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GCC director of Fine and Performing Arts to be feted

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College has announced that Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts, is a recipient of a GO-ART! Community Arts Award. She will be recognized for her contributions to art and culture in the Genesee-Orleans communities at the 11th annual Community Arts Awards Gala on Saturday, Oct. 1.

It is being held at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility, located at 5122 Clinton St. Road in the Town of Batavia.

Arena is a professional union actor and has been directing and teaching theater for many years. She volunteers her time in the local community with annual Rotary productions and enjoys passing her professional skills down to the next generation. In 2009 she received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service for her dedication and outstanding commitment to GCC.

A native of Brooklyn, Arena earned her master's degree in fine Arts, Acting/Theater from Brooklyn College in 1994 and her bachelor of arts degree in Theater from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Before arriving at Genesee Community College in 2004, Arena spent five years successfully directing the Theater Arts program at Southwestern Michigan College, a two-year college located in Dowagiac, Mich.

Beyond her ambitious theater career, Arena has had successes in other very active and significant professions. She was a New York City police officer and received a Medal of Valor for distinguished service. She worked as a radio disc jockey, dance teacher, small business owner and has lectured on a wide variety of topics including the U.S. Constitution, domestic violence, careers for women, and musical theater. She also owns a horse farm, where she adopts horses, and has professional harness horses.

Arena treats her students like equals and teaches them to embrace life's challenges no matter what comes their way. She tries to inspire students to "venture outside the safe box" and to "defy gravity" and encourage them to try anything upon which they are willing to fully focus their attention and energy.

"Maryanne Arena has made a point of engaging the community in the events and programs happening at the Genesee Center for the Arts," said Norman Gayford, GCC professor of English. "To Maryanne, the community involvement is the backbone of the community college concept. Her support of the arts throughout the local region is unsurpassed and we are excited to see her receive this award."

Arena was nominated by Lucine Kauffman, Randy Kaplan, Margaret DeBellis, Norman Gayford, Jeanie Thompson, Patricia Simmons, Christopher Montpetit and Luis A. Rodriguez. She will be honored with other GO ART! award recipients at the banquet.

Free 'Pasta for Peace' dinner with local author Tom Rivers as guest speaker

By Billie Owens

Local author Tom Rivers will be the guest speaker at the first free spaghetti dinner, "Pasta for Peace," at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St. in Batavia.

The dinner is sponsored by Pax Christi Genesee County. Tom Rivers, who authored "Farm Hands," will share his "food for thought" -- his first-hand experience with farm workers, hard work and lessons from Western New York fields.

Event Date and Time
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St. James still in the running for $50,000 Pepsi Challenge Grant

By Billie Owens

After finishing in 24th place in the July 2011 voting round for a Pepsi Challenge Grant, St. James Episcopal Church has been selected to run again this month.

If they win, they will use the $50,000 grant for restoration of the bell tower.

Those wishing to support St. James can text 109009 at 73774 and vote online at
http://www.refresheverything.com/savethechurchtower.

You can also collect specially coded yellow Pepsi caps and donate them to the church to increase voting power. Voting ends Sept. 30. Please vote to save the church tower and hear the bells ring at St. James Church!

For more information, please call the Landmark Society at 343-1457 or St. James Church, 343-6802.

Groups remember 9/11 and offer tips on emergency preparedness

By Billie Owens

The local AmeriCorps is partnering with RSVP of Genesee County and the Genesee Region Citizen Corps Council to hold an event on the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

In keeping with the theme “A Time to Remember, a Time to Prepare," AmeriCorps members and RSVP volunteers will be at Home Depot in Batavia 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 11 to help local citizens honor those who serve and learn how to prepare for emergencies.

Residents will be able to write messages of support and memories of 9/11 on a large banner that will be displayed at several different locations during the month of September. Emergency preparedness information will be distributed.

Donations of emergency supplies will be collected and given to senior citizens. Ladder trucks from the Town of Batavia and LeRoy fire departments will be in the parking lot. The event will also feature a kids craft activity and a chance to win an emergency supply kit.

Batavia Blue Devils Athletic Hall of Fame event set for Oct. 8

By Billie Owens

The 10th annual Batavia Blue Devils Athletic Hall of Fame gala will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility. It is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

Cost is $30. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner and the induction ceremony to follow at 6 p.m. Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Phone is 343-0860.

The following individuals will be inducted:

Gerald Maley, '48

Wayne Benedict, '72

William Monroe, '74

David Weiss, '85

Michael Wormley, '85

Kathy Hancock Marcus, '90

Brad Mazur, '91

Tickets are available at the Athletic Directors office located at Batavia High School, 260 State St. For more information please call (585) 343-2480, ext. 2003.

