Photo: Hotel at Batavia Downs opens
The new Hotel at Batavia Downs opened for business today.
The ribbon cutting for the new facility won't be until early November.
batavia
Police confront knife-wielding man on Bank Street
There's a police confrontation on Bank Street Road in the city. A man who appears to be in his 20s is outside yelling at police officers. Multiple units responded to the call and officers have their weapons drawn. A family member on scene said the man is armed with a knife.
The Emergency Response Team is on scene.
The man is yelling: "Go away! Now that I'm armed with a knife, want to do your job?"
UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: The initial call was to a location on Denio Street. The incident is near Dwyer Stadium.
UPDATE: Police are treating this as a mental health incident at this time, and unless new information develops, there will be no charges against the subject of the incident, said Chief Shawn Heubusch. (As such, we're withholding pictures that show the individual involved, unless and until charges are filed (which doesn't sound likely. No name is likely to be released unless there are charges).
The incident started with the subject on the phone with dispatchers (though Heubusch was not sure if the subject called in or somebody else first called emergency dispatchers). The subject said he had a knife and was looking for police officers to harm him, Heubusch said.
Initially, responding officers had only a general idea of where the subject was -- somewhere in the woods around Dwyer Stadium and the Youth Bureau.
"We’re relying on dispatchers to relay us information and they did a good job of relaying us information about where he was and what his intents were, keeping the members updated constantly," Heubusch said.
Shortly after 6 p.m., the subject emerged from the woods on Bank Street, at the old Batavia Iron and Metal property, where a Batavia police officer was parked. Backup units from Batavia PD, the Sheriff's Office and State Police arrived on scene immediately, followed quickly by the Emergency Response Team. Within minutes, the State Police helicopter was overhead, as well.
"I can tell you, in an incident like this, you want to get as many people in as possible as quickly as you possibly can because you never know what it can evolve into or how quickly it can evolve," Heubusch said.
The chief also noted the incident was taking place in a residential neighborhood, warranting more concern for public safety.
A big reason to call out the ERT unit is the possibility the situation could become a barricaded suspect incident, Heubusch said.
"The more resources you have, the better you can contain it," Heubusch said.
The subject retreated to a corner of the building as officers converged, but kept their distance. He backed behind the corner and continued to yell at officers.
Two members of ERT and a Batavia detective with bolt cutters entered the fenced area to the south of the building, giving them access to come up from behind the suspect's position.
A few minutes later, the subject threw his knife toward Bank Street.
Officers then rushed in to take him into custody.
"He made no threats toward us," Heubusch said. "He made no threats toward anybody else in the community that I’m aware of, so the officers, obviously, wanted to make sure that he remained safe and they remained safe. They operated with great restraint and took him into custody without the use of force."
He was transported to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation. The results of the evaluation along with any further information that may develop about the case will have some bearing on whether there are charges, but Heubusch said right now, it looks like a mental health case.
He praised the discipline of the officers for resolving the incident without violence.
"It’s extremely difficult to have an officer have the composure they have to have to ensure nobody gets hurt, including themselves," Heubusch said. "It’s a split-second decision these guys are making when they’re in the field and they’re dealing with people like this. They did a good job."
Notre Dame High School hosts annual Fall Open House on Wednesday evening
From 6 to 8 p.m. next Wednesday, Oct. 19, Notre Dame High School will hold its annual Fall Open House for prospective students. Everyone is invited to come “Experience the Difference” of a Notre Dame education.
Teachers will be on hand along with many clubs and sports coaches. The Notre Dame experience is affordable for all, with more than 80 of students receiving financial aid and scholarships.
Notre Dame is a Catholic school with a physically and emotionally safe learning environment welcoming to all. Its Tradition of Excellence continues with a graduation rate of 100 percent for the Class of 2016, earning $4.6 million in scholarships. Please visit to learn more about this small school community with big school possibilities.
Notre Dame is located at 73 Union St. in the City of Batavia. Phone is 343-2783. Email is: info@ndhsbatavia.com
Applications now being accepted for Batavia Jr. Blue Devils Boys Basketball Saturday Program
The Batavia Jr. Blue Devils Boys Basketball Saturday Program will be offered from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17 at John Kennedy School's gym. It is only open to boys in grades one through six who attend school in the Batavia City School District.
