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Remounting, custom design focus of Valle Jewelers' event this week

By Billie Owens

In spring and summer, well-crafted jewlery can really sparkle, so now is a great time to create something special for yourself or a loved one.

A world of dazzling possibilities beckons at Valle Jewelers this week during its semi-annual remounting and custom-design event. It takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 23, and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24.

Enjoy a personal consultation with the store's own custom-design specialist, Mark Berman of Manhattan, who will be there to help you design a special piece or re-craft something you already own. Make something old look new!

Berman will showcase his entire line of Icon Creations, with hundreds of bridal sets to choose from. Free financing is available to qualified buyers.

"He's just incredibly talented -- you tell him what you want and the next thing you know, it's on a piece of paper," Maria Valle said, noting that he uses computer-aided design software to bring ideas to life.

For happy couples who are no longer happy or a couple, Valle has some advice.

"Diamonds left over from love gone wrong are still good diamonds," she said. "You earned them. Reset them and enjoy them."

All fine jewelry needs proper care to ensure its durability and beauty for years to come. With jewelry, it's especially wise to be proactive. This would be a good time to have those gem stones sitting precariously amid your ring's worn-down prongs to be remounted or put into a stylish, new setting.

A lady at my optometrist's office admired my wedding ring one afternoon, which had been on my finger for many years.

"You ought to have a jeweler look at," she suggested.

She was right. I kept thinking "I'll get around to it, but I don't have time now," only to look down one day not long afterward to see a gaping hole where a one-carat diamond used to be.

Walk-in consultations are, as always, welcome, but people wishing to talk with Mark Berman about a design idea, can also make an appointment by calling 343-3372.

Downtown Spring Carnival is fun for all ages

By Billie Owens

The Downtown Batavia Spring Carnival will take place from Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, May 2 at the corner of Ellicott (Route 63) and Jackson streets.

Expect rides, games, food and fun for all ages, courtesy of the Batavia Business Improvement District. For more information visit the website <www.downtownbataviany.com>.

"Join us for the great Spring event in Downtown!"

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Psychic Faire comes to Batavia May 15-16

By Billie Owens

There will be a Psychic Faire from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 8250 Park Road, Batavia, on May 15 and 16. Admission is free.

It will feature a variety of goods from unique vendors. Plus private consultations with psychics, mediums, tarot masters, etc., will be available for fees ranging from $20 to $60.

Call 335-3960 for information or to make appointments. Walk-ins are welcome.

"Past, present & future -- Explore the possibilities!"

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Elba Central School hosts Family Fun Night

By Billie Owens

Those looking for a fun, tobacco-free family night can find just that in the Elba Central School gymnasium from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. Families with children in Pre-K through sixth grade are welcome to play games like Dance Dance Revolution and basketball; refresh with smoothies, ice cream, and other healthy snacks; and enjoy a DJ and live entertainment.

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Five-car fender-bender, no injuries, at Batavia's Sacred Heart Church

By Billie Owens

A five-car accident with no injuries is reported in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church at 15 Sumner St. in Batavia. Fire and/or police are responding.

UPDATE (6:55 p.m.): "She didn't know which pedal did what," said Batavia Police Officer Matthew Baldwin at the scene of mild mayhem in the church parking lot.

They were all there for Bingo Nite when, according to Baldwin, a woman offered to help a disabled lady by moving her car for her, making it easier for her to get in. But the Good Samaritan was unfamilar with the vehicle controls, made for the disabled, and she accelerated too fast, couldn't stop and hit two parked cars. One of those vehicles smashed two other cars, and the driver, still in reverse, then hit a truck.

Nobody was hurt in the accident.

(Isn't five in a row Bingo?)

UPDATE: Photos by Howard Owens.

NY insurance professionals get recognized with proclamation

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Legislature has proclaimed the week of April 18-24 as "Federation of New York Insurance Professionals Week."

Katie Kegler, treasurer of the Genesee Region Insurance Professionals (GRIP) was on hand to accept the proclamation from legislature Vice Chair Hollis Upson.

GRIP was formed in 1961 and is the local affiliate of the Federation of New York Insurance Professionals. Both organizations are open to members of the insurance and insurance-related industries, and provide members opportunities for education, community service and networking.

Knights of Columbus holds BBQ chicken dinner to benefit local charities

By Billie Owens

Our Lady of Batavia Knights of Columbus will sponsor a chicken barbecue dinner from 10:30 a.m. until sold out on Sunday, April 25 at St. Mary's Church site of Resurrection Parish, 18 Ellicott St., Batavia. Take outs only.

Donations are $7 per dinner, which includes 1/2 chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, roll and butter. Proceeds fund charities in the Batavia area. For advanced tickets call Mike at 343-3810.
 

