Announcements

From the VA Healthcare System:

Beginning Monday, March 2, 2009, VA Western New York Healthcare System’s Jamestown community based out-patient clinic will be moving to a new location; 610 3rd Street.  The clinic, under a new contract with Sterling Medical Corporation will be serving Veterans only at this location.  Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with free parking. Veterans have had the opportunity to get VA health care in Jamestown since 1995, the first of seven community based outpatient clinics under VA Western New York Healthcare System.

Primary care, behavioral health services and on-site laboratory services will continue to be available at the new site.  In addition, nutritional counseling, social work, and urgent care services will be available with prescriptions to be mailed directly to Veterans’ homes.  “We want Veterans to stay healthy and encourage them to receive VA care available in Chautauqua county.  It is an opportunity to be a provider of choice for almost 2,000 Veterans in Jamestown last year and we look forward to serving more,“ said Dr. Bradford Mersereau, Primary Care Service Chief.

To enroll in VA health care call 1-888-823-9656 and to make an appointment at the Jamestown clinic, call 716-338-1511 after February 23. 

Last year VA Western New York Healthcare System provided care to more than 40,000 veterans at medical centers in Buffalo and Batavia as well as community-based outpatient clinics in Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Olean, and Warsaw.

Our Lady Of Batavia K of C will host its 12th annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner with corned beef, cabbage, beverage and dessert on Saturday March 14, 2009 at 5:00pm until sold out. Dinner will be held at St. Mary's Church Hall 18 Ellicott Ave., Batavia, NY. Takeouts will be available. Cost is $8.00 per dinner and tickets are available by calling Mike at 343-3810. Proceeds will fund local charities.

First off I'd like to say hello to all the readers of The Batavian !!!  I live in Genesee County and have since I can remember, I also went to school at Oakfied Alabama.  I am currently the VP of a karting club located in Avon, NY.  Me and my family have been involved in karting for 3 yrs now but have been around motorsports since I was 14 !!.  My son now races karts at local near by tracks.  This year just happens to be The Genesee Valley Kart Club's 50th Anniversary.  One of the longest running karting clubs in the US.  I thought it would be expensive to get into the sport but it was realatively easy.  Start up cost is right around $1500 for a complete turn key kart !!  I know there not alot of people who know this is still around but on a sunny sunday in Avon, NY you can hear the roar of many different types of 4 cycle engines and 2 strokes also !!  Avon NY has one of the nicest facilities around and the people are awsome !!!!    I will be putting some pics of my sons kart so all of you can take a look.  If anyone has any questions or comments please feel free to go to my guestbook or send me an email to jp121800@yahoo.com. 

On March 1^st,  the Genesee Valley Kart Club (GVKC) will be holding it’s annual organizational meeting at the Avon Veterans Hall 5480 E Avon Road (rt 20), just east of Avon NY . The meeting will be held from 12:00 to 2:00pm and will lay the ground work for the upcoming race season and is a good opportunity for interested people to come out and learn about the sport of kart racing. Membership applications will be available and can be submitted at the meeting. For more information about the club, visit our web page at www.gvkc.org.

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Batavia’s Irish Afternoon

Fundraiser

Batavia’s Irish Afternoon celebration will be held in the Genesee Community College Forum from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.  This afternoon of family-oriented fun will feature dancing by the award-winning McMahon School of Irish Dance.  The musical entertainment will be provided by Step In Time.  Attendees will be treated to delectable desserts, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.  Additional fun will be offered in the form of Chinese auctions and 50/50 raffles. 

Tickets cost $10. Children 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

The event will benefit the non-profit McMahon School of Irish Dance Parents’ Group, which will use the funds for dancers’travel and performance expenses.

For Information or to buy tickets, contact (585) 813-8701 or (585) 343-3220

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Grants to Cost-Share Advertising & Promotion; Available First-Come, First-Serve Basis

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the availability of funding for a pilot Pride of New York “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program.  Members of the Pride of New York Program can receive up to $5,000 on a first-come, first-serve basis to advertise and promote specialty crop food and agricultural products grown or processed in New York State.

