If you're looking to learn more about washing zucchini or cutting lettuce, today's Daily News will not disappoint. In the latest installment of his farm labor series, Tom Rivers takes us through the vegetable fields of an organic farm in Elba — the "area's biggest," we're told.

We learn that zucchini should be picked when it's between six to eight inches and lettuce should be cut from the ground very deep on the stalk to keep the leaves from unfurling. Fans of the series — such as myself — will be pleased to find the usual dose of Rivers' wit and self-deprecating sincerity. Like when he writes:

I admit an odd thrill using the knife, as if I had graduated from the minor leagues of picking berries a few weeks ago to working with the knife-wielding pros.

Or, when he watches Katie "the Cornell grad" haul a heavy tote of veggies and gets a little showed up in his moment of machismo:

I figure I'll grab the next one and I grab a tote. It must weigh 75 pounds, and I adjust my grip about five times, take a few deep breaths and stumble over a sink... I tell Katie to enter an arm wrestling tournament.

Tom Rivers' tales of the farm aren't the only agriculturally-minded articles in today's paper.

Cornell Cooperative Extension wants 70 low-income residents of Genesee County to enroll in its eight-week nutrition education course. Extension Direction Bev Mancuso told Paul Mrozek that

it's important that people with limited incomes or those on food stamps shop wisely and not just buy "the cheapest food possible without even considering whether it's good for you."

Call (585) 343-3040, ext. 134 for more information or to register for the course.

Meanwhile, LeRoy will be holding a public information meeting at 7:30pm tonight at Town Hall, 48 Main St., to discuss protecting and preserving farmland in the town.

In other news:

• Union Street will be closed Wednesday from Richmond Avenue to Union Square from 7:30am to 3:00pm for sewer repairs.

You can pick up your own copy of the Daily News wherever the paper is sold. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

All of the following calls were reported by the City of Batavia Police Department. Listed offenses do not imply that charges were filed. Calls may result in no official action.

• 9:02am, 587 E. Main St., criminal mischief
• 11:08am, West Main Street, accident
• 11:47am, Main Street, accident
• 1:26pm, 301 W. Main St., larceny
• 1:40pm, 59 Main St., accident
• 3:03pm, West Main Street, accident
• 3:09pm, State Street, accident
• 4:03pm, 29 Cedar St., accident
• 4:29pm, 229 W. Main St., accident
• 5:12pm, 3 Maple St., harassment
• 5:36pm, 125 Pearl St., identity theft
• 6:52pm, 565 E. Main St., harassment

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

Genesee County's Summer Youth Theater Program will present Jesus Christ, Superstar at Batavia High School August 14, 15 and 16. A cast of 70 actors from all over western New York have come together for this production originally produced by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice.

The story is based on the days following up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is told from the perspective of the Apostles and followers of Christ including Judas Iscariot. There is rarely any spoken word in this musical. The entire story is told in song.

Director Patrick Burk:

“This musical rock opera is full of phenomenal singing and choreography. We have been very fortunate over the past 12 years to be able to mount productions that include top quality music and dance.”

Jesus Christ, Superstar tickets are available during rehearsals at Batavia High School, at Roxy’s Music Store on 228 West Main Street in Batavia or at GO ART! at 201 East Main Street, Batavia. There is both reserved seating and general admission. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Students and Senior Citizens. For further information please call 585-343-9721.

Check back with The Batavian later this week for an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the cast in rehearsal.

Check out WBTA for this and other stories:

• A water main break on Walnut Street in Batavia this morning has kept residents there without water since around 3:00am. Repairs are underway.

 Batavia (27-18) could only score one run to Williamsport's (24-21) ten for their second straight loss.  George Brown (0-2) started on the mound and got the loss.  He threw five innings with three hits, two runs, and four strikeouts.  Tyler Cloyd (3-1) earned the win in his seven innings with seven hits, one run, one walk and six strikeouts.

The Muckdogs scored first in the 2nd when Charley Cutler singled and Edwin Gomez doubled to send in their only run on the night.  The Crosssutters answered in the 4th when Cody Overbeck reached on a force out and Steve Susdorf followed him with a single.  Troy Hanzawa then singled to plate both runners.

They added three insurance runs in the 6th on a Susdorf single, Jim Murphy double, Hanzawa walk and single by Brandon Haislet.  The Crosscutter's other big inning came in the 7th when they added three more on a Susdorf homerun, Murphy walk, Hanzawa double then a Bryan Frew RBI single.

