Announcements

The Alexander Fire Department is happy to announce that the RIDES ARE BACK for the this year's annual carnival/tractor pull on July 9 and 10!

After the absence of rides for the past couple of years, a ride contract with Amusements of Utica (same ride company as Stafford and Warsaw Carnivals) has been secured for the event.

The midway will be open from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 9 and Noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

To coincide with the midway, the fire department has also brought back the Kiddie and Grand parades. Both parades will take place on Saturday. The Kiddie Parade will begin at Noon and the Grand Parade at 3:30 p.m.

Also new this year, will be a Teen Tent for the under 21 crowd. Music will be provided by a DJ in the Teen Tent. The Teen Tent will open on Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m.

The “Who Dats” will perform in the Beer Tent on Friday at 9:30 p.m. and local band “Red Creek” will provide music on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

On Friday, the Alexander Fire Department Auxiliary will serve a Chicken Barbeque beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the popular Alexander Fireman’s Band will perform a concert on the grounds at 6 p.m.

The Tractor Pull will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The drawing of the prizes on this year’s raffle will take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Here's a list of the prizes:

1.    A $350 Gift Certificate Package – provided by Mooch’s Auto Glass
2.    $500 Cash
3.    Says Small Engine Repair Gift Certificate – value $300
4.    Upstate Automotive Group Fluid Maintenance Package – value $499.00
5.    First Choice Travel – Weekend at Splash Lagoon – value $630.00
6.    $750 Cash
7.    Geer Farm Service – Alaska Channing III Coal Stove  - value $2,150.00
8.    Clarks Appliance – 42” HD Flat Screen Panasonic TV with 5 speaker surround sound – value $1,099.00
9.    Clarks Appliance – Frigidaire Washer and Dryer – value $1,600.00
10.    $950 Cash
11.    Alexander Equipment – Storm Package – includes 16” Dolmar Chain Saw, Simplicity Sno Thrower, 7.25 KW 13.0 HP Generator, 16” 22.6cc String Trimmer, Mantis 4 Cycle Tiller – value $3,577.00
12.    GRAND PRIZE – Z & M  - John Deere Lawncare Package – includes X300, 42” Deck Lawn Mower with canopy wagon, trimmer, bagger, and blower – value $4,550.00

For more information on the Alexander Fire Department Carnival/Tractor Pull or to obtain raffle tickets, please call (585) 591-4102.

Two students in Genesee Community College's Nursing Program went to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in April and returned in mid-May as confident professionals. Today, GCC announced that the inaugural six-week exchange program with the Southbank Institute of Technology played a key roll in completing the women's nursing education.

Natalie Wedge, of Le Roy, and Crystal Fial, of Darien, were second-year nursing students. They finished their degree this spring by doing their required Nursing Preceptorship in Australia at Princess Alexandra Hospital. It is a "magnet" hospital that provides a high level of health care service similar to Strong Memorial Hospital. GCC Nursing instructor Deborah Carrasquillo, RN, MS, also took part in the exchange program.

Both graduates landed positions at Rochester-based hospitals upon their graduation. Wedge took a nursing position at Rochester General on the "4800 floor" and Fial will be working at Strong Memorial Hospital in an orthopedic unit.

"I was pleasantly surprised that there really was no difference in bedside manner," Wedge said. "And I really enjoyed working in 'pods' with other nurses. The 'pods' were made up of three nurses who communicated during the shift as they took care of three to eight patients."

Carrasquillo acted as the U.S. nurse educator and program liaison. This was her first time traveling to a foreign country beyond Canada and she said she was "very empowered" by the entire experience.

"Overall, I found myself in a leadership and mentoring role," Carrasquillo said. "I not only could lead and mentor Natalie and Crystal but I also worked with Southbank staff to show them how we structured our programming back in the U.S."

Wedge and Fial worked at the hospital Monday through Thursday and also completed course work equivalent to two independent study courses. Wedge worked on a medical/surgical floor with dementia and end-of-life rooms, while Fial worked in a unit that was dedicated to patients with needing eye care.

In their scarce spare time, they experienced the city of Brisbane and the surrounding areas throughout the state of Queensland. They enjoyed trips to the Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's zoo), Tambourine Mountain, the beaches of the Gold Coast and participated in Anzac Day activities on April 25, the equivalent to the United States' Memorial Day.

"It was just an amazing experience," Wedge said. "We enjoyed the people and the Notcountry and the Australian people were very welcoming."

