Announcements

The fourth annual Wiener Dog Race held yesterday at Batavia Downs Gaming brought thousands of families to cheer, laugh and smile for a fun-filled afternoon of free entertainment.

Pictured above is Pablo, the winner of today’s race with owners Jon Wright and Adrienne Penders from Pavilion.

“This is the first race we have won in the three years of racing,” Adrienne said.

Last year Pablo came in second but shined in the final race.

More than 60 dogs participated in today’s race. There were nine heats of seven to eight dogs per race. 

Winners of each heat race are:

1. #4 Skittles
2. #5 Pablo
3. #4 Minnie
4. #6 Frank
5. #3 Maximus
6. #3 Ruby
7. #7 Mickey Zoom
8. #4 Piglet (who won the 2015 race)
9. #2 Nibbles

Winners overall were: First Place -- Pablo, Second Place -- Nibbles; and Third Place -- Minnie. Each owner took home a winning free play certificate and various prizes.

Press release:

The City of Batavia is considering applying for Federal grant assistance to help income-eligible, owner-occupied, single-family homeowners with essential home improvements.

If you own a single-family home in need of repairs, please download the survey from the City’s “Useful Links” tab on the City’s homepage at www.batavianewyork.com. Click on Residential Rehabilitation Survey. Or you may pick up a survey in the City Manager’s office at City Hall.

Grant money would enable homeowners to make home repairs with grant and low-interest loan funding.

The City of Batavia is requesting your full cooperation to help us obtain housing rehabilitation grant funding. Please complete and mail in or drop off the surveys to the City Manager’s Office, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, New York, 14020.

If you have any questions please contact the City Manager’s office at 585-345-6330. 

Photo courtesy of Batavia Downs. Pictured is last year's winning wiener dog, "Piglet," and his owner, Heidi Kaiser.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The "Dog Days of Summer" at Batavia Downs means it's time for the annual Genesee Feeds Wiener Dog Races. That popular event is once again happening this Sunday afternoon (Aug. 28) with post time for the first Dachshund race scheduled for approximately 4:20 p.m. after the completion of the live 11-race live harness racing card.

Last year, Heidi Kaiser’s Dachshund, “Piglet,” made his third Downs appearance and cruised to a comfortable victory defeating nine other fleet-footed Wiener-racers in the championship final.

On Sunday, seven heats will be contested with each heat winner scoring a $25 free play voucher to Batavia Downs Gaming. The heat winners will then return for a championship race where the winning owner getting $100 in free play, second place finisher gets $75 in free play, and the third place finisher receives $50 in free play. The owners of the top three finishers will also get two complementary buffets in the Batavia Downs clubhouse.

All entrants will receive doggie bags for their athletes from the official sponsor of the Wiener Dog Races, Genesee Feeds of Batavia.

The Wiener Dog Races are one of the biggest promotions of the season at Batavia Downs and the main event of "Family Fun Day" at the races.

"Family Fun Day is one of my favorite live racing days,” said Director/General Manager of Live Racing, Todd Haight. “The kids always have a great time. You can bring the whole family out because there is something for everyone and you can eat, drink and enjoy everything going on for the entire afternoon and it costs next to nothing.”

Treat the kids to a fun, affordable day out with $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, soda, and snow cones and free pony rides from 2-4 p.m., sponsored by Castilone Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep of Batavia. There will also be special appearances by Pringles The Clown, Mr. Scribbles, Jason the Juggler and other fun activities for kids of all ages. And everything is presented in a clean, safe environment where they can just enjoy themselves.

Admission and parking are free and live harness racing action begins at 1:15 p.m.

Press release:

The Richter Family Foundation runs a program that gives books to children under age 5 through The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It has been in operation since 2004 and the Oakfield-Alabama, Elba, Pavilion, and Pembroke school districts participate in the program. Recently, Byron-Bergen was added to the program.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a set of books beginning with the children’s classic "The Little Engine That Could." Each month a new, carefully selected age-appropriate book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. Best of all it is a FREE GIFT! There is no cost or obligation to your family.

