The Genesee Valley PennySaver's Batavia office has moved from Ellicott Street to a corner location and Liberty and East Main, Downtown Batavia. The staff was in the office this morning getting the new location set up.  Pictured are Brittany Walker, left, Drew Muehlig, Leanna DiRisio, Becky Michalak, Ethan Biscaro, Chris Harrison (back) and owner Steve Harrison.

Pavilion's H.O.R.S.E Rescue group hosted an event at Tractor Supply, Batavia, today to help raise money for the organization. There were live horses and demonstrations along with horse rides, face painting and a prize drawing.

Pictured are Victoria Gooch and Deb Nanni with their horses. 

Gooch said the group currently has 25 horses up for adoption.

With the recent economic downturn, Gooch said, a lot of people have been giving up their horses because they can't afford to feed them and keep them in good health.

"You can go onto Craigslist and horses are very cheap or free," Gooch said.

Recently, a ranch in Rochester had 75 horses taken away from it and all of those horses now need homes, Gooch said.

Here are some questions for parents of children with special needs: How often do you feel alone or overwhelmed? Do you ever wish you could connect with other parents and find the resources you need to give your kids what they need?

Firsthand experience and awareness of these anxieties are what motivate Lyndy Branton and Melody McMaster in heading up EaGeR -- "Extra Grace Required" -- a parent support group at the North Campus of Batavia's Northgate Free Methodist Church, 8160 Bank Street Road.

Both are mothers of children on the autism spectrum and each week they -- along with McMaster's husband, Sean -- share their experiences and invite other parents to do likewise.

The last meeting was Friday evening in Room A-3 of the Adult Wing. It was an open discussion involving parents whose experiences ranged from that of the mother of a 2-year-old whose diagnosis is still in the works to that of the mother of an autistic teen getting ready for college.

Topics of discussion included:

• Different approaches to telling kids about their own disabilities

• The frustrations and fears of raising autistic children

• Attention to what sorts of things set their children off and what to watch out for

• Prevalent misunderstandings about autism

• Limitations encountered in getting their children the assistance they need

• The experience of dealing with teachers, relatives and even strangers who make them second guess themselves, thinking that they know the children's needs better than the parents do

• When and how to use discipline

• How to encourage kids to use positive ways of getting attention -- by focusing on their talents, etc. -- instead of socially inappropriate behavior

Many EaGeR attendees are the parents of autistic children -- and their children range widely across the autism spectrum -- but the group welcomes and addresses topics that are important to the families of all special-needs children. Many of their meetings are devoted to specific topics, such as IEP (Individualized Education Program) plans, CSE (Committee on Special Education) meetings, family, behavior modification, social skills, diet and treatment.

"It seems like we get a different group every time," McMaster said, "but it always seems to hit the spot. To connect with someone in the same boat and to know you're not alone...that in itself means a lot."

"These meetings seem to have been especially helpful for families who are noticing things in their young children and are trying to get them diagnosed," Sean commented. "It's very helpful to speak with people who have been through the experience and had to overcome a lot of the same obstacles, and just to know that help is available."

Because EaGeR is sponsored by the church, faith is an integral part of its meetings and mission. McMaster, who leads the group in prayer at the end of every meeting, stated that "our Christian faith has had a positive impact on our journey...

"One of our goals is to help prepare the church to work with special-needs kids, who need Jesus Christ as much as anyone else. As Christians, we always have to be ready to deal with them in a merciful way. If they experience rejection at a young age in church, that could make or break their faith."

At the same time, EaGeR is not limited to Christians. All families who struggle with raising special-needs children are invited to attend and to take advantage of the encouragement and support offered by other parents going through similar experiences. McMaster and Branton hold a Christmas party every December as well as a picnic for families in June in order to make people feel comfortable "regardless of where they are in their faith journey" (McMaster's words).

EaGeR meetings take place on the first Friday of every month from 7 until 9 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

For more information, please contact:

Melody McMaster -- 343-4707, or e-mail <samcmaster@juno.com>

Lyndy Branton -- 409-8079, or e-mail <lbranton@mtb.com>

Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Now is the time to start planning your spring portraits. We have a $100 gift card for $50 (+$2 PayPal Service fee).

