Announcements

Batavia McDonalds will be hosting a McTeacher Night in conjunction with Batavia High School. This is a fundraiser that will go to help the senior class.

From 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday April 24, teachers from Batavia High School will come behind the counter and work with McDonald's employees. Fifteen percent of the sales made will go directly to benefit the senior class.

The restaurant is located at 4138 W. Main St. Road.

The Genesee County Women’s Republican Club will host a Spring Breakfast at 9 a.m., Saturday May 5 at Bohn’s Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia. 

The breakfast will feature a “Pellegrini Breakfast” buffet. Cost is $18 each.

Reservations can be made by calling Gert Penepent at 343-3802, or emailing her gpenepent@rochester.rr.com by April 27.

Genesee Cancer Assistance is the club’s “Caring for America” charity this year. People attending are encouraged to bring a donation. Joseph Gerace, from Genesee Cancer Assistance, will be speaking.

New members or anyone interested in joining the Women’s Republican Club are welcome to attend.

Press release:

Needles, syringes, and lancets (sharps) used in the home setting provide the potential for disease transmission if not managed properly. In an effort to address the safe disposal of these sharps, they may be dropped off at specific United Memorial service areas for proper disposal.

Waste accepted as part of the Household Sharps Program is specific to that generated as a result of self-maintenance programs involving the delivery of injectable medication and includes needles, syringes and lancets only.

All sharps brought to United Memorial for disposal are to be in a container that is rigid, puncture resistant, shatterproof, leak proof, and secured with a screw top. An old detergent bottle is ideal. It should be labeled “Biohazard-Sharps” with a black permanent marker. Containers which are judged to not provide protection against needle-stick injuries cannot be considered as adequate for the purposes of this program and personnel at collection sites will not accept them.

Properly contained sharps will be accepted at the UMMC Laboratory at the hospital, located on the first floor, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The hospital is located at 127 North St. in the City of Batavia.

Properly contained sharps will also be accepted during routine hours of operation at the Jerome Center Outpatient Lab at 16 Bank St., Batavia; Le Roy Diagnostics, 3 Tountas Ave., Le Roy; and Pembroke Diagnostics, 860 Main St. Road, Corfu.

Press release:

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has voted to award accreditation status to the new Polysomnographic Technology associates degree program at Genesee Community College.

The two-year sleep studies program is the first program of its kind in New York State. It offers students the opportunity to earn an Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in one of the fastest growing health concerns today, covering 84 classifications of sleep disorders from sleep apnea to insomnia to narcolepsy.

Students enrolled in the Polysomnographic Technology program take courses including Anatomy, Physiology, Sleep Study Implementation, Sleep Disorders, Environmental Chemistry and General Psychology, and two clinical practice courses in a local sleep clinic to apply the skills they've acquired in a real-world setting.

Program Director Marshann Thomas says students who earn their degrees in this program have a wide variety of career options, including working with doctors to diagnose sleep-related problems, working in sleep laboratories to provide intensive clinical observations and counseling patients on the use of breathing and other devices that help them get a good night's sleep.

"We are equipping future leaders in sleep medicine with the knowledge and skills essential to providing compassionate, quality care to patients and their families," says Thomas, who is a Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner. "PSG is a career worth dreaming about!"

The program's first eight graduates will earn their degrees in May.

Also in May, GCC will once again host a seminar by K & M Medical, Inc. The seminar offers a comprehensive review of the principles of PSG for technicians preparing for their certification exams. The two-day review includes a study manual and sample questions from the sleep boards. For more information about the seminar, visit: http://kmmed.com/docs/genesee_may2012.pdf.

There are 60 sleep clinics registered across the state, with projections of continued growth, and several GCC second-year students are currently working as sleep techs.

GCC's program was endorsed by a peer review, conducted by the Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education. Accreditation standards for the discipline are established by the CAAHEP, along with the American Association of Sleep Technologists, American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

For more information, contact Polysomnographic Technology Program Director Marshann Thomas at 343-0055, ext. 6188, or at mythomas@genesee.edu.

