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Press release:

On Dec. 7 and 8, the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District (BID), hosted the 2nd Annual Taste of the Holidays.

Friday evening’s event included the official lighting of the Christmas tree, caroling, music by Rich Conroy, tastings from local restaurants, horse and wagon rides, and a scavenger hunt to lead people to the downtown businesses. Eleven local restaurants handed out samples under a tent located on historic Jackson Street.

More than 500 people attended the Friday event with great success. Saturday’s afternoon event also included the scavenger hunt, but was geared toward families and children, with music by Bart & Kevin. Area businesses and local organizations had holiday activities for children under the tent including crafts, face painting, free hot cocoa by Coffee Culture, and much more. The always popular McMahon School of Irish Dance kicked up their heels for the event as well as Jason the Juggler. The YWCA sponsored a gingerbread house contest. Approximately 300 families turned out for the Saturday event.

The major sponsors for the Taste of the Holidays were Müller Quaker and Alpina Foods, Batavia’s new yogurt companies. Alpina Foods even handed out free yogurt samples during the weekend event.
 
The Batavia Business Improvement District also took the opportunity to find out the wish lists of area residents. Their table’s activity not only included a station to write to Santa Claus, but also a station to send a letter to the BID saying, “I wish Batavia…” The letters included straightforward answers such as “a bakery, lower taxes, or less congested traffic on Main Street.” But the children’s comments were more imaginative including, “fireworks, no more snowstorms, a play place, and a popcorn place.”  
 
The winner of this year’s Downtown Batavia Scavenger Hunt is Peyton Woeller, age 6, of Batavia. Peyton attended the Saturday children’s day activities for Taste of the Holidays and completed the scavenger hunt with his mother and twin sister. Peyton won a $100 gift BID certificate after visiting participating businesses and determining what day of Christmas each business represented.

Peyton’s reaction to winning “definitely rang with Christmas spirit,” said BID Director Don Burkel. “Peyton shared his gift certificate with his twin sister without hesitation. He knew immediately he wanted to go to Adam Miller Toy & Bike.”

The owner of Floral Fantasies, Sherry Balvo, also agreed the event was great for the community. She went above and beyond as a scavenger hunt participant by giving out gift bags with ornaments.
 
The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) will be planning their yearly events after the New Year’s. Anyone who would like to volunteer for events or be part of the planning process are encouraged to contact the BID office at 344-0900 or e-mail dburkel@downtownbataviany.com

Be sure to like the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District on Facebook so you can keep in touch with future events.

Press release:

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announced the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership.

Kelly Goodheart, of Batavia, serving with the 105th Military Police Company is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.

Mathew Clor, of Batavia, serving with the Company A, 2-108th Infantry is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.

Latashia Sanchez, of Le Roy, serving with the 222d Military Police Company is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.

Todd Toland, of Le Roy, serving with the Company D, Detachment 5, 1-169 General Support Aviation Battalion is promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential. These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com.

Press release:

For the second time in two seasons, Genesee Community College men's soccer forward Dominic Francis has been named an NJCAA All-American. He was named to the 2012 Division III All-American First Team.

A second team All-American last year as a freshman, Francis set the all-time single-season scoring record at GCC this season with 28 goals in 19 games, the second most in all of Division III men's soccer this year. He led the Cougars to 17 wins, breaking the college record for most wins in a single season (previous mark was 16 in 2011).

Genesee advanced to the finals of the Region III Playoffs this season where they lost to Herkimer County Community College, 1-0 in double-overtime. Herkimer went on to win the National Championship for the second consecutive year.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic Web page, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.genesee.edu/athletics

Press release:

Taylor Harkness, of Batavia, enjoyed a nice start to her freshmen season last week.

The RIT women's track and field team opened up the 2012-13 indoor season with a strong showing at the RIT Early Season Invitational, held at the Gordon Field House last Thursday.

Harkness won the high jump with a leap of 1.53 meters.

RIT returns to action on Jan. 12 as they host the RIT Invitational at 10 a.m.

On Nov. 30, members of the Order of the Eastern Star from the Western New York State districts converged at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Batavia. Joining the group of 33 were Keri Rhebergen, Grand Matron, OES, State of New York from Ticonderoga and Kenneth Milner, Grand Patron, O.E.S., State of New York, from Livonia.

As an expression of respect for the service provided by these brave men and women, Christmas greeting cards and gifts were distributed, and Christmas songs were sung to the veterans. The corresponding exchange of conversation was enlightening to many O.E.S. members, and the veteran residents expressed appreciation for the thoughtfulness of O.E.S.

Local participants included: June Lee, L. Janet Lee, Harry and Kathy Tyson, David and Marilyn Liles, Don and Elaine Keys.
 

Tonight is Customer Appreciation Night at Batavia Downs. After the fourth race in the enclosed grandstand, Subway subs and cake and coffee will be served while supplies last. Racing programs will be $1; coffee in the paddock room will be just 50 cents beginning at 5 p.m.

The free Pick-6 contest continues. Another $500 will be up for grabs for anyone that can pick all six winners on contest races four-nine. Sign up to play begins at 5 p.m. at Players Club and all Pick-6 forms must be returned to Players Club by the start of the fourth race. In the event there is more than one winner, the prize money is divided equally.

Then on Saturday night, the 2012 season comes to a close. Members of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association will be trackside as part of the fifth annual “Night of Distinction” awards presentation.

Also on Saturday there will be a mandatory pay-out in the free Pick-6 contest. Either $500 or $1,000 will be paid out. If the Pick-6 contest is not won on Friday (Dec. 7), then the pool increases to $1,000 on Saturday night. If won on Friday, then the Saturday contest pool will be $500. Since it's closing night all monies must be paid out to whoever picks the most winners. In the event of a tie, all prize money will be divided equally. Contest races are four-nine. Sign up to play begins at 5 p.m. at Players Club and all Pick-6 forms must be returned to Players Club by the start of the fourth race. No purchase is necessary, must be a Batavia Players Club member to participate.

The Pick-6 contest is sponsored by the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Simulcast wagering returns back to a seven day a week schedule beginning Dec. 9 at both the Downs and ITW simulcast center located across the street.