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY. Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Pizza, wings, subs and even hamburgers and hot dogs, Main St. Pizza makes everything deliciously. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: 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. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out. We have $10 gift certificates for $5 each.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process,

Carlson's Studio

The Genesee County Sheriff's Department is investigating a fatal one-car accident which occurred about 2 a.m. today on Simonds Road in the Town of Darien. Brian  J. Gazda, 47, of 9430 Halstead Road in Batavia, was the sole occupant of a 2007 Chevy Corvette, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Sheriff's press release, the car was traveling north on Simonds Road when it went off the east shoulder of the roadway, overturned several times, and came to rest in an upright position. Gazda was ejected from the car.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Jason Saile, Sgt. William Scott of the Crash Management Team, Sgt. Brian Frieday and Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble. They were assisted at the scene by the State Police, Darien Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

UPDATE: The obituary has been posted for Brian Gazda.

Too many times, says Tim Walton, people would call him about a possible T-shirt order, ask about bringing something by his place of business, and when they found out he was working out of his garage, he'd never hear from them again.

"People thought, 'oh, he's just a teenager, so it's just a hobby for him," Walton said.

That's why Tim decided to open a shop on Main Street -- he figures it will help potential customers take Topline Shirt Company more seriously. In just a week since opening, Walton said, his walk-in traffic has increased.

The front of the retail shop -- in the former space of Millenium Computers (214 E. Main St.) -- will be a retail retro clothing shop operated by Rob Credi. The shop will be called Retro Reserve. Credi and Walton hope that by combining efforts now, it will help both of their businesses grow.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Walton and Credi will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for their two businesses.

Coming back from the accident this afternoon, I spotted this old twisted tree on State Street Road near Batavia-Elba Townline Road and thought with the overcast sky it would make an interesting picture.

A patron picks up her baked goods from the bake sale table of the Genesee Christian Academy in the foyer of Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union and Lawley Genesee Insurance. From left are Anthony Conlin, Kenny Cheeseman, Amy Colopy, Allissa Bischoff, holding son Taylor, and Stephen Conlin. The customer left before we got her name.

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The turkey pictured above is roosted in a cottonwood tree normally patrolled by a little red squirrel we call "Meany," so named because he routinely harrasses the much larger gray squirrels. Photo was taken Tuesday afternoon. The turkey had a companion in a neighboring ash tree seen in photo below.

This turkey is looking at the camera.  Still no sign of Meany, and while he remained out of sight, a pair of gray squirrels thought it a good time to drop by.

Checking to see if the coast is clear.....

Eyeing up the remains of last fall's apple crop...

Apparently not bad!

A car accident with injuries is reported at Batavia-Elba Townline Road and Route 98 in the Town of Batavia. Two ambulances are requested. Mercy Flight is being contacted.

"We are probably going to have to pop the door," says an emergency responder, regarding a trapped victim.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m. (by Howard): Names of the victims have not been released yet. One was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong. The other was transported by ground ambulance ot UMMC.

Here's a notice from city school officials:

This is a very important message for parents of Batavia City School District students. Children in grades Pre-K through 8 will not attend school on Monday, May 10 so that teachers may score the NYS ELA Assessments. 

High School students must be in regular attendance.

New York State changed the schedule for administering and scoring the 3-8 ELA  and Math State assessments in July after the district had established its calendar for the year.

The window during which the ELA assessments can be scored is significantly shorter because the Math Assessment administration begins immediately after ELA. Therefore, the District is declaring May 10 a Superintendent’s Conference Day for elementary and middle school students.

The district apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

A car fire with heavy smoke showing is reported on the Thruway at mile marker 396. Pembroke Fire is en route.

Local business leaders during a tour of the Genesee ARC Community Center.  Pictured from left to right are: Rick Mancuso, Eva Bohn, Skip Charvella, Colleen Odessa and Steve Mullen. The group is part of a larger contingent helping to raise funds to support a new Culinary Arts Training Program for people with disabilities. 

Batavia – Members of the local restaurant industry have joined in the fundraising efforts to help renovate the Genesee ARC Community Center. Eleven area businesses are participating in a promotion that will give a percentage of proceeds to the Genesee ARC Capital Campaign underway to complete work at the agency’s Woodrow Road site, the former St. Mary’s Elementary School.

The promotion runs Sundays through Wednesdays from April 11 - June 9.  Genesee ARC will receive a donation equal to 10% of each purchase when the customer presents a promo card or ad at the following participating businesses: Alabama Hotel, Alex’s Place, Batavia Restaurant Supply, Bohn’s, Clor’s, D & R Depot, Delavan’s, Larry’s Steakhouse, Sport of Kings, TF Browns and Terry Hills.

The promotion excludes Mother’s Day or any other promotions or discounts.  Anyone with questions may contact Genesee ARC Director of Development Shelley Falitico at 343-1123, ext. 231 or sfalitico@rochester.rr.com.

Genesee Community College has inducted three new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame.

