Announcements

Fall semester at Genesee Community College is quickly approaching and students are taking full advantage of financial-aid opportunities. As economic times get tougher, it is imperative for all students to be able to apply for and receive financial aid.

The federal government has recently launched a campaign to encourage people to attend higher education institutions, especially community colleges, and is now informing current and prospective students of the financial aid opportunities that they may not be aware of.

A letter from Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, was sent to Genesee President Stuart Steiner outlining financial aid opportunities. As an instructor at a community college herself, Jill Biden is helping to spread the word about financial aid for people who have suffered during the current economy.

Her letter highlights financial-aid opportunities that many students may be unaware of, including:

• Students or family members of students who have had a change in financial circumstances and are collecting unemployment insurance may have their financial aid adjusted in order to help finance the cost of higher education.
• Pell Grants and Federal student loans are available for tuition and books, but also can be used for the costs associated with transportation and living expenses that help students attend their classes.
• Students may have their incomes adjusted to zero for financial aid purposes if they are now receiving unemployment insurance.

There are  a variety of programs including federal Pell Grants, New York State TAP fund, fiscal loans, and numerous college scholarship programs available. Approximately 84% of Genesee's students receive some form of financial aid.

"Last year, students at Genesee received $19 million in financial aid," Joseph Bailey, director of Financial Aid at Genesee, said. "There is money available, and we hope we can reach students of all ages and backgrounds to let them know that college is more affordable than they think."

To receive more information, or to apply for Federal Student Aid, visit www.genesee.edu/financial/apply <http://www.genesee.edu/financial/apply> .

The fall 2009 semester starts on Aug. 24, at all Genesee Community College campuses, with the exception of the new Lima Campus Center, which will start classes on Sept. 21.

For further information, please contact Genesee's Financial Aid office at 585-345-6900 or at www.genesee.edu/finaid <http://www.genesee.edu/finaid>.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, is searching for the next generation of CEOs. Students interested in creating their own business, product or non-profit organization still have time to apply for the YEA! Class of 2009-2010 at the University of Rochester and SUNY Geneseo locations.

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 21, or until such time as the class cap is achieved. The nine-month program teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own business or social movement.

YEA! class meets weekly from 4 to 7 p.m. this October  through June 2010. Tuition includes all books, field trips and events. Scholarships are available. No prior business experience is required only the drive and desire to succeed! To apply, visit www.yeausa.org  or call YEA! at 585-272-3535.

Bob Fix, a reader of this site as well as a firefighter and paramedic wrote the following for The Batavian about a summer program for children:

Batavia’s Youth Bureau got a first hand look recently at the tools the City of Batavia Firefighters, IAFF Local 896, use at emergencies. Approximately 20 children ranging in age from 6 to 14, that are participating in the City’s summer youth program, attended a tour given by Firefighter/EMT Anne Kleinbach  and Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Fix.

The kids were reminded that family fire drills are important to practice. Each family should have an exit plan with a safe meeting place. This allows the first arriving firefighters to quickly check with the family to make sure all occupants are accounted for.

Firefighter Kleinbach demonstrated what a fully turned out firefighter will look like when doing a search of a building and how a TIC or Thermal Imaging Camera is used. She told the kids not to be afraid of the fireman and to stay low to the ground while exiting the building.

The 45-minute tour also included a show-and-tell of the equipment on Engine 12 and Truck 15. It was concluded by firefighter Fix assisting each child in using a fire hose to spray water on the 80-degree day.

The Onion Festival in Elba is this Friday and Saturday, and along with the rides and all things onions comes the chance to win a 2009 Mustang (pictured above) or $18,000, courtesy of the Elba Fire Department.

The winning ticket will be drawn Saturday night at the festival, and the winner will have the choice of the car or money. Tickets are $1.

Art lovers will also have their chance to get lucky, with the Republican Party raffling off an original painting by Bernice Yunker. Tickets are $1 each, or 3 for $2, or 15 for $10. They can be purchased from the Republican booth at the festival.  

Have an idea for a new product or better service? Genesee Community College is seeking individuals with big dreams, innovative ideas and a desire to be their own boss to take part in a new entrepreneurship scholarship program.

As part of the collaborative WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grant, Genesee Community College will be reimbursing participants for the cost of tuition and books for two college entrepreneurship courses. These scholarship grants are valued at approximately $500 per semester and will be allotted over the next two years for students attending two targeted entrepreneurship classes.

