With our 5th win in a row tonight, we hold on to our first place standing in the Pinckney Division.  Jamestown was able to pull out a win in extra innings to remain just a half game back.  Here's a look at where we stand in other areas of the NYPL:

• Batavia is 3rd in batting and pitching with a combined .264 BA and 3.08 ERA.
• Arquimedes Nieto is now 2nd in pitching with a 1.28 ERA and perfect 5-0 record.
• Adam Reifer still dominates in saves and games at 18 and 25, respectively.
• Colt Sedbrook is 8th in batting with a .310 ERA.  He is also 3rd in on-base percentage at .403 and tied for 3rd in triples with 5.
• Shane Peterson is 5th in on-base percentage (.388).
• Jose Garcia's 19 stolen bases makes him tied for 3rd.

Make sure you get to the ballpark this weekend for some great promotions!  Tomorrow (Saturday) the first 500 fans will receive a Chase Utley bobblehead.  Sunday, the ZOOperstars will be in town for some added entertainment at the game, and as always, kids can run the bases after the game.

I made a video of whats called a "Foxhole radio" takes no batteries info found on youtube if you notice at the end the radio station is WBTA. Pretty cool.

Into found on youtube about foxhole radios

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=foxhole+radio&search_type=&aq=0&oq=foxhole

All my video's found here some dumb some are OK if your into online games and electronics

http://www.youtube.com/toomyg155

This morning, Buffalo Pundit embeds a YouTube video that attacks Jack Davis for being old and rich -- nothing said about his positions on policies.

The video is cute and well produced, but it's also offensive.

First, Jack Davis is a self-made man.  He represents the historical promise of America -- that anybody with a good idea, who works hard and makes good decisions can be successful. Attacking Jack Davis for being rich is like attacking America, because you're saying it's wrong to build successful businesses and to create jobs, and that people shouldn't have the basic economic freedom to benefit from the fruits of their labor.

Second, imagine a political video that attacked a candidate for being a woman, or black, or handicapped. Who -- especially among self-described progressives --  would find such prejudice anything but outrageously bigoted? So why is ageism suddenly OK? Is it bad to grow old, to acquire experience, to have a perspective that reaches back further than "Friends"?

The question needs to be asked: Are Democrats making a mistake to throw so much support behind Jon Powers while attacking Jack Davis so voraciously?

Voter registration for the 26th District, as of April 1, 2008, is 40 percent Republican. Despite the GOP stranglehold on the mostly rural counties, Davis picked up 48 percent of the vote in 2006, and his 44 percent in 2004 (when Bush garnered 55 percent of the district vote), was pretty darn respectable when compared to the 22 percent Ayesha F. Nariman tallied for the Democrats in 2002 (which shows you to what extent Democrats in the 26th are willing to vote Republican -- there still seem to be a lot of Reagan Democrats around).

In both of Davis' loses, he was running against an incumbent. This time, the seat is open.

Setting aside his wacky anti-immigration pronouncements, Davis has a message that appeals to rust-belt conservative voters -- protectionism on jobs, cut spending and taxes,  save social security and reduce the influence of special interests.

While Powers has an admirable position on job growth, he seems squishy on spending and taxes (his website addresses neither issue). He'll be vulnerable to the tried-and-true GOP "Liberal" attack.

At first glance, Republican Chris Lee looks like an urbane empty suit. He has career-politician-in-the-making written all of him. He seems to have no ties to nor affinity for a rural county like Genesee. If he wins in November, he's likely going to represent Western New York for the next five terms. 

So the question Democrats attacking Davis might want to ask themselves -- are they ready to accept that outcome?

Davis may not meet any body's picture of the ideal candidate, but at most, he's going to serve two terms, then the race is wide open again and anything can happen.

Just some food for thought.  Again, I'm non-partisan and have no affinity for any particular candidate.

The Batavia Muckdogs improved their record to 37--23 with a 10-1 win over Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Dwyer Stadium tonight.

The Muckdogs retained their half-game first-place lead over Jamestown, who beat State College tonight 2-1.

