Announcements

Here's a letter sent in by Senate candidate in the 61st District, Marc Coppola, addressed to the incumbent.

Dear Mr. (Michael) Ranzenhofer,
As you and I fully engage in our campaigns for the New York State Senate's 6lst District,
I would hope that you would agree that letting the voters know where we stand on the
issues most important to them is of the utmost importance.

Further, as we both have served in elective office, I believe that our records are a good barometer for the voters as they make their decision of whom to vote for on Election Day.
With that said, I anticipate that you will agree to meet me in front of the voters for at least
three debates, and possibly more if there is time; one of which would take place in
Genesee County.

I am confident that if we can agree on dates and times relatively quickly, and with proper notification, the public, whom we both are seeking to represent in the New York State Senate, will attend.

I am more than willing to have my campaign look into places where we can hold our
debates and notify you (about) what is available to us. I am sure there are plenty of venues, either public or private, which can accommodate us, our audience, and any media that may attend.

It is my sincere hope that you agree and that you respond to my campaign as quickly as
possible so that we can give the voters as much information about us, our positions, and
our records as they go to the polls on Election Day.

I look forward to your reply.

Respectfully,

Marc Coppola
 

Peaceful Genesee -- formerly the Coalition for Nonviolence (see April 29 article)  -- is sponsoring "Restoring Dignity: Skill Building for Transforming Conflict," an all-day event that is free and open to the public, on Monday, Sept. 27.

It runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the YWCA, at 301 North St. in Batavia.

The theme of the event is Restorative Justice, which focuses on the needs of victims, perpetrators and the community as a whole rather than simply on punitive measures. The program will offer people an overview of Restorative Justice, demonstrations in recent initiatives, videos, role plays, discussion of humane conflict resolution, and more.

Refreshments and coffee will be served, and participants will have an hour for lunch. Pre-registration is not required.

For more details, contact William Privett at wprivett.paxchristi@gmail.com.

Here's a news release from the United Memorial Medical Center.

To date, United Memorial Family Care Centers have received only a percentage of their allotted shipment of influenza vaccine due to a manufacturing issue regarding labeling. The balance of the shipment is expected to be delivered by the end of October.

The initial shipment will be reserved for patients considered to be at “high risk” as defined by the New York State Department of Health. Patients of Batavia, Byron and Tountas Family Care Centers who are at high-risk for complications as defined below, should contact their physician office to schedule an appointment for vaccination.

High-risk patients include:

• Children ages 6 to 59 months;
• Individuals age 50 years and above who suffer from chronic health issues such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular disease;
• Those who are immuno-suppressed;
• Women who are or become pregnant during the flu season;
• American Indians/Alaska Natives;
• The morbidly obese (body mass index > 40);
• Health care professionals;
• Caregivers and household contacts of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications;
• Caregivers and household contacts of children under 5 years of age and adults age 50 years and older with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children under 6 months of age.

Batavia Family Care (including Yeong Lee, MD) at 16 Bank St., Batavia will conduct vaccination clinics for their high risk patients from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Patients should call (585) 344-4800 to schedule an appointment. Tountas Family Care at 3 Tountas Ave., LeRoy will schedule patients from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 30. Appointments can be made by phoning (585) 768-6530.

Patients at Byron Family Care, located at 6815 Byron Holley Road, Byron may call (585) 548-7155 to schedule an appointment for their clinic from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 1.

All patients are encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine. Those who are not identified as high-risk may call their physician office to schedule an appointment in late October and November. Influenza vaccines are also available at many retail pharmacies.

WNY Arts Society has announced auditions for its fall/winter production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning production of RENT with performances January 13-16 in Batavia.

RENT will be directed by Ashley Bateman with vocal direction by Jacqueline McLean.

Auditions are from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday Sept. 25 and Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 26 at the YWCA, 301 North St. in Batavia (enter from rear door).

Auditioners should prepare an audition song FROM A MODERN/ROCK MUSICAL
that’s at least 16-bars long. Please bring your own sheet music. Accompanist will be provided, no a cappella please.

There will be a dance/movement portion of auditions. Please come prepared to dance. There will NOT be any readings from the script as this show is 95 percent music. If
you’re being considered for a role, you will be asked to stay to sing from the show following auditions and/or be called back Sunday evening.

Anyone interested in auditioning is encouraged to visit www.WNYAS.com or call (585) 201-3750 for additional information and casting requirements.

