batavia

Richard Beatty (right) with Kelli Pease (center), WGCC faculty advisor, and student announcer Austen Vroman (left) at GCC’s recent Student Club Fair.

Submitted photo and press release:

Richard Beatty, of Batavia, and Cody Catlin, of Waterport, opened their new radio show with a long song by Big Brother and the Holding Company, and they continued on to play a little Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival and even a Chet Atkins number.

All were songs from the WGCC library of music that don't see a whole lot of play time anymore.

Those tracks of music from the '50s, '60s, '70s and beyond will begin to see a bit more airtime on most Thursday nights from 8 - 10 p.m.

Genesee Community College's student-run radio station, WGCC (90.7 FM), has welcomed the interest of Beatty, who has many years of music appreciation and a wide personal collection of albums, CDs, a few cassette tapes and now streaming playlists.

At 67 years old, he quickly reflects back on 50-plus years of attending concerts across the country. 

"One of my first concerts was the Who opening for Herman's Hermits -- after experiencing Pete Townshend's windmill attack on his guitar and Keith Moon's drumming, I didn't bother sticking around for Peter Noone's crooning," Beatty said.

"I was lucky enough to see many of the greats before their lives were cut short -- maybe the best was the Allman Brothers in '71 at a University of South Florida gym in Tampa -- my recollection it was a four-hour show."

RaeAnn Engler, Richard's partner in life, has shared many great club shows in the 21st century.

"We shy away from arena shows and prefer club shows featuring largely unknown acts," Engler said. "We saw a Jeffery Lewis show in Medina where the band outnumbered the audience. It was still a great show!"

Beatty, a retired industrial property appraiser for New York State Real Property Services, approached the College about his interest in developing a weekly program to feature music from earlier years, creating a community opportunity that he hoped would allow him to interact with GCC students, exchange an appreciation of music and even feature of few special guests on his "Geezer Radio" show.

On March 22, his first guest is local author and screenwriter Bill Kauffman, who was also GCC's 2017 Commencement speaker. Other proposed guests may be Craig Yunker, another friend of the College who attended Woodstock, GCC retirees and musicians Ray Chaya and Bob Knipe, Richard Schauf, detective for Batavia Police Department, and maybe even GCC President Jim Sunser.

Working with the students has been a pleasure for Beatty. He has enjoyed helping them relocate station equipment during the renovation project between the fall and spring semesters. He regularly attends station meetings, and he supported WGCC at the Student Club Fair.

"Cody (Catlin) has been a real pleasure to work with, and I appreciate all that he is teaching me about the equipment and airtime guidelines," Beatty said. "And Kelli Pease, the faculty advisor to the station and also a GCC alumna, has also been a joy to work with. In the world of being retired, it doesn't get better than this."

This spring, Beatty plans to help out at GCC's Scholars' Symposium on March 29.

Beatty is also president of Landmark Society of Genesee, a docent volunteer for the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, and a regular supporter of Richmond Memorial Library Books Sandwiched In program.

WGCC is a not-for-profit non-commercial radio station run by the students, faculty and staff of Genesee Community College. It's been on the air since 1985 and has become a well-loved part of the Batavia community.

Submitted photo and press release:

St. Joseph Catholic School is proud to announce that its Special Education Teacher, Mrs. Kate Winters, was nominated for the Inclusive Teacher of the Year award.

The Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education (FICE) held its fourth annual Taking Flight Dinner on March 8^th where it announced this year’s nominees.

Being nominated for this award is an honor as it recognizes the teaching professional who has dedicated their time, compassion, and creativity toward making an impact on the lives of students receiving inclusive education within their school.

Congratulations to Mrs. Winters as well as the nine other nominees from Catholic Schools within the Diocese of Buffalo.

Pictured above are: Back row, from left – Karen Green (St. Joseph School Principal), Kate Winters, Christopher Suriano (NYSED Assistant Commissioner of Special Education), and Sister Carol Cimino (Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Buffalo); Front row, from left – Gina Bergman, Elizabeth Hofmaster, Sharon Fischer, Marianne Clattenburg, Diane Fraser, and Alicia Palmer (St. Joseph School teachers).