Information is also available by visiting GCC's website: http://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/health/sleep/

Press release:

Nikki Calhoun, a resident of Pavilion, announced today that she will be participating in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif., on June 3rd in honor of a local blood cancer patient named Mary Beth Pelkey.

Calhoun has been approached by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Western & Central New York Chapter to join their Team in Training, which the society sponsors.

Team in Training (TNT), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s  (LLS) leading endurance sports charity training program, has reached  a remarkable milestone of raising more than $1 billion to support blood cancer research and patient services.

Since its inception in 1988, when a team of 38 runners trained together for a New York City Marathon and raised $320,000, TNT has prepared more than 440,000 people -- approximately 40,000 participants annually -- to achieve their dream of completing a marathon, half-marathon, triathlon, century bike ride or hike adventure.

The enormous success of this program has helped make possible advances in blood cancer therapies and treatments that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.

This year’s honored patient, Mary Beth Pelkey, is a mother of four who has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s," Calhoun said. "I know what a struggle it is. I know how she feels. Whenever I feel too tired to get up and train or feel like I will never reach my fundraising goal, I remember what Mary Beth is dealing with. … It gives me motivation."

Nancy Hails, executive director of the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter, said “The Team in Training program is expected to raise approximately $500,000 this year in the Western and Central New York area to support blood cancer research and patient aid and services.”

Fundraising is a big part of the Team in Training program. When the fundraising goal is met, participants arrange to travel to their marathon site with arrangements made by the LLS. Calhoun explains that she has a goal of $3,000 to meet.

Persons interested in assisting Calhoun in reaching her goal in honor of Mary Beth Pelkey, may send a check or money order made payable to: “Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and mail to P.O. Box 12, Pavilion, NY 14525.

You can also donate online at TeamInTraining.org. (Select Donate and search participant).

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and improve the quality of life patients and their families.

If you would like to learn more about the Team In Training program, contact us at (716) 834-2578 or toll free at 1-800-784-2368. Or check out their website at www.lls.org.

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a nine-day familiarization tour of China Oct. 22-30.

This is your chance to cross off a few items from your secret bucket list! Walk across the Great Wall of China and Tian An Men Square. Visit the seven story leaning Yan yan Pagoda at Tiger Hill, which pre-dates the leaning tower of Pisa. Take a walk along the famous Bund Area in Shanghai.

Similar to our successful yearly trips since 2007, the chamber is offering the community the unique opportunity to travel to China for the low price of $2,199. Price includes air fare (from JFK), bus to/from JFK, hotel stays, three meals a day, bus tours (with guides), admission to tourist spots, and airport taxes throughout the trip.

Of professional interest, this trip will present opportunities to learn a great deal about how the Chinese business system operates. The chamber believes this trip to be an exceptional value.

For more details, call Melissa at the chamber at 343-7440, ext. 27, and sign up to attend the informational meeting. It will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19 at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, located at 210 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Details on the trip can also be found at www.geneseeny.com/china

Press release:

Old-fashioned treasure hunting goes high-tech with geocaching! Adventure seekers of all ages are welcome to test their skills, learn how to use high-tech tools to search for clues, and enjoy the outdoors while on a treasure hunt with Genesee Community College's Geocaching Program.

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt using hand-held GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of latitude and longitude coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache container hidden at that location. Containers store items such as a log book, and usually a surprise or two to make the challenge more exciting.

GCC is offering two beginner classes for those looking to start this stimulating hobby, and an advanced class for those who've already experienced the thrill of the hunt.

Geocaching 101 will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 14, and again from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15.

The half-day introductory program will start with a brief overview of what geocaching is and how it works, and then participants will use GPS units to find a geocache hidden on the grounds of the Batavia campus. Participants should wear clothing and footwear suitable for a walk in the woods.

Registration for these introductory classes can be done online: http://www.genesee.edu/best/courses/getCourseInfo/?CourseID=575. Each class is $15 and includes the use of a GPS unit (or you can bring your own!).

Advanced "cachers" can register for the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. class on Saturday, July 14, by visiting this website: http://www.genesee.edu/best/courses/getCourseInfo/?CourseID=576. The cost for the advanced class is $18.

