Announcements

Attention all Batavia HS Link Crew members:

Link Crew is sponsoring Cocoa and Cram on Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. in the BHS cafeteria. This is a Freshmen-only study session for upcoming Mid-Term Exams. Cocoa and Cram is an excellent opportunity to set everything aside and prepare for midterms.   Link Leaders will be on hand to help Freshmen study and review material that will be on their exams. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. Cocoa and Cram is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and Mr. Pat Burk.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the BHS Counseling Center at 585-343-2480 ext. 2002.

Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause! You're invited to an Applesbee's Flapjack Fundraiser breakfast to support BHS ICE DEVILS

Tickets: $5.00 and available from BHS ICE DEVILS Players.  Or call 343-0157 for tickets.

When: Feb 1, 2009, 8a.m. - 10a.m.

Were: Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill 8322 Lewiston Road Batavia NY

 Come enjoy a good breakfast and help us out...Thanks!

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Chris Lee (NY-26):

Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) issued the following statement after voting to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP):

“I am proud to support legislation that strengthens SCHIP’s ability to provide children living in poverty with access to affordable health insurance. This program has a solid track record of covering children in families who don’t have enough resources to keep pace with the rising costs of health care.

“Ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly is one of my highest priorities, which is why I am pleased that this measure does not add to the federal budget deficit. At the same time, I have concerns about whether this legislation does enough to focus coverage to help children most in need. We cannot tolerate any loopholes or abuses, especially now in the middle of an economic crisis, when the situation for many families is dire. I hope the legislative process will yield a better final product that addresses these concerns and ensures that SCHIP continues to serve the needs of low-income children first.

“Today’s vote is a victory for Western New York families, but it is only a first step in our efforts to reform America’s broken health care system.”

SCHIP is a bipartisan program first established in 1997 as a joint venture between the federal government and the states to provide low-cost health insurance for children living in poverty. The measure Congressman Lee supported, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, reauthorizes the program through September 30, 2013. The bill passed the House by a final vote of 289-139; it now advances to the Senate.

To learn more about Congressman Lee and the 26th district, visit http://chrislee.house.gov.

From Genesee Community College:

The BEST Center at Genesee Community College is proud to announce new online career training programs. The BEST (Business Employee Skills Training) Center, along with ProTrain, will provide over 180 courses and several certificate programs that will help participants attain increased job productivity and new career skills. These in-demand career courses will help conquer the evolving challenges that face small businesses by increasing productivity and ROI (return on investment).

ProTrain courses are affordable and self-paced, and feature online certification to train participants for the latest job skills. The new program areas include:

• Leadership, Management, and Accounting
• IT Certifications
• Trade and Industrial
• Internet, Web, and Multimedia Design
• Healthcare Field
• IT Security
• Homeland Security
• Green, Renewable Energy

Online training programs offer flexible, anytime, anywhere learning. Nearly every program includes mentor support from an industry expert. With these online courses, participants can earn a wide variety of career skills or certificates. From a medical billing certificate to an interior design certificate, job seekers can earn a certificate to achieve today's in-demand jobs or current career-minded people can take additional courses to further their job skills, such as website development or income tax preparation.

"Online courses are an excellent opportunity for first-time career endeavors, or for people who want to switch career paths," said Jerry Kozlowski, Dean of the BEST Center. "Earning a certificate online is a cost-effective pathway to career success."

For more program information and course descriptions, please visit www.bestcenter.org and click on "Online Training". For enrollment information, contact The BEST Center at 585-345-6868 or Lauren Dickinson at 585-343-0055 Ext. 6602 or lmdickinson@genesee.edu.

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The Young Adult Book Discussion group meets at Present Tense on Friday, January 16 at 4:30 pm to talk about The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. Click here for more information: http://www.presenttensebooks.com/events/yabookdiscussion.php

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Lunchtime Book Group at Present Tense meets tomorrow, January 14, at noon. The book for this month is The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson. The Lunchtime Book Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Present Tense.

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Chris Lee (NY - 26):

Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) has been appointed by House Republican leaders to serve on an economic recovery solutions working group that has been tasked with developing constructive ideas to help put the nation’s economy on the path to recovery. Congressman Lee is the only newly elected member named to the working group.

“This working group provides Western New Yorkers with an opportunity to have their voices heard on the front lines of our economic recovery,” Congressman Lee said. “I believe that my business experience will help me bring to the table new ideas for creating jobs and easing the strain on middle-class families and small business owners.”