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) Committee is excited to invite the entire college community to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students at the third annual Scholars' Symposium -- a celebration of inquiry and scholarship.

GCC students and faculty pour countless hours and precise attention to their work. As a result, our academic year is full of achievement. On Thursday, March 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends, will gather at the symposium to educate and demonstrate their scholarly achievements which transcend all disciplines.

The presentations, poster exhibits and performances provide an opportunity to expand horizons, hone presentation skills and engage our collective brain power for all to enjoy and to appreciate. The entire event is free and open to the public.

The full schedule of events for GCC's Third Annual Scholars' Symposium is as follows:

• 8:15 - 9 a.m.: Judges' Meeting with Karen Wicka and Charles Scruggs (T104)
• 8:30 - 11 a.m.: Registration (William W. Stuart Forum)
• 9 - 10 a.m.: Oral Presentation Session A (Conable Technology Building, T102, T122, T121, T119 A & B)
• 10 - 11 a.m.: Oral Presentation Session B (Conable Technology Building, T102, T122, T121, T119 A & B)
• 11 a.m. - Noon: Poster Session (William W. Stuart Forum)
• Noon - 1 p.m.: Symposium attendees are invited to purchase lunch in the Cafeteria or Subway located in the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union)
• Noon - 1 p.m.: Symposium participants, judges and mentors will enjoy a private lunch in T119A/B (RSVP required).
• Noon - 1 p.m.: Guests are invited to visit various art exhibits in the Steiner Theatre Lobby; Media Center of the Alfred C. O'Connell Library; and Penumbra Exhibition Space -- second floor hallway between B205 and B207.
• 1 - 2 p.m.: Dr. Deborah Nawoczenski, Keynote Address, "Curiosity Does Not (Always) Kill the Cat -- Extending Discovery Beyond "OK, Google" (Stuart Steiner Theatre)
• 2 - 2:30 p.m.: Award Ceremony & Reception (Stuart Steiner Theatre)

The symposium will include keynote speaker, Deborah Nawoczenski PT, Ph.D., to address the benefits of being involved in research. Nawoczenski received her BS in Physical Therapy and Master's in Education from Temple University in Philadelphia. She completed her PhD work at the University of Iowa with a specialization in Exercise Science and Biomechanics. Nawoczenski was a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College's Rochester Center for 21 years.

She cofounded (with Dr. Judy Baumhauer from the University of Rochester) the Center for Foot and Ankle Research at Ithaca's Rochester Center, and also was codirector of the Movement Analysis Laboratory. Throughout her career, Nawoczenski's research focus was directed to the study of foot and ankle pathologies and to the analysis of shoulder pain in people with spinal cord injuries.

This work was funded through a number of different organizations including the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, the National Institutes of Health, the Arthritis Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation and has led to more than 60 publications in major peer-reviewed journals.

Nawoczenski considers herself privileged to volunteer as a Physical Therapist in this country as well as in Jamaica and Poland. She recently served as a visiting professor in Kenya, India and Brazil. Her presentation at the Scholars Symposium will center on her own path to research and publishing and how others can enrich their lives through scholarly endeavor.

"We are so proud of the hard work and learning our participants have accomplished," says Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva. "And we are very grateful for the support we received from the President's Innovation Award (PIA) in our initial launch of this program.

"The Scholar Symposium has become a legacy celebration of the collaboration between students, faculty and administration at GCC."

The Symposium will feature GCC's student Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects in Photographic Exhibitions on display in the Alfred C. O'Connell Library, the Penumbra Exhibition Space (second floor hallway between B205 and B207), and the lobby of the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Under the leadership of the COIL Center, the Latin American Academy (LAA) has developed and implemented course-based partnerships between SUNY GCC and universities in Latin America, which are members of the growing Global Partnership Network (GPN).

The team-taught courses use technology to expose students in different countries to each other's cultures resulting in an enriched intercultural learning experience. The course-based partnerships emphasize experiential and collaborative student learning and help sustain long-term international teaching and learning partnerships. 

The 2019 Scholars' Symposium has been scheduled for April 11, 2019.

For further information on the Scholars' Symposium, visit: www.genesee.edu/home/events/scholars-symposium/ and please contact Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva at jrtoriseva@genesee.edu or at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6627 with any questions.

