Announcements

Genesee Community College announced today that Marshann Thomas has been named director of the new Polysomnographic Technology program. Polysomnographic Technology, also known as the study of sleep disorders is one of Genesee's two new academic programs slated to start this fall.

Thomas is both a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner at Unity Health System, with more than three years as a RPSGT and more than 20 years experience in many areas of respiratory care. She has also served Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester and Gadsden Community Hospital in Florida.

Her academic career began at Erie Community College where she was employed as a tenured assistant professor for seven years in the Respiratory Care Program. While there, her assignment and responsibility included didactic and laboratory teaching along with academic advisement.

Additionally, she was awarded two mini-grants, received various awards and participated in many community-outreach programs. She has also been employed at Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Fla., where she was coordinator of Clinical Education/assistant professor in Respiratory Care, coordinator of students in the College of Pharmacy and adjunct faculty in Health Care Management.

She holds an A.A.S. degree from Erie Community College, a B.S. degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, and a M.E. degree from the University at Buffalo. She is nearing completion of a Ph.D. at Florida State University (FSU).

As part of her doctoral study at FSU in Tallahassee, she was given various supervised teaching, research and curriculum development responsibilities for undergraduate level courses in Rehabilitation/Vocational Counseling, along with providing technical assistance for the various distance-learning programs at FSU.

Michael Stoll, associate vice president for Academic Affairs/Dean of Math, Science and Career Education at Genesee said: "Ms. Thomas has an extensive clinical background and previous higher education teaching experience which makes her the ideal person to lead this new program and have it become the standard for future programs within the state."

Thomas starts her new position Aug. 1.

On July 10 and 17 there will be overnight camping after each Muckdog game for City of Batavia residents.

All campers need to be accompanied by an adult family member and everyone needs to purchase a ticket to the game.

Advance tickets can be purchased at $1 saving per ticket from the game day price. When buying your ticket, all you have to do is to say you will be camping and you will be given a voucher. which will give you entrance to the outfield to set up your tent.

Tent stakes can not be longer that 10 inches. No pets allowed and everyone needs to be off the field by 8 a.m. the next day.

Any questions call the Muckdogs at 343-5454.

Genesee ARC will be holding a "Ginormous Garage Sale" at its Community Center site, at 38 Woodrow Road in Batavia. This will take place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31.

Those who wish to help can donate items to the sale or purchase an outdoor 9' by 18' space for their own sales.

ARC's proceeds will go toward the People Realizing Potential Capital Campaign and toward art and recreation programs for children with disabilities.

Call Darla at 343-1123, ext. 250, for further details.

Kurt Calman has been selected as the chief information officer (CIO) for United Memorial Medical Center. He will be responsible for the leadership and the implementation of information technology, management and service initiatives at United Memorial.

This position was previously held by Daniel O’Connor, RN, BSN, MBA, who accepted another position in Florida.

Calman is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology and he received a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.

For the past two years, he has served as a lead project manager/systems engineer at the University of Rochester and was previously a systems administrator for Unity Health System in Rochester. He is a resident of Pittsford, expected to begin his new job July 19.

On Wednesday, July 14, a member of Congressman Chris Lee’s staff will be available for one-on-one meetings with Genesee County residents from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Old Court House in Batavia. It's at 7 Main St. downtown.
 
 “These office hours provide Genesee County residents with a unique opportunity to meet with a member of my staff one-on-one, whether it be to troubleshoot interactions with federal agencies or discuss the issues of the day,” Congressman Lee said in a news release.
 
This is the eighth session Congressman Lee has held for Genesee County residents in 2010.

United Memorial Medical Center Emergency Department has decreased the average wait time for patients to be triaged, according to a news release today.

Triage is a method of categorizing patients based on the severity of the injury or illness. Patients whose conditions require the most immediate attention are placed at the top of the list, to be seen before those with less severe illnesses.

The national average triage wait time is 15 minutes. In January, UMMC was well below that with an average time of 9.98 minutes. But the hospital has reduced that even further, ending May with a 2010 record average of 5.79 minutes, less than half the national average.

