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Batavia artist Jolene Beckman will showcase mixed-media paintings featuring the "tasteful artistry of Chocolate and Vines," Feb. 4-28 at A Different Path Gallery in Brockport.

An opening reception is also scheduled from 6 to 9.m. on Feb. 11 at the gallery, located at 27 Market St.

Learn more about these works online <http://www.chocolateandvines.com>.

"Food as Art/Art as Food" is a continuing series by Beckman. She uses juices, spices, extracts and stains derived from food products to examine the nature of indulgence and temptation.

Imagery of foods typically associated with extravagance and “wasted calories” such as desserts and delicacies, explore not only Beckman’s own sweettooth, but questions the media's role in sending mixed messages about food.

People are warned about the negative effects of indulging too much, however, the attractive appeal of the products’ marketing contradict those warnings.

Beckman’s reactions to this struggle are playfully depicted in lush, colorful images of foods as well as some faces hiding from, or giving into, the seduction.

Beckman, a recent MFA graduate from the University of Buffalo, has participated in many group and solo exhibitions locally and nationally. For artist information visit: www.jolenebeckman.com <http://www.jolenebeckman.com/>.

For gallery information and full schedule of its upcoming events visit: www.differentpathgallery.com <http://www.differentpathgallery.com/>.

Here's a news release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley's office:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley recently participated in the Assembly's second annual Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day, held in the “Well” of the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

The assemblyman met with local outdoor enthusiasts and sporting vendors to discuss how to honor and support the proud traditions of New York’s sportsmen and sportswomen.

“Since the state’s inception, outdoor sporting activities have been an integral part of life for New Yorkers, and those traditions are continued with a special reverence here in Western New York,” Hawley said. “Not only are hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities woven into the fabric of our state, but the benefits of these practices have a far-reaching impact.

"Sporting industries create jobs while attracting revenue and investment to Western New York. Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts spur economic growth at the state and local levels as a result of increased tourism, contributing more than $6 billion annually to New York’s economy.”

Hawley was joined at the event by outdoor enthusiasts from Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans counties. He applauded those in attendance for helping to make the second annual Sportsmen’s Day such a success.

“I am honored to be a part of such a successful event that connects the proud sportsmen and sportswomen of this state directly with the decision makers in charge of legislative policies regarding outdoor activities,” Hawley said. “Sportsmen’s Day is a reminder that the power truly rests in the hands of the people. I am grateful to have received so much input from those with the deepest understanding of outdoor issues.”

Genesee Community College's international Nursing and Biotechnology exchange program to Queensland, Australia has been awarded a 2011 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education.

It is bestowed by the Institute of International Education. Genesee's Australia exchange program won Honorable Mention in the Internationalizing the Community College category.

The awards honor the most outstanding initiatives in international higher education among the members of IIE Network, an association of more than 1,000 higher education institutions.

IIE will present the awards at a ceremony in New York City on March 18 as part of its  Sixth Annual Best Practices in Internationalization Conference.

Genesee sent its first class of Nursing students to Brisbane, Australia in March of 2010 and its first Biotechnology student in August of 2010. Throughout their time abroad, the students worked in the field and studied their respective programs in a rigorous eight-week schedule.

Nursing students worked in local hospitals, while the Biotechnology student worked in medical pathology labs.

Biotechnology student Leah Reino documented her time in Australia in a blog that features photos of her pathology experience as well as her travels in Australia and New Zealand. The blog and photographs can be found at <http://www.gccblogs.wordpress.com>.

With the success of these programs, Genesee has expanded its international reach to Brazil, the Netherlands, Ireland, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

"Our relationships with international partners such as Australia and Brazil are strengthening," said Eunice M. Bellinger, EdD, executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Genesee Community College. "These programs advance a shared vision and philosophy of providing international experiences to the student body, thus broadening their horizons and global citizenship."

The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations and corporations.

IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.

For further information please contact James Goodwin, Genesee's director of Curriculum Development and Review at 343-0055, ext. 6322.

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General, announced the recent reenlistment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.

Sergeant Michael Defreze from Batavia has reenlisted to continue service with the 152nd Engineer Support Company.

"Over the past three years, the New York Army National Guard has come from far below authorized strength to 100-percent strength," Murphy said. "Our priority is to provide ready forces for both state and federal missions and readiness starts with maintaining our strength.

"We have more than 16,000 men and women in the Army and Air National Guard with each individual member having an important role."

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.state.ny.us or www.1800goguard.com.

The Batavia Business Improvement District is looking for fresh faces in 2011.

“We need volunteers more than ever,” said Don Burkel, executive director of the B.I.D. “ As we continue to grow and develop new programs and events we are looking for people to help us implement them in our community.”

The B.I.D. has committees that are looking for volunteers. They are: Business Development; Design; Promotions; Public Market; Christmas in the City; Summer in the City; and Wine Walk.

“All of these play an integral part of enhancing not only our downtown, but our quality of life in Batavia,” said Krysia Mager, a B.I.D. Board and Promotion Committee member since 2009.

"It’s a great feeling to watch one of your ideas come to life,” said Leanna DiRisio, chairperson of the Wine Walk and also a Promotion Committee member. “It makes it worthwhile to watch the people come downtown to enjoy our community.”

If interested in joining a committee and making our community better, then contact Don Burkel at (585) 344-0900 or log onto www.downtownbataviany.com for more information.