RENT is the famed rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème. It tells a story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City.

RENT ran for 5,124 performances on Broadway making it the 8th longest
running production. It closed Sept. 7, 2008.

Press Release:

Monday night, Democrats in Elba held a caucus and selected a Mark Yungfleisch to run for the office being vacated by current Highway Superintendent Allan Totten. Yungfleisch is a long time Elba resident who has worked for the Highway Department in Elba previously. He is a former Elba Fire Department Assistant Chief and is currently employed at Reisdorf Oil.

Yungfleisch cited experience as his primary motivation for seeking the office. ‘I have a Class A license, I’m very familiar with the equipment and I understand the maintenance, scheduling and budgetary needs of the department,’ he said after the caucus.

Starting tomorrow, 32 restaurants in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties will be participating in "Dine-Out Days." A percentage of their profits this week will benefit the GCC Foundation, which provides student scholarships. This will last through Saturday, Sept. 25.

Select restaurants will offer discounts and featured menu items.

The following Genesee County restaurants are involved in Dine-Out days this year:

• BATAVIA

Alex's Place, at 8322 Park Road

Bohn's Restaurant & Lounge, at 5256 Clinton St. Road

Miss Batavia Diner, at 566 E. Main St.

Delavan's, at 107 Evans St.

Pauly's Pizzeria, at 314 Ellicott St.

Subway, at 412 E. Main St. and 8351 Lewiston Road

Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility, at 5122 Clinton St. Road

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St.

• OAKFIELD

Caryville Inn, at 25 Main St.

Oakfield Hotel/Scopano Lanes, at 49 S. Pearl St.

• STAFFORD

Red Osier Landmark, at 6492 Main Road

• LE ROY

D&R Depot, at 63 Lake St.

Scooters of Le Roy, at 140 W. Main St.

McDonald's, at 67 Main St.

The Ganson Inn, at 65 Lake St.

Le Roy Country Club and Golf Course, at 7759 E. Main Rd.

Pizza Land, at 131 W. Main St.

For more details, contact the GCC Foundation office at 345-6809 or e-mail foundation@genesee.edu. For up-to-date information on Dine-Out Days, please visit www.genesee.edu/gcc/dineoutdays.

Genesee Community College continues its commitment to providing students with cultural-awareness events with a second presentation in the "Wealth and Poverty" series. "Defining Poverty: A State of Need" will be presented by Deborah Naybor on Thursday, Oct. 7.

It will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Batavia campus in room T119. It is free and open to the public.

Poverty is often measured with numbers. Earning less than $18,000 a year or earning less than two dollars a day may place a family under the "poverty line," but these somewhat arbitrary limits fail to look at the basic needs of human beings.

Naybor has worked around the world to create sustainable income for poor families, to improve education and health for communities and to make a difference. She will discuss food security, housing, land rights and other aspects of global poverty in defining a person as "poor." Naybor will talk about what has been done at a grassroots level to reduce poverty and give the audience an opportunity to provide their own solutions to reduce extreme poverty at home and globally.

She is a professional land surveyor and small-business owner in Western New York.  She is the founder and executive director of Both Your Hands, a nonprofit organization which connects caring communities for global self-sufficiency.

This small organization has over 70 projects in 14 countries which create economic and educational opportunities for those in need. In addition, Naybor is a Ph.D. student at the University of Buffalo. Her research focus is on the impact of women's land rights on poverty. She is the winner of more than 20 awards for her ability to overcome obstacles, her business success and her dedication to reduction of extreme poverty around the world.

"We're delighted to have Deborah join us for what is sure to be an enlightening conversation about poverty across the globe," said Karin Kovach-Allen, dean of Human Communications and Behavior at Genesee. "We look forward to not only hearing her presentation, but also the open discussion from our students and what they have to say on the subject."

This event, along with many other cultural awareness events, is developed through the Global Education Committee at Genesee. The Global Education Committee is dedicated to recognizing, embracing, and celebrating the diversity of the human family. Through its varied activities, the Global Education Committee fosters multicultural awareness, understanding and appreciation, and provides opportunities to demonstrate global citizenship.

For further information, please contact Nina Mortellaro at Genesee Community College at 343-0055, ext. 6228 or <http://nimortellaro@genesee.edu >.

Here's a news release from Marc Coppola.

