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Master Gardener's tips on container gardening

By Billie Owens

Press release:

MASTER GARDENER COLUMN by Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension


CONTAINER GARDENING

One of my favorite forms of gardening is container gardening. My container gardens are only limited by imagination and the plants available. Anything that can grow in a garden can also be grown in a container. Just provide those plants with a few basic needs: a suitable container, a growing medium, water, nutrients and light and they will grow. 

Of America’s 60 million gardeners, probably 90% of them grow plants in containers.   Some gardeners don’t have a yard. Also, container gardening is a smart alternative if you are restricted by too much shade, poor soil, too little time, limited mobility or a difficult climate. Best of all, growing in containers brings your garden right up close, creating a sense of intimacy that you just don’t get in an ordinary backyard garden.

Here are some simple tips to help you with your container gardening:

Containers for your plants must be big enough to support your plants when they are fully grown, hold soil, and have adequate drainage. Without proper drainage, the plants can suffer from inadequate root aeration and excessive moisture. They will literally rot.  Have drainage holes on the sides of pots rather than the bottom so excess water can drain away and roots won’t get waterlogged. Line the bottom of your pot with newspaper (a coffee filter works in smaller pots) to prevent soil loss. Also, line the hanging baskets with sphagnum moss for water retention.

Anything and everything that fulfills these basic requirements can be used. Use your imagination! For example, among the containers that can be used are clay pots, plastic pots, terra cotta pots, bushel baskets, hanging baskets, wooden crates (lined with plastic so that they will hold soil), barrels, heavy gauge wire baskets, glazed ceramic, hay racks (again lined with plastic), wooden planters, concrete containers, and even old boots or shoes. As you can see, you do not need to spend a lot of money on containers. Keep your eyes open for suitable containers at garage sales. Watch discarded household items put out for collection. If you want something fancier, try building your own planting box out of wood.

Scrub old pots with a 10% bleach solution before reuse. This will kill disease, pests, and accumulated fertilizer salts. Season new clay pots by submerging them in water for 15 minutes before you fill them with soil. This forces air out of pore spaces and will aid in keeping soil moist.

Most plants, especially annuals, require at least 5-7 hours of sun per day. Grow plants together that have the same light and moisture requirements. When planting large pots you may want to place the container on a caddy before you fill it.

Hawley Drive will close temporarily

By Billie Owens

Hawley Drive will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from May 26 through May 28 for road repairs. The closure will be between Bank Street Rd and Genesee Community College.

There will be no access to GCC from the west during these time periods. GCC
will still be accessible from Batavia-Stafford Townline Road via Route 33 (Clinton Street).

Crews will be digging ditches and replacing culverts. The culvert replacements are in advance of repaving work to be done later this summer with Federal Stimulus Aid.

Calling all BHS Class of '89ers

By Billie Owens

The Batavia High School Class of 1989 is seeking alumni for its 20-year reunion scheduled for July 31-Aug. 1.
Below is a list of classmates that the reunion committee is searching for. If you know how to reach any of these individuals, please email  info@89shines.com <http://us.mc501.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@89shines.com>  or call Kelly Rapone at 343-7440 ext. 23. 
The reunion information is posted online at www.89shines.com <http://www.89shines.com>. Tickets can also be purchased on that site.  

  • Richard Baker
  • Thomas Balicki
  • Annette Bogue
  • Thomas Brenkus
  • Dawn Burch
  • Dawn Cipra
  • Sue Ellen Comeau
  • Tammy DiSalvo
  • Christopher Earll
  • Keith Emminger
  • Judy Ford
  • Leo Geitner
  • Steven Green
  • Ester Jackson
  • Tim Jackson
  • Meredith Kenney
  • Diane Kortykowski
  • John LaFanara
  • Kimberly Lane
  • Doug Lewis
  • Linda Lyons
  • Jamie Marciniak
  • Tracy Marvin
  • Angela Moats
  • Chad Mureness
  • Lisa Murphy
  • Thomas Pillo
  • David Pitz
  • Kim Porter
  • Paul Remsen
  • Heather Ross
  • Ann Royce
  • Amy Rzeznik
  • Shannon Sanders
  • Ethel Sison
  • Stacey Stiles
  • Sheri Stumpf
  • Charmagne Swanz
  • Regina Toal
  • Regina Townsend
  • Scott Voorhees
  • Jolene Wenzel
  • Amy Wilson

 

Batavia captains who declined temporary chief position could apply for permanent job

By Howard B. Owens

Any one of the four fire captains who turned down the provisional fire chief position for the City of Batavia could still take command of the department.

