YOUR COMMUNITY
Improving driver safety

The staff of the Caregiver Resource Center of the Steuben County Office for the Aging can help sort out issues and make suggestions for improving elderly driving safety.

For confidential help visit the Steuben County Office for the Aging website at www.steubencony.org.

Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary of Unit 173 meets every second Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Charles Wescott Post on William St., Bath. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 11.

Communication problems?

The Center for Dispute Settlement is offering a free service to Steuben County residents to help with communication skills. The service is available for residents under the age of 21. Services are confidential and a neutral person is available to help individuals.

For more information contact the Center for Dispute Settlement in Bath at 776- 6976.

Village of Bath Housing Authority Board

The Village of Bath Housing Authority Board will meet at 4 p.m. the forth Monday of every month (except where a Holiday occurs, then it will be held the week before.) The next meeting will be held at Feb. 25.

Victims of Domestic Violence Women's Support Group

Victims of Domestic Violence Women's Support Group will meet from 6:45- 7:45 p.m. Monday nights. The next meeting will be held Feb. 11.

For more information call 1-800-286-3407. Wine Country Toastmasters

Wine Country Toastmasters will meet the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the County Health Care Facility, Co. Rte. 113, Bath. The meeting will discuss enhancing communication and leadership skills. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 19.

For more information call 776-6813 or email at tbilancio@bilancio.org.

Bath Neighborhood Watch Group

The Bath Neighborhood Watch Group will meet the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Bath Municipal Building. The next meeting will be held Feb. 20.

For more information contact Evie Lamb at 776-7664, ext. 229 or 776-4711.

Bath Area Writers Group

The Bath Area Writers Group invites interested individuals to join their round table readings and critiques from 7-9 p.m. every second and forth Tuesday of every month in the Empire Room of the Dormann Library, W. Morris St., Bath. The next gathering will be Feb. 12.

Scholarship opportunities

"Qualified high school students are offered a unique opportunity to spend an academic year, three-month program, or summer holiday in Europe, Asia, North and South America, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program," announcd Gretchen Wietmarschen, Eastern Director of ASSE.

Students, 15 to 18 years of age, qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references and a genuine desire to experience abroad with a volunteer host family in one of the many ASSE host countries.

Students need not have learned a foreign language prior to program participation as they receiver language and cultural instruction as part of the ASSE program. ASSE students attend regular high school classes along with their new teenage friends.

ASSE also provides international opportunities for American families to host students from Europe, the Republics of the Former Soviet Union, South America, Asia, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Students and family's interested in receiving more information about the ASSE programs should call 1-800-677- 2773 or visit ASSE's website at www.asse.com.

Dormann Library events

• The preschool story time is for ages 3-5. This program will be held on Tuesdays until March 11, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Each week has a special theme with stories, songs, games, and a craft. Visit the library web site at www.dormannlibrary.org for a list of the themes.

• Cuddle Up is a program for children under 3 and their parent/caregiver. This program is held on Fridays until March 7, from 10:30-11 a.m. The library will have songs, rhymes, and simple stories and lots of fun.

The Dormann Library is located at 101 W. Morris Street in Bath, NY. For more information call 607-776-4613.

Center for Dispute Settlement awards luncheon

The Center for Dispute Settlement will hold their 1 8 t h Annual Awards Luncheon, "Champions for Peace," from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 125 E. Main Street, Rochester. Guest speaker will be Roland Williams, Super Bowl Champion and Master of Ceremonies will be Rich Funke, News 10NBC. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Feb. 6 by calling (585) 546-5110 ext. 110.

Baseball training camp

Mansfield University baseball program will hold a 12 session baseball training camp. The clinic will offer 8 sessions, four each for ages 5-12 and 13- 18. All sessons are held in the warm confines of Decker Gymnasium featuring six artificial batting cages. Cost varies from age groups. Sessions started Feb. 3 and will end March 2.

For more information or to register visit the Mansfield University baseball website at www.GoMounties.com or calling Harry Hillson at (570) 662- 4457.

H-port legion monthly meetings

The Hammondsport American Legion Unit #409 will hold their monthly meeting the first Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. The next meeting will be held March 2.

FSA accepting emergency loan applications

Steuben County has been declared eligible for Farm Service Agency (FSA), formerly Famers Home Administration, disaster emergency loan assistance effective Oct. 12, 2007 due to damages and losses caused by drought that occured May 1, 2007 and continuing. Family farmers who have suffered physical losses and/or the losses of at least 30 percent of their production due to the drought may be eligible for FSA loans. Proceeds from crop insurance and any FSA programs are taken into account when determining eligibility for prodution losses. Losses must be supported with documented records. Under the FSA Emergency Loan Programs farmers may be eligible for production loss loans of up to 100 percent of their actual losses, or the operating loan amount needed to continue in business, or a maximum principal balance outstanding of $500,000, whichever is less. Farmers must be unable to obtain credit from private commercial lenders. The interest rate on Emergency Loans is 3.75%

Applicaton for loans under this emergency designation will be accepted until June 12, 2008. The FSA office is located at 415 W. Morris St., Bath, 776-7398.

