Announcements

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.

The Stafford Volunteer Fire Department's annual four-day carnival starts at 6 p.m. tonight and ends at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

The carnival takes place at the fire station, at 6153 Main Road in Stafford, and will include rides, games, refreshments, parades, live music, a drawing for a 1965 Nassau Blue Corvette Convertible, a clam stand, a flea market, a fireman's chicken BBQ, a Kiddie Tractor Pull and Saturday evening fireworks and more.

The dates/times are as follows:

6 to 10 p.m., Thursday, June 17

6 to 11 p.m., Friday, June 18 (there will also be a fish fry at 4 p.m. in the Fire Hall)

Noon to 5 p.m., and 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, June 19

Noon to 5 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m., Sunday, June 20

Fore more details, including costs, visit the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department's website at www.staffordvfd.org, call 343-2909 or e-mail svfd@rochester.rr.com.

400 TOWERS ANNUAL YARD SALE*

FRIDAY, JUNE 25 - SATURDAY, JUNE 26

Starting at 8am, Friday and Saturday

• FURNITURE
• CLOTHES
• HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
• GLASS
• ARTS & CRAFTS & MORE
• JEWELRY
• REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST YARD SALES OF THE YEAR. 

*SPONSORED BY THE 400 TOWERS' RESIDENT COUNCIL

Attention voters! The Genesee County Board of Elections will be demonstrating the usage of the new election voting machines, which will be used in the 2010 elections. Here are the upcoming dates, times and places of the demonstrations.

June 18 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building #1

June 21 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building #1

June 23 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- Le Roy Town Hall

June 25 -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Office of the Aging

June 29 -- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Alabama Town Hall

July 1 -- 9 a.m. to noon -- Alabama Town Hall

July 7 -- 4 to 7 p.m. -- Bethany Town Hall

July 12 -- 9 a.m. to noon -- Alexander Town Hall

July 13 -- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 5 to 8 p.m. -- County Building No. 2

July 14 -- 4 to 7 p.m. -- Alexander Town Hall

July 16 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building No. 1

July 17 -- 9 a.m. to noon -- Pavilion Highway Building

July 19 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building No. 1

July 21 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 22 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 23 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 24 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 26 -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- County Office for the Aging

July 28 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- Pembroke Town Hall

July 30 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building No. 1

Four students from Genesee County were among 29 regional finalists for the Outstanding Scholar Awards in Genesee Community College's Advanced Studies program. The awardees were announced at a ceremony and reception June 2 in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Keynote speaker for the evening was Joan Cole, superintendent of Elba Central School.

Advanced Studies is part of the College's ACE program, or Accelerated College Enrollment, and allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from Genesee while attending class at their high school. High school teachers approved as Genesee adjunct faculty teach all Advanced Studies courses.

Some of the most enterprising young students earn enough transferable Advanced Studies credit to enter their first year of college as sophomores.

Finalists were selected from 66 semi-finalists in five subject areas: mathematics, science, social science, foreign language and English. As in years past, a committee of academic professionals from GCC selected the following local award winners, listed by subject area and high school:

• English -- Carissa Hyde - Batavia
• Foreign Language -- Shelby Cross - Byron-Bergen
• Mathematics -- Kevin Beuler - Oakfield-Alabama
• Science -- Kevin Beuler - Oakfield-Alabama
• Social Science -- Jacob Griffin - Notre Dame

"This year we also took the opportunity to recognize and thank our ACE teachers who commit their time to teaching these courses," said Ed Levinstein, associate dean of ACE programs.

"We have many instructors who have been teaching Advanced Studies courses for over 10 years and we commend them for their dedication. Each of them has helped hundreds of students get a head start on their college educations, saving them both time and money."

For more information about the Advanced Studies program at Genesee Community College, call 345-6801 or go to www.genesee.edu/ACE.

You are invited to St. Joseph's Lawn Fete, which will be held on the Church grounds, at the corner of Main and Summit in Batavia.

This annual event includes a car raffle, carnival rides, food and games for children.