"These three new inductees serve as great inspiration for the current students here at Genesee," said Jackie Christenson, Alumni Affairs coordinator. "They are especially inspirational to the many healthcare students we have, considering they all work within or advocate for various healthcare fields."

The 2010 Genesee Community College Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are:

James D. Fraser, Class of 1973 -- He is currently the president of Population Health Consulting Services, Inc., and was formerly chief executive officer for Intellica Corporation in San Antonio. At Intellica, he was responsible for building disease registries for the Veteran's Health Administration in support of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

After retiring from the Air Force as a colonel, he continued to provide services to the military as a senior healthcare consultant for the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Fraser has more than 40 years experience in health care, 33 years of which has been in or supporting military health care. He is also an adjunct professor of Public Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health in San Antonio. He and his wife, Susan, live in San Antonio and support a Genesee Community College scholarship to assist students who want to enter a health-related profession.

Cecilia A. Stearns, Class of 1980 -- She is a nurse practitioner/midwife at the Women's Care Center in Batavia, providing services to normally healthy women without insurance in Genesee County and surrounding areas. She was instrumental in developing the Tot Saver program in Genesee County in 1986, and has provided gynecological services for those who cannot afford it through the Breast Health Partnership.

She served on the Board of Directors of the Batavia YWCA, and has taught many RN students at GCC and in many other programs. She has been at the forefront of midwifery both at the state and national levels, and was a founding board member of the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives, serving as their second president. She has authored many grant proposals and drafted legislation for changing and improving the scope of practice of midwifery in New York State. With all that Stearns has done, her greatest contribution is undoubtedly the children she has delivered. Cecilia and her husband, Richard, live in Byron.

Dorothy Wentland, Class of 1991 -- She is a compassionate professional who has served those with mental illness and their families both on an inpatient and outpatient basis as an advocate, teacher, support person and proponent of empowerment and recovery. She established a firm foundation for the Genesee County Mental Health Association and its Social Club, and continues to serve the needs and aspirations of people with mental illness. She served as the first executive director from 1993-2001.

In 2006, Dorothy, was honored as a New York State "Woman of Distinction." Her commitment to those challenged by mental illness remains strong as she continues to volunteer in the field of mental health and serves on several boards involved with education and health issues. Wentland and her husband, Mel, live in Le Roy.

For more information regarding the Alumni Hall of Fame, please contact coordinator Christenson 343-0055, ext. 6265.

The fifth annual Cool Kids ECO-Fest will take place at Genesee Community College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 17 at the Batavia Campus.

The college's Earth Club, Student Activities Office and College Village are once again joining Cool Kids to collectively produce a fun-filled, yet educational event aimed at increasing awareness of important environmental issues and opportunities.

ECO-Fest 2010 will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with special activities. All portions of the event are free and open to the public. Most of the festival takes place in the central Forum or Clocktower Plaza. ECO-Fest is part of several activities celebrating Earth Day throughout Genesee County this month.

Cool Kids ECO-Fest 2010 includes numerous exhibits, presentations, activities and prizes, and is an ideal experience for anyone interested in celebrating Earth Day. Hundreds of people of all ages are expected to attend. Many of the prior year's favorite environmental fun and educational opportunities will return, with a wide assortment of new options as well. Through active participation in ECO-Fest activities, attendees increase their chances of winning a variety of prizes, including the Grand Prize – an Adam Miller Toys and Bike's Mountain Bike, at the finale of ECO-Fest. (All winners must be present at ECO-Fest to win.)

New to this year's celebration is a paperback book drive for American troops through the Operation Paperback program. Participants can bring in paperback books to be recycled and sent to service men and women. Along with paperback books, ECO-Fest attendees should also bring in old sneakers to be recycled for Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe recycling program which recycles old sneakers into Astroturf. Attendees can also bring in old electronic devices for the E-Scrap drive. The E-Scrap drive collects residential electronics such as computers, monitors, cell phones, calculators, etc. There will be drive-up curbside collecting for community members who wish to drop off their old, unwanted E-Scrap free of charge. (There is a $5 charge for any television sets dropped off.)

Community residents are encouraged to participate in the Earth Day Eco-Tip Illustration Contest to graphically illustrate their favorite Eco-Tip. There are no age or creativity limits, and entries can be individual or group efforts.

Participants can use the form provided at <http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Earthday_Contest.pdf> or use their own paper. Entries can be brought to ECOFest on April 17 or can be submitted to: Genesee Community College, Attn: Donna Rae Sutherland / MarCom Office D110, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

All entries must be received by 11 a.m. on April 17. Each submission will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a mountain bike from Adam Miller Toys. One winner and honorable mentions will be awarded at ECO-Fest.

