Announcements

From the VA Medical Center:

Dr. Miguel Rainstein was appointed Chief of Staff, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY effective December 7, 2008.  In April 2008, Dr. Rainstein began serving as Acting Chief of Staff.  He came to VA WNY Healthcare System as Chief of Surgery in July 2005. Prior to coming to VA WNY Healthcare System, he was the Chief of Surgery at Kenmore Mercy Hospital for 14 years.

As Chief of Staff, Dr. Rainstein has the responsibility of providing quality patient care and coordinating all professional activities to fulfill that mission. He supervises the operation of both the Buffalo and Batavia sites, as well as community based outpatient clinics in Jamestown, Dunkirk, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Olean and Warsaw.

Dr. Rainstein received his undergraduate degree and his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires.  He completed his surgical residency at Millard Fillmore Hospital in 1979. He is currently Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and also holds membership in the Buffalo Surgical Society.  “We are fortunate to have Dr. Rainstein within VA WNY Healthcare System with his years of expertise in the community and VA,” said David J. West, Interim Medical Center Director.
 
Dr. Rainstein lives in Williamsville with his wife.

From December 15^th-30^th, communities across the country will be holding meetings to discuss local ideas for improving health care policy.  December 17^th at 7PM at the Batavia City Centre (in the community meeting room) Genesee County will get its chance to be part of the effort.  Those who attend will be part of a group that will come up with a set of reccomendations which will be turned into a position paper.  That position paper, like the others being submitted nation-wide, will be reviewed by the Obama-Biden transition team and will help shape national health care policy in the next administration.

The event is free and all in the community are welcome to attend and share their ideas, stories and thoughts.  This is our chance to make a difference on a pressing national issue.

Check out www.change.gov or contact me at djones14020@gmail.com for more information.

From the Richmond Memorial Library:

Date: December 10, 2008

Re: Nearly New Year’s Party

Why should adults have all the fun on New Year’s Eve? This year children can help ring in the New Year at the Richmond Memorial Library. Families are invited to the Children’s Room on December 31 from 11am –12 (noon of course) to celebrate at a “Nearly New Year’s Party”. Festive games, foods, and crafts are planned for this special occasion. So don’t let 2009 come without some fanfare. Call the library at 585-343-9550 ext. 4 and make your reservation today.

From the Batavia City School District:

Students at Attica Central School donated 150 holiday ornaments to the patients of United Memorial Medical Center.  Children in Mrs. Goliszek and Mrs. Nowak’s fourth grade classes created candy cane reindeer ornaments for hospital patients as part of a project to demonstrate compassion, the theme for the month of December. The goal of the project is to provide compassion to friends and neighbors who are unable to be home for the holidays.

The ornaments will be placed on patient meal trays at United Memorial where they will certainly brighten the spirits of those who are hospitalized during the holiday season.

Over 600 ornaments were completed by the students and donated to United Memorial, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Wyoming County Community Health in Warsaw. Attica Middle School students annually donate pillowcases to United Memorial’s Pediatric Department which they make using fun juvenile fabrics.

From the Richmond Memorial Library:

Sponsor:  Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia

Event:  Adult Book Discussion

Place:  Richmond Memorial Library

Date & Time:  Wednesday, January 14 7:45 a.m.*

Other Information:  The Adult Book Discussion Group will meet at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross Street, Batavia on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:45 a.m. to discuss THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Books are available at the front desk. Refreshments served.  For more information, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 8 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.

*a.m. is correct—we meet early!

From Genesee Community College:

The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the calendar of events for its 17th season at the Stuart Steiner Theatre. The Center for the Arts is proud to bring in a variety of artists and productions that raises the standard for years to come. Live performances at the Genesee Center for the Arts begin with:

Arguably the most relevant blues artist of our time (Guitar Player magazine), OTIS TAYLOR brings his unique instrumentation and sound to Genesee Community College in early 2009. A genre defying, critically-acclaimed singer and songwriter, this former antiques dealer is currently on tour promoting his eighth and newest album Recapturing the Banjo. For more information, visit www.otistaylor.com. His performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 8:00PM. General admission ticket prices for Otis Taylor are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, senior citizens and GCC faculty/students.

Continuing to present innovative programming for the enrichment of the community, the GENESEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA finishes its 62nd season with two final performances in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. General admission ticket prices for Genesee Symphony Orchestra concerts are $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for senior citizens (62 & over) and $5.00 for students (18 & under and GCC students with a valid ID). Orchestra tickets are also available through GO-ART 585/343-9313 and Roxy's Music Store 585/343-7222.

Concert #3: "Magnificent" is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 4:00PM.
Concert #4: "Exhilarating" is set for Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 4:00PM.

