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Press release:

Shine your glass slippers, dust off your tiara and find your best
princess gown. YOU are invited to a Princess Party!

Girls of all ages are welcome at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 in the Children¹s Room at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St. in Batavia. We¹ll enjoy a story, crafts, games, dancing and treats. Parents ­ don¹t forget the camera!

Register early and register online www.batavialibrary.org
<http://www.batavialibrary.org/> 585-343-9550 x4.

Press release:

Senator Ranzenhofer launches petition to retore STAR Rebate checks
 
Senator Michael Ranzenhofer and members of the Senate Republican Conference launched a statewide, grass-roots petition drive to restore the STAR property tax relief rebate checks.

         
The multifaceted petition drive will use email and social networking sites such as Facebook, along with creation of a new online petition to pressure Democrats to restore the rebate  eliminated from the state budget.
 
“Western New Yorkers already pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation," said the senator. "State leaders must reinstate the STAR Rebate checks to provide much needed property tax relief for homeowners. Senior citizens and families often use the rebate checks not just to defray skyrocketing property taxes, but to off-set energy costs, college tuition, and other household expenses.  Reinstating the STAR rebate checks is a start to providing real property tax relief for homeowners."

The 2009-10 State budget cut STAR rebate checks for 82,767 seniors and homeowners in the community. Restoring the rebate would provide $141.56 million in tax relief for homeowners in Western New York.

Genesee County Chamber of Commerce invites travelers on trip to Tuscany

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Collette Vacations and First Choice Travel will be hosting a 10-day tour of Tuscany in Italy in November. The chamber is offering the trip for price of $2,999 per person. Price includes air fare, hotel stays, a total of 13 meals, bus tours (with guides), admission to tourist spots and airport taxes.
 
There will be an information session at 5:30 on Thursday, May 21 at First Choice Travel, located at 3080 W. Main Street Road in Batavia. To attend this meeting, please call Melissa at the Genesee County Chamber at (585) 343-7440, ext. 27.

Annual Cool Kids ECO-Fest at GCC, plus E-Scrap drive

Genesee Community College's Earth Club, Student Activities Office and College Village join Cool Kids once again to produce a fun-filled, educational event aimed at increasing environmental awareness. All portions of the event are free and open to the public. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at Genesee's Batavia Campus with most events occurring in the college's central Forum or Clocktower Plaza.

New to this year are live llamas with the Critter Ranch, an exhibit from the Tift Nature Preserve in Buffalo, a hike through Genesee's Nature Trail, the Recycle-A-Shoe sneaker recycling drive and an inflatable Planetarium.

Back by popular demand is the E-Scrap Drive, where computers, monitors, mobile phones, printers, scanners, game consoles, and other electronics, as well as non-alkaline batteries that operate these devices can be brought to the college to be recycled. Community members are welcomed to drop off their old, unwanted E-Scrap free of charge. However, this year there is a $5 charge for any television set dropped off.

The E-Scrap Drive is for households, not businesses. People can park in the loop and hand-carry items to the Forum until 1 p.m. Curbside drop-off service begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m..

Press release

New intercollegiate sports slated for Genesee Community College

The Genesee Community College Association is planning to launch new intercollegiate sports programs at the college over the next three years, according to Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor.

New sports at Genesee include cheerleading, golf, women's lacrosse, tennis and cross country.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, Taylor said she expects a team of 20 students will be ready to begin a men's and women's varsity/club cheer team this Fall. During the spring 2010 semester, 20 students will become members of a newly formed Division III men's and women's golf team. Also in the Spring 2010 semester, a 20-member women's lacrosse club team will be formed.

In Spring 2011, the college should have approval to upgrade the women's lacrosse club team to a NJCAA Division III women's lacrosse team. Also during the spring of 2011, the college anticipates forming a Division III men's and women's tennis team.

During the fall of 2011, the college anticipates forming a Division III men's and women's cross country team.

The college is upgrading athletic fields this year and installing a new soccer/lacrosse turf field.