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City to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day together

By Billie Owens

The City of Batavia will celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24.

The morning will begin at Austin Park on Jefferson Avenue with: a presentation on “Eco-friendly, Cost-Saving Energy Tips” by National Grid; a Seed Starting Display by the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners; a composting display by GLOW; and a proclamation by City Council.

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City to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day together

By Billie Owens

The City of Batavia will celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24.

The morning will begin at Austin Park on Jefferson Avenue with: a presentation on “Eco-friendly, Cost-Saving Energy Tips” by National Grid; a Seed Starting Display by the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners; a composting display by GLOW; and a proclamation by City Council.

Volunteers will then be assigned a city park or downtown Main and Ellicott Street area to pick up debris. The volunteers will be asked to regroup at Austin Park at 11:30 a.m. for a tree-planting ceremony.

There will be giveaways donated by Target during the main presentation and free reusable shopping bags donated by Lowes for the first 50 volunteers.

The tree for the planting ceremony has been donated by Lowes. ARC is also donating its services and supplies for the event and Tim Horton’s is donating coffee and TimBits for the volunteers.

This event will take place rain or shine. Volunteers are needed to give a couple hours of their time to get out and recognize Earth Day & Arbor Day and to help Clean up & Green up Batavia!  There are additional hours available for students interested in community service hours. 

If there are any questions, please contact:

Jodie Freese
Office of the City Manager
One Batavia City Centre
Batavia, New York 14020
Phone:   (585) 345-6333
Fax:        (585) 343-8182
E-mail:   jfreese@batavianewyork.com
 

Volunteers needed at Genesee County Park

By Billie Owens

Volunteers are needed for various outdoor projects at Genesee County Park located on 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.

If interested, please contact Judy Spring at 344-1122.

Pavilion responding to big brush fire in Covington

By Billie Owens

The Pavilion Fire District is responding to a large brush fire reported in Covington, Wyoming County. The caller was at 566 Wyoming Road when he notified authorities about a blaze in the woods in the vicinity of Wyoming and Crossman roads.

Motor-vehicle accident on Harvester Avenue

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported in the vicinity of 56 Harvester Ave. in the City of Batavia. A male driver is unconscious.

UPDATE (by Howard): Officer Ed Mileham said it appeared that the driver of a Ford sedan failed to stop when the driver of a SAAB did stop to make a left-hand turn into a driveway of the Harvester Center.  The driver of the Ford was transported to UMMC.  The driver of the SAAB declined treatment.

Acclaimed Canisius College Chorale to sing at St. Mary's Church

By Billie Owens

The Canisius College Chorale under the direction of Frank Scinta, will continue its 2010  Sacred Spaces Concert Series with a program at St. Mary’s Church in Batavia at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 18.

St. Mary’s Church, one of two sites of Resurrection Parish, is located at 18 Ellicott Street.

Sacred Spaces stems from an idea the choir proposed five years ago to feature its music in some of Western New York's most beautiful and acoustically resonant environments -- namely, the sanctuaries of our area churches. As a result, the choir has visited more than 25 houses of worship with its repertoire of sacred and secular music.

Now in its 12th season, the Canisius College Chorale remains one of WNY’s most active collegiate music ensembles. Composed of 120 undergraduate and graduate members, the chorale regularly presents concert programs to school, church and community audiences throughout WNY and Southern Ontario, Canada.

Its repertoire covers more than five centuries of composition and nearly every interpretive style of choral music. In recent years, the chorale has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ars Nova Chamber Musicians, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. In addition, the chorale has made appearances at Toronto’s St. John Latvian Lutheran Church and Holy Rosary Church. The chorale released its fourth CD
recording in February, 2009.

Resurrection Parish and its Music Director Mark Hoerbelt invite you to enjoy an evening of great choral music for all ages and tastes. The concert will feature works by Mendelssohn, Hogan, Bernstein, Hovland, Dawson and others. Admission to all events in the Sacred Spaces series is free.

For more information, please contact Hoerbelt, (585) 343 1842 or Scinta, (716) 838 4252.

Car crash claims life of Batavia man early today

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Sheriff's Department is investigating a fatal one-car accident which occurred about 2 a.m. today on Simonds Road in the Town of Darien. Brian  J. Gazda, 47, of 9430 Halstead Road in Batavia, was the sole occupant of a 2007 Chevy Corvette, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Sheriff's press release, the car was traveling north on Simonds Road when it went off the east shoulder of the roadway, overturned several times, and came to rest in an upright position. Gazda was ejected from the car.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Jason Saile, Sgt. William Scott of the Crash Management Team, Sgt. Brian Frieday and Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble. They were assisted at the scene by the State Police, Darien Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

UPDATE: The obituary has been posted for Brian Gazda.