Candidate for the New York State Senate’s 61st District Marc Coppola is honored and proud to announce that former Congressman John J. LaFalce will be the Honorary Chairman of his campaign committee as he seeks to unseat the incumbent State Senator, Michael Ranzenhofer.

“I have always admired the Congressman for his statesmanship and advocacy for the people he has represented for many years as a member of the United State House of Representatives as well as a State Assemblyman and Senator.

"In fact, this is almost the exact senate district he represented when first elected to the New York State Senate in 1970. Mr. LaFalce cares very deeply about this community and I am honored to have his strong support as we try to maintain it, rebuild it, and secure it for generations to come” Coppola said.

As an elected representative of much of the 61st District for many years, the Congressman will be providing advice and guidance to the campaign on many fronts including, strategy and fundraising.

Chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party Len Lenihan stated that, “While John has continued to be a supporter of the party and its candidates, he rarely gets involved in individual contests. If he wasn’t 100-percent confident in Marc’s abilities as a legislator, he wouldn’t be doing this. Marc is fortunate to have his support.”
 
In announcing his support for Coppola Congressman LaFalce stated, “Marc is smart, knowledgeable, articulate, hard working, and dedicated to the public interest. He will not be a part-time Senator, but will devote his whole heart, mind, energy, and time to our representation. I endorse his candidacy enthusiastically and sincerely believe he can win.”

Others on the committee include Dan and Christine Christopher, Nick Crocco, former Legislator Michele Iannello (Town of Tonawanda), Vianne Uthman, Michael Szukla, and Councilman Mark Manna (Amherst), Sam Scinta (City of Tonawanda), Councilman Justin Rooney (Town of Newstead) and Lorie Longhany, Chris Charvella, and Lori and Randy Dibble (Genesee County).

This week, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees:

-- Approved a change to the board of trustees by-laws, making the board's Finance Committee a standing committee.

-- Received, with gratitude, a vet test chem machine for the college's new Veterinary Technology Program from the Batavia Animal Hospital. Students will use the machine to learn how to prepare and submit diagnostic samples. Batavia Animal Hospital also donated a horse learning lab kit, large animal training manuals, and a variety of teaching resource materials to the program.

-- Heard President Stuart Steiner report that the opening of fall classes was smooth and successful. He noted that when all fall enrollment is tabulated, it will likely exceed 7,500 – a significant increase over last year's record-breaking enrollment of 7,208.

-- Heard Eunice Bellinger, Ed.D, executive vice president for Academic Affairs, report that 17 students have enrolled in the new Polysomnographic Technology program and 14 students have enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program.

-- Heard Virginia Taylor, Ed.D, say that the college is celebrating "Week of Welcome" this week, designed to build student engagement. Activities include a transfer fair, club information fair, picnic, dinner, movies and athletic events.

-- Heard Trustee Laurie J. Miller report that the School of Nursing Open House, held Aug. 20, was a great success. Trustee Laura J. Bohm encouraged all trustees to visit the nursing labs and learn how the program's patient simulators and other technology helps the students learn patient care skills.

-- Heard Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin P. Hamilton report that 50 additional parking spaces have been added outside the new School of Nursing, located on the south side of Stephen Hawley Drive. He said that the college has made students, faculty and staff aware of the need to be observant when crossing Hawley Drive. Hamilton said that the college has also requested a speed reduction on Hawley Drive, as
well as pedestrian crossing signs.

-- Heard Hamilton report that the first coat of paint has been applied to the tennis court surfaces. He also said that work on the new art gallery is well under way, and most of the steel has been installed.

-- Heard Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman report that the Branding and Identity Committee has been reviewing possible new visual imagery for college publications and web content. The Branding and Identity Committee has been charged with reviewing the college logo and other visual materials used in college communications.

-- Heard President Steiner report that Malinda E. Stulba of North Tonawanda is joining the college's staff as enrollment specialist for Health Studies/Nursing. She has served as a staff member of Niagara County Community College and Bryant & Stratton College. She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University at Buffalo.

-- Heard President Steiner report that Melanie L. Jones of Rochester has been named to a temporary appointment as academic advisor. Jones has served as a counselor and tutor coordinator for the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and also served as a member of the staffs of SUNY College at Brockport and Wilberforce University, Ohio. She holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Vermont.

