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Le Roy students help send message that NYS Tobacco Control Programs save lives and money

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in New York State; 28,200 lives are lost due to tobacco dependence every year.

New York State (NYS) Tobacco Control Programs (TCP) have been proven to reduce youth smoking and help current smokers quit, which saves lives and millions of state tax dollars. However, higher rates of smoking persist among individuals with less than a high school education (22.4 percent), income less than $25,000 a year (22.2 percent) and those with poor mental health (27.2 percent).

“We’ve made great strides in combatting the tobacco epidemic, but more work needs to be done to reduce the significantly higher smoking rates among disparate populations in our region and throughout the state,” said Shelly Wolanske, Youth Engagement Coordinator at Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. (GLOW).

That’s the message Tobacco-Free GLOW and Reality Check youth delivered last month to state lawmakers in Albany. Participating in the legislative visits were: Xandria Jackson, Chloe Schmitter, Melissa Park, Kailie DeWald and Paula Hernandez, all students at LeRoy Junior-Senior High School. They met with Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Assemblyman Mike Norris and Assemblyman Stephen Hawley.

Annually, the group visits the New York State Capitol to educate lawmakers about the success of established tobacco control programs and opportunities to further reduce the burden of tobacco addiction on New Yorkers. They described the valuable work being done in the GLOW region to reduce smoking rates and to keep youth from starting smoking, which begins at 13 years old, on average.

Elba fire department to offer Bingo this year, starting Tuesday night, March 7

By Billie Owens

The Elba Volunteer Fire Department wants the public to know that it is starting up Bingo again for the year at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at the fire hall, located at 7143 Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

Ken Miller, president of the fire department, notes that the Queen of Hearts is now more than $6,400! Also, there will be other jackpots offered.

No Blarney! to perform on Irish Music Night March 10 at HLOM

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum presents its annual Irish Music Night at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10. The music will be provided by the well known local group No Blarney!

The event will be held at the Holland Land Office Museum at 131 W. Main St., Batavia. Light refreshments will be served and the museum will be open for visitors to tour.

Tickets for Irish Music Night can be bought by calling the museum at 585-343-4727, or by purchasing in person at the museum. Tickets are $5 in advance, or $7 at the door. Space is limited so advance purchase is recommended.

Family of Oakfield's Patrick J. Pedro announces new scholarship in his name

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The family of Patrick J. Pedro is pleased to announce the establishment of a scholarship in his name to be awarded to a high school senior at Oakfield-Alabama Central School. Patrick was a graduate of the school and a highly accomplished person. He passed away in May after a very difficult battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS).

Patrick grew up in Oakfield, where he later became the 2008 Inductee in the Oakfield-Alabama High School Alumni Hall of Fame. He received his undergraduate magna cum laude from Bucknell University and a Law degree from University of Notre Dame where he received awards at graduation for legal writing and appellant advocacy. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Patrick was an attorney employed by Bond, Schoeneck and King in Syracuse in 1984, became a partner in 1993 and practiced there his entire career until his retirement at the end of 2014. He practiced primarily in the areas of business law and health care law, and his clients ranged from start-up companies to some of the most prominent individuals and businesses in central and northern New York State. At BS&K he was deputy department chair of the Business Law Department, chair of the Health Law Practice Group, and the firm’s Marketing Partner.

He supported the visual and performing arts in the community as a performer in community theater, a patron and board member of the Syracuse Opera and The Everson Museum of Art.

-- The scholarship will provide a graduating HS senior with tuition assistance toward a college degree related to his or her professional goal. The profession pursued will ultimately serve his or her community and society as a whole.

The college must be an accredited 4-year institution that offers degrees toward the recipient’s professional goal which may include but is not limited to the following:

Law, Business, Engineering, Communications, Medicine – Health & Human Services, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts, Education, Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Political Science, Sociology or Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy.

Criteria:

  • GPA of 90 or above upon graduation;
  • School Involvement – including but not limited to: School government, music, theatre, sports, academic clubs;
  • Community Involvement – volunteer work, involvement in applicant’s place of worship, organizations not associated with school or nonprofit organizations.
  • Exhibits EXCELLENT character in relating to peers, colleagues, teachers and supervisors.

