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Downtown Batavia Rocks  -  The Jackson Square Concert Series, “Friday Night In The Square” runs weekly through Aug. 28. The concerts are held in historic Downtown Batavia’s Jackson Square (located in the alleyways off of Jackson and Center streets). The concerts are free and start at 7 and end at 9. Come early to get a good seat. Check out the Square and dine and shop in downtown Batavia.  

The musical entertainment ranges anywhere from blues, country, celtic/folk, to classic rock. On June 26, “Ghost Riders” (country) perform. The rest of the lineup is:

• Craig Wilkins (country), July 3rd,
• Ghost Riders / Sierra & Friends, July 10th, 
• Westside Blues Band (blues), July 17th,
• Red Creek (classic rock), July 24th,
• The OHMS Band (rock), July 31st, 
• The Flying Sideburns (classic rocks), August 7th,
• Penny Whiskey (Celtic/folk), August 14th
• Jack Civiletto (Singing Sinatra), August 28th. 

There is something for everyone! More than 5,000 people from all over western New York attend this event annually.

Also, don't miss the The Ramble Music & Art Fest in Jackson Square on from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 11. More than 20 different groups and individuals will be performing. There will be chalk art on the streets, other activities and food and refreshments.

This series of concerts is brought to you by the Batavia Business Improvement District.  The major sponsor for this event is M & T Bank.

Rain days the concerts will be held in the Batavia City Centre (formerly Genesee Country Mall). Bring your own seating. A variety of food and refreshments will be available. For more information contact Don Burkel, Batavia Business Improvement District, at 585-344-0900. For downtown events visit www.downtownbataviany.com..

Residents of College Village, Genesee Community College's student residence, especially like their appliances, responsiveness of safety staff members, and evening and weekend programs offered to students, according to the results of a recent survey of College Village students.

But residents would also like to see faster internet service, changes to the discipline and conduct code, and different styles of furniture, according to the same survey.

The second annual College Village Resident Satisfaction Survey was completed by 249 students in April and the results released earlier this month.

Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman said the survey gives students an opportunity to express their views about life at College Village and helps staff members shape priorities in the years ahead.

College Village is home to 380 students during the academic year. Located at the northeastern end of the Batavia Campus, it consists of 95 apartment-style suites located in nine residential buildings. Students who live there are all full-time students at Genesee. Most live more than 50 miles from the Batavia Campus, although a growing number of local students are choosing to live at College Village. Last year, about 50 international students lived at the residence. College Village is operated by the Genesee Community College Foundation, a charitable organization that provides volunteer and philanthropic support to the College.

Seventy-one percent of residents living at College Village completed this year's survey, up from 53% of residents who did so in 2008. Students responded to questions about their satisfaction with College Village, their reasons for choosing College Village as student housing and they had the opportunity to offer open-ended comments about their likes and dislikes.

Other results include:

• Resident satisfaction increased on all 10 satisfaction measures between 2008 and 2009.
• Students reported significant increases in satisfaction with student discipline, perceptions of safety, and ability to talk to staff members about problems and concerns.
• Length of residence does not appear to influence satisfaction, except that satisfaction with internet service and maintenance request turnaround time declines among residents who have lived at College Village three or more semesters.
• Three out of four students chose College Village because living on campus was important to them.
• Three out of four returning Genesee students have chosen College Village again.

Survey results indicate that changes in student programming and safety procedures had a positive impact on students, Mr. Ensman told the college Board of Trustees. Survey results also indicate that, in the future, students might be involved in the selection of furniture and programs about conduct and discipline.

A strong student housing program is vitally important Mr. Ensman said. "Students come here from across the globe because of the programs we offer, and the College's excellent reputation," he said. "Students need quality housing. It supports and enhances the college experience of each of our students."

The Albion School Board bestowed its "Friend of Education" Award on Genesee Community College President Stuart Steiner earlier this month.

The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to education and the well-being of Albion School District students.

Albion School Superintendent Ada Grabowski, Ed.D, cited the partnerships that Steiner established with the school district and other community groups as the reason the nine-member school board gave him the award. Steiner has demonstrated exemplary support of Genesee Community College's Albion Campus Center, Genesee Promise Plus program and the college's new career coaching initiative.

The Genesee Promise Plus program gives area high school seniors the opportunity to attend up to two summer college courses through a scholarship at Genesee after graduation. Albion students were among the heaviest users of this scholarship program when the program was instituted last year.

Under the career coaching initiative, the college will locate a career coach at the high school at least two days a week. The career coach will help students navigate the increasingly complicated financial aid application process, provide information about college opportunities, and help students identify career options. This program is designed after a highly successful cooperative model implemented between community colleges and high schools in Virginia.

Steiner, Ed.D, was one of the first college presidents in the northeastern United States to spearhead the establishment of campus centers -- free-standing college facilities that offer college courses and a variety of student services to college students living in a local community. Genesee has six campus centers, located throughout its four-county service area, in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Medina, Warsaw, and Lakeville (soon to be relocated to Lima).

