Due to deteriorating weather and the resulting track conditions, Batavia Downs has cancelled live racing for Thursday (Feb. 13) afternoon due to an abundance of caution for the safety of all the horses and horse people.
Racing will resume at the Downs on Monday (Feb. 17) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 11th race. There are only three more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
There were 1,051 SUNY Cortland students who earned President's List honors for the Fall 2024 semester. To qualify for the President's List, students must earn a grade of A- or better in each of their classes while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.
Those honored include:
Olivia Halpin of Batavia - Major: Inclusive Childhood Education
Kaylie Kratz of Batavia - Major: Inclusive Childhood Education
Allie Schwerthoffer of Batavia - Major: Healthcare Management
Karlee Zinkievich of Pavilion - Major: Physical Education K-12
There were 2,971 students recognized for academic excellence on the SUNY Cortland Dean's List for the Fall 2024 semester. The Dean's List is the highest ranking for undergraduate students in their respective academic areas of the university. Students must earn a minimum 3.3 grade point average for the semester to make the list.
Each of SUNY Cortland's three schools publishes its own Dean's List. They are the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional Studies and the School of Education.
Among those honored are:
Gaige Armbrewster of Batavia - Major: Physical Education K-12
Jocelyn Coburn of Batavia - Major: Musical Theatre BFA
Olivia Halpin of Batavia - Major: Inclusive Education Childhood
Kaylie Kratz of Batavia - Major: Inclusive Early Child Edu(B-2)
Kirstin Mattice of Batavia - Major: Inclusive Early Child Education (B-2)
Nathan Schildwaster of Batavia - Major: History
Allie Schwerthoffer of Batavia - Major: Healthcare Management
Karlee Zinkievich of Pavilion - Major: Physical Education K-12
The American Heart Association and Rochester Regional Health (RRH) to host free Hands-Only CPR demonstration on Wednesday, February 12.
The American Heart Association and Rochester Regional Health are teaming up to create a Nation of Lifesavers. Trainers will teach Hands-Only CPR to local religious leaders, who can then share this life-saving skill with the community.
The event will take place at the Rochester Regional Health Healthy Living Campus, located at 211 East Main Street, Batavia.
The demonstrations for local religious leaders will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., followed by Hands-Only CPR demonstrations open to the public from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The American Heart Association is challenging everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to learning CPR during American Heart Month in February.
More than 350,0000 people experiencing cardiac arrests outside of a hospital, including 23,000 children. CPR is a critical skill that kids as young as 9 years old can learn.
CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest ictim’s chance of survival – which is key since nearly 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Nearly 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so it is likely that the person who needs CPR will be a family member or friend.
Knowing CPR is an essential skill anyone can perform, and it could mean the difference between life and death.
The was an overcast day at Swain with a hard, slick, packed powder racecourse on Swain's Wheels Run. Saturday, February 8 was the regular season finale of the Southern Tier Race League. 2 runs of Giant Slalom, 1 run of Slalom.
While Batavia High School's Alpine ski team did not get the team results that were desired, the young team (mostly sophomores and freshman) and Senior Abby Bestine had some highlights. Setting up the underclassmen for a bright future.
Abby Bestine (12th Grade) - Last regular season race of her HS career. 16th place finish in Giant Slalom.
Nolan Radley (10th Grade) - 6th place finish in the morning's first GS run.
Lucas DeVay (9th Grade) - Consistently finished races and has established himself as Batavia's number# 2 skier going into sectionals. 15th place in Slalom.
Gunnar Pietrzykowski (10th Grade) - Much improved ski racer, hopes to win the rail jam at Swain's winterfest.
Brody Ditzel (10th Grade) - Good athlete and first year racer showing promise for the future.
Emersyn Mager (8th Grade, modified) - 9th Place in Slalom, 6th place in Giant Slalom.
GENESEE AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (GAHA) invites children to the to the The David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street on Saturday, February 22nd for a Try Hockey For Free Event as part of “ USA Hockey Week Across America.” Which will be celebrated at 285 ice areas across the entire United States.
