Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 13

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK DemocratandChronicle.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008 Local talks mmm rafagi ii Protest slams Monroe County plan to appeal court decision. dents Patricia Martinez and Lisa Ann Golden, who attended Monday's protest. Their union, legally consecrated in Canada in 2004, was not immediately accepted by Martinez's employer, Monroe Community College. In 2005, she sued to get health care benefits for Golden. The Feb.

1 ruling was in her favor. As long as the Martinez case ruling stands, same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere will be entitled to the same treatment under state law as marriages between a man and a woman. Fairport attended with her partner of eight years, Angela Bonazinga. Lewis said she didn't think Brooks was representing the best interests of the community. She described the potential economic impact as minis-cule and said Brooks' action sent the wrong message about the county.

"It's just about being fair," said Neil Floar of Rochester, who married his partner of 38 years, Tom Morse, in Canada in 2004. "We're not asking for special rights, we're asking for equal rights." VFREILEDemocratandChronicle.com Many attendees held signs showing their dissatisfaction with Brooks' action. Two such signs read, "Equal taxes equals Equal rights" and "Love doesn't discriminate. Monroe County does." Rod Frohman, an associate pastor for the Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, said he was "mystified that Brooks would pick this up." Frohman said he attended the rally so the community knew the parish supports equal rights and equal marriage in New York. Catherine Lewis, 54, of ture passes a law to deny their legitimacy.

Last week, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that the county would appeal the ruling to protect taxpayers. "We certainly cannot ignore the definition of marriage that currently exists under New York state law," Brooks said in a statement. "We wanted her to hear from the people all taxpayers who don't have an issue with extending equal benefits for equal work," Plank said. The appeal focuses on the marriage of Chili resi Building, 37 W. Main St.

Numerous organizations, including The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, Interfaith Advocates and Social Action for Marriage Equality, were represented among the crowd. A second rally was held at 4 p.m. On Feb. 1, the Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court said that same-sex marriages legally consecrated elsewhere must be recognized in New York, unless the Legisla VICTORIA E. FREILE STAFF WRITER About 75 people gathered downtown Monday to protest Monroe County officials' decision to appeal a court ruling requiring New York state to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside the state.

"Everyone deserves to be treated equally and fairly under the law," said Todd Plank, who helped organize the rally at noon outside the County Office i JN (. 'J Soldiers receive gifts from students IV a ft i "1 -Z? I for f. NEIGHBORHOOD NOTEBOOK ROCHESTER Veterans set to discuss war Groups of local veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam will discuss their opposition to war in a panel discussion Wednesday night at the Cinema Theatre, 957 S. Clinton Ave. A showing of the 1971 film Winter Soldier Investigation at 7 p.m.

will precede the panel discussion. The panel will include representatives from the Iraq Veterans Against the War, Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Peace Action Education. I The event is free, but donations will be accepted by Rochester Against War and Iraq Veterans Against the War. PENFIELD Local economy to be addressed Sandy Parker, president of the Rochester Business Alliance, will discuss efforts to bolster the upstate economy to the Penfield Business Association at 6 p.m. March 5 at Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Road.

1 Parker will focus on efforts by Unshackle Upstate, a group of more than 65 businesses and trade organizations that have come together to improve the regional economy and help prevent young leaders from leaving the area. The event costs $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Hors d'oeuvres, soft drinks and a cash bar will be offered. Register by March 3 by calling (585) 671-9102 or e-mail PITTSFORD Dinner benefits literacy effort Interact clubs at Pitts-ford Mendon and Pittsford Sutherland high schools will host a Pastapalooza dinner and fundraiser from 5 p.m. to 730 p.m.

March 4. The event which will benefit the Pittsford Rotary Club's Guatemala Literacy Project will be held at the Pittsford Mendon High School Commons, 472 Mendon Road. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 4 through 12. Children 3 and younger are free. Purchase tickets in advance from Interact club members or through Pittsford Rotary member Pat Mallery at (585)381-9510.

