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Deals of the Day: Fine Dining Friday - Alex's and Larry's

By Howard B. Owens

Hey, it's Friday -- end of a long work week, time to reward yourself with a good meal at a nice restaurant. So today we're offering two $50 gift certificates for $25 each. (note, starting today, we're charging a $1 service fee to offset our PayPal fee).

One is for Alex's Place on Park Road and the other for Larry's Steakhouse in Downtown.

After dinner, you can take in a show, too.  We still have tickets available for The Lion in Winter from The Batavia Players. These tickets are $5 each (regularly $10).  The offer expires at 5 p.m. today.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Alex's Place

SOLD

Larry's Steakhouse

SOLD

The Lion in Winter

Police Beat: K-9 alerts on backpack, marijuana suspected

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher Saddler, 25, of Albion was pulled over by a Sheriff deputy for an alleged traffic violation at 12:20 p.m. yesterday. The K-9 working with Deputy Thompson reportedly alerted on the car, and then alerted on a backpack in the car. Saddler was cited for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Batavia Chrysler to stay open as hundreds of others close nationwide

By Billie Owens

The Castilone Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealership in Batavia will stay in business.

The owner, Steve Castilone, was told about the decision this morning. It will continue to sell and service the brands for the Chrysler Corporation's as well as Chrysler's new partner, Fiat, of Italy.

Chrysler has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. 

According to an interview with WTBA, the news is a relief for Castilone.

Audio: Steve Castilone talks about receiving the letter this morning.

Audio: Steve Castilone talks about his business, which began as Hawley Motors generations ago and is was the oldest family owned Chrysler dealership in the nation.

Nationally, 789 dealership were told today they will be shut down.

New environment studies course at GCC gives students hands-on learning

By Billie Owens

From restoring prairie grass to analyzing the DNA of a red tail hawk, the students at Genesee Community College are digging into real-life scientific rsearch.

It's part of a new course, Field Experience in Environmental Studies.

According to Associate Professor of Biology Maureen Leupold, students participated in six different research projects, in cooperation with Finger Lakes Community College, SUNY College at Brockport, and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The research is part of a National Science Foundation grant designed to help colleges integrate scientific research into college classes and labs.

Research projects included:

  • Red Tail Hawk DNA Analysis. Students are learning DNA extraction and analysis skills, using blood collected from hawks at the Braddock Bay Raptor Research Project. Initially most of the DNA analysis is being completed at RIT, but Genesee labs will soon be equipped to handle much DNA work. (Conducted students by Joseph Gorny of Attica, Joseph Richardson of Darien Center and Nathan Svensen of Batavia.)
  • Invasive Plant Species Studies. Using global position systems, students are tracking and documenting the invasive honeysuckle shrubs in Genesee County Park. (Conducted by Frank Pombert of Albion.)
  • Oak Opening Restoration. Students are learning how to restore and maintain prairie grass species native to Western New York. Students are conducting the project on land at the Genesee Country Museum and Nature Center in Mumford. (Conducted by Adam Kramarsyck of Brockport)
  • Raptor Research. Students are learning ornithological field study techniques, and documenting the occurrence of short-eared owls at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. (Conducted by Kathryn Scarborough of Basom.)
  • Medicinal Plant Study. Students are locating and documenting plants with medicinal properties at Genesee County Park. One of the goals of the research is to develop information about medicinal plants for park visitors. (Conducted by Sandy Colombo-Steele of Batavia.)
  • Lake Watershed Runoff Analysis. Students are studying the flow of nutrients into Silver Lake, and compiling data about the impact of storms on Silver Lake and surrounding tributaries. (Conducted by Nicholas Eddy of Bliss.)
  • One of the unique features of Genesee's research course is the participation of highly-experienced environmental researchers in each of the projects. Larry Buckley, PhD, professor of zoology at RIT and James Hewlett, PhD, professor of biotechnology at FLCC, for example, are spearheading the Red Tail Hawk DNA Analysis, GCC's Leupold said. Heidi Kennedy, a noted New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist, is leading the raptor research project.


"Our students are not only exposed to high-quality research projects, but they have the opportunity to become engaged with scientists who are conducting sophisticated research,"  Leupold told trustees at the GCC board meeting Monday.

Joseph Gorny, a Genesee student participating in the Red Tail Hawk DNA project, said that the research experience will help him launch his career.

"What I like most about the research project is that we're getting real-life experience in DNA analysis and lab techniques," Gorny told trustees.