Starting at 10:40 a.m. to Noon local youth, ages 4 to 9, are welcomed at the rink to experience getting on the ice, learning how to “skate”, get up after falling, basic skills with a hockey stick and shooting pucks into a hockey net (all by being guided by the head coach and on-ice helpers). The youngsters will have the experience of shooting on actual goalies.
“At our Fall USA Try Hockey for Free Event (November 2 nd ) we welcomed families to McCarthy Ice Rink from Batavia, Buffalo, Byron, Corfu, LeRoy, Nunda, East Bethany, Alexander, Byron, Brockport, Albion, Wyoming, Rochester, and Elba to try our great sport of ice hockey” said Sharon Gray, Coordinator of the “Try Hockey for Free” event. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces and for the youngsters the on-ice experience.”
The head coach for this event will be Andres Manamon (this year’s Head Coach for our Timbit Beginners Program (which presently consists of 72 youngsters) and on-ice helpers who make up this year’s Batavia-Notre Dame United high school team along with their coaches – Marc Staley and John Kirkwood. The youngsters will also be assisted on the ice by other coaches and players from the GAHA organization.
The event is hosted by the Try Hockey for Free Coordinators – Sharon and Bob Gray and the GAHA Beginner Player Coordinator – Marcia Barnes on behalf of the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association who provided the ice and the McCarthy Rink Staff – Katie Murray (General Manager), Matt Gray (Rink Operating Manager) and their great staff.
It is the team’s goal to provide the hockey experience to area youngsters free of charge and encourage them to participate in the GAHA Timbit Beginner Program which starts the first week of October. The Beginner Program consists of two sessions (October to December and January to March) with a total of 15 on-ice hours per session.
USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge. Pure Hockey (sponsor of USA Hockey) will provide “free” USA Try Hockey jerseys to each child.
What to bring: We encourage those who have equipment to bring it. If you do not have any equipment, you will need to bring:
A loose-fitting pair of sweatpants or snow pants
A pair of gloves (they don’t need to be hockey gloves – mittens or winter gloves are fine)
A helmet (hockey or bike) – we’ll have some “extras” available!
A SMILE
What we provide: Rental Skates will be provided for “free”, courtesy of David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena. Hockey sticks will be given out for use but MUST BE RETURNED.
ON-ICE EXPERIENCE: We will have plenty of coaches on hand to give your child a great youth hockey experience. They will get an opportunity to learn the basic skills of youth hockey. Your child does not need to know how to skate – we’ll have them up on their feet by the end of the session.
Registration is OPEN. Please register at: TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE.COM (Zip Code 14020). Registration limited to 40 participants. For more information contact svgray@rochester.rr.com or 585-344-2248.
A still from the video of Batavia City Council's Jan. 27 meeting during the discussion of $500 gym memberships for city employees and City Council members.
City Council President Eugene Jankowski backpedaled Monday evening on a proposal to provide council members with a $500 annual stipend for gym memberships.
He blamed a news outlet for "mishandling" a report of the Jan. 27 conference meeting where the city manager first raised the issue.
During Monday’s conference session, Jankowski said, "Why council got dragged into this, maybe it was clickbait? Maybe people thought it was something to scream about? I got a lot of people screaming about it. I don’t recall us worrying about us being involved. I think we were talking about the employees. Correct me if I’m wrong on that."
Jankowski said Monday that the $500 was off the table, but there would be a $50 increase for employees to the current $100 allowance toward gym memberships included in the new budget.
The video recording of the Jan. 27 meeting substantiates that council members were included in the original proposal and that Jankowski endorsed it.
Here are the relevant portions of the transcript:
At 1:00:55 in the video (the link to the video above is timestamped to the start of the discussion), Tabelski said: “I’ve had many employees come to me, council members come to me, saying wouldn't it be great if we could provide some kind of membership or incentive towards using the new facility, so I went and looked at this year's budget. We have interest in earnings right now at about $24,000 that might top out around $50,000, so we could cover the majority of employees and council members if they were to sign up for this incentive, so I leave it to you to discuss and determine if this is something you'd like to move forward with.”
The only concern raised by any council member was a suggestion of discrimination against other gyms by providing $500 to YMCA and only $100 to other city gyms. The objection was raised by Councilman Bob Bialkowski.