According to the American College of Physicians, “a federal report last year found that patients who need to be seen in one to 14 minutes are being seen in twice that time frame (37 minutes).”

This extended wait time may be due to several reasons, including a lengthy triage time.

The Emergency Department staff at United Memorial works diligently to achieve greater efficiency and reduce triage time. As a result, patients are evaluated faster and treated more quickly.

Last year, the Emergency Department at United Memorial cared for 23,375 patients. All Emergency Room physicians are board certified in Emergency Medicine. Many of its ER nurses have worked with, or are currently involved with, Mercy Flight.

UMMC also operates a SANE program (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) to elevate the care provided to victims of sexual assault and improve the conviction rate of sexual offenders through the use of forensic evidence.

This month Encore! Theatre Arts will hold auditions for its Fall 2010 show selection and 2010-11 season opener, "Les Misérables" (School Edition).

Auditions will be held at Holy Family School, 44 Lake Road in Le Roy at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 21 and at 7 p.m. Thursday, and at noon, Saturday, July 24.

Callbacks to follow at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 24.

All rehearsals will be in Le Roy beginning at the end of July. Rehearsals will be
from 12 to 3 p.m. during the summer.

"Les Miserables" is an epic story recounting the struggle against adversity in 19th Century France. Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean is released from his 19-year term and not only becomes an honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father - violating his parole in the process.

The relentless Inspector Javert, who makes a decent life for Valjean impossible, consequently pursues him. Only years later, after Valjean proves his mettle during a bloody student uprising and saves the life of a young man hopelessly in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.

For this unique production, Encore! Theatre Arts seeks actors/singers from ages 10 to 19, no older than recent high school graduates. Please prepare 32 bars of a classical musical theatre song (no pop/rock musicals, please). Bring a copy of the music for the accompanist. There will be no a cappella auditions allowed.

The show will be directed by Lynda Hodgins with vocal direction by Eric Traugott. Encore! Theatre Arts is planning Oct. 29, 30 and 31 performance dates at Wolcott Street Auditorium in Le Roy. For more information, audition pieces and show dates, visit
<http://encoretheatrearts.com>.

Summer is here and that means enjoying the weather and outdoor fun. The Fresh Air Fund is in need of host families this season. Here's information sent from the fund.

Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and home to a child from the inner city to give them a Fresh Air experience that can change lives. The fund was established in 1877 and now each year nearly 5,000 New York City kids get to experience two weeks at no cost in the country, suburbs or Fresh Air camps.

Host families in the "Friendly Town" program have no financial requirement. They are paid to host a child, age 6 to 18, in their homes for up to two weeks. More than 65 percent of children are re-invited year after year. Families are sought of every size, ethnicity and background. You can request an age group and/or gender.

The majority of the children come from low-income homes without the resources to pay for a vacation or camp. The children benefitting from the Fresh Air Fund get to spend time away from towering apartment buildings, often without large outdoor open spaces to play in. They get to do things people elsewhere often take for granted.

Things like running barefoot in the grass, catching fireflies, riding bikes down country roads, playing in the backyard, learning to swim, gazing at the stars in a clear, moonlit sky, building sandcastles, laughing in the sun, goofing off, making friends, breathing some fresh air.

One child said "We made S'mores and hot dogs over the fire. I've never cooked outside before."

If you'd like to learn more or sign up, please call 1-800-367-0003 or visit: <http://freshairfundhost.com>.

The City of Batavia will be undertaking a sewer and waterline improvement project this summer on Bank Street between Main and North streets. This project will also include partial sidewalk replacement and road resurfacing throughout the construction area and should take approximately four to five months to complete. 

Conestoga Rovers & Associates (CRA) designed the infrastructure project for the city and will be performing contract administration and inspection services throughout the duration of the project. The contractor is B. Beardsley Management & Enterprises.

The waterline improvement project is funded by a grant which the city received from The New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation Office of Community Renewal.

