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Criminal justice major from Bergen named to newest edition of 'Who's Who'

By Billie Owens

Mackenzie Heale, a criminal justice major from Bergen, was one of 60 University of Pittsburgh at Bradford juniors and seniors named to the 2013-2014 edition of "Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges."

Students were selected for this honor based upon a combination of the following criteria: leadership and participation in co-curricular activities; service to the college community; and academic achievement.
 

Special children's birthday party to celebrate Richmond Memorial Library's 125th Anniversary

By Billie Owens

The Richmond Memorial Library is turning 125 years old! To celebrate we are having a special Library Birthday Party in the Children's Room at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.

There will be songs, stories and party games. Children of all ages are welcomed. Please register online, in person or via the phone.

For more information call the Richmond Memorial Library, 343-9550, ext. 4, or visit our Web site: www.batavialibrary.org <http://www.batavialibrary.org

Event Date and Time
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McMahon School of Irish Dance performs at five locations Monday

By Billie Owens

The little lasses from the McMahon School of Irish Dance perform on St. Patrick's Day, Monday, March 17, at the following locations:

  • 9 a.m. / Oakfield-Alabama School, 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield
  • 10 and 10:40 a.m. / John Kennedy School, 166 Vine St., Batavia
  • 1:15 p.m. / Jackson School, 411 S. Jackson St., Batavia
  • 2:15 p.m. / Manor House, 427 E. Main St., Batavia
  • 6 p.m. / Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia

GC Cornell Extension congratulates local 4-H competitors in Dairy Bowl and Horse Extravaganza

By Billie Owens

Congratulations to the Genesee County 4-H youth who competed in the 2014 Finger Lakes Dairy Bowl Competition and the Region II 4-H Horse Extravaganza at Mid Lakes High School in Phelps, NY, on Saturday, March 1, 2014!

Representing the Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club in the Finger Lakes Dairy Bowl competition were Connor N., Mary S., and Rebecca S.

Special congratulations to Connor N. who earned a spot to compete on the Finger Lakes team at the New York State Dairy Bowl Competition on Saturday, April 26 at Cornell University. Also to Mary S. who earned a spot as an alternate on the Finger Lakes team for the NYS Dairy Bowl Competition.
 
Representing the Genesee County 4-H Horse program in the Region II Horse Extravaganza Horse Bowl competition were Emily B., MacKenzie J., Caroline P., Elizabeth R., Gabriella R., Eva R., and Alexandria T.  Participating in the Hippology competition were Emily B., MacKenzie J., and Alexandria T. 
 
For more information regarding local opportunities in 4-H Youth Development call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or email genesee4h@cornell.edu

O-A Elementary School hosts annual Winter Carnival

By Billie Owens

On Friday, March 21, 2014, the Oakfield-Alabama Elementary Community School Organization (E.C.S.O.) will be hosting its Annual Winter Carnival. It runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
 
The Winter Carnival has established itself as a cherished annual event in the eyes and hearts of our elementary student body as well as our community. It also serves as the single largest fundraising event of the year for our elementary school. Funds raised by E.C.S.O. during the school year are used to support and provide elementary students with special events, programs, equipment and supplies.

Event Date and Time
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Sign-ups for Alexander Youth Football & Cheerleading are March 29

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Sign-ups for the Alexander Youth Football & Cheerleading Program -- the Tri-Town Trojans -- will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, in the foyer of Alexander Elementary School. It is located at 3314 Buffalo St.

On this day only entrants can save $20, so football will be $80 and cheer $130 on March 29.

There are no weight restrictions.

Teams, with ages as of Dec. 1, 2014, consist of:

  • Beginner -- Ages 6-7
  • Mini -- Ages 8-9
  • Junior Varsity -- 10-11
  • Varsity -- 12-13

Tri-Town is proud to be a part of the NOFA Youth Football/Cheer League. Our coaches are trained in heads-up football, and teach the proper tackling techniques to our athletes. We are looking forward to an exciting 2014 season.

For questions or more information, contact Ken Proefrock at (585) 794-6034, or Kris Kramer at (716) 892-1441.

Munson Street closed to traffic for pump detail

By Billie Owens

Le Roy Fire Police are told to shut down Munson Street at both ends -- Wolcott and at Gilbert -- so a flooded basement can be pumped out.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

Second Annual Collin Crane Memorial Scholarship fundraiser tomorrow at Falletti Ice Rink

By Billie Owens

The Second Annual Collin Crane Memorial event to raise money to help young hockey players is at 9 a.m. Saturday March 15 at Falleti Ice Rink, located at 22 Evans St. in the City of Batavia.

The scholarship fund helps pay fees for Ramparts hockey when a child's family is financially strapped.

There will be basket raffles for a Chinese auction, including special raffle items such as autographed sports memorabilia and gift certificates, 50/50, a bake sale and concessions.

Second Annual Collin Crane Memorial Scholarship fundraiser at Falletti Ice Rink

By Billie Owens

The Second Annual Collin Crane Memorial event to raise money to help young hockey players is at 9 a.m. Saturday March 15 at Falleti Ice Rink, located at 22 Evans St. in the City of Batavia.