“New Yorkers have some of the best products grown or processed right here in their backyard, yet unfortunately many don’t know where to find them,” the Commissioner said.  “I am pleased that the Department was able to secure federal funds for this important program that will help consumers identify local products and help the State’s specialty crop producers build awareness, preference and sales of New York products across the State.  I encourage all Pride of New York members to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

The Pride of New York’s “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Grant Program, a pilot project of the Department, provides up to $5,000 to create and develop promotional messages, purchase media time, print space or signage or pursue other promotional activities.  Members can choose from a wide range of advertising and marketing options that best fit their budget and target audience, in multiple media markets.  Cooperative advertising funds will be awarded on a first-come, first serve basis.  The program options include: 

·       Pre-Negotiated and/or Custom-Built Television Ads: Includes professional production of a 23-second TV commercial with a 7-second Pride of New York tag at the end. 

·       Pre-Negotiated and/or Custom-Built Radio Ads: Includes professional production of a 45-second radio spot that ends with a 15-second Pride of New York tag.

·       Print: Pride of New York will cost-share approved print advertisements and placement in a variety of consumer publications.

·       Point of Purchase and Promotional Items:  Pride of New York will cost share approved point of purchase and promotional item such as:  signs, bags, banners, product packaging, brochures, flags and rack cards.

Funding for the Pride of New York “Buy Local” Cooperative Advertising Program is provided through the 2006 and 2007 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  The Department is utilizing 2008 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants to cost-share third party Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits and to assist producers with developing farm food safety plans.

The Pride of New York program is the State’s marketing program for food and agricultural products grown or processed in New York State.  The program was created to help consumers identify fresh, high-quality New York State products where they shop.  The Pride of New York also assists farmers and food processors in branding their products by using the Pride of New York emblem, and encourages retailers and restaurants to highlight the New York State products they use and sell by displaying the emblem. To find out more about the Pride of New York Program, call 1-800-554-4501 or visit http://www.prideofny.com.

For more information on the Pride of New York Cooperative Advertising Program or other promotional opportunities, please contact the Pride of New York Program at 1-800-554-4501 or visit the Department’s website at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us and click on “Funding Opportunities.”

From the VA Healthcare System:

Over twenty different sponsors that included several Veteran organizations, community businesses, as well as individual Veterans throughout Western New York helped to purchase new vans for the Disabled American Veterans Volunteer Transportation Network at VA Western New York Healthcare System. The vans will be put into use after a ceremony at the medical center, 3495 Bailey Avenue, Tuesday, February 24 at 9 a.m. in Freedom Hall, room 301.

Overall, $15,000 were raised along with matching contributions from Colorado Trust in cooperation with the National Disabled American Veterans Organization to purchase the two new vans. “These donations allow us to continue to expand and replace vans to transport our Veterans to necessary medical appointments.  Without this support, this would not be possible,” stated Richard Kloc, DAV Van Transportation Coordinator. During the last reporting period, 62 volunteer van drivers donated over 22,800 hours of their time. Volunteer drivers and donations are always needed; call the VA Volunteer Program Office at 862-8667.

Last year VA Western New York Healthcare System provided care to more than 40,000 Veterans at medical centers in Buffalo and Batavia as well as community-based outpatient clinics in Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Olean, and Warsaw.

From the VA Healthcare System:

In observance of Black History month, VA Western New York Healthcare System will celebrate events in Freedom Hall, room 301. African American Business Day will take place at 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 11. Cultural wares will be available. “Taste of Soul” will take place on Friday, February 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. African American dishes such as collard greens, sweet potatoes, pig’s feet, and much more will be served.

Take the journey of “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad” with Joy O’Banion and Yvonne Harris, where they will share the struggles of Tubman’s journey to free the slaves scheduled Friday, February 27 at noon. All events are open to the public.