"We have some fantastic events planned for this year's Eco-Fest, which we decided to move to a weekend date to accommodate the expanding crowds and presentations," Sutherland said. "Each year gets better than the last and we're excited to be commemorating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day."

She is the associate director of Marketing Communications at Genesee and advisor for the Earth Club.

Other Earth Day celebrations happening in Genesee County later in the month include:

City of Batavia Earth Day Celebration
9 a.m. to Noon, Saturday, April 24
Austin Park (behind Batavia City Post Office)

Genesee County Earth Day Celebration
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24
Dewitt Recreation Area (115 Cedar St., Batavia) and at Genesee County Park and Forest (Bethany Center Road, East Bethany

For further information contact Sutherland at 343-0055, ext. 6616.

Gov. David Paterson plans to withhold funding for union raises in his next emergency budget act, which effectively suspends a 4-percent raise for the state's union workers.

The raise was part of a contract negotiated in 2007, but with a $9 billion budget deficit, Paterson says the state can't afford the extra expense.

“I am just shocked and amazed that every time you ask the special interests or the unions for some kind of sacrifice that the answer is either ‘no’ or ‘I’m going to sue you,’” Paterson said Thursday after a private meeting with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. “The state has run out of money twice, for the first time in its history, in the last four months. We’re doing everything to keep the ship afloat. And some people are just very reticent or unable to recognize the gravity of the crisis.”

Meanwhile, Albany has yet to approve a new budget. Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued the following statement on the situation:

After another week of inaction, and seven days past the due date, the 2010-2011 State Budget has not passed. Instead, the Majority continues to meet behind closed doors, which will likely lead to new taxes, increased government spending, and worst of all, more state borrowing, while sending the rank-and-file members of the Assembly trivial legislation to vote on. With New York State nearly bankrupt, this kind of inaction is unacceptable. We should have been in session last week, and not passing the budget this week only wasted more taxpayer money at a cost of more than $100,000. I am willing to stay in Albany until the budget crisis is solved. Unfortunately, it appears that my colleagues in the Majority are not, and despite the ensuing fiscal crisis, would rather put the budget off until next week, if not next month. Clearly, this year’s budget process shows how broken New York state government really is.

There are now pots of yellow tulips surrounding the statue of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus in front of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Ellicott Street, Batavia.

BATAVIA, NY -- Congress is behind the times, according to Rep. Chris Lee (NY-26). While society is moving to an increasingly paperless existence, the congressional printing office still delivers five printed copies of every bill to the staff of each bill's co-sponsors.

Those can be pretty hefty tomes -- hundreds of pages long -- to dozens of congressional offices.

And they are bills that usually just get tossed in the garbage or recycling bin, because most legislators and their staff members read and track bills on computers.

At the Genesee ARC recycling center today, Lee announced legislation he hopes will pass to end the practice of printing these copies of bills. He called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has talked before about the "greening of DC" to support the bill, which already has nine Democratic co-sponsors.

"We don't practice what we preach," Lee said.

If passed, Lee said he estimates that the bill would save taxpayers $2.5 million per year.

"This is a win-win," Lee said. "It takes care of our environment and it shows that we’re looking after every penny that comes into our treasury."

As an example, Lee held up all five copies of a recent bill that was 153 pages long and was delivered to the offices of 80 co-sponsors. 

The freshman congressman is concerned that the bill won't be taken seriously in the House, because in an environment were most legislation is dealing with billions or trillions of dollars, $2.5 million is practically "spare change."

"To me, $2.5 million is a lot of money," Lee said. "Unfortunately, there’s this premise that unless it has a “B” or a “T” after it, in Washington, most of the people don’t care."

With an 82-percent return rate, Pavilion is leading Genesee County in census participation, according to figures put out today by the County Planning Department.

All told, the participation rate for Genesee County is 75 percent. That's far ahead of the State of New York, which is at 58 percent, and ahead of the rest of the nation, at 64 percent.

Right behind Pavilion in participation is Alabama, 81 percent, and the Town of Elba at 80 percent. 

The City of Batavia lags the rest of the county at 70 percent, with Ward 5 being the most behind at 61 percent. The top ward for the city is Ward 1 at 77 percent.

There will be no charges filed against an Alabama man who reportedly shot two dogs April 3.

A State Police investigation concluded the dogs may have been ill, as the man claimed.  The dogs belonged to him and his wife, and there is no law against killing your own dogs if you believe they are ill, said Rebecca Gibbons, spokeswoman for the State Police.

On April 3, a woman on Bloomingdale Road called police after she came home and found her dogs shot.  The woman's husband reportedly told police he was the one who shot them.

The case is closed, Gibbons said.