Announcements

The second annual Farm to Table picnic hosted by the Genesee County Democratic Committee will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Emery Park, located on Route 5 in Stafford. (In case of inclement weather event is being relocated to Stafford Fire Hall.)

Each year the Democrats choose a public servant to honor and dedicate the event to. It is part of recognizing homegrown public servants. Doug Call is the honoree for the 2011 Farm to Table picnic. And he's about as homegrown as they come.

Doug served as Genesee County Sheriff  from 1981 to 1988 and is just completing 21 years as Stafford town justice. Because of the broad countywide bipartisan support for Doug Call, this event will be non-political. Everyone in the Genesee County community is welcome to attend regardless of political affiliation.

Tickets are $15 and $5 for children under 12, and include locally made Clor's Italian sausage, salt potatoes, local side dishes, beverages and dessert. Tickets are available at the Stafford Town Hall, the Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, Stafford Town Chair Sharon Valyear Gray at 344-2248, Lorie Longhany at 409-6373, or any town chairperson.

Bob Boyce and some of his friends are planning a "Classic Car Cruze" again this year at a small used car lot located at 1857 Main Road, Route 5, in Corfu, on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Last year, nearly 40 cars showed up. It starts at about 1 p.m. and by 2 or 3 in the afternoon there should a good turnout.

Everyone who enjoys great old automobiles in all their chrome and glory is welcome!

The Genesee Country Stompers line-dance group is holding a fundraiser dance from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Salvation Army Gym, located at 529 E. Main St., Batavia.

This will be a family affair and a great time to learn square dancing and line dancing. Line dance instruction will be given by Diane Winters.

Admission for dancers is $7 and for spectators $4. No admission is charged for students under age 16. There will also be a Chinese auction, and refreshments will be available.

The group is accepting donations of items for the Chinese auction. For information, contact Kate at 762-8791 or Diane at 356-8806.

The Genesee Country Stompers has been supporting the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Fund and the East Pembroke Grange on a regular basis for several years.

Several members attended a senior dance at The Salvation Army this summer and realized the gym would be a great location for a square dance. So, when they were notified that damage to the wood floor at the East Pembroke Grange would not allow them to hold a dance there this fall, members decided to hold their fundraiser at The Salvation Army and donate proceeds to them.
 

Join Genesee Community College professors, Charley and Connie Boyd, on a two-week study abroad trip to Ireland to explore the native culture and human relations in the beautiful  Midlands of  Ireland. Participants will stay at Rathgillan Farm (http://www.rathgillanfarm.ie/)  in the rural town of Nobber in County Meath  (about one hour from Dublin).  Meath, the heritage capital of Ireland, is home to the historic Boyne Valley Region,  an area rich in legend and folklore.  Viking and Norman ruins, castles and crosses and numerous monastic sites enrich the Irish Midlands. Students will visit the historic cultural sites of Hill of Tara, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth Neolithic burial chambers, Malahide Castle, Trim Castle, Loughcrew Cairnsand the Hill of Ward (where Halloween began). Other excursions include a day at the Irish-American Folk Park, two or three days in  Dublin, Ireland’s largest city and its capital, to see the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s finest national treasures. Students will also visit the Wicklow Mountains and participate in Irish music and language workshops . Optional trips to the Aran Islands and Blarney Castle may be offered.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee will once again be hosting their "Surplus Food Distribution" for low income residents of our area. It will be held at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, at 5056 E. Main St. Road in Batavia, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.  It will be in the Kennedy Building.

Anyone who plans on coming must bring the following items:

• Proof of residence (water, gas, electric or phone bill)
• Identification (driver's license, etc.)
• Proof of income (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) grant award letter, Social Security Disability (SSD) award letter, social security end of the year letter, HEAP Grant award letter, WIC card, Department of Social Services budget sheet, or most recent income tax return).

People are allowed to pick up items for others, but they must have signed permission slips.

For more information, call Community Action at 343-7798, ext. 116.

The Genesee County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its 38th annual fund-raising event at the Sacred Heart Social Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28. The center is located at 17 Sumner Ave. in Basom.

There will be raffles, an auction, a silent auction and lots of good food catered by Bohn's restaurant. This is a family affair -- men, women, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles and all are welcome.

The funds raised will go directly into efforts to save our wetlands and to help preserve nesting areas and promote growth of areas for many species of songbirds, waterfowl and other animals.

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., is the largest fund-raising organization of its kind in the world. It has more than 700,000 members with more than 13 million acres of land under its control to help build wetland habitat. Eight-six cents out of every dollar raised goes into the environment.