WE HAVE SOME ANIMALS WITH SOME SPECIAL NEEDS BUT DON’T BE SCARED. THEY JUST NEED SOME EXTRA LOVE AND CARE BUT MOST OF ALL THEY NEED A CHANCE. WE MADE SOME VIDEOS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE JUST HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE - SO TAKE A MOMENT, SIT BACK AND ENJOY. YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO CONNECT TO YouTube FOR A PEEK AT THESE GREAT ANIMALS.

THERE IS A $30 FEE FOR ALL ANIMALS, A $35 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR ANY ANIMAL NOT SPAYED OR NEUTERED, AND ALL DOGS MUST BE LICENSED BEFORE LEAVING THE SHELTER.

PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING A SHELTER ANIMAL TODAY! 

HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU!
Maxine, Bruno & Scooter

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME! Socks the Cat

DUTCH vs THE SANDMAN 

I WANT TO BE LOVED BY YOU...  Missie the Cat

From the VA Medical Center:

Veterans in Lockport and surrounding areas can learn about their VA health care and other veterans benefits at an event being held at the VA clinic in Lockport, 5883 Snyder Drive, Saturday, February 21 from 10am to 1pm. Staff and veterans benefits counselors will assist veterans with eligibility for VA health care, and other state and federal benefits that veterans may have coming to them that often go unused. Benefits have recently been extended for veterans returning from combat that includes five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The five year window is also open to activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, if they served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. The five year limit has no effect upon veterans with medical conditions related to their military service. Veterans may apply at any time after their discharge from the military, even decades later for medical care for service-connected health problems.
 
Representatives from the VA Lockport Clinic, NY State Division of Veterans Affairs, Niagara County Veterans Service Office and VA Western New York Healthcare System will be available to answer questions. Bring discharge papers and financial records for accurate benefits counseling. For more information, you may contact the VA clinic in Lockport at 438-3890.

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce the 56^th Annual Home Garden and Trade Show is going to be held on March 20-22 at the Batavia Downs!

We are still looking for vendors for this event!  All booth prices will be $279!!!! 

Weekend Passes have been slashed to $1

For contract details visit: www.geneseeny.com/bataviajaycees and click on the home show link! 

Show hours are:
March 20 (Friday) from 5-9pm
March 21 (Saturday) from 10am - 7pm 
March 22 (Sunday) from noon - 4pm

If you have any questions, please contact us at 585-343-5775 or email at info@bataviajcs.org

Pavilion is looking for a couple good men or women to fill the vacancies on its Town Board and the Board of Assessment Review. One position is open to take the Town Board seat vacated by Shirley Dills, who recently resigned after 22 years of service.

Interested applicants are urged to send their resume, along with any other pertinent personal information, to the town of Pavilion at the following address:

Attn: Pavilion Town Supervisor
Pavilion Town Hall
P.O. Box #126
Pavilion, N.Y. 14525

From the Cornell Cooperative Extension:

The fourth annual New York State Agriculture Literacy Week (formerly Ag Literacy Day) has been scheduled for March 16-20, 2009, which will coincide with National Agriculture Week.
 
This year the program will highlight the NYS Apple Industry. Volunteers from around the county, many of whom are closely tied to the agriculture industry, will visit elementary school classrooms to read The Empire State Investigator:The Applesauce Bandit. The books will then be donated to each school library courtesy of generous donations by Genesee County Farm Bureau, local agricultural businesses, and individual donors.
 
Barb Sturm, coordinator from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, said “Ag Literacy Day gives schools and industry volunteers a perfect opportunity to focus on agriculture awareness, especially in a region where agriculture provides a livelihood for so many people. We hope that by talking to students about how food gets from the farm to their plates, they’ll grow to appreciate all the people, processes and businesses contributing every single day to the industry that provides us with almost everything we eat, use and wear.”
 