Press Release

Recent GCC Board of Trustees meeting highlights

• Trustees congratulated members of the men's and women's swimming teams who competed in the national NJCAA championship at Erie Community College. Trustees also congratulated coach Scott Hunsinger on his 10 years of service as swim coach.
• Approved granting 585 degrees and certificates next month, subject to students' satisfactorily completing their academic requirements. Nine students will receive the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree; 269 students will receive the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree; 267 students will receive the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree; and 40 students will receive certificates.
• Virginia Taylor, PhD, vice president for student and enrollment services, reported that 1,730 individuals applied for admission to GCC this spring. A nearly 13-percent increase over spring 2008. Of the 1,730 applicants, 1,005 applied for admission as full-time students and 486 of these applicants (48.4%) actually enrolled. Of the 725 people who applied for admission as part-time students, 465 actually enrolled. 
• Overall spring enrollment of 5,716 was 7.8% higher than last year's spring enrollment of 5,304, President Stuart Steiner said.
• Steiner said Joan E. Zummo, associate professor of biology, will retire at the end of the current academic year. She has been a faculty member since 1988.
• Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin Hamilton reported that the site survey work for this summer's athletic fields upgrade project has been completed.  In addition,  plans for the new lighted soccer/lacrosse field, to be located west of the Batavia Campus parking lot, are complete. Other summer projects include: replacement of the current bleachers in the Zambito Gymnasium to meet code requirements; installation of energy-efficient lighting in the gym and dehumidification technology in the pool area; and repairs and upgrades to the locker rooms. 
• Hamilton said he anticipates that space will be available for the college's nursing program in the new Med Tech Park on Hawley Drive in October, and that plans for the new Lima Campus Center are progressing well.
• Student Trustee Steven Schutt reported that "Books for Troops," an initiative of College Village resident Thomas Maniace, has stockpiled almost 4,000 paperback books for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because the books are being given to U.S. troops, students were able to obtain a discount shipping rate, according to Schutt.
• Director of Institutional Research Carol Marriott reporedt that 2,219 students have transferred into Genesee Community College from other colleges and universities since the 2003-2004 academic year, or an average of 370 students a year. Fifty-one percent of those students transferred from a baccalaureate college. This means that about 3% of Genesee's enrollment in a typical fall semester is made up of students who previously attended a four-year college.  This "reverse transfer" trend is a growing phenomenon in community colleges, Ms. Marriott told trustees.  Many students transfer to community colleges because of academic difficulty or poor "fit" at a four-year baccalaureate college, she said. Others transfer because tuition is lower and/or they want to acquire job and career skills quickly.

Press Release:

Genesee Community College 2009 Commencement Speaker Announced

Genesee Community College Professor Ruth E. Andes will serve as 2009 commencement speaker. Commencement is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 17 in the Batavia Campus Gymnasium.

Andes, PhD, professor of sociology and a member of Genesee's faculty since 1970, retires in June. She is the most-honored SUNY award recipient at Genesee Community College. She is also believed to have received more SUNY-wide academic honors than any faculty member in the entire 64-college State University of New York.

She was the first-ever recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching at Genesee (1973) and the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service (2004). In 2006, the State University of New York conferred the rare title of "Distinguished Professor" on Dr. Andes.  At that time, she was one of only three community college professors in the SUNY system to have received that honor.

This will be the first time in the College's history that a member of the faculty has addressed graduates during the commencement ceremony.

Andes has taught a variety of sociology and human services courses at Genesee for almost 40 years.  She lives in Elba.

Press release:

Rural Learning Network conference

The conference promotes regional assets for community and economic development and will take place Wednesday, May 13 at the Radisson Hotel in Corning.

Goals include: Highlighting the regional assets of western/central New York; articulate the comparative advantages of the region; encourage communities to build unique niches in a regional context; and explore symbiotic relationships among assets and their multiplier effects.

Regional assets are key building blocks in sustainable regional revitalization efforts. These include the skills of the workforce; the vitality of community organizations; the resources of public, private and non-profit institutions; and the physical and economic resources of local places. 

To register go to http://www.regonline.com/regionalassets or contact Beverly L. Mancuso, Executive Director Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at
http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu <http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/> or phone 585-343-3040, Ext. 110. 

From left to right are: Courtney Smith, Alyssa DelPlato, Katie Norton, Professor Rick Dudkowski, fashion show alumna and Walmart representative Rhea Hewitt, Hannah Wheeler, April Cipolla, Erica Weidner and Danielle Collins.