Not only the exchange participants learn about Aussies and vice-versa, they said it made them stronger and more independent. Plus, they learned something about their chosen profession.

"Nursing is not the same everywhere you go," Wedge said. "It was so beneficial to see the differences. When I left home I was a student, but when I returned home I truly felt like a nurse."

Oakfield will hold a community celebration on Monday, Sept. 6. The Labor Day event is called "A Day in the Park" and will be an alcohol-free family extravaganza!

It takes place at Elroy D. Perkins Park on Drake Street. There will be a parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. and games and entertainment for everyone.

Music will be provided by Duck 'N Cover and The Trolls. There will be a car show and many local crafters selling all kinds of stuff.

Come hungry. There will be chicken BBQ offered by the Oakfield Little League, sausage and hamburgers cooked by the Lion's Club, hot dogs and drinks from the Elba Boy Scouts and Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Lots more, too!

BATAVIA, NY – Batavia Downs Casino begins 64th season of live, harness racing on Monday, July 26. Pacers and trotters will meet at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track for 72 exciting dates of racing.

The 2010 season features a new post time of 6:40 for all evening races. Three matinees will take place on Aug. 29, Sept. 6 and Oct. 11, each with a post time of 1:15. For all racing promotional giveaways and handicapping contests, patrons may begin swiping their Player’s Club cards at 5 p.m. at the Players Club.

“The new 6:40 post time is designed to be more convenient for our patrons,” says Michael D. Kane, vice president of operations and live racing at Batavia Downs Casino.  “The new time should also increase the nightly handle, especially in the early races."

New for the 2010 season is a Pick 6 wager on races 7-12 with a $2 minimum. The Pick 6 will start out with a guaranteed pool of $1,000. Based on past popularity of Batavia Downs Casino’s annual Pick 6 Contest, the new nightly Pick 6 wager is sure to be a hit with race fans.

“We are excited about the new Pick 6 and believe it will be a nice addition for our patrons,” Kane said.

Also new this season is a fourth Daily Double. The Late Late Daily Double for races 10-11 has been added to the wagering menu. This will be in addition to the previous Early Daily Double (races 1 & 2), Mid Daily Double (races 4 & 5), and the Late Daily Double (races 8 & 9).

For more information visit www.bataviadowns.casino.com
 

The Genesee County BEA (Business Education Alliance) is offering three career camps this summer for middle-school students. Culinary Camp is already filled for this year.  There are a just a few spots remaining in the two other career camps.

Brand new this year is a camp exploring careers related to math, science and technology. The MST Explorer Camp is July 20 and 21 and it is for students who are going into 7th, 8th and 9th grades. The camp on July 20 is for boys and the girls camp in on July 21.  The camp fee is $25 and will run all day, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch and snacks are included. It will be held at Batavia Middle School.

Students will learn how math, science, and technology translate to exciting career options. Some of the activities will include designing and building bridges; testing CO2 cars; exploring aerodynamics through a hot air balloon, a real race car, and an ultralite aircraft; experiencing energy; and learning about the future of alternative energy sources, and many more.

The MASH (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp is July 27-30 for students who are going to be 7th and 8th graders in the fall. This camp registration fee was $40 but the GCEDC (Genesee County Economic Development Center) has generously offered to cover the registration for all of the students. The limit is 20 students and there are only a few spots left. Snacks and lunches are included. The camp will be held at a variety of locations including United Memorial Medical Center, Batavia VA Medical Center and Genesee Community College.

This career camp explores careers related to health and healthcare fields, including the new career clusters, life sciences and biotechnology. The camp is hands-on and offers a variety of interactive activities for students to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to be in some of these careers. The activities are lead by professionals who are excited about their jobs and who want to share it with students.

The deadline for registering is Monday, July 5. If you would like to register your child or you have any questions, please contact Melinda Chamberlin at 343-7440 ext. 25 or mchamberlin@geneseeny.com.

The Batavia Rotary Club has partnered with World Vision’s Get a Kick Out of Sharing, a nation-wide effort to acquire 250,000 new and gently used soccer balls for children in need world-wide.

The annual Genesee County Fair will be held from Tuesday, July 20 until Saturday, July 24 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, at 5056 E. Main St. Road in Batavia. Admission is free, but there will be a $5 charge for parking.

The fair will last from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. each day, with rides starting at 4 p.m. Kids and families can ride as much as they want for $10.

