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The wide-ranging and ever-popular Batavia Concert Band will perform as follows this summer:

June 14

12:45 p.m. for Flag Day ceremony at the VA Medical Center

Conductor: Bob Pastecki

Sponsor: VA Flag Day Committee

June 24

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Wayne Burlison

Sponsor: GCASA

July 1

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Phil Briatico

Sponsor: UMMC

July 4

Noon at Centennial Park

Conductor: Phil Briatico

Sponsor: Picnic in the Park

July 8

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Brad Meholick

Sponsor: Kiwanis Club of Batavia

 July 15

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Brad Meholick

Sponsor: Rotary Club of Batavia

 July 22

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Jane Haggett

Sponsor: Torrey Farms

 July 23

6:30 p.m. at Trigon Park in LeRoy

Conductor: Jane Haggett

Sponsor: The Village of LeRoy

 July 29

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Jane Haggett

Sponsor: GO-ART

 Aug. 5

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Derek Reiss

Sponsor: H.E. Turner & Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Homes

 Aug. 12 -- Dizzy

7 p.m. at Centennial Park*

Conductor: Derek Reiss

Sponsor: Dizzy

* Note *: Rain venue is at the Genesee County Nursing Home

The Muckdogs have announced their promotional schedule for this season at Dwyer Stadium.

The Daily News will sponsor the Muckdog Monday promotion. You can get a $1 off your ticket price when you redeem the Muckdog Monday coupon that will run in the Saturday morning editions of the Daily News.
 
Free Dog Night presented by Zweigles will take place every Tuesday home game. The first 200 fans through the gates will receive a voucher that can be redeemed at the Muckdogs concession stand for a free hot dog at that night’s game. Also on Tuesday, KRAFT Singles presents KRAFT Tuesday Night Tickets. Fans can bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the Muckdogs box office for a buy one ticket get one free from KRAFT Singles. Visit kraftsingles.com for more details.
 
The Family 4-pack promotion will take place every Wednesday. Four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a 2009 program can be purchased for only $30.
 
Fireworks will light up the sky every Friday night at Dwyer Stadium, as well as the annual Fourth of July Independence Day celebration. Every Saturday will feature a pre-game concert on the concourse. The “Rock the Ballpark” events are presented by Tim Hortons of Batavia and New Energy Impact features Papa and Mama Root, an oldies rock and roll tribute band and original music recording artists. All performances begin at 6 p.m., weather permitting.
 
Other games of note include:
Opening Day/Magnetic Schedule Giveaway/Fireworks  -- Friday, June 19
Father’s Day/Post-Game Catch on the Field  -- Sunday, June 21
Renew Your Vows with Pastor Sick -- Sunday, July 12
Reusable Shopping Bag Giveaway (1st 500 fans) -- Saturday, July 18
“Muckdog Gazette” Giveaway -- Tuesday, Aug. 4
Frisbee Giveaway (1st 500 fans) -- Wednesday, Aug. 5
“First Pitch Fly In” to benefit Mercy Flight -- Thursday, Aug. 6
Team Photo Giveaway (1st 500 fans) -- Saturday, Aug. 15
Championship Souvenir Travel Mug Giveaway (1st 500 fans) -- Saturday, Aug. 22
 
Fireworks Nights:

June 19, 26

July 3, 4, 10, 17, 24

Aug. 14, 28.
 
The Muckdogs home opening game is at 7:05 p.m. Friday, June 19 against the Auburn Doubledays.

For a complete 2009 promotional schedule go to www.Muckdogs.com <http://www.muckdogs.com/> or call the Muckdogs office at (585) 343-5454.

Katheryn E. Palmer, a senior at Byron-Bergen High School, is one of two students selected to receive a scholarship from the Greater Rochester, New York Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.

The other recipient is Julie Morningstar, a senior at Churchville-Chili High School.

Katheryn plans to attend SUNY Alfred College to study architectural technology.

For more than 50 years, NAWIC has been helping women take advantage of the opportunities in construction. The organization's mission is to establish a network base, mentor and provide educational and professional opportunities for women in construction.

Downtown car cruising, prizes, a DJ and other fun stuff will be on hand Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 through Sept. 1. The headquarters is at the corner of Ellicott and Jackson streets (in the former Jubliee Parking Lot).

It's hosted by the “Lone Wolf Cruisers." All cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. At the end of the season there will be a Super Car Cruise on Sept. 1, with a rain date of Sept. 8.

Cruise sponsors are:  Batavia Business Improvement District, Adam Miller Toy & Bike, Carlson’s Studio, Center Street Smokehouse, Daily Grind, Genesee Lumber, Hardcor Audio, Jackson Street Grill, Main Street Pizza, Michael Anthony’s Salon, Next Level Fitness, 101 Motor Sports – Shelby, O’Lacy’s Irish Pub, 3d Wine & Spirits and Turnbull Heating & Air.