Horse rides and demos to aid horse rescue group

By Billie Owens

Attention horse lovers! There will be live horse demonstrations along with horse rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10 at Tractor Supply Co. in the Town of Batavia. The event will raise money for H.O.R.S.E rescue in Pavilion.

The store is located at 4974 E. Main St. Road.

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At The Downs tonight: 10-race showdown of WNY's best harness-racing handicappers

By Billie Owens

The scoring is complete, the starter has called for the handicappers. Tonight, 125 of the best harness racing handicappers in Western New York will do battle in a 10-race showdown in the Clubhouse at Batavia Downs Casino.

The contest begins at 6:40 with the first post at Buffalo.

Twenty-six of Western Regional Off-Track Betting’s branches hosted qualifiers during March with over 700 racing fans participating in the free contests. They all had one common goal -- a chance to move on to the Meadowlands Racetrack on April 24 to compete in the 2010 National Harness Handicapping Championship (NHHC).

“The interest we had this year’s contests was amazing,” said Hank Nevins, director of public relations for Western OTB. “We received calls for more information from as far away as Toronto. We expect a full house Friday night.”

In The Downs’ finals, each contestant starts with a mythical bankroll of $1,000. They can wager up to 20 percent of it on each contest race, consisting of races 1-8-9-10-11 at Buffalo Raceway and races 1-5 at Meadowlands.

The winner will receive entry into the NHHC, two nights hotel accommodations and $500 in expense money. The remaining top 10 finishers will receive prize money or casino free play. All finalists receive dinner for two, casino free play and a gift.

For more information, visit www.westernotb.com.

 

Car crash with injuries in Town of Batavia

By Billie Owens

A car accident with injuries is reported at Batavia-Elba Townline Road and Route 98 in the Town of Batavia. Two ambulances are requested. Mercy Flight is being contacted.

"We are probably going to have to pop the door," says an emergency responder, regarding a trapped victim.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m. (by Howard): Names of the victims have not been released yet. One was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong. The other was transported by ground ambulance ot UMMC.

College's Ducky Derby for United Way a quacking success

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College students in the Business Forum Club set their ducks afloat last month with one goal in mind; to raise funds for United Way. The second annual United Way Ducky Derby was held in the college's Olympic-sized pool. The students surpassed their goal of raising more funds than last year, selling 466 ducks for a grand total of $1,065 in ducky donations. Last year, the Ducky Derby earned $862.

Students raised the funds by selling numbered rubber ducks. The ducks then were set free in the pool at the Batavia Campus. With the help of a "current" created by members of the college's swim team, the first duck that made it to the end of the pool won the race to the hooting, hollering and cheers of a captive fan base of staff, students and faculty.

The winner of this year's race was a duck purchased by Robert Knipe, dean of Learning Technologies at the college. His winnings totaled over $500, but he graciously donated all the money back to the students' United Way Genesee Community College Campaign. The overall GCC United Way Goal is $17,000, and the College's campaign runs through next week.

Volunteer Genesee students in the Business Forum Club include Jeweliet Blair, Alyssa DelPlato, Dave Farabella, Amanda Hoffmeister, Adam Hoopengardner, Ben Kibler, Jamal Murphy, Travis Newberry, and John Sciarratta.

The Business Forum students thanked the entire College community for its support, and specifically recognized the following people for their donations and help to make the second annual Duck Derby a success: Roger Loos from Batavia's Falleti Ice Rink (for loaning the rubber ducks), Pauly's Pizza, Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort, Tops Markets, Bio Kleen, Alex's Place, Mike Kroll (GCC swim coach), Leslie Flannery, Doug Nagowski, Claire Vanderberg, GCC swimmers, Donna Rae Sutherland and Mike Perry, GCC staff, GCC bookstore, GCC cafeteria, GCC Student Activities, and GCC Cougar mascot and everyone who purchased a duck.

For further information please contact Rick Dudkowski, Business faculty member, at 343-0055, ext. 6390 or <http://mrdudkowski@genesee.edu>.
 

Pre-K through eighth grades in Batavia City School District get May 10 off

By Billie Owens

Here's a notice from city school officials:

This is a very important message for parents of Batavia City School District students. Children in grades Pre-K through 8 will not attend school on Monday, May 10 so that teachers may score the NYS ELA Assessments. 

High School students must be in regular attendance.

New York State changed the schedule for administering and scoring the 3-8 ELA  and Math State assessments in July after the district had established its calendar for the year.

The window during which the ELA assessments can be scored is significantly shorter because the Math Assessment administration begins immediately after ELA. Therefore, the District is declaring May 10 a Superintendent’s Conference Day for elementary and middle school students.

The district apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

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