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Muckdogs out score Auburn, 10-8

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs (2-1) put 10 runs on the board in Auburn on Sunday to edge out the Doubledays (1-2), 10-8.

Victor Sanchez, Patrick Biserta, Matt Valaika each contributed a pair of RBIs while outfielder Jon Edwards smacked two doubles in a three-hit performance.

Anthony Ferrera (1-0) picked up the win in five innings of scoreless relief. Starter Matthew North lasted only one-and-a-third innings, yielding six runs.

Photo: Batavia Motel sign

By Howard B. Owens

I've driven past the old Batavia Motel many, many times, and I never thought of it as a photo opportunity until today.

Photos: Horse driving competition at Silver Shoe Farms, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Competitors from throughout Western New York -- and even West Virginia -- were at Silver Shoe Farms on Pratt Road, Batavia, today for carriage driving races.

Nicole Cable said this is the third year Silver Shoe has hosted the event.

The races feature two- and four-wheel carriages, some of them antiques -- remnants of the pre-automobile era.

Cable, 29, started carriage racing when she was 9. She now teaches carriage driving at the farm.

Competitors were ages 9 and up and both men and woman. Horse sizes ranged from 32-inches tall to 16 hands.

More photos after the jump:

College approves contracts to build new art gallery

By Billie Owens

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.

Photos: Rotary Fly-In Breakfast

By Howard B. Owens

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The Batavia Rotary Club honored its Father Day's tradition by sponsoring its annual Fly-In Breakfast at the Genesee County Airport.

Once again, hundreds of people turned out, including a number of pilots with their planes.

More photos after the jump:

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Muckdogs put on winning show for fans in home opener

By Howard B. Owens

The Cardinals 2010 5th-round draft pick, Nick Longmire, provided just about all the offense the Batavia Muckdogs (1-1) needed to win their home opener 7 to 5 over the Auburn Doubledays (1-1).

Longmire hit his first professional home run as well as two doubles and a sacrifice fly to produce 6 RBIs.

More than 1,400 of your friends and neighbors were on hand for the opener.

The winning pitcher was Andrew Moss, of Piedmont, Mo., who scattered five hits over five innings and gave up only one run. Moss (1-0), in his second tour with Batavia, walked one and struck out five.

Jose Gregorio Rada, of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, picked up his first save of the season.

Batavia travels to Auburn tonight for a 6:05 p.m. game. The next home game is Saturday, June 26, at 7:05 p.m. against Scranton.

More pictures (including fan pictures)  after the jump:

 

Photos: Youth soccer tournament

By Howard B. Owens

Local youth soccer players were at the new soccer fields on Bank Street Road today for a tournament.

More pictures after the jump:

New summer camp lets middle schoolers go techie for a day

By Daniel Crofts

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance (BEA) is holding the first of what they hope will be an annual summer camp this year. It's called the "MST Explorer Camp," and will engage middle-schoolers in hands-on activities related to careers in math, science and technology.

This is a first for BEA, which hosts a "MASH (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp" and a "Culinary Camp" every summer (see last month's announcement for more details on these and for pictures).

BEA Coordinator Melinda Chamberlin started planning the MST camp in the spring, along with Debbie Dunlevy, who works with GCC's Tech Prep Program, and Bob Hollwedel, a technology instructor at Alexander Middle School.

Clay Maderer, a technology teacher at Batavia Middle School and a member of the MST camp's development team, said that the idea arose, in part, from the success and popularity of GCC'S Tech Wars.

"We wanted to see that type of activity carry over into the summer," Maderer said.

Current job market trends, both in the Western New York area and in the nation as a whole, were also a factor.

"We hope this brings home to students the relevance of these subjects in the real world," Chamberlin said. "We also hope it shows them that math, science and technology can be cool and interesting."

All of BEA's camps are geared toward middle-schoolers. According to Chamberlin, those students are at a stage of development at which they can start to become passionate about certain subjects and find out what they like.

"They're at an age where you can really start to influence their career interests," she said. "That doesn't mean forcing them into anything, it just means that we can, and should, help them to become more well-informed about career choices (before they spend a lot of money on college)."

Although the MST has not been done before, the MASH and Culinary camps have both gotten great responses from students.

"They love it," Chamberlin said. "Some of them will even go from one camp to another."

The MST camp will include presentations given by professionals in a variety of different fields, exposing the kids to specific math, science and technology-related careers. For instance, representatives from Time Warner Cable will do a session on how the company delivers information to the world.

Additionally, a middle-school-age race car driver (along with others) will be there to help teach them about aerodynamics.

But these "instructors" are not just going to be feeding kids information, like in a stereotypical classroom setting. All of the planned activities are hands-on, so the students will be able to learn by direct, personal engagement.