There is not yet an eligible list for the position, said Karen Marchese, personnel officer for Genesee County, but a civil-service exam for fire chief has been scheduled for January. An eligible list are those people who are qualified and have applied for the job.

Marchese's office handles civil-service issues for governments in the county.

Chief Tom Dillon resigned week before last, and served his last day Friday, after the New York State Civil Service Commission denied a waiver that would have allowed him to draw his pension and his full-time salary.

The waiver, known as a 211 waiver, has its uses, according to the state's Web site, but Marchese said the commission is trying to reduce the number of such waivers, especially when there are eligible non-retired candidates for the job.

The hearing in which the 211 waiver for Dillon was reviewed by the commission was available in a webcast, Marchese said (the webcast is no longer online since the commission has met again since then).

"My recollection is that they discussed the nature of fire and police service -- there's a lot of tradition, as you know, in police and fire service -- and they discussed how it's primarily a promotion-based system," Marchese said. "They discussed that there were candidates who applied for the job who are not retirees.'

Marchese said she was not trying to speak for the commission and the exact reason for the denial is not clear.

Asked if she had anything to add, Marchese said, "I work very closely with the city and other localities on issues like this. This has been rather high profile and Jason and I have worked closely on it. We've had an open line of communication about it. He's working in good faith. There is no bad faith here on his part."

As for the captains, they've been told by Jason Molino not to discuss the situation with the media, according to two sources. The captains were told this was a "personnel issue," so they were prohibited from talking publicly about it.

Two reported under-age drinking parties in two nights at one house lead to five arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Five people were taken into custody in connection with alleged under-age drinking parties on successive nights at 3065 Pearl St. in the Town of Batavia.

Adam B. Thomas, 20, of Batavia, was pepper sprayed after allegedly giving false information about his age and then resisting arrest. He is charged with false personation and resisting arrest and was jailed in lieu of $300 bail. The incident occurred at 5 a.m. Saturday morning.

Less than 24 hours later, Sheriff's deputies were again summoned to the residence after receiving a tip that another under-age drinking party was in progress.

Deputies and State Police arrived at 2:30 a.m. and reportedly found several youths drinking.

Taken into custody were: Anne M. Culliton, 45, and Michael K. Culliton, 44, both of Batavia. They were charged with unlawful dealing with a child stemming from the Saturday morning incident.

Also arrested were Christian Culliton, 24, of Le Roy, and Brandon Culliton, 23, of Batavia, for unlawful dealing with a child stemming from the early Sunday morning party.

All four were issued appearance tickets.

Investing the incidents were Sgt. T.A. Sanfratello, deputies Kevin M. McCarthy, James Diehl, Chad Minuto, Jason E. Saile, Patrick J. Reeves along with state troopers Weslowski and Franz.

Police Beat: Teen accused of shooting child with BB gun

By Howard B. Owens

Michael J. Elmore, 18, of  Batavia, is accused of shooting 8-year-old boy in the leg with a BB gun at the skate park on Evans Street. Elmore is charged with reckless endangerment and endangering a child.

Megan J. Nenni, 21,of Albion, is charged with DWI following a traffic stop in the City of Batavia early Saturday morning.

Jake Myers, 19, of Batavia, was charged with possession of marijuana following a traffic stop early Saturday morning. Myers was also cited for drivers view obstructed, but no details on that violation were provided.

Eric L. Skeet, 20, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and possession of Marijuana following a traffic stop following a traffic stop on Pearl Street early Saturday morning. He is accused of having a BAC .08 or more.

UPDATE: Somehow I missed a couple of faxes from the weekend this morning. Below are additional items not part of our original report.