To be eligible in the Byron-Bergen School District, the child must live in the Byron-Bergen School District and must be between the ages of birth and his/her 5th birthday.

A committee representing the Byron-Bergen School District, the Byron and Bergen Communities, and the Byron-Bergen Library is partnering with the Richter Family Foundation to bring the Imagination Library to the children.

If your zip code is 14020, 14021, 14058, 14143 or 14482, the only way to register is to fill out a registration form and mail it to the address indicated on the form. The forms can be found at the Byron Town Hall, the Bergen Town and Village Offices, the Byron-Bergen Library, and the Byron-Bergen Elementary Office.  

If your zip code is 14416, 14422, 14428, 14429 or 14470, you may fill out and send in a registration form or, you may register online at www.imaginationlibrary.com by clicking on the box “register my child” and following the directions.

The Byron-Bergen Imagination Library Committee consists of: Nancy Bailey, librarian, Bergen Public Library; Anna Marie Barclay, Village of Bergen mayor and retired teacher; Donna Gerrard, Byron resident and a mom and grandmother; and Brian Meister, Byron-Bergen Elementary School principal.

They know that you, the parents and your children, will love the Imagination Library and encourage you to sign up your children today. A family can register several children within the household as long as they are under age 5.

Press release:

Don’t miss out! Spots for the GLOW’s 2016 Household Hazardous/Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Event are going fast. Residents who want to dispose of materials at the Saturday, Sept. 17, collection in Batavia must have an appointment in order to attend.

GLOW accepts a wide range of household chemicals, oil base paint, home computers (NOTE LIMIT OF TWO (2) CRT TVs AND/OR MONITORS PER REGISTRANT), propane tanks and canisters, vehicle batteries and other materials. Microwave ovens and for the seventh year, thanks to the assistance of the Genesee County Sheriff’s office, pharmaceuticals (unwanted, outdated, unusable and over-the-counter medicines) will be accepted. These materials are accepted FREE OF CHARGE. There is a nominal fee for tires.

Funding is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), GLOW’s county contributions and Covanta Energy.

This is a great opportunity for residents to dispose of household chemicals and medicines they no longer want or need. Past collections have resulted in the safe and legal disposal of thousands of tires, thousands of gallons of solvents, cleaning products and paint, not to mention vehicle batteries, propane tanks and computers. Whenever possible materials collected are recycled.

The collection is open to residents in Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties. To make an appointment residents are asked to call the GLOW office at 585/815-7906 or 800/836-1154, or email glow@co.genesee.ny.us

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring hardy perennials, house plants and local field grown Mums. Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as they will have several months to grow a strong root system. There will also be a Chance Basket Auction, free soil pH testing and plenty of gardening advice from Master Gardeners.

There will be a “Flower Arrangements from the Garden” demonstration at 11 a.m.  Learn how to artfully arrange fresh flowers from your garden. A variety of fresh flower arrangements created by Master Gardeners will also be available for sale.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your garden! Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please. Due to the drought, the number of plants we have to offer this fall may be limited. The Chance Auction drawing will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our new CCE website http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced this week that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend the Labor Day holiday and the end of summer celebrating with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Friday, Aug. 19^th and will end on Monday, Sept. 5^th. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.

During the 2014 Labor Day holiday period, 83 percent of drunk-driving crash fatalities occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.. Among the drivers between the ages of 18 and 34, who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2014, 51 percent of those fatalities involved a drunk driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.

The STOP-DWI Labor Day Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from our STOP-DWI Foundation and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

Press release:

The Jerome Foundation and United Memorial Medical Center Foundation are jointly seeking nominations for the 32^nd annual Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County. Nominations should be submitted on or before Sept. 6.

The award recognizes outstanding men and women whose volunteer efforts have improved the physical, emotional or spiritual well-being of the greater Genesee County area.