Charles "Chip" Malone of Cornell Cooperative Extension will be in charge of an energy exhibit where the kids will try to activate various appliances -- including cell phones, lights and kitchen appliances -- by peddling stationary bicycles (thus generating an air current)...

"...which is really cool," Malone said. "They'll have a lot of fun with that."

The idea, according to Hollwedel, is to help them gain an "appreciation of how much energy the things they own use."

The kids will also work at designing their own bridges, modifying/adapting CO2 cars to run more efficiently and racing them to find out whose is the best.

MST is a one-day camp. There will be two sessions -- one on July 20 for boys, and another on July 21 for girls. Both sessions will be at Batavia Middle School, at 96 Ross St. in Batavia, and last from 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The decision to devote one day to each gender group was based on the observations of middle-school teachers and made for the benefit of the kids.

"Girls tend to be resistant in technology class," Hollwedel said, "because boys are stereotypically more inclined toward technology, tools, etc. So with guys around, the girls can become intimidated and afraid to try things on their own."

"If the camp were co-ed, the girls would be more likely to just go along with what the guys say," said Samantha Lippman, a science teacher at Alexander Middle School and a member of the MST development team. "This way they can work independently, pitch in and come up with their own ideas. And with all the hands-on activities, they'll be able to see that they can do it."

"What we want to do for both boys and girls," Chamberlin said, "is give them an opportunity to excel and to work without having to worry about intimidation or pressure."

The MST Camp is open to all students in Genesee County who will be entering grades 7, 8 and 9 in the fall. There is room for 11 more students, and registrations will be accepted until July 2.

There is a $25 admission fee to cover operating expenses and lunch for the students.

For details, call Chamberlin at 343-7440, ext. 25, or e-mail mchamberlin@mail.geneseeny.com.

Photos: Jackson Square concert series opens

By Howard B. Owens

Polka is one of those musical styles that just unavoidably brings a smile to your face. It was an appropriate choice to kick off a fun concert season in Jackson Square on Friday evening. And the Bedrock Boys didn't disppoint.

For more on upcoming shows, check the Jackson Square ad on the right side of the page. The series includes blues, rock, country and jazz and continues through August.

More pictures after the jump:

Photos: Batavia Downs horse show

By Howard B. Owens

This weekend, horses and riders from throughout Western New York again converged on Batavia Downs for a horse show and riding competition.

The show continues today and tomorrow.

More photos after the jump:

Man allegedly bilks 5K from elderly Batavia resident for bogus roof job

By Billie Owens

Theodore R. Cooper, 27, of  59 Spencer Ave., Oswego, was arrested at his home on a warrant issued by Batavia City Court following an investigation by Batavia City Police into a fraud complaint.

It is alleged that on Dec. 30, 2009 and on Feb. 3, 2010 Cooper went to the home of an elderly Batavia resident and claimed he was a roofing contractor and claimed she had a problem with her roof.

On both occasions Cooper was alleged to have been at the residence for about 15 minutes and charged the woman a total of $5,500. Inspection of the roof reveals that no repairs were done by Cooper. The roof had been put on new in 2008 by a local established roofing company and appeared in good condition.

Cooper was charged with one count of grand larceny, 3rd. He was arraigned by Judge Robert Balbick and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. No bail was set. He will appear in City Court again on Monday. The investigation was conducted by Detective Charles Dudek.

En garde! Fencing club to open on Harvester Avenue

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from a brand-new enterprise:

Local residents interested in expanding their fitness options will have a new choice to consider when En Garde: Batavia, a new fencing club, opens on July 1 in the Artisan Center on Harvester Avenue.

Several classes will be available for adults and children. No prior athletic experience is necessary.

Colin Dentino, a Batavia resident and lifelong fencing enthusiast, is the owner/lead instructor of En Garde: Batavia and believes that the benefits of the sport are far-reaching.

“Fencing is great because it allows anyone to be successful," he said. "Each fencer has his/her own style and technique so everyone you fence is a different puzzle to be solved."

Dentino first started fencing at the age of 4 under the guidance of Sir John Halasz, from the esteemed Hungarian fencing program.

“I’ve been trained more as a fencing coach than a fencer,” he notes.

Sport fencing is an interval-based sport with ties to martial arts and yoga. Interval-based physical activities burn 30 percent more calories than steady-state exercise. But beyond that, fencing is a sport that can be enjoyed by the entire family, for a lifetime.

“It can be great fun to come in as a family and get everyone involved,” Dentino said. “Because people with various fitness levels can be successful fencers, it can build confidence for those new to exercise.”

The benefits of fencing do not stop there; fencing is a game of analytical decision making and as such, can improve things like creative problem solving and long-term goal planning.

