Announcements

Sunday Sept. 9th @ Pizza Land in LeRoy NY. Open to cars and motorcycles.

Contact Bob Mattice at <bobgs212@rochester.rr.com> if you are interested.

Genesee County Employees & Friends Golf Tournament, Sat. Sept. 29th @ Terry Hills. Cost $65 per person all proceeds donated to the Genesee County Joint Veterans Council.

All are welcome to participate or donate prizes contact Norman Itjen @ litjen@rochester.rr.com.

One of Batavia's favorite homegrown musical duos -- Ken and Jeannie Veltz -- will be downtown to perform at Coffee Culture on Sunday evening. Sept. 2 is Ken's birthday!

There will be time to socialize with them beginning at 6:30 and they will perform from 7 to 8:30. (It's free, but donations are gladly accepted.) The eatery is located at 6 Court St. in Batavia.

The folkie, acoustic couple is traveling and performing wherever the wind takes them and they are planning to travel in six states within the next month.

Here's a link to copy and paste in the URL of a new song of their's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Rz-JMx0BU&feature=youtu.be

Or just visit veltzmusic.com

Le Roy Nursery School will hold a parents' information and registration night beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6.

The school is located in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church, 7 Clay St., in the Village of Le Roy.

Pre-K Classes offered are:

9 to 11:20 a.m. OR  12:30 to 2:50 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Nursery School Classes offered are:

9 to 11:20 a.m. OR 12:30 to 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday

• 5-day program available

• Early drop-off & late pick-up available

• Flexible hours

• Highly qualified teachers

For registration questions, please call Stacy Gabbey, registrar, at 734-5824.
Visit us online at: www.leroynurseryschool.com

St. Joseph Catholic School will hold its 53rd annual Popcorn Ball beginning at 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the school at 2 Summit St. in the City of Batavia. The theme will be “A Taste of Genesee” and will feature food from several area restaurants.

Those that have already agreed to participate include TF Brown's, Center Street Smoke House and Alex’s Place. Organizers are still hoping to add a few more restaurants in the next few weeks.  Those interested in participating should call 409-3558.

Outstanding alumni will be honored and the first “Spirit of St. Joseph” award will be presented. Nominations are still be accepted on the school’s Web site.

New this year to St. Joseph School is the extended day program, which will give students the chance to participate in activities such as Art, Sign Language, Fencing, Yoga and Youth Fitness.  There will be a nominal charge for the after-school programs.

To find out more about the school visit www.sjsbatavia.org <http://www.sjsbatavia.org> or call 343-6154.

Bill Hays, president of Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning accepts the York Residential Dealer of the Year Award from Jon Beato, sales manager for Upstate Systems.

Habiat for Humanity of Genesee County needs volunteers during our build days at 104 North Street Batavia.

Volunteers work alongside experienced construction leaders and partner families to help build decent and affordable homes.

We welcome volunteers of ALL skill levels and we provide the training that you need! 

You must be at least 16 years old to work on the construction site; additionally, you must be at least 18 to work on roofs and/or scaffolding and use power tools. All minors under the age of 18 must arrive with a waiver  signed by their parent or guardian. 

We have waivers available on site.  We meet every Wednesday and Saturday from 9a-3p. Any time you can committ to would help us out greatly!

Coffee, donuts, and lunch provided!

We look forward to meeting you! 

For more information please contact us at info@geneseehabitat.com or 585-345-1656. Or follow us on Facebook: GeneseeHabitat

On October 6^th a team of 17 men and women from Batavia Assembly of God church will be traveling to Quito, Ecuador on a mission’s trip. The pastor of the church, Dan Schmidt, has a passion for missions and reaching others for Christ. His desire is to help others with the financial needs that are necessary to make this trip. Since his source of exercise to stay healthy is bike riding, he will be making a 215 mile bike ride in two days to help raise money. People are signing up to sponsor the pastor as he rides his 10 speed bike to help the team “Embrace Ecuador”. His trip begins on Monday, August 27^th, and will start in Warren, Ohio and end at 24 North Spruce Street in Batavia where the church is located.