“We are fortunate to have many caring and committed volunteers devoted to the sick or to those in need, and helping to build a stronger, healthier community for all of us,” said Justin Calarco-Smith, president of The Jerome Foundation.

He noted the accomplishments of John Dwyer, the 2015 Health and Humanitarian Award winner. For more than 60 years Mr. Dwyer has given his support and leadership to numerous organizations involved in health care, job creation, education and charitable causes.

Nomination forms are available from UMMC Foundation Office at 127 North St., or by calling 585-344-5301, or online at www.ummc.org.

Organizations or individuals may nominate candidates. Consideration will be given to actual accomplishments achieved through volunteer service and subsequent improvements to quality of life. 

The 2016 award winner will be honored at a luncheon on Friday, Nov. 4, at Terry Hills Restaurant.

When he was a 16-year-old dishwasher at a local restaurant, the chef he worked under got too busy to handle all the orders and enlisted his help. That moment was to become a defining turning point in Dave Hamer's career in the food industry.

After he graduated high school, he continued on at the restaurant. About a year after that, he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, Conn. – what he likes to affectionately refer to as akin to “becoming a chef at Yale.”

Not only did the institute expand to a location in New York – High Park – after stints in the states of Alaska, Florida, Tennessee and a few others, Hamer and his wife, Carolyn, returned to their home state of New York. More specifically, they returned to Wyoming County to plant their roots in a new business located at 1961 Church Road, Darien Center.

River Spring Lodge, a premier boutique hotel, nestled on 20 tranquil acres overlooking a private pond, provides luxurious guest rooms that include a three-course breakfast. The inn offers five beautifully appointed king (bed) rooms and two queen rooms that are smart, modern, comfortable and luxurious.

“As a New York native and a former resident of Wyoming County, opening a lodge here is like coming home again,” Hamer said. “My wife, Carolyn, and I are excited to be in Western New York (WNY). We love the quiet, secluded location that is only 30 miles from Buffalo and an hour from Rochester.” 

The couple owns the country estate. They are two of the most highly regarded professionals in the boutique lodging industry and have served discriminating clients from all over the world at Orvis-endorsed hospitality businesses, a company which is touted to be the “purveyor of the Distinctive Country Lifestyle,” as stated on its website. 

The Hamers have worked at some really nice places, such as the Monhegan Island Inn, in Monhegan, Maine. The Inn, 10 miles off the coast of Maine, sits atop a bluff looking west over Monhegan Harbor toward the Atlantic Ocean; Kennicott Glacier Lodge, Kennicott, Alaska. Built in 1987, the Kennicott Glacier Lodge is a replica of one of the historic mining buildings from the copper mining boom town days. The Timbers at Chama, in Chama, N.M., is a 400-acre ranch originally built as an executive retreat and it's constructed from century-old bridge timbers. Elk hunting is the main attraction. And Pheasant Crest Lodge, Kimball, S.D., is part of a family-owned farm and ranch, the hunting lodge is set upon one of the ranch’s highest hills.

In addition to his employment at hunting lodges, Dave has also worked at a few "high-end” country clubs in Florida and Tennessee and performs ministry work through speaking engagements and travel.

“We started looking for a place in New York about three years ago,” he said. “We lived in Attica years ago and wanted to return here. We returned last winter as the caretaker of the place while getting it ready.”

Dave said he has been “in food” all his life, describing himself as a “career culinary person.” Tutored in classical European cuisine, the chef creates food that is beautiful, generous and exceptional.

There are two dining options at River Spring Lodge. Each Friday and Saturday the Chef's Table serves a remarkable five-course dining experience, with or without chef chosen wine pairings. The Bistro at River Spring Lodge will serve a four-course, country gourmet dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Bistro serves hearty cuisine that includes walleye, beef, chicken, venison and pheasant. The menu also includes gluten free, vegan, dairy free and vegetarian options. 

The Chef’s Table not only offers a truly memorable five-course dinner, but also panoramic wooded and water views, a beautiful chandelier, a flickering fire, and lovely table linens. The sophisticated china and crystal stemware add ambiance to an authentic fine-dining experience. Chef chosen wine pairings are offered nightly. Bottles of wine can also be chosen from the River Spring Lodge cellar.