Press Release:

Genesee Students Count Days to Annual Fashion Show

Students in Genesee Community College's Fashion Merchandising program will display their talents Friday, May 1 with this year's production of Recherché.

Shows are at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.

With numerous models and 11 scenes, this year's production lives up to the meaning of Recherché - lavishly elegant, exquisite and refined. Walmart has once again donated $1,000 to this year's production.

Recherché features several local clothing stores such as Walmart, who has donated children's fashions for Scene III- Amuseruent tallie Mode or "Fun Size Fashion." This year's production also features two new contributors including Buckle, a retailer of designer denim for men and women located in the Galleria Mall as well as Embrasse-Moi, a fine lingerie store in Pittsford.

Several students are designing and making their own outfits and accessories for this year's show. Arielle Orlikowski and Julie Maurer will display their original designs in the first scene, Fora Beleza or "Outside Beauty." Tatiana Fisher will also display her original designs in Scene VII: Mix Madness.

A new addition to this year's production is a pre-show musical performance by InnerLoop, a contemporary a cappella group from Rochester. They will be performing approximately 20 minutes before each show. For more information, visit their web site www.innerloopmusic.com <http://www.innerloopmusic.com> .

Tickets are available pre-sale for $5, or $7 at the door. For tickets, please call 585-345-6830.

Press Release:

Second Annual Tourism Industry meeting

The topic "Social Media --What it is and how it can grow your business" will be the focus of the second annual tourism industry meeting.

It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at O'Lacy's Irish Pub on Thursday, May 14. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Social media expert Jessica Wander of Manzella Marketing Group will guide you through this often confusing topic. Learn who's using it and how to make it work for you.

A tourism update will immediately following the guest speaker.

Please R.S.V.P to Dawn at 585-343-7440 ext. 32 by May 11th. Space is limited.

Press Release:

The following events are planned for May at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee County.

May 1 - Deadline for 4-H Giant Pumpkin Contest
The contest is open to any 4-H'er/4-H Family in Genesee County.  If you want to have fun, learn about horticulture, and challenge yourself, join 4-H'ers who will grow a giant or tiny pumpkin in spring/summer (125 days to grow) in home gardens or in container gardens all over the county. 

We will be using giant and small seeds. The Giant variety is "Dill's Atlantic Giant" or tiny pumpkin varieties includes "Baby Boo" or " Jack-Be-Little".  You can buy your own seeds or we can provide you with them. Educational materials will also be provided to each participant. Weigh-in will be in September (location to be determined).

Register by May 1st.  If you are interested in more information or to register, please contact Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.


May 2 or May 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chainsaw Safety and Tree-Cutting Productivity Training – Level 1

Held at Cornell University's Arnot Forest, 611 County Road 13, Van Etten in Schuyler County. These are small-group (maximum 10) hands-on classes with a certified instructor that cover safe chainsaw use, chain and engine maintenance, and tree-felling (participants personally fell a tree under the instructor's guidance). 

No experience is required for Level I participants.  Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Cost is $152 per day (there's a discount for NYFOA members) and spaces are filled first-come, first served. 

Details, including on-line registration or mail-in registration, can be found at: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/GOL.html  Please direct questions to the Cornell Department of Natural Resources at 607-255-2115 or cce-nat-res@cornell.edu.


May 4 and May 11

ServSafe Food Manager Certification Class
CCE-Monroe County is offering the Level 1 nationally recognized ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course at the CCE-Monroe County Office at 249 Highland Ave. in Rochester on May 4 and 11. The 2 day course is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each of these days and the cost is $150 per person.

The registration form may be found on our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe <http://www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe> . Questions may be directed to Jane Botelho at 585-461-1000 ext. 232.

May 13

Promoting Regional Assets for Community and Economic Development 
Regional assets help build sustainable regional revitalization efforts. They include: the skills of the workforce; the vitality of community organizations; the resources of public, private and non-profit institutions; and the physical and economic resources of local places.

The conference will explore how different assets in the region assist and support one another. Also to be explored is the relationship between capacity building and the promotion and development of assets. This one-day conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Agenda and registration information can be found on the CaRDI website at www.cardi.cornell.edu <http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/> .
May 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Coffee & Dessert Series - Invasive Species
This program will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension -- Genesee County. Cost is $10. Pre-registration is required. Judy Spring, environmental educator from Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District, will talk about invasive species.