The best bat on the Muckdogs side came by Gomez.  He went 2-for-3 with a triple and one RBI.  Batavia is off tomorrow before facing Auburn at home for a doubleheader on Wednesday.  The first game starts at 5:05.

Going into tonight's game versus Williamsport, here is where we stand:

• we are two games behind Jamestown and still hold the second best record in the NYPL at 27-17
• Jermaine Curtis is 10th in the league in batting average (.308)
• Arquimedes Neito is 2nd in the league in pitching (4-0, 1.73 ERA)
• Adam Reifer leads the league in saves and games (12; 19)
• Jose Garcia is tied for 3rd in the league in stolen bases (15)
• Jon Edwards is 2nd in on-base percentage and 4th in slugging percentage (.425; .561)
• Shane Peterson is 4th in on-base percentage (.409)
• Colt Sedbrook is tied for second in triples (5)
• overall, the team is 2nd in batting (.266) and 6th in pitching (3.36 ERA)

Congratulations are in order — again — for everybody's favorite Irish dancers: the young ladies and gentlemen of the McMahon School of Irish Dance.

On July 12, dancers from the McMahon School of Irish Dance competed at this year’s Rochester Feis (pronounced fesh), along with 1200 others from schools in the United States and Canada.  Long hours of practice paid off for the McMahon dancers, who brought home 60 medals, including 17 first place awards.

Binghamton will host the Southern Tier Feis in a couple weeks on August 16. In the meantime, The Batavian hopes to get over to the McMahon dance studio here in Batavia to capture some of the action on video, so be sure to check back with us for that.

Visit the McMahon School's Web site for more information about enrolling in classes or learning more about the art and sport of Irish dance.

All of the following calls were reported by the City of Batavia Police Department. Listed offenses do not imply that charges were filed. Calls may result in no official action.

Friday:

• 12:36am, 345 W. Main St., trespass
• 1:08am, 104 Jackson St., harassment
• 2:27am, 5 Thomas Ave. (Apt: 2), harassment
• 12:05pm, 10 W. Main St., larceny
• 1:40pm, 21 Columbia Ave., menacing
• 2:33pm, Main Street, accident
• 3:38pm, 8 Walnut St., criminal contempt
• 3:52pm, 428 Ellicott St., larceny
• 4:07pm, 427 E. Main St., harassment
• 5:56pm, 7 Prune St., harassment
• 6:21pm, 563 E. Main St., fraud
• 7:25pm, 412 E. Main St., larceny

Saturday:

• 1:23am, (no address listed), assault
• 2:03am, Pearl Street, burglary
• 2:50am, 23 Harvester Ave., harassment
• 3:05am, 419 W. Main St., criminal mischief
• 9:44am, 155 Jackson St., larceny
• 10:22am, 542 E. Main St., accident
• 1:53pm, 220 E. Main St., accident
• 6:52pm, 73 Union St., trespass
• 11:30pm, 345 W. Main St., larceny

Sunday:

• 12:24am, Hutchins Place, menacing
• 3:31pm, 522 E. Main St., harassment
• 8:40pm, 119 State St., menacing

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

There was no lack of entertainment in Genesee County this past weekend. And it seems that Daily News reporter Roger Muehlig got a little taste of it all. Muehlig was in Attica Sunday for the 51st annual Attica Rodeo that drew more than 7,000 spectators over the weekend. Says Waterport resident Carl Miller of the rodeo: "We like it."

Muehlig was also at the Elba Onion Festival Saturday for the crowning of the Onion Queen. Seventeen-year-old Nicole Heffle received the honor. "It's always (been) like my dream to be Onion Queen," she said.

As if those two grand events weren't enough for one tireless reporter, Muehlig got over to the Toys for Kids chicken barbecue fundraiser Saturday outside T-Shirts Inc.'s new location at 438 East Main St. All proceeds from the barbecue will benefit Don Carroll's Toys for Kids campaign for Christmas.

I hope Muehlig is home taking a day off today.

The one place Muehlig wasn't to be found this weekend was at the town of Murray's bicentennial celebration. No matter, Tom Rivers was on hand to cover the festivities that culminated in a bocce tournament Sunday.

For more on these and other stories, pick up a copy of the Daily News. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Charles J. Wride, 21, of Bergen, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment Friday relating to an incident on July 19 in the village, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Wride is accused of backing out of a driveway while someone was standing in the way of the car door.

David M. Hinkson, 53, of 5163 Sunset Terrace, Batavia, was charged with driving while intoxicated Saturday afternoon, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Hinkson was stopped on Route 33 near the intersection with Route 5. He was also ticketed with failure to stop for stop sign and depositing refuse upon the highway.