“Fencing is referred to as ‘physical chess’,” Dentino says, “It’s not always the case that the stronger, faster fencer wins.”

Hourly afternoon and evening classes meet twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays and also on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning July 1. Hours are 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, and 7 to 8.

Children and adults aged “5 to 95" who are interested in "health and mental wellness” are encouraged to attend. Monthly cost is a flat $50 per person, and includes all equipment. There are no long-term contracts, it's a month-to-month deal.

Weekly summer camp sessions for children aged 9 to 16 and up run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. starting in mid-July and continuing until late August. Cost is $125 a week and includes all equipment. The schedule is as follows:

• July 12 – 16
• July 19 – 23
• July 26 – 30
• August 2 – 6
• August 9 – 13
• August 16 – 20
• August 23 - 27

For more information about En Garde: Batavia, contact Colin Dentino at 585-409-3993, email at engardebatavia@me.com, or visit www.engardebatavia.com.

Police Beat: Three alleged DWIs

By Howard B. Owens

Melissa Christine Schnitzer, 22, of Daunton Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to reduce speed. Schnitzer was stopped at 1:21 a.m., Friday, by Sgt. Brian Frieday in the area of 6734 Randall Road, Stafford.

Denise M. Groff, 33, of Highland Parkway, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to keep right. Groff was stopped at 1:38 a.m., Friday, on Route 33, Stafford, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Jeremy M. Denton, 24, of 481 Ladue Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and failure to keep right. Denton was stopped at 1:24 a.m., Friday, by Le Roy Police Sgt. Michael Hare on West Main Street, Le Roy.

James D. Holstein, 60, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, grand larceny, 4th, grand larceny, 3rd. Holstein was taken into custody by State Police for an alleged incident on Jan. 12, 2009. No further details available.

Photo: The Green Dune Buggy

By Howard B. Owens

Driving back from the Corfu fire, I spotted this green dune buggy in front of Pellegrino's Auto Sales. Turns out it's Joe's summer ride. It's a 1965 VW. Joe said he bought it out of state three years ago and it only has 69,000 original miles on it. It's not for sale.

Speaking of Bugs, I saw a Love Bug VW on Ellicott Street the other day, but couldn't get turned around to go back and get a picture.

A Puppet Good Time on South Spruce Street

By Robin Walters

The youth puppet team from Genessee Country church joined up with Care-A-Van Thursday evening for their weekly cookout. The youth presented an awesome puppet show for all the kids and their parents. 35 people from the neighborhood came to the cookout.  Captain Bob Krutz and wife Pat from the Salvation Army were on hand. Captain Bob will be giving the message for street church at South Spruce this Sunday. The service starts at 2:30 PM.

Thank you to the youth from Geneesee Country church and all the people that come out  to volunteer to bring joy, peace and happiness to others!

The youth with their advisor Rachel

Now he looks like he is enjoying his hotdog!

Kim Gloskowski volunteer  from Emmanuel Baptist Church helps little Lilly celebrate her birthday with an ice cream cone!

Photo: Moon over Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Sitting on our deck this evening, I looked up, and there was the moon.

Pesticide smell reported on North Pearl Street

By Billie Owens

Noisy power tools and a smell like pesticides is reported at 16 N. Pearl St., Oakfield.

A firefighter reports that there is pesticide spraying and packing going on at the "old golf park."

The complaint was intitially called in by Department of Public Works employees.

Photos: Downtown Public Market opens

By Howard B. Owens

The Downtown Public Market opened today.

Above, Salters Alston, proprietor of Alston's Bone Sucking BBQ Sauce, serves up a mound of his pulled pork.

Between Alston's and the Jackson Street Grill stand, the market is going to be a great place to stop for lunch on Thursdays.

And then you can pick yourself up a few big, plump tomatoes to take home.

Police Beat: Driver accused of DWI following accident

By Howard B. Owens

Brian P. Demko, 32, of Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, failure to keep right, moved from lane unsafely, drove left of pavement markings, operating with unsafe tire. Demko was allegedly involved in a single-car accident at 10:20 p.m., Wednesday, in the area of 8094 Route 98, Batavia. Demko is accused of making a right-hand turn a little early and striking the guide wire of a utility pole, causing damage. Demko then allegedly drove from the scene with a flat tire. He was located at 4320 Commerce Drive, Batavia. The incident was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves. (Correction: This item previously used the incorrect first name of "Paul." The Batavian apologizes for the error.)

Michael A. Witkop, 18, of 249 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with sexual misconduct. Witkop is accused of having sex with a girl under the age of 17, who is deemed incapable of giving consent because of her age.

Jason Ross Graybill, 26, of Victor Lane, Hamlin, was arrested on a Monroe County bench warrant. Graybill was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation when he was identified and the warrant was discovered.

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