Stories from

Batavia's own Joey Pero and his Band will perform at the Curt Anderson Memorial Classic XVII, sponsored by Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps.

It will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 at Greece Apollo Middle School, 700 Maiden Lane, Greece.

St. Joe’s is excited to bring Joey Pero and his Band to the event. Originally from Batavia, now living in NYC pursuing his music career, Joey has close ties to the drum corps world. His father was a member of St. Joe’s Junior Corps in the 1960s, and was one of the original members of Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps when it formed in 1991. Joey has also played with Mighty St. Joe’s throughout the years and in the past has written the arrangements for a few of St. Joe’s’ songs.

Joey will perform music from his recently released solo album, "Resonance," and will be available to sign CD’s during admission and after the show.

For the percussionists in the crowd, CADRE (Canadian Associates Drumming Rudimental Excellence) from Ontario, Canada will entertain with their cumulative energy as they perform classic rudimental drum solos. Also appearing is a fan favorite, and two-time DCA World Brass Ensemble Champions, Prime Time Brass. Having recently returned from Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, they will play a mixture of big band/jazz, pop, and patriotic numbers.

Also performing are “From Parts Unknown,” previous DCA World Champion Mini Corps, and the Ghost Riders will present newest show. Mighty St. Joe’s is also pleased to have the Greece High Schools Marching Band open the show with the national anthems and some of their latest music. Of course, as the corps enters its 20th season, Mighty St. Joe’s is eager to entertain the audience with several new songs.

Tickets are $15 each (general admission) and can be ordered in advance by sending a SASE to Rae Shults, 52 Wind Way Circle, Rochester, NY 14624, or they can be purchased at the box office on the day of the show.

The Salvation Army will offer emergency disaster training at the Batavia Salvation Army, 529 E. Main St. this month.

Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) will be offered from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16. This course is designed for new disaster workers who have limited disaster experience and who have just begun their association with The Salvation Army's emergency disaster services program.

The course provides participants with an overview of The Salvation Army's mission and its role within disaster work. Participants will also be taught how to prepare and equip themselves for a disaster deployment.

Then on Saturday, April 17 there will be a class on the Incident Command System (ICS). It takes place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and provides participants with a general orientation to The Salvation Army Incident Command System (ICS) and explains how it is used to command, control and coordinate disaster relief operations.

Here's a notice from Volunteers for Animals:

We are looking for a volunteer(s) to create videos of available animals. You must be willing to make a long-term commitment (at least six months). We have two small Flip all-digital cameras that can be used to take pictures.

Typically, the videos are two to three minutes long minutes and put to music, but we're open to different formats and ideas. You must be able to do all the editing and uploading at home. You can go You Tube and view videos currently posted for an example of what has been done (VFAGCAS is the account name or there are links on our Website).

We are not looking for a video on every animal -- periodically we do a video on a group of cats or dogs or more challenging to place animals. On average, if you could post one or two videos a month, we would be quite happy. In order to photograph animals, you would need to come in during adoption hours so that other volunteers can assist with the animals.

There is no pay for this job but lots of satisfaction that you are helping to get animals into good homes. Photos and videos have proven over and over that they help get animals homes. If you are interested or would like more information, please email us at vfa@rochester.rr.com

Thank you for your support and interest in the animals at the Shelter.

Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
www.vol4animals.org <http://www.vol4animals.org>

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY  14020
(585)343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter!

Here's an announcement from a business with offices in Batavia:

Lawley Benefits Group recently expanded its services to include Lawley Executive Benefits-Private Client Group, providing products and services focused on the needs of business owners, executives and professionals – mainly life and disability insurance to assist in business succession and retirement planning. 
 
The new division, led by Robert DiGiore and Tom Zugger, is designed to meet the customized needs of business leaders in all 10 Lawley offices in New York and New Jersey.

Services include, but are not limited to, life, disability and long-term care insurance; business succession and estate planning; executive and deferred compensation programs; fixed and immediate annuities.

“We understand select business owners and executives require a different set of products, services and solutions for their individual needs,” said Lawley Benefits Group Partner James Rehak Jr., who has more than 20 years of sector experience. “We tailor our services to address your unique business challenges.”

Lawley’s approach with these new services emphasizes personal attention and customization. The process begins with strategic assessment and needs evaluation and then delves into custom alternatives and implementation.

Lawley started providing risk management and insurance solutions to businesses and individuals in 1955. The Lawley team of experienced professionals possesses extensive industry knowledge to meet executive needs. In addition to experience and acumen, Lawley has access to the particular offerings, products and strategies specifically designed for private client group members.

DiGiore and Zugger each have more than 25 years experience in the financial services field – both specializing in life insurance, disability insurance, estate planning and retirement planning.