Jerod L. Trebian, 30, of Batavia, is charged with DWI stemming from a traffic stop for alleged speeding Friday evening in Pembroke on Route 77. He is accused of having a BAC of .08 or greater and driving 59 in a 40 m.p.h. zone.

Lazeuia D. Washington, 32, of Buffalo, was arrested in Darien for an alleged DWI, resisting arrest and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. She was placed in jail in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Shuvon Williams, 32, of Batavia, is accused of shoplifting from K-Mart. He is charged with petit larceny.

Red's Taxi - Anyone remember?

By Bea McManis

Does anyone remember where the dispatch office was for Red's Taxi?

Was there a taxi cab company near the Blue Bus Station on Court St?

While we are at it, does anyone remember an ice cream parlor attached to the Family theater on Jackson St.

....and to settle a dispute, where was Alexander's clothing store located.

Thanks

Future farmers help fix up Corfu barn

By Billie Owens

A bunch of teenagers in red T-shirts spent Friday toiling in the sun to fix up an old barn off Route 77 in Corfu. And they did so willingly, even enthusiastically.

They spent the day scraping off old paint, powerwashing, brushing on new red paint, replacing worn out two-by-fours and doing landscaping. They'll do the trim and wrap things up Saturday and then enjoy a well-deserved banquet Sunday.

The workers are students from BOCES in Batavia and Albion High School in Orleans County and the barn is one of only five chosen nationwide to get an overhaul thanks to a generous donation from the Campbell's Soup Company.

It's all part of a project to help sustain family farms and aid the next generation of farmers. It also provides scholarship money for a prestigious six-week leadership conference this summer in Washington, D.C..

The Campbell's initiative is being done in conjunction with the national Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Association, FFA student chapters, farm families and the agricultural community.

The soup maker ponied up $250,000 for the coast-to-coast campaign called "Help Grow Your Soup." Of those funds, $75,000 was set aside to refurbish five specially selected barns (at about $5,000 each) and provide scholarships to FFA students.

The barns, iconic symbols of family farms, had to be visible to the community and belong to a multi-generational farm family that produces something used to make soups.

The local one belongs to the Reynolds family, who operate a 600-cow dairy (for cream of broccoli, maybe?). The Reynolds also own 1,500 acres of land on which they grow feed crops. They sell their milk to Syracuse-based Dairylea Cooperative.

The other "Help Grow Your Soup" barns are in Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee and Kansas.

The hulking Allegheny Road structure is about 60 feet long and 40 feet wide and built sometime in the 1800s, no one seems to know exactly when. It's been used for hay storage but used to be where cows were fed and milked by John Reynolds' late parents.

The Reynolds built a new milking structure in 1997 and a new barn last year. Since the old barn was no longer essential, the family thought of tearing it down.

But family friend Barry Flansburg sort of intervened. He's also a Future Farmers of America alumnus and thought the Reynold's barn would be a good choice for the Campbell's opportunity. Apparently, his lobbying efforts weren't wasted.

"You're the first person I thought of, and you're right off Route 77," Flansburg said to Shelley Reynolds, who is delighted her family was chosen for the refurbishment project.

She likes what she and John do for a living, too.

"There's something about raising calves and seeing them become milk producers," Shelley said. "Sometimes you have to do chores on Christmas Eve, but you're responsible for it all and it's a good life. My kids never spent one day in day care. ... we operate as a family."

The family also includes Tyler, 18, MacKenzie, 17, and Andrew, 15.
Incidentally, MacKenzie is this year's Genesee County Dairy Princess and Tyler will be a freshman at Cornell this fall.

She says the kids say after college they'll come back to Corfu to run the dairy.

"It's their choice," she said, adding that it wouldn't be a bad one either.

Pictured above: Left: Christina Kirby, 11th grader at Albion; Right: Sarah Connor, 10th grader at Albion.

Batavia without fire chief as qualified captains decline temporary appointment

By Howard B. Owens

At the close of business today, the Batavia Fire Department will be without a fire chief, as none of the four captains who are qualified to fill an interim position wanted to take on the role at this time, CIty Manager Jason Molino told WBTA this afternoon.