The working group is being headed up by Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA), the House Republican Whip, who commented on Congressman Lee’s appointment: “I am pleased to announce that Congressman Lee has been selected to serve as a member of the economic solutions working group. The group was formed in response to President-elect Obama’s request that Republicans offer ideas to help put America back on the path to prosperity.”

Congressman Cantor is the second-ranking House Republican.
 
“The ultimate goal of this working group is to present ideas to the President-elect and Democrat leaders that could be included in a bipartisan economic recovery package,” Congressman Lee added. “We should not squander this opportunity to work across party lines and craft an economic recovery package that strikes the right balance between short-term stimulus and long-term growth.”

As part of his participation in the working group, Congressman Lee will attend a hearing on Thursday morning featuring top national experts and leaders, including former Gov. Mitt Romney. Gov. Romney and other panelists will offer innovative ideas and solutions to help revitalize America’s economy.
 
“As a business leader and former governor, Mitt Romney knows what Washington should – and should not – be doing to create jobs and spur future growth,” Congressman Lee added. “I look forward to hearing his ideas for how we can revitalize our economy.” 

Congressman Lee’s appointment to the working group comes less than a week after he was named to the House Financial Services Committee, which will play a leading role in creating new jobs and strengthening our economy. Financial Services is the go-to panel on housing, insurance, and banking issues; it oversees the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The committee is expected to have a robust legislative agenda in addressing the severe challenges facing America’s economy and financial institutions.

To learn more about Congressman Lee and the 26th district, visit http://chrislee.house.gov.

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College's growing Nursing Program may relocate to the first building in Batavia's new Med Tech Park, Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin Hamilton reported to the Board of Trustees Monday evening. The Board met for its regular January meeting at the Batavia Campus.

The Med Tech Park is located on about 30 acres on the south side of Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive. Genesee's Board of Trustees, with the consent of the Genesee County Legislature, ceded the parcel to the Genesee County Economic Development Center for the creation of a new business park that can house medically-oriented firms in biotechnology, telemedicine, and other emerging health care technologies.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center is now planning the first building in the new park, Mr. Hamilton said. Preliminary plans call for the Nursing program to occupy the second floor of the new building. The second floor would consist of four classrooms, three nursing labs, a large group instruction room, and seminar space.

Genesee's Nursing program now admits students twice each year. The program has grown by about 70% in the past year in an attempt to help meet the growing demand for nurses in area hospitals and other health care facilities.

If negotiations progress well, the Nursing Program could occupy the new space in the 2009-2010 academic year, Mr. Hamilton said.

In other business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved four-year continuing appointments for 29 faculty and staff members. Receiving their first continuing appointments were: Michelle Abdella, Instructor, Math; Elise Banfield, Instructor, Psychology; Michele Bokman, Technical Assistant, Albion Campus Center; Cheryl Corke, Instructor, Accounting; Melissa Dussault, Technical Assistant, Lakeville Campus Center; Patricia Kendall-Cargill, Instructor, Nursing; Judith Littlejohn, Technical Assistant, Distance Learning; Nina Mortellaro, Technical Assistant, Human Communications and Behavior; Lisa Papke, Technical Specialist, Office of Financial Assistance; Carrie Sputore, Technical Specialist, Admissions; and Christopher Stercula, Instructor/Coordinator for Clinical Education, Respiratory Care.

Receiving renewals of continuing appointments were Katherine Brown, Technical Specialist, Office of Financial Assistance; James Bucki, Director, Academic Computer Technology; Robert Cooper, Assistant Professor, Photography; Michael Crittenden, Professor, Physics; Priscilla DiRisio, Technical Specialist/Transfer Coordinator; Mary Jo Dumuhosky, Technical Assistant/Academic Advisor; Donna Ehrhart, Professor, Business and Computer Information Systems; Julie Jackson-Coe, Assistant Professor, Reading; Kathleen Kimber, Associate Professor, Spanish; Nichola Lerczak, Assistant Professor/Instructional Services Librarian; Roger Majeski, Technical Assistant/Head Volleyball Coach; Frank Mayo, Professor, Speech and Theatre; Jennifer Mroz, Technical Assistant, Student Resource Center; Traci Phillips, Technical Specialist, The BEST Center; David Sink, Technical Assistant, Arcade Campus Center; Ronald Spiotta, Technical Assistant, Athletics; Pamela Swarts, Instr uctor, Digital Arts; and Jane Weston, Professor, Biology.