Tabelski said, “We could go get rid of the $100 and just, I mean, force them to join the Y. It was just an offering. You're actually the council member who asked me about joining.”
Jankowski said during the discussion, “Right, so now it's not a good idea? Well, I think it's a great idea.”
Later, he said, “I like the idea, I like where we're going with it because in the long run, when you stay healthy, it saves us money on the other end on healthcare,” adding later, “I think as it’s written, I think it looks pretty good.”
“It’s a great perk for the employees,” Councilwoman Kathy Briggs said.
Bialkowski countered with offering $200 versus the $500.
Tabelski said, “Employees would have the option for the $100 reimbursement, which they already have today, or if they'd like to join the Y, we'd give a benefit of $500. Again, specifically, I was asked from employees, from unions, what can you do to help us with covering costs of the new YMCA, so nobody asked me to join any other gyms, so I think it's a good idea.”
Council voted by 6-1 to move the proposal to its next business meeting. Bialkowski voted no and Briggs, Jankowski, Al McGinnis, Rich Richmond, David Twichell and Derek Geib voted yes.
Jankowski: "Okay, so that gets moved to the business meeting for a final vote, and then if anybody has any concerns, we can rediscuss that.”
The support for the proposal on Jan. 27 was not apparent on Monday.
By a unanimous vote of 9-0 Monday evening, City Council said no to offering city employees or council members $500 toward a YMCA gym membership and opted instead to raise the current perk of $100 to $150 for the new downtown facility.
Jankowski emphasized that the health benefit will be for city employees only and will not include council members. Although initially discussed as one option, the $500 allowance was taken off the table in lieu of an agreement for $50 incremental increases on a yearly basis, he said.
“I know I can speak for many of my colleagues here. We all listen to the ideas, and they never end up the way they start out because everyone weighs in, and it gets balanced and moved around. So, what we’ve come up with in the budget is to add the $50 stipend. It will apply to all those individuals who are on the city’s self-insured health care plan, which doesn’t include council, because we are not on that plan, so we’re out of it,” Jankowski said during the conference meeting at City Hall. “Out of 150 employees, we only have 15 people presently taking part in this program, and I'd like to see an increase in their benefit and for our health benefit; our health costs can go down when people are healthier. So that's how we're going to do it. We're going to start it off, slightly increase, see how it works, and maybe talk about it again in future budgets going forward.”
The $50 per city employee has been put into the budget but did not alter the expected 50-cent tax rate decrease, city officials said. That is still projected to be $8.46 per $1,000 assessed value, down from the current $8.96 per $1,000.
A resolution was in council’s packet for the $500 per employee allowance for a gym membership, and council was instructed that a no vote would defeat the resolution as initially proposed. Passage of the budget would then enact the $50 increase for employees instead, effective April 1.
Of 150 city employees, only 15 currently participate in the program.
A full slate of members, including Kathy Briggs, Tammy Schmidt, Al McGinnis, David Twichell, Paul Viele, Rich Richmond, Derek Geib, Bob Bialkowski and Jankowski voted no.
“It’s an incentive for people to be healthy,” Richmond said. “They’re going to have to prove they’re using it.”
Photo of Celia Bayama courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Although she moved up in class, out in post and completely reversed racing strategies, Celia Bayama claimed her second straight win in the $9,500 fillies and mares pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 10) afternoon.
Kyle Swift took Celia Bayama off the gate and tucked in fifth while Legal Jeopardy (Dave McNiehgt III) and Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings) battled to the quarter in :28 flat. Scenic Adventure finally took command, crossed over to the pegs and backed the half down to a more tempered :58.4. Swift had Celia Bayama out and rolling passing five-eighths and advanced on the backside in first-over fashion to draw even with Scenic Adventure at three-quarters in 1:29.
From there, Swift high-lined and bounced behind Celia Bayama all through the last turn, trying to coerce her to pass Scenic Adventure, which she did at the top of the stretch. As they headed for home, Celia Bayama paced hard to the line while turning back a late lunge by Legal Jeopardy in the passing lane to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.4.
