There was no shortage of fun at Saturday's carnival in Stafford. The Stafford Fire Department will open the fair again on Sunday, culminating with the drawing in its annual Corvette raffle.

More pictures after the jump:

A car accident in Bethany is requiring the aid of Mercy Flight. A 21-year-old male has been ejected from a vehicle and rescue efforts are underway.

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.

As the Batavian Muckdogs head into their 2010 home opener at Dwyer Stadium, the team will feature a roster stacked with experience.

The majority of players on the 30-man roster has prior minor league experience, with a few familiar names to Muckdog fans.

Topping the list of familiar names are Alan Ahmady and Jon Edwards.

Ahmady was a 2009 NY-Penn League All-Star for the Muckdogs, hitting .292 with a .409 on-base percentage with 32 RBI and 42 runs scored.

Ahmady suffered an off-season set back when he tested positive for amphetamines. Ahmady told his hometown paper that when he was asked to start doing some catching, he felt he needed to get back on medication for attention-deficit disorder.

Right fielder Edwards was part of the 2008 championship team, hitting .304 with 6 HR and 16 RBI. In 2009, Edwards split time between Batavia and Quad Cities. While he smacked 13 HRs (11 in Quad Cities), he hit a disappointing .205. Edwards was a 14th-round pick in 2006. This is his third trip through Batavia.

Among the fresh new faces is Nick Longmire, a native of San Diego, who was selected in the 5th round this June by the Cardinals. As the highest draft pick on the squad, Longmire is expected to patrol center field.

Other players from last year's Muckdogs roster include pitcher LaCurtis Mayes and catcher, Luis De La Cruz, who was also part of the 2008 championship team.

Manager Dann Bilardello is in his first season with the Muckdogs. A first-round pick of the Dodgers in 1979, Biladello spent MLB time with the Reds, Expos, Pirates and Padres.

Game time tonight is 7:05. The first 1,000 fans will receive schedule magnets.

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:

Every year, the Le Roy Fire Department walks with its antique, used-to-be-horse-drawn pumper and fire hose to Stafford for the Stafford Fire Department's annual parade. First Assistant Chief Tom "Woody" Woods said it's a tradition that has been ongoing for at least 25 years. Department members, along with Pavilion firefighters, walk the two buggies all the way from Le Roy to Stafford, starting at noon, stopping for a picnic along the way.

More parade pictures after the jump:

If you're in the market for a smart bandana for Bowser or a nifty cap napper for Fifi, the Genesee County ARC has some doggone good pet products that you can buy to support a great cause.

The pet line began a year ago in May. It helps ARC employ people with different types of disabilities, giving them a sense of pride and accomplishment. ARC also makes boxes for jewelry, filters and for Yancy's Fancy cheese.

Paul Saskowski, ARC's marketing manager, came up with the idea for pet products when he noticed that even during a recession, people spend money on their pets. Pets are treated like members of the family and they have their own special needs.

He did extensive research on the types of materials used in making pet products, such as the dog beds, and the prices stores charged. He wanted high-quality products that were durable and competitively priced.

These include: beds, cat nappers, dog bandanas, dog jackets and soon they hope to bring back their toothsome "Bark Bones."

The popular pet beds range from $25 to $75. They are very tough and will take even the most destructive pet awhile to tear it apart.

"We are nearing our 100th bed sold,” said Saskowski.

A heavy, water-resistant canvas is used for the bottom of the pet beds. The bed can easily be wiped down if it gets wet. There are four colors to choose from -- brown, khaki, black and tan. The top is made from a soft fleece and there are six colors/patterns to choose from: camel, rifle green, dog bones, white paws, red paws, and "bow-wow."

The stuffing is made from a cotton blend. To help with recycling and cut down on the amount of unused material, excess padding from ARC's manufacturing of jewelry boxes is included in the stuffing. This also helps make the beds softer. The beds are machine washable. Just throw the bed in the washing machine and follow the care instructions.

They come in small, medium and large. There is also the option of fiberfill or a pillow-top orthopedic, depending on how soft you want the bedding.

"All orders are custom made," he said, this way, customers can choose their own color/pattern and add the pet's name.

One person sews the pet products and she can make two to three beds per day. Once the order is ready, either the customer will pick up the product or Saskowski will drop it off. On rare occasions, an order comes from out of state and the product is packaged and mailed. Most of the orders come from within the area; the farthest one shipped went to Florida.

