Jack Civietto sings Sinatra in tonight's "Friday Night in the Square" concert.
The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. June 25 in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.
The Bedrock Boys, a polka band, kicks off the 13th annual "Friday Night in the Square" concert series on June 18.
The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.
The 13th annual "Friday Night in the Square" concert series begins June 18 and ends Aug. 27.
The free, public concerts take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.
"Friday Night in the Square" is sponsored by the Downtown Business Improvement District. For information on this or any other downtown event, contact BID Director Don Burkel. Visit on the web at <www.downtownbataviany.com>.
Here's the lineup folks:
There will be a Chiavetta's chicken BBQ to benefit The Moving Wall monument to the Vietnam War. It's from 11 a.m. until sold out. on Wednesday, June 9 on the patio, behind Building #4 at the VA Medical Center in Batavia.
It is located at 222 Richmond Ave.
The lunch is sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary DAV Chapter 166. The food will be cooked on site. Pre-sale Tickets available at the Batavia Police Office on Main Street.
Cost is $8 and includes a half chicken, macaroni salad, potato salad, roll and butter.
The annual Ramble Arts & Music Fest returns to Batavia from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 3 at Jackson Square.
This year’s reunion of past and present musicians and artists sees performances from more than 25 bands including: The Ghost Riders, Red Creek, Penny Whiskey, and Old Hippie Reunion.
In addition, a raffle for a Yamaha acoustic electric guitar will be drawn during the Ramble. More information can be found at www.ramblemusic.com.
Following "an explosion," a fully involved vehicle fire is reported at Route 77 and the Thruway entrance.
The vehicle is off the roadway. It appears to be an ATV.
"I see black smoke from Indian Falls Road," says a firefighter.
Indian Falls and Pembroke fire departments are responding.
Overheard on the scanner:
"Clear CAD, no report, blotter item only. They were arguing over who gets to ride shotgun in the car."
Dispatch: "The important things in life."
What lurks in the murky pond over there? Find out about the interesting creatures, get wet and muddy and explore this unique ecosystem.
A Pond Discovery class will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, July 10 at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center.
Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. Pre-registration is required.
Participants will use nets to dip into the pond and see what resides there. Wear clothing and shoes that you don't mind getting wet and muddy.
There will be a public hearing on proposed restrictions on outdoor wood boilers on Monday, June 14. It will be at the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College.
An informal informational meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. The actual public hearing is from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced that new restrictions might be placed on operating requirements for both new and existing outdoor wood boilers.
There will be a public hearing on proposed restrictions on outdoor wood boilers on Monday, June 14. It will be at the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College.
An informal informational meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. The actual public hearing is from 6 to 8 p.m.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley sent out a news release reminding Western New Yorkers to take advantage of the hearing to voice their concerns on the issue.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announcement earlier this week that new restrictions might be placed on operating requirements for both new and existing outdoor wood boilers.
Under the new restrictions, outdoor wood boilers would have to be at least 100 feet from neighboring properties and would have to be at least 18 feet in height.
“While I appreciate this proposal and its efforts to improve the environment and air quality across our state, I am concerned that it could substantially increase costs on Western New Yorkers who rely on outdoor wood boilers for home heating,” Hawley said. “With most new outdoor wood boilers costing thousands of dollars, these new restrictions could be unaffordable for many people whose boilers meet current DEC regulations.”
Here's the upcoming class schedule for Blue Pearl Yoga studio in Downtown Batavia.
There are two different four-week sessions for yoga. One is from May 31 to June 19. The other is June 21 to July 24.
Costs are:
Four classes, four weeks = $40 (1 class a week)
Eight classes, four weeks = $75 (2 classes a week, or both sessions)
Eight classes, eight weeks = $75
16 classes, eight weeks = $136 ($8.50/ per class)
or
Unlimited classes with Karen = $188 for eight weeks. That is up to 32 classes -- four days a week for under $6/ per class.
(Note: This Saturday's class (May 29)is canceled. It is Buddha's Birthday and there is a huge celebration in Rochester. Paula and Karen will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. from the yoga studio and returning around 2:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend. Here is the link to the event <http://rzc.org/sites/default/files/file/Buddha>.
Here's a list of upcoming classes at the American Red Cross, 109 Main St., Batavia:
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Payment is due at time of registration. To register, stop in any American Red Cross office or call 343-6098.
Opthamalic surgeon Alan Siegel made a difference in the lives of countless patients over the course of his career and when he stopped performing surgery, it was because he had their best interests at heart.