WEBSTER Iceberg for kids in the pool A giant inflated iceberg will invade the Webster Aquatic Center. The 14-foot pool toy has climbing grips on three sides and a slide on the fourth. It is recommended for ages 12 and up; younger children may try it but must be accompanied by an adult in the water. The iceberg will be available from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday at the center, 875 Ridge Road, adjacent to Webster Schroeder High School, i The cost is a $10 family package is available for up to five family members. For center members, the cost is $3, or $6 for the family package, i For more, call (585) 670-1087 or go to KATE MELTON Mona Lisa Quinn, 17, left, and Leon Sturgis, 17, have fun on the computer Monday at the grand opening of Teen Central at the Central Library on South Avenue. Below, other students do research for assignments. Teen Central an early hit Students already taking advantage of 18-computer center at Central Library. JAMES HAWVER STAFF WRITER PENFIELD As soon as one of Toni Oliveri's second-graders announced that the trio of soldiers had arrived Monday, 20 small bodies squirmed in their seats and strained to get a better look out the windows at their special guests walking up to Plank Road North Elementary School.

The children had made T-shirts for members of a local New York Army National Guard unit that will be deployed to Afghanistan next month. And the military visitors Warrant Officer David Pumputis, Staff Sgt. Gary Diaz and Sgt. Meagan Cardino were coming to pick up them up. But first the students peppered them with questions.

"Do you like going to wars?" one asked. "Nobody likes going to war, but it's my job," said Pumputis, a member of the Company 427th Brigade Support Battalion. Both Pumputis, of Rochester, and Diaz, of Waterloo, Seneca County, have served in Iraq but will not be going to Afghanistan next month with Bravo Company, which is currently training at Fort Bragg, N.C. The second-graders painted their own unique designs on the T-shirts: green dots, purple squig-gles and yellow stars. "I think we're making them happy to help serve their country better," said Vincent Schojan, 8, of 'if Ti j- s'j.

.3: -A. iff GARY MCLEND0N STAFF WRITER The Monroe County library system celebrated the opening of Teen Central, Rochester's third library teen center, with a reception Monday afternoon at the Central branch on South Avenue. The center, which opened in January as part of the Safe to be Smart program, has become a popular spot for city teens to gather, surf the Internet and use the library's other resources. "It's been great. Once the kids knew we were here, they (came) right down," said Lori Frankunas, manager of the Teen Center at the Central Library.

"They love it. They like having their own spot. "They can come here for reference and guidance. We will eventually have programming and homework help." Uriah Johnson, 15, of the School of Engineering and Manufacturing at Edison and Kimberly Olivera, 16, Library branch on Dewey Avenue and the Arnett Library branch on Arnett Boulevard. County Executive Maggie Brooks said she is proud of being a partner, adding that providing dedicated library space to teens is a way to inspire and prepare students for the future.

"Children, young people, are 33 percent of the population but 100 percent of our future," said Brooks. From cards to candy bars to clean socks, any little bit of home helps when you are overseas, away from family, Diaz told the students. The most difficult part, he said, was wearing 50 pounds of gear while enduring the sweltering temperatures that can reach 140 degrees. "We don't get to roll up our sleeves or wear shorts just this," said Cardino, a member of the 105th Military Police Company, as she gestured to her camouflage uniform. In December, Oliveri saw a story on television about an organization collecting homemade T-shirts to send to soldiers overseas.

She contacted Donna Schaertl of Soldiers' Angles, a group that sends letters and care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Schaertl, of Shortsville, Ontario County, whose husband recently retired after 23 years of military service, said it is important that students hear about the positive things that soldiers are doing when they are deployed. While in Iraq, Pumputis and Diaz distributed supplies to schools, provided security at a hospital and passed out soccer balls to children. "The best way to show your appreciation of these soldiers is to be good citizens," Schaertl told the students. "When you see a soldier, please say: 'Thank JHAWVERaDemocratandChronicle.com Central Library Black History Month Exhibits: Frederick Douglass display, with material from the Rochester Museum Science Center, in Library's Science History Division; "African-American Literature; Then and Now," display of books by African-American authors from the past and present, in the Literature Media Division; Book and poster displays, in the Children's Center.

Through Friday. Central Library of Rochester Monroe County, 115 South Ave. Free. (585) 428-7300. African-American Scavenger Hunt: For ages 11-17.

Those completing the hunt will be eligible for a prize drawing. Through Friday. Phillis Wheatley Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way. Free.

(585) 428-8212. Black History Contest: For ages 12-18. Try to name a particular person from a description posted each day. At the end of the month, correct answers from all the days will go into a drawing for prizes supplied through a grant from the Rundel Foundation. Through Friday (weekdays only).

Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard. Free. (585) 428-8214. African-American Literature Displays: Through Friday. Monroe Branch Library, 809 Monroe Ave.