Grandstand events, a car show, parade, food, animals, a queen contest and entertainment will also be included.

Additionally, this year's fair will have a new feature: people are invited to sell crafts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Call 344-2424 for further details.

The Richmond Memorial Library is about ready to kick off its 2010 Summer Reading Program. The theme this year is "Make a Splash at Your Library."

Things are hectic at the library, because they just got a memo that the Richmond Reader is missing! The library will need the help of all young readers to find him this summer:

Visit the library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, to register for the Summer Reading Program.

The Batavia Concert Band’s 86th anniversary season of music-making and free public concerts begins tonight at 7 in Batavia’s Centennial Park.

Additional concerts and parades will feature the band at other locations and times, including Batavia’s popular July 4 Picnic in the Park at Trigon Park in Le Roy.

The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire is wide-ranging in origin, period and style: Sousa-style marches, Broadway show tunes, classical adaptations, fun songs for kids of all ages, big-band and swing numbers, popular songs from hit musicals and movies, rock favorites arranged for concert band -- and everything in between.

The band consists of 40 to 60 or so brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented local high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, and the rest are advanced amateur musicians. All love to play.

The conductor’s podium will be shared this season by veterans Wayne Burlison, Jane Haggett, Phil Briatico, Brad Meholick, Bob Pastecki and Keven McLaud. Derek Reiss and Dizzy again cap this year’s Concerts in the Park on Aug. 11, as a benefit fundraiser for the Batavia Concert Band.

Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during WWII. It currently enjoys financial support from GO-ART!, concert sponsors, program advertisers and individual patrons.

The band also sponsors a “Taste of Western New York” gift-certificate raffle from selected area restaurants, 50-50 raffles at every concert, bake sales and other low-key fundraisers.

Regular season concerts are at 7:00pm, Wednesdays, in Centennial Park (in case of rain, in the Genesee County Nursing Home).

All concerts are free to the public of all ages. Light refreshments are usually available. Bring the family, some friends, lawn chairs or a blanket… and enjoy!

The Batavia Rotary Club announced today that it has pledged $100,000 to United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC), to be fulfilled over a five-year period.

“The Batavia Rotary Club has a rich history of generous donations to critical community partners such as UMMC,” said President Ted Hawley. “Our members spend countless hours on fundraising activities and events; the Father’s Day Fly-In Breakfast is the most recent example..."

Today's pledge comes a year after the club made its final payment on another multi-year pledge to UMMC, which totaled $250,000.

The momentum for the latest donation plan stems from UMMC's announcement in October about the surgical expansion project in front of the hospital at 127 North St., Batavia. The project includes a one-story addition to the front of the main hospital building. A total of five operating rooms will double in size from 300 to 600 square feet, plus there will be one treatment room and 19 private recovery beds.

In addition to annual scholarships, the Batavia Rotary Club contributes money to many youth and human service organizations in Genesee County, as well as to international projects. For example, each year, Rotary selects three high school seniors -- one from Batavia High School, BOCES and Notre Dame -- to receive a $1,500 annual scholarship for each of the four years the recipient is in college.

The LeRoy Moose Family Center is having its annual wingding to benefit Mercy flight July 16-18 during Le Roy's Oatka Festival.

The center is located at 21 Bank St. in the village, along the banks of the mighty Oatka Creek.

MooseCreek 2010 opens Friday at 6 p.m. with a kickoff party. Music starts at 9 p.m. featuring Rochester’s premier modern rock band -- "The Guy Smiley Band"!

On Saturday night, music starts at 7 with "Scorpions" tribute band "Fatal Sting," followed by MooseCreek legends and one of the leading "AC/DC" tribute bands in the industry, "Ballbreaker."

Sunday afternoon the music starts at 2 and goes until about 9 with a country jamboree hosted by "Eddie Lee and Closing Time." All weekend long there will be good food cooking, great drink prices and lots of fun! The event is open to the public with NO COVER charge, but donations for Mercy Flight are always welcome.

Mark your calendars now for MooseCreek 2010! Over the years and with your support, it has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Mercy Flight, so come on out and help make it a record year!

For more information, contact event chair Jim Ingalls at 993-1348.

Genesee Community College Professor of Biology Maureen Leupold and Assistant Professor of History Garth Swanson, were selected to participate in the annual reading and scoring of the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations earlier this month.

College instructors must apply to the College Board and are then invited to participate. Instructors must be teaching a college-level course in the subject they are reading in order to qualify.