New York Ag Literacy Week is a statewide educational effort organized by New York Agriculture in the Classroom (www.nyaged.org) with help from many agencies and organizations, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York Farm Bureau, and the NYS Apple Association.
 
For more information to become a volunteer reader or to sponsor the purchase of books, contact Barb Sturm by February 11, 2009, at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 East Main Street, Batavia, 343-3040, ext. 122, e-mail: bbs28@cornell.edu, or visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu.

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College's Albion campus center is pleased to introduce its first exhibit as a GO ART! satellite gallery, "Abundance" by Patricia Greene, from January 16 - February 26. Artist Patricia Greene is currently displaying oil paintings of local farms, markets and produce of Orleans County. A free "Meet the Artist" reception is scheduled for February 12 at 5:00 pm at the Albion campus center.

"Abundance" displays agricultural images Greene created during her year-long grant funded project through the Ripple Grant program administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. Artists residing in Genesee or Orleans Counties are eligible to apply for a grant for community-based artistic projects. The goal of the grant is to support the creative work of artists in all disciplines, while encouraging interaction between artists and community members to highlight the role of the artist as a community resource.

The oil painting exhibit features area farms' structures, as well as crops with special attention to scenes such as maple farms in the winter, historic farms and regional fruits and vegetables that are grown by these local growers. From cattle grazing to a farmer's market to picking berries, the exhibit accurately depicts the abundance and variety of foods produced in Orleans county.

A Medina native, Greene traveled to farms, roadside produce stands, and farmer's markets to translate the abundance of the local landscape onto canvas. "I was able to interview local farmers about themselves and their customers," Greene said. "The project acknowledges the abundance of our region and presents it in a way that the entire community can share."

The "Meet the Artist" event is free and open to the public. The "Abundance" exhibit is also available for viewing Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm, until February 26. The Albion campus center is located at 456 West Avenue, Albion. For more information about the exhibit, please contact the Albion Campus Center 585-589-4936 or Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council at 1-800-774-7372, or visit www.goart.org.

From the VA Medical Center:

VA Western New York Healthcare System invites the public to participate in open-house activities Feb. 8-14 during the National Salute to Veterans.

"The National Salute to Veterans gives everyone a chance to let those who have given so much to our nation know that they are not forgotten," said David J. West  Interim Medical Center Director "We've invited local celebrities, elected officials, school children and other groups to visit during the week.  We want people of all ages to bring Valentine’s Day cheer to our patients.”  West said he hopes visitors will also learn more about the important roles volunteers play at the medical center throughout the year and perhaps pursue volunteer opportunities.  "Over 600 volunteers are an important part of our health care team in Buffalo and Batavia, and the National Salute program is a great way for people to learn more about helping the Veterans we serve," West said.  “Visitors are often surprised at how varied our volunteer opportunities are.”  Citizens, young and old, are once again sending Valentine’s Day cards and letters to VA medical centers simply addressed “Dear Veteran.” West said they are being distributed to patients throughout the medical center.

VA Western New York Healthcare System’s National Salute Week schedule includes an open house Friday, February 13 at 1:00 p.m. in Freedom Hall, room 301. Additional activities are included below.

Individuals or groups wishing to participate in the medical center program should call the Voluntary Service office, in Buffalo at 716-862-8671 and in Batavia at 585-297-1196.

Please click here to download the complete schedule of events.

From Genesee Community College:

Wind energy continues to be the talk of the town, but who knew that small towns in New York State hold the key to wind energy development? Community wind energy is an alternative model of wind energy development that puts the control of the process in the hands of the local community, rather than a corporate wind developer. Community wind is defined as a wind project that is developed and owned wholly, or partially, by an entity representing the local community. Community wind projects are specifically designed to provide benefits to the local community, including income and jobs. Community wind offers a solution to the wind project location and permit issues that have divided many communities all over New York State.