Applicant submission criteria:

  1. Resume outlining the above criteria.

  2. Character reference from a HS teacher.

  3. Applicant will submit an essay stating short- and long-term professional goals, and the activities and experiences that have led to this decision (i.e. Why do you want to pursue this degree/profession?).

To make your tax-deductible donation, checks may be forwarded to: Oakfield-Alabama Dollars for Scholars Inc.

P.O. Box 102
Oakfield, NY 14125
Please write “Patrick J. Pedro Scholarship” on the Memo Line
Include a return self-addressed envelope so that your tax-deductible receipt can be mailed back to you.

If you would like to be part of a mailing list to get periodic updates regarding the scholarship fund, money awarded and recipient information, please send your name and email address to pjpscholarship@gmail.com. If you would like to speak with someone directly, please contact Andy Pedro at (585) 344-7017.

The family of Patrick Pedro would like to thank you in advance for your donation that will help create and maintain this scholarship in Patrick’s honor for many years to come!

City of Batavia seeks nominees for 2016 Recognition Awards

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia is currently seeking nominations for the 2016 Recognition Awards.

If you know of someone that you would like to nominate please complete the nomination form and submit to Lisa Casey by Friday, March 3.

The awards will be presented by City Council at a future City Council Meeting.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

An outstanding individual in the community that demonstrates excellence in volunteerism. This individual goes above and beyond normal responsibilities creating a lasting and beneficial impact.

HOMEOWNER OF THE YEAR

An engaged resident who has given extra effort to go above and beyond in maintaining their home and enhance their neighborhood.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

A business that has demonstrated community involvement and represents entrepreneurial spirit while providing exceptional customer service, professionalism and integrity.

Nomination forms available by the following:

  • City website: www.batavianewyork.com under the home page
  • Can be picked up at the City Manager’s Office
  • Call (585) 345-6333 to have form emailed to you
  • Email at Lcasey@batavianewyork.com
  • Mail nominations to: Lisa Casey, City of Batavia, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020
  • Fax nominations to (585) 343-8182 request to send nomination form

Local youths lobby for Albany's support

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo of Assemblyman Stephen Hawley with youth representing the Batavia City Youth Bureau, the Genesee County Youth Bureau and the Orleans County Youth Bureau along with staff from the Batavia City Youth Bureau and the Genesee-Orleans County Youth Bureau.

Press release:

Earlier this month, local youth from Genesee and Orleans County met with Senator Ranzenhofer, Senator Ortt and Assemblyman Hawley to get supprt by investing money in the Youth Bureau System. The youth asked for help in urging the $1.7 million to be restored for the 2017-2018 Youth Bureau Development Program.

The Youth Development Program allows youth bureaus, along with many other community based organizations to operate after school prevention programs, which help youth succeed. The youth all shared their experiences being involved with the Youth Bureau System and how it has positively impacted their lives.

Award-winning journalist to speak at GCC as part of Fashion Speaker Series

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Hélène Biandudi turned a fascination with the game 20 Questions and family dinners into an award-winning career. Her desire to be a journalist began at the age of 8 in her makeshift production studio in her childhood home, and on Wednesday, March 8 she will visit Genesee Community College as part of the Fashion Business Program Speaker Series.

Biandudi is an acclaimed journalist, documentary filmmaker and the host and producer of the PBS weekly news magazine show, "Need to Know" on WXXI Television in Rochester. Her desire is to shed light issues affecting the underserved and to connect cultures and communities through the power of story, and her work includes covering the first inauguration of Barack Obama, the death of music icon Michael Jackson, and the CBS/Vogue Fashion's Night Out program. She previously worked at the CBS Primetime show "48 Hours Mystery" in New York City where she contributed to several documentary specials for the network.

Among her current projects is "The Empty Hanger," an original series created by Biandudi, which uncovers and reveals the untold and often overlooked stories of the people who design, manufacture, tailor, study, wear, talk about and claim to be forever changed by clothing. The goal of the series is to challenge and expand how consumers view fashion choices and everyday dress by examining the varying degrees of impact and influence of clothing on our culture.

Don't miss the chance to listen to Hélène Biandudi on Wednesday, March 8, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at the GCC Batavia Campus. The event is free and open to the public; however, seating will be limited. Those wishing to attend can RSVP by calling (585) 345-6830.