Molino said he will handle routine administrative tasks for the department while the job search for a new chief continues.

Chief Tom Dillon resigned after learning last week that the New York Civil Service Commission denied the city's request for a waiver on his position. Dillon retired after 29-years with the Rochester Fire Department and the commission said he could not continue to draw retirement and earn more than $30,000 per year.

Deals of the Day: Fine Dining Friday - Alex's and Larry's

By Howard B. Owens

Hey, it's Friday -- end of a long work week, time to reward yourself with a good meal at a nice restaurant. So today we're offering two $50 gift certificates for $25 each. (note, starting today, we're charging a $1 service fee to offset our PayPal fee).

One is for Alex's Place on Park Road and the other for Larry's Steakhouse in Downtown.

After dinner, you can take in a show, too.  We still have tickets available for The Lion in Winter from The Batavia Players. These tickets are $5 each (regularly $10).  The offer expires at 5 p.m. today.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Alex's Place

SOLD

Larry's Steakhouse

SOLD

The Lion in Winter

Police Beat: K-9 alerts on backpack, marijuana suspected

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher Saddler, 25, of Albion was pulled over by a Sheriff deputy for an alleged traffic violation at 12:20 p.m. yesterday. The K-9 working with Deputy Thompson reportedly alerted on the car, and then alerted on a backpack in the car. Saddler was cited for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Batavia Chrysler to stay open as hundreds of others close nationwide

By Billie Owens

The Castilone Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealership in Batavia will stay in business.

The owner, Steve Castilone, was told about the decision this morning. It will continue to sell and service the brands for the Chrysler Corporation's as well as Chrysler's new partner, Fiat, of Italy.

Chrysler has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. 

According to an interview with WTBA, the news is a relief for Castilone.

Audio: Steve Castilone talks about receiving the letter this morning.

Audio: Steve Castilone talks about his business, which began as Hawley Motors generations ago and is was the oldest family owned Chrysler dealership in the nation.

Nationally, 789 dealership were told today they will be shut down.

New environment studies course at GCC gives students hands-on learning

By Billie Owens

From restoring prairie grass to analyzing the DNA of a red tail hawk, the students at Genesee Community College are digging into real-life scientific rsearch.

It's part of a new course, Field Experience in Environmental Studies.

According to Associate Professor of Biology Maureen Leupold, students participated in six different research projects, in cooperation with Finger Lakes Community College, SUNY College at Brockport, and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The research is part of a National Science Foundation grant designed to help colleges integrate scientific research into college classes and labs.

Research projects included:

  • Red Tail Hawk DNA Analysis. Students are learning DNA extraction and analysis skills, using blood collected from hawks at the Braddock Bay Raptor Research Project. Initially most of the DNA analysis is being completed at RIT, but Genesee labs will soon be equipped to handle much DNA work. (Conducted students by Joseph Gorny of Attica, Joseph Richardson of Darien Center and Nathan Svensen of Batavia.)
  • Invasive Plant Species Studies. Using global position systems, students are tracking and documenting the invasive honeysuckle shrubs in Genesee County Park. (Conducted by Frank Pombert of Albion.)
  • Oak Opening Restoration. Students are learning how to restore and maintain prairie grass species native to Western New York. Students are conducting the project on land at the Genesee Country Museum and Nature Center in Mumford. (Conducted by Adam Kramarsyck of Brockport)
  • Raptor Research. Students are learning ornithological field study techniques, and documenting the occurrence of short-eared owls at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. (Conducted by Kathryn Scarborough of Basom.)
  • Medicinal Plant Study. Students are locating and documenting plants with medicinal properties at Genesee County Park. One of the goals of the research is to develop information about medicinal plants for park visitors. (Conducted by Sandy Colombo-Steele of Batavia.)
  • Lake Watershed Runoff Analysis. Students are studying the flow of nutrients into Silver Lake, and compiling data about the impact of storms on Silver Lake and surrounding tributaries. (Conducted by Nicholas Eddy of Bliss.)
  • One of the unique features of Genesee's research course is the participation of highly-experienced environmental researchers in each of the projects. Larry Buckley, PhD, professor of zoology at RIT and James Hewlett, PhD, professor of biotechnology at FLCC, for example, are spearheading the Red Tail Hawk DNA Analysis, GCC's Leupold said. Heidi Kennedy, a noted New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist, is leading the raptor research project.