Along with Pastor Dan, the rest of the team is looking forward to the trip to Quito, Ecuador.  For some it is their first mission’s trip. It will include a building and renovating project at a Teen Challenge Program where men go to get help for alcohol and drug abuse. It helps to free them from these addictions as well as teaches them about Christ and the principles of the bible. For more information about Teen Challenge, please go to www.teenchallenge.com

We will also visit a Compassion International project to meet the children there and see the work that Compassion does. Compassion is a holistic, faith-based program where people can sponsor a child who lives in dire poverty. It offers them weekly bible lessons and helps to assist them with medical needs, food and clothing. Some members of the team sponsor a child in central Quito and will get to visit his home and project.  For more information on Compassion International go to www.compassion.com

The Mission’s Team is hosting a Spud Night fund raiser at the church on September 7th from 5pm to 7pm.  The cost is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 10 and under.
Come and bring your whole family for a big baked potato dinner with chili and all the fixings to go with it. The meal includes salad, bread, and homemade desserts!

I have heard people say when talking about mission trips, that when they are not able to go, they like to be a part by helping financially. If you would like to be a part of this trip financially, and would like to sponsor Pastor Dan as he takes this bike riding challenge to help others meet the financial needs to Embrace Ecuador, you may call the church at
585-343-8521, or go to the web site at bataviaassemblyofgod.com

Another way to support this missions trip is through prayer - please be praying for those going on the trip and for those whom they will be ministering to. Thank you and God Bless!

Tracy Byrnes

Prayer Coordinator

BataviaAssembly of God

24 North Spruce Street

BataviaNY 14020

585-343-8521

The Holland Land Office Museum is offering a senior bus trip to the Central Terminal Tour in Buffalo on Sunday. Sept. 16. The bus will depart at 10 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. the tour will be two hours.

Cost is $15 and will include the admission to the Central Terminal.

We will stop in Buffalo for lunch at your own expense, before returning back to Batavia.

There only 40 seats available so please call 343-4727 to make your reservations and payment. For more information please call the Holland Land Office at 343-4727.

St. Joseph Catholic School is calling for nominations for Outstanding Alumni. The school, which has roots dating back to 1873, estimates nearly 2,500 students have attended the school since 1940.

“We have a large number of former students that are successful all over the country and we would like to recognize those that have succeeded utilizing the basic fundamentals taught here at St. Joe’s including faith, dedication and service,” Principal Karen Green said.

The school hopes to recognize former students at this year’s Popcorn Ball, scheduled for Oct. 13.

“The Popcorn Ball is our signature event and we would like to use the occasion this year to honor those that have gone above and beyond to serve the school and the community,” said Director of Advancement Chad Zambito.

Nominations can be submitted on the school’s Web site, www.sjsbatavia.orgor by mail.

Submissions should include the former student's name, estimated years of attendance, and a brief description of their accomplishments. Nominations made via mail should be addressed to Outstanding Alumni, in care of the school, 2 Summit St., Batavia, NY 14020.

St. Joseph Catholic School’s enrollment is currently the highest it has been in years with nearly 300 students registered in grades Pre-K through 8. Sixty percent of families receive financial assistance and 20 percent are non-Catholic.

Space for the 2012-2013 school year is still available but spots are filling up quickly. To find out more please call 343-6154.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce announced the availability of a new Barn Quilts of Le Roy, NY trail map brochure which offers four self-guided driving tours. The Le Roy Historical Society created the trails and Web site, and the chamber produced the new free brochure to promote the trail to visitors.

The Barn Quilts of LeRoy began as a Bicentennial project for the Town on Le Roy, under the auspices of the Le Roy Historical Society. The first quilt, "JELL-O Jigglers" was painted in July 2011 at the annual Oatka Festival. The goal was to have 24 quilts painted and erected in time for Le Roy's Bicentennial event on June 8, 2012. In less than 10 months more than 70 barn quilts were near completion.

Most of the squares were purchased through the Le Roy Historical Society and helped raise money for the Bicentennial event. The quilts have come to represent the pride shared by the people of Le Roy, a town with a rich heritage and a vision for the future that will guarantee quality of life for generations to come.