It was the 20th career victory for Celia Bayama ($12.60) who is owned by Barry Charles and trained by Chris Petrelli.
Joe Chindano Jr., the Downs leading driver this meet, enhanced his lead on Monday after winning four more races during the card. Chindano won with Keystone Phoenix (1:59.2, $2.60), Kenobi (2:00.2, $4.50), Blue Madam (1:59.4, $14.20) and Heir of Southwest (2:00.4, $4.50). Chindano now has 33 wins for the winter meet and sits six victories ahead of Brett Beckwith who currently has 27.
Trainers Chris Petrelli and Candace Brandstatter-Hall each had two wins during the card to lead the conditioner colony on Monday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. There are only four more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
The Batavia Society of Artist is hosting artist Karen Crittenden on Tuesday February 11 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Karen will be demonstrating and doing a hands on presentation. Non-members welcome for a $5 fee or become a member! New members are always welcome from all mediums and artistic levels, $30 Single, $50 Couple, and $10 for Students & Veterans. There will be light refreshments and the Tavern 2.o.1. is open for cash sales.
Come join us for an evening of fun! Karen will be using gelly plates, paints and other items (some will be surprising) to create collage fodder. We will demonstrate the use of gelly plates and acrylic paints and offer suggestions as to the use of collage fodder. Then you will have the opportunity to try this out for yourself. You will be able to take away what you create. Please be mindful of your clothing and shoes as acrylic paints, once dry does not come out.
Karen's Bio:
I have been doing art for my whole life. Different forms at different times, but art. I like to work in several art forms, sometimes even mixing those forms to push myself and my understanding of what makes art, work for me. Photograpy provides a single snapshot of a single moment in time, capturing something that is emotional both to me and to the viewer. It isn't always the same kind of emotion, but the experience of some emotion is what I strive for. Ink, paint and paper provide another means for expression that gives an experience to the viewer and the maker of art. If the viewer does not like what they see, it is still an experience. The best happens when both viewer and maker have the same experience. That is my ultimate goal.
Tommy Slenker, Damian Hargrave, and Alton Rupp. Photo by Howard Owens.
What do three lifelong friends who enjoy cutting hair do when the opportunity arises -- they open a barbershop together, of course.
The Local Barbershop is located at 466 Ellicott St., Batavia. It was previously Canzoneri's Barbershop. The former owner Joe Canzoneri left to pursue a business opportunity in Buffalo.
The new owners are Alton Rupp, Tommy Slenker, and Damian Hargrave.
"We all went to Alexander High School, so we wanted to collectively own something one day," Rupp said. "It's just a matter of when the opportunity came up, we jumped on it, and it's been a good time, man. It's been a lot of fun."
All three emphasized that they like the idea of community, that they're doing something for the community, and they're offering a community. Their open casual floor plan with couches and chairs in the middle and a beer cooler on one wall is inviting.
"We want to bring back that home-like atmosphere," Rupp said. "Come in, hang out, have some fun. More than anything— and I'm not saying the other ones don't have that— I think what we have going here in the middle, a centralized location, is that clients come in, hang out, and chat with each other. We've had a lot of clients intermingle already, so it's been awesome."
Slenker also thinks the location is conducive to getting attention and building community.
"The space itself -- we got plenty of eyes on us, with (Route) 63 being right here in the outskirts of Batavia, so we're not right in the thick of things, but we like having plenty of parking, and the building's definitely identifiable," Slenker said.
Hargrave said that comes with being one of the owners, where the business can reflect who they are. Otherwise, it's business as usual.
"Honestly, it feels like same old, same old, you know, you're kind of just cutting hair," Hargrave said. "It's been nice to get a lot of love and feedback from the community. What I like most is just being able to make it what we want, just making it how it is, and controlling the dynamic, you know, whether the TV's on, the music's going, everything that people see, just making it a better experience and being in control of that compared to when you're just a barber in another shop, you might not have a say in that kind of stuff."
The Local Barbershop can be reached at 585-483-3060.
In a special second-annual battle of hometown rivals, Batavia topped Notre Dame in Boys Basketball at GCC on Saturday, 63-53.