TThe Center for the Arts continues its commitment to introducing the performing arts to children and families by presenting the modern children's fable, THE INCREDIBLE JUNGLE JOURNEY OF FENDA MARIA. Written by Jack Stokes, Fenda Maria is the story of a young girl who, with the help of a village doctor, must travel through the jungle in order to save a prince from an evil witch. With help from the audience, Fenda Maria and her friends ultimately learn what's important ... the meaning of being a good person. Daytime school performances of The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria are scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 through Friday, March 27, 2009, with one final performance for the public on Friday, March 27 at 7:30PM. General admission ticket prices are $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for students, senior citizens and GCC faculty, and $2.00 for GCC students with a valid ID. For more information on the daytime school performances of Fenda Maria, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at 585/343-0055 x6814.

Weaving a rich tapestry of Celtic and World music, STONE ROW presents a unique style of old classics and captivating originals, by blending traditional and contemporary genres. From traditional Celtic songs and World music to a combination of folk, country and hard rock, goes beyond the normal Irish/Celtic stereotype. For more information, visit www.stonerow.com. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:00PM. General admission ticket prices for Stone Row are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, senior citizens and GCC faculty/students.

The hilarious farce NOISES OFF depicts the onstage and backstage antics of a fifth-rate acting troupe touring in the awful sex farce, Nothing On. The play-within-a-play follows the acting company's antics, both on stage and off, from the disastrous final dress rehearsal through months of performances, that include deteriorating relationships, collapsing scenery, exploding props and general hilarity. Performance dates are scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 7:30PM, Friday, April 24, 2009 at 7:30PM, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30PM and Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 2:00PM. General admission ticket prices for Noises Off are only $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for students, senior citizens and GCC faculty, and $2.00 for GCC students with a valid ID.

The talent of both local artists and Genesee students fill the Lobby Art Gallery at the Genesee Center for the Arts this spring. Open during normal college hours, admission to the Lobby Art Gallery is free. The Spring 2009 performances at the Stuart Steiner Theatre include the following Lobby Art Gallery exhibitions:

The 2008-2009 LOBBY ART GALLERY SEASON celebrates the New Year with JOSEPHINE KEARNEY: PHOTOGRAPHS FROM CHINA, an exhibit introducing vibrant and unconventional photographs throughout China. Scheduled to run from January 15, 2009 to February 24, 2009, an opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 1:00-2:00PM.

The talents of Genesee student artists take center stage with the GCC FINE ARTS STUDENT EXHIBITION, an exhibit featuring sculpture, ceramics, paintings, drawings, and design, highlighting student works (both art and non-art majors) at Genesee Community College. Scheduled to run from February 25, 2009 to March 24, 2009, an opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 1:00-2:00PM.

The season continues with VIRGINIA MARTIN: PAINTINGS EXHIBIT. Scheduled to run from March 25, 2009 to April 28, 2009, an opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 1:00-2:00PM.

In tandem with Genesee's Fourth Annual ECO-Fest celebration of Earth Day, a RECYCLED ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBIT will be on display from April 29 to May 1, 2009. A reception for the artists and recyclers will be with ECO-Fest on Thursday, April 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

The academic year concludes with the GCC DIGITAL ART STUDENT EXHIBITION, an exhibit of works from the best of Genesee's digital art students, including theatrical posters, advertising, marketing concepts and more. Scheduled to run from May 5, 2009 to August 25, 2009, an opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 1:00-2:00PM.

For more ticket information or reservations, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at 585/343-0055 x6814, or by email at boxoffice@genesee.edu. The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash and checks only, credit cards are not accepted. For door-to-door directions, sent via email, visit www.genesee.edu.

From the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern:

The Batavia Days Inn donated over 100 beds to the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern furniture program.  This generous donation helped GOMOC to almost exhaust an 8 page waiting list of people in need of beds in our community.  This holiday season, many children and families will now have warm beds to sleep in.

The GOMOC Furniture Program collects furniture donations from the commuity and distributes them to those in need.  The service is free to both the community members donating and those in need.  We accept beds, dressers, couches and chairs, kitchen tables, and working appliance. To make a donation, simply call our agency and schedule a pick-up.

The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern would like to thank the Batavia Days Inn and all the other generous community members who have donated to our furniture program.

Roast Pork Dinner catered by D&R Depot

Jan. 8, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

YWCA - 301 North St., Batavia

Program : Organize your Home by Tracy Wells

RSVP by 1/2/2009 to Brenda at bchapell1@hotmail.com

Guests are always welcome!

From the VA Western New York:

David J. West, FACHE has been named Interim Medical Center Director at VA Western New York Healthcare System effective December 7.  VA Western New York Healthcare System includes medical centers in Buffalo, Batavia and seven community based out patient clinics located in Niagara Falls, Lockport, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lackawanna, Olean, and Warsaw.  Mr. West has been the Medical Center Director at the Bath VA Medical Center since April 29, 2007.