Many of the quilts are on barns, but some residents have ap­plied their creativity to the sides of sheds, garages and outbuildings. There are also patterns inside local restaurants, Wolcott Street School (painted by second-grade students), the Village Green Nursing Home and The Greens Senior Living Facility.

The Barn Quilt project will continue after 2012 and the Town of Le Roy welcomes visitors to return again and again to explore more scenic barn quilts. Each quilt has a story to tell and these stories can be found online at www.LeRoyBarnQuilt.org.

The brochure is available for pick up at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the seasonal visitor center on Main Street in Batavia, Crocker's Ace Hardware, the D&R Depot Restaurant, Le Roy Town Hall, and the JELL-O Gallery Museum in Le Roy.

Step-on guides are offered for group tours by the Le Roy Historical Society. Call 585-768-7433 for more information.

Press Release:

I am having a community clean up this Sunday for individuals and families to help our town and the environment.

It is good to teach our kids (our future) that it is important to take care of this earth that takes care of us. If you would like to join us in cleaning up, please contact me for details.

Thank you and I pray you can make time to help such a good cause. God bless.

You can reach me at imortallyone@hotmail.com (or see the event's Facebook page). Thank you for your time.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY – Old Fashioned Night returns to Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack this Saturday night (August 11) for the first time during the 2012 racing season, but with a twist.

Historically, Old Fashion night prices include 50-cent Sahlen’s hot dogs, sodas and racing programs, however this year the nation’s oldest lighted half-mile harness racetrack is going "Crazy Cheap."

Thanks to sponsorship of the evening by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield, Sahlen’s hot dogs will be just 3 for $1 in the paddock room beginning at 5pm. First race post time is 6:25 p.m.  Guests wanting to take advantage of the reduced price simply need to ask for the “Crazy Cheap Price.”

“We’re proud to be working with the folks at Batavia Downs on the Crazy Cheap night promotion,” Mike Ognibene, owner of Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield said. “We’re looking forward to a great evening at the track.”

“The first Old Fashioned night of the season is usually our biggest night of the year,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Todd Haight.  “Not only does it bring out a great crowd which enhances the on-track excitement but it creates larger betting pools for our racing customers. We want to thank Mike for partnering with us on this promotion.”

One day later another top promotion takes place at the Genesee County oval, Super Seniors Day.  Beginning at 12-noon in the clubhouse and running until 2:30 p.m., all seniors 55 or older that purchase the Sunday lunch buffet at the regular price of $8.95 will receive a racing program and $10 in casino free play. It's like dining for free. Sunday reservations are strongly recommended. To make a clubhouse reservations, please call 585-343-3750.

“It’s a great way to thank all our seniors for their many years of supporting Batavia Downs,” Haight added.

A complete list of all the 2012 racing promotions can be found at www.bataviadownscasino.com 
 

On Saturday, Aug. 11, the Batavia Motor Speedway -- at 3500 Harloff Road in Batavia -- will host its first national championship ever. The ATV (all-terrain vehicle) Extreme Dirt Track National Championship will take place from noon until 7 p.m., with the races themselves starting at 5 p.m.

Registration begins at 2 p.m., followed by practice from 3 until 4 p.m. and a rider's meeting from 4 until 5 p.m.

The WNY Extreme Dirt Track Racing Club is sponsoring the event, which will feature over 200 ATVs at speeds of 60 miles per hour or more.

For more information, call 737-5698 or e-mail donaldjones@frontiernet.net.

Kathie Watkins is looking for help in locating her missing cat, Topanga. She  said Topanga is a gray, fluffy cat, around 4 pounds, with orange and white speckles running up her right front leg and side. "She is very affectionate and has dermatitis."

UPDATE: Topanga is home safe.

A fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of WNY in conjuction with the Graham Team in Training will be held Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Polish Falcons club in Batavia.

It will feature DJ Mamaluke, 50/50 Raffle, Chinese Auction and a Beer Pong Tournament. The fun starts at 6 p.m. at The Polish Falcons Club, 123 S. Swan St.

Come out and help us attain our fundraising goal of over $22,000 for cancer research.

Pre-sale tickets $15 -- at the door $20 includes donation, beer and food! Basket raffles will also be available. Registration for the Beer Pong Tournament will be $20 per team. CASH PRIZES!