Batavia Blue Devils Athletic Hall of Fame

By Billie Owens

The 10th annual Batavia Blue Devils Athletic Hall of Fame gala will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility. It is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

Cost is $30. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner and the induction ceremony to follow at 6 p.m. Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Phone is 343-0860.

The following individuals will be inducted:

Gerald Maley, '48

Wayne Benedict, '72

Event Date and Time
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WBTA marks 40th anniversary of Attica Prison riot with special news series

By Billie Owens

Here's a press release from The Batavian's news partner WBTA:

This week AM-1490 WBTA & WBTAi.com will air a special presentation marking the 40th anniversary of the Attica Prison Riot.

Listeners in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties are invited to tune into the “Listen Live” stream, Sept. 6-9 for a news series called “Attica at 40: In Our Own Words.”

This series takes a retrospective look at the Attica Prison Riot through the eyes of WBTA correspondents who lived it in 1971. Produced and anchored by WBTA’s Geoff Redick, this 40th anniversary commemorative broadcast takes place as a special feature on Main & Center, beginning at approximately 9:07 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Former WBTA personalities Rich Funke, Jim Lanigan and Frank Mangefrida recount their experiences at Attica, and in area hospitals following the tragic massacre of prisoners and hostages. The series concludes on Friday, Sept. 9 – the day the riot began – with a special appearance by former WBTA president Bill Brown, offering one of his legendary on-air editorials.

“These men had little idea on September 9th, 1971, that their lives would be forever changed in reporting this story,” said Geoff Redick, WBTA News anchor. “I urge all listeners to find time to listen on AM-1490, or at WBTAi.com, to hear these amazing stories of an American tragedy.”

Full-length interviews with Rich, Jim, Frank and Bill will all be available later at the Local News page on WBTAi.com.

Big fight reported on Sumner Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

A fight is reported on The Hill across from the employee entrance of Darien Lake Theme Park off Sumner Road, Darien. The address is 1516 Sumner Road.

As many as 50 people are said to be involved.

Sheriff's deputies and State Troopers responding.

Tot has seizures after being hit in the head with a football

By Billie Owens

A 3-year-old child is suffering seizures after being struck in the head with a football. A Mercy Flight helicopter is called to Pavilion High School, where the Pavilion Fire Department is going to set up a landing zone.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: The patient is stabilized, so the child will be transported by ground ambulance to a hospital and Mercy Flight is canceled.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: An ambulance is transporting the child, accompanied by the mother, to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Car strikes a tree in Byron

By Billie Owens

A car has struck a tree near the junction of Cochram and Transit roads in Byron. Byron and South Byron fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

Law enforcement is also en route. The driver is alert but combative.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: The accident is actually in Elba's fire district. Responders request Elba's fire police to the scene.

UPDATE 6:16: Extrication is required.

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called and a landing zone is being set up.

UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: The landing zone is going to be on Cochram Road, just south of Transit.

UPDATE 6:24 p.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: Patient being transported to Strong. Byron and South Byron and Elba fire police are about to clear the scene.

Big black and green snake found on State Street Road, Town of Batavia

By Billie Owens

A Sheriff's Deputy bagged an unusual find late this morning -- a large black and green snake.

Seems a caller reported the slithering reptile sunning itself in the middle of State Street Road, by the Thruway, in the Town of Batavia.

"Once we have him in the bag, then what to we do with him?" the deputy wondered.

The status of the snake, described as roughly 4 inches in diameter and lengthy, at this point is unknown.

Touch base with the Sheriff's Office if your pet snake is missing.

UPDATE Sept. 7: A photo of the snake obtained after this initial report clearly shows the snake is black and gold -- not black and green.

Two-car accident with minor injuries at Vets Drive and Lewiston

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident, blocking traffic, is reported at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive and Lewiston Road. There are minor injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 8:14 p.m.: There are three patients, one of whom has chest pain and the other two are diabetic.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: The actual location is Lewiston and Park roads.

UPDATE 8:28 p.m.: So far, two patients are being transported to UMMC in separate ambulances, one for chest pain, the other for low blood sugar. The Town of Batavia fire assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: The last patient is transported to UMMC.

ATV accident with spinal injuries reported in Elba

By Billie Owens

An all-terrain vehicle accident with a female with spinal injuries is reported in Elba. The subject was able to be brought up to the railroad bed "so you should have access to the patient." Mercy Flight is on in-air standby. The accident is reportedly near the old railroad bed just west of Transit Road, north of Route 262.