"Our students are not only exposed to high-quality research projects, but they have the opportunity to become engaged with scientists who are conducting sophisticated research,"  Leupold told trustees at the GCC board meeting Monday.

Joseph Gorny, a Genesee student participating in the Red Tail Hawk DNA project, said that the research experience will help him launch his career.

"What I like most about the research project is that we're getting real-life experience in DNA analysis and lab techniques," Gorny told trustees.

Lawn Fete at St. Joseph School, Batavia

By St. Joseph School
Lawn Fete at St. Joseph School
 
corner of Main & Summit, Batavia
 
Friday June 12th through Sunday June 14th
 
Friday (6-11pm), Saturday (1-11pm) and Sunday (12-10pm)
 
Carnival rides, food, children's games
 
please call the church office with questions 585-343-5800
Event Date and Time
-

Deals of the Day: Essence of Candles and Herbly Wonderful

By Howard B. Owens

Today, we're offering gift certificates for two charming stores, Herbly Wonderful and Essence of Candles.

These are both $25 gift certificate and you can purchase them through The Batavian for $12.50 each -- half off!*

Essence of Candles is located at 201 Liberty St. and features a variety of handmade candles -- made right here in Batavia. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Herbly Wonderful is located at 3701 Pearl Street Road and offers teas, dried herbs, blends and spices. Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: noon to 5 p.m..

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Essence of Candles

SOLD

*NOTE: Starting Friday, we will beginning charing a $1 service fee to offset the fees we pay to PayPal.

Fire crews battle blaze on Otis Street

By Howard B. Owens

Approximately $30,000 in damage was caused to a home at 46 Otis Street in Batavia last night after a fire erupted in the cockloft area of the house.

The Batavia Fire Department reports that dispatchers received numerous calls around 9:42 p.m., including an initial call from a neighbor at the rear of the house on Hutchins Street.

Crews from the city and town were dispatched to the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Damage to the structure, which is owned by Rose Szczesny, was confined to the cockloft -- or attic-like area -- of the house. There was smoke and water damage to other portions of the house.

Deal of the Day: Dinner and a show

By Howard B. Owens

Today we're offering half-price gift certificates for T.F. Brown's and Main St. Pizza Company, as well as half-price tickets to see the Batavia Players perform The Lion in Winter.

Combine your purchases for a great night out this Friday or Saturday!

The T.F. Brown's and main St. Pizza Company gift certificates are worth $25 each, and they're available through The Batavian for $12.50.

The Lion and Winter Tickets are $10 and The Batavian is selling them for $5 each. Order as many as you like -- take your whole family! For more information on the play and picking up your tickets, click here.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

T. F. Brown's

SOLD

Main St. Pizza Company

SOLD

Batavia Players: The Lion in Winter

NOTE: Starting Friday, we'll start charging a $1 service fee on Deals of The Day. This is to cover the fee we're charged by PayPal to process the sale.

1,000 firearm safety kits being distributed

By Billie Owens

The City of Batavia Police Department is providing free firearm safety kits to local residents while supplies last.

The department in partnership with national Project SafeChild will distribute 1,000 kits, which include a gun lock.

The police headquarters is located at 10 W. Main St. and hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"We encourage residents to pick up a Project SafeChild safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm," said Chief Randy Baker in a press release. "Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style gun lock.

"The lock fits on most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. The goal is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home."

Mail truck rear ended at Main and Center

By Howard B. Owens

Just outside the office of The Batavian, a red Cadillac rear ended a U.S. Postal Service delivery truck. There are no apparent injuries. The vehicles have just been moved from the intersection. I didn't see the accident, only heard it.

Deal of the Day: Essence of Candles

By Howard B. Owens

Today's deal is a $25 gift certificate from Essence of Candles for $12.40 - Half Off!.

Essence of Candles is located at 201 Liberty St. and features a variety of handmade candles -- made right here in Batavia. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

SOLD

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