The cat nappers are $10, made from cozy fleece and have a touch of irresistable catnip sewed into them. They come in a variety of colors. The dog bandanas cost $2 to $4 are also made from fleece with many prints to choose from, including seasonal holiday ones.

The dog jackets also come in a variety of colors and sizes range from x-small, small and medium. Prices are $10-15. Each item can be personalized with your pet's name for only $5 more.

The Bark Bones are an all-natural, oven-baked dog treat. Currently, the ARC kitchen is undergoing renovations and as soon as they are completed, production of the treats will start once again. These have been a big hit. Dogs find them quite tasty.

Currently the pet product line gets all of its business through fliers in various animal hospitals and shelters, at fairs and local markets, and by word-of-mouth.

"We have fliers in the State Street Animal Hospital and in Mount Morris."

ARC anticipates getting a website to sell the pet line soon, making the products easier to order for a greater number of customers. Several organizations are said to be waiting for the website to launch and plan to post a link to it.

All money made from the pet line stays with the Genesee County ARC.

Its mission statement is "...to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and the community. We embrace the individuals and nurture their social, spiritual, physical and emotional growth."

To order products or find out more, contact Paul Saskowski at (585) 343-1123, ext. 258 or via e-mail at <www.pasaskowski@rochester.rr.com>.

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:

A fire is reported in the basement of a house at 3181 Dodgeson Road, Alexander.

Alexander Fire is responding, along with a tanker and ladder truck from the Town of Batavia, a tanker from East Pembroke and a unit from Darien.

Bethany Fire is called to stand in at Alexander Fire Hall.

Residents are out of the house. The location is between Beaver and Seward roads.

UPDATE: A chief reports, "I don't think we have much of a fire if we can get here and get it knocked down."

UPDATE 3:39 a.m.: An interior firefighter reports, "heavy smoke in the basement." A chief is requesting a second line to the back of the house.  An interior firefighter reports heavy smoke, but no source.

UPDATE 3:48 a.m.: Fire contained. It appears to have been an electrical source in the basement.

UPDATE 3:54 a.m.: Red Cross requested to the scene. Fire is out.

View Larger Map

City Fire is being asked to investigate the smell of smoke in the area of Jackson and Maple streets, Batavia.

UPDATE 11:33 p.m.: Appears to be unfounded.

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.

Local law enforcement officers and community volunteers will be recognized tonight, following a dinner at Bohn's Restaurant, by the DWI Victim Impact Panel.

The honorees have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to reduce drunk driving.

This year, the following people are being recognized with the Exceptional Service Award:

• Village of Holley Police Officer Karol Hughes, for 14 DWI arrests in the Village of Holley.
• Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, 100-percent conviction rate for 30 DWI arrests.
• New York State Trooper David Wesolowski for 31 DWI arrests.

The Above and Beyond Award goes to:

• New York State Trooper Matt Luft for his life-saving actions in the town of Murray. Trooper Luft responded to a call involving a rollover vehicle that came to rest in a swamp. The driver was partially submerged under water and intoxicated. Trooper Luft cut the seatbelt and pulled him to safety.

The Honor and Appreciation Award goes to:

• Darien Town Justice Gary Graber for his relentless fight to increase accountability of those arrested for underage drinking. He has worked tirelessly to encourage support of tougher legislation that addresses underage drinking and marijuana use.

The Kathy Seymour Volunteer Service Award goes to:

• Korey Kustes who has endured years of physical and emotional trauma resulting from injuries he sustained in a drunk-driving crash. Kustes has allowed his persoanl setback to be made public so that others may learn from his experiences.

The DWI Victim Impact Panel (VIP) educates offenders on the consequences of drunk driving. Panel members are volunteers who directly address the audience revealing how their lives have been forever changed by the actions of a drunk driver. The audience is typically comprised of people convicted of DWI offenses in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

For more information about the VIP, to volunteer or attend, contact Laura Ricci at 815-1883.

A car fire is reported on Interstate 490. Bergen Fire is responding.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m.: Bergen back in service.

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.

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.

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.

The cause of an early morning fire at an industrial building right on the county line in Corfu is still under investigation.

Firefighters from 12 companies in Genesee, Wyoming and Erie counties responded to the 5:40 a.m. alarm, according to Darien Fire Chief Ray Felski.

One firefighter suffered a twisted ankle and was transported to UMMC, but no other injuries were reported.