Mercy Flight was on in-air standby and then cancelled.

Possible vehicle fire on westbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A possible vehicle fire is reported on the westbound Thruway near mile marker 384.0. Le Roy Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The vehicle reportedly went off the roadway and then began to smell like something was burning inside.

Dispatch advises that the accident happened awhile ago and now the driver is complaining of pain.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: The Le Roy chief put his units back in service, since apparently there was no fire.

UPDATE 7:52 p.m.: Mercy medics are headed to UMMC with the driver.

Two-car accident with injuries at Galloway Road and Route 63

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Galloway Road and Route 63. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: A second patrol car for traffic control is needed and two flatbed tow trucks. The accident is blocking the roadway. One person is complaining of arm pain.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: A second ambulance is called for and some absorbent to soak up a fluid spill.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: A woman with no visible injuries is being transporting to UMMC to be checked out.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: A man is being transported to UMMC now. He is alert and oriented and the medic says he may have briefly lost consciousness after the head-on collision in which there was airbag deployment.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: Town of Batavia fire crews are back in service.

Rotary Club's Oktober Brew & Vino Fest & Corvette Raffle

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Rotary Club's Oktober Brew & Vino Fest & Corvette Raffle is set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Batavia Downs Casino & Racetrack.

Tickets are $20 with tastings, $5 without.

The evening features beer and wine tasting, snacks, $10 in free casino play and live German/American music by the Genesee Valley Band. There will also be live harness racing and a free commemorative glass to the first 300 entrants. Plus, a chance to win a Corvette!

 

Event Date and Time
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Fall gala, classes announced by local Cornell Cooperative Extension

By Billie Owens

"Hands on with the Harvest” Fall festivities have been announced by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, located at 420 E. Main St., in the City of Batavia.

This season programs will include:

Sept. 13 – Arrangements from the Garden

The best bouquets and arrangements come from your garden! Join Master Gardeners for a “hands-on” workshop as they show you how to use flowers from the garden. Create your own masterpiece to take home. Cost is $15 per person, which includes supplies. (Bring your own scissors.) This program will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Building (Genesee County Fairgrounds) Route 5, Batavia. Class size limited to 15 people. Pre-registration and prepayment is required by September 8. Please contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 101, to register.

Sept. 17 – Harvest Gala

Join the Master Gardeners for their annual Harvest Gala. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. Activities include a plant sale featuring indoor and outdoor plants, mum sale, Chance Auction, free soil pH testing, and gardening advice by Master Gardeners. The plant sale will start promptly at 10 in the parking lot. The Chance Auction drawing will start at 12:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 – Growing Garlic

For thousands of years garlic has been used as food, a spice and a medicine. Join Master Gardener Jim Schnellinger as he shares his tips for growing garlic in the home garden. The class will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes handouts, coffee and dessert. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 23. Please contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 101, to register.

Oct. 12 – Winter Birds

Feeding the birds is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby in the midst of chilly winter weather. Join Master Gardener Jan Beglinger as she shares backyard feeding tips and shows you the birds that may visit your yard this winter. The class will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $10 per class which includes handouts, coffee and dessert. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 7. Please contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 101, to register.

Oct. 26 – Garden Secrets

Looking for answers for your yard and garden? Want to increase your confidence and experience level? Master Gardener Pam Conklin will take you on a photo tour of some little-known garden spaces cared for by Master Gardeners (including the emerging GOArt! gardens). Hear the stories behind them and learn what all this has to do with your own gardening journey.  Discover the secrets to creating and maintaining beautiful plantings for the enjoyment of others, whether in your own backyard or at the corner of Main and Bank. The class will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes handouts, coffee and dessert. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 21. Please contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 101, to register.

Classes size are limited so register early.  Pre-register for the classes by stopping by the Extension Center or visit the website at <http://www.genesee.shutterfly.com/>, or contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 101.

Salvation Army's 36th annual Harvest Festival features big sales and spud dinner

By Billie Owens

The 36th annual Harvest Festival put on by The Salvation Army is set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.

It will be held at its community center, located at 529 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a mega rummage sale, featuring toys, books linenes, housewares, bric-a-brac, hourly grab bag sales and much more.

From 9 a.m. to noon there will be a blow-out bake sale with famous apple pies, sweets, farm produce and coffee.

Then at 6 p.m. the Spud Fest will begin and baked potatoes will be sold, with a bar of 10 toppings to choose from, along with a drink and dessert for $10.

For more information or to make donations, please call 343-6284.

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