Thomas Eager improved his record to 4-3 by going five innings and giving up only two hits and one run, though he did walk four.

Eager carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when a line shot from the first batter he faced bounced off his glove toward the third base line. The next batter singled to left and then Eager issued a walk.  A run scored on a double play, and then Eager walked the next two batters -- missing badly on several pitches -- to load the bases again. He retired the next batter he faced, however.

(Sorry, while I was there -- I wasn't keeping score, so I don't have the names of the Scapper batters involved in that one-run inning.)

In only his third game as a Muckdog, second baseman Alejandro Castellanos went 3-4 with a triple and two RBI.

Chris Swauger also had three hits, while Edwin Gomez and Cold Sedbrook each had two (Box Score).

Eight of the Muckdog's runs came in an explosive third inning, which proved to be a preview of the fireworks that would follow the game.

The post-game show was worth the $5 GA by itself.  It was a major league exhibition lasting for at least 20 minutes.

The announced paid attendance was 1,490. 

There should have been at least another 1,000 people there to see the first-place Muckdogs continue its quest for a division crown (not to mention the great fireworks show).

Dave Wellenzohn was energetic as always with between inning games and promotions. He certainly throws himself into supporting the team.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my favorite Muckdog, sweet-swining Beau Riportella, who rode the bench for the night.

Saturday at 7:05 p.m. the Muckdogs take on Williamsport while Jamestown visits Auburn. Game time for Sunday is 1:05 p.m.

The Muckdogs (37-23) excelled on both sides of the plate to take down Mahoning Valley (26-35) by a score of 10-1.  Thomas Eager (4-3) started and earned the win in five innings with two htis, one run, four walks and five strikeouts (including four straight).  George Brown (3) picked up the save in the 9th, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout.  On the losing end, Mark Rodrigues (0-2) went two-thirds innings with three hits and four runs.

Batavia had one of their biggest innings of the season, scoring eight runs in the 3rd inning to put the game out of reach.  It all started when Chris Swauger and Edwin Gomez plated back-to-back singles.  Jose Garcia then had a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners one base.  When Frederick Parejo was up next, he reached and the two runners scored on a fielder's choice; Parejo then moved to second on a throwing error.  Colt Sedbrook singled in the next at-bat to score Parejo.

Shane Peterson then reached on another fielder's choice, Osvaldo Morales was hit by a pitch and Charlie Cutler singled to load the bases.  Alex Castellanos then came up with a two RBI single.  After Swauger walked to load the bases again, Gomez had his second hit of the inning, a three-run double.  The Muckdogs scored the eight runs on six hits and an error and had thirteen come up to the plate during the inning.

Mahoning Valley's only run came in the 5th inning as singles by Brock Simpson and Jeremie Tice put two on.  Simpson scored the only run when he came home on a double play ball.  On the night, Swauger was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, a RBI and two runs scored.  Castellanos went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored.  They finish out the weekend with a three-game series against Williamsport at home.

*At the completion of all tonight's NYPL games, I'll have an update on our standings!*

Starting on September 1, the Batavia police station at 10 W. Main St. will only be open to the public from 8:30am to 4:30pm. A desk clerk will be on hand during those hours. A call box will be set up outside the station to contact dispatch at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on Park Road. City police has also opened a new non-emergency number and for contacting police personnel: (585) 345-6444.

Derrick G. Ryzner, 19, of Pennsylvania, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana Tuesday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Deputies had responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint when they allegedly found the drugs in Ryzner's vehicle.

A couple's complaint about a stolen bank card and an account robbed of its funds led to charges against the couple themselves, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Twenty-five-year-old Jennifer and 23-year-old Christopher Cummings, both of Pavilion, were charged with third-degree falsely reporting an incident. After reporting the theft of bank card and money, deputies discovered that the two had allegedly taken their own money out of the bank and reported it stolen.

We have a new commercial on WBTA.

Once again, the spot was recorded by Nici Johnson, local resident and waitress at the Pok-A-Dot.