Experienced cachers who register for the advanced class will learn about management tools, queries, the relatives of geocaching and then take part in a field trip to a local park to hunt for various types of caches. They will be joined by other veteran geocachers, including Elizabeth Downie, from GCC's Math, Science and Career Education division, who teaches the geocaching classes.

Downie, who uses the ID 'authorized users', and other veterans -- Sabrefan7, ElbaPatch, HFJohn and BarbershopDru -- will share their secrets and caching insights with participants. Well-known local cacher GadgetCHC, who has logged more than 16,000 finds, will also be attending the field trip!

"Geocaching is more than just running into the woods to find a container," Downie said. "Geocaching involves knowledge, skill, planning, research, challenges and persistence. You need to employ your brain and five senses while searching and you have to be respectful of your surroundings."

The classes are among those offered through The BEST Center's Leisure Learning Program. For further information or to register, call The BEST Center at 345-6868 or visit: www.bestcenter.org.

Press release:

GO ART!’s popular Salon Series returns this month through May with three programs in Genesee County, all featuring “Rising Stars” --  young artists in our communities. All GO ART! Salons are casual and fun, and each includes a themed menu, presentation from our artists, and time for socializing and discussion.

The line-up includes the following programs taking place at GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Batavia (reservations are required):

The Forum Players: "God’s Favorite"
5 p.m. -- Saturday, March 31
Salon requested contribution: $23/members, $26/non-members

For this first salon in our series, the reservation includes the dinner / program at GO ART! AND a ticket to the 7:30 p.m. performance at Genesee Community College. To start the evening, Maryanne Arena, Forum Players’ advisor and GCC director of Fine & Performing Arts, will share informative and entertaining insights into the Neil Simon play “God’s Favorite,” which will be performed that evening.

Forum Players, a co-curricular theatrical organization, is an integral part of the Theatre Program at Genesee. All theatrical productions at the college are coordinated by the Forum Players and theater majors are encouraged to become members; however, it is open to all GCC students.

In recent years, the Forum Players have presented the adventurous play "Peter Pan" and the musical "Chicago" to sell-out crowds and rave reviews. In late 2009, the Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College Forum Players performance of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf,” was a featured show at the Theater Association of New York State Festival (TANYS). It won three awards: Best Long Production, Best Choreography and Best Performance.

Menu: Fajita Bar! Strips of salmon, chicken and beef with all the toppings to make the perfect fajita or salad; bread pudding with caramel sauce.

Vocalist: Emily Tworek-Helenbrook
6 p.m. -- Thursday, April 26
Salon requested contribution: $21/members, $23/non-members

Join us for a night of international food and song! An accomplished vocalist, performer and photographer at the age of 17, Emily Tworek-Helenbrook, of Alexander, is a lyric coloratura soprano who has performed all over New York and Canada since she was 11. She has been described as a "vocal prodigy" with a "crystalline" and "hauntingly beautiful" voice. A live pianist will accompany Emily as she delights us with international-themed pieces, performing songs from France, Italy, Poland, Russia and the United States.

Ms. Tworek-Helenbrook has won the American Prize Vocal Competition in both the Opera and Art Song categories. She was a second-place winner in the Barry Alexander International Voice Competition in 2010, and in 2011 she took first place at the prestigious competition, resulting in a debut at Carnegie Hall in January 2011. She is a two time first-place winner of the Polish Heritage Society Competition. Emily won first place at the Classical Singer Competitions held at Mannes School of Music and Boston Conservatory, was a finalist in the prestigious Rochester Oratorio Competition, and has received numerous other awards.

Menu: French onion soup with baked cheese, antipasti salad, crusty rolls, cheese & potato-filled pierogi, chrusciki & hot fudge sundaes.