-- Heard President Steiner report that Robert Frail, currently of New Jersey, has been named to a temporary appointment as International Programs specialist. Frail has taught and managed a variety of MBA programs in China, and he established a bachelor's degree program there at Shandong University. He's a visiting professor of English and Communication at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College in Fuzhou, China. He has also managed educational programs in Korea. He holds a B.S. degree from Manhattan
College, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University.

-- Heard Instructor of Fine Arts Heather S. Jones and Instructor of Sociology Josephine B. Kearney report that 16 Genesee students participated in the college's six-credit interdisciplinary course offered in Amsterdam, the Netherland, over the summer. Students spent three weeks studying social problems, and documenting the city's character with digital images. Students also visited such sites as the Anne Frank House, World Press Photo Exhibit, Rembrandt House, Artisan Zoo, and many other locations. Students brought more than 2,500 digital images back with them. Jones noted that some students had never been outside of Western New York or on an airplane before.

Genesee Community College Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino named an 11-member Presidential Search Committee at the Board of Trustees' monthly meeting Monday.

College President Stuart Steiner announced six weeks ago that he plans to
retire effective Aug. 31, 2011 after 45 years of service.

Named to the Presidential Search Committee were:

• Diane D. Torcello, college trustee and secretary of the Board of Trustees, who will serve as committee chair; Michael A. Crittenden, professor of Physics and chair of Genesee's Faculty Senate;
• Norbert J. Fuest, director of Human Resources, Morton International, Inc., and a member of the Genesee Community College Foundation Board of Directors;
• Norman R. Gayford, professor of English;
• Ada D. Grabowski, retired Albion school superintendent;
• Laurie J. Miller, college trustee;
• Glenn R. Morton, college trustee;
• Lori A. Mould, student trustee;
• Michael S. Stoll, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and
  dean of Math, Science, and Career Education;
• Raymond J. Strzelecki, Building Maintenance supervisor;
• and Charles N. Zambito, Genesee County attorney.

Ruffino and Robert J. Bausch, Genesee County Legislative liaison to the
college, will serve as ex-officio members.

The committee will guide the search process for Genesee's fourth president, review the backgrounds of candidates, arrange for finalist candidates to visit the campus, and recommend three to five finalists to the board of trustees.

"Tell All Souls About My Mercy," a religious drama for those who are suffering, having trouble forgiving others, know someone who is dying or has lost faith, will be performed at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Thursday, Sept. 23. The church is at 10675 Alleghany Road in Darien Center.

The play, which starts at 7 p.m., will be followed by Exposition, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Benediction.

There is no charge, but a free will offering is recommended.

For further details, please call Amy at 356-9458 or Kim at 547-9929.

Our Lady Knights of Columbus invite you to a Chicken BBQ on Sunday at St. Mary's Church, 20 Ellicott St. in Batavia. It will start at 10:30 a.m. and continue until sold out.

Each individual dinner includes 1/2 chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, a roll and butter. The proceeds will go toward local charities.

To purchase presale tickets, please call Mike at 343-3810.

A historical program about how the Spanish Flu impacted Genesee County will take from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 7 at the Genesee County Park and Forest Nature Center.

It is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany. Pre-registration is required by calling (585) 344-1122. Cost is $5 per person; $10 per family.

In 1918, a deadly influenza pandemic erupted during the final stages of World War I.

Using newspaper articles and other resources, the county historian will explain how this pandemic started and how if affected life in Genesee County.

Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion is one of several places in Upstate New York where hay wagon billboard banners will be displayed on farms to relay positive messages about agriculture.

Forty such billboards have been placed from Watertown to Canton, the Finger Lakes to Albany.

The banners say: NY Farmers Love the Land; NY Farmers Love Feeding Families; NY Farmers Love Caring for Animals; NY Farmers Love Family Tradition; and NY Farmers Love Strong Communities.

The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition developed the outreach program to reconnent and educate consumers about today's dairy farms and farm practices. It is funded by a grant from the United Soybean Board.

"As a farming community we are trying to keep the public aware that agriculture is important to not only us as farmers, but also to the people and economy of Upstate New York, said Rob Noble, co-owner of Noblehurst Farms.

"The billboard campaign is a small part we can do to raise awareness and tell people part of our story.”

According to a coalition survey, New Yorkers have a high level of trust in New York dairy farmers to produce a safe, healthy and abundant supply of food, Berry said.

However, with the rise of food safety scares and increasing social awareness, consumers are increasingly interested in how their food is produced. Fewer people know a farmer. They’ve lost the human connection to how our food is grown.

