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Nominees wanted for inaugural class of college's new Sports Hall of Fame

By Billie Owens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Garage sale, hot dog stand to benefit animals

By Billie Owens

Volunteers for Animals is holding a garage sale June 3-5 to benefit their cause. It's at 37 E. Main St. in Corfu.

Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, there will be a hot dog stand at the garage sale. All proceeds from the garage sale and the food will go to VFA.

Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's will be serving grilled hot dogs, chips and soda pop.

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Potential opponent takes issue with Hawley's no vote on re-opening state parks

By Billie Owens

Here's a media release from Chris Barons, Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s possible opponent this November, in response to Hawley’s ‘No’ vote on re-opening state parks:

Although I deplore the backroom politics and pretentious raiding of the Environmental Protection Fund, Mr. Hawley's assessment is short-sighted.

In March 2009, a study prepared for Parks & Trails New York by the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) (Heintz et.al., 2009), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, found that the combination of annual state and visitor spending at all New York State Parks supports up to $1.9 billion in economic output and business sales and up to 20,000 jobs throughout the state.

In February, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) released a list of closures and service reductions in order to meet the budget reduction, part of a comprehensive plan to close an $8.2 billion deficit.

The OPRHP’s list of closures included 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and service reductions at 23 parks and 1 historic site. Included in the closure list was Allegany State Park, which provides $62 million in revenue and 860 jobs to its three-county area.

Park visitor expenditures within the Allegany Region were estimated to be between $33.7 million and $69.3 million annually with 87% of its visitors from outside the tri-county area.

Clearly the nine Finger Lakes Region Parks and three Genesee Region Parks would generate more local revenue than the $14.9 million outlay to keep them open. Allegheny Park alone generates nearly five-times the outlay, and there are eight other regions across the state.

Art ah la Carte opens June 12, three summer camps offered

By Billie Owens

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

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

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

The following ART CAMPS will be offered this summer:

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

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

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

Alexander Class of '90 reunion planned for July 9-10

By Billie Owens

Can you believe it's been 20 years? The Alexander High School Class of '90 Reunion will start with a casual meeting Friday, July 9 in the Alexander Fire Dept. beer tent. Starts and 7 p.m. and runs until whenever.

Then from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, there will be a big wingding at the Center Street Smokehouse in Batavia. Cost is $15 a person and there will be heavy appetizers, music, dancing, a cash bar and lots of socializing.

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Family friendly summer events offered by youth bureau

By Billie Owens

Here are summer events offered by the Genesee County Youth Bureau:

June 16: Genesee County-wide SADD 20th Anniversary Dinner

June 18: Reality Check FREE Outdoor Family Movie -- "Percy Jackson & the   Olympians" (PG) (Dwyer Stadium at dusk)

June 23: Reality Check FREE Outdoor Family Movie -- "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" (PG) (Jackson Square at dusk)

June 29: WNY Tobacco-Free Programs Recognition Event, Dwyer Stadium, 6-7:30 p.m.

July 4: Picnic in the Park, Centennial Park, Batavia, 11 a.m. -5 p.m.

July 17: Oatka Fest, Trigon Park, LeRoy

July 21: Reality Check FREE Outdoor Family Movie -- "The Tooth Fairy" (PG), Jackson Square at dusk

Aug. 3: National Night Out — Austin Park Batavia 5:30-8:30 p.m. Plus FREE Reality Check Movie at dusk! "The Blind Side" (PG)

Aug. 18: Reality Check FREE Outdoor Family Movie -- "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (PG), Jackson Square at dusk

Aug. 21: Summer in the City, Kids Zone, Main Street, Batavia

Please call the Genesee County Youth Bureau for more information about these or other Youth Bureau events/activities at 344-3960.

Bring your family to enjoy these activities or volunteer your time to help out!

Muckdogs announce 2010 promo schedule

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs, Genesee County’s only professional sports franchise, has released its 2010 promotional schedule featuring fireworks, giveaways, special events, theme nights and daily promotions.

The fun will kick off three days prior to Opening Day with the very first pre-season “Pep Dog Rally” starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday June 16. This free event will be fans’ first chance to meet this year’s team.

It will feature games for the kids, local mascots, and prizes and raffles throughout the night. One highlight will be a homerun derby featuring local celebrities, including City Manager Jason Molino and Elba Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman.

The Muckdogs will again offer fans a daily menu of money-saving promotions available throughout the season.

The Batavia Daily News will continue to sponsor Muckdog Mondays. Every Monday home game, fans can receive $1 discount off a general admission ticket when they redeem a coupon that runs in the Saturday edition of the newspaper.

