YWCA

The YWCA is sponsoring a Stiletto Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the City of Batavia, and to help promote the event, some local community leaders showed up this morning at the Y for a photo.

Men need not wear high heels (though local photographers encourage it) for the walk. Women are encouraged to wear any kind of women's footwear, even pink tennis shoes.

The event is aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and costs $28 for the walk and supper afterward (or $20 just for the walk, or $8 just for the dinner).

To register visit ywcagenesee.org or call (585) 343-5808.

Pictured from left, David Boyce, Linsey Vallett, Det. Rich Schauf, Chief Shawn Heubusch, Sgt. Greg Walker, Jim Fulmer, Sgt. Dan Coffey and Cindy Earl.

City firefighters have returned to quarters after responding to a fire alarm at the YWCA on North Street. After it sounded, the alarm company called to say it was set off by a fog machine that is being used at the Y. Fog machines are sometimes found at big wild parties, as was the case here.

Bonnie at the Y said there's a dance party going on for 5- to 12-year olds.

The kids are having a blast and the fog, of course, only adds to the fun.

We didn't ask if there's a mirrored disco ball spinning.

Press release:

Summer will be a happening place at YWCA, with the start of this year's Market at North Street and the unveiling of its exciting new Summer Adventure Program for children!

The Market at North Street is ready to go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, June 23, with 15 vendors selling everything from maple syrup and tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn and strawberries to flowers, cheese, organic beef, farm fresh eggs, alpaca goods, wines, a variety of meats, artisan-crafted gifts, sweet baked goods, dried herbs, cheese and breads.

Each week will feature seasonal produce and something tempting to buy and eat right on the spot! Clor's will have grilled sausage and peppers, hotdogs and stuffed flatbread and will have assorted meats for purchase.

You may also want to relax for awhile and take in the sights and sounds of belly dancers, musicians and other live entertainment.

Market hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through Sept. 29. SNAP and EBT accepted.

"Stop by to visit and get a head start on your weekly grocery needs. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet our local farmers and talk with them face to face about the products they grow and sell. That's something you can't do when you buy it off a shelf," says Market Manager Myra Schroeder.

"Agriculture is a big part of life in Western New York, and we are fortunate enough to have so many people willing to share their passion for healthy, fresh, organic foods with the rest of us."

The YWCA is also a pick-up site for Porter Farms' Community Supported Agriculture program. Participants get a bag full of organic produce each week for 22 weeks. The Porter family has graciously offered that for every 15 people the YW gets through its facility, Porter Farms will donate one free bag for a family in need.

What:  Scholarships & Strawberries at YWCA
When:  Starting June 23
Where: 301 North St., Batavia
Call:  (585) 343-5808

Also, for those who haven't heard about the YW's updated Summer Adventure Program, it offers kids opportunities for outdoor enrichment activities in the YW's six-acre back yard and field trips to Genesee County parks, planetariums and other fun places.

They'll also get to hone their culinary skills in the facility's commercial-grade kitchen and explore their green thumbs in the children's garden.

All of it is to teach teamwork, create motivation for learning and, most importantly, give kids a chance to have fun while exploring new things with their peers! But not everyone gets to join in on the fun, Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

"Sadly, there are many families in our program who will not be able to afford the field trips, and their children will be left out as a result," Walton said. "We are seeking the support of the community to establish a scholarship fund, so that we can help more kids to be part of the full program."

A donation of $250 will allow one child to take advantage of 10 field trips offered during the Summer Program.

Your tax-deductible donation of any amount will go toward the Summer Program Scholarship Fund to ensure that every child may participate. Children may be signed up for a half-day up to five full days each week, depending on family needs.

For more information about these programs, call (585) 343-5808.

Press release:

YWCA of Genesee County has announced this year's Fabulous Females recipient.
Beth Allen, DVM, of Elba, has been chosen for her courage, dedication and willingness to share her life's experience with the community.

The yearly award goes to a woman who has given exemplary service and has served as a role model through personal or professional endeavors. Allen fit the bill through her work as a veterinarian and animal advocate and her volunteer work as facilitator for a bipolar support group at Mental Health Association in Genesee County.

A victim of domestic violence and sexual abuse, Allen has dealt with her own mental illness, including bipolar disorder and depression.

"I believe with all my heart I am here for a purpose," Allen said. "And to pass on as much as I can about what I learned through all this to others going through recovery from trauma or mental illness."

She has also been active in Crossroads of Harmony, as a photographer and artist.