Each year, the AP program gives more than 1.5 million capable high school students an opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses and examinations. Based on their exam performance, successful students can receive credit and/or advanced placement when they enter college.

More than 2.9 million examinations from more than 30 AP courses were evaluated by more than 10,000 AP readers from universities and high schools. Representing many of the finest academic institutions in the world, these educators came from the United States, Canada and abroad.

Leupold traveled to Kansas City, Mo., to grade AP biology exams, while Swanson traveled to Kentucky to grade AP history exams. This was Leupold's first opportunity to be a part of the reading. Swanson has participated in the reading component four times.

Jerry Kozlowski has been named associate vice president for Workforce Development at Genesee Community College. He has been serving at the dean of The BEST Center at Genesee, which provides consultation, training and advice for local businesses.

He begins his new position July 1 and will assume greater responsibility for administering customized workforce-development programming. He will also oversee strategic and tactical planning in the growth of workforce-development services.

Kozlowski began his tenure at Genesee Community College in 2000 as a faculty member in the business department. In 2002, he helped found, develop and serve as dean of The BEST Center, (Business Employee Skills Training). In 2004, he assumed the managerial role of Genesee's network of campus centers, which included the construction and opening of a sixth location in Lima last October.

As dean of The BEST centers, he oversaw academic programs in the four-county GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming) and supervised a staff of more than 30. This area of responsibility accounts for approximately one-quarter of the college's total enrollment.

"At all community colleges, workforce development has become a key and expected component of the community college's mission," said college President Stuart Steiner, Ph.D. "Our Board and local sponsors have certainly praised us for our success in this area, and we have the hope and expectation that we can continue to build on that success. Jerry is the ideal candidate to meet those new goals and secure the future success of The BEST Center."

Kozlowski was the recipient of the prestigious State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service for academic year 2005 - 2006 in recognition of his consistent leadership and outreach activities.

He's a member of the Leadership Genesee Class of 2004 and serves on the following boards: New York State liaison for the American Association of Community Colleges; member-at-large, GLOW Workforce Investment Board; member, Genesee County Empire Zone Board; member, Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Economic Development Focus Group; and vice chair on the Board of Directors for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

He is also a former business columnist for The Batavia Daily News.

Kozlowski is a resident of Clarence Center and is an adjunct graduate school professor for Medaille College, a former executive of Tops Markets, Inc., and a retired officer of the Air Force with 25 years of service as a commander, instructor, speechwriter and program manager.

Genesee Community College's picture book was recently honored in New York City, earning a pair of top honors in the 2010 Communicator Awards.

Each year, they recognize creative excellence in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The competition is one of the largest of its kind in the world, drawing more than 9,000 entries annually.

"We strive, as I think every college does, to put our best foot forward in showcasing our campus," said Virginia Taylor, Ph.D, Genesee's vice president for student and enrollment services. "But to be judged as excellent in this regard by such a distinguished group is flattering and humbling."

The picture book is the college's flagship publication for traditional student recruitment. It received the international competition's highest accolade, the Award for Excellence, in two categories.

In the Communicator Awards' brochure/viewbook category, the college was one of only seven Award for Excellence recipients. In the brochure/photography category, only Genesee and the pioneering aerospace corporation Lockheed Martin won.

"I'm particularly pleased that our photography received acclaim because everyone featured in the picture book was a Genesee student when we shot the pictures for it, said College Recruitment Communications Specialist Hal Legg, who developed the publication.

"The success of the piece depended completely upon their commitment to it. This award is really for them, and they certainly deserve it."

The International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) hosts and judges the competition. It is an assembly of industry leaders from various disciplines of the visual arts. Membership in the academy is by invitation only and includes creative professionals from companies such as Yahoo!, Disney, HBO, Polo Ralph Lauren, Condé Nast, MTV, Coach, Estee Lauder, Monster.com, Victoria's Secret and Wired.

"We were once again amazed at the high level of work we received for this year's Communicator Awards," noted IAVA Director Linda Day. "Our entrants always seem to find new and creative ways to push the envelope of possibilities across all mediums."

Winning twice at the Communicator Awards adds to the picture book's critical success. In April, it received a Platinum Award at the Hermes Creative Awards, hosted in Arlington, Texas, by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.

The college faculty and staff are grateful for the recognition that these awards bring.