VEW enrollment

If you have a child who will be five years old on or before Dec. 1, 2008, or if you know child who meets this criteria, please contact Vernon E. Wightman Primary School regarding kindergarten enrollment. In addition, parents of children who will be four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2008 are requested to call the school about enrollment in the Universal Pre- Kindergarten (UPK) program.

At this time the school is requesting the child's name, birth date, address, phone number and parents' names. For more information, call the school office at 776-4123, ext. 5110 between 7 a.m. and p.m.

Tax counceling

The Office for the Aging, in conjunction with AARP, will offer income tax assistance to Steuben County residents. Will answer tax-related questions, check over tax returns, or will prepare your returns. Service is confidential and free of charge. The schedule is as follows:

• ADDISON - Addison Place Apartments, 43 William Street from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 and Feb. 20.

• BATH - Lakeview Apartments, 105 Geneva Street, from 9 a.m. to noon beginning on Feb. 6 through April 9.

• BATH - VA Medical Center, Room C105, Section 1, Building 104 (for resident only) from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 12.

• CORNING - Corning Senior Center, 1 Park Lane, from 9 a.m. to noon beginning on Feb. 7 through April 10, but not on Feb. 14 or March 13. Income tax appointments are now available at the Corning Senior Center site. To make an appointment and save waiting in line, call the Corning Office of the Aging at 936-4661.

• CORNING - Town of Corning Building, 20 South Maple Street, South Corning, from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 11.

• HORNELL - United Presbyterian church, 150 Main Street, from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning on Feb. 1 through April 11.

• WAYLAND - Wayland Free Library, from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 14, March 6 and April 3.

Please bring pertinent papers and a copy of last year's returns (if available) with you, along with blank tax forms if possible. No appointments necessary. Home visits are available for those who cannot travel, but visits must be requested by March 10, 2008. Call your local Office for the Aging for more information. When schools close due to bad weather, the tax clinics are also closed.

Bethel Assembly of God

Evangelist Richard Rochkind is coming to Bethel Assembly of God, 310 W. Washington St., Bath at 11 a.m. Feb. 10. He ministers to those who are hurting and have no direction. Please come and hear the good news that Jesus has a definite plan for you.

Christian concerts

Nite Lite Gospel House will host live Christian concerts for the family every Friday at 6 p.m. at the Christian Coffee House on Roosevelt Avenue in Bath.

The concerts will include refreshments such as coffee, cappuccino, soda and snacks. For more information, call 664-1373 or visit the Nite Lite Gospel House website at www.nitelitegospelhouse.com 9-1-1 Advisory Board meeting

The next meeting of the 9- 1-1 Advisory Board has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the EOC room located at the Steuben County 911 Center.

Transportation Committee meeting

A meeting of the Members of the Transportation Committee of the Bath Central School Board of Education will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 in the District Office.

Operation Safe Child

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, is participating in Operation Safe Child. Operation Safe Child was created to raise awareness about child safety.

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office will hold events at various locations. Cards are produced onsite. Parents will be given the opportunity to have their child's identifying information and photo forwarded to a database at the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Undersheriff David Cole is overseeing the project for theh Steuben County Sheriff's Office. Contact person at the Sheriff 's Department is Kimberly Rawlegh at 776-7009 to discuss scheduling an event, or to answer questions. Events can be viewed at www.criminaljustice.state.ny

us/pio/safechild/Steuben_sa fechild.htm.

Retired Police Officers

The Retired Corning Police Officers Association will meet at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Central Restaurant in Painted Post. The Association is open to any retired Steuben County Police Officer or any retired Police Officer living or working in Steuben County. For more information call Tom Greven at 796-1822 or 962- 5040.

Employment practices workshop

Elmira College's SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Team and Corning Community College's Small Business Development Center are offering a workshop on Employment Practices to be held Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at Elmira College's Hamilton Hall, corner of Washington and College Avenues in Elmira. Joanne Conley, Director of Human Resources at ARC of Chemung County, will cover job descriptions, hiring and retaining employees, using a temp agency, employee benefits and guidelines on independent contractors vs. employees.

There is no charge for the workshop but registration is required. Please call the SBDC at 937-6861 or e-mail Buchanan@corning-cc.edu.

Bath area Youth Lacrosse sign ups

The Bath area Youth Lacrosse sign ups will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 at the Haverling Middle School Library. The program is split into three grade levels; K-12, 3-4, and 5-6. The cost is $20 per child. Practices will be held at the Haverling Bus Garage and begins in April.