The Bistro at River Spring Lodge offers gourmet country dining at private tables in a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. Tables are limited and reservations are required.

This upscale inn is a full-service hotel and corporate retreat hidden on 20 quiet, wooded acres. It is located just 30 minutes from BUF Buffalo/Niagara International Airport and less than one hour from ROC Greater Rochester International Airport. The bedrooms are beautifully appointed, each with a private bathroom with heated ceramic floors, double vessel sinks, bathtubs and large European shower rooms. This boutique hotel -- not far from Niagara Falls, and close to Letchworth State Park -- is in an ideal location to explore the natural wonders of the county and all of WNY.

A fully equipped conference room is available for meetings and conferences. A variety of beverage package options are available for private events. A lobby with a baby grand piano and comfortable leather furniture provides the perfect place to host a wine tasting or cocktail reception or to mingle with other guests, read a book or to just relax while enjoying a glass of wine before dinner.

While the Hamers' goal at the lodge is for it to become a premiere destination for couples and corporate gatherings, the couple is also involved in ministerial work.

“From time to time we’d like to host meetings and leadership training and spend time in fellowship with pastors and their spouses. But our primary business is creating a destination for couple to escape to, and companies to see us as a corporate retreat.”

Not only is the setting central to larger cities, it’s far enough away to be an “escape” from the daily grind, but close enough to be affordable.

“We will be expanding in March by building state-of-the-art conference and corporate rooms that will be fully equipped to be able to accommodate daytime business meetings and the like for those who can do without extended travel. Our lodge complements the other retreats in the area and we look forward to working together with others.

“The friendliness of the people in the county, not just the business folks, has been wonderful. When working on establishing the business, the county folks were nothing but helpful, friendly, warm... I kind of forgotten how friendly the people in Western New York are.”

And in keeping with the hometown feel, the company’s motto is: We’re everything exceptional.

At a recent ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the facility, Wyoming County Chamber President Scott Gardner said, “We are thrilled to welcome River Spring Lodge and Dave and Carolyn Hamer to Wyoming County. They’ve made a tremendous investment in the property and offer a premier location for guests and corporate retreats. River Spring Lodge is a beautiful facility offering unique amenities and high quality accommodations.”

To reserve your place at The Chef’s Table or a table at The Bistro at River Spring Lodge go online at www.riverspringlodge.com or call (585) 708-4212. Local guests are always welcome for dinner when seats are available. Be sure to take advantage of the Grand Opening room discounts before they expire.

Press release:

Proving that a minute can matter, Tompkins Bank of Castile is kicking off the "Community Minute Challenge," a contest that invites participants to vote on the bank’s Facebook page and rewards local not-for-profits with a total of $10,000 in much-needed funds.

The first round will begin Aug. 17 through 31, and the public is invited to watch one-minute videos produced by participating nonprofits in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe and Orleans counties, and then vote for their favorite. Each video explains how the non-profit will use the awarded funds. The contest will run in four different quarters and will award $2,500 to each quarterly winner.

Competing in this round are: Going to the Dogs Rescue in Wyoming County, Community Action of Genesee and Orleans County, United Way of Genesee County’s Backpack Program, Mary Cariola Children’s Center of Rochester, GO ART!, and Sweet Adelines Chorus of Rochester.

To show support, participants should “like” Tompkins Bank of Castile’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TompkinsBankofCastile), click on the Community Minute Challenge app and then select their favorite nonprofit. Each individual can vote once per day during the contest period.

Press release:

The Pavilion Clothing Closet has found a new home! It has moved from Pavilion High School to the Pavilion First Baptist Church, 10956 Lake Road (Route 19), Pavilion.

The Clothing Closet will be open for two consecutive Saturdays, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, and by appointment. For an appointment, call Hope Speechley at 585-483-1858 or 584-3727. DO NOT leave a message; just try to call again.