Chef de Cuisine: Michael Zambito
6 p.m. -- Wednesday, May 23
Salon requested contribution: $22/members, $24/non-members

A rare and wonderful treat for Batavia...the famed cuisine of Michael Zambito, owner and head chef of Zambistro in Medina, right in our backyard. Chef Zambito shares his culinary arts skills as well as his evolution as a chef, starting with a childhood spent in his nana’s kitchen. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York City after high school, during which time he interned at Chefs d’France in Epcot Center.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute, Chef Zambito returned to his hometown of Medina. His 50-seat bistro, Zambistro, was founded Dec. 1, 2006 to lead the way in a local culinary revolution, featuring Zambito’s unique blend of seasonal flavors and bold ingredients to create his spin on upscale comfort food. He is also executive chef for The Bistro at Shelridge (Country Club) in Medina, and has developed Zambistro Catering as part of his business model. GO ART! is proud to announce that Zambistro is now one of the official Preferred Caterers for events at GO ART!, Seymour Place.

Menu: Amuse-bouche -- Grilled & chilled shrimp cocktail, toasted barley salad, roasted tomato gazpacho; main course -- pan-seared free-range chicken breast, summer salad of romaine hearts, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, croutons, pesto vinaigrette; dessert -- table-side presentation of espresso crème brûlée.

Each salon has a separate requested contribution, listed above, or enjoy the series of three at the discounted rate of $55 for members and $60 for non-members.

Reservations are required and can be made by phone at 343-9313, email at info@GOart.org, or by stopping in to GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Batavia (open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays). Reservations may also be made online at www.goart.org <http://www.goart.org> under “Events.”

The 2012 Salon Series is sponsored by The Bank of Castile.

This is from reader Samantha Pangrazio:

The Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up will host its third annual event April 21. This is an event where members of the community gather together to clear the roadsides of debris that is not only unsightly, but harmful to our environment.

This year, I am interested in making the event more appealing to all residents, especially school-aged kids and teenagers. One way to accomplish this is by supplying each participant with a complementary T-shirt and also by creating contests that would reward the winner of each category with a small donation from local businesses.

If you would like to help us out, please contact Samantha Pangrazio at <sjpangrazio94@hotmail.com>.

The Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up is an opportunity for residents who, like me, have a deep-seated love and appreciation for our beautiful town and village.

Our first annual Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up occurred two years ago on April 24, 2010. This was something that I decided to create because of the wonderful volunteering opportunity that it created for individuals and also because of the increasing amount of people who have become oblivious to the damaging effects that trash is creating in our communities. 

Due to the total number of participants who pitched in these past two years and the beautiful results that occurred, I would like to continue this experience for individuals interested in keeping our environment healthy.

Thank you.

Press release:

Olmsted Center for Sight in Buffalo is now in collaboration with Batavia-based Regional Action Phone, Inc. (RAP), a 24-hour information and referral, and crisis intervention helpline.

This relationship expands Olmsted Center for Sight’s contact center services into a 24-hour operation serving the eight counties of Western New York including 2-1-1 WNY.

The Olmsted Center serves the needs of blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages who reside in Western New York. It's the only organization within that region specifically mandated to provide comprehensive rehabilitation, health-related and human services to this highly specialized population.

Olmsted’s mission is to assist individuals with blindness or visual impairments to achieve their highest possible level of independence in their homes, community and workplace. It has served the community for more than 100 years and current programs include a respected vision clinic; rehabilitation services; an early education preschool; specialized housing properties; light manufacturing; and the Statler Center which is a vocational training program.

Additional services include switchboard operations for regional VA hospitals and an established contact center, which is enhanced by the addition of RAP.

RAP was formed in 1972 by a dedicated group of volunteers and has grown substantially in terms of services, regional coverage and call volume. Their crisis helplines also include MICA services (Mentally Ill and Chemically Addicted) and a Tip Line (set up to report underage drinking) for concerned citizens. RAP currently employs seven professional agents and has access to more than 150 languages and dialects, as well as TTY service for the deaf community.

Dr. Ronald Maier, president of Olmstead Center, said the collaboration strengthens employment opportunities in Olmsted’s call center program while bringing even greater service to the community. He also noted the timeliness of the action as RAP celebrates its 40th anniversary.

By month's end, the social networking site Facebook will require businesses to convert their pages to the new "Timeline" format. Genesee Community College has already made the switch, with some interesting highlights from the school's history.