Eligible Emerging Entrepreneurs program courses at Genesee Community College are:  Business 111 / Exploring Business Opportunities, and Business 225 / Entrepreneurship.

The latter is offered this fall and is a fundmental course about the critical process of developing a bona fide business plan. Topics include concept development, management, legal issues, regulation, marketing research and penetration, pricing, and financial perspectives.

At the completion of this program, participants will have a business plan to take to a lender. (All BUS225 courses are 16-weeks long.)

• Albion Campus, Wednesdays starting Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Arcade Campus, Fridays starting Aug. 28 from 12:30 to 3:25 p.m.
• Batavia Campus, Wednesdays starting Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Warsaw Campus, Mondays starting Aug. 24 from 2 to 4:50 p.m.

Another entrepreneurial based course, Business 111, will also be available at the Batavia Campus this fall. It will be held Thursdays starting Sept. 21 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. for 12 weeks.

Business 111 explores personal characteristics of an entrepreneur, investigates and identifies business opportunities, and presents business criteria prior to start-up as a basic foundation for success.

"We hope that this scholarship program raises awareness that entrepreneurship is a viable career option," said Barbara Shine, assistant professor of business and entrepreneurship. "With the current state of the economy, people have to turn to alternative job opportunities, like starting your own business, to deal with changing career plans."

There are a limited number of scholarship seats for this program. Applicants must be a resident of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, or Wyoming counties for the past six months, and a U.S. citizen, national, refugee alien or permanent resident alien.

Interested individuals should submit the scholarship application form and related materials as soon as possible. The application deadline is Aug. 20. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Scholarship awardees will be notified prior to the start of each course.

For more information or application forms, go to www.genesee.edu/wee <http://www.genesee.edu/wee>, or contact Barb Shine at (585) 343-0055 x6319 or bashine@genesee.edu.

Attica High School's Class of '74 will hold its 35th Class Reunion Aug. 7 and 8.

Pre-reunion casual night will take place at the Attica American Legion Lawn Fete on Friday evening. 

The Class Reunion will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Batavia Downs Gaming & Racing. No prepaid fees are required. Menu will be available, along with live music
and fun. 

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Cathy(Schum) Uhly at 344-0165 or Gary Sphar at 592-1237; or visit our event posted on Classmates.com and Facebook. Hope to see everyone there!

A representative of Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo will be in Batavia on Wednesday to speak with seniors about how to protect their rights and help them get health benefits they are entitled to receive.

Cathy Sheehan, assistant attorney General for Cuomo's Albany Office, will give the presentation and answer questions.

"This seminar will inform New Yorkers about how to navigate the complex health care system and offer real solutions to real problems with health care, including billing problems, failure to cover guaranteed benefits, and loss of insurance," according to a press release.
 
For more information about how the Attorney General's Health Care Bureau can help solve real health care problems, please visit the Attorney General's website at http://www.oag.state.ny.us or call 1-800-771-7755. 

James D. Reese sits on his brand new 2009 Harley Davidson Fatboy for the first time outside Stan's Harley as he congratulated by Lt. Nate Fix of the Batavia Volunteer Fire Dept. Reese won the Harley in the department annual raffle.
 

The Circle of Love Foundation is a non profit foundation that was started in May 2008.  We are a group of volunteers trying to make a difference.  We believe in "people helping people" & with these rough times upon us, many local families are in need. 

Our summer yard event is every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between the hours of 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (weather permitting).  Located at 3282 W. Main St. in Batavia (Country Clippers).

Circle of Love offerings are free as we do ask for donations to enable us to continue with our mission of helping many families.  We are always in need of volunteers to help out - call Billie Ball @ 585-202-2566.

Have a great summer =) Keep in mind that all of the summer clothing that is out now will be put away October 1st.

Some more local help....

• 1st Saturday of every month - High Point Church gives out free clothing from 9:00am - 12:00 pm - Route 5 in Pembroke
• Saturdays only - Calavary Baptist /Food Ministries offers low cost non parishable foods & misc. from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm - Galloway Road, Batavia
• Care A Van Ministries - does meals & church in the streets - call 585-343-0328 for locations
• Famers Market - Tuesdays & Fridays from 9:00am - 5:00pm - Located in Batavia Downs parking lot - they do accept food stamps!

May God bless you!

Billie Ball, Founder

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance" (Psalm 89:15).

Tonight, the residents of 400 Towers were treated to the joyful sound of music as they enjoyed a wonderful picnic provided by Care-A-Van Ministries.