This past year, out of 4,000 chapters in the United States, the Batavia Chapter ranked 37th for the highest amount of dollars donated to Ducks Unlimited.

For more information, call John O'Brien at 343-6119.

This information is from Cheri Kolb.

The Batavia Music and Arts Advocacy Group (B-MAA) met Wednesday evening at the GO ART! building on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

Some points of discussion at this meeting were who we are as a group and our purpose. There was discussion focusing around the possible consolidation of the Batavia Elementary School buildings and how these changes could affect the arts programs within the school district.

We are working to format a plan of action to bring awareness to the community, reach out to the Batavia Board of Education as well as the administration, and engage in advocacy efforts at concerts and school events.

Our next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, again at the GO ART! building.

We invite and encourage anyone who has a love and passion for the arts to join us. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or information you would like to share with our group please feel free to email us at artsadvocacy14020yahoo.com

There will be a FREE violin concert, featuring violinist Kim Angelis, at the Homestead Event Centre on Friday, Sept. 30. The venue is inside the Batavia Country Mall.

This is an event for families and kids looking for inspiration to start playing the violin (as well as just music lovers).

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Roxy's Music at 343-7222.

This information is from a press release:

Dog Crazy Daycare & Spa is a new cage-free facility opening Oct. 3 in Batavia where dogs get to run around and play with toys, each other or just chill on a bed. They will also get lots of love from caring staff that are of constant supervision to give your dogs a safe place to stay while your away.

Our staff is knowledgable with expertise in kennel management, dog rescue, certified training, grooming, and other skill sets that ensure your dogs' utmost safety at our facility.

Daycare is a great training tool. Socializing with other dogs and staff will give your pet an opportunity to get exercise, learn proper social skills and gain confidence. This will result in a happier and healthier dog, and allow them to direct their energy toward good behaviors. We offer both full- and partial- daycare. Drop off starts are 7 a.m. and pick up by 6 p.m.

We will also be offering full-service grooming. Set up an appointment to have the “Works”: bath, blow dry, haircut, and nail trim. Or just bring them in for a nail trim. Other services that will be offered are having your dog’s ear hairs plucked and cleaned and having anal glands expressed.

Dog obedience training services will be offered by a certified dog trainer and a doggie boutique will be opening by the beginning of 2012.

Owners Jen & Melissa are eager to see you stop in and say hello. Pamper your pooch and enjoy our modern services to help your pets remain happy and healthy!

We are located at 1 Mill St. in the City of Batavia. Phone Melissa at 752-4916 or, for grooming appointments, call Jen at 781-0198.

For rates and more information please visit our website at www.dogcrazydaycare.com

"Nature's Spirit: Large Format Nature Landscape Photography" is the title of an exhibit on display at GO ART! in Downtown Batavia from now through Oct. 28.

The works are by Albion resident Walter Jakubowski. There are 16 images primarily inspired by nature in the Adirondack region. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and by appointment. The address is 201 E. Main St.

Jakubowski is a native of Wellsville and is a lifelong resident of Western New York. He says his scholastic studies concentrated on math, science and music but in his spare time he explored various visual artistic media.

After graduating from Alfred State College with a degree in Engineering Science, he briefly attended Alfred University and studied painting and photography.

"The first part of my professional career was spent in the world of corporate design engineering," he writes in a press release. "The last 16 years of this career I changed 'hats' so to speak utilizing my artistic talents working as an industrial design sculptor.

"I created virtual products with 3D surface modeling computer software. As much as I enjoyed this work, I was sculpting forms in a collaborative effort to the satisfaction of the industrial designer. This did not fulfill my creative needs. Photography has been a personal pursuit for my last 36 years."

He says he spent many frustrating hours in the darkroom limited by what can be achieved there, then his interest in the medium was rekindled several years ago with the advent of digital scanning and digital darkroom technologies.

"I now have the tools to bring my visions to fruition," he said.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) recently announced the overwhelming response to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Students from all over the region participated, spending their vacation honing both their reading skills and their minds.

“The students in our area certainly made good use of their time off this summer,” Hawley said. “Children in communities like Albion, Medina, Holley Pavilion, Hilton, Brockport, Batavia and
more learned firsthand the joys of reading this summer.

"Their participation makes the Summer Reading Challenge such a gratifying program, and I thank them for joining me in promoting the joy of literature.”

Children that read for 40 days over the summer wil receive a New York State Assembly “Excellence in Reading” certificate from Assemblyman Hawley.