Press release:

Genesee Cancer Assistance will hold its Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, April 19, in memory of Joe Gerace, an incredible, dedicated volunteer to the organization for more than 22 years.

This year's event will be held in Batavia from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ascension Parish Hall on 17 Sumner St.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children and are available at the door or pre-sale from any board member. Takeouts available.

You can also call or stop by the GCA Office to purchase tickets, now located at UMMC hospital, 127 North St, Batavia.

Again this year, there will be raffles on site throughout the night including baskets of wine and chocolate along with a “Money Tree” valued at $100.

Genesee Cancer Assistance Inc. was founded in 1995 and is a community-based, nonprofit organization committed to providing financial assistance and free services to cancer patients in Genesee County.  In its 23 years of continuous service to our community, GCA has given over a half million dollars to more than 200 patients.

GCA depends on successful fundraisers. All money raised stays in Genesee County. Genesee Cancer Assistance reaches out to the community for help through local support, monetary donations, memorials, and volunteers.

This year each cancer patient receives $600 of financial assistance to help lessen the burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

For more information about this event, future events, and our organization, please visit us online at www.geneseecancerassistance.com

Elizabeth Michelle Grattan, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Grattan is accused of stabbing another person with a steak knife during a fight reported at 9:50 p.m. Friday at a residence on Lewis Place, Batavia. Grattan was ordered held until her next court appearance.

Jason J. Raffel Jr., 25, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Raffel is accused of refusing to leave an active crime scene at 10:27 p.m. Saturday on State Street, Batavia.

Bryan D. Bates, 38, of East Center Street, Medina, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Bates is accused of violating an order of protection at 11:22 p.m. March 11 at a location on Oak Street, Batavia.

Moises Garza Jr., 21, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. Garza was charged following an investigation into an incident reported at 4:45 p.m. Saturday at a residence on Washington Avenue. Garza was ordered held without bail.

Eric Jon Merritt, 28, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Merritt allegedly contacted two protected parties at 8:49 p.m. Saturday in violation of stay away orders of protection.

Eric James Olverd, 45, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and no taillamp. Olverd was stopped at 12:51 a.m. Sunday on Central Avenue, Batavia, by Investigator Christopher Parker.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is seeking public-spirited citizens to spend a couple hours assembling bundles of materials that can be used to create artworks, to go to artists with disabilities.

The “Second Annual ARTcovz® Packaging Party” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 31, at the ILGR office, 113 Main St. (near Center Street), Suite 5, in Batavia.

The Agency offers participants a light breakfast and the opportunity to make new friends, as they assemble: clay art packages; card boards, colored pencils and paint for drawing and painting; folding paper for origami projects; glue and binding materials for creating books, etc.

This is made possible thanks to the generosity of the North-Buffalo-based University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), a group of artists that serve as a driving creative force and educational resource to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the arts.

UHAA has stocked an ARTcovz® self-serve kiosk of art supplies in the ILGR lobby since March 2016, which has included: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing (graphite) pencils, watercolor/ drawing paper, craft paper, origami paper, polymer clay, and art-oriented audio books on CD.

Having placed many ARTcovz® booths in public areas around Western New York, UHAA has partnered with ILGR to expand their outreach to people with disabilities.

While not mandatory to participate, those who plan to attend are encouraged to preregister, so there will be enough food on hand. For questions, or to RSVP, please call Bridget Mosman at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400.  

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

Do you have a passion you'd like to turn into a business? Ready to start writing a business plan? Join us at Genesee Community College for a FREE Business Plan Basics workshop to get you started!

Great entrepreneurs of our time have great business plans! On Thursday, March 22, GCC will host a special workshop that teaches the basic components of a good business plan led by Sam Campanella of the Small Business Development Center. 

Business Plan Basics will take place on from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in room T121 of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus.

Campanella will also lead a workshop on Idea Pitch Preparation on Thursday, April 12, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to help you prepare to pitch your business idea.

This workshop is free and open to the public; you do NOT have to be participating in the Business Idea Pitch Competition to attend these workshops. To sign up for a workshop, please contact Amy Conley at avconley@genesee.edu.