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact:

Department of Public Works
One Batavia City Centre
Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 345-6325
Fax: (585) 345-1385

The second annual Genesee Community College ACE program Teacher and Counselor Appreciation Night was held June 29 at Dwyer Stadium. More than 100 local teachers, counselors and their families enjoyed a night out with the Muckdogs as they competed against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

The college's ACE program or Accelerated College Enrollment is a partnership between Genesee Community College and Western New York high schools to provide college courses to secondary students during the school day.

These programs offer accelerated high school students the opportunity to enroll in college level courses and to earn college credits while still in high school, at a fraction of the cost of standard tuition.

The ACE Teacher and Counselor Appreciation Night is the college's way of thanking the dedicated teachers and school counselors who spend countless hours instructing and advising students in the ACE programs.

"The night out with the Muckdogs is just a small way we can say thanks to our local teachers and guidance counselors for all that they do for the ACE program," said Karen Wilk, program specialist for ACE programs at Genesee. "Without their support, our ACE program would not be as successful as it is."

For more information about the ACE program at Genesee Community College, call 345-6801 or go to <http://www.genesee.edu/ACE>.

The Alexander Fire Department is happy to announce that the RIDES ARE BACK for the this year's annual carnival/tractor pull on July 9 and 10!

After the absence of rides for the past couple of years, a ride contract with Amusements of Utica (same ride company as Stafford and Warsaw Carnivals) has been secured for the event.

The midway will be open from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 9 and Noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

To coincide with the midway, the fire department has also brought back the Kiddie and Grand parades. Both parades will take place on Saturday. The Kiddie Parade will begin at Noon and the Grand Parade at 3:30 p.m.

Also new this year, will be a Teen Tent for the under 21 crowd. Music will be provided by a DJ in the Teen Tent. The Teen Tent will open on Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m.

The “Who Dats” will perform in the Beer Tent on Friday at 9:30 p.m. and local band “Red Creek” will provide music on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

On Friday, the Alexander Fire Department Auxiliary will serve a Chicken Barbeque beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the popular Alexander Fireman’s Band will perform a concert on the grounds at 6 p.m.

The Tractor Pull will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The drawing of the prizes on this year’s raffle will take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Here's a list of the prizes:

1.    A $350 Gift Certificate Package – provided by Mooch’s Auto Glass
2.    $500 Cash
3.    Says Small Engine Repair Gift Certificate – value $300
4.    Upstate Automotive Group Fluid Maintenance Package – value $499.00
5.    First Choice Travel – Weekend at Splash Lagoon – value $630.00
6.    $750 Cash
7.    Geer Farm Service – Alaska Channing III Coal Stove  - value $2,150.00
8.    Clarks Appliance – 42” HD Flat Screen Panasonic TV with 5 speaker surround sound – value $1,099.00
9.    Clarks Appliance – Frigidaire Washer and Dryer – value $1,600.00
10.    $950 Cash
11.    Alexander Equipment – Storm Package – includes 16” Dolmar Chain Saw, Simplicity Sno Thrower, 7.25 KW 13.0 HP Generator, 16” 22.6cc String Trimmer, Mantis 4 Cycle Tiller – value $3,577.00
12.    GRAND PRIZE – Z & M  - John Deere Lawncare Package – includes X300, 42” Deck Lawn Mower with canopy wagon, trimmer, bagger, and blower – value $4,550.00

For more information on the Alexander Fire Department Carnival/Tractor Pull or to obtain raffle tickets, please call (585) 591-4102.

Two students in Genesee Community College's Nursing Program went to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in April and returned in mid-May as confident professionals. Today, GCC announced that the inaugural six-week exchange program with the Southbank Institute of Technology played a key roll in completing the women's nursing education.

Natalie Wedge, of Le Roy, and Crystal Fial, of Darien, were second-year nursing students. They finished their degree this spring by doing their required Nursing Preceptorship in Australia at Princess Alexandra Hospital. It is a "magnet" hospital that provides a high level of health care service similar to Strong Memorial Hospital. GCC Nursing instructor Deborah Carrasquillo, RN, MS, also took part in the exchange program.