Genesee Community College is pleased to host a free Community Wind Forum on February 18 from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the Batavia campus in room T102. The forum will be presented by Pace Energy and Climate Center, a program of Pace University. The forum will include a basic introduction to wind energy; a discussion of the Community wind model, including community organizing and project financing and ownership models; and a question and discussion period. The Community Wind Forum is free and community members, especially planners, municipal officials, and students are encouraged to attend.

Featured speakers include Loren Pruskowski, founder and current vice president of finance and director of community wind operations at Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. (SED), and a principal organizer of the community wind effort in Knox, Albany County; and Todd Olinsky-Paul, energy policy analyst with Pace Energy & Climate Center, who has studied wind energy location issues and the role of communities and municipalities in wind energy development.

Community wind projects are needed in New York State. New York has implemented a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires 25% of electricity sold in the state to come from renewable sources by 2013. In addition, New York is a "home rule" state which means each town is empowered by the state to write its own zoning laws. These laws determine how land within the town can be used. Each town decides whether to allow windmills, and how to regulate them. These factors make community wind a promising model for New York.

Participants in the forum will learn what goes into the various phases of community wind development, including resource assessment, project feasibility studies, community organizing, project finance, design and construction, and operations and maintenance. Speakers will also discuss community wind development work that has been performed in other parts of the state, and the economics of community wind, including different financing and ownership models. Anyone interested in developing a wind project in their own community is encouraged to attend and ask questions.

"We are pleased to be able to discuss an alternative model for wind energy development, and a new, local development opportunity for the Genesee Valley region," Todd Olinsky-Paul of Pace Energy & Climate Center said. "As New York State pursues renewable energy solutions, the benefits and opportunities offered by Community Wind Energy are essential. We look forward to the conversation with Genesee Valley residents."

For further information, please contact Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications and co-chairman of Genesee Community College Environmental Task Force at 585-343-0055 x 6616.

From Genesee Community College:

David DeLaVergne, senior vice president at The Bank of Castile, leads the Wyoming County Division of Genesee Community College Foundation's annual campaign, Our Best Investment.

"In the past year, I have become more and more acquainted with the College and its Campus Centers in Warsaw and Arcade and they are truly assets within our county borders," DeLaVergne said. "Last year, 1,000 talented and motivated Wyoming County residents enrolled at Genesee Community College. In the community and at The Bank of Castile, where I work, I encounter students struggling with career choices and academic expectations."

The driving force of the campaign is to attract and retain academically talented and deserving students and thereby strengthening the local economic vitality by providing training in high-need workforce skills. This past year 464 scholarships were awarded, totaling $265,488.

"It truly is our best investment in our community and our citizens, and we ask that community members please respond favorably when one of our dedicated volunteers asks for support," DeLaVergne said. "The gratitude of the students is immeasurable!"

Community volunteers and campaign leaders in the Wyoming Division include:

• Andrea Aldinger, executive director, Office for Aging and Youth Bureau, Warsaw
• Jonah Broughton, commercial lender, The Bank of Castile, Warsaw
• Bruce Camp, president, Attica Auto Supply, Inc.
• Jen Clark, office manager, Ed Hulme, Inc., Warsaw
• Paula Edwards, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Arcade
• Richard Fish, president, Complete Payroll Processing, Perry and Genesee Community College Foundation Board Member
• Norb Fuest, Human Resources manager, Morton Salt, Inc., Silver Springs and Genesee Community College Foundation Board Member
• Mike Hardie, broker, Tompkins Insurance Agency, Attica
• John McClurg, president, McClurg Automotive, Inc., Perry
• Sandy Pirdy, owner, Creekside Fabrics & Quilts, Arcade
• Brianna Stone, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Castile
• Charlene Strain, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Warsaw
• John Wheeler, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Perry

The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service and support to Genesee Community College. A thirty member board of directors comprised of business and civic leaders leads it. The Foundation was formed in the mid- eighties to provide philanthropic support to the College. Gifts to the campaign may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For further information, please call (585) 345-6809 or foundation@genesee.edu.