We're quite proud of it: MP3 File

After 87 years, the Genesee-Orleans Vegetable Growers Cooperative Association voted to dissolve the organization Monday, according to the Daily News. No summary will do justice to the fine piece by Tom Rivers, so today might be a good one to go out and pick up a copy of the paper, if you don't already have one. Rivers really has his finger on the pulse of this agricltural community, and it shows in the depth of his reporting.

Reporter Matt Surtel informs us that the Citizens for Wind Energy in Perry and the Wind Information + Responsible Energy group from Alabama have joined forces and become part of the statewide organization: Renewable Energy Advocates Coalition, which is some 80,000 members strong.

For those who haven't yet heard, Sen. Barack Obama says that he has made his choice for vice-presidential candidate. But he's not telling anybody. Why say so, then? Oh, politics.

Congratulations to the Alexander girls track team, which won the Genesee Region League Championships, the Section 5 Class CC title, and now send 10 girls to the 2008 Genesee Region League girls track all-star team. Not to mention that their very own Dave Radley was named coach of the year. The lucky all-stars from Alexander are: Stacey Flint, Courtney Aldrich, Taylor Antinore, Kayleigh DeAngelo, Amanda Zielonka, Maranda Ohlson, Alyssa Hinkson, Jodie Skidmore, Eleonara Costa and Sidney Flint.

If you don't believe me that the talents of Tom Rivers are enough of a reason to buy today's paper, let me entice you further with another fun feature story by Virginia Kropf. In this tale, she sits down with Catherine Roth, who turns 88 on Saturday, along with her two sisters. They're triplets, and may be the oldest surviving triplets in the whole country. Kropf writes a fabulous tale about the sisters, full of such great lines as: "She liked it when they started wearing different things, because if one wanted to borrow the others clothes, they had a variety." Or this one from Catherine: "We were spoiled collectively." So much fun. Thanks again, Virginia.

As I've already said twice, you should head out and pick up your own copy of the Daily News. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Two new faces have been added to the Muckdogs roster. Here's a look at our new players:

• Ismael Cardona, Catcher: Cardona comes up from the GCL Cardinals where he was batting .222 with 7 RBI.  Orignally from La Sabana, Venezuela, Cardona will add some depth in catching.
• Osvaldo Morales, First Base: In Johnson City, Morales was batting .250 with 12 homeruns and 28 RBI.  In his first start as a Muckdog last night, he went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Also, I know I'm a little late with the reminder but, don't foget there are player appearances today at Denny's from 11:30-12:30 and at Oliver's Candies 12-1! Be sure to stop out, chat them up and get to know some Muckdogs...and then of course get out to a game to cheer them on! We are home all this weekend and this Monday with all games starting at 7:05, except for a 1:05 start on Sunday.

Behind a solid starting pitching effort by Scott Gorgen (3-2), the Muckdogs (36-23) remain in 1st place in the Pinckney Division after a 4-2 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (26-34).  Gorgen threw five innings with five hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.  Russell Young (4-3) suffered the loss in his six innings with five hits, three runs (one earned), one walk and 2 strikeouts.

In the 2nd inning, Batavia started things off by scoring two runs on three hits.  Chris Swauger singled and Alex Castellonas doubled to get on base and Edwin Gomez came up with a double to drive them both in.  They added another run in the 4th when newcomer Osvaldo Morales doubled and Swauger singled.  The Muckdogs's 4th and final run of the night came in the 8th inning.  Jose Garcia bunt-singled, stole second and then advanced to third on a throwing error.  With Frederick Parejo at the plate, the Scrappers had a fielding error which allowed Garcia to come in to score.

Mahoning Valley threatened in the 9th, scoring two runs in the inning on a walk and two doubles, but it was not enough.  Jason Buursma came into relieve Miguel Tapia in the 9th to earn himself his third save.  In an inning of work, he let up only one hit while striking out two.

Castellonas finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.  Swauger also went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.  The teams face each other again tonight in Batavia at 7:05.