It took more than 90 minutes to knock down the fire at 190 Genesee St., and as of 10 a.m., firefighters were still on scene dealing with flare ups and hot spots.

Fire crews had to contend with two difficulties in battling the large structure fire: The garage doors had to be cut off, increasing the amount of time before water could be put on the fire; and there is no municipal water in the area, so tankers had to truck in sufficient water to fight the blaze.

There were dogs in cages behind the structure and firefighters were able to successfully get them out of harm's way.

Several businesses share the facility, according to Felski.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire away from the business office section of the building.

Felski said he anticipates there will be a press release with more information once the cause of the fire is determined.

Bottom photo was submitted by a reader.

“When will CM post here on his own.” “…Baron's having an email is not the same as his posting at least a statement on this site.” “Mr. Barons is starting to look like a very 'handled' candidate.” “It seems like the very forum that gave C.M. his voice has seen him go completely silent since announcing his desire to run.” “I have sent an e-mail and received a response from Mr. Barons, however that does not change the fact that he seems to have come under the control of the Democratic party.” “It would be nice to have an un-handled dialogue with all the candidates not just Mr. Barons.” “If you are reading this C.M., please return to our forum, and share with us. Don't be just another candidate, or a puupet (sic) on a string. Do what you do best, BE YOURSELF!” “Bottom line, Barons is now being ‘handled.’” “I looked back at previous posts to see how CM felt on some issues and was dismayed to find that he edited his posts after he announced his decision to run.” 

The area defined by the 139^th Assembly district covers four counties and 23 townships. They are served by numerous, unique and varied-format news organs not limited to The Daily News, The Batavian, The Medina Journal-Register, WBTA, Time Warner’s YNN, The Suburban News, The Buffalo News, The Democrat and Chronicle, Pennysavers, other radio & television stations and blogs. Blogging on The Batavian has been a personal choice that I exercised frequently with little concern for favoritism. Since becoming a candidate, I am no longer reacting to news; I am news. I am competing in a milieu dependent on equal access to all available news organs. Consequently, I have re-evaluated my relationship to ALL media, aiming at a wider base with intent to avoid perception that my candidacy is derivative of or proprietary to any faction. 

Part and parcel to developing my media presence, I encouraged my Genesee County Campaign Manager, Chris Charvella to excite local news outlets with unique and format-optimizing approaches to bi-lateral engagement during this race for the 139^th Assembly seat. To instill a level playing field, I limited my media contacts to press releases. This was my practical response to a situation that I deemed in need of adjustment. Any assumption that my hiatus was the result of “handling” or re-packaging is ill-informed. 

I have spent the last few weeks cementing endorsement, drafting position papers and developing comprehensive plans for intended action once elected. The respite from blogging has allowed me to distill my own ideas into coherent action plans. I do not take my role lightly. I’ve dedicated all available time to establishing a candidacy that models my commitment to best represent my district. Although heartened by urgings I resume blogging on The Batavian, I trust that those who have embraced the spirit and relevancy of my past posts will afford me the opportunity to not only fashion a corpus worthy of the people I have chosen to represent in Albany. I ask that they measure the need of district residents in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe County who have yet to become familiar with my views.    

I promise no unveiling of a new, improved or beta version of me. The Democratic Committees representing the four-county area have accepted me, unadulterated. I respect them for their generous and unqualified support. Any suggestion that I have been influenced remains unfounded and erroneous. My ideas are my own; my press releases are penned by me.  As much as I reserve the right to change my mind in the presence of new data or circumstances, suggestions that I have engaged in Orwellian revisionism are inaccurate. My editing tendencies can be blamed on Gladys Walker, Sixth Grade English teacher who imposed grammatic structure as if the eleventh commandment.

I have returned to The Batavian, albeit a return defined by the reciprocal presence of my opponent and the discipline of fair-access. I consider The Batavian, family. As much as family roles are changed by circumstances, the elasticity of family bonds are only tested- not broken by distance. I will be making regular blog-posts detailing my positions and answering voter questions. I hope we can share some time as I take my campaign to the streets.  

Chris Barons

A structure fire was reported at Phoenix Development & Construction, 180 Genesee St., Corfu, at about 6 a.m.

Multiple fire companies were dispatched.

Route 33 between Crittenden Road and County Line Road.

As of 7:30 a.m., firefighters were reporting hot spots to clean up and some units were being put back in service.

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