The 14th Annual Fabulous Females brunch is set for noon Nov. 17 at Batavia Downs on Park Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the event includes a delicious sit-down meal and white chocolate raspberry torte.

The event will serve to honor Allen and offer some inspirational moments from guest speakers Diana Beechler, of Oakfield, who will give an update on how she is recovering from a horrific farm accident and Melinda Rath Sanderson, who heads the Women's Business Center at Canisius College.

Tickets are $25 each or $160 for a table of eight. For more information or to reserve seats, call  343-5808.

If you'd like to get some mums to look festive for autumn, the YWCA of Genesee County, in cooperation with the Enchanted Florist downtown, is offering beautiful ones for sale to benefit its Domestic Violence Program.

A container of these lovely flowers in all the great fall colors costs $6.50 and there's no limit in how many you can order.

To order, please call the YWCA at 343-5808 by Friday, Sept. 28 at the latest.

Orders will be available for pick-up at the YWCA, located on North Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7.

YWCA of Genesee County is seeking nominations for this year's Fabulous Female.

The recipient will be honored during the annual Fabulous Females brunch, which has moved to a new venue. It is set for noon, Saturday, Nov. 17, in the Paddock Room at Batavia Downs & Casino, 8315 Park Road.

Deadline for nominations is Oct. 1.

Criteria to be considered includes the candidate's background, interests, achievement and/or any unique obstacles that she has overcome; how she actively serves as a role model for women and girls, contributes to her community (volunteer, civic or in other ways) and how her background or achievements are consistent with the YWCA's mission. That is, to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

The committee represents a cross-section of business and community leaders. They will review all nominations and announce the honoree(s) prior to the event date.

Cost is $25 a person or $160 for a table of eight. That includes a sit-down brunch, entertainment and entry for a door prize. Sponsors are invited to participate and promote your business for $250 a table, which includes four seats at no charge.

Nomination forms are available at YWCA, 301 North St., in the City of Batavia, or at www.ywcagenesee.org.

For more information or to reserve your seat, call 343-5808.

There was music, food and fashion Saturday at the Genesee County Airport for the first-ever Wheels and Heels fundraiser sponsored by the YWCA.

While models milled through the crowd in gorgeous gowns, attendees could stroll through an event filled with not only jewelry, but also a variety of transportation on wheels, from airplanes to police cruisers to classic automobiles.

The event raised money to help the YWCA expand its services for children who are sometimes the forgotten victims of domestic violence.

The programs will help children deal with the emotional, psychological and relational challenges that come with being in homes where domestic violence takes place.

Samantha Luce is in front of the county courthouse today selling cookies on behalf of the YWCA as a fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center. The cookies are the creation of Anita Stollo and her daughter Serena.

Local artists are wanted to participate in a newly forming weekly event sponsored by the Batavia YWCA called "The Market at North Street." It's going to be a farmers market that also showcases art demonstrations and/or displays.

It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays on the grounds of the Batavia YWCA, located on North Street in the city. The market will run from June 17 through Oct. 14.

You may participate for the entire five hours or for a limited time as you specify. You may also choose which Sundays to take part. Electricity is available.

The application deadline is Friday, June 1. It consists of basic contact info., a brief description of your display/demonstration, number of artists, size of space needed, and the dates and times you plan to participate.

For more information or to get an application, contact Christine Ditzel at 356-5861 or cjditzel@buffalo.edu

Mail completed applications to:

YWCA of Genesee County

Attn: Christine Ditzel

301 North St.

Batavia NY 14020

The local YWCA will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day next Monday by opening up day care at Robert Morris School (correction: YWCA, 301 North Street, Batavia, on Monday).

Typically, day care is closed on holidays, but YWCA Director Jeanne Walton said the Y is going to start changing that, and Monday's daycare will be a "very affordable" $20, she said, and will include 12 hours of care, breakfast, lunch and a snack.

Children not currently enrolled in day care are welcome to attend Monday, Walton said.

John Canale, center of the photo, will conduct a drum circle for the children, teaching them about the history of African hand drumming.

A second drum circle session will be held in the evening that anybody in the community can attend.

Walton said the Y wants the day to reflect unity, community spirit and good will.

“It’s all about fostering the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr.," Walton said. "We’re doing it in a slightly different fashion, but we feel this is something that is important for us to do.”

Members of the Batavia Kiwanis Club stopped into "My Brother's Garage" after their weekly meeting Thursday. "My Brother's Garage" is a new secondhand store in the YWCA on North Street, where the Kiwanis meet each week. It's patterned after the long-standing and popular "My Sister's Closet" secondhand story at the Y.