Free. (585) of Monroe High School said the 18 computer terminals in the teen center provide them an opportunity they don't have at home Uriah said he plans to use the teen center "a few times a week." Monday, Kimberly was online visiting the popular MySpace social networking page, but she said the computer access will also allow her "to search for things I might need for school." The Safe to be Smart program also operates in the Maplewood HISTORY MONTH EVENTS CSX, Amtrak to meet on train depot for Lyons CENTER, PAGE 4B BLACK Today Discussion on the Life and Music of Duke Ellington: The program will be presented by Frances Rapport. 7 p.m. Ironde-quoit Public Library, Pauline Evans Branch, 45 Cooper Road, Irondequoit. Free.

(585) 336-6062. Ongoing Celebrating Rochester's Rocky Simmons: "The Life and Photographs of an African-American Activist." Through April 30. University of Rochester, Department of Rare Books and Collections, Rush Rhees Library, Library Road, off Wilson Boulevard. Black in America: Eli Reed: Three decades of images by Magnum photographer Eli Reed documenting the Black American experience. Reed's new images of African Americans in Rochester can be seen on a computer screen.

Through June 29. George Eastman House, 900 East Ave. $8 ($6 seniors, $5 students; $3 ages 5 to 12). (585) 271-336L Frederick Douglass Exhibit: Shows what life was like for an African American in the 19th century by reflecting on Douglass' life, from his early years as a slave to his days in Rochester as an orator, newspaper editor and abolitionist. Rochester Museum Science Center, 657 East Ave.

Exhibit included with admission. $8 seniors and college students with ID; $7 ages 3 to 18; free ages 2 and younger and museum members. (585) 271-4320 or www.rmsc.org. Facing Other Ways: Herbert Gentry and African-American Abstraction: A look at the life of famed abstractionist Herbert Gentry. Through March University of Rochester, Department of Rare Books and Collections, Rush Rhees Library, Library Road, off Wilson Boulevard.

Generations II: Intergenerational exhibit by local African-American artists, showcasing works by area students of the Museum of Kids (MOKA) and the Wilson Foundation Academy Photo Club Studio 789. Through Thursday. 1570 Gallery, Valley Manor Apartments, 1570 East Ave. (585)770-1923. Jazz: The Spirit of the Moment: Fifty images of jazz icons taken by Jim Allen.

Through Thursday. Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, 277 N. Goodman St. Free. (585) 473-4000.

Social Statements: The Art of Peter Bibby: Through Friday. Lavery Library Gallery, St. John Fisher College, 3690 East Pittsford. Free. (585) 385-8165.

between $4 million and $7 million. The meeting about the station has not been scheduled yet, but it probably will occur within the next couple of months, said Alexander Detrick, a spokesman for Schumer. A spokesman for CSX could not be reached for comment. Supporters of an Amtrak station have claimed that it would be a boon to the area's economy, giving residents a cheaper and more convenient way of getting to and from the Finger Lakes region. The 85-mile stretch between Rochester and Syracuse is the longest without a stop in the state.

"A train station is the best choice for us," Lilla said. "It's not like we're going to be able to attract a regional or international airport." IHAWVERaDemocratandChronicle.com Sharon Lilla Wayne County planning director sees need for station. In 2001, Amtrak and CSX announced a temporary agreement, but CSX has balked at what it sees as safety and liability issues with the station design. Wayne County received a $1 million grant from the state for the project in 2002, but a design for a single-platform station was rejected in 2004 by CSX, which required that the station be on its main line, not an adjacent secondary track. That move required the addition of three elevator-equipped pedestrian overpasses and two platforms, inflating the total cost of the project to JUSJ" JAMES HAWVER STAFF WRITER LYONS Officials of two railroad companies have agreed to meet with a group of Wayne County leaders, business owners and residents that has been trying for nearly two dec-, ades to bring a passenger train station to Lyons.

An Amtrak stop for the area was first sought in 1990 but has been held up by a series of disagreements between local officials and CSX, which owns the tracks. CSX chief executive Michael Ward has agreed that representatives of his company will meet with Amtrak and local officials, Sen. Charles Schumer, announced Monday. "I'm thrilled that there's this kind of momentum building again," said Wayne County Planning Director Sharon Lilla. NEWS TIPS Contact the metro desk at (585) 258-2252 or (800) 767-7539 (outside Monroe County) or by e-mail at: metronewsaDemocratand Chronicle.com.

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