Sign up ASAP and bring your friends!

Call Ashley, Brian or Arlene at 343-2216 to register.

If you can't make it that day, visit our Web site at http://pages.teamintraining.org/wcny/nikesf12/Graham and help our team raise $22,400 to kick cancer to the curb!

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 26th Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on Sept. 3 beginning at MacArthur Park in Batavia. The route is USA Track & Field certified course #NY-06038-JG.

Participants should check in from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Race time is 10 o'clock. The registration fee for runners is $12 if preregistered by Aug. 27 and $15 afterward, including the day of the event.  Walkers can register for $10.

The first 50 registered participants will receive a free T-shirt and awards will be presented to the top finishers.

Registration forms are available online at www.bajny.com http://www.bajny.com.

The race committee is actively seeking sponsors for this event. If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship, please leave a message at 585-343-5775 or email to: bajny@yahoo.com

Press release:

Genesee Community College has just launched a redesigned Web site at www.genesee.edu, exemplifying the college's continued efforts to best meet the changing needs of its broad student population – both through its degree and certificate programs and online.

The underlining purpose and theme of the new design is user-friendly interactivity. Now more than ever, the vibrant atmosphere of campus life at Genesee Community College comes across on its home page.

The site was overhauled to give users streamlined page portals for fast access to essential departments and utilities, while infusing interactive options and information. For instance, the popular and ever-updated rotating home page photos now include a multi-dot navigation bar beneath the photos allowing users to click through the informational options at their whim and will, instead of waiting for the images to cycle through at their own pace.

Beneath the rotational photos is the new resource carousel featuring links to the most popular Web pages, such as Orientation, Homecoming, Open Houses and Course Schedules. Like the rotational home page photos, these are "clickable" using the right and left arrows giving the user maximum interaction control.

Below the resource carousel, two popular features return with greater prominence, College News and the Events Calendar, while the new Faces of GCC column on the right highlights student success, which is the central, unifying force behind the college's overall mission. Faces of Genesee provide photos and related comments by students of all ages alongside their academic area of interest. Each time a user returns to the home page, a new Face of GCC pops up. But here's a quick tip: by clicking on the headline, a user can view all the current of Faces collectively.

"The college's Web Team, which has representation from every department and division, meets monthly and is continuously monitoring webpage usage and exploring the newest utilities for the most effective user experience," said Richard Ensman, director of External Affairs and chair of the Web Team. "The digital world offers so many new opportunities and we are vigilant in maintaining the most up-to-date presence on the Internet."

The new site also features daily updates to the calendar of events and college news, and designated tabs for users to quickly find the resources they need in Academics, the ACE program, Admissions, Athletics, Arts, Campus Life, the Alfred O'Connell Library and The BEST Center.

The bright yellow Quick Links tab at the upper right of the page provides yet another fast connection to important pages, by expanding the homepage size and giving access to important resources such as Financial Aid, the Directory or the Course Catalog. The user can quickly collapse the home page back to its original size when desired.

At the bottom right, social media icons link to GCC's Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WordPress and Flickr accounts, and to the college's RSS feeds. Each of Genesee Community College's campus centers -- Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw -- also has its own link in the footer of the site.

Beyond the homepage, many tertiary pages have also been revised and updated. Of specific interest is the Student OneStop page, which provides more than 60 links to key departments and resources. The library page not only provides 27 alphabetical categories of online databases, but users can also quickly see the newest acquisitions using left and right scrolling arrows and quick-click information about access, availability and sign out.

"At GCC, our Web development work is never done. We are always looking for new ways to share information and make our resources readily available to the community in the best possible manner," Ensman said. "We also always encourage comments and suggestions to make our Web site ever better."

This week, youth from all over Genesee County are taking part in the first ever EnviroChamps Camp held at Genesee County Park and Forest in collaboration with the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Throughout the week, campers grade six through eight are having the chance to experience and explore many different topics in the environmental field. Some of these include forestry, sustainability, GPS, wildlife, and many others.

From 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Friday, the public is invited to come visit and see what the week entailed. Campers will be leading tours of the park and sharing what they learned through out the week.

The park is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany. The Interpretive Nature Center's phone is 344-1122.