New York faces an onslaught of invasive species from other regions and countries.  These non-native plants, animals, and pathogens displace native species, disrupt ecosystems and recreational activities such as fishing, boating and hiking. They also damage commercial agricultural and aqua-cultural resources. For a brochure or more information, please contact Gail at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or via e-mail at gac11@cornell.edu.

May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Garden Gala
The Gala will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. No early birds. There will be an indoor and outdoor plant sale, chance auction, gardening activities for youth, door prizes, free handouts and soil testing, gardening advice, and free refreshments. If interested or need more information, please contact Gail Culver at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106.

Press Release:

Applications due for Epilepsy Foundation College Scholarship Program

High school students in Genesee and surrounding counties who have epilepsy
are invited to apply for the Stephen A. Segar Scholarship. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30.

Stephen A. Segar, an attorney and founding partner of the Rochester law firm
of Segar and Sciortino, did not let epilepsy stop him from achievement in
college, law school and beyond, and now he wants to help others in pursuit
of learning.

Three $1,500 scholarships are available for high school seniors in the areas served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton.

High school seniors with epilepsy who plan to college or a technical or vocational school may apply.

"Young people with epilepsy are capable of achievement and excellence in
virtually any field," says Segar. "Having epilepsy should never be looked
upon as a limitation. It is my hope that this scholarship program, in some
measure, will encourage students with epilepsy to pursue their dreams."

Contrary to myth or stigma, people with epilepsy are intelligent, capable,
and high-achieving, and Steve Segar is a primary example, says Epilepsy
Foundation executive director David W. Milliman.

"His commitment and leadership will no doubt inspire and motivate young people with epilepsy," Milliman said.

Criteria for selection are academic performance, obstacles and successes
described in an essay, writing skills, and overall merit. Winners will be
decided by the Epilepsy Foundation¹s Scholarship Committee.

To download an application form, go to the Epilepsy Foundation website at
www.epilepsy-uny.org or request a form by calling (800) 724-7930.



 

Press Release:

Genesee's Library Poetry Contest Awards Seven Student Poets

BATAVIA -- The Alfred C. O'Connell Library at Genesee Community College has awarded seven student poets in its eighth annual student poetry contest.

The seven winners include a diverse set of students, from many campus centers and age groups. They are Terra Bartlebaugh, Daniel Branciforte, Michael Hoerbelt, Ricky Howard, Andrea Louis, Nathan Palmer and Sadie Waala.

Taking top honors in the contest was Nathan Palmer of Dansville whose poem "Blackberry (Not Just an Electronic Promotion of Capitalism) reads":

White bud in June
Bright red in July
Purple bloom in August
Sharp thorns in your side
Maroon branches don't cost us
Because you're outside and wild
Not planted by me years ago
But by great grandma as a child
Alongside the barn they grow and wait
Seeds fall to the ground
Wind blows up their fate
Bugs fly all around, too quick
Bees land to pollinate
Each summer they're picked
Those thorns I hate cause me to bleed
With buckets in my hand
To the woods I leave
On top of hills I stand to look for Blackberries

When asked what he wanted to convey when writing the poem Nathan noted, "I'm worried that the world won't know what a real blackberry is. I asked my sister what a blackberry was and she replied 'a phone!' I ultimately wanted to comment on the state of our world."

Second-place poet and ACE Student, Sadie Waala of Batavia entered the contest with her poem entitled "Self-Portrait." A student at Batavia High, Sadie will be attending St. Rose College in Albany this fall.

Tied for third place were Terra Bartlebaugh of Alden with her weather-inspired poem "Spring" and Daniel Branciforte of Batavia with "Bubbled," a journey poem that originally started as a class assignment.

Honorable Mention for Body of Work was awarded to Lancaster, NY native Mike Hoerbelt.

This year's contest also included two math-themed winners. Winning the Math X category was Ricky Howard of Arcade and the Math Y category winner was Andrea Louis of Waterport.

All the winners were awarded a variety of gifts and prizes donated by Darien Lake Theme Resort, the Genesee Country Village & Museum, the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, and the Campus community. They also were given their own journals and a certificate of recognition.

For copies of each poem, please contact Anita Whitehead at 585-343-0055 x 6231 or at awhitehead@genesee.edu.