Joseph Beszczynski IV, 22, of Darien, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana early this morning, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Beszczynski was stopped on South Main Street in Batavia for driving without front or rear license plates. His vehicle was subsequently searched, and police allegedly found marijuana and a smoking pipe.

All of the above arrests were reported in published releases from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

LeRoy police have arrested two men in relation to the string of burglaries there early last week, according to WBTA's Wayne Fuller. Chad Bagg, 29, of LeRoy, was charged with five counts of burglary, three counts of petit larceny and two counts of attempted larceny. Bagg is accused of burglarizing four businesses in LeRoy — including the Eagle Hotel, which he allegedly robbed twice. Bragg has been sent to jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. Jonathan Blasdell, 18, of LeRoy, was charged with one count of burglary. Blasdell allegedly broke into the Mill Street Liquor Store. He was sent to jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Batavia's Charter Review Commission will meet tonight at 6:30pm at City Hall. That meeting is open to the public.

The Muckdogs (27-17) looked like they were going to add a game to their win streak, but a Williamsport (23-21) three-run 9^th inning was enough for the Crosscutters to win 6-5.  Scott Gorgen (2-1) suffered the loss for Batavia, pitching three innings with three hits, three runs, two walks and three strikeouts.  The winning pitcher was Brain Rosenberg (2-1), who threw two innings with one hit, one run, two walks and three strikeouts.

 Williamsport struck first in the 3^rd inning, scoring two runs when Bryan Frew reached on a fielder’s choice and Brandon Haislet singled to put two on.  D’Arby Myers then singled to send both home.  They added one more in the 5^th on a Frew single and Travis D’Arnaud double.

 Batavia got on the board in the 5^th after Colt Sedbrook singled and eventually scored when Domnit Bolivar grounded out.  They went on to take the lead in the 6^th.  Frederick Parejo walked and Edwin Gomez singled before advanced a base on a Beau Riportella sacrifice bunt.  An error later in the inning got Jose Garcia on base and scored Parejo and Gomez.  Sedbrook then singled to score Garcia.

 The Muckdogs added one more in the 8^th when Parejo walked, stole second and scored on a Riportella single.  However, the Crosscutters came on in the 9^th to score three runs that the Muckdogs could not answer.  Troy Hanzawa singled and Tim Binkoski, Frew and Haislet walked to start the rally.  Myers and D’Arnaud both reached on a fielder’s choice to score the last two.

 Riportella was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and stolen base.  Sedbrook had the only other multi-hit night for the Muckdogs, going 2-for-4.  The two teams face each other again Monday night. 

My wife and I are going to see one of the hottest teams in professional baseball at 4 p.m. -- the Batavia Muckdogs.

If you attend and want to say hello, I imagine I'll be the only fellow there wearing an old-school San Diego Padres ball cap (brown, with mission gold "SD").

Thanks again to Steve Ognibene for getting us some great photos of a local event. This time, Steve was at the opening night parade for the Elba Onion Festival. Seen in the first picture (below) is Steven Bezon with his two children, Leah and Ashton.

Centre Daily Times, which covers the State College Spikes, has an article this morning about "brutally competitive" Pinckney Division of the NY-Penn league.

The six-team Pinckney Division, the largest in size and smallest in markets of the New York-Penn League’s three divisions, has turned brutally competitive.

Consistent Jamestown entered Saturday holding a tenuous lead.

Talented Batavia, which includes four players selected in the first five rounds of this year’s draft and five teenagers, trailed the Jammers by a game.

Two games behind Batavia rested Auburn which has won the division every year since 2002.

Two games behind Auburn stood Williamsport.

The Jammers (27-15), Muckdogs (26-16) and Doubledays (24-18) entered this weekend with the league’s best records.

It should be a great race to the wire.  Jamestown, Batavia and Auburn all won yesterday.

Today's game is at 4:05 p.m. against Williamsport. Tickets are only $5 per person for general admiission. 

UPDATE: Here's an article from the Auburn perspective.

Via Rochester Turning, we learn that the Powers campaign posted a video two days ago (it appears to be a professionally produced commercial, so might it show up on TV and not just YouTube?) accusing Jack Davis of bribery.

BATAVIA, NY (August 2, 2008)- Once again on a Saturday, the storm clouds found a detour around Genesee County and allowed racing to get in.  The end result would be the largest car count in years and a night to remember a great ambassador of racing.