For further information on Biandudi's work and projects, visit her website at www.helenebiandudihofer.com.

St. James in Batavia hosts 23rd annual Friday Lenten Fish Fry starting March 3 through April 7

By Billie Owens

The 23rd annual Lenten Fish Fry will be held each Friday beginning March 3 and running through April 7 at St. James Episcopal Church. It is located at 405 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Choose baked or fried fish, French fries or baked potato, coleslaw or apple sauce, and enjoy homemade desserts.

Cost is $9 fish fry; $4 for dessert; $1 per beverage.

Take-outs available starting at 4:30; Eat-in starting at 5 p.m.

St. James congregants are especially pleased to welcome St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Le Roy and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Stafford as their partners.

All are welcome!

GCC hosts annual Fine Arts Student Exhibition starting Wednesday through March 31, opening reception is Thursday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Artwork and creations from Fine Arts majors at Genesee Community College as well as non-majors registered in arts courses will soon be showcased at the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery when Artists Taking Flight, GCC's annual Fine Arts Student Exhibition, is on display beginning on Wednesday, March 1.

The exhibition is held annually to showcase the artistic achievements of Genesee Community College students. An opening reception is planned for Thursday, March 2, from 12 – 2 p.m. and again from 5 – 7 p.m.

"Each year, this exhibit gives us a chance to highlight the many talents of our students," said GCC Professor of Ceramics and 3-D Design Moi Dugan. "Whether they are students in our Fine Arts program or just taking one of our many offered arts classes here at the College, the work will show how hard-working and talented our students really are."

The exhibited artwork will reflect a diverse range of coursework from drawing, painting, 2D & 3D design and ceramics. All of the artwork is created within the perimeters of a specific project assigned from the curriculum established for each individual Fine Arts class. The assignments range from projects aimed at refining technical skills and learning basic fundamentals, to challenging students to use aesthetics as a means to convey conceptually sound ideas.

While stressing the importance of visual communication and expression, courses in Fine Arts provide students the opportunities to develop a range of highly creative skills, knowledge and values relating to careers as professional artists.

The exhibit will be on display in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery through March 31. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information on all upcoming events at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery visit www.genesee.edu/gallery or www.facebook.com/gccgallery.

Congressman Collins announces 2017 Congressional Art Competition

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins today released the following statement announcing this year’s Congressional Art Competition and encouraging local high school students in New York’s 27th district to participate.

“The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity for hardworking high school students to showcase their work to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the Capitol each year,” said Congressman Collins. “There are incredibly talented artists throughout NY-27. I look forward to seeing this year’s submissions and the opportunity to welcome the winning artist to our nation’s capital.”

Now in its 35th year, the Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students who reside in New York’s 27th Congressional District. Last year there were more than 90 submissions. The winning artist will receive a round trip flight to Washington, D.C., to see their artwork in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be on display for one year.

Submissions are due to either of Congressman Collins’ two district offices no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. A reception and award ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 8th, at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery, located on the Genesee Community College campus in Batavia. Local high schools have been notified regarding contest rules and submission guidelines.

Interested students should see their art teacher for details or contact Chris Catt from Congressman Collins’ office at (585) 519-4002.

St. Joseph Day Table to be held March 19 at Ascension Parish in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Ascension Parish in Batavia will host its annual Saint Joseph Day Table beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 19.

This year the event is open to the general public and the funds raised will be used for the ministry and outreach done by Ascension Parish on behalf of the community. According to its pastor, Fr. David R. Glassmire, the parish seeks to "give back to the community for the goodness the Lord has shown to us by caring for the poor in our midst."

The traditional Italian feast will be held in the parish's Slomba Hall, 15 Sumner St. Bing’s Catering of Amherst is in charge of the food. A seven-course meal will be served family style to include: antipasti, bread, fish, greens and beans, smelt, pasta con sarde, along with a cash bar and wine available for your table. A children's menu will include mac and cheese, pizza and finger foods.

Music and Entertainment by Steve Balestreri. 

COST: $25 per adult, $12.50 per child.

Seating is limited!

HOW TO OBTAIN TICKETS: Call the Parish Office at 585-343-1796 to reserve your table; families and businesses welcome.