The Satruday program is FREE but there will be a fee for league play to cover the cost of uniforms/gym use, etc.
- Grades 3-4 will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Grade 5-6 will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Grades 1-2 will meet from noon to 1 p.m.
The program will focus on the offensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, and ball handling, with a major emphasis on shooting. There will be contests with full-court and half-court games.
Participants will have the option to join our youth league from January until early March. Practices will start after Winter Recess and will be held twice per week in the evening. Games are played on the weekends, either on Saturday or Sunday or both.
A parent or guardian must fill out an application that includes: name, address; age; grade; school; phone number; medical concerns; and signature.
If you want yopu child to play on one of the teams that competes in the league, which is for grades 3-6 only and runs January through early March, you will have to choose a jersey size -- Youth S-XL and Adult S-XL, and it is advised that you order a size up as they run small.
Batavia City Schools are not responsible for injury that may happen during the program.
Refer questions to Coach Jim Fazio at (585) 356-0901. Email: jfazio@gvboces.org
Fazio is the Jr. Blue Devil youth director and he coaches current Blue Devil players.
UPDATED: Boston terrier found on Jackson Street without tags
Is your BFF missing?
Brian Kemp, of the Batavia business T-Shirts Etc., wrote to us about this black and white cutie:
"We found a very friendly dog wandering around on Jackson Street. ... We have it here at our shop. He has no tags on him."
The shop is located at 37 Center St. Phone is 345-1993.
At 3:37 p.m., we received this email:
The dog has been picked up by his mommy. Thank you so much for your help!
Have a great day!
-Tylin
Two drug deals send Batavia man to prison for three years
A Batavia man whose attorney said he just responded to a friend's request for help when he sold her drugs is going to prison for three years for criminal sale of a controlled substance.
James Soccio, 34, was arrested in June after twice selling drugs to a person acting as an agent for the Local Drug Task Force. He pocketed $120 on the deals.
Attorney Fred Rarick, when arguing for a light sentence for his client before Interim Judge Michael Pietruszka said the transaction apparently came about after an addict, a friend of Soccio's who was recruited for undercover work by the task force, came to Soccio and begged him for help.
A former addict himself, Soccio, Rarick said, was trying to do a friend a favor. It was wrong and poor judgment on his part, Rarick said, but Soccio has been known to help friends in other ways when they ask for it.
Pierruszka said he received several letters of support from members of the community, including Pastor Marty Macdonald, who portrayed Soccio as a stable member of the community. He has a longtime girlfriend and has worked steadily in Genesee County for several years.
As part of the pre-sentence process, Soccio was evaluated for possible substance abuse treatment himself, but counselors determined Soccio is not himself an addict.
Since Soccio isn't an addict and wasn't charged with possession of a controlled substance, Pietruszka indicated he viewed him as a drug dealer, hence the three-year prison term.
Rarick sought a probationary sentence.
Pietruszka noted that Soccio, sentenced on a felony conviction more than a decade ago, violated probation terms following his release from prison then, which was another factor, he indicated, in his decision.
Tearfully, turning toward the gallery, Soccio apologized to his friends, family members and Pastor Macdonald, for his mistake and for letting them down.
Batavia HS seniors join in 'Make a Difference Day'
Yesterday was "Make a Difference Day" for Batavia High School seniors, who volunteered around the community in various projects.
Places where seniors volunteered included the Batavia Agri-Business Child Development Center, Batavia Peace Garden, Crossroads House, the Genesee County Nursing Home, Genesee County Park & Forest, the Youth Bureau, GO ART!, Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA.
Info and photos from Tom Redband.
Man accused of menacing a police officer pleads guilty to weapon charge
On the day his trial was to start this week, a 56-year-old Batavia man accused of menacing a police officer instead entered a guilty plea to one of the two counts against him.
Bill Thomas, of State Street, was arrested in March after an early morning standoff with the Emergency Response Team.
He pled guilty today to criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, a Class D felony, satisfying both counts returned against him by a grand jury.
There is no condition on sentencing. The maximum possible penalty is two and a third to seven years in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Nov. 15.