In addition to the current college news and activities visitors have come to expect, the new Timeline format offers a look back at some of the unusual and noteworthy events that helped shaped the institution since its founding in 1966.

With a click on the decade links on the right side of the page, visitors are taken back in time to read about events such as the 1974 concert by current mega-band Aerosmith, when students could see the show for just $1, or check out pictures of the college's original Batavia campus at the site of the former Valu Discount Store on West Main Street.

"The new Timeline format provides us with the opportunity to tell the college's story in a very visual and interactive format," said Kevin Manne, GCC's new media specialist. "Thanks to the Genesee Community College Archives, we were able to take some key moments from GCC's rich 45-plus year history out of a room in the Alfred C. O'Connell Library and share it with the world."

Other noteworthy events on the Timeline include the iconic Batavia Campus clock tower being installed with cranes in 2001, construction of the College Road campus in 1972 and all the campus center openings starting in the 1990s.

Alumni, faculty, staff, students and the community are encouraged to share their photos from past GCC events on the page to be included as a part of its Timeline.

To view it and share your memories, visit http://www.facebook.com/GeneseeCommunityCollege and click the "Like" button at the top of the page. You'll also receive college news, events, photos and videos right in your Facebook news feed.

There will be an Open House at all seven campuses of Genesee Community College beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21.

For door-to-door directions go to Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina or Warsaw go online to:  http://www.genesee.edu/about/visit/maps.cfm

Learn more about the exciting opportunities offered by GCC and about the admissions and financial aid processes, and tour College Village adjacent to the Batavia campus.

Get all your questions about GCC answered, including information on the services available for students, the wide range of academic and athletic programs, and what life is like on campus for both commuters and residents.

To pre-register, visit http://www.genesee.edu/depts/admissions/visit/openhouse/

You can also sign-up for College Visit days, which are informal visits to tour the Batavia campus, get information on how to apply for admission and for financial aid, and sit in on a class! The next chance to do that is at 9 a.m. Friday, March 30.

For more information, call 345-6800 or write to: Admissions@genesee.edu.

The Richmond Memorial Library Children’s Room invites you to celebrate being a girl with our American Girl programs in April.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14: A day in the life of Josefina -- learn all about American Girl Josefina with our special presenter Teresa Wood. She will bring in a dollhouse representing the time and setting in which Josefina lived.

Ages 6 and up are welcomed to attend. Registration is required.

And at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21: Crafty Girls -- Create an American Girl spring craft for your hair. Ages 7 and up are welcomed to attend. Registration is required.

Please be sure to register early by calling 343-9550, ext. 4.

A diverse catalog of art projects produced by Genesee Community College Fine Arts students will be on display in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery later this month.

The display reflects coursework from painting, drawing, photography, ceramics and 2D and 3D design classes.

The exhibition runs from March 22 through April 26, with two artists' receptions to welcome the public to view the works. The opening reception is at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, with a second community reception set from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 30. Many of the student artists will be present and refreshments will be served at both events.

"Teaching students how to both make and display artwork is an integral part of our mission here at GCC," says Shirley Verrico, gallery director and GCC instructor. "We are fortunate to be able to do so in a state-of-the-art gallery."

Among the projects are hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramics pieces that Fine Arts and Ceramics assistant professor Maureen "Moi" Dugan describes as a mix of various methods and approaches.

"It's awesome to see a non-art major blossom in the studio," Dugan said. "They may be hesitant when they start the class, but have a fine body of work when they leave!"

The drawings and paintings run the gamut from Impressionist to finely detailed drawings and the three-dimensional pieces focus on structural works using foam cores, mixed media and "found objects."

Fine arts and photography instructor Andrew Super says the black and white photos in the exhibit express a great range of interests and backgrounds of GCC students. Most of the photos presented are from independent projects where students are asked to look at the world around them and respond to their environment via the camera. The result is an eclectic mix of images, ranging from narratives to abstract expressions of the everyday world.

Rehearsals and set construction are well under way as Genesee Community College prepares to launch its Spring 2012 theatrical season with a production of the Neil Simon comedy "God's Favorite."