For more information contact the BID Office at 585-344-0900 or Darrell Mase at 585-344-0819.Visit www.downtownbataviany.com for more details.

Press release:

The Bergen Business & Civic Association (BBCA) announces the 20th Annual Bergen Park Festival and Parade on Saturday June 13. Events begin at 11 a.m. and conclude with a fireworks show after dark.

“For the last 20 years the Bergen Park Festival has been a tremendous family-fun event," said BBCA President Anne Sapienza. “I encourage everyone to stop at the park...and enjoy the festivities."

The festival opens  with the “Classic Car Show” and at noon the kick-off parade begins at the Fire Hall. The festival includes multiple craft vendors, pony rides, kids' activities, food vendors and live music all day in the park. Clor’s will be catering a pulled-pork BBQ dinner beginning at 4 p.m. and tickets will be on sale at the Main Tent.

Back by popular demand is Bossy Bingo sponsored by the Bergen Grange. The biggest crowd pleaser, this game appeals to the big gamblers and good sports. This year the grid contains 100 squares and tickets are $5 apiece. Contact Michele Smith, Bergen Town Clerk, at 494-1121. Ext. 1, for more information.

Live entertainment will include the Panloco Steel Drum Band, sponsored by the Byron-Bergen Public Library, at 2 p.m. and our local John Cummings 00’ graduate of Byron-Bergen High School will be performing with his band “Something Else” between 6-10 p.m.. Following the music will be a magnificent fireworks display, so don’t forget to bring your lawn chair and come join the fun. For more details please call the town clerk.

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort and the PARC Foundation presented the inaugural Jack Kemp Community Service Award to Hunter's Hope Foundation on June 1.

The award is given in recognition of the life and public service of the late Jack Kemp.

Hunter's Hope is a charitable organization committed to increasing public awareness of, and early detection and treatment for, Krabbe Leukodystrophy (and related conditions), which is a fatal, inherited disease of the central nervous system.
   
PARC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of PARC Management, operator of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort. It gives its employees, patrons, vendors, partners and parks  an inspiring way to give back to their communities and strengthen local children and families.

On hand at the award ceremony were: Randy Drew, CEO of PARC Management; members of the PARC Foundation board of directors; Chris Thorpe, General Manager of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort; Jill Kelly, co-founder of Hunter’s Hope; Jacque Waggoner, CEO of Hunter’s Hope; Jimmy Kemp, son of Jack Kemp; and Jack Kemp, grandson of Jack Kemp.

Press Release:

Batavia Concert Band Announces Annual Concerts in the Park

The Batavia Concert Band’s 85th anniversary season of music-making and free public concerts begins June 24 in Batavia’s Centennial Park. Additional concerts and parades will feature the Band at other locations and times, including Batavia’s popular July 4 Picnic In the Park and Trigon Park in LeRoy.

The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire is wide-ranging in origin, period and style: Sousa-style marches, Broadway show tunes, classical adaptations, fun songs for kids of all ages, big-band and swing numbers, popular songs from hit musicals and movies, rock favorites arranged for concert band… and everything in between.
 
The Band consists of 40 to 55 or so brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented local high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, and the rest are advanced amateur musicians. All love to play.

The conductor’s podium will be shared this season by veterans Wayne Burlison, Jane Haggett, Phil Briatico, Brad Meholick, Bob Pastecki and Derek Reiss. Derek and Dizzy again cap this year’s Concerts in the Park on Aug. 12, as a benefit fundraiser for the Batavia Concert Band.

Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during WWII. It currently enjoys financial support from GO-ART, concert sponsors, program advertisers and individual patrons. The Band itself sponsors a “Taste of Western New York” gift certificate raffle from selected area restaurants, 50-50 raffles at every concert, bake sales and other fundraisers.

Downbeat for regular season concerts is 7 p.m., Wednesday evenings, in Centennial Park, Batavia (in case of rain, in the Genesee County Nursing Home). 

All concerts are free to the public of all ages. Light refreshments are usually available. Bring the family, some friends, lawn chairs or a blanket… and enjoy!

Genesee Community College has expanded the eligibility for high school graduates and GED graduates to take two free college courses this summer at any of the seven campus locations. Application deadline is June 15.

Under the Genesee Promise Plus Scholarship program, any 2009 high school graduate is eligible to take up to two free college courses during the June 29 - Aug. 1, five-week summer session if they attended high school in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, or Wyoming counties.