The scholarship fund helps pay fees for Ramparts hockey when a child's family is financially strapped.

There will be basket raffles for a Chinese auction, including special raffle items such as autographed sports memorabilia and gift certificates, 50/50, a bake sale and concessions.

Event Date and Time
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Smoke and flames coming from basement on South Swan Street in the city

By Billie Owens

Smoke and flames are reportedly coming from the basement of a house at 229 S. Swan St. The residents have been advised to evacuate. City firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 5:13 a.m.: City fire on scene with nothing showing.

UPDATE 5:28 a.m.: A code enforcement officer is called in.

UPDATE 5:30 a.m.: Code enforcement ETA is 20 minutes.

Fire on Lincoln Avenue in the city

By Billie Owens

"A house fire," with the caller reporting it as a microwave problem, is at 9 Lincoln Ave., near Thomas Avenue. The occupants are out. Ladder 15 and Engine 11 are on scene.

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.: "The fire is out on the stove, checking for extensions."

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.: No extensions. Now ventilating.

UPDATE 8:58 p.m.: City assignment back in service. 

 

Stove fire on River Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A stove fire is reported in the kitchen at 97 River St. City fire is responding. The location is between Birchwood Drive and Pearl Street.

UPDATE 7:53 p.m.: Engine 11 is on scene. Dispatch says the caller is now reporting "that she got the fire out."

UPDATE 7:56 p.m.: They are ventilating the structure.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: The assignment is back in service.

Accident with injuries on Lewiston Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 7797 Lewiston Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Galloway Road and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: A person is trapped inside the vehicle.

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: Oakfield Fire Police are requested to shut down southbound traffic on Route 63 at Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: A medic asks about the availability of Mercy Flight. It is not available due to weather conditions.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: The patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: Two cars traveling on Lewiston both lost control of their vehicles and one of the vehicles T-boned the other. No word yet on injuries. State Troopers are also on scene. The roads conditions there are said to be rapidly deteriorating, with visibility down to a half mile or less, drifting and blowing snow, and intermittant sheets of ice on the roadway.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: The road is reopened and the Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

Hunker down: Blizzard warning in effect from 2 a.m. Wednesday through 2 a.m. Thursday

By Billie Owens

A blizzard warning is now in effect from 2 a.m. Wednesday through 2 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.       

The warning is for "the Niagara Frontier," and predicts snowfall will begin overnight tonight and continue through Wednesday night. However, the highest threat for blizzard conditions will exist from late morning on Wednesday through Wednesday evening.

Hazards include heavy snow and blowing snow resulting in periods of whiteout conditions along with signficant blowing and drifting snow.

Accumulations of an inch or less overnight are expected, then six to 11 inches much of Wednesday, and three to six inches Wednesday night. Storms totals are predicted to be nine to 17 inches.

Winds are estimated to be northeasterly at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph at times.

Visibility is predicted to be near zero at times from late Wednesday morning into Wednesday evening.

Conditions will rapidly deteriorate Wednesday morning, with relatively light snow becoming heavy by late morning. The combination of heavy show and blowing snow will make travel extremely difficult to nearly impossible Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening.

Visibility will be reduced to near zero at times with deep snow cover on roadways during the peak of the storm, along with significant blowing and drifting snow.

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibility are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you absolutely must travel, have a winter survival kit with you and if you get stranded STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE.

If you lose power and plan on running a generator, make sure that the generator is located outdoors and is properly ventilated and used only if operating properly. Also, be sure snow does not block exhausts and fresh-air intakes for high efficiency furnaces and water heaters.

Stay turned to NOAA Weather Radio or your choice of weather information for updates. Get additional details at www.weather.gov/buffalo

This will be the fair's 175th anniversary, consider volunteering or a sponsorship to help make it special

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair! It takes place at the county fairgrounds July 15-19. There are many changes and exciting events planned.

We hope to make 2014 a memorable year and we would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer and or a sponsor of the fair. Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the week before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work! Becoming a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers who live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to the fair’s Web site gcfair.com to download all of the forms and to obtain contact information.

Among the changes will be a new midway. Midway Rides of Utica will provide fairgoers with quality rides, games and food to enhance your fair experience. The rides will be open Tuesday through Saturday.

Also note:

Tuesday

The Grand Parade is moving to Tuesday and the Monster Truck & Thrill Show is on Tuesday evening.

Greece Alley Paint Clowns will stroll the fairgrounds, bringing smiles to faces of all ages making balloon animals and creating works of art on your face.

The two-day Fair Queen Pageant begins on Tuesday with the talent portion.

Karaoke at night!

Wednesday

It's Children's Day and rides will be operating during the day.

There will be a draft horse show in the horse ring all day.

Again, the Greece Alley Paint Clowns will stroll the fairgrounds, bringing smiles to faces of all ages making balloon animals and creating works of art on your face.

The Fair Queen Pageant concludes with the crowning.

 "Genesee's Got Talent" Talent Show.