Ready to test out your business idea? Consider participating in a Business Idea Pitch Competition! You could even earn a cash prize!

The first-ever local Business Idea Pitch Competition will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 19, in the Conable Technology Building at the Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The deadline for competitors to register is Friday, March 30.

Business Idea Pitch Competition details are available at https://www.genesee.edu/home/events/businesspitch/. To register for the Pitch Competition, please contact Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., at lmlamattina@genesee.edu or (585) 343-0055, ext.6319.

A priest assigned to St. Mary's in Batavia for 12 years starting in 1991 has denied allegations that he sexually molested three people during his time with the Buffalo Diocese.

The Buffalo News has reported that three men have claimed that they were molested by Rev. Donald Becker, including one who said he was paid a settlement by the church.

While the News did not report Becker's connection to St. Mary's, a spokesman for the diocese said he was assigned as pastor there for a six-year term in March 1991 and reappointed pastor in March 1997. His second term ended in March 2003.

The News reports that Becker served nine parishes in the diocese from 1968 through 2002, including: St. Mark's in Rushford; St. Mary's of the Assumption in Lancaster; St. Bonaventure in West Seneca; SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg; Nativity of Our Lord in Orchard Park; St. Stephen's on Grand Island; and St. Agatha's in Buffalo.

Becker, who now lives in Florida, told the News that he retired for medical reasons. He suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Two of the men who spoke to the News, but were not named in the story, said they were teens when they encountered Becker. The other said he was 9 years old.

The accusations against Becker has apparently increased pressure for the diocese to be more transparent about priests accused of sexual abuse.

Det. Eric Hill said there have been no criminal complaints against Becker in the City of Batavia and there is no current investigation since there have been no complaints.

Press release:

The Genesee Country Farmers' Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market* opens for the season on Friday, June 8th, at the market's location on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in the Downtown Batavia Business District.

Market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with the season running from Friday, June 8th, through Friday, Oct. 26th.

"This year marks the third year of collaboration with BID (Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District)", says Market Manager Mike Bakos, "The Market, presently in this year's planning stages, is accepting new vendor applications."

Parties interested in joining the market to become a Seasonal or Day Vendor may obtain application forms by contacting Bakos at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

The market also offers a FREE market stall to qualifying charities, service groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market. Contact the market for more information.

* Providing "Locally Grown" Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Items to the Greater Batavia and Genesee County Area for 44 Years.

Press release:

Sleep Insights, an established, local sleep medicine practice, recently expanded and moved to 47A Batavia City Centre in Downtown Batavia.

For people who struggle to regularly get a good night’s sleep, Sleep Insights provides a welcoming approach to help people sleep better: as an integrated practice, they diagnose and treat over 80 types of sleep disorders, provide physician appointments (ages 5+), offer home sleep apnea testing, overnight sleep testing and CPAP services—all at one site.

“This is the same clinical model we use at our Rochester site,” noted Dr. Jacob Dominik, Sleep Insights’ medical director, who sees patients at the Batavia site.

“It’s really a game changer when it comes to providing continuity of care, since we manage patients from start to finish. I personally meet with patients to determine the cause of their sleep problems as well as the appropriate next steps, which we can also provide.

“If people have problems sleeping or staying awake, testing isn’t always needed. So that definitely shouldn’t deter people from seeking help.”

Patients are seen at Sleep Insights for a variety of sleep disorders affecting their sleep quality and ability to function. Some of the most common conditions impacting sleep include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, restless legs syndrome, shift work disorder, narcolepsy and parasomnias (abnormal behavior during sleep).

“Sleep is critical to emotional and physical health,” Dr. Dominik added. “We’re here to help anyone who isn’t regularly waking up and feeling refreshed. Our focus is on helping each patient as soon as we can, the best we can.”

In January, Sleep Insights moved from 653 E. Main St., Batavia, to 47A Batavia City Centre, Batavia. Their new location provides a soothing, upscale environment with expanded room for CPAP supplies and support from a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

In addition, three bedrooms for overnight testing are slated to be added by late spring. Their phone number remains the same: 585.219.4330. New patient appointments are available and no healthcare provider referral is needed.