"The success of anything an educator does is measured by its impact on the lives of individual students," Steiner said. "I am very proud of the work that I, and the faculty and staff of Genesee Community College, have done with students in the Albion School District."

The Genesee Community College United Way employee campaign was an enormous success raising $16,214 from 126 donors during the spring fundraising drive. The total included seven Leadership gifts greater than $500, and $1,000 raised by students.

The Genesee Community College/United Way Committee was led by associate vice president of Human Resources, Gina Weaver. "The enthusiasm displayed again this year was overwhelming, and all the committee members and I are grateful to all, students, faculty, staff, retirees, and administrators of the College who participated in and supported the Genesee Country United Way," Weaver said.

Through a series of presentations at departmental meetings, the College faculty and staff learned about the wide array of local service agencies -- many of which serve the College's students and employees. But, employee contributions were not the only means of support.

"Student involvement in campaign planning and implementation added immensely to the United Way campaign success," said Ruthann Richardson, a Genesee student, who was joined by another Genesee student Tim Walton. Both were second year marketing students in professor Rick Dudkowski's Business Problems and Management class, and they were also members of the GCC's Business Forum Club. Together, they initiated the Ducky Derby as a fun and competitive way to raise support for Genesee's United Way agencies. Students sold tickets for the chance to select the winning duck in the swimming pool race that was coordinated by the GCC swim team members: Mike Hoerbelt, Ricardo Jimenez, Dustin Shepard and Josh Sullivan and Swim Coach Scott Hunsinger.

Barbara Shine, Genesee Community College / United Way committee member and an assistant professor in the College's Business division added, "Learning about community service is an important part of our curriculum. Students actively participated in our United Way campaign and they brought meaning to "Live United," the Genesee Country United Way theme."

Genesee's United Way committee members include: Gina Weaver, Barbara Shine, Patricia Hume, Richard Tiede, John McGowan, Anne Feary, TaShonda Gerald, Valerie Pawlowski, Robert Knipe and Alice Weather.  For further information on Genesee Community College's 2009 United Way Campaign, call Weaver or another committee member at 585-343-0055.

The Batavia Muckdogs will host the first Canadian Tuxedo Appreciation Night at 7:05, gametime, Wednesday, June 24.

The head-to-toe denim fashion affair will take place as the Muckdogs take on the Williamsport Crosscutters.

Fans and staff alike are encouraged to show their support for the Muckdogs by donning the denim and committing a JOJO (Jeans-On-Jeans Offense). Urban Dicitonary.com defines the Canadian Tuxedo as “an outfit consisting of a denim jacket and denim jeans.”

The Muckdogs would like to use their platform and standing within the Batavia community to orchestrate the comeback of the Canadian Tuxedo. Muckdogs general manager of baseball operations, Travis Sick said: “The Canadian Tuxedo has been unfashionable for far too long, and the Muckdogs would like to be the first to rally support for denim-on-denim and shock the fashion world. Change has obviously been a major topic this past year, and we decided what better way to contribute than to bring back denim?” 

Fans who dress up will have the opportunity to be a part of the “Best Dressed” Competition with prizes for the winners. In addition, fans who accessorize their Canadian Tuxedo with flare from the 1980s (i.e. mullets, mustaches, REO Speedwagon T-shirts, etc.) will be awarded Cool Points and render the judging process biased and favorable toward their cause.

For more information, or questions regarding Canadian Tuxedo Appreciation Night contact the Muckdogs Front Office at (585) 343-5454, or visit StocktonPorts.com.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau’s AmeriCorps is spreading the word on how graduating seniors can improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through community service and volunteerism.

Over the course of the last five months, Project Director Kathy Frank and Victoria Rippel, Americorp member, have been educating high school groups about the benefits of serving in AmeriCorps.

They spoke to more than 250 students at eight different county schools. Students learned that membership benefits of the program include earning a living allowance while serving and receiving an educational award to help further their studies. Members also receive training in a number of areas including youth development, first aid, CPR and customer service.

Also, members gain valuable job skills and have the ability to explore career interests. National members serve on either a full- or part-time basis and work on a number of different projects ranging from environmental preservation and poverty reduction to tutoring and education. While in some programs nationwide members work together and live together, the Genesee County program has members working on individual projects and training. There will be new opportunities for students here in the fall.

There are AmeriCorps members at about 28 sites nationwide. Students are encouraged to look on the national AmeriCorps website (www.americorps.org <http://www.americorps.org/> ) for opportunities.

For more information on these openings on the national web site or contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or emailing Kathy directly at kfrank@co.genesee.ny.us. To join, you must be at least 17 years of age and a U.S. citizen.


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Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C -- Batavia), the Monroe County Sheriff's Parks and Marine Unit and the NY State Parks Police, will host a free boater safety course for the public on Saturday, June 20.

There is, however, a $10 fee to process a permanent boater safety certificate with the NY State Department of Parks.

It will be held at Hamlin State Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. State law requires all boaters to pass an eight-hour boater-safety course, such as this one, if:

• You operate a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, and are at least 14 years old.
• And/or you wish to operate a motorboat, other than a personal watercraft, and are at least 10 years old but less than 18.