Those eligible include:

• Students who live in the four-county GLOW service area who earned a GED Diploma, regardless of age.
• GLOW area graduates from home-school programs.
• High-school graduates who attended high schools outside the GLOW service area yet accumulated college credits through GCC's ACE Program.

Eligible students can take up to two free summer courses at any of the seven campus locations including Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lakeville, Medina and Warsaw. The scholarship pays all tuition and fees but the student pays for textbooks. Credits earned can be used to get a head start on college and can transfer to all State University of New York (SUNY) schools as well as most other colleges and universities.

The one-page application form is available at all seven Genesee Community College campus locations, as well as on-line at www.genesee.edu/promise <http://www.genesee.edu/promise>.

For more information, contact Tanya Lane-Martin through email, tmlanemartin@genesee.edu or call the Admission's Office at 585-345-6800 or 1-866-CALL-GCC. You can also stop in at any GCC campus location:
GCC at Albion, 456 West Avenue (Rte 31), Albion, NY 14411 / 589-4936
GCC at Arcade, 25 Edward Street, Arcade, NY 14009 / 492-5265
GCC at Batavia, 1 College Road, Batavia NY, 14020 / 345-6800
GCC at Dansville, 9221 Robert Hart Drive, Dansville, NY 14437 / 335-7820
GCC at Lakeville, 5999 Big Tree Road, Lakeville, NY 14480 / 346-5070
GCC at Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road (Rte. 31A), Medina, NY 14103 / 798-1688
GCC at Warsaw, 115 Linwood Avenue, Warsaw, NY 14569 / 786-3010

Lewis J. Serventi was named the 2009 recipient of Genesee Community College's Alpha Medal of Service at the 41st Commencement Ceremony in May. The recipient is selected annually by the college's foundation board.

The Alpha Medal of Service medallion is encased in a crystalline sculpture. It  recognizes individuals whose philanthropic or volunteer support has deeply influenced GCC.

Serventi has demonstrated longstanding support of the college, especially with his early and generous support for the construction of the Conable Technology Building and the Humphrey Student Union. Financial contributions have been recognized with plaques in the south foyer of the Conable Technology Building and in one of the Humphrey Student Union vestibules.

Serventi retired as CEO and chairman of the former Lew-Mark Baking Co. of Perry, where he lives. He's well known for his involvement with civic and volunteer activities in the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region.                              

"Lew and his wife Clelia have worked tirelessly to make our region a better place to live, and they have been unwavering in their support of Genesee Community College," college President John C. Dwyer said.

"They have given their time and financial resources very generously and very humbly. We are proud to recognize them with the Alpha Medal of Service. We hope and believe that they will be an inspiration for the entire College community, especially our students who will be tomorrow's leaders."

Past recipients of the Alpha Medal of Service include Lynn E. Browne (2006), Jerry and Carm Reinhart (2007), and John F. Andrews (2008).

The Genesee Community College Foundation is a charitable organization that marshals financial and volunteer support for the college. It is governed by a 30-member Board of Directors comprised of many of the region's leading civic and business leaders. The Foundation has funded more than 2,000 scholarships over the last decade, and was instrumental in securing support for the construction of two new buildings on the Batavia Campus and the acquisition of student housing at Genesee.

Press Release:

The New York State Police will be participating in Roadcheck 2009, an international commercial vehicle enforcement event, June 2-4.

This important safety event, which began in 1988, is sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, North America’s leading commercial vehicle safety enforcement organization.

Roadcheck 2009 promotes safety and security on North American highways through the inspection of commercial vehicles and drivers. Truck and bus safety inspectors will be on the job night and day during the 72-hour period checking vehicles and their drivers at inspection sites along major highways. In addition, roving patrols will inspect vehicles and drivers traveling other highways.

Roadcheck 2009 will also emphasize enforcement of commercial vehicle drivers who fail to wear their safety belts. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently released an updated study on safety belt use by commercial vehicle drivers indicating that safety belt use by commercial drivers is 72% compared to 83% for passenger car drivers.

Press Release:

Paving work slows traffic on Rte 77 in Pembroke, Darien and Corfu

A project to resurface a section of Rte 77 in the towns of Darien and Pembroke and a section of Rte 33 in the Village of Corfu began May 26. Variable message signs have been placed along the corridors to notify motorists. The scheduled completion date is this fall.

Motorists should expect one-way alternating traffic patterns controlled by flaggers during daytime hours. Due to the large traffic volumes along Rte 77 bound to and from the nearby theme park, camping resort and concert venue, restrictions have been incorporated into the contract to prohibit lane closures after noon on Fridays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and select special event days. Crews plan to start at the northern project limits.