You may also pre-pay and buy your tickets online at: www.ascensionrcc.weshareonline.com. Please note: There is a service fee for this option!

Tickets are pre-sale only. There will be NO SALES the day of the event or AT THE DOOR! Cash or Check ONLY. Make Checks Payable to: Ascension Parish.

Tickets still available for 15th annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Tickets are still available for the 15th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner which will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, at the Alexander Fire Hall.

This annual event is a celebration of Genesee County’s number one industry – Agriculture. The highlight of the night is a delicious meal using locally produced foods prepared by Penna’s Catering. The dinner is open to the public.

Tickets can be purchased at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 8276 Park Road, Batavia. Tickets are $30 each or a table of 10 can be purchased for $275. Sponsorships are also available which help support agriculture educational events in Genesee County. Only 400 tickets will be sold. Tickets will not be available at the door.

The Celebrate Ag Dinner is coordinated by the following partners: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District and Genesee County Farm Bureau.

For ticket information contact the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at 585-343-7440, ext. 1027, or chamber@geneseeny.com.

Batavia resident helped dedicate International Peace Garden in Mexico

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Batavia resident and International Peace Garden Foundation President Paula Savage, recently returned from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where she participated in the dedication of the 2017 International Peace Garden located at the Vallarta Botanical Garden.

Mexico was nominated for the honor because of its substantial contributions to the UN in areas such as peaceful settlement of disputes, struggle against apartheid, promotion of disarmament and halting of climate change. Puerto Vallarta is known to be a leader in Mexico for respecting diversity of cultures and human rights.

Savage said “It was a unanimous decision to select the Vallarta Botanical Garden to convey the message of world peace believing the Botanical Garden of Vallarta is a place of calm, comfort and healing of body, mind and spirit."

Inclusion and unification was the message of the day. During the dedication ceremonies on Feb. 16th several representatives from the interfaith community addressed the audience with wide praise for the mission of the International Peace Garden Foundation.

The new International Peace Garden adorns the slope that rises toward the entrance of the recently constructed Chapel of multiple doctrines. The Chapel is a replica of the well-known Franciscan mission in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. The plants, together with Mexican wildflowers, represent the Mediterranean region of the Holy Land, a geographical region that gave birth to some of the most prolific religions in the world. Bob Price, curator of the Vallarta Botanical Garden “the intention is to cultivate them harmoniously, to create a sanctuary for prayer and meditation without disturbance.”

The International Peace Garden Foundation is a charitable organization established to advance global friendship through the creation of worldwide Peace Gardens. Since 1990 these Peace Gardens span five continents. Residents and visitors to our community have enjoyed the Batavia Peace Garden since it opened in 2011 to celebrate 200 years of friendship with Canada.

The Batavia Peace Garden flies the flags of all the recipient countries and is registered as an Honorary International Peace Garden. There are nine Honorary International Peace Gardens in New York State along the Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail. More information about the Foundation can be obtained by visiting www.ipgf.org.

Country hit-makers Runaway June to perform at Batavia Downs in April, tickets go on sale Friday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is proud to announce that Runaway June, singers of the country hit single “Lipstick,” will be performing at Batavia Downs Gaming’s Paddock Room Events Center on Friday, April 21st. Tickets will go on sale at their website, BataviaDownsGaming.com, at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17th. 

“As the area’s premier entertainment destination we are committed to bringing exciting musical acts like Runaway June to entertain our loyal patrons,” said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing at Batavia Downs Gaming. “We are looking forward to having Naomi, Hannah and Jennifer onsite for what is sure to be a fun and memorable experience for their fans and soon to be fans.”

All tickets are $10 General Admission plus facility and processing fees.

About Runaway June

Composed of the organic, three part harmonies of Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne, Runaway June is Wheelhouse Records brand new vocal trio. With its debut single “Lipstick,” Runaway June is the first all-female trio to earn a Top 30 hit on the Billboard Mediabase Country charts in a decade.

About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 29 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $215 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities. 

GC Democratic Committee seeks local candidates, election inspectors and new members

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
The Genesee County Democratic Committee is looking for people who may be interested in serving their community be it as a candidate for office, an election inspector, a Democratic Committee member or just want to find out more about the Democratic Party in Genesee County.
 