The Pavilion Clothing Closet is a place where any Pavilion Central School student and their family can go to acquire gently used and sometimes “new” clothing, shoes and outerwear for FREE.

Very generous community members have and continue to donate to the Closet, these donations are very much appreciated!

There is an amazing abundance of clothing free for the taking. Please stop in to see what's available.

To donate, there is a green drop-off box at the front door of the church.

Additionally, we will continue to coordinate opening the Clothing Closet with the high school's Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Basket programs.

Press release from the American Red Cross:

The first ever Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Genesee County, which took place Thursday, Aug. 11, between Mercy EMS, Batavia City Fire Deptartment, Town of Batavia Fire Department, State Troopers, Batavia City Police and the Sheriff’s Office initially ended in a TIE!

But after the tie, the American Red Cross turned to the votes of the wonderful volunteers, who donate their time and efforts at the blood drives throughout Genesee County, led by Jennie Starowitz (Bergen) and Sharon Frost (Le Roy).

All the departments received many votes. Votes came from all the donors who donated at the Annual Genesee County Community That Cares that is held every year at the Quality Inn & Palm Island Indoor Waterpark. There were many civilian donors and there were many first responders who donated as well from all departments from as far out as Jamestown. Donors also came from Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, Niagara and Erie counties.

The premiere 2016 Genesee County Battle of the Badges winner is the STATE POLICE. The Troopers, led by Major Nigrelli, edged out the Sheriff’s Office by two votes and Mercy EMS came in third place, just two votes behind the Sheriff’s Office. The City fire, Town fire and City Police all were represented and all ended up in a three-way tie.

But for now, the State Troopers have the bragging rights for the next year. 

Tompkins Financial sponsored this great event and the Quality Inn & Palm Island Indoor Waterpark hosted this blood drive that will end up helping hundreds in need of life-saving blood donations. Thank you to all first responders for all that they do every day on the front lines and to all of the wonderful citizens who came to donate, the volunteers, sponsors and host.

The August Cat Sale is going on now at your friendly, local Animal Shelter.

That's right, folks, the Genesee County Animal Shelter has a special all this month only on the adoption of adult cats for a low, low fee of 20 bucks -- a whopping 50-percent off!

For only $20, you'll get one guaranteed-to-be adorable cat over the age of 1 year. This bargain comes complete with:

• Rabies vaccine
• Distemper combo vaccine
• FIV/FeLV testing
• Deworming treatment
• Flea treatment
• Spaying or neutering, if done prior to adoption. (For unspayed or unneutered cats, there is a $35 refundable deposit upon proof of surgery.)

Did you know that, according to the ASPCA, about 4,000,000 cats and kittens enter animal shelters every year?

Have a heart. Give at least ONE a good home. It's as certain as Mopsus that cats are very bemusing, and they will probably deign to be amused by you. Mutual amusement...more or less.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia. Phone is 343-6410.

Press release:

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced that $2 million in funding is available to help low- and middle-income households get their heating equipment inspected and cleaned prior to the start of the heating season.

The program is federally funded through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

The Genesee County Department of Social Services is ready to accept applications for furnace or boiler tune-ups, which can help improve energy efficiency while helping New Yorkers save on heating costs this winter. The local DSS office has a list of vendors who will do the work. The applicant must be HEAP eligible and the owner of the home.

“Households that get their heating equipment cleaned now will benefit come wintertime when they save on heating costs due to the improved efficiency,” said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “We also expect that fewer households that receive heating assistance through HEAP will face emergencies this winter, as a result of having a furnace or boiler operating at peak performance.”

Eligible households can receive up to $400, which includes cleaning of the primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment.

To qualify, households must not exceed the program’s income guidelines, which vary by household size. For example, a family of four can earn up to $4,316 a month and still qualify. Additionally, the household must have heating equipment that is more than 12 months old, and the furnace, boiler or chimney must not have been cleaned within the past 12 months.