After being diagnosed a year and a half ago of pancreatic cancer, he worked as long as he could using 100 percent of his skills. But when he grew weaker, he decided the delicate microsurgery he performed was no longer something he ought to do -- the last thing he wanted was to harm a patient.
"He loved his job, he really did," said Rosemary Siegel this afternoon, his wife of 28 years. "He had a wonderful practice with very fair and supportive people."
Dr. Siegel was with University Eye Specialists, on Summit Street in Batavia, for 15 years. He was known to be honest, intelligent and caring -- the rare kind of doctor who typically called patients after surgery to ask how they were doing.
Born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey, his first practice after medical school was on Long Island. Before that, he had been a physician's assistant, which is what he was when he met a certain registered nurse named Rosemary at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx.
They fell in love, got married and he went to medical school.
"He went into opthamology because he liked microsurgery, he enjoyed that," Rosemary said. "And he had big hands, too, it's amazing."
The couple have two children, 26-year-old Jacqueline, and 22-year-old William. Both are residents of Millport, NY, and have taken leaves of absence to stay with their mother awhile. For nearly seven years, Rosemary has contended with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease."
"Everyday when he'd come home from work, he'd pick me up off the couch and put me in my wheelchair. He took care of me. He never, ever once complained. That's the kind of man he was."
She said at times she felt like she was a burden, and told him so.
"He said 'I never want to hear you say that again. Ro, this is what we've been dealt in life and we just have to deal with it.'"
Like every couple, they occasionally had their differences but they never had a fight. At some point it dawned on William as a boy that his parents didn't fight like a lot of other parents.
"Mom, you and Daddy never fight. Why?" he asked.
I don't know, she told him, "maybe because we're best friends."
You've got to love a guy whose wife is so proud of the way he always loved and cared for his own mother, who lives in Florida. And who never missed his children's school plays or dance recitals or hockey games.
"Al loved hockey and he would scream so at the high school hockey games that he'd come home hoarse."
When the local team went to the state competition, the distinguished surgeon went wearing war paint on his face, toting a specially designed hockey stick.
"Oh God, they were a riot."
At the pro level, he was a die-hard fan of the Buffalo Sabres and in baseball, the Yankees.
His daughter has an extra-special memory of the time she spent with her dad on The Great White Way.
"My dad took me all over for auditions when I was applying for undergraduate (studies)," Jacqueline said. "We had to fly all around to private schools. One time we got off the plane, got on the subway, got a hotel and then went to see a couple of shows -- "The Producers" and "Chicago."
"My audition was the next day. I didn't get in, but we didn't care because we had a great vacation together, just the two of us."
Another great vacation took place three years ago at Christmas, when the whole extended family went on a cruise to the Mexican resort of Cozumel and Belize, in Central America.
The last vacation they would take as a family was last summer, after Alan had already been diagnosed with cancer. They rented a house in Hilton Head, S.C., were William was working as a lifeguard. They stayed a week, went parasailing, had a ball.
Great times were also had when Dr. Siegel and his friends jumped in their cars and went on a "road rally," a sort of mystery game.
"They'd get a clue, and blast off to the next clue," Rosemary said. "It took weeks to figure out the clues. People got lost, went to the wrong place. When they got all the clues, then they'd go back over the route.
"One year Al and Dr. (Gary) May put on masks and wigs on the road rally. They went into an old church. Then Dr. May didn't see or hear Al. Al had dropped through the floor. The next day he couldn't move his arm and Dr. (Matthew) Landfried had to give him a shot."
Whether it was electronics or snow skiing or any of the above, Dr. Siegel was a "take charge kinda guy" who enjoyed the camaraderie of friends. He didn't talk about doing things, he did them.
But this take-charge man also made a mean meatloaf, a tradition which began when Rosemary used to work nights on Mondays back in Long Island. Monday was meatloaf night.
Anytime was cookie time, however.
"He was a Cookie Monster," Rosemary said. "I made the chocolate chip cookies and he ate them."
This activity, more often than not, may have occurred while Dr. Siegel was in the company of his three-pound "terror." A rescued chihuahua named "Oji," who was his best pal and fiercely guarded him in his final days.
"When my husband was dying, 'Oji' never got off the bed," Rosemary said. "And if anybody tried to touch him, he went crazy. He protected him so much."
It's safe to say "Oji" is grieving for his master. Dr. Alan Siegel was only 57. He will be missed by many.
Dr. Siegel's obituary is available here.
