO KEEP A 0% TAX RATE IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE ENTIRE TOWN BOARD TO BE PROUD OF!!!!***

John Gerace stands for lifelong commitment to the Town of Batavia and all of Genesee County through his actions with YEARLY support of…

·      Genesee Cancer Assistance…Every fundraiser

·      Habitat For Humanity “Home in a Box” build with physical and financial participation

·      Crossroads House

·      Constant fund raising for the Republican Party at the Town, County, State, and National level

·      Volunteer work for local clothing drives and food pantries

·      The United Way Day of Caring

·      Countless Rotary Club events over the years

·      School fundraisers, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts

·      Many, many Church fundraisers…the list is endless…

JOHN GERACE’S immense contributions to the Town of Batavia happen greatly on his own time…

Not as an occasional byproduct of his day job, which he gets paid to do, but from the heart in an effort to improve our lives through making our town a better place to live, and to provide our children a financially sound community in the future so that they can one day raise their own children here.

Please get out and

VOTE FOR THE PROVEN REPUBLICAN, JOHN GERACE

The Republican primary is September 13 from Noon to 9 p.m.

~Paid for by The Friends of John Gerace.

A year or so ago when the Rathod family opened Salsa & Curry on Jackson Street, Downtown Batavia, they offered only a few Indian dishes along with a full menu of Mexican food items.

With no Indian restaurants in Genesee County, the Rathods weren't sure how the unique cuisine would be received.

It turns out, it was received very well.

After closing for a few weeks while the family traveled to India for a wedding and then did some minor remodeling, Salsa & Curry reopened a week ago with a daily buffet of Indian food, more Indian food items on the printed menu and slightly fewer Mexican food items.

While Indian food has a reputation for being spicy -- and WNYers have a reputation for not liking spicy food -- not all Indian dishes are spicy, or need to be prepared with a hot flavor.

The buffet features only mild items.

What the Rathods have learned, however, is some kick has its place.

"We were actually surprised -- a majority of people like it spicy," said Sonny Rathod, who is managing the restaurant with his brothers Raveen, Nick, sister Anupa Hirani and her husband Peter.

Customers who don't want to partake of the milder buffet can order spicy alternatives prepared immediately in the kitchen and over the past week that's exactly what a lot of customers have requested, Sonny said.

Meanwhile, in a couple of weeks the restaurant will have a liquor license and will be able to serve domestic, Mexican and Indian beer as well as margaritas.

The restaurant is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday until 10 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 7 p.m.