Both graduates landed positions at Rochester-based hospitals upon their graduation. Wedge took a nursing position at Rochester General on the "4800 floor" and Fial will be working at Strong Memorial Hospital in an orthopedic unit.

"I was pleasantly surprised that there really was no difference in bedside manner," Wedge said. "And I really enjoyed working in 'pods' with other nurses. The 'pods' were made up of three nurses who communicated during the shift as they took care of three to eight patients."

Carrasquillo acted as the U.S. nurse educator and program liaison. This was her first time traveling to a foreign country beyond Canada and she said she was "very empowered" by the entire experience.

"Overall, I found myself in a leadership and mentoring role," Carrasquillo said. "I not only could lead and mentor Natalie and Crystal but I also worked with Southbank staff to show them how we structured our programming back in the U.S."

Wedge and Fial worked at the hospital Monday through Thursday and also completed course work equivalent to two independent study courses. Wedge worked on a medical/surgical floor with dementia and end-of-life rooms, while Fial worked in a unit that was dedicated to patients with needing eye care.

In their scarce spare time, they experienced the city of Brisbane and the surrounding areas throughout the state of Queensland. They enjoyed trips to the Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's zoo), Tambourine Mountain, the beaches of the Gold Coast and participated in Anzac Day activities on April 25, the equivalent to the United States' Memorial Day.

"It was just an amazing experience," Wedge said. "We enjoyed the people and the Notcountry and the Australian people were very welcoming."

Not only the exchange participants learn about Aussies and vice-versa, they said it made them stronger and more independent. Plus, they learned something about their chosen profession.

"Nursing is not the same everywhere you go," Wedge said. "It was so beneficial to see the differences. When I left home I was a student, but when I returned home I truly felt like a nurse."

Oakfield will hold a community celebration on Monday, Sept. 6. The Labor Day event is called "A Day in the Park" and will be an alcohol-free family extravaganza!

It takes place at Elroy D. Perkins Park on Drake Street. There will be a parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. and games and entertainment for everyone.

Music will be provided by Duck 'N Cover and The Trolls. There will be a car show and many local crafters selling all kinds of stuff.

Come hungry. There will be chicken BBQ offered by the Oakfield Little League, sausage and hamburgers cooked by the Lion's Club, hot dogs and drinks from the Elba Boy Scouts and Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Lots more, too!

BATAVIA, NY – Batavia Downs Casino begins 64th season of live, harness racing on Monday, July 26. Pacers and trotters will meet at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track for 72 exciting dates of racing.

The 2010 season features a new post time of 6:40 for all evening races. Three matinees will take place on Aug. 29, Sept. 6 and Oct. 11, each with a post time of 1:15. For all racing promotional giveaways and handicapping contests, patrons may begin swiping their Player’s Club cards at 5 p.m. at the Players Club.

“The new 6:40 post time is designed to be more convenient for our patrons,” says Michael D. Kane, vice president of operations and live racing at Batavia Downs Casino.  “The new time should also increase the nightly handle, especially in the early races."

New for the 2010 season is a Pick 6 wager on races 7-12 with a $2 minimum. The Pick 6 will start out with a guaranteed pool of $1,000. Based on past popularity of Batavia Downs Casino’s annual Pick 6 Contest, the new nightly Pick 6 wager is sure to be a hit with race fans.

“We are excited about the new Pick 6 and believe it will be a nice addition for our patrons,” Kane said.

Also new this season is a fourth Daily Double. The Late Late Daily Double for races 10-11 has been added to the wagering menu. This will be in addition to the previous Early Daily Double (races 1 & 2), Mid Daily Double (races 4 & 5), and the Late Daily Double (races 8 & 9).

For more information visit www.bataviadowns.casino.com
 

The Genesee County BEA (Business Education Alliance) is offering three career camps this summer for middle-school students. Culinary Camp is already filled for this year.  There are a just a few spots remaining in the two other career camps.