• Approved a three-year Comprehensive Technology Master Plan. The plan commits the College to maintaining leadership in instructional and administrative technology. Key components of the plan include additional technology for online instruction, greater use of "smart" technology in classrooms, emphasis on the purchase of environmentally-sound equipment, and three-year cycling of computers in all labs. The plan follows the vision of a "unified digital campus," providing easy access to instructional and administrative applications and strong technology-based communication tools, according to John Reina, Director of Computer Services.

• Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia Taylor report that 564 individuals have applied for admission as full-time students for the Spring 2009 semester as of January 4, up 23% from the 459 individuals who had applied one year earlier. Also as of January 4, 473 individuals had applied for admission on a part-time basis, up 8.2% from the 437 individuals who had applied for admission a year earlier. President Stuart Steiner predicted that course registrations would be up approximately 5%.

• Heard President Stuart Steiner report that Eleanor Nixon will join the faculty as a temporary Instructor of Nursing for the Spring 2009 semester. Ms. Nixon comes to Genesee from Family Choice in Cheektowaga. She has experience at the Veterans Administration of Western New York, Hospice Buffalo, Lifespan Home Health and Hospice in Michigan, Battle Creek Health System in Michigan, and Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Ms. Dixon holds an A.A.S. degree from Goshen College (Indiana), and B.S. and M.S. degrees from D'Youville College. She is a resident of Buffalo. Dr. Steiner also reported that Margaret A. Sisson, who has been serving as Acting Director of Athletics since July 2007, has been permanently appointed to the position. Kathy Palumbo, who has been serving as Acting Director of the Nursing Program since August 2008, has been permanently appointed to the position.

• Heard Dr. Steiner report that Dr. Ruth E. Andes plans to retire at the close of the current academic year. Dr. Andes has been a member of the faculty for the past 38 years, serving as Professor of Sociology and more recently, as Assistant Dean of Assessment and Special Projects. Dr. Steiner noted that Dr. Andes has also served as chair or co-chair of each of the institutional self-studies required by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in preparation for reaccreditation.

• Heard Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin Hamilton report that the architectural firm of Joy, McCoola and Zilch is preparing plans for the planned upgrade of the Batavia Campus athletic fields and that the College is nearing the conclusion of the planning process for a new campus center in northern Livingston County.

From the VA Medical Center:

VA Western New York Healthcare System will celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a ceremony, Friday, January 16, 2009 at 11:30am in Freedom Hall, room 301 at the Buffalo site, 3495 Bailey Avenue.  Pastor Betty Williams, who served in the US Air Force, will speak about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Dee L. Perry will deliver Dr. King’s historical speech “I have a dream” and musical entertainment will be provided by Darcel Blue, a local gospel singer.

On January 20, 1986, America observed the first national holiday commemorating Dr. King’s birthday.  In 2009, we celebrate the 23rd anniversary of that date and 40 years after his passing, Dr. King’s birthday has become not only a day of celebration and remembrance but also a day of service. During his lifetime, Dr. King sought to forge common ground on which people from all walks of life could join together to address important community issues. Working alongside individuals of all ages, races and backgrounds, he encouraged Americans to come together to strengthen communities, alleviate poverty, and acknowledge dignity and respect for all human beings. Service to others, he realized, was the great equalizer. The event is free and open to the public.

Please click here to download the agenda for the upcoming Bethany Town Board meeting on January 12.

The February meeting for the Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club will meet on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at St. James Church, E. Main St., Batavia. A Fish Fry dinner will be served for $10.00. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to follow at 6:15. The program will be "A Cake Walk." Bring a cake to participate in this fun activity. Contact Diane Burroughs at 343-0759 for reservations by Feb. 2.

St. Paul Lutheran School

31 Washington Ave., Batavia

is now accepting applications for Pre-School & Grades K-5

Please contact 343-0488 for more information.

St. Paul Lutheran Church & School, 31 Washington Ave, Batavia, will hold it's Annual Spagetti Dinner & Live Auction on Sat., Feb. 7. Dinner will be served from 5:00 - 7:00. All tickets are $5. Homemade desserts available for an additional cost. Live Auction will follow dinner. Items to be auctioned include, Buffalo Sabre Tickets, Handmade Quilts, Baked Goods and many other items too numerous to mention. Don't miss the fun!

From Music Education Centers:

Music Education Centers at Uncle Andy's Place is a privately operated organization, dedicated to providing personalized, adaptive musical instruction for students of all ages and abilities; especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and other developmental or learning disabilities. 