On Tuesday nights, KRAFT Singles presents KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Fans can bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the Muckdogs box office for a buy one -- get one free ticket from KRAFT Singles. Visit kraftsingles.com for more details.

The Family Four Pack will take place on every Wednesday and is presented by Drug Free Communities. Fans can purchase four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12 oz. sodas and a 2010 program for only $30, a savings of $12. Every Family Four Pack purchased will also receive a free prize pack courtesy of Drug Free Communities.
 
Fireworks will again light up the sky after every Friday night game at Dwyer Stadium, as well as on the annual Independence Day celebration on July 3.

Every Saturday will feature a pre-game concert in the concourse. These “Rock the Ballpark” events are presented by Tim Horton’s of Batavia and will feature New Buffalo Impact with Papa and Mama Root, an oldies rock 'n' roll tribute band, and original music recording artists. All performances begin at 6 p.m., weather permitting.

The Muckdogs will also play host to multiple unique events at Dwyer Stadium this summer.

On Saturday July 10, the Muckdogs will host the first “Festival of Muck," paying tribute to the mucklands in Elba. The night will feature muck wrestling, an onion giveaway, muck slip 'n' slide and a bobbing-for-onions contest. More details will be revealed at a later date.

The Muckdogs will have two Community Sleepovers on Saturday, July 10 and Saturday, July 17. Participants who buy their tickets in advance will be given a discount. Only 400 vouchers for sleeping on site will be given out for each night. For more details, fans can call the office at 343-5454.

Other games of note this season include:
 
Opening Day/Magnet Schedule Giveaway                             Saturday, June 19
Star Wars Night                                                                       Saturday, June 26
Anti-Bullying Night                                                                   Monday June 28
Museum Night at the Muckdogs – fans will learn about          Friday, July 2
     history of Genesee County
Free Buzz Cuts                                                                        Friday July 16
Sun Visor Giveaway (1st 500 fans)                                          Saturday, July 17
Renew Your Vows with Reverend Sick                                    Sunday, July 18
Muckdogs Fans Fan Giveaway (1st 1000 fans)                       Friday July 30
Frisbee Giveaway (1st 500 fans)                                              Saturday July 31
“Muckdog Gazette” Giveaway                                                  Monday, Aug. 2
Team Photo Giveaway I                                                           Saturday, Aug. 14
Belly Buster Night                                                                    Monday, Aug. 30                                                                   
Fireworks Nights will be: July 2 & 3, July 9, 16 and 30; Aug. 13; Sept. 3.

The Muckdogs open their 2010 home schedule at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 vs. the Auburn Doubledays. For a complete 2010 promotional schedule, go to www.muckdogs.com or call the Muckdogs office at 343-5454.

Bill to reopen parks passed, Hawley voted no because it 'increases taxes on businesses'

By Billie Owens

Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced last week that the Downstate Assembly Majority "under the cover of darkness at 3 a.m." introduced legislation to reopen state parks and historic sites which were closed due to budget constraints.

In a press release, Hawley said he could not vote in favor of the bill, however, "due to its proposed $14.9 million tax increase on businesses and manufacturers, an $800,000 additional cost to Kodak, and the sweeping of the Environmental Protection Fund to the General Fund, instead of making the necessary cuts in state spending."

He says the bill will also be harmful to the agricultural industry since it will reduce funding for farmland protection and soil and water conservation.

"I have advocated for the reopening of state parks throughout the budget process, but this legislation and its increased burden on employers will only discourage job creation, while also setting a precedent for Albany to sweep state funds to close budget gaps,” Hawley said.

This fall GCC students can rent some textbooks

By Billie Owens

Beginning this fall, The Campus Shop, Genesee Community College's on-campus bookstore, will give students the opportunity to take advantage of a textbook-rental program designed to deliver maximum savings and convenience.

It will allow students to rent their textbooks for less than 50 percent of the cost of purchasing a new printed textbook. Plus, as an added convenience, students will be able to rent their books either in the store or from the store's website, <http://www.geneseecc.bncollege.com>.

This decision to offer a textbook-rental program was a joint decision made by the college administration and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.

"The college is taking on this initiative to help students afford the rising costs of textbooks," Kevin Hamilton, vice president of Finance and Operations at Genesee Community College said. "We understand that not all students can afford to buy new books during these times of economic uncertainty and we're pleased to be working with Barnes and Noble to address those concerns."

Here are some additional features:
Students can pay the rental fees using any form of tender currently accepted by the bookstore – including student financial aid. (Note: For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of the tender used for the rental fee.)

Students can highlight or mark the rented books just as they would if they purchased a book and planned to sell it back to the bookstore.