For more information of questions call Ken DiDomineck at 776-4773.

Ten star all star basketball camp

Applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp. This camp is for invitation only. Boys and girls ages 10-19 are eligible to apply. College Basketball Scholarships are possible for players selected to the All-American team. Camp locations include: Glassboro, New Jersey; Prescott Arizona; Thousand Oaks, California; Babson Park, Florida; Gainesville, Georgia; Champaign, Illinois, Lebanon, TN; Commerce, Texas and Blackburg, Virginia. A summer camp is also available for boys and girls ages 6-18 of all skill levels. For a free brochure on these Summer Camps, please call 704-373- 0873 anytime or visit www.tenstarcamp.com.

Savona Cinderella Softball sign ups

Sign ups for Savona Cinderella Softball will be held from 12-3 p.m. Feb. 9, March 1, March 8 and March 15 at the Savona Village Hall. For more information call Janet Tunning- Beebe at 622-5009 or Rick

Crane at 346-6378.

H'port kindergarten registration

Kindergarten Registration from the 2008- 2009 school year will be held at the Hammondsport Primary School from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Primary Library. To register, parents will need to show documentation that their child will be at least five years old by Dec. 1, 2008 (a birth certificate) and provide the child's immunization records. The immunizations required for public school attendance must be completed before entering school. First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church on Putlteney Square in downtown Bath will hold "Wednesday" lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Feb. 13-March 12. Soup and sandwich for $6, special $3, desserts $1 and beverage included. Take-outs will be available.

Bath Board of Education

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Bath Central School District will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the District Office.

Single Adult Fellowship dance

Single Adult Fellowship will present a dance at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 featuring live music by Country Boys at the First Presbyterian Methodist Church, Painted Post. The dance is open to all divorced, widowed, separated or never married. Must be 21 years of age to attend.

Bath VA open house and flue shot clinic

The Bath VA Medical Center and the Charles E. Wescott American Legion Post will host a Veterans Open House ofrom 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the post located on West William St., Bath.

A flue vaccination clinic for eligible veterans, new identification card photos, and military surplus clothing (while supplies last.) All veterans are encouraged to attend and learn what benefits they may be eligible for based on their honorable military service. Refreshments will be available.

For more information call the Bath VA Outreach Office at 664-4869.

Bath Neighborhood Watch Group

The Bath Neighborhood Watch Group meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in the conference room of Clyde F. Simon Lakeview Apartments, 105 Geneva Street, Bath. Refreshments will be available. Additonal information regarding the Yello Dyno Program can be found at www.yellodyno.com. For more information or questions about the presentation by Bath Police Officer William Baker or Neighborhood Watch, contact Evie Lamb, Neighborhood Watch Captain at 776-7664 ext. 229.

Trivia competitions

The Bath Kiwanis Club is hosting trivia competitions Thursday evenings at the Bath Country Club. The competitions begin at 7 p.m. and are intended to raise money for Kiwanis youth programs.

Trivia Nights run through March 27. Teams may compete for great prizes, with up to four people on each team. A donation of $5 from each person is requested.

Informal investment seminar

Steuben Trust Company on Wednesday, Feb. 13, will host an informal investment seminar from 4 to 6 p.m.

With the challenges ahead for the markets, successful investors should ask questions and make sure they are positioned with assets and securities. Steuben Trust will have investment advisors available to review current market conditions, and answer questions regarding current and future investments.

Customers and area residents are invited to join in this vital discussion. No sales or products will be suggested. For information, directions or signup, call the Bath Plaza office at 664- 3200.

Crop symposium

A Crop symposium workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Civil Defense Center, Bath. Topics will be field crop weed control, better soil health through zone tillage and pest resistant perennial forages. 2.5 NYSDEC re-certification credits. Lunch cost is $10 per person. To register call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County at 664- 2300.

Sexual abuse helpline

Rape is a crime. It is motivated by a desire to control, humiliate, and harm. Rapists use sex as a weapon to dominate others. Because of gender stereotypes and rape myths in our society, it is a common to blame the victim-for dressing suggestively, having too much to drink, inviting someone into her/his bedroom. No matter when, where, or how it happens sexual violence is never the victim's fault. For more information on this horrendous crime or if you need help, call 570-724-3549 or 1-800-550-0447.

Women Business Owners' Roundtable

The Women Business Owners' Roundtable will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Corning Community College's Small Business Development Center, 245 Denison Parkway West in Corning. Lu Kohena, decorating consultant and owner of Rooms For You by Lu in Hector, will present "A Marketing Forum: Tips to Grow Your Business." Call the SBDC at 937-6861 for information.

H'port Chamber of Commerce

The First Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours of 2008 will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Snug Harbor Restaurant. Event is for members only. Please RSVP to the Chamber at 569-2989 or e-mail at info@hammonsport.org by Feb. 22.