Thursday

Magic John will be ambling around on stilts -- juggling, making balloon animals and entertaining fairgoers all day long!

Thursday includes special Raceway 5 Stock Car Racing.

Step right up for the 4-H meat animal auction.

We are pleased to welcome back by popular demand Barnstorm on Thursday night.

Friday

Magic John will be ambling around on stilts -- juggling, making balloon animals and entertaining fairgoers all day long!

The Grand Demolition Derby will take place.

Paul Cummings & Friends will be performing at night.

Saturday

Magic John will be ambling around on stilts -- juggling, making balloon animals and entertaining fairgoers all day long!

There will be ESP Tractor Pulls.

Savage Cabbage will take the stage and keep you rockin’ all night long!

 

As always, there will be bands under our redesigned beer tent!

Don’t forget to check out the 4-H animal exhibits, the air sculpture experience and Kid’s Corner taking place all day every day of the fair!

*All Times/Dates/Events are Subject to Change*

Once again this year, admission to the fair is only $5 per carload. For a complete listing of events during fair week, visit gcfair.com

GO ART! presents new documentary about climate change in Upstate New York

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (a.k.a. GO ART!) is proud to present "COMFORT ZONE," a new feature-length documentary exploring the effects of climate change on Upstate New York, to be shown at 3 p.m. on on Saturday, April 12, in the Conable Technology Building at Genesee Community College.

This will be following the Kids ECO-fest, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day at GCC.

The film was produced and directed by Upstate New York residents Kate Kressmann-Kehoe, Sean P. Donnelly and Batavia native David S. Danesh. The screening (67 mins.) will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers.

GO ART! is delighted to be partnering with Genesee Community College on this special screening. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members and will be available for sale at GO ART! and online at www.goart.org <http://www.goart.org>. For more information, contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313 or info@goart.org.

"COMFORT ZONE" takes an in-depth look at what happens when global climate issues come to our backyard. It candidly examines the pragmatic reality of climate change’s effect on everyday life in a Northeastern setting.

“There are a lot of things here we take for granted that could be gone, and it would be a very different place,” said co-producer Kressmann-Kehoe.

The film highlights how New York residents' daily lives will be affected, from winter sports to apple picking to gardening.

“If we take New York and we warm it up four degrees that’s like moving it to almost Virginia,” said Art DeGaetano, professor of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University.

John Tarduno, professor of Geophysics, University of Rochester, said: “I used to teach my students in introductory classes that when we had climate change issues, that these were things that could take hundreds of thousands of years. We now know from the ice core records that decade time scales can be involved, which changes everything.”

Arming the community with the right information was a goal for the filmmakers.

“I want to see us do the right thing as a society and we are not going to do the right thing if we don’t have the right information,” said co-producer Donnelly.

The film doesn’t shy away from the difficulty of changing course.

“The threat to our way of life is huge," said Rochester-based author Bob Siegel. "Everything we do is completely dominated by the use of fossil fuels. It’s pulling the rug out from under all of us."

Despite the serious topic, the film has a light touch. Viewers are coming along on a journey of discovery with the filmmakers, not being lectured at or told what to do. Humorous animated sequences provide both information and relief.

The film also explores deeper spiritual and psychological dimensions of our responses to the issue.  “If the people on this planet need to change the way they live, how will they? I believe this is the burning question of our time,” said co-producer Danesh.

"Comfort Zone" is an independently produced documentary. It was funded by the three filmmakers and a crowd-sourcing campaign via Indiegogo. No organization or outside funder had input on the content or message.

March is Arts Awareness Month, a time to celebrate art and culture

By Billie Owens

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is pleased to announce the 16th Annual Arts Awareness Month this March in both Genesee and Orleans counties, a celebration of arts and culture in this region.

Throughout the month, local cultural organizations, artists, schools and businesses are presenting more than 50 programs and exhibits. GO ART! is highlighting these events in celebration of Arts Awareness Month with calendars that are available in local libraries and GO ART!, as well as alleries in both counties and online at <http://www.artsawarenessmonth.com>

In addition, GO ART! is hosting its third annual GO ART! Members Exhibition, and numerous special exhibits by local artists in GO ART! Satellite Galleries and area libraries. Fore more information, contact GO ART! at 585-343-931, e-mail info@goart.org or visit us online at the Web address above.

Arts Awareness Month was started in 1999 by GO ART! in an effort to raise community awareness of the scope and diversity of arts and cultural programs taking place in our communities. The original concept was to highlight the various events and exhibits already being held – such as school concerts, exhibits and plays, and now the annual culmination of “A Tale for Three Counties” – during a time period that is traditionally not perceived as having many cultural happenings.

The effort has evolved over the years in response to changing community cultural needs and offerings, and seems to have developed into an anticipated project that continues to assist in promoting the diverse talent and programs available in our own backyard.

Arts Awareness Month is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts and the legislatures in Genesee and Orleans counties.

Car fire on Indian Falls Road

By Billie Owens

A vehicle is on fire at 8419 Indian Falls Road. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: East Pembroke commands reports the fire is under control.

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