Don't know about any of you folks, but my commute takes me straight down Route 33 to Batavia from Route 490 and back every day, a long haul but a beautiful drive with so much more character than swinging up and around via the lifeless thruway. Starting next week, and likely through to November, that could mean the occasional delay or at least a slow down in traffic through a stretch of that road.

The state Department of Transportation released this info about the upgrade to the Black Creek Bridge in Stafford (between Route 237 and Caswell Road on Route 33):

Steel and concrete elements of the 75-year old structure have been showing signs of age and deterioration. Plans call for the removal of the existing concrete parapets on the bridge and for the installation of railing. Repairs will be made to deteriorated sections of concrete above and below the bridge and improving drainage to further slow down deterioration of substructure elements.

Construction work is slated to begin the week of August 25 and will likely be complete by the first week of November.  Motorists can expect limited travel impacts while the bridge is under construction. Shoulder closures and lane closures controlled by a flagger will be used on a daily basis. Motorists should drive with caution through the work zone.

As always, folks can get up-to-date road travel info on the state's Web site.

Police in Le Roy are looking for anyone with information about an apparent break in at the Little League concession stand in the village, according to WBTA. At some point over the past few nights, someone had forced open the door and got inside. Anyone with information should call (585) 768-2527.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley told WBTA's Dan Fischer that most of the $450 million that the state legislature recently agreed to cut from its spending are "un-spent member items, the so-called pork that legislators use to win points with their local constituents." (Quote from Fischer.)

Genesee Community College's Alumni and Friends will hold their annual Hike up the Hill event Saturday, September 13 to raise money for the college's scholarship fund. Everyone is invited to participate: service crews, churches, neighborhoods, workplaces, families or even groups of friends are encouraged to come by in costume, with themed props.

Pontillo's Pizzeria plans to have staff walking while twirling pizza dough above their heads and Genesee's nursing department will wheel a gurney along the walking route.

"We wanted this to be a fun event that includes all members of the community," said Patti Pacino, Alumni Coordinator. "By adding a unique and creative element to the walkathon we hope that more people will participate and that we raise more money than ever for scholarships this year."

The walkathon meets at the Batavia campus clock tower at 8:30am. ... Awards and special prizes will be presented during a picnic on the campus following the walk.

Call Patti Pacino at (585) 343-0055 ext.6265 for more info. Or send her an e-mail.

Austin Spray Park is closed for the season—two weeks early, according to the Daily News. A waterline break that damaged "some electrical components" is cited as the cause of the early closure. It would have taken more than two weeks to fix the problem, and since the park was scheduled to closed on September 2 anyway, officials decided to just call it quits for the season.

In other news:

• Canandaiguan Erin Fairben will take over as superintendent of the New York State School for the Blind. She comes to Batavia from the Geneva City School District. She starts September 2.
• Wyoming and Orleans counties have joined in the statewide NY-Alert system that provides emergency alert information such as road closings and severe weather warnings. Genesee County is "implementing the service."
• Assemblyman Steve Hawley will lead youth in a pledge to be drug-free at 6:30pm at the Muckdogs game this Friday.
• Victorian Manor will host a get-together "for people in any type of business to get acquainted" with the staff and amenities of the refurbished apartment building. Show up at 427 East Main St. from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Pick up your own copy of the Daily News at local newsstands. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Several members of the Batavia police department were recently rewarded with certificates of commendation for exemplary police service for their involvement in major cases.

Officer Frank Klimjack responded to a residential fire at 6 Pringle Ave. in September, 2006. On scene, Klimjack helped two children and their mother to safety, then directed fire and ambulance crews to the scene to save a child trapped in the residence.

Detectives Todd Crossett and Richard Schauf were commended for their participation in an investigation that started in June, 2007, and continues today that has led to the arrest of four men, so far, who were soliciting minors for sexual encounters on the Internet.

Detective Sgt. Patrick Corona, detectives Charles Dudek, Paul Caffo, Todd Crossett, Richard Schauf and officers Kevin Czora and John Peck were commended for their rapid apprehension of suspects and subsequent investigation and processing of evidence in the murder of Desean Gooch in October, 2006.