Lawn Fete times are as follows:

6 to 11 p.m., Friday, June 11

1 to 11 p.m., Saturday, June 12

12 to 10 p.m., Sunday, June 13

For more information, including ticket purchase information, please call St. Joseph's Church at 343-5800.

An improvisation workshop will be offered on Wednesday, June 23, for people 15 and older at Genesee Community College's Stuart Steiner Theatre, at 1 College Rd. in Batavia. It will start at 6 p.m. and last about four hours. Cost is $25.

This is part of a series of "Summer Theatre Workshops" that GCC is offering until June 30, in conjunction with the Genesee Center for the Arts. These workshops give aspiring actors the chance to learn from people who have acted professionally. The improvisation workshop is geared toward helping people learn to act spontaneously and playfully.

For more information, call GCC at 343-0055. For more details on the Summer Theatre Workshops, go to: http://www.genesee.edu/index.cfm/general/dspArticle/campuslife.arts/calendar.cfm

The hazards of texting while driving is something students at Elba Central School have been learning about this month.

On June 3, Awareness Day at the school, fifth-graders presented information to high-school and middle-school students and staff about the dangers of multitasking on the road.

The fifth-graders' "crack down" is part of Elba's Cell Phone Road Safety project. It included handed out fliers with their slogan "Don't Drive InTEXTicated," along with statistics the youngsters researched about the dangers of texting and driving.

They also promoted radio WGRZ's "Pledge 2 Hang Up" as part of the Awareness Day presentations.

They are students of Amy Thompson and Patricia Staebell.

The day's biggest accomplishment was being able to raise enough money to pay for a
billboard with a public service announcement about the dangers of texting
and driving.

Local businesses have helped the project by generously donating money for the cost of the billboard. The billboard will be on Route 5, visible to westbound traffic, near the Bushville Bridge.

Students also held a contest to design a poster with an antitexting an driving theme and the winning poster is going to be on the billboard. The winner of the contest was  AnnMarie Georgia. The poster will be up for two months, beginning June 21.

The fifth-graders hope this project has a big impact on the community and decrease the number of people who text while driving.

Genesee Community College recently awarded seven local youths with a full scholarship to attend the Genesee Sport and Wellness Experience July 12 to 23.

The camp is geared toward middle-school-aged students and takes place at the Batavia Campus. The scholarship winners were nominated based on character, initiative and a demonstrated interest in, and appreciation of, wellness and sports. Effort, academic standing in health and physical education classes, and/or participation on an athletic team were taken into consideration.

The following Genesee County middle-school students were nominated by a faculty, staff member or coach from their school and have been awarded a $100 scholarship covering the entire cost of the Wellness Experience:

• Mason Muoio -- Byron-Bergen
• Stephen Durham -- Batavia
• Justice Leisten-Schwable -- Oakfield-Alabama
• Erik Moscicki -- Holy Family
• Jensen Kimmel -- Pembroke
• Joseph Schroth -- Pavilion
• John Hochmuth -- Elba

This newly developed summer program includes instruction and skill development in the areas of golf, tennis, soccer and volleyball. Education on a variety of wellness topics such as nutrition, fitness, stress management, peer pressure, and drug and substance abuse issues will also be presented and discussed.

All students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to attend this program, which is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost is $100 and includes lunch every day and a T-shirt.

"We are very excited to present the Sport and Wellness Experience this summer," Rebecca Dziekan, director of Health and Physical Education at Genesee said. "These two weeks serve as an excellent way for local middle-school students to have some fun, play sports and have hands-on learning all at the same time."

It is not too late to register for the Genesee Sport and Wellness Experience. For further details or to register for the camp visit <http://www.genesee.edu/GCC/Wellness> and download the registration form.

For more information, please contact Dziekan at 343-0055, ext. 6424 or  <http://rldziekan@genesee.edu>.

This Saturday, June 12, there will be a golf equipment flea market at the Batavia Country Club in the picnic pavilion.

This free event will run, rain or shine, from noon to 5 p.m. and is open to the public.

Sellers simply show up with your equipment between 11:30 and 11:55 a.m. See Tom Tucker, BCC teaching pro, to get table display space as available. First come first served.

Bring junior, adult or miscellaneous golf equipment or training aids.