Hoops for Hopes benefits the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.
Batavia's Buddy Brasky, head coach, conceived of the idea for the tournament in 2024 and after a successful tournament last year, the foundation hosted it again for 2025.
Batavia scoring:
Carter Mullen, 22 points
Gavin White, 16 points
Justin Smith, 10 points
Notre Dame scoring:
TJ Cephus, 19 points
Aiden Bellavia, 15 points
Chase Antinore, 8 points
The Blue Devils are now 12-4 on the season. The Fighting Irish are 10-6.
Notre Dame beat Batavia 44-22 in Girls Basketball at GCC on Saturday in a match-up that benefited the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.
All proceeds from the Hoops for Hopes Tournament, which matches all eight Batavia and Notre Dame basketball teams (boys and girls, JV and varsity), go to fighting pediatric cancer.
This was the second year the schools participated in the tournament.
“This is a special night in our community to remember Michael Napoleone and raise money for pediatric cancer with a hometown rivalry,” said Notre Dame coach Vinny Falleti.
Sofia Falleti led the Irish with a game-high 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. Gianna Falleti scored 14 points and had three steals. Also contributing was Shirley Thompson with 7 points, Lucia Fiorentino 4 points 10 rebounds, and Penny Jo Thompson 4 points.
Thea Anderson, front, Rebecca Graham, and Jodi Fisher will receive awards for their artwork in a new GO ART! Members/Staff Exhibit during a closing reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
When Thea Anderson was working through her recovery program more than a year ago, she wasn’t thinking about claiming an award for the art. She was learning to relieve stress.
Yet Zentangle — a structured drawing method of creating repetitive patterns and intricate designs — served the purpose of helping her relax, focus and produce something that others have come to appreciate. In fact, her piece, “Recovery Tryptic,” won the People’s Choice Award at a new GO ART! Members/Staff Exhibit.
“These pieces kind of represent how far I’ve come in my life,” Anderson said during an interview with The Batavian. “And it’s pretty amazing to have been chosen by a lot of people.”
Anderson is one of three artists to be presented with an award this weekend. The public is invited for a free closing reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday to view the artwork, meet her and artists Rebecca Graham and Jodi Fisher, and help celebrate their awards. This event is at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Refreshments will be served.
A resident of Batavia, Anderson decided to enter a 28-day rehab program, and during that time, she rediscovered her love of art. While she had pursued acrylics previously, she said her latest medium is pen-and-ink. This three-piece work, the tryptic, fits together in one matted frame of a large white flower against a Zentangle background design.
“So I discovered Zentangle. It’s a form of art and meditation, and I really liked that because I was going through the recovery process, which I’m still doing. So these pieces kind of helped me with my anxiety and depression. I was an alcoholic. So it was an addiction. I was in a program to get well, and I've been sober for about, I think, 15 months now. I didn't do art for a really long time when I was sick in my addiction, and then as I got better, I started to realize how it was helping me with my anxiety and with dealing with a mental health disorder.”
She wants to share some of her story with hope that it might encourage others to seek help if they are struggling as she did. Anderson is proud of her sobriety as she remembers how she felt 15 months ago. It’s also how to describe her artwork.
“A blank white flower is how I felt,” she said. “It was like I was rediscovering and also creating a new me.”
It took her 20 hours per individual piece, for a total of 60 hours working at her makeshift studio space at her dining room table. She became a GO ART! member a year ago and also volunteered along with her fiancé, Kyle Moore. They befriended Executive Director Gregory Hallock, she said.
Visitors to the exhibit were asked to vote on a favorite for the People’s Choice from Dec. 12 to Jan. 31. Anderson was “honored” to be selected out of several pieces, she said.
“So many opportunities have opened for us because of GO ART!,” she said. “We’re very grateful for Gregory, for taking a chance on us. I was shocked, I was so happy to have created something that I wanted to share with people. I had no thoughts of winning anything.
“Like I said, it represents how far I've come, and to have a tangible creation to show for the time that I spent kind of doing the work, the inner work, all the stuff that you have to go through and explore when you're in the process of recovery,” she said. “Even to have something to show was such an amazing accomplishment for me, and then winning. It's just, it's amazing.”