Anyone caught boating without a safety certificate may face fines and/or imprisonment.

“We are fortunate to live in one of the best tourist destinations in the Northeast. This summer, I encourage everyone to rediscover their own backyard and am inviting all boaters to join me at this free and informative event,” Hawley said.

Hamlin Park is located at 1 Camp Road in Hamlin and the course will take place in Shelter 1. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. To RSVP, contact Hawley's office at 585-598-5780.

The helping hands of the Batavia Rotary Club have reached out -- all the way to Zambia in Africa -- to build a new, modern kitchen at a school there.

The unique service project is being done in conjunction with Rotary clubs in St. Catherines, Ontario, and Lusaka Central in Zambia. They are replacing a stone fire pit in a Malambanyama school with a kitchen capable of feeding more than 300 people daily.

The project is estimated to cost $13,050 (U.S. currency) and half of it will come from Batavia and Ontario Rotarians and the Rotary International Foundation will provide matching funds. Members of the Lusaka Club in Zambia will oversee the purchase and installation of the kitchen appliances and utensils.

The kitchen is being constructed at Children’s Town School, a residential school and vocational training center that houses more than 300 students and staff. Children’s Town currently uses stone and concrete fire pits for all of their cooking, according to Ramon Chaya, Batavia Rotary Club president.

Malambanyama is located in central Zambia, on the African continent where the Development Aid from People to People in Zambia (DAPP) established Children’s Town in 1990.

It cares for former street children from Lusaka in cooperation with Zambia's Ministry of Education and Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

Children’s Town School has already constructed an indoor room to be used for a kitchen, and has installed the necessary electrical and plumbing connections. The $13,050 grant will enable the school to purchase a modern stove, refrigerator, oven, oversized pots, dining tables and chairs, electrical fittings, tiles and miscellaneous plumbing materials.

The project came about as the result of conversations between members of the Batavia Rotary Club and St. Catherines Rotary Club. Both clubs are part of Rotary International District 7090, and members of the clubs frequently share information about projects and activities.

The possibility of an international service project caught the attention of longtime Batavia Rotarian Edmund Leising. He and member Mary Raymond worked with St. Catherines Rotary members to prepare a Rotary International Foundation matching grant application. Each club agreed to contribute $3,000 to the project, Rotary District 7090 agreed to contribute $1,950, the Lusaka Central Club agreed to contribute $100, and the Rotary International Foundation came in with a commitment of $5,000.

Most people living in the United States and Canada cannot imagine life without the ordinary convenience of a modern kitchen. Yet kitchens are rare in some parts of the world, including rural Zambia, and most cooking is done outside in large – and sometimes unsafe and unsanitary – pits.

“Being able to provide something as simple as a stove, a refrigerator, and utensils will make a big difference in the daily lives of more than 300 people,” Leising said.

Rotary International is a worldwide organization of clubs comprised of civic-minded business and professional people. One of the longstanding aims of the club is the promotion of international goodwill. More than 20 years ago, Rotary International – with the support of hundreds of thousands of members worldwide -- set out to eradicate polio. Through these efforts, a world without polio is now very close to being reality.

Every year the Batavia Rotary Club provides volunteer and financial support to dozens of charitable causes and organizations. It recently completed a commitment of $250,000 for upgrades at United Memorial Medical Center. The club was founded in 1919 and has about 100 members.

Since 1934, Batavia VA Medical Center has cared for America's veterans. And to celebrate 75 years of service, the center has lots of festivities planned for Saturday, June 27.

The center is located at 222 Richmond Ave. A parade will kick things off at 1:30 p.m., beginning at the gate opposite Redfield Parkway. This will be followed by a formal program in front of Building 1.

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley will emcee the program with William F. Feeley, director of VA WNY Healthcare System, who will deliver the keynote address.

The celebration will include military displays on the lawn along with band concerts and history displays in the Building 4 recreation hall and patio area. Free parking will be available at Batavia Downs on Park Road with shuttles beginning at noon. Redfield Parkway and Richmond Avenue will be closed during the parade.

For more information and to participate in the parade, please contact Kathleen Martin at 585-297-1196.

The area's largest hotel, the Holiday Inn of Batavia, has announced the completion of a major renovation project.

Exterior improvements include a new roof, a complete facelift of the building with new stucco, additional blacktop pavement and new landscaping. Interior upgrades include new Moen shower heads and curved shower rods, plus refrigerators and microwaves in all 195 rooms.

In addition, new heating/air conditioning units have been installed along with new bathroom vanities in family suites. There are now Sealy pillow-top king and full bed mattresses in the Holiday Inn rooms, plus new floor tiles in all bathrooms. Automatic doors are being installed and new carpeting will soon be put in the lobby and banquet rooms. The pool area has been repainted and new flooring installed.

"We invite the community to come by to see all of the exciting changes that are taking place," said General Manager Becky Spar, adding, “We have spent so much of our energy on ensuring the quality of service that our guests receive. ... I think it’s important for our community to know that we are diligently working to improve our facility."

Those interested in holding an event at the Holiday Inn should contact Sue Mondi in the sales office at 344-2100.