The Batavia Business Improvement District was established in 1998 as an independent 501 (C)(6) not-for-profit business association. Its mission is to retain and attract new business, and promote business and events in downtown Batavia. There are 179 retail and professional businesses that make up the Downtown District.

In an effort to raise awareness about the deadly effects of binge drinking, Genesee Community College has launched the Red Watch Band campaign in conjunction with GCASA.

The Red Watch Band (RWB) campaign began as an initiative at Stony Brook University and is now a national alcohol intervention campaign. Its mission is to provide campus community members with the knowledge, awareness and skills to prevent student toxic drinking deaths and to promote a student culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion, and respect.

In June 2008, a Stony Brook University faculty member lost her son to acute alcohol overdose while he was finishing his freshman year away at college. Upon hearing this news, President Shirley Strum Kenny commissioned an education-awareness campaign on preventing drinking deaths on college campuses.

Alcohol and other drug specialists and student leaders at Stony Brook developed a comprehensive bystander intervention program offered to all students.

Genesee Community College's office of Student Activities, as well as the Health and Physical Education department have joined with GCASA to launch the Red Watch Band program that will provide students with the tools necessary to make healthier, potentially lifesaving decisions when it comes to alcohol use.

A training day for interested students will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 in room T102.

The primary component of the program is a four-hour training session in which participants learn how to recognize alcohol emergencies and respond effectively. The training program will consist of two and half hours of CPR/AED training and one and a half hours of Alcohol Emergencies taught by Alcohol and Other Drugs Specialists. Participants will receive a free lunch during the training.

"We really want to coordinate an effort to educate our students on the perils of excessive drinking," said Cliff Scutella, director of Student Activities. "We want to inform students on what to do if someone they know has an alcohol overdose. Having this alcohol intervention training could mean the difference in someone living or dying."

For further information about the RWB campaign visit <http://www.redwatchband.org> or contact GCC's Student Activities office at 343-0055, ext. 6261.

After a quiet fall theater season, the spring season at the Genesee Center for the Arts will feature plenty of live performances due, in part, to brand-new, state-of-the-art lighting and rigging upgrades in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

The Center for the Arts, located on the Batavia Campus of Genesee Community College, has undergone improvements totaling over $200,000, not including the adjacent art gallery that is currently in the finishing stages of construction.

Ed Hallborg, the theater's technical director, said the upgrades improve lighting quality and controls to current technical standards, and they also made safety improvements for the rigging to support both light fixtures and stage curtains.

(A video of the "behind the scenes" workings of the new equipment can be viewed at www.youtube.com/SUNYGCC <http://www.youtube.com/SUNYGCC>  under the video "Making Theater Magic.")

The rigging improvements addressed new safety and building codes, while the lighting upgrade consist of a new dimming system and a new lighting console. A new sound recording system called ProTools allows for state-of-the-art recordings for not only theater performances, but for student classroom use.

"Although many of the upgrades were certainly needed, much of the new technology is behind the scenes," Hallborg said. "Regular patrons may not even notice the improved lighting and sound equipment, but the cast and crew who work behind the curtain or up in the control room, as well as Fine Arts students, will be grateful for the new, easy-to-use, modern technologies."

Genesee's modern facilities allow for increased hands-on experience for students in the Fine Arts curriculum, specifically Technical Theater majors. Demand is high for qualified, skilled and talented technical theater professionals in communities nationwide.

Genesee graduates are ready to work in professional and community theater facilities, as television crew, special events management, musical and opera companies, major touring productions and concerts, and in the travel/cruise entertainment industries.

Technical Theater career opportunities include: stagecraft technicians; theater electricians; lighting designers/technicians; stage director and managers; sound designers/technicians; and set designers/technicians.

Students also have great transfer options to further their education with institutions such as the University of Buffalo, Buffalo State College, Ithaca College and SUNY Brockport.

For further information please contact Edward Hallborg at 343-0055, ext. 6618 or <http://ERHallborg@genesee.edu>.

For photos and updates on the events at the Genesee Center for the Arts visit the Facebook page at <http://www.facebook.com/GCCTheater>.

The Spring 2011 schedule of performing arts events at Genesee Center for the Arts includes:

• "In the Blood" by Suzan-Lori Parks -- Feb. 3, 4, and 5
• Batavia-Bayou Cultural Connection with live music from Mumbo Jumbo and LeeRon Zydeco and the Hot Tamales -- Feb. 19
• Tony Brown and the Faithful -- Feb. 25
• AElinor Oratoria-Chorale Concert -- March 6
• Stone Row -- March 12
• "Nobody Likes Mordacious" Children's Theater by Jack Stokes -- March 23, 24 and 25
• "Blood Brothers" by Willy Russell -- April 7-10

The Salvation Army has announced that its gymnasium is now available for community programs and rental. The gym is 2,816 square feet of useable space and a reimbursement cost of $20 per hour is requested.

“We have been working on minor repairs and the heating system," said Captain Patty Kurtz. "Everything is completed and the facility can be used year round."

The facility can be used for special events, pick up games, group meetings, etc.

“In February we will be posting our Spring schedule with days and times for leagues, open gym, and pick up games," she said. "We have planned teen and youth nights as well."

For more information contact: Capt. Patty at 343-6284 or e-mail at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org