He is being held in the Genesee County Jail.
Law and Order: pair of alleged drunk drivers, Le Royan accused of stealing DVD, Gates teen arrested for pot
Danielle Riley McMinn, 22, of South Cranberry Boulevard, North Port, Fla., is charged with: DWI; unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd; reckless driving, failure to keep right; and moving from lane unsafely. McMinn was stopped by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies shortly after midnight on Oct. 12 on R. Stephen Hawley Drive when she allegedly failed to keep right. She then allegedly fled from deputies in her vehicle, leading deputies on a short pursuit. The pursuit came to an end when McMinn crashed her vehicle at the intersection of R. Stephen Hawley Drive and Bank Street Road in the Town of Batavia. She was subsequently arrested and jailed on $500 cash or $2,000 bond. She is to reappear in Town of Batavia Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, assisted by Deputy Andrew Hale.
Benjamin James Marien, 24, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or higher; DWI; speed in excess of 55 mph; and failure to keep right on a two-lane road. On Oct. 12 at 12:54 a.m., Marien was arrested following a traffic stop on Genesee Street in Pembroke. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Pembroke Court and is due there on Nov. 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer.
Matthew R. McQuillen, 33, of 38 Lathrop Ave. in Le Roy, was arrested on Oct. 10 by the Le Roy Police Department and charged with one count of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that at 4 p.m. on Oct. 8 McQuillen stole a DVD from a store located on West Avenue in Le Roy. McQuillen was released on an appearance ticket to appear in Le Roy Town Court on a later date.
Shawn Richard Porter Cuyler, 18, of Vendome Drive, Gates, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 8:53 a.m. on Oct. 11, the subject was pulled over on the side of the road on Oak Orchard Road in Batavia because his passenger had gotten out to retrieve glasses that fell from the vehicle. The subject allegedly possessed several smoking devices containing marijuana, along with two bottles containing marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker, assisted by City of Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack.
Gregg & Debbie McAllister, 21 Ross Street, Batavia, Tender Loving Care
Gregg & Debbie McAllister
21 Ross Street, Batavia
Tender Loving Care
This elegant Classical Revival home was built in 1904 by Batavia jeweler CC Bradley on property he purchased from Dean Richmond. Mr. Bradley commissioned architect M.P. Hyde. Located just north of the Richmond Memorial Library, the house remains largely unchanged over the decades. In 1956, CC Bradley, Jr. moved in to the family home.
In 1992 Gregg & Debbie McAllister purchased the property. In keeping with the traditional colors of the Classical Revival style of the early 1900s, they chose a three color paint scheme: yellow body, cream trim, and forest green accent. The McAllisters believe that the house has always been yellow. The dark green is to replicate copper, which would have been used in original Classical Revival architecture. The copper would weather to a green patina. The house is a study in contrasts of light and dark; light and heavy. Distinguishing exterior features include the dormers with palladium windows. The McAllister installed custom made replicas when the original windows rotted.
Extensive architectural embellishments include Greek revival corner returns on the dormers and decorative brackets under the eaves.
Ionic round columns support the porch roof. Fluted square pilasters with Ionic caps adorn the corners of the house. Three round Ionic columns flank each side of the porch entryway. The frieze boards are lined with dentils.
A porch swing invites visitors to enjoy the shade. Turned balusters frame the porch. Natural wood bead-board covers the porch ceiling.
A two-story round bay window graces the north side of the house. Note the custom made curved rain gutter and the curved clapboards.
On the south side, a square bay window contains leaded beveled glass. On the western, rear side of the house, the McAllisters added small deck off of the back door. A screened-in sun porch was attached in 1955. The Bradleys built an attached garage on the north side of the house and deeded the original detached carriage house to their neighbor. The garage is adorned with leaded glass, diamond-paned windows which were relocated from the living room.
The paneled front door is surrounded by sidelights and a transom made of leaded, beveled glass. A heavy entablature perches above the Ionic pilasters flanking the sides.
The entry way is wood paneled. One of many original light fixtures makes this cozy entryway even more inviting. From the interior of the home, one can fully appreciate the ornate leaded glass surrounding the front door.