Genesee Community College has named Connie Boyd the Employee of the Month for May.
Since assuming her current position as director of Human Services, Boyd has committed herself to the success of her students, making herself available to them, and continually demonstrating her compassionate and caring spirit.
Her colleagues continually see how much respect her students have for her. Not only does she make time for the students, but her commitment to visiting the 42 external internship sites covering six counties is astonishing. In addition to her work at the college, Boyd also finds time to be a devoted volunteer for the Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. She is a great role model and teacher.
As director of the Human Services program, Boyd coordinates and supervises all aspects related to Human Services courses and curricula, teaches field experience courses, monitors student internships/field placements in the community, conducts program assessments, serves as a liaison to the HUS Program Advisory Committee, and works on various college committees and community-based initiatives.
Boyd came to Genesee as an adjunct instructor and became a full-time faculty member in 2006. Before working at Genesee, she worked for more than 30 years in the human services field as co-executive director of the YWCA, director of the Office for the Aging, plus she was a Genesee County Legislator for six years, the branch director of Planned Parenthood, and has also worked as a vocational rehab counselor, child protection caseworker, and community educator. She holds an associate's degree from Genesee Community College and a bachelor's and master's degree from SUNY Brockport.
"My favorite aspect of working at the college is the opportunity to work with students who are enthused and passionate about the Human Services field and want to make a positive difference in people's lives," Boyd said.
She resides in Batavia with her husband, Charley. She has two daughters, Sasha Boyd and Ashley (Dave) Bateman and one granddaughter, Emmeline. Her hobbies include working at the animal shelter, teaching belly dancing, motorcycling, volunteering as a Ghost Walk guide and as a cemetery character for the cemetery tour (fundraisers for the Genesee County History Department, Batavia Cemetery Association and the Holland Land Office Museum), as well as gardening and reading.
Newly graduated Ben Bakos was named Student of the Month for May. He was a hardworking student in the classroom and out. He was actively involved in campus activities including the Campus Activities Board and the Student Development Series.
Additionally, he served as webmaster for Genesee's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) this year and completely revamped the chapter's website, as well as the New York State PTK website. Bakos also used his creativity to create fliers and posters for PTK activities and he designed the logo "Think Green" for the New York State PTK T-shirt. He was an active officer in PTK and was one of the volunteers who went to New Orleans to help rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina. He was a great ambassador for Genesee's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
Bakos, 19 graduated from Elba Central School in 2008. He was an avid member of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO Club) where he developed the CEO Club website. He was also a part of a select group of students who traveled to Chicago for the CEO Club. Ben is also a proud member of Christian Students United. He majored in Computer Information Systems. His plans include transferring to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to study web design and interactive media.
He is a resident of Batavia and is the son of Bernard and Mary Bakos.
The sun is shining and all systems are “go” for the 2010 Tuesday Night Cruises at Batavia Downs Casino.
Cruise director Darrell Mase (pronounced “Mays”) and Batavia’s Lone Wolf Cruisers are supervising the shows in cooperation with Batavia Downs Casino.
Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. in the north end of the BDC parking lot on Park Road (near the OTB Simulcast Center – formerly Matty’s Pizzeria). The cruises will take place every Tuesday – weather permitting - through Aug. 31.
The shows are free and open to cars, trucks and motorcycles. All cruisers receive $5 in casino free play and the chance to win other prizes from the casino’s promotion staff. A cruisin’ soundtrack will be provided by DJ Dennis.
The best and brightest local high school students in Genesee Community College's Advanced Studies classes will be honored at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.
In addition, local teachers who have taught in the ACE programs, or Accelerated College Enrollment, will also be recognized for their continuing dedication and commitment.
ACE allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from Genesee while attending classes at their high school. More than 120 students from high schools throughout Western New York were nominated for the award, of which 60 were chosen as semi-finalists. The 32 student finalists will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.
Two new components will be featured at this year's event. First, Joan Cole, superintendent of Elba Central School District, will give the first keynote address at the Outstanding Scholars Awards Ceremony.
She has been working within the Elba Central School district for 29 years and will be retiring as superintendent at the end of this school year. She will share some insights on ACE Programs and offer some words of inspiration and encouragement to students.