Visit the Coalition’s Web site at www.farmskeepnygreen.com for more information.

This information was provided by the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition.

The Library Lego Club for children age 6 and up begins on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St. in Batavia.

It is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Children's Room on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

The program is free but registration is required.

The Friends of the Library provide the Legos.

For more information call the library at 343-9550 ext.4 or consult our website. Register online at <http://www.batavialibrary.org/>.

The 8th Annual Fur Ball will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Holiday Inn, located at 8250 Park Road in Batavia.

The event is sponsored by the Volunteers for Animals of Batavia and all proceeds go to spay and neuter animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter before they are adopted.

Complementary beverages and desserts will be offered as will lots of fun and prizes. Cost is $20 per adult in advance, $10 for children 12 and under, and $25 for adults on the day of the Fur Ball. Tickets are available at the shelter, 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia.

There will be a Chinese auction, door prizes, a 50/50 and other raffles, plus someone will win a canoe and an Amish chair. Don't forget to bring a photo of your pet -- a local artist will be on hand to draw a cariacature.

If you would like to place an ad for your business or service in the evening's program, contact the volunteers ASAP. Donations of new items for the auction/raffles can be dropped off at the shelter.

Last year, $6,500 was raised for spaying and neutering.

On the web, contact the volunteers at <http://www.vol4animals.org>. The shelter's phone number is 343-6410.

The Alzheimer's Association will be hosting a "Memory Walk" in Batavia on Saturday, Sept. 11. It will begin at the Genesee County Nursing Home, at 278 Bank St., and proceed along Chandler Avenue, North, Bank and Ross streets, and Washington Avenue.

Anyone who wants to take part can show up the morning of the walk for registration, which begins at 9 a.m. The walk itself will start at 10 a.m. and cover about two miles. Brunch, entertainment from Pete Gomez and a Chinese auction -- with gift certificates and  prizes donated by area businesses -- will follow in the nursing home dining room.

Walkers will be raising money via sponors for the benefit of Genesee County residents coping with Alzheimer's Disease. People are encouraged to raise all funds by Saturday, but funds will be accepted until October 29.

For further details or to register in advance, please call (716) 626-0600 or go to www.memorywalkwny.com. If you would like to donate items to the Chinese auction, call Sue Buckley at 344-0584, ext. 2116.

Present Tense Books & Gifts, Batavia's premiere full-service bookstore, will be celebrating an important milestone on Saturday, Sept. 18. An anniversary party lasting from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. will celebrate five years of successful business.

Free and open to the public, the event will take place at the bookstore, which is at 101 Washington Ave. The festivities will include refreshments, prizes and a raffle, as well as the annual fall open house and holiday preview.

There will be discounts on all regular priced items on that day as well.

For more information, please call 815-7640 or e-mail info@presenttensebooks.com.

Here's a news release we received from the New York Farm Bureau.

The New York Farm Bureau today announced its fight-back campaign against a proposed ban on outdoor wood boilers appears to have forced the Department of Environmental Conservation to delay any action until next year.

The reported delay, although not formally announced, would allow thousands of rural New Yorkers to continue to heat their homes with wood through the winter.

“We are fighting a good fight so far, but it’s far from over,” said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau. “While a regulatory delay would get us through the winter, there are still bureaucrats in Albany determined to shut down our wood boilers. We must thwart them.”

The farm bureau has been rallying its 30,000 members to fight the proposed regulations and has been lobbying furiously in the halls of Albany.

If passed, the DEC regulations would force thousands of owners of outdoor wood boilers to: retrofit costly smokestacks to meet new DEC height requirements; limit the use of their units for almost half of the year; and ultimately prohibit the use of any outdoor wood boiler that does not meet new, strict DEC emissions requirements.

The proposed regulations will have significant financial implications for farm and rural homeowners that heat their houses, barns and greenhouses using wood boilers.

This summer, the New York State Senate voted unanimously in favor of legislation that would leave wood-boiler regulation to local zoning boards, not the DEC. That bill was sponsored and championed by Sen. Darrel Aubertine.

Farm bureau members spoke out at public information sessions/hearings around the state in June on the proposal. Farmers and rural residents also flooded the DEC with written comments against the proposed regulations.

“I hope that DEC has seen the light that these regulations will have severe financial impact to our farmers and rural New Yorkers,” Norton said.