Prior to being appointed Director for the Bath VA, Mr. West served as Associate Director at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center, and began his career with VA in1987 at the Washington DC VA Medical Center.

At VA WNYHS, he will oversee over 1,690 employees serving over 40,000 veterans during the period until a new director is appointed.  He succeeds James P. Cody who has served as interim director since August and Michael S. Finegan who recently was promoted to network director, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  “It’s an opportunity for me to work with a dedicated staff in Western NY serving our nation’s heroes,” West said.

Mr. West served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1978. He holds a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from the College of St. Frances in Joliet, Illinois and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

From the Elba Historical Society:

The Historical Society of Elba has a Christmas window on display at the Pinehill Fitness Center on Main St. in Elba (across from the Post Office).  The Elba Throws (maroon or blue) have been reduced to $35.00 including tax.  Also available are the 1995 Town of Elba 175th Anniversary book on the History of Elba.  $10.00.

Another window is featuring ELBA FIRSTS.  Did you know that Elba had a Windmill Company that sold to people all over the United States? Did you know that Elba had the first Rural Mail Delivery in New York State?

Call Ann at 757-9356  or June at 757-2791 for more information.

Ritchie & Jennifer (Swiatowy) Kirkum  of Oakfield would like to announce the birth of their son, Colin Edward Kirkum.  Born 12/2/2008 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hosptial in Amherst NY.  Colin weighed 8lbs 6oz and was 22" long.

The Batavia Days Inn donated over 100 beds to the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern furniture program.  This generous donation helped GOMOC to almost exhaust an 8 page waiting list of people in need of beds in our community.  This holiday season, many children and families will now have warm beds to sleep in. 

The GOMOC Furniture Program collects furniture donations from the commuity and distributes them to those in need.  The service is free to both the community members donating and those in need.  We accept beds, dressers, couches and chairs, kitchen tables, and working appliance. To make a donation, simply call our agency and schedule a pick-up.

The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern would like to thank the Batavia Days Inn and all the other generous community members who have donated to our furniture program. 

Please click here to download the agenda for the next meeting (December 8) of the Bethany Town Board.

Do you have extra, gently used winter outerwear that you'd like to part with?  The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 575 in Bergen is having a "Winter Warmth" clothing drive to collect coats. scarves, hats, gloves and mittens to give to those in need.  Donations will be accepted Saturday, December 13th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 575 located at 21 South Lake Rd. in Bergen.  To make alternate arrangements, please call 494-2322.

From Genesee Community College:

It's that time of year again, as the holiday season is now upon us. Genesee Community College is once again sponsoring their annual holiday community events with a Holiday Shopping Bazaar on December 12th as well as the annual Breakfast with Santa on December 14th.

Beat the crowds at the mall and shop Friday, December 12, 2008 at Genesee Community College's annual Holiday Shopping Bazaar. From 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., merchants will be set up in the Forum at Genesee's Batavia Campus. A variety of items will be available, including: wool sweaters, hats and gloves, candles, jewelry and watches, sportswear, cosmetics, and homemade crafts. With a wide assortment of gifts, shoppers can find a little something for everyone on their list. This event is free and open to the public.

Bring the family to the annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 14th in the cafeteria at the Batavia Campus, from 9:30a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for kids under 12 and kids under five are free. Children and adults of all ages are welcomed to dine on French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and pastries. Breakfast will be served from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Santa will be arriving at 10:00 a.m. and pictures with Santa are free. Activities and gifts for children will be provided. Tickets for this event are available in the Student Activities office at Genesee or at the door. Checks can be made to GCCA.

For further information on the holiday events provided by Genesee Community College's Office of Student Activities, please call 585-343-0055 ext. 6261.

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College students received $16.7 million in student financial assistance last year, according to Joseph Bailey, Associate Dean for Enrollment Services.

Mr. Bailey told trustees at Monday's Board of Trustees meeting that Genesee students received aid to help defray their education from a variety of sources, including federal PELL grants ($5.5 million); New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants ($3.6 million); and Stafford loans ($7 million).

Student aid is on the increase, Mr. Bailey reported. Next year, the maximum PELL award will increase. Despite problems with national credit markets, Genesee Community College has access to enough private lenders to make educational loans possible. Genesee has also been declared eligible as a federal direct loan college, meaning that students could borrow directly from the federal government for educational expenses if they needed to do so.

"We have a wide range of financial resources available to help students pursue their college education," Mr. Bailey said.

Students may contact Genesee's Office of Financial Assistance at 585-345-6900 for more information about financial assistance and veterans services programs, and for help in completing financial assistance applications.