events

This month's Reel Discussion movie at the Richmond Memorial Library is "The Secret of the Kells."

It will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. The library is location at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

The setting of the film is the Eighth Century, a perilous time when Viking raiders threatened to destroy Irish civilization. Since his parents were killed by Vikings, 12-year-old Brendan has lived within the walled monastery of Kells under the stern eye of his uncle, Abbot Cellach.

Tuesdays, Apr. 7 - May 19, 6:30-7:00 p.m.

This group is for ages 3-6. Listen to stories and sing songs.  Learn rhymes, fingerplays, and sign language.  Tell stories with puppets and the flannel board.  Each story time ends with coloring and bubbles.

Registration is required.  Children must be at least 3 by the first session.  This session begins Tuesday, April 10 and runs through Tuesday, May 19.

Limit of 15 children. Register online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org or by calling 585-768-8300.

Local musician Brent Persia will perform at Center Street Smoke House from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 -- Saint Patrick's Day.

He'll be playing some acoustic Irish tunes and a mix of hits from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

The venue is located at 20 Center St. in Batavia.

“Brooklyn’s Journey” is a fundraising effort to assist a family in Batavia whose child is facing a life-threatening situation. Brooklyn Grace Sputore is suffering from a condition called Vein of Galen Brain Malformation, which is a form of an aneurysm. This is a life-threatening condition that requires special care.

In addition to the challenges of the condition alone, the parents will need to take leave of their jobs while caring for the child, which will create further financial need.

The National Weather Service will be conducting a SKYWARN spotter training seminar in Batavia at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center, 7690 State St. Road.

It's sponsored by the Genesee County Office of Emergency Services and will last about two hours. There is no cost for the training.

"Have a Heart, Save a Heart” benefit for Bridget (Vogt) Lynch will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight today at Batavia Downs, 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

There will be a chicken barbecue, Chinese auction, raffles and live music from Red Creek, Savage Cabbage and Damaged.

Tickets are $20 and include $5 of free play at the Downs.

BOCES' Health Dimensions will calculate your blood pressure for a $1 donation and $5 haircuts from cosmetology students are also available.

The South Byron Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., will hold its Spring Sportsman Raffle from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at its Recreation Hall, located on Route 237.

Prizes this year include:

A Public Hearing will be held by the Town of Batavia Planning Board regarding the application of Larry Abaire, 3282 W. Main St. Rd., for a Special Use Permit to operate a motor vehicle sales, service, repair and impound yard. This district is zoned Commercial, Tax Map #11-1-62.1.

The hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at the Batavia Town Hall, 3833 W. Main St. Rd., Batavia. All interested persons will be heard. A copy of the application is on file at the Town Hall for review. Written comments will be accepted prior to that date.

The third annual Ducky Derby Fundraiser at Genesee Community College to benefit the United Way will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.

Ducks will be available for purchase at the Batavia campus in the forum, up until the start of the race.

Ticket purchasers will be assigned to a numbered rubber duck. The ducks will then be "set free" in the Olympic-size pool at GCC in Batavia. With the help of a "current" created by the college's Swim Team, the first duck to make it to the end of the swimming pool wins.

"A Taste of New York" will be presented again this year at Holy Family School in Le Roy. It is for adults only, from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.

Sample several great beers, New York State wines and local specialty foods and enjoy live entertainment. There will be raffle prizes all evening.

Tickets are $20 per person, and $15 for designated drivers. Proper ID required, must be 21 to attend.

For tickets and information, contact Sue Bobo at 768-6543. The school is located at 46 Lake St.

The first 2011 meeting of the Elba Historical Society will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday March 3 at the museum on Maple Avenue.

All members are asked to attend as we will be discussing and planning for the new year. We will also be discussing our Civil War display and staffing for the spring and summer.

Anyone is welcome to join our society or the junior member society.

Sign-ups/registration for 2011 Little League and Jr./Sr. leagues are this Friday and Saturday in Batavia.

This will take place at Genesee Country Mall, by the entrance to Sunny's restaurant.

On Friday, Feb. 25, the time is 6 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 26, the time is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please bring a copy of the player's birth certificate, the registration fee and proof of Genesee County residency.

Costs are:

Little League (ages 9 to 12) -- $75

Junior League (ages 13 to 15) -- $90

Senior League (ages 16 and under) -- $90

FREE Art Demonstration -- Bob Castleman will be doing a demo on realism
graphite drawing for the Batavia Society of Artists from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 8 at
GO ART!, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.  Non-members welcome.

March is Art Awareness Month!

The United Way of Genesee County's annual Day of Caring will kick off at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, at Dwyer Stadium. The day will be filled with chores to benefit more than 15 nonprofit groups in the community.

More than 300 volunteers are expected to pitch in for painting, yard work, construction and many more practical tasks for the Day of Caring.

For information or to volunteer, please call the United Way office at 343-8141.

Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia is presenting a paper-crafting program for adults from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22.

Learn how to embellish a three-dimensional decorative birdhouse with papers and other trims in a class taught by Jennifer Cascell. Registration is required and a materials fee of $5.50 is due at the time of registration.

Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia is presenting “Traditional Irish Music with Rich Conroy” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15.

This free concert for adults will include many favorite Irish tunes. More information is available at the library, by calling 343-9550, ext. 2, and at www.batavialibrary.org.

Zumba -- the fun fusion of Latin and international music and dynamic, effective fitness dance moves -- is the focus of a Party of Hope to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Participants will do some booty shaking for a good cause, with sponsorships of $20 for one hour or $50 for all day. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (Even watching this is a hoot!)

Registration begins at 10 a.m. inside the Genesee Country Mall on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

Genesee Community College will host a Job Fair dedicated to careers in the health career industry from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 at the William Stuart Forum.

The event is designed to introduce potential new employees to employers, and also provides health care businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community.

The Genesee County Baseball Club will hold its annual Batavia Muckdogs Hot Stove Dinner and auction from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4 at the Batavia Party House at 5762 East Main Street Road in Stafford.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour followed immediately by dinner.

The BB Winter Fest Fundraiser is set for noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Byron-Bergen Middle/High School in the cafeteria. It is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road in Bergen.

Come shop from vendors such as Pampered Chef, Lia Sohpia Jewelry, Scentsy, Thirty – One Gifts, Mary Kay Makeup, Party Lite Candles, Celebrating Home, Tupperware and Tastefully Simple -- all in one place!

All profits will be donated to the fifth- and sixth-grade class trip going to Boston/NYC. Questions? Email Megan Wahl at mwahl@bbschools.org.