Anyone can run for office and we can show you how. All that is needed is a desire to serve and some hard work. Want lower taxes, concerned about the environment or want a say in the future? There are many positions that will be on the ballot in the fall including: all of the Genesee County Legislature, the county district attorney and many positions at the town level.
 
The Genesee County Democrats will be meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23, please RSVP to geneseenydemocrats@gmail.com, if interested and check out www.geneseedemocrats.net

Flu prompts visitor restrictions at UMMC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

To help reduce further transmission of influenza and/or other infectious diseases, Rochester Regional Health is instituting the following restrictions for hospital visitors at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

  • Visitors will be limited to no more than two people per patient at a time;
  • All visitors must be at least 14 years old;
  • Please do not visit a patient if you feel you are ill, including sore throat, fever, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, or other flu-like symptoms -- even if you have been vaccinated against the flu

Current status as of Feb.15:

  • Rochester General Hospital (Rochester) – Visitor restrictions in place
  • Unity Hospital (Greece) –  Visitor restrictions in place
  • United Memorial Medical Center (Batavia) – Visitor restrictions in place
  • Newark-Wayne Community Hospital (Newark) – No visitor restrictions
  • Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic (Clifton Springs) – No visitor restrictions

GO-ART! calling all artists to submit work for juried art show

By Billie Owens

Press release:

GO ART! presents a juried art exhibition, "Art of the Rural." Cash prizes will be awarded and announced at the opening reception.

Dates: April 4th -- May 12th

Opening reception: April 6th from 6 - 8 p.m.

Non-member fee: $30 for up to 3 pieces, $5 for each additional

Member fee: $30 for up to 5 pieces, $5 for each additional

Submission:  

Submissions and entry fees accepted March 21-31 at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020. Applications and contracts are available online at www.goart.org/galleries and at the door.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 am – 4 p.m., 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Contact:
Gregory Hallock, assistant director
(585) 343-9313
ghallock@goart.org

www.goart.org

Local youth boards still seeking award nominees, deadline is Wednesday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County & City of Batavia Youth boards are looking for nominations for their annual Youth Recognition Banquet. Nominations are due by Wednesday, Feb. 15.

There are three awards presented at the Youth Recognition Banquet:

·      Youth Recognition Award — This award recognizes young people who have performed exceptional service to the community and/or have assumed extraordinary roles in their families. Typically, the best candidates for this award are high school students, but we also know there are 12-, 13-, 14-year-olds who exemplify distinctive qualities of service.  Several youth will be recognized; however the Youth Boards reserve the right to limit the number of recipients.

·      Adult Volunteer — This award recognizes an adult who provides service as a volunteer to youth in Genesee County.

·      Adult Youth Worker — This award recognizes a youth service professional whose work surpasses normal expectations.

Recipients will be honored at the Youth Recognition Banquet on March 30.

For more information or to receive nomination forms, please call the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us. The forms are also on the Youth Bureau page of the Genesee County website, www.co.genesee.ny.us.

START-UP Genesee 'Think and Drink' is Feb. 22 and it's free

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The next START-UP Genesee Think and Drink event will take place at the freshLAB restaurant incubator located in Newberry Place on Main Street in the City of Batavia. The FREE event is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Newberry Place is an historic renovation and conversion of Batavia’s former JJ Newberry store into the freshLAB restaurant incubator as well as seven new upper-floor apartments.  It is designed to use locally grown products capitalizing on Genesee County’s agricultural strength.

The hosts for the event include Matt Gray and Jon Mager, who are co-owners of Batavia Brewing Company and the first tenant of freshLAB; and, Julie Pacatte, executive director of the Batavia Development Corporation, which provided various incentives to the redevelopment project.

The event also will feature brief remarks by Gregory Lindberg of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Reid Smalley who is executive director of Workforce Development at Genesee Community College.

“I can’t think of a more appropriate setting for area entrepreneurs to gather and share ideas than freshLAB,” said Chris Suozzi, vice president of the Genesee County Economic Development Center. “This type of innovation is connecting our rural communities with Downtown Batavia.”

START-UP Genesee is intended to assist all types of businesses from early stage planning to site selection, access to capital and product development or diversification.

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