About Sleep Insights

Founded in 2005 by Kenneth E. Plotkin, MD, and currently owned by Jacob Dominik, MD, Sleep Insights is a regional, comprehensive sleep medicine practice offering consultative, diagnostic testing and sleep therapy services. Sleep Insights is an independent sleep center, not owned by or affiliated with a hospital. The company’s main site is in Rochester, with eight locations throughout Central and Western New York.

From the Volunteers for Animals:

"Downward Dog for a Cause" is a donation-based yoga class that will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 23, to benefit the Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. It will take place at Blue Pearl Yoga, located on the third floor of the Masonic Temple Building at the corner of Main and Center streets in Downtown Batavia.

Come and join us for a playful Vinyasa flow class, open to all levels of experience.

All donations are welcome -- even pet supplies!

If you do not own a yoga mat, extra mats are available to borrow at the class. Parking available in the muncipal lot off Center and School streets.

David T. Neauaus, 31, of Fisher Park, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal trespass. He was jailed on $5,000 bail. He was also arrested on charges of assault, 3rd, and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. The alleged incidents occurred March 10. Bail on these charges was set at $10,000.

Rebecca V. Flanagan, 41, of Sliker Hill Road, Conesus, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Flanagan was stopped at 4:48 p.m. Wednesday on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Officer Cowen Mitchell.

Elliot Lee Lyons, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Lyons was charged after surveillance video revealed he allegedly damaged a wall inside a residential facility on State Street.

Paula G. Pierce, 26, of Lewis Place, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with a court-ordered program as part of a previous sentence on a criminal conviction. Pierce was released on her own recognizance.

Katty L. Jackson, 22, of Summer Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Jackson was arrested after police were dispatched to Central Avenue, Batavia, at 8:21 p.m. Tuesday to investigate an incident and located Jackson, who was allegedly violating an order of protection.

Johnny Dinh, 40, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. Dinh is accused of touching another person inappropriately without consent or invitation at a location on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, on Feb. 28.

Brett Nelson Magoffin, 42, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Magoffin was arrested following an investigation at 11:16 p.m. Thursday into a physical altercation at a location on Simonds Road, Darien, by Deputy Andrew Mullen and Deputy Ryan Young.

Jonathan Christopher Elleman, 26, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driver's view obstructed. At 2:40 a.m., dispatchers received a report of an erratic driver in the Town of Darien. Deputies Ryan Young and Eric Meyer responded and located a vehicle matching the description of the one reported by a caller parked on the side of Sharrick Road. Upon further investigation, Elleman was charged.

Lou Ann Lindsley, 62, of Medina, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Lindsley was stopped at 8:50 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Alabama, by State Police.

Jacob J. Szumigala, 24, of Oakfield, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Szumigala was stopped at 2:52 a.m. Sunday on Lockport Road, Alabama, by State Police.

A residence at 9 Orleans Ave., Batavia, is reportedly filling with smoke.

The residents have been told to evacuate.

The building may be a duplex.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: "Nothing showing. Investigating."

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: Food in the stove. Ventilating.

For St. Patrick's Day, we stopped by Center Street Smokehouse, O'Lacy's, Eli Fish Brewing, Ken's Pits, Bourbon & Burger Co., and T.F. Browns.

To purchase prints of pictures, click here.

Abby Snyder, 7 months, made her first visit to see the Easter Bunny today at Oliver's Candies.

Also stopping for a visit, below, is Jazmyne Green, 2, with her father Bleyke Culver.

Press release:

Call for craft artisans and vendors for the annual Picnic in the Park on July 4 at Centennial Park, Batavia. Sponsored by GO ART!

For details and application please visit GOART.ORG : Programs/ Events, Picnic in the Park applications, Art and Craft Vendors.

Batavia City school administrators and teachers presented art awards Friday evening to students at the Richmond Memorial Library in the district's annual art show. The student art will be on display at the library for the remainder of the month.

On Friday night at John Kennedy School Pack 6112 ran its pinewood derby on the city’s longest and fastest track. With nearly 50 feet of racetrack the Lions, Tigers, Bobcats and Wolfs ran the cars they made themselves in a night of racing.

The scouts were more than a little excited about the event. After the official round of racing, the scouts had fun races even running the cars backwards.