The sweeping staircase in the foyer leads to a landing with a bank of leaded glass windows. The glass in these windows are tinted a pale lavender.
Among the many intricate flourishes of the staircase are a curved railing at the landing return another decorative curve around the corner and another curve at the bottom of the railing. A wave pattern adorns the stringer. Delicate, turned spindles grace the balustrade. Fluted round newel and Ionic newel cap.
Given the sum of its parts, the grand staircase makes quite an impression. Tucked underneath the staircase is a charming little powder room. This is the original sink. When it was evident that it would eventually need to be replaced, Debbie had the good fortune to find the exact same model at a salvaged home parts store. The sink still has the original faucets. The powder room has its original door knob and original light fixture.
The library is located through pocket doors in the foyer. The fireplace mantle design repeats the Ionic round pilasters found throughout the interior and exterior of the house. One of the few light fixtures not original to the house, Gregg brought this lamp home from India and had it electrified.
A stunning four-tier wedding cake chandelier lights the foyer. It originally hung in the living room in front of the fireplace. The Bradleys had it moved to the foyer in the 1940s. Four matching sconces light the living room. The McAllisters had the sconces refinished and rewired.
Dividing the living room from the foyer, this magnificent doorway incorporates the classical revival features found on the exterior of the house: a heavy entablature with decorative brackets and dentils supported by round fluted columns and square pilasters topped with Ionic capitals. The original wood floors remain throughout the house, beautiful oak with a mahogany border, even in upstairs rooms. The heat registers are decorated with fleurs-de-lis in the corners.
A second, Adamesque style fireplace warms the living room.
Again, the leaded glass windows gleam when the light pours in through them. This is one of the windows in the two story square bay window. Debbie still marvels that every morning the house is full of rainbows on the walls created by sunlight streaming through the leaded glass windows. Similar leaded glass adorns the square bay window of the master bedroom of the second floor.
French doors divide the living and dining rooms. In keeping with the attention to details in this elegant house, the French doors have glass doorknobs.
A third fireplace, identical to the one in the living room, warms the dining room. The McAllisters had this chimney completely rebuilt due to water damage. Built-in wood cabinets with glass doors surround both sides of the fireplace. Again, decorative dentils mirror the classical features of the home.
The paneled wood in the dining room is painted a fresh white which draws attention to the decorative plates and china.
The original brass wall sconces light the dining room. And the original wallpaper still hangs. Although the electrical wiring has been updated, the original push button switches remain.
The McAllisters purchased the sideboard from the Bradley family as well as eight chairs and the matching dining room table with seven leaves. The leaves have their own built in storage space in the butler’s pantry. The dining room pieces were custom made for the Bradleys by a New York City firm about 10 years after the home was built.
An original copper sink in the butler’s pantry is still functional. The cupboards in the butler’s pantry still have the original brass hardware.
In the 1940s, the Bradleys commissioned LeRoy architect Charles Ivan Crowell to design a sun porch; and open up the kitchen and pantry rooms into a large, open kitchen space. The McAllisters remodeled the kitchen in 1993. They modified the layout and installed oak floors, but kept the gas stove from the 1950s, bead-board wainscoting and cupboards.
Debbie stripped the paint off of this door to the basement and a bead-board hallway off of the kitchen. That had to have been a labor of love.
True to the experience of owning of an old home, updating the heating, plumbing and electrical functions in their house has been “ongoing” Debbie joked. The McAllisters have managed to preserve the elegant features of this stately house while creating a warm, comfortable home for their three children, as well as the many foreign exchange students they’ve hosted over the decades.
David & Robin Tufts, 438 East Main Street, Batavia, Adaptive Re-use
David & Robin Tufts
438 East Main Street, Batavia
Adaptive Re-use
Article by Lucine Kauffman
There are few examples of Mid-century Modern architecture in Batavia, especially among commercial buildings, and one that has been neglected for a long time has found a savior.
In 2014, D.A. Tufts Construction purchased 438 East Main Street, which is at the corner of Main and Harvester and is perhaps most often thought of as the former WBTA building. The 1961 building had been vacant for four years, and had deteriorated over all those winters and summers of emptiness.