Applications will be accepted through Nov. 4, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first. New Yorkers can find contact information for their county Department of Social Services at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/HEAP-contacts.pdf.

Press release:

Residents of the City of Batavia and surrounding region are invited to the Genesee County Fairgrounds for a meal and Christian concert, no charge!

Aug. 24^th -26^th, a dozen area churches along with 13 ministries and community organizations will be joining together to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of “Batavia’s Great Tabernacle Revival."

Wednesday, Aug. 24^th the night will kick off with local worship band Salt Of Earth along with internationally known worship leader Robin Mark from Belfast Ireland. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and event will begin at 6 p.m. There will be short messages of hope throughout. 

Thursday, Aug. 25^th will follow suit opening at 4 p.m. and commencing at 6 p.m. with Jim Drew and band out of Rochester followed by singer/songwriter Jason Upton and team. Jason does his best to carry the heart of our Heavenly Father. His songs and his messages reflect a life fully lived in relationship with God, family and friends. Come out and enjoy a time with great artists and a meal on us! 

Friday, Aug. 26^th Join us for a concert night of worship and celebration with Elmwood Drive, Selah and All Sons & Daughters. 

Doors will open at 4 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 5 p.m. for General Admission. There will be 1,000 chairs available and then lawn seating. You can bring fold-up chairs, blankets and plastic bottled drinks, no glass or alcohol. 

Concessions will be available for purchase all three nights.

You are welcome to bring friends and take part in worship, evangelism and Christian entertainment without denominational walls.

For more info call 585-297-3155 or 585-993-1888

Tickets for Friday available at www.effchurch.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-tabernacle-campaign-tickets-21233686528?ref=elink  

Tickets also available at Roxy’s Music Store, located at 228 W. Main St., Batavia.

Submitted artwork by thangka artist Joanna Angie as featured in new exhibit at GCC's Roz Steiner Gallery called "Meditation."

Press release:

The schedule is now in place for artists and exhibits that will be featured in the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery this fall at Genesee Community College, and thangka (Tibetan buddhist painting) artist Joanna Angie will display her works from Aug. 22 – Sept. 24 to begin the season.

Evident in her artwork, Angie has a strong sense of connection to Tibetan spiritual practice. Through thangka, a traditional Tibetan form of religious art dating back to the 11th century, Joanna seeks to convey images of compassion, community and knowledge.

"What I found in the Tibetan spiritual practice and thangka paintings was a natural sense of connection," Angie said. "The images stand for qualities we can develop such as compassion, community and knowledge, knowing there was no good judging me, just cause and effect."

Angie is the daughter of an Italian immigrant who escaped Mussolini's wrath and was proud of his American citizenship. After her father's death when she was just 14 years old, faith slowly came to her and school teachers and college professors became new guides in her life. After graduating Bennett College, Angie opened a gourmet food business, but became very sick by the age of 28. Relocation to Massachusetts exposed her to a Tibetan healer and a hatha yoga teacher, giving her new opportunities to heal and figured immensely into her healing process.

As a community-engaged artist, Joanna has worked on numerous projects including the public art project to commemorate the Centennial of the Pan-American Exposition in 2001. She was an active member of the Community Outreach Committee for the 2006 visit to Buffalo by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama and in 2005, 2007 and 2010; she was an active participant in Beyond/In WNY Exhibitions, collaboration between visual arts organizations in the Western New York Region. Her mural commissions include work at Carnegie Hall Towers and William Hurt's residence in New York City and at St. Paul's Cathedral and The Buffalo Club in Buffalo.

Founder of the Buffalo Arts Studio and acting director from 1991-2012, Angie has exhibited her work at galleries in Buffalo, including Anderson Gallery, Buffalo Arts Studio, CEPA, El Museo, Hallwalls, Contemporary Arts Center, Himalayan Institute of Buffalo, Insight Gallery; as well as the Kenan Center in Lockport, Olean Public Library Art Gallery and the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn.