In addition, the ACE Program will recognize high school teachers who have taught Advanced Studies courses through the years. Advanced Studies courses are taught by teachers who serve as Genesee Community College adjunct faculty at their respective high schools. The following Genesee County teachers will be recognized:
18 Years
Christine Nickerson -- Pavilion High School
17 Years
Thomas Trosey -- Batavia High School
16 Years
Suzanne Halas -- Batavia High School
15 Years
Jean Bartholomew -- Pavilion High School
Edward Brady -- Byron-Bergen High School
Jennifer Korpanty -- Batavia High School
Donna Thompson -- Genesee Valley BOCES (Batavia)
13 Years
Jim Dziemian -- Genesee Valley BOCES (Batavia)
Greg Kinal -- Pembroke High School
11 Years
Douglas Hollinger -- Pavilion High School
Loraine Mazza -- Genesee Valley BOCES (Batavia)
Chris Therrien -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
Shawnie Woeller -- Alexander High School
10 Years
John Mangefrida -- Batavia High School
Stacy McCarthy -- Batavia High School
Ryan Mosier -- Pavilion High School
Amy Sparrow-Percy -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
For more information about the Advanced Studies program at Genesee Community College call 345-6801, or go to <http://www.genesee.edu/ACE>.
Attention parents in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District. There will be a PRACTICE evacuation drill for all students, K-12, on Thursday, May 27.
Dismissal for grades six through 12 is at 10 a.m.
Dismissal for grades K through five is at 11:30 a.m.
Any questions please call Merritt Holly, middle school principal, OACS.
Attention parents in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District. There will be a PRACTICE evacuation drill for all students, K-12, on Thursday, May 27.
Dismissal for grades six through 12 is at 10 a.m.
Dismissal for grades K through five is at 11:30 a.m.
Any questions please call Merritt Holly, middle school principal, OACS.
Because of the major success the 2009 photo contest, the New York State Association of Counties has decided to hold the contest again this year.
NYSAC officials said more than 100 photos were submitted by 30 counties last year.
Genesee County Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock is opening the contest to local photographers, giving them the opportunity to submit their photos.
“With all the beautiful spots in Genesee County and all the talented photographers, this contest seems made to order for us!," Hancock said. "Please take the time to submit your photographs."
This time, NYSAC is looking for pictures that set Genesee County apart from other counties in day-to-day activities. The association is looking for pictures ranging from farm fields and barns to ice rinks and cityscapes.
Send in a photo that best represents our community. Submitted photos should be high resolution (at least 300dpi) at 4-by-6 inches. Deadline for submission is June 11 and photos should be emailed to legis@co.genesee.ny.us.
Should you desire additional information, please contact Carolyn Pratt, clerk of the Legislature 344-2550, ext, 2202 or <cpratt@co.genesee.ny.us>.
The Genesee County Business Education Alliance (BEA) is offering three career-exploration camps this summer Genesee County middle-school students.
Brand-new this year is a camp exploring careers related to math, science and technology. The MST Explorer Camp is July 20 and 21 and it is for students who are currently in 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
The MST camp on July 20 is for boys and the girls camp is July 21.
The camp fee is $25 and will run all day, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch and snacks are included. It will be held at Batavia Middle School.
Students will learn how math, science and technology can translate to exciting career options. Some of the activities will include: designing and building bridges; testing CO2 cars; exploring aerodynamics through a hot-air balloon, a real race car, and an ultralite aircraft; experiencing energy; and learning about the future of alternative energy sources, and much more.
The MASH (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp will be July 27-30 for current sixth- and seventh-graders. The camp fee is $40 and includes lunches and snacks. The camp will be held at a variety of locations. including United Memorial Medical Center and Genesee Community College.
The MASH Camp explores careers related to health and health-care fields, including the new career clusters, life sciences and biotechnology. The camp is hands-on and offers a variety of interactive activities for students to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to be in some of these careers. The activities are led by dedicated professionals who are excited about their jobs and who want to share that with students.
Culinary Camp will be Aug. 2-6, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for students currently in sixth- and seventh-grades. The camp fee is $25. Students will receive chef hats and aprons. This camp will be held at a variety of locations including Tops Food Market in Batavia, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership’s Batavia Campus, and restaurants in downtown Batavia.
Culinary Camp is a career-exploration camp for students interested in experiencing and learning about careers related to culinary arts and the hospitality field. Students will have a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of Tops and how the staff works to meet the local community's needs.
Students will spend three days learning cooking techniques and creating meals under the direction of the culinary arts instructor from Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The camp will conclude with a tour of restaurants in downtown Batavia.
For more information on these camps or to register, please contact Melinda Chamberlin at <mchamberlin@geneseeny.com> or at 343-7440, ext. 25. Information is also available through the school district counseling offices.
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