Lawn Fete at St. Joseph School, Batavia

By St. Joseph School
Lawn Fete at St. Joseph School
 
corner of Main & Summit, Batavia
 
Friday June 12th through Sunday June 14th
 
Friday (6-11pm), Saturday (1-11pm) and Sunday (12-10pm)
 
Carnival rides, food, children's games
 
please call the church office with questions 585-343-5800
Event Date and Time
-

Deals of the Day: Essence of Candles and Herbly Wonderful

By Howard B. Owens

Today, we're offering gift certificates for two charming stores, Herbly Wonderful and Essence of Candles.

These are both $25 gift certificate and you can purchase them through The Batavian for $12.50 each -- half off!*

Essence of Candles is located at 201 Liberty St. and features a variety of handmade candles -- made right here in Batavia. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Herbly Wonderful is located at 3701 Pearl Street Road and offers teas, dried herbs, blends and spices. Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: noon to 5 p.m..

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Essence of Candles

SOLD

*NOTE: Starting Friday, we will beginning charing a $1 service fee to offset the fees we pay to PayPal.

Fire crews battle blaze on Otis Street

By Howard B. Owens

Approximately $30,000 in damage was caused to a home at 46 Otis Street in Batavia last night after a fire erupted in the cockloft area of the house.

The Batavia Fire Department reports that dispatchers received numerous calls around 9:42 p.m., including an initial call from a neighbor at the rear of the house on Hutchins Street.

Crews from the city and town were dispatched to the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Damage to the structure, which is owned by Rose Szczesny, was confined to the cockloft -- or attic-like area -- of the house. There was smoke and water damage to other portions of the house.

Deal of the Day: Dinner and a show

By Howard B. Owens

Today we're offering half-price gift certificates for T.F. Brown's and Main St. Pizza Company, as well as half-price tickets to see the Batavia Players perform The Lion in Winter.

Combine your purchases for a great night out this Friday or Saturday!

The T.F. Brown's and main St. Pizza Company gift certificates are worth $25 each, and they're available through The Batavian for $12.50.

The Lion and Winter Tickets are $10 and The Batavian is selling them for $5 each. Order as many as you like -- take your whole family! For more information on the play and picking up your tickets, click here.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

T. F. Brown's

SOLD

Main St. Pizza Company

SOLD

Batavia Players: The Lion in Winter

NOTE: Starting Friday, we'll start charging a $1 service fee on Deals of The Day. This is to cover the fee we're charged by PayPal to process the sale.

1,000 firearm safety kits being distributed

By Billie Owens

The City of Batavia Police Department is providing free firearm safety kits to local residents while supplies last.

The department in partnership with national Project SafeChild will distribute 1,000 kits, which include a gun lock.

The police headquarters is located at 10 W. Main St. and hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"We encourage residents to pick up a Project SafeChild safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm," said Chief Randy Baker in a press release. "Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style gun lock.

"The lock fits on most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. The goal is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home."

Mail truck rear ended at Main and Center

By Howard B. Owens

Just outside the office of The Batavian, a red Cadillac rear ended a U.S. Postal Service delivery truck. There are no apparent injuries. The vehicles have just been moved from the intersection. I didn't see the accident, only heard it.

Deal of the Day: Essence of Candles

By Howard B. Owens

Today's deal is a $25 gift certificate from Essence of Candles for $12.40 - Half Off!.

Essence of Candles is located at 201 Liberty St. and features a variety of handmade candles -- made right here in Batavia. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

SOLD

Scanner quote of the day

By Howard B. Owens

Just overheard on the scanner (source unknown): "Gee, I guess you can't take a truck that's 14' 3" and put it under an awning that's 11' 6". "

Response: "Why's that?"

"Gee, I don't know."

Now, I have no idea what that was all about, but it sounds like something got crunched.

City looking to fill vacancies on various committees and boards

By Howard B. Owens

For residents looking for volunteer opportunities in the city, Batavia has five openings on four different boards/committees.

The Neighborhood Improvement Committee has an opening in Ward 1. The Planning & Development Committee has an opening in Ward 6. The Plumbing Board has an opening in Ward 6 for a master plumber. The Zoning Board of Appeals has an openings in Ward 2 and Ward 5.

From the City Clerk's press release:

Residents interested in applying can obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office or can visit our website at www.batavianewyork.com and download a Committee/Board Application under Downloadable Forms.  The City is hoping to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.  Applications will be taken for any board to be kept on file for future use.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Office of the City Clerk
One Batavia City Centre
Batavia, New York 14020
Phone:   (585) 345-6305
Fax:        (585) 343-9221
E-mail:   hparker@batavianewyork.com
 

Deals of the Day: Batavia Downs and Herbly Wonderful

By Howard B. Owens

We're putting up TWO items today: Herbly Wonderful and Batavia Downs Grandstands Bar and Grille.

