events

A "Ladies Night Out and Pampering Event" is happening at Batavia Downs & Casino from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 6. It will be in the Event Room at the front entrance. Admission is $5 and parking is free.

A fashion show with clothing for all ages is planned for 6 and 8 p.m. and there will be facials, massages, hors d'oeuvres, fencing demonstrations, dancing, prizes, a silent auction to benefit charity, and networking games. Bring your business cards if you want to network -- chocolate and gift bags for all entrants!

History buffs young and old are invited to the reopening of the Oakfield Historical Society Museum on Saturday. There will be a reenactment group there called "Tice's Rangers," who portray British soldiers and Native Americans.

They will also have a camp set up for the public to explore.

This free event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is located at 7 Maple Ave. in the Village of Oakfield.

A New York State Hunter Safety Course, consisting of three sessions, is being offered by the Genesee County Fish & Game Protective Association, Inc., at Godfrey's Pond. It is FREE.

Times are 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday April 12 and 14. And from 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 16.

You must attend all three sessions to complete the course.

The Sprout Film Festival will be held this Saturday, March 19, at Batavia High School. It showcases a variety of short films by and about people with disabilities.

Anthony DiSalvo, the director of Sprout, from New York City, will be the host.

Showings are at 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

There will also be raffles and Sprout merchandise for sale. Concessions will be available from Friends for the Future.

The Mystery Lovers' Mondays Book Discussion group meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 18 at Richmond Memorial Library.

Attendees will discuss “Holmes on the Range” by Steve Hockensmith. Copies of the book are available at the library’s front desk.

For more information, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 8, or log onto www.batavialibrary.org. The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Are you one of Julia Spencer-Fleming’s fans who can’t wait for her next book to be published? Join us at the Richmond Memorial Library for a “Book Release Party” celebrating the publication of Julia’s newest mystery, "One Was a Soldier." 

The event starts at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 and will include a live chat with the author herself, themed refreshments, a grand prize, and copies of the book to purchase.

A photo album class for adults will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia. It's at 19 Ross St.

“Explosion Book Mini Album” is a class that teaches you how to make a mini photo album. Jen Reardon will be teaching it.

Registration is required and a materials fee of $5 is due at the time of registration.  Participants need to bring scissors, scrapbook tape or other adhesive, two photos to be cut into squares and six more photos to be cut into triangles.

This month's Reel Discussion movie at the Richmond Memorial Library is "The Secret of the Kells."

It will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. The library is location at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

The setting of the film is the Eighth Century, a perilous time when Viking raiders threatened to destroy Irish civilization. Since his parents were killed by Vikings, 12-year-old Brendan has lived within the walled monastery of Kells under the stern eye of his uncle, Abbot Cellach.

Tuesdays, Apr. 7 - May 19, 6:30-7:00 p.m.

This group is for ages 3-6. Listen to stories and sing songs.  Learn rhymes, fingerplays, and sign language.  Tell stories with puppets and the flannel board.  Each story time ends with coloring and bubbles.

Registration is required.  Children must be at least 3 by the first session.  This session begins Tuesday, April 10 and runs through Tuesday, May 19.

Limit of 15 children. Register online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org or by calling 585-768-8300.

Local musician Brent Persia will perform at Center Street Smoke House from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 -- Saint Patrick's Day.

He'll be playing some acoustic Irish tunes and a mix of hits from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

The venue is located at 20 Center St. in Batavia.

“Brooklyn’s Journey” is a fundraising effort to assist a family in Batavia whose child is facing a life-threatening situation. Brooklyn Grace Sputore is suffering from a condition called Vein of Galen Brain Malformation, which is a form of an aneurysm. This is a life-threatening condition that requires special care.

In addition to the challenges of the condition alone, the parents will need to take leave of their jobs while caring for the child, which will create further financial need.

The National Weather Service will be conducting a SKYWARN spotter training seminar in Batavia at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center, 7690 State St. Road.

It's sponsored by the Genesee County Office of Emergency Services and will last about two hours. There is no cost for the training.

"Have a Heart, Save a Heart” benefit for Bridget (Vogt) Lynch will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight today at Batavia Downs, 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

There will be a chicken barbecue, Chinese auction, raffles and live music from Red Creek, Savage Cabbage and Damaged.

Tickets are $20 and include $5 of free play at the Downs.

BOCES' Health Dimensions will calculate your blood pressure for a $1 donation and $5 haircuts from cosmetology students are also available.

The South Byron Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., will hold its Spring Sportsman Raffle from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at its Recreation Hall, located on Route 237.

Prizes this year include:

A Public Hearing will be held by the Town of Batavia Planning Board regarding the application of Larry Abaire, 3282 W. Main St. Rd., for a Special Use Permit to operate a motor vehicle sales, service, repair and impound yard. This district is zoned Commercial, Tax Map #11-1-62.1.

The hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at the Batavia Town Hall, 3833 W. Main St. Rd., Batavia. All interested persons will be heard. A copy of the application is on file at the Town Hall for review. Written comments will be accepted prior to that date.

The third annual Ducky Derby Fundraiser at Genesee Community College to benefit the United Way will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.

Ducks will be available for purchase at the Batavia campus in the forum, up until the start of the race.

Ticket purchasers will be assigned to a numbered rubber duck. The ducks will then be "set free" in the Olympic-size pool at GCC in Batavia. With the help of a "current" created by the college's Swim Team, the first duck to make it to the end of the swimming pool wins.

"A Taste of New York" will be presented again this year at Holy Family School in Le Roy. It is for adults only, from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.

Sample several great beers, New York State wines and local specialty foods and enjoy live entertainment. There will be raffle prizes all evening.

Tickets are $20 per person, and $15 for designated drivers. Proper ID required, must be 21 to attend.

For tickets and information, contact Sue Bobo at 768-6543. The school is located at 46 Lake St.

The first 2011 meeting of the Elba Historical Society will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday March 3 at the museum on Maple Avenue.

All members are asked to attend as we will be discussing and planning for the new year. We will also be discussing our Civil War display and staffing for the spring and summer.

Anyone is welcome to join our society or the junior member society.

Sign-ups/registration for 2011 Little League and Jr./Sr. leagues are this Friday and Saturday in Batavia.

This will take place at Genesee Country Mall, by the entrance to Sunny's restaurant.

On Friday, Feb. 25, the time is 6 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 26, the time is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please bring a copy of the player's birth certificate, the registration fee and proof of Genesee County residency.

Costs are:

Little League (ages 9 to 12) -- $75

Junior League (ages 13 to 15) -- $90

Senior League (ages 16 and under) -- $90

FREE Art Demonstration -- Bob Castleman will be doing a demo on realism
graphite drawing for the Batavia Society of Artists from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 8 at
GO ART!, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.  Non-members welcome.

March is Art Awareness Month!