She and Moore have a work in progress on the second floor of the nonprofit, she said. They are painting a small ceiling area with a floral scene that will eventually be lit. Since beginning recovery, she has strengthened confidence, stronger focus and steadier hands, she said.
“When people are in addiction, they try to fix the problem with substance,” she said. “Sometimes, it was an undiagnosed mental health disorder. I chose to medicate. I think that’s what people need to understand, that people who are in recovery or addicts, you have to address all those mental health issues … the person is just trying to get through life.”
GO ART! President Linda Knipe chose Rebecca Graham’s black and white portrait of “Indian Girl” for the President’s Award. A page filled largely with a child’s eyes and rounded cheeks, this genre is challenging, Graham said.
“Children are especially hard to get that child look to them without looking alien,” she said.
She won a few awards in high school, and that fueled her continued interest in the arts, with an affinity for graphite, charcoal or colored pencil, and trying to get more comfortable with mixed media, including paints.
She won an award in school also for a pen-and-ink of a sports car, and enjoys that kind of three-dimensional detail work, she said. A respiratory therapist who has enjoyed the healthcare field for the last 30 years, Graham looks forward to having her artwork as a “nice hobby” at some point in semi-retirement.
“I am able to challenge myself to see if you practice enough, you’ll get better,” she said. “It’s a challenging thing to see how good I can get. Once I’m able to spend more time, I’ll be able to take commissions.”
A resident of Le Roy, she likes to do people and pet portraits and would like to get back to those eventually while exploring various mediums, she said. The competition was stiff with some amazing members for this exhibit, she said.
“You’re hopeful, and you think it’s good, but it’s like the lottery,” she said. “My sister has been a big inspiration. Some of the work I had done when I was in high school, she’s confiscated it and it hangs in her house. It’s sort of like, well, she definitely thinks I do good, and she’s intelligent, so I thought it’s worth continuing, right? It validates that feeling of its worthiness.”
The Curator’s Award went to Jodi Fisher of Batavia, who is both a member and GO ART!’s program director and statewide regrant co-coordinator.
Fisher’s work was yet in another medium — photography. She captured the scene two years ago while at Genesee Country Village Museum during a yuletide dinner and tour by candlelight. The scenario depicted a Scottish American home with no electricity, which provided the luminescent glow and shadows that Fisher is drawn to, she said.
“So that was really exciting, I got to see a place that I hadn't been in, but they were talking about their Scottish celebration for New Year's Eve, and I saw the shadows on the table with the lanterns. And it just was, I don't know, it really resonated with me,” she said. “When I put in I didn’t realize it was going to be judged, I just brought in some of my work because it was a staff and member show. So it was actually a surprise to me when (staff) told me that I had won an award.”
Her main art is in the literary field, with poetry and prose, and she only more recently began snapping photos with her iPhone 13 mini.
“I really love the vibrancy of nature. I would consider myself mostly a nature photographer. I love light and shadows and color, and when I see something to me that looks very vibrant and alive, I like to try and capture that and share that with other people,” she said, describing why the table scene drew her attention. “The shadows and the simplicity of pre-electricity there’s a lot of depth and meaning in it.”
The photo is simple enough, but also with details that strike against the darkness and a smooth linen tablecloth set with two lanterns. Shadows emerge from varying positions around the lanterns and a coffee mug, and there seems to be a faint stream of light possibly from a nearby window.
Fisher had a show two years ago combining both of her passions, prose and photos, and would “love to show my work more,” she said. There may also be a book of her poems in the future.
The Dean's List at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of full-time undergraduate students.
To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher in their first semester of study and a GPA of 3.50 or higher in subsequent semesters.
Congratulations to the following hard-working individuals who are dedicated to their academic excellence. The UAlbany Fall 2024 Dean's List scholars include:
Ryan Bowen of Batavia, majoring in Business Administration
Lauren Reimer of Batavia, majoring in Biology
Sophia Minuto of Batavia, majoring in Political Science (intended)
Anneka Pray of Corfu, majoring in Political Science (intended)
Photo of Itsallaboutfaith N courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Despite high winds and a sloppy track, Itsallaboutfaith N blazed a trail from start to finish to claim his second straight $13,000 Open Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 6) afternoon.
