MAYOR ANNOUNCES COOL SWEEP KICK