Realizing that finding support, understanding and community resources is at times difficult, Music Education Centers provides individuals with another avenue of communication and development.  At Musical Education Centers, the instructors know the importance of working one on one with the students in order to establish a fun, friendly learning environment where students can feel at home while they expand their horizons and develop new skills or uncover hidden talents.

Music Education Centers opened in 2004 under the name Uncle Andy’s Place Music Studios.  Founder and Owner, Christian Schenk, has dedicated the past five years developing the studio into a business that can support the needs of the whole community and not just a few members.  The diagnosis of his son in late 2007 has energized the spirit of a life’s mission that began 12 years ago when he began working with Autistic children in the Greece Central School District. 

The goal of Music Education Centers is to fulfill unmet service needs of the community. Recently, they received many inquiries about community-based group lessons and classes, prompting the development of a new program called Music to You, in which our instructors go to different communities to bring musical activities to those in school, daycare or group-home settings.

At the Webster, NY Location a staff of experienced and caring professionals offer personalized private lessons and group classes to those residing in the Greater Rochester Area.  As of January first, the Music to You Program is available in the Batavia area. 

More information about our program is available on our website, www.MusicEdCenters.com or by calling 585-671-7926.

Fromthe Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Course instruction and intensive training in tractor and farm machinery safety, leading to certification, is being planned for Saturday mornings in Genesee County beginning on February 14th, 2009.  Classes include general tractor maintenance, safe farm equipment operation and safety issues in general. This training is offered only once a year and is for youth ages, 14-15.  Please call Amy Berry at 343-3040, ext. 106 to register to receive further information about this class when it becomes available.

From Genesee Community College:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is seeking nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on the community. The Foundation will induct its third group of honorees in a ceremony on March 25, 2009 at the Batavia campus.

"This is our effort to find and honor Genesee Community College's most distinguished graduates, based on their accomplishments," Patti Pacino, Alumni Coordinator noted. "We are proud of our alumni and want to recognize their success."

The criteria for nominating an individual to the College Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's alumni website (http://www.genesee.edu/portals/alumni/halloffame.cfm) and emailed or sent to the Genesee Community College Alumni Office.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. All nominations received by January 12th will be considered by the Selection Committee. New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building. The next induction ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2009.

Genesee Community College's Alumni Hall of Fame inductees currently include: Joseph H. Bell, GCC '79, vice president of Global Process and Product Integrity at Moog, Inc. and managing director for Moog operations in Bangalore, India; Monica H. Dawson, GCC '72; co-owner and secretary/treasurer of Shepard, Maxwell and Hale Insurance Agency; Jerry Reinhart, GCC '71, founder of Access Rentals and president of Reinhart Enterprises, Inc.; Paula Savage, GCC '76, director of tourism for the Greater Rochester Visitors Association; Lori Stupp, GCC'89, regional director of United Way and a member of the AAA Speakers Bureau; Peggy Weissend, GCC '99, registered Community Health nurse with the Genesee County Health Department; Ann M. Bell, GCC '88, retired executive director of the Genesee Region Independent Living Center; Steven G. Hyde, GCC '82, president and CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center; and Gary T. Maha, GCC '76, Sheriff of Genesee County.

From A to Z Entertainment:

Internationally known psychic, Lady Anne Silberstein will be making a rare appearance at the Batavia Days Inn (US Thruway Exit 48) on Saturday, January 10th, 2009. Along with other national psychics, clairvoyants, mediums, Tarot Card Readers and Palmists, Lady Anne who stopped working the professional Psychic circuit shortly after her husband, psychic-attorney Hugh Samuel Silberstein, passed away, in 1994, has chosen Psychic Faire Internationale's event at the Days Inn to once again offer new clients, professional tape-recorded Psychic consultations. With over eighteen years experience touring the US and Canada, both participating in Faires as well as an extensive private practice in New York, Lady Anne's outstanding career as the founder of the Village Gate Psychic Center in 1991 and the Psychic and Metaphysical Center of Rochester in 1995 have added to her unblemished reputation as a caring and reputable psychic. She will be available Saturday only, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Days Inn, Batavia. Pre-booking appointments are highly recommended at (585) 301-0275.

From Richmond Memorial Library:

Mystery Lovers’ Mondays, a book discussion group for adults, will meet on Monday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia.  The book to be discussed is SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD by P.L. Gaus, which is also the selected title for “A Tale for Three Counties” 2009.  Copies of the book may be borrowed at the front desk.   For more information, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 8 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.