Brett Beckwith put Itsallaboutfaith N on the point and fought 40 MPH headwinds while setting fractions of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:28.4 with the favored Primo Uomo (Joe Chindano Jr.) drafting in second and the rest of the field struggled to keep up. The top two peeled away from the group as they made their way around the last turn. When the pair entered the homestretch, Primo Uomo tipped and tried to catch the leader. But Itsallaboutfaith N just kept on going and won by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.3, which was the fastest clocking of the night.
Itsallaboutfaith N ($6.00) is owned by PT Stable and trained by Gareth Dowse.
Beckwith ended the day with a total of three driving wins.
In the co-featured $13,000 Open Handicap trot, My One Percent made his second foray into the top class a winning one after tripping-out to a one length victory.
Kyle Cummings put My One Percent in the pocket behind Missile (Brett Beckwith) and took his cover through quarters of :29.3, 1:00.1 and 1:30 while Double Class (Dave McNeight III) was parked on the outside. After making his way through the last turn, Cummings sent My One Percent into the passing lane and went right by Missile and continued to trot smartly to the line where he won in 1:59.4.
It was the third win in only four 2025 starts for My One Percent ($6.10) who is owned by Steve and Nancy Pratt and trained by Kirk Desmond.
There was also a $17,500 Trackmaster series final for the TM 78 group that was won by Mauries Bonus A, who Joe Chindano Jr. pulled from fifth at the half, tipped three-wide at three-quarters and all around the last turn before scooting home a game winner by 1-½ lengths in 2:02.2.
Mauries Bonus A ($16.60) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice.
Kevin Cummings also had three driving wins on Thursday, two of which were trained by Sam Smith.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 10) at 3:00 p.m. with a $3,529 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Hey, golfers, snow and cold got you down? Tyler Crawford is ready and waiting to help you drive away those winter blues.
At the beginning of 2025, he opened The Sim, a shop in Batavia's City Centre where golfers can keep their game sharp even on the coldest of days.
He's providing a golf simulator for foursomes or practice rounds throughout the winter months and after dark in the summer.
"It's playing golf indoors," Crawford said. "You're hitting everything from a driver to a putter. Alot of these indoor facilities, you don't putt or you chip instead of using your putter. I think that's something that's nice and unique. Here, you use your putter. The main reason I wanted to do it was just to play golf indoors in the winter. I got into golf pretty heavily these last few years, maybe a league or two, and I can't afford to travel to play golf all winter long. Really, who can? So I figured I'm not the only one. It's been going good."
The Sim is open by appointment, Crawford said. You can call or text him at 585-356-9358 to book a tee time. He will take tee times as early as 6 a.m. and he's had golfers playing a round as late as 11 p.m., he said.
He said he expects to be open during the summer, either for the golfers who didn't get in enough holes during daylight or for parties and company events.
Currently, he sells memberships. A membership isn't required but membership does have its advantage, such as $10 off a round ($50 an hour for non-members, $40 for members). Non-members must book at least 24 hours ahead.
"As a member, you get to leave your bag in our members' bag room," Crawford said. "You don't have to lug the clubs in and out or leave them in the garage or in the car. And we're going to host a little Club Championship at the end of the year."
As for liquor, he's applied for a license for BYOB. For food, Everybody Eats is just a few doors down from Crawford's shop.
Crawford said he thinks the mall, with the renovation and growth plans in progress, and the current mix of property owners, is a good spot for his business.
"There's a lot going on in here, and I think there's more to come that we'll see here in the future," Crawford said. "I think food and drink will be readily available right outside the doors. And I definitely plan on marketing and planning to work with everyone who's in here serving food."
Batavia outscored Livonia in every quarter in Boys Basketball on Wednesday on its way to a 82-46 win.
For the Blue Devils, Carter Mullins scored 23 points, Justin Smith, 16, and picking up 11 apiece were Casey Mazur and Brady Hemer. Gavin White scored nine.