DO YOU HAVE CABIN FEVER? Here's just the cure for you! Come to the Holy Family School Brew Fest from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 in Le Roy.

We'll have Beer, wine and local restaurant food samplings, a live band, 50/50s, door prizes and basket raffles. The school is located at 46 Lake St.

Tickets are $20, call 768-7390 or email hfsbrewfest@yahoo.com.

A Thursday Nite Golf League is planned for May 6 through Sept. 16 at the Batavia Country Club, located at 2909 Batavia-Byron Road in Batavia.

A registration meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 22 at T.F. Brown's restaurant, 214 E. Main St. downtown.

Cost is $75 per player or $150 per team. Plus $20 weekly is payable to the Batavia Country Club. There will be four chances per week to win a 50/50 cash raffle.

To join or for more information, contact Jeremy Hunt at 356-1504, or at <jhunt34@yahoo.com>.

Somebody somewhere once said that parents with grown children should seek revenge by spending the inheritance before checking out. Just something Bill Hume Sr. might want to consider after his son, Junior, gets through with him Saturday night.

The old guy is gonna be roasted but good. And as Genesee County highway supervisor, he darn well oughtta be.

In fact, his son wants people to come to the roast and have some laughs at his poor ol' dad's expense. But be forewarned, the comedy show will feature politically incorrect, adult humor. In other words, it's not fit for normal, modern audiences.

It will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at the Batavia VFW hall, off of Cedar Street. There will be raffles and giveaways and six "roasters" who plan to rake Hume Sr. over the coals. These heartless clowns are local or have local ties. Some will be cruel enough to drive across state lines to victimize this loyal public servant.

Hey, it's free and promises to be "memorable." Call Bill Jr., heir apparent, for now, at 415-1173 for details.

Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming spring fashion show at Genesee Community College. This year's production, entitled "Luxe," will take place at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 in the Forum at the Batavia campus.

The annual runway show is a much-anticipated event that will provide guests of all ages with a glimpse inside the exciting and glamorous world of fashion. The show includes many original creations and designs, as well as designs from well-known clothing lines.

Viewers will be captivated by beautiful dresses made completely out of recycled newspapers, as well as high-fashion garments that will radiate down the entire runway. Scenes will also include trendy styles in menswear, swimwear, children's attire and even edgy street fashions. The entertainment continues for guests after the show with tasty refreshments and fabulous door prizes.

Tickets are $5 presale or $7 at the door, pre-sale tickets are strongly encouraged. To order tickets or for additional information please contact Fashion Show Secretary Cheryl Young at 345-6830 or visit the Luxe Fashion Show website at <http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/fashionshow/2010/>.

The "Luxe" lineup includes:

• Eco-Couture -- Eco-friendly and recycled fashions. Scene coordinators - Brittany Moose (LeRoy) and Kayla Palmer (Oneida)
• Adore Millesime -- Vintage-inspired clothing. Scene Coordinators - Janelle Kujawski (Derby) and Michelle Luvisi (Rochester)
• Bare It All -- Trendy swimsuits for men and women. Scene Coordinator - Brittany Rogers (Seneca Falls)
• Flourish -- A blossom of fashions for adults and children. Scene Coordinators- Natasha Napper (Bronx) and Olivia Lennon (Geneva)
• Love & Luxe -- Fashions for the modern bride and groom. Scene Coordinators- Ellen Dagel (Rochester) and Jamie Sutton (Buffalo)
• Urban Chic -- Contemporary looks with an edgy and chic contrast. Scene Coordinators- Briana Alford (Norfolk) and Samantha VanderBrook (Clifton Springs)
• Formally Yours -- Timeless styles in prom wear. Scene Coordinator - April Cipolla (Batavia)
• Fair Play -- Rugged, sexy and bold attire. Scene Coordinators - Stephanie Edwards (Springville) and Kelly Gutzmer (Webster).
• Rouge - Pin-up style lingerie. Scene Coordinators - Danielle Colvin (Marcy) and Alyssa Delplato (Henrietta)
• Sheer Desire -- Romanic mix of light and dark clothing. Scene Coordinators - Alexa Blackmon (Olean) and Mallory Morse (Penn Yan).
• Masked Romance -- Stunning fabrics, unique outfits and dramatic accessories. Scene Coordinators - Connor deGuehery (Buffalo), Katelyn DeSieno (Scotia) and Keera Eiffert (Cohocton).

When Genesee Community College graduate, Kelly Caracciolo walks across the stage to collect her diploma next month it will be her first time setting foot on campus. She is a Distance Learning student from Trinidad and Tobago, who has earned a degree from Genesee completely online. 

She finished a Business Administration degree in August and will attend commencement in May with her family.