Final plans are to resurface the 8.5-mile section of Rte 77 from Rte 5 in Pembroke to just south of Rte 20 in Darien and the 1.5 mile-section of Rte 33 within the Corfu Village limits. The top layer of worn, deteriorated asphalt will be removed with a milling machine and replaced with a new layer of asphalt and fresh pavement markings. The six-foot-wide shoulders will also be resurfaced. This paving work will extend the life of the pavement 8-10 years.

Motorists are advised to travel slowly and carefully through the work zone area.
Daily traffic reports can be accessed at www.travelinfony.com<http://www.travelinfony.com/

Press Release:

State Police Conducts Nighttime Safety Restraint Enforcement
Statewide: Campaign Will Target Unbuckled Motorists at Night

Major Christopher L. Cummings, Troop A Commander, has announced the start of New York’s latest “nighttime” safety restraint enforcement efforts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the odds of being killed in a motor vehicle crash are three times higher at night, which is when seat belt use declines substantially. In an effort to save lives, the State Police will be conducting nighttime safety restraint enforcement details.

Troopers across New York State will be staffing nighttime safety restraint checkpoints in the ongoing “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Given the increasing number of traffic crashes at night, all New Yorkers should be reminded of the need to wear their seatbelts, not only during the day but every time they travel in a vehicle.

“Buckling up all the time clearly saves lives, and if you don’t, you will be ticketed,” Major Cummings said.  “Unfortunately, too many New Yorkers still need a tough reminder, and we’re going to provide it.” 

Recent statistics indicate that roughly 10 percent of motorists in New York still fail to wear safety restraints and it is likely that number is even higher during nighttime hours.  “It’s tragic and unnecessary, but someone we know will likely die or be unnecessarily injured for failing to take one simple step – buckling up. It really is a matter of life and death.” Cummings added.

According to NHTSA, in 2005 more than 15,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; nearly two-thirds of those killed were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. In addition, nighttime seat belt use is often 10 percent lower than the nationwide average of 82 percent daytime seat belt use. Crashes also are the leading cause of death for every age from 3 through 33.

Major Cummings stressed that all vehicle occupants, regardless of age, should be properly restrained.  “Kids and young adults learn best by example, and parents set that example,” he said.  “Infants and toddlers are even more vulnerable, because they can’t buckle up themselves – they must rely on adults to do it for them.”  National studies have shown belted drivers are far more likely than unbelted operators to restrain their children.

Law enforcement agencies in New York State initiated the Buckle up New York Campaign in 1999. Although the state’s safety belt usage rate has hovered around 85 percent over the last three years, highway safety advocates are encouraged to report that New York has reached a historic high rate of 89 percent in 2008.

Press release:

Kaitlin Skelton, 2009 class valedictorian at Batavia High School, was
named New York State Outstanding Young New Yorker and
awarded an $1,800 scholarship.

The scholarship competition was held May 16 during the New York State JAYCEES Convention in Liverpool. Skelton plans to attend the University of Rochester in the
fall to study international relations and possibly a foreign language.

For over 30 years the OYNY Scholarship Program has honored top high school
seniors nominated by New York State JAYCEE Chapters based on their scholastic achievement, school and community activities, leadership capabilities, interview and public speaking abilities.

Kaitlin gave a 5-minute speech on this assigned topic:

There are many present-day challenges that the United States and the rest of world needs to overcome in near future: environmental concerns, the repercussions of religious extremism, the fallout of financial collapses, the affects of rampant racism, and starvation caused by worldwide food shortages to name only a few. These problems not only threatened our way of life in the past, but continue to do so in the present and will
continue to do so for future generations if left unresolved.

With so many issues that deserve our attention, where do we begin?  In your opinion, what is the most important problem we face today? Why do you believe so?  What would be our first step to solving this daunting predicament, and more importantly, why should your opinion matter?

The New York State Junior Chamber is an affiliate of the United States
Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International. The JAYCEES are a world
federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs dedicated to create positive
changes in our communities by providing opportunities for business
development, community development, individual development, international
affairs and management development.

Downtown Batavia Public Market is starting its third year on June 25 and it will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 10. It is centrally located at the corner of Ellicott (Rte 63) and Center streets with plenty of convenient parking.

The market will offer a full variety of fresh produce, fruit, bread, cookies, pies, honey, jams, BBQ sauce, cut and dried flowers and lots more.

Vendors include: J & W Fresh Farm Produce, Nice Farms, Schwab Farms, S & T Crist Farms, Alston’s BBQ Sauce, and Pressed Flowers by L. Regatuso. 

Sponsored by: Batavia Business Improvement District Public Market Committee.
Interested vendors can contact the B.I.D. Office at 585-344-0900 or visit our website at  HYPERLINK "http://www.downtownbataviany.com" www.downtownbataviany.com.