Officer Eric Hill, detectives Charles Dudek and Paul Caffo, Detective Sgt. Patrick Corona and Lt. James Henning were commended for their apprehension of a suspect in the robbery of Key Bank on Main Street. That arrest led to the confession by the suspect to several other bank robberies, including one in Rochester that had resulted in the incarceration of an innocent man.

Detectives Richard Schauf and Charles Dudek were commended for their investigation that led to the arrest earlier this year of the infamous Pillow Case Burglar.

In the photo above (from left): Det. Sgt. Patrick Corona, Det. Charles Dudek, Lt. James Henning, Officer Wayne Fenton, Det. Schauf and Officer Eric Hill.

Gensee County home schoolers can look to their local library as a central resource in their education this coming school year. Richmond Memorial Library has countless books and magazines for teachers that any parent, any patron, can check out and incorporate into their routine. This fall, the library will show itself ever more valuable as it kicks of a series of weekly home school programs hosted on site. Children ages 8-14 can participate in the hour-long classes that range in topic from United States geography to recycling and enivironmental awareness. Students interested in participating in the courses must register by September 26. Classes begin October 2.

Schedule of programs:

• October 2: Getting to know your library resources.
• October 9: Ecology. Read and discuss, The World that Jack Built, by Ruth Brown. Learn how to recycle envelopes.
• October 16: Ecology. Read and discuss, The Great Trash Bash, by Loreen Leedy.
• October 23: Ecology. Environmental Awareness Project: Write a classified ad inviting Community members to participate in a cleaner environment.
• October 30: Ecology. Design and make an Earth Friendly bag.
• November 6: Fifty Nifty United States. Part One: Music activity & research a state.
• November 13: Fifty Nifty United States Part Two: Complete state report.
• November 20: Just for fun. Learn the history and nutritional value of peanut butter. Make Homemade Peanut butter to take home!
• December 4: Measurement. Part One: Read and discuss, How Big is a Foot?, by Rolf Myller. Decorate a ruler and measure away!
• December 11: Measurement. Part Two: Using graph paper we will make a scale plan based on your measurements!
• December 18: Holiday Craft and Party.

Contact Children's Librarian Sandra Gillard at (585) 345-9550 for more information. And, as always, be sure to check out the library's Children's Room blog and Web site for more fun facts and stories than you'll know what to do with.

Genesee County residents can get their pets vaccinated against rabies for free today at the County Fairgrounds on Main Street in Batavia from 4:00 to 7:00pm, according to WBTA. The clinic is sponsored by the county Health Department. Out-of-county residents may also use the service, but they have to pay $5.

UPDATE: Ooops. My fault.  Show is at 9:40, twenty minutes later than the original headline indicated.

I will be on WBTA in the morning to discuss blogging -- not The Batavian so much as blogging in general.

My goal is to encourage more bloggers in Genesee County.  I don't care if you blog for The Batavian or your own Word Press or Blogger site, just blog.  It helps extend the conversation.

That will be my theme.

Who among you can look upon these faces and not feel that all too human sense of pity and awe that only an animal can excite in us?

They're as silly as they are cute, and they've got cute too spare. They're alpacas, close cousin of the llama, though much smaller and a lot easier to keep in a pen on a farm and manage without too many outrageous episodes.

Although, from what I understand, there are plenty of shennanigans going on at an alpaca farm, especially when one of them gets loose and tears hide all over the place, looking for all the world like some crossbreed of the roadrunner and a camel, hurling front legs over back legs over front legs. Then there's the neck wrestling among siblings or peers. Don't forget the spitting of regurgitated alfalfa or the trancelike naps in the sun when even a blowhorn wouldn't rouse the beasts. Oh, oh, and the bugle calls and the humming and the funny faces and the exaggerated underbite.

Here to tell us all about alpacas, why they're great and what they're doing in Le Roy, New York, instead of Peru or Bolivia, is Martha McCutchen, owner of Enchanted Forest Alpacas.