In addition to its aesthetic beauty as a work of art, thangka serves as an object of devotion, an aid to spiritual practice, and a source of blessings to those who meditate upon it. Joanna's exhibition "Mediation" will be shown Aug. 22 – Sept. 24 and an opening reception is planned for Sept. 8 beginning at 1 p.m. The exhibition will close with a reception on Sept. 24 beginning at 1 p.m. during GCC's Homecoming festivities.

The Roz Steiner Art Gallery will continue to host natural and historical works through the fall with the following exhibits:

• Oct. 6 – 28 -- "On Watch": A curiosity in the process of knowledge formation drives the conceptual framework for Timothy Frerichs' artwork. Through his site-specific installations, he seeks to address and inform ways of responding to and observing the natural world. With the idea that "to categorize is to know," he explores how gathering objects for information and the creation of knowledge constitutes and develops into a reality, particularly in terms of how culturally accepted concepts evolve and become mainstream.

The Exhibition will begin with an opening lecture and reception at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.

• Nov. 10 – Dec. 16: "A Celebration of Native American Heritage": A comprehensive survey of Native American Heritage spanning 150+ years, this exhibit features a diverse collection of regional artifacts on loan from the Rochester Museum and Science Center as well as artwork from contemporary Native American artist Carson Waterman. Waterman's art and public murals can be found in and around Western New York, as well as at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information on all upcoming events at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery visit www.genesee.edu/gallery or www.facebook.com/gccgallery

There will be an NRA Safety and Firearm Education Camp from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Alabama Hunt Club on Sunday, Aug. 14.

The hunt club, located at 1854 Lewiston Road in Alabama, is sponsoring the event. Cost is $5 per person or $20 per family. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

Registration and fee payment starts at 9, with a required Shooting Safety Course instruction beginning at 9:30.

That will be followed by:

• Archery shooting
• Paintball shooting
• Air rifle shooting
• .22-caliber rifle shooting
• Trap shooting
• And muzzleloading rifle shooting

To ask questions or for more information, call Dema at (716) 632-1264.

Submitted photo (of some previous contestants and their handlers at the starting line) and press release:

Do you have a speedy Dachshund? That’s what Batavia Downs officials are wondering as they have announced registration opening for the Genesee Feeds 2016 dachshund (wiener) dog races to be held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 28.

The wiener races that begin approximately 4:15 p.m. are the final event on its annual Family Fun Day at the Races at America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack.

All entered dogs receive a doggie gift bag courtesy of Genesee Feeds. The owners of all heat winners receive gaming free play, and the top three in the championship race, receive Clubhouse buffet certificates and free play for the gaming floor.

The winner’s total prize package including the gaming free play is valued at $200.

Dashing Dachshund owners wishing to participate should call Batavia Downs’ Wiener Dog Race coordinator Arna Tygart at 585-343-3750, ext. 6437, and leave a message. Staff will call back to confirm. The races are limited to the first 80 dogs that register. 

Press release:

For the second year in a row, local health care organizations, Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center and Oak Orchard Health will be hosting an event for breastfeeding mothers that will attempt to break international records as well as raise awareness on the important health benefits of breastfeeding.

Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and their children are invited to attend the event that will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Jerome Center at 16 Bank St. in Batavia on Friday, Aug. 5.

It's part of the Global Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event that will include thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world. In addition to the 10:30 a.m. count, the Latch On event at the Jerome Center will also have Foodlink’s Curbside Mobile Market, a baby clothing swap, refreshments, freebies, face painting, car seat check, and door prizes.

Anyone who wishes to donate gently used baby clothing for the swap can drop it off at Oak Orchard Health WIC at 314 Ellicott St. in Batavia by Aug. 4 or bring it to the event. Attendees can register at the event or pre-register at www.biglatchon.org

The Global Big Latch On was organized by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action as part of World Breastfeeding Week to raise awareness on the important health benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of children, and children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to optimize these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for 2 years and as long thereafter as is mutually desired by a woman and her child. World Breastfeeding Week will take place Aug. 1-7.