"Our campus and what goes on here is such fantastic subject matter," Legg said. "While a lot of work went into this project, I think this (accolade) is just as much a reflection of the college's vibrancy. What comes through in the picture book, I think, is the energy of the people and the place."

Here are some highlights from the June 7 meeting of the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees. It:

Approved a $261,150 change order for renovating the existing Batavia Campus tennis courts. The original tennis court work, planned as part of the recent athletic facility upgrade project, was put on hold until the remainder of the work was successfully completed.

Heard Nominating Committee member Glenn R. Morton report that the committee is recommending that Trustee Charles R. Ruffino serve as chair for the 2010-2011 year; Maureen Torrey Marshall, vice chair; and Diane D. Torcello, secretary. The board will elect officers at its July 19 annual meeting.

Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor report that applications from prospective full-time students for the fall 2010 semester totaled 3,710 as of May 31, up 19.1% from the 3,115 applications received a year ago.

Learned that 387 individuals have applied for admission as part-time students, up 15.5% from the 335 individuals who had applied for part-time admission last year.

Heard President Stuart Steiner report that 1,550 students had enrolled in Genesee Community College's 2010 summer sessions, up 117 from the 1,433 students who had enrolled during record-breaking summer sessions in 2009. Also, Taylor reported that 270 area high school seniors had enrolled in Genesee courses this summer through the Genesee Promise Plus program, up from the 255 high school seniors who enrolled last year. She noted that high school seniors still have almost a month to register for courses, so the number of seniors participating in courses this year will probably be higher than 270.

Heard Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman report that cumulative gifts to the Genesee Community College Foundation between 1985 -- the year it was established -- and 2010, totaled $8.82 million. During that period, 6,365 individuals and organizations made contributions in support of student scholarships, building programs, endowment, and other college programs. He thanked trustees for their personal financial support of the college.

Heard President Steiner report that five individuals will join the faculty this fall:

• Marshann Thomas, of Rochester, will become director of the new Polysomnographic Technology program. She is a registered polysomnographic technologist and registered respiratory therapist at Unity Health System in Rochester. She has also served Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester and Gadsden Community Hospital in Florida. She holds an A.A.S. degree from Erie Community College, a B.S. degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, and a M.E. degree from the University at Buffalo. She is nearing completion of a Ph.D. at Florida State University.
• Toni Boyd, currently a Ft. Collins, Colo., resident, will join the faculty as instructor of English. She has teaching experience at St. Louis Community College and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She has also worked as a freelancer author, and as a freelance editor with the Colorado State University School of Education. Boyd holds an A.A. degree from Southeastern Community College in Iowa; and B.A. and M.A.degrees from Western Illinois University.
• Brian Fraser, Ph.D, of East Aurora, will become instructor of Chemistry and Mathematics. He spent 13 years working in the semiconductor industry and has served as a member of the adjunct faculty of Genesee Community and Buffalo State colleges. He holds a B.A. from SUNY Potsdam and earned his doctorate from the University of California at Los Angeles.
• Kathleen Klaiber, currently of Jordanville, will join the faculty as instructor of English as a Second Language/English. She has more than a decade of college teaching experience, including service at Utica College and Herkimer County Community College. She holds B.A. degrees in Literature/Communication and Spanish from Pace University, and a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from University of Utah.
• Ronald Schumacher, of Rochester, will join the faculty as instructor of Engineering and Mathematics. He has served as a member of the adjunct faculty of two community colleges, Monroe and Finger Lakes, and at Rochester Institute of Technology. He has been a career advisor for CSTEP, a program fostering preparation for technology careers, and has spent many years working in industry as a product specialist and engineer. Schumacher holds an A.A.S. degree from Erie Community College, and B.S.M.E. and M.S.M.E. degrees from the University at Buffalo.

The Sixth Annual Taste of Stafford, sponsored by the Stafford Historical Society, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 8 in Illette Park. The park is located at the intersection of routes 5 and 237.

Honored will be Stafford veterans of all wars and conflicts, to include individuals from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Great War, World War ll, Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf War and those who have served or are serving our country in the most recent conflicts around the world.

Tributes will be also shown to men and women who served or are serving in peacetime.

The Taste of Stafford is a great "old-tyme" community event, a chance to meet and chat with neighbors and friends, to eat good food and enjoy an evening of music and fun. A group of local residents will present patriotic songs.

The public is invited.

Last week, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees approved $852,900 in contracts for the construction of a new art gallery at the Batavia campus, subject to review and approval by the architects for the project.