Dave Tufts said he's admired the building since he was a little kid and is a big fan of Mid-century Modern, so he wanted to be sure to preserve the era's clean lines and Jetson-style modernism of the structure.
"It's one of my favorite periods, so we're excited about it, to be honest with you," Tufts said. Robyn Tufts pored over magazines devoted to Mid-century Modern architecture for ideas.
The Tufts plan to convert the 2,900-square-foot first floor to office space, suitable for business or medical use. The second floor was converted to two large apartments (1,300 square feet each) with open floor plans (appropriate for the era) and high-end amenities.
The Tufts updated the electric, plumbing, and HVAC systems throughout the building. They installed all new windows and doors. The building is fully insulated and 2015 energy code compliant.
David explained that the building needed remedial structural work starting with a new roof and steel support beam. He is proud to report that they used all local contractors for the work.
In a statement about their project, David said, "The repurposing of the building goes along with the current trend of people returning to urban areas to enjoy downtown living."
The exterior has been upgraded with new entry ways added to the front and back; the Tufts wanted to provide a private entrance for each apartment plus a separate entrance for the professional office space.
Balconies were built for the apartments. A “marquis” was added as a privacy wall and it also serves to add a third dimension to the flat, boxy façade.
Insulated metal panels were applied over the original stamped cement block common to the Mid-century Era. The diamond-shaped flat shingles echo the pattern in the cement block.
The Tufts constructed four garages and placed two one-bedroom apartments above the garages. Each garage also has its own private entrance.
David said Julie Pacatte, economic development coordinator for the city, has helped them throughout the planning process.
Pacatte said she helped the Tufts by developing a marking list for potential office space tenants and also helped them with an application for a grant from National Grid for main street revitalization projects which they successfully secrured.
"We're thrilled about the project," Pacatte said, because it hits on so many of the city's economic development goals -- from providing mix-use buildings; bringing more viable commercial space and residential space to the central city corridor; and providing higher-end housing (apartments with garages) that doesn't currently exist in the market.
"We love that they're honoring the architectural style of the property," Pacatte said.
When we think about preservation, we usually think of grand buildings from the 1800s, but now buildings from the first half of the last century are over 50 years old and represent a distinct architectural style. With this adaptive re-use project, the Tufts have raised awareness of the importance of saving Mid-century buildings.
This report contains material from an article written by HOWARD OWENS for THE BATAVIAN September 2015
National Grid worker reportedly locked in basement by resident angry at getting power shut off
A National Grid worker has called dispatch to report he's been locked in the basement of a home on Liberty Street by a resident apparently upset that he went down there to shut off the power.
Batavia PD responding.
Fire reported in lighting unit in ceiling at Walmart
A fire is reported in a lighting unit in the ceiling of Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.
The unit is near the deli section of the store.
Town of Batavia fire dispatched.
UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: It's an issue with a light ballast. Town of Batavia fire back in service.
Car reportedly hits KFC building, no injuries reported
A car has reportedly hit a building, the KFC, at 4216 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.
There are no injuries reported and only minor damage, but there is a report of fluids leaking.
Town of Batavia fire responding.
Foxprowl owner Bill Hume to talk about collectables at HLOM event
Bill Hume, owner of Foxprowl in Batavia, will talk about popular culture collectables beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Holland Land Office Museum, 131 W. Main S., Batavia.
These aren't your grandfather's collectables. Hume will give an overview of collectables, which got their start in comic books and movies like Super Man, Bat Man, the X Men, Godzilla, Star Wars and Ghostbusters. You'll learn what's trending and what's not and what you wish your mom had not thrown out years ago. Hume will bring along plenty of his favorite items to show off.
This free presentation is open to the public. We do serve refreshments!
Reservations would be helpful, but not required. Phone 343-4727.
To see weird and wonderful collectables and more, visit Foxprowl at 97 Main St. in Batavia.
Police checking on report of man behaving oddly in Liberty Street area
Police received a report of a tall male pushing a shopping cart in the area of Ellicott Street and Liberty Street. He was reportedly pushing the cart in and out of traffic, creating a hazard, and touching himself.
A new report has come in that he's now on Central Avenue and handing items from his cart to small children.