Students can convert their rental to a purchase during the first two weeks of class.
The rental period is for the duration of the term/semester. Books are due back at the bookstore no later than 10 days after the last day of finals. Students can return the books in person or mail them to the bookstore.

Courtesy e-mails will go out as the end of the term/semester approaches reminding students to return their books. Books not returned (or returned in unusable condition) will be subject to replacement and processing fees.

About 25 percent of the textbooks assigned by Genesee's faculty will be eligible to be rented. Textbooks that have a consumable element such as an Internet access code or a study guide are not part of the textbook-rental program.

For more information about Genesee Community College Bookstore visit <http://www.geneseecc.bncollege.com>.

Farm bureau urges rural residents to fight proposed restrictions on outdoor wood boilers

By Billie Owens

Here's a press release from the New York Farm Bureau:

The New York Farm Bureau today announced a fight-back campaign against proposed Department of Environmental Conservation regulations that aim to restrict the use of outdoor wood boilers in rural New York.

"This is another attempt by Albany bureaucrats to single out the rural residents of New York," said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau. "DEC's decision on restricting the use of outdoor wood boilers will literally impact thousands of farmers and rural landowners across the state."

"Rural New Yorkers have been heating their homes with wood since the first Dutch settlers came up the Hudson," Norton said. "We all know it gets extremely cold in New York and DEC's actions will just drive residents back to using costly oil heat -- leaving a much cleaner renewable resource unused."

The Farm Bureau will rally its 30,000 members to fight these proposed regulations and will be lobbying furiously in the halls of Albany.

Thousands of owners of outdoor wood boilers will be forced to retrofit costly smokestacks to meet new DEC height requirements, limit the use of their units for almost half of the year and ultimately prohibit the use of any outdoor wood boiler that does not meet new, strict DEC emissions requirements.

The proposed regulations will have significant financial implications for farm and rural homeowners that heat their houses, barns and greenhouses.

"DEC's proposal is an overly broad plan to address the relatively few complaints that they have received about air-quality impacts from outdoor wood boilers," said Jeff Williams, Farm Bureau's deputy director of Public Policy. "This regulation punishes thousands of honest people that own outdoor wood boilers, use their own wood from their property and operate their units responsibly."

New York State residents will be required to retrofit their current units and then take their outdoor wood boilers out of service before the end of the unit's useful life and lose a major investment that can cost upwards of $10,000.

The owners can make the decision to purchase either a new, more expensive, outdoor wood boiler or return to non-renewable, petroleum-based fuels or natural gas.

"It must be pointed out that DEC does not provide any financial reimbursement or incentives for the retrofitting of smokestacks or the purchase of a new, compliant outdoor wood boiler," Williams said. "It is like the government telling you that you have to switch out your farm truck for a hybrid-electric car, but you have to pay for it yourself. It doesn't make sense."

DEC is holding a series of public information sessions/hearings around the state this month on the proposal. Farmers and rural residents are encouraged to go to <www.nyfb.org> for the hearing schedule, talking points and to send an e-lobby letter opposing the regulations to DEC and your state legislators.

Written comments will also be accepted by DEC until July 2.

'Friday in the Square' concert series ends tonight with the John Cole Blues Band

By Billie Owens

The 13th annual 'Friday Night in the Square' concert series ends this evening after the John Cole Blues Band performs.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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Phoenix plays country music tonight in the square

By Billie Owens

Phoenix performs country music tonight at the 'Friday in the Square' concert.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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The Formula performs Italian favorites tonight in the square

By Billie Owens

Italian music will be performed by The Formula tonight at the 'Friday in the Square' concert.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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OHMS Band rocks tonight in the square

By Billie Owens

The OHMS Band performs rock music at tonight's 'Friday in the Square' concert.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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Stone Row plays Celtic rock tonight in the square

By Billie Owens

Stone Row plays Celtic rock tonight at the 'Friday in the Square' concert.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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Rock out with Red Creek tonight in the square

By Billie Owens

Rock out with Red Creek tonight at the 'Friday Night in the Square' concert.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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Bluesway Jam performs tonight at 'Friday Night in the Square'

By Billie Owens

The Bluesway Jam blues band performs tonight at 'Friday Night in the Square.'

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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Ghost Riders play country music tonight in the square

By Billie Owens

The Ghost Riders will perform country music at tonight's 'Friday Night in the Square.'

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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Ramblers perform a variety of music tonight

By Billie Owens

A variety of music performed by the Ramblers will be featured in tonight's 'Friday Night in the Square' concert.

The free, public concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Jackson Square in Downtown Batavia, located in the alleyway of Jackson or Center streets. Bring your own seating. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. If it's raining, venue changes to Batavia City Centre, inside the mall.

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