Private individuals only, no retail organizations or businesses.

The country club is located at 7909 Batavia-Byron Road.

Everyone is welcome to bring your chairs and enjoy a different movie each month this summer in Jackson Square.

"Cinema in the Square" starts at dusk and feature free, full-length films, all rated (PG).

The first one is "Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” on Wednesday, June 23.

Next is the “Tooth Fairy” on Wednesday, July 21.

Lastly, “Diary of A Wimpy Kid” will be shown Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Jackson Square is located in the alleyway off of Jackson or Center streets. Food and refreshments will be available.

"Cinema in the Square" is sponsored by the Batavia Business Improvement District and the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

For more information call 344-3960 or 344-0900. Visit www.downtownbataviany.com for downtown Batavia activities and businesses.

Children's Librarian Sandra Gillard is retiring after 38 years of service to the children and families of Batavia, and a reception will be held in her honor at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, from 4 until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23. All are welcome to attend.

Call the library at 343-9550 for more information.

The Le Roy Farmers' Market opens June 26 at Leroy's Bank St. Parking Lot -- behind McDonald's and Pontillo's Pizzeria.

Hours are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Saturday.

Local vendors will be selling farm-fresh fruits, veggies, meat, cheese, eggs, maple syrup, bread, popcorn, honey, baked goods, coffee and tea goods, cut flowers, soap and more. The market will also feature live music as well as cooking and craft demos.

For further details, e-mail LeRoyFarmersMarket@gmail.com or visit their website at <leroyfarmersmarket.org>.

Art and animal lovers can try for a chance to win two prints by Cyrus Mejia, co-founder of Best Friends, in two raffles to be held July 4.

This "Art for the Kindness Revolution" will benefit the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Raffle #1 is for "Yin & Yang" -- featuring two cats in a pose reflective of the yin and yang symbol.

Raffle #2 is for "Spiral Dance" -- featuring three dogs doing a dance.

Tickets are one dollar each or three for $2. They are available at the animal shelter, 3841 W. Main St., Town of Batavia, at events sponsored by Volunteers for Animals or from VFA members.

The Genesee Community College Office of Alumni Affairs along with the Athletics Department are seeking nominations for the first class of inductees to the newly established Sports Hall of Fame.

The first class of honorees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a reception at the inaugural Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 2. The deadline for nominations is June 30.

The Selection Committee seeks to identify outstanding alumni athletes, teams or people involved in Genesee athletic service for induction into the new Sports Hall of Fame.

Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is the highest athletic honor that the college bestows on its alumni and supporters, and will recognize the outstanding athletic achievements of individuals and teams of every era who have fostered athletic achievement and sportsmanship at the college.

The criteria for nominating an individual or team to the Sports Hall of Fame are based on:

• Intercollegiate Athlete -- 30 credit hours earned while at GCC; at least five years of time must have lapsed outside GCC; and academic excellence and community service.
• Team -- Distinguished in a significant way either through school, regional or national championship or service.
• Athletic Service -- Any individual who has made a noteworthy contribution to the growth, development and success of GCC athletics. Consideration may include sustained leadership, service and/or support.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, past team mates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee.

All nominations received by June 30 will be considered by the Selection Committee for the 2010 Sports Hall of Fame.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's athletics website (http://www.genesee.edu/_content/depts/athletics/Sports_Hall_of_Fame.pdf) and e-mailed or sent to Genesee Community College.

Please send all nominations to: Sports Information Director- Kristen Schuth, Genesee Community College, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020 or email:<http://KESchuth@genesee.edu>.

 

ART AH LA CARTE  is having a soft opening from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.

There will be a gift-basket giveaway, gallory showing, music from local guitarists and refreshments.

Come and "CELEBRATE ART" with us. Enjoy local artists and student works, too.

The following ART CAMPS will be offered this summer:

• Ages 6-9 -- July 19-23
• Ages 10-12 -- July 26-30
• Ages 13-17 -- Aug. 2-6.

Children will complete five art projects. Multimedium,  mosaic, watercolor, junk art and and texture painting.

Must register by calling 245-1655 no later than two weeks prior to camp. Class size is limited.