Police are responding.
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Annual BMS Open House is Thursday evening
Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, Batavia Middle School will host its annual Open House for parents and students. The school is located at 96 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.
Participants may visit classrooms and other learning areas in a relaxed manner, meeting with any or all of their child’s teachers.
In addition, the Library Media Center will host the Book Fair, which is sponsored by our Parent Teacher Group.
Open House is focused on teachers and parents becoming acquainted and for parents to learn about the curriculum for their child(ren) this year. Each teacher will have materials on display and be available to meet and greet parents and answer general questions. Individual conversations about the progress of your child should be held at a parent-teacher conference, which can be set up at any time by calling the Counseling Center.
There will be refreshments in the cafeteria, along with a Parent Portal table to sign up to be able to view your child’s electronic grade book. In addition, there will be table displays with information about various clubs.
City school officials welcome Albany-bound activists who'll deliver 'Past Due' invoice to governor for funding
Pictured from left: BHS Principal Scott Wilson, Business Administrator Scott Rozanski, Board of Education (BOE) Student Ex-Officio Member Madison Moore, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Molly Corey, Citizen Action Member Eddie Jones, BHS teacher and Batavia Teachers Association President Mark Warren, Citizen Action Member David Cates, and Board of Education President Patrick Burk. (Superintendent of Schools Christopher Dailey was in Albany on school business so was unavailable.)
Submitted photos and press release.
The Batavia City School District welcomed Citizen Action of Western New York activists David Cates, Eddie Jones, and Samantha Nephew as they made a stop at Batavia High School this week on their way to Albany with an important message about education.
New York State has reneged on its constitutional and court ordered obligation to students, particularly students in high needs* districts such as Batavia, and it is payback time.
Board of Education President Patrick Burk presented Cates and Jones a “Past Due” invoice for $3.5 million to be delivered to the Governor’s Office on behalf of the Batavia City School District.
The trio is collecting other such invoices and statements from school districts as they travel to the state capital where they will meet up on Tuesday with like-minded activists and, they hope, lawmakers. Cates and Jones -- who both work in the educational field and whose inspiration for the trip comes from their own children as well as from working with other young people in their community -- are biking the Buffalo to Albany route with Nephew following by car.
Other affiliates of Citizen Action of New York from various parts of the state are walking to Albany.
The group’s intention is to spur lawmakers to pay the money owed to school districts in New York, as dictated by a 2006 court ruling which then was translated into the Education Budget and Reform Act of 2007. The court ruling affirmed the State’s constitutional obligation to provide essential resources for a quality education to all public school children in the state in order to graduate college-ready or career-ready citizens, regardless of their zip code. Subsequently, the legislation established a formula, to be phased in over a four-year period, designed to ensure adequate and equitable funding for all schools by calculating state aid based on students' needs and a district’s ability to raise revenue.
Legislators obeyed the law for two years, but when the economy took a downturn, they stopped obeying it and have not looked back. According to the Education Law Center, first, aid was frozen in 2009 at 37.5 percent of the four-year target. Then for the next two years, aid was cut by $2.7 billion in the name of Gap Elimination Adjustment that used school aid to balance the state’s overall budget. The GEA money has recently been restored, but the Reform Act has yet to be rekindled.
Thus, the bill for $3.5 million.
Batavia administrators, teachers, and Board of Education trustees agree that $3.5 million could provide a lot of “more and better” for our students, and ideas of how to spend it abound: reinstate courses; reduce class sizes; provide a greater variety of courses; offer multiple sections of selected courses so more students could take advantage of opportunities; hire more aides for classrooms; increase individualized instruction; increase professional development opportunities; and/or lower taxes.
“It’s important to make sure all of our students have their needs met,” said Burk as he thanked Cates and Jones for highlighting the issue. “This could do a lot.”
*“High needs” is typically defined as having a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-priced meals.
Now Open: Fab Fajita & Pita offers an explosion of flavor
An array of fresh, healthy, tasty salads, wraps, fajitas, pitas and "fun food" like Jersey Shore "Disco fries" is offered at a new eatery on West Main Street in Batavia's Valu Plaza.