Caracciolo is no stranger to the United States. She has family in Brooklyn and has visited the U.S. many times throughout her childhood. She knew she wanted to earn a degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) education system, and was referred to Genesee by the international student advisor at SUNY Plattsburg for efficiency, low cost and convenient scheduling opportunities. She someday hopes to enroll in a management program at a local university in Trinidad to continue her education.

Caracciolo, 25, is from the Borough of Arima on the island of Trinidad, the southernmost island in the Caribbean. The birthplace of the steel pan musical instrument and the limbo dance, Trinidad is a fusion of many different cultures including Spanish, French, Indian and African. She lives in the same house she and her mother both grew up in, which boasts many family memories of island living.

She works as an administrative assistant at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and originally found that balancing work with academic studies was challenging.

"It was a lot of work," Caracciolo noted. "But all worth it in the end. I believe the whole process has made me a more independent person."

She will graduate as a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and with a 3.81 G.P.A. She was also on the part-time student Dean's List. In the beginning, she found online classes were difficult to get accustomed to, but she gradually began to love the opportunity and believes the classes made her more independent.

It was comforting to know that the instructors were just an e-mail away. Her favorite course was BUS 214-Management Principles because it covered all aspects of the Business curriculum, which she readily applies to her professional interests and long-range career plans.

Her dream job would be to manage a hotel or resort. She is passionate about proper customer service and hopes to one day provide this to customers on a daily basis as they visit her island nation.

"I am so glad that I found Genesee Community College, and I am very grateful to the Distance Learning staff," she stated in an e-mail correspondence. "They gave me the opportunity to get started on my career. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the courses were challenging, yet enjoyable."

Caracciolo enjoys sports, especially watching and playing tennis, working out, billiards, and an occasional high-energy spinning class at the local gym. She also loves a good movie with friends, and of course, listening and dancing to native island music.

Genesee is expanding both course and degree earning options of its Distance Learning program. Last semester, 85 online courses were offered, and this semester, 108.

For further information about completing a degree at Genesee via Distance Learning, please visit <http://www.genesee.edu/DL> or contact Judith Littlejohn, Distance Learning advisor at 343-0055, ext. 6158.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a nine-day tour of China late September/early October of this year.

Very similar to its successful trips in 2008 and 2009, the chamber is offering the community the unique opportunity to travel to China for the low price of $1,999. Price includes air fare (from JFK), bus to/from JFK, hotel stays, three meals a day, bus tours (with guides), admission to tourist spots, and airport taxes throughout the trip.
 
Of professional interest, this trip will present opportunities to learn a great deal about how the Chinese business system operates. The group will tour many memorable sites, both ancient and modern, and enjoy a multitude of unforgettable experiences in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. This year, there is also the opportunity to go to the Shanghai Expo. In addition, there is the option to visit Xian (Terra Cotta Warriors) or to Guilin (Elephant Trunk Hill) for an additional fee.
 
The chamber believes this trip to be an exceptional value. For more details call Melissa at the chamber at (585) 343-7440, ext. 27 and sign up to attend an informational meeting on April 22.

A press release from GCC:

Administrators at Genesee Community College and Keuka College in Penn Yan re-signed an articulation agreement expanding the opportunity of effectively transferring associate's degree credits earned at Genesee toward a bachelor's degree from Keuka College.

With this updated agreement, courses and program requirements are defined so that students can make a smooth transition to their desired baccalaureate program at Keuka College.

The articulation agreement enables students to take advantage of unique opportunities and benefits such as knowing the recommended course selections that secure acceptance into a four-year program at Keuka. Upon successful completion of the outlined requirements in the agreement, students will be guaranteed admission to Keuka in their desired major.

Genesee Community College offers several programs that align well with many of Keuka's degree programs. In particular, Genesee's Deaf Studies Certificate program works as a building block into Keuka's unique American Sign Language to English Interpretation program. Other popular transfer programs include Education, Social Work and Criminal Justice.

"Re-visiting this agreement allows us to have the most up-to-date course information for our students," said Patrick Walter, career and transfer coordinator at Genesee. "The purpose of this agreement is to allow students to pre-plan their college careers so they can avoid taking unneeded credits and spending money on courses that won't transfer."

Through an articulation agreement, students typically save thousands of dollars on their first two years of tuition, which at Genesee costs $140 per credit for New York state residents. In addition, if they choose to live at home they can also save on room and board. This savings allows students to concentrate more on a transfer school that fits their education needs and career goals, rather than how much that school will cost them.

Genesee Community College has transfer agreements with over 45 different institutions. For further information, please contact Patrick Walter at 343-0055, ext. 6430 or go to: <http://www.genesee.edu/CTC >.