Both are $25 gift certificates for $12.50. Half Off!

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Batavia Downs

SOLD

Batavia's fire chief denied waiver on pension + salary, resigns as of Friday

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia's interim Fire Chief Thomas Dillon will serve his last day with the department on Friday.

Dillon is resigning after the New York Civil Service Commission denied a waiver that would have allowed him to continue drawing retirement benefits while receiving a full-time salary from the city.

Dillon retired after 29 years with the Rochester fire department and under civil service rules could not collect more than $30,000 per year as Batavia's chief without a waiver. The job pays $80,000 per year.

Details on the reason for the denial are not immediately available, but Dillon said he believed it had something to do with the availability of local candidates to fill the role.  Civil service rules only allow a full-time position to be filled by a retired public employee if there are not other qualified candidates for the job.

Dillon, who was appointed to the job in September, said he's disappointed to be leaving Batavia.

"This has been a great fit for me," Dillon said. "I can't say enough about how great the people here have been. I have nothing but good things to say about the people on both the fire and the medic side. It's been a great experience for me."

He also praised the city administration and repeated how disappointed he is that he's unable to stay in Batavia.

Dillon and his wife will return to Geneseo, where they ow na home, he said.

UPDATE: An alert reader notes that city officials must have known for a few days at least that Chief Dillon would be leaving. There is a help wanted ad in the Democrat and Chronicle. The job opening was not advertised with the Daily News nor The Batavian (which is free). Nor is the job placed with Craig's List, which is also free.

UPDATE II: Before tonight's council meeting, I spoke with Jason Molino.  "We've been advertising the position for the last week and we have received resumes," Molino said. He also said, "We are considering internal candidates, as well."

Police Beat: Man accused of stealing ex-girlfriend's cell phone

By Howard B. Owens

Brian P. Griffin, 24, of Batavia, is charged with grand theft and endangering the welfare of a child after he allegedly forced his way into the car of an ex-girlfriend, climbed over her children and grabbed a cell phone from her hand. The alleged incident took place Saturday around 7:20 p.m.  Griffin is being held without bail.

John C. Townley, 33, of Alexander, is charged with criminal mischief. Townley allegedly got involved in a verbal argument with another patron at MY Saloon early Saturday morning. Because of the disturbance, an employee reportedly asked Townley to leave the bar. Once outside, Townley reportedly punched a window of the building and broke it.

Cory J. Rigdon, 22, of Holley, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or higher and unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Rigdon was arrested after reportedly driving off the end of Hessenthaler Road in Byron on Sunday evening. Upon further investigation, deputies found he had a prior DWI conviction.

John Tullar, 30, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on Pratt Road.

Jeffery S. Leonard, 22, of Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, a BAC of .08 or greater and ticked for failure to stop at a stop sign. He was cited early Sunday morning on Pearl Street in Batavia.

Mothers day 09

By daniel cherry

Happy Mothers 09 fron Dan and boys.These flowers are in front of the mansion on jackson st batavia.

Two Deals Today: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles and T.F. Brown's

By Howard B. Owens

We're putting up TWO items today: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle and T.F. Brown's.

Both are $25 gift certificates for $12.50. Half Off!

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles

SOLD

T.F. Brown's

SOLD

Deals of the Day: Three today, Adam Miller, Herbly Wonderful and Main St. Pizza

By Howard B. Owens

We're putting up THREE items today: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, Herbly Wonderful and Main St. Pizza Company.

All three are $25 gift certificates for $12.50. Half Off!

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles

SOLD

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Main St. Pizza Company

SOLD

Parents line up all day for tickets to recital at Suzanne's School of Dance

By Howard B. Owens

No, Bruce Springsteen isn't coming to town. Yes, you're not missing a secret show by the Gwen Stefani on Center Street.

This ticket-seeking camp out began at 6 a.m. and it's filled with parents hoping for the best available seats for a Suzanne's School of Dance recital at Batavia High School this Friday and Saturday.

"Yes, we're crazy," said Cathy Chmielowiec, who arrived at 11 a.m. "This is what we'll do for our kids.

Candice Wells was the first in line. "It's important to my daughter," she said.

At the back of the line, a woman noted that no person is allowed to by more than 12 tickets. "We can't buy tickets for each other."

She declined to give her name.

"I don't want to face the wrath of Suzanne," she said. "I'm anonymous."

Another parent said the tickets used to be sold at the school each year, but administrators objected to the long, day-long lines, so now people queue up on Center Street the day of the sale.

The door for tickets opened a little early (scheduled for 6 p.m.), at about 5:40 p.m.

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