The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29 when the GCC Forum Players, in conjunction with the Genesee Center for the Arts, take the stage in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"God's Favorite" is loosely based on the biblical Book of Job, with God and Satan making a bet involving a wealthy Long Island businessman whose faith is tempted by a wisecracking messenger from God.

The cast and crew, under the direction of Fine and Performing Arts Director Maryanne Arena, reflect the GCC community of faculty and students, as well as local performers. They include Jerry Newell, of Attica, as pious businessman Joe Benjamin, and Rochester's Ben Liebrand as the tempter Sidney Lipton.

Rounding out the cast is: Patrick Dodge, of Warsaw, as prodigal son David Benjamin; Tyler Eldred, of Dansville, as son Ben Benjamin; Perry's Sara Stabley as Ben's twin sister Sarah Benjamin; Nikole Marone, of Batavia, in the role of Joe's long-suffering wife Rose Benjamin; Rochester's Whitney Sellers as maid Mady; and Bobby Steeves, of Albion, as the butler Morris.

GCC technical theater faculty member Ed Hallborg tackles the set design and technical direction of the comedy, with students Alison Scharvella (Copake Lake) and Roger Williams (Kendall) sharing stage manager duties.

"The cast and crew work incredibly hard and have shown an amazing amount of dedication to their craft," Arena said. "I am extremely proud of each and every one of our performers and crew members."

In addition to the debut performance on Thursday, tickets are also available for the 7:30 p.m. shows on Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 1.

General admission prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+), students and GCC faculty and staff, and $3 for Genesee students with valid ID. GCC alumni receive a $2 discount with valid alumni ID card. The theater box office is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and one hour before the start of each performance.

Reserve tickets are available through the box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or by calling (585) 345-6814. Payment is accepted via cash, checks, and Visa or MasterCard credit cards.

Genesee Community College is located in Batavia, just two minutes from NYS Thruway Exit 48. Visit http://genesee.edu for door-to-door directions sent via email.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center will host a community education event, Diabetes Alert!, on Tuesday, April 17 at Bohn’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for informational displays. A light dinner, served at 5:45 p.m., will be followed by a program featuring guest speaker, Michele Barrios (RN BSN CWOCN) on the topic of wound prevention and care. Additional presenters include Rosann Quinn, YMCA fitness instructor on the topic of yoga, and registered dietician Amy Miller (RD CDN CDE) from United Memorial.

Tickets, which include a light dinner and program, are $10 each and available through the hospital’s Healthy Living Department. Checks may be made payable to UMMC and mailed to: Healthy Living, 127 North St., Batavia, NY 14020.

Payment may be made in person at the office location at Cary Hall, 211 E. Main St., Batavia, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets are pre-sale only and available until April 6.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 8.3 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, and of that number, 28 percent is undiagnosed and untreated. Diabetes is a condition that results when the body fails to efficiently use the hormone insulin, causing excess sugar to build up in the blood. People with diabetes are also at risk for a number of other health complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, depression and lower extremity amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

In addition to the yearly educational event, Diabetes Alert!, United Memorial provides a number of services to the community for chronic disease management as it relates to diabetes, including a diabetes self-management course held several times throughout the year. The multi-session course is typically covered by most insurance plans and provides participants with a number of ways to manage their illness with medication if necessary and healthy lifestyle changes to their diet and physical activity.

For more information on classes or to register for the event, please call Healthy Living at 344-5331.

Press release:

For the first time ever, trekkers who take part in Genesee Community College's annual alumni Trek the Trail walkathon can go online to solicit pledges from family and friends, form teams, and create their own web page!

The fundraiser, which benefits the GCC Foundation Student Scholarship Fund, includes a morning of fun and outdoor activities for all ages. For a $15 donation, each registered trekker gets a T-shirt, treats, prizes and lunch, and a chance to join their friends and family on an engaging stroll around the Batavia campus.

And new this year, walkers can register, ask for and tally pledges, challenge friends, and create their own page on the Trek the Trail website: www.gccfoundation.kintera.org/trek.