The rain did not dampen the entusiasm of the fantastic group of people who made this picnic possible.  Nor did it keep the residents away. 

The residents would like to thank:

Paul Ohlson and his lovely wife Bridgette who organized the picnic.

Pastor Charlie Piscitello, keyboard, along with Judy, Roxie, and Shirley - vocalists.

Shawn and Clint the capable cooks

Rick from San Antonio, Texas and Martha from Clarendon - along with P.J., John, and David who never stopped serving and  interacting with the diners.

and, of course, Robin who spearheaded the idea of having Care-A-Van visit the Towers.

60 appreciative residents enjoyed the meal, consisting of hot dogs, burgers, salt potatoes, baked beans, macaroni salad, beverages; and ice cream cones.  Five meals were served to shut ins.

Once again, thanks to Care-A-Van for a lovely evening. 

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is pleased to announce the winners of its weekly drawings:
Winner of the $50.00 Oliver’s Candies Gift Card – Nick Dillabough, Newfane, NY
Winner of the Farmer’s Market Bag o’Produce – Bernard Hoerbelt, Batavia, NY

Vendors at the market contribute produce from their stand each week throughout the season. Items are placed in a large, reusable tote bag. To sign up, visit the EBT/Food Stamp table at the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market on Tuesday and/or Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.    
 

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity volunteers have built a "play house" that they are calling "Little Habitat House". Habitat board members have tickets available for the raffle to be in September. You can also go to the Habitat web site    www.geneseehabitat.com  to purchase tickets online. The play house will also be at various  locations in the county. The price of tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Procedes from raffle will be used for the next house for a Habitat family. The play house interior dimensions are 6' x 8' and the outside dimensions are 6' X 10' X 6'. The committee will deliver the playhouse to the winner up to a 30 mile radius of Batavia.

A dozen local students will be in the performances of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" on Friday and Saturday at Genesee Community College.

The 8- to 16-year-olds took part in the Performing Arts Experience, a summer theater workshop for area youth.

In addition to learning the skills, dances and lines, campers also learn self discipline in order to run and execute a successful show. They learn about "ensemble" philosophy, where everyone works together and no one single person or character in the show is more important than the rest.

Genesee County participants include:

From Batavia

• Kelli Dumuhosky
• Michal Lullo -- (WOODSTOCK role)
• Daniel King-Sobresky
• Riley Norton
• Shea Norton
• Spencer Hubbard -- (LINUS role)
  
• Alixandra Young -- (SALLY role)
  
• Lauren Young

From Elba

• Tyra Smith

From LeRoy

• Emily Hendrickson
• Samantha Platek
• Sara Platek

*SNOOPY is played by Rob Reiss, a second-year Theater Major at Genesee Community College.

I would like to take this time to thank those who have supported the Royal Rangers in 2009.  Kiwanis, City of Batavia Police Benevolent Association, Genesee County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Sheriff's Employee Association, City of Batavia Fire Fighter Association, VFW, Salvation Army, Oliver's Candy, Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, Batavia Assembly of God, Chlor's and all of you who bought candy bars, chicken barbeque's and supported the marathon fundraiser.  It is because of you that we were able to send so many of the boys to camps and to leadership training. 

For those of you who may not know who we are I will give a little history of our group.  We are an international group that started in 1962.  Our outpost was started in 1964.  Over the past few years we have been involved in leadership.  Our goal is to have every boy who is involved in our group go through the leadership camps.  In these camps the boys are taught how to lead and more importantly how to be lead.  Each camp is four days long.  They are very hands on.  The boys are taught all different life skills.  Each camp cost $85.00.  About 2/3rd's of our group come from low income families, and can not afford to go to the campouts or the leadership training.  We have the candy bar sale and the marathon fundraiser so the boys can raise money to go on the campouts.  I then ask for donations to send the boys to the leadership camps.  This year alone we were able to send eight boys to leadership camps. 

If you would like to support a great program that is building the future leaders of this community you can send a check to the Royal Rangers, 24 North Spruce Street, Batavia New York 14020.  In the memo section please writer "Boys Leadership".  This will insure that 100% of the money goes to the boys.  If you have any questions about this program please call 585-343-8521, between 830am and 330pm.   

We start the program back up in September and would love to see some new faces.  If your son or you know of a boy who loves the outdoors, come and join us on Wednesdays and 700pm at the Batavia Assembly of God church at 24 North Spruce Street.  We have some exciting events plained for the second half of the year.

I encourage all the parents who's boys are in the program to post a comment.