Low bidders winning the Board's approval were: Steve General Contractor, Inc., of Caledonia -- general construction ($590,000 base bid and $648,000 total bid with allowances); T. Bell Construction Corp., of Rochester -- mechanical ($112,700 base bid and $122,700 total bid with allowances); Thurston Dudek LLC, of Ontario -- plumbing and fire protection ($43,200 base bid and $53,200 total bid with allowances); and Concord Electric Corp., of Rochester -- electrical ($107,000 base bid and $117,000 total bid with allowances).

The art gallery will be located east of the existing Genesee Center for the Arts lobby. The one-story gallery will have about 1,700 square feet of exhibit space, as well as storage and work space.

The gallery will house modular walls which can be used to accommodate a wide variety of exhibits, including visual works, sculpture, ceramics and other media. The gallery will be built with "smart technology," which will make new media and web-based exhibits possible.

The new gallery will be used for student instruction, as well as exhibits of work by students and artists throughout the region. The college has formed a community advisory committee to help develop policies for the new gallery and involve area arts organizations in exhibits.

The art gallery was designed by Joy, McCoola & Zilch, of Glens Falls, award-winning architects for colleges and universities throughout the northeastern United States. The firm also designed the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union and the Conable Technology Building, which won a juried award for excellence from the American Institute of Architects. Target date for completion of the facility is late October.

The new art gallery will add an exciting new dimension to the college and a new opportunity for community outreach, President Stuart Steiner said.

"Throughout the College's history, we have taught the fine arts and exhibited artistic works as best we could," he said. "But our exhibit space has been very limited. A professionally designed gallery, with modern and secure exhibit space, will be a wonderful resource for our students, our region's arts community, and residents of our region."

The gallery is being financed with funding from the State University of New York Construction Fund, and gifts from the Genesee Community College Foundation and Genesee Community College Association.

Stall applications for the 64th season at Batavia Downs Casino in New York are now available on the track's website <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com>.

Stall applications will also available at <http://www.wnyhha.net> or at the race office at Buffalo Raceway.

The 2010 season at America’s oldest lighted harness track features 72 race days that includes three matinees. The meet opens on July 26.

Live racing will be presented on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights to begin the season with a new post time of 6:40 p.m. Tuesday nights will replace Mondays after Labor Day except for Columbus Day. Afternoon post time remains 1:15 p.m. Each racing program will feature 12 races.

Stall applications must be returned by July 8 according to Racing Secretary Joe Zambito. The backstretch opens on Tuesday, July 20.

“When the first condition sheet is released, horsemen will find a few changes,” Zambito said. “We have raised our bottom claiming level to $4,000 and have added a new Preferred condition that will go for $10,000. The increased New York Sires Stakes action should make for an exciting Summer meet.”
 
Other stakes highlights include the annual Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace and Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot.

Three Genesee Community College instructors will embark on an English language collaboration program in Sao Paulo, Brazil this summer.

They will travel to the South American country to teach English to students at FATEC Americana, a state-run, technology-based institution. Those traveling abroad include
Charley Boyd, English professor, Connie Boyd, director of the Human Services program and Susan Drexel, Sociology assistant professor.

They will travel to Brazil July 8 to 26 to teach language as well as to share information about culture, history and geography. The collaboration between Brazilian students and American instructors will allow for a dialogue to discuss the differences and similarities between the two cultures.

Instructors will focus on topics that contrast the two cultures' holidays, climates, history, current events, politics, job seeking as well as cultural elements such as music and
cooking.

The collaboration grew out of an initial visit to Genesee from Osvaldo Succi, International Relations advisor and Rafael Ferreira Alves, Ph.D, director at FATEC-Americana in October 2009.

"We seemed to click from the very first meeting and the relationship has strengthened as a result of weekly online meetings," said James Goodwin, director of Curriculum Development at Genesee.

"This relationship between Genesee Community College and FATEC is the ideal way to engage teachers and students alike, not only to learn about another culture but to learn about a particularly diverse one," Goodwin said.

"Brazilians have a reputation for being happy, enthusiastic and high-spirited and the warmth we have experienced so far affirms a culture very much centered on relationships."

Brazil has a very exciting schedule over the next six years with the 2014 Soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. With the success of this partnership between Genesee and FATEC, the two institutions hope to build on each other's strengths and cultivate a longstanding multi-cultural relationship.

For more information please contact James Goodwin at 343-0055, ext. 6322.