Last-minute registration gets under way at 9:30 a.m. on April 21, with sign-in at the Stuart Steiner Theater Lobby. The trek then heads out along the Cougar Paws Pathway, with various stops for healthy treats along the Nature Trail to the soccer stadium and baseball fields, where kids (big and small!) can run the bases. New this year: a photo opportunity in front of the giant GCC sign at the old soccer fields.

Hikers continue to College Village, where playtime awaits at the Ducky Pond, and moves to the gym, where future hoops stars can show off their dunking style. Walkers then progress to the Student Union and the Forum, where various medical technicians will offer blood pressure readings and other healthy check-ups. The walkathon wraps up with lunch under the tent.

"This is a terrific opportunity for folks to enjoy some light exercise in the fresh air, have fun with their children, and help the College Foundation provide scholarship money for students," said Alumni Affairs Coordinator Jackie Christenson. "We're very excited about the new website and think it will make this fundraiser more accessible for a lot more people!"

Prizes will be awarded for most pledges and most creative team (costumes are welcome!), and those who correctly answer trivia questions along the way will be entered into a prize raffle.

Sponsorship opportunities for Trek the Trail are still available and can be arranged by contacting Jackie Christenson, Alumni Affairs coordinator, at 343-0055, ext. 6265 or jkchristenson@genesee.edu.

The 15th annual showcase featuring antiques, collectibles, artworks for sale and appraisals will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the Elba department rec hall. For the first time ever -- admission is FREE!

The fire hall is located on Route 98 in Elba.

There will be basket raffle and 50/50 drawings. Dave Cutitta, a Batavia dealer in coins and precious metals for 40 years, will be buying, selling and appraising silver and gold coins and scrap.

Lunch available.

There will be 50-plus tables of advertising, buttons, jewelry, glassware, pottery, primitives, Victorian, postcards, handmade silk scarves, felted purses, paintings, quilting, Mother's Day gifts, candy, and folk art. Something for everyone. Don't miss it!

Press release:

Students interested in a career caring for animals can learn more about the details of Genesee Community College's Veterinary Technology program during information sessions on the Batavia campus next month.

The college will host two meetings to introduce incoming students, as well as those still in high school and the general public, to the exciting possibilities of a career as a veterinary technician. Both sessions will be held Thursday, April 5.

Meetings will take place in the Conable Technology Building, Room T119, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Among topics that will be discussed:

• Careers in veterinary technology
• The application and admissions process
• Academic requirements
• Program prerequisites
• Degree and licensure
• Frequently asked questions

For more information, contact program Director Kathryn Seweryniak at 343-0055, ext. 6187, or via email at keseweryniak@genesee.edu.

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to once again offer an exciting hands-on opportunity for area middle- and high-school students to apply what they know about technology and learn even more. The fifth annual Tech Wars competition will take place this Thursday, March 15 at the Batavia campus.

The competition is open to middle- and high-school students, who will participate in multiple project-based events of skill, chance and ability. Events will include CO2 dragster design; AutoCAD technical drawing and architectural design; logo design; manual drafting; sculpture; web page design; bridge design; catapult; mousetrap cars; robot tractor pull; Rube Goldberg demonstration; king of the hill and the ever-popular sumo robots.

Teams of students aged 9 through 14 will also compete in the NXT/RCX robotic marshmallow catapult launch to try to propel their marshmallows the farthest from various points.

"The interest in this competition continues to grow each year because it's fun, but it also illustrates the how the broad range of careers in technology young people can explore," said Debbie Dunlevy, GCC tech prep program director and co-chair of the Tech Wars competition. "The Tech Wars encourage kids to think beyond the classroom, engage their creativity and strengthen their team-building and problem-solving skills to embrace technology as a fun, yet rewarding, way to make a living."

College Tech Prep helps students explore various career options and make a smooth transition from high school to college and ultimately to professional careers. The Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals.

For more information, please contact Debbie Dunlevy, Genesee Community College tech prep program director at 343-0055, ext. 6316, or dkdunlevy@genesee.edu or visit the Tech Wars website at http://www.techwarsgcc.org.