Kiwanis Club of Batavia's 53rd Annual Pancake Day Saturday October 29- 7am-2pm First Presbyterian Church Service Building Corner of Main and Liberty Streets Adult $5, Seniors over 62 - $3, Children under 10 - $3 Each child in costume (one child per accompanied adult) $Free$ Takeouts available-Full table service All you can eat pancakes,sausage, juice, coffee, milk Entertainment, giveaways... for more information call Anita @ 813-5371 or GET YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR!!!

Batavia First United Methodist Church is hosting its "Terrific Treasures" Sale on Saturday, Oct. 1. This annual event is at 8221 Lewiston Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a Bag Sale at 2 p.m.

Some antiques and furniture, many yard sale items, as well as baked goods and produce are available for your shopping pleasure. Hot dogs and popcorn will be sold by Scout Troop 6.

Are you afraid of bats? Are you intrigued by bats? Join batphile, Liz Thompson, as she shares her passion for bats. Learn about bats around the world, popular bat myths, and uncover the many ways in which bats can help humankind.

This program takes place at Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. Please preregister by calling 344-1122.

The nature center is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany.

jspring.geneseeconsed@yahoo.com

This information comes from a press release from the publishing company.

PublishAmerica is proud to present "Calling All Angels" -- written by Corfu resident Miranda Fix.

“Calling All Angels, simply put, is a novel about miracles,” Fix said. “It’s about my story and my experiences as a nurse surviving in a profession that is full of illusions, disenchantments and despair. But deep inside that sadness is a rainbow of color and these shades of blues, yellows greens and reds are the true colors of our angels.

"They are there for us; they guide us, empower us, pray for us and keep us safe. They are there when you call upon them…you just need to ask them for help. 'Calling All Angels' is a novel about true life and the amazing strength in the patients I have met along the way. Stories that will make you laugh and cry, but they are full of hope and wonder. I wish you love and happiness as in the ways of the angels…and remember to believe.”

Linda Miranda Fix (her full name) has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She began her nursing career in neonatal intensive care for several years before moving on to pediatric nursing, adolescent chemical dependency and community health just to mention a few.

Torn between her love of helping people and her love of literature and art, she always found her way back to her original dreams. 

She has two children and three grandchildren.

For ordering information, please visit www.publishamerica.com.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of Genesee Valley.

PublishAmerica is the home of more than 50,000 talented authors.  PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers.  Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties and makes its books available through all bookstores.  PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers.

Follow PublishAmerica on Twitter at @PubAmericaNews!

Visit us online at http://www.facebook.com/publishamerica.publisher and www.publishamerica.com.

A Distracted Driving Simulator is be on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.

Students and community members interested in experiencing a texting-while-driving simulator are invited. It will be in the William W. Stuart Forum.

Experience first-hand the devastating effects of driving and texting. The national "Save a Life Tour" was developed to provide state-of-the-art, interactive driving simulation that truly shows how texting can impair driving skills.

The "Save a Life Tour" also brings a shocking approach to alcohol awareness with tragic video, personal stories of the loss of loved ones by peers and a sobering drinking-and-driving simulation experience.

This tour has earned itself national acclaim from colleges, universities, high schools, and military events nationwide. It's sponsored by GCC's Office of Student Activities. For further information please contact Cliff Scutella at 343-0055, ext. 6261.

WNY Extreme Dirt Track will be holding ATV Oval & TT Races Saturday, Sept. 17th at Batavia Motor Speedway (PolarWave), 3500 Harloff Road, Town of Batavia.

Racing on clay and sliding arounds the turns, there will be some exciting, intense racing with the TT Pro top purse at $1,000 and TT Amateur money class at $500, special awards for kids classes.

Practice on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, gates open at 9 a.m. Racing starts at 5 p.m.

Classes will be available for all machines. For more information www.bataviamotorspeedway.com.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) is inviting all residents of the 139th Assembly district to attend a special Town Hall Day on Saturday, Sept. 17. The town-hall tour will include meetings in the Village of Corfu/Town of Pembroke, Town of Alabama, Village and Town of Oakfield as well as the Village and Town of Elba.
 
“This is a great way for constituents to make their voices heard by giving their thoughts, suggestions and concerns directly to their elected representative,” Hawley said. “I look forward to meeting with the people of our community so that I can more effectively serve them and the needs of the district.”

Town Hall Day Schedule

Village of Corfu/Town of Pembroke
9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Corfu Village Hall -- Community Center
116 E. Main St.

Village of Oakfield/Town of Oakfield
12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
Oakfield Village Office
37 Main St.
 
Town of Alabama
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Alabama Town Hall
2218 Judge Road
 
Village of Elba/Town of Elba
1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Elba Town Hall
7 Maple Ave.