With the white flag flying in the Troyer Chassis Sportsman, there were still four drivers that had a chance to easily lead the next time around; as it would turn out, consistency would be the way for Greg Mrzywka to get to Victory Lane.

Mrzywka, of Holley, took the lead from rookie Henry Maier on lap five and did the job holding off past champions Brian Sage and Rob Pratt for the win.

On the races final restart, Pratt moved from fourth to second and began to pressure the No. 04 of Mrzywka.  Pratt nearly lost control of his No. p38 in turn two though and would give the leader just enough room to hold on.

It was Greg’s first win since 2006 at the 1/3-mile.  He would also become the seventh different winner in the division this season.

Pratt would hang on for second, with Brian Sage, who was so fast early on, slipping to third.  Rounding out the top-five would be Stubby Pangrazio and Don Spatorico, the top two in points.

The Castle Powered Late Models simply could not get into a rhythm in their feature, with six cautions falling in the first six laps.  In an effort to allow the solid field to regroup, the decision was made to send the cars to the pits to run at the end of the night.  As it would turn out, the hard 11:00 p.m. curfew would end up postponing the event until August 16, when the race will be completed.  J.J. Mazur had taken the lead just before the final caution.

Jeb Walworth inherited the lead in the Power Trip Energy Drink Street Stock Feature on lap 7 when Nathan Arnold took his car pit side.  He would stretch out his advantage and cruise to his second win of the year.

Walworth survived a number of challenges to defeat Colton Chappius Jr., Lee Zimmerman, Matthew Pfalzer and Jason Babbit.

Russ Wassner shook off the bad luck of 2008 by picking up the first win in the Professional Driver Institute Mini Stock Feature.

Wassner took the lead on lap three from Mike Sweeney and held him off on the race’s only restart on lap 9.  He would pull away in the closing laps to continue his streak of winning seasons.

Behind Wassner was Sweeney, Dan Norton, Rick Johnson and point leader Brandon Aradine.

P.J. Havens became the eighth different winner in the DML Driveway Sealing Division, taking the lead early and winning the final event of the night over James Maier and Tom Urban.

Genesee Speedway Results: 8/2/2008-

American Cancer Society Jack Veach Memorial Night

Lap Leaders- T. Pangrazio 1, Mogavero 2-5, Mazur 6-

Heat Winners- Rivers, Babbitt, Boyle.

Lap Leaders- Downs 1-2, Maier 3-4, Mrzywka 5-20.

Heat Winners- Baker, Downs.

Lap Leaders- Arnold 1-6, Walworth 7-20.

Heat Winners- Loveland, Walworth.

Professional Driver Institute Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- RUSS WASSNER, Mike Sweeney, Dan Norton, Rick Johnson, Brandon Aradine, Alan Kemp, Randy Barclay, Jason Hull, Samantha Burch, Duane Pingrey, Tom Amico, Ed Neal, Sean McKeller, Bobby Dickinson, Pat Powers, Mark Forsha.

Lap Leaders- Sweeney 1-2, Wassner 3-15.

Heat Winners- Aradine, Johnson.

DML Driveway Sealing Bandits Top 3 (8 Laps)- P.J. HAVENS, James Maier, Tom Urban.

Lap Leaders- Maier 1, Havens 2-8

The following posts were the most viewed in July, based on our web tracking stats.

• Davis campaign launches a "fake" Powers Web site, by Philip Anselmo
• News roundup: Oatka Creek death termed 'accidental' (this was really about the steer), by Philip Anselmo
• Muckdogs to Bird Dog, by Eric Manning
• Jack Davis: Candidate or caricature?, by Russ Stresing
• News roundup: Beck and Mallow double team Cox and Bialkowski, by Philip Anselmo
• Fire on Ellicott Street, Philip Anselmo
• "Where am I? How did I get here?", by Russ Stresing
• Daily News declares itself nothing more than a fly swat, by Howard Owens
• Walnut Street roundabout, by Philip Anselmo
• News roundup: $4 million GCC project passed, by Philip Anselmo

We launched our free employment listings during the middle part of the July.

I was just looking over our stats -- in just that short of a time, more than 1,000 people looked at the jobs page. That tells me, there is a local online audience looking for employement opportunities.

Click on the "jobs" tab above and follow the directions on how to post your free employment ad.

We can easily assume that Batavian readers are engaged, informed, energetic people; you don't want to miss your chance to make your next great hire at no cost.

 Here is the first installment of my new Meet the Muckdogs segment.  Keep the feedback coming of who else you would like to here from! Enjoy!