Brand new this year is a camp exploring careers related to math, science and technology. The MST Explorer Camp is July 20 and 21 and it is for students who are going into 7th, 8th and 9th grades. The camp on July 20 is for boys and the girls camp in on July 21.  The camp fee is $25 and will run all day, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch and snacks are included. It will be held at Batavia Middle School.

Students will learn how math, science, and technology translate to exciting career options. Some of the activities will include designing and building bridges; testing CO2 cars; exploring aerodynamics through a hot air balloon, a real race car, and an ultralite aircraft; experiencing energy; and learning about the future of alternative energy sources, and many more.

The MASH (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp is July 27-30 for students who are going to be 7th and 8th graders in the fall. This camp registration fee was $40 but the GCEDC (Genesee County Economic Development Center) has generously offered to cover the registration for all of the students. The limit is 20 students and there are only a few spots left. Snacks and lunches are included. The camp will be held at a variety of locations including United Memorial Medical Center, Batavia VA Medical Center and Genesee Community College.

This career camp explores careers related to health and healthcare fields, including the new career clusters, life sciences and biotechnology. The camp is hands-on and offers a variety of interactive activities for students to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to be in some of these careers. The activities are lead by professionals who are excited about their jobs and who want to share it with students.

The deadline for registering is Monday, July 5. If you would like to register your child or you have any questions, please contact Melinda Chamberlin at 343-7440 ext. 25 or mchamberlin@geneseeny.com.

The Batavia Rotary Club has partnered with World Vision’s Get a Kick Out of Sharing, a nation-wide effort to acquire 250,000 new and gently used soccer balls for children in need world-wide.

The annual Genesee County Fair will be held from Tuesday, July 20 until Saturday, July 24 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, at 5056 E. Main St. Road in Batavia. Admission is free, but there will be a $5 charge for parking.

The fair will last from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. each day, with rides starting at 4 p.m. Kids and families can ride as much as they want for $10.

Grandstand events, a car show, parade, food, animals, a queen contest and entertainment will also be included.

Additionally, this year's fair will have a new feature: people are invited to sell crafts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Call 344-2424 for further details.

The Richmond Memorial Library is about ready to kick off its 2010 Summer Reading Program. The theme this year is "Make a Splash at Your Library."

Things are hectic at the library, because they just got a memo that the Richmond Reader is missing! The library will need the help of all young readers to find him this summer:

Visit the library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, to register for the Summer Reading Program.

The Batavia Concert Band’s 86th anniversary season of music-making and free public concerts begins tonight at 7 in Batavia’s Centennial Park.

Additional concerts and parades will feature the band at other locations and times, including Batavia’s popular July 4 Picnic in the Park at Trigon Park in Le Roy.

The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire is wide-ranging in origin, period and style: Sousa-style marches, Broadway show tunes, classical adaptations, fun songs for kids of all ages, big-band and swing numbers, popular songs from hit musicals and movies, rock favorites arranged for concert band -- and everything in between.

The band consists of 40 to 60 or so brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented local high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, and the rest are advanced amateur musicians. All love to play.

The conductor’s podium will be shared this season by veterans Wayne Burlison, Jane Haggett, Phil Briatico, Brad Meholick, Bob Pastecki and Keven McLaud. Derek Reiss and Dizzy again cap this year’s Concerts in the Park on Aug. 11, as a benefit fundraiser for the Batavia Concert Band.

Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during WWII. It currently enjoys financial support from GO-ART!, concert sponsors, program advertisers and individual patrons.

The band also sponsors a “Taste of Western New York” gift-certificate raffle from selected area restaurants, 50-50 raffles at every concert, bake sales and other low-key fundraisers.

Regular season concerts are at 7:00pm, Wednesdays, in Centennial Park (in case of rain, in the Genesee County Nursing Home).

All concerts are free to the public of all ages. Light refreshments are usually available. Bring the family, some friends, lawn chairs or a blanket… and enjoy!