Fab Fajita & Pita is a place where you can "Wrap up some WOW!" The menu boasts a moveable feast that spans the globe: Mexico, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Asia with options to build your own or suit to your liking.
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll appreciate the flaky, honey-laden baklava, moist cookies and hefty brownies -- all made from scratch.
"What we offer is fresh, high quality, afforable food," said owner Victor Canastraro, who lives in East Amherst and would like his first foray into the restaurant business to be successful enough to grow into several locations.
Crafting the menu and trying out different combinations and flavor profiles took time. The result is a range of uncommon fare prepared in a spotlessly clean kitchen for diners in a spotlessly clean, spacious eating area.
Some menu items that "just hit" and just right, too:
One appetizer is the Red Eye Fries ($4.25) -- fries topped with two eggs sunny side up and a spicy Sriracha sauce that "will make your eyes pop!" The Asian Salad ($5.95) is made up of a fresh spring lettuce mix with mandarin oranges, Roma tomatoes, fresh strawberries, sliced almonds, served with sesame ginger vinagrette, topped with crispy Asian noodles.
"The Greek" ($5.95) is a traditional pita filled with gyro meat -- a mixture of beef and lamb perfectly seasoned, with lettuce, tomato and feta cheese, topped with a snappy Tzatziki sauce. "The Sicilian" ($6.50) features succulent calamari, wrapped with lettuce, tomato, lemon juice and topped with a special homemade sauce.
At Thanksgiving time, they plan to offer a wrap and/or pita that will include turkey, stuffing and gravy.
"We experimented," Canastraro said. "We wanted something that explodes in your mouth. I enjoy making flavor. I pride myself on being creative."
He has some experience in the flavor department. For the better part of the last decade, he has grown a successful chain of electronic cigarette shops, and flavor is mighty important to e-cig consumers. He has two stores in Rochester, one in Irondequoit, one in Gates, one in Depew, and two in Florida.
The 43-year-old also knows the food business can be "a nightmare" -- his dad was in the restaurant business. But he's up to the challenge of building something from the ground up after an official with Valu Plaza convinced him that a specialty restaurant would be a good fit for the location.
Getting it ready to open was "a hell of an awakening."
He spent $80,000 on new equipment that included refrigerators and freezers, new paint, new tables and chairs. He took some solace in at least not having to buy a new heat and fire-suppression system. That was, until an inspector came out and found two holes on the sides of the existing system (used at this former restaurant site) and said it, too, would have to be replaced.
Done.
A week ago Monday, some friends and family and a few others stopped by for a training day, which ended up being quite busy and prompted some additional equipment purchases. Fab Fajita & Pita officially opened Sept. 30.
His credits his father, the son of Sicilian immigrants, with teaching him the value of hard work.
"My father was the kind of guy who always had a full-time job, plus a part-time job," Canastraro said. "He always told me 'If you want anything in this world you have to work for it.' "
One lesson was learned when the younger Canastraro became a new father at age 20 and money was tight. His utility bill came due and he needed money to pay it. He asked his dad for help. His dad said "Are you hungry? Come over and I'll feed you a bologna sandwich. You need a loan? Go to the bank."
"It was the best thing he could have taught me," Canastraro says in hindsight.
Eventually, the grandson of Sicilians got into the mortgage and finance business and succeeded. He's lived in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Fla., and in Colorado.
In sensing the economic climate and the state of the real estate business in 2007, he convinced his wife, Dawn, to sell their assets in 2007 and move back to Buffalo in 2008. It was a fortuitious move.
"I like Buffalo," says its native son. "People drive a Chevy Impala if what they can afford is a Chevy Impala, not a BMW."
Dawn is the baker in the family. He credits her with the ability to make "50-pound brownies" that will have you "grinning from ear to ear."
"It's all about love," Canastraro said, noting he is "blessed with an unrivaled faith in God." "Take care of people. If you do that -- the guy upstairs -- whatever you want to call it -- takes care of us."
To that end, he said he hopes to grow with the community in Genesee County, which he believes is uniquely poised for growth, and be charitable, especially to first responders, the disabled and veterans.
Fab Fajita & Pita is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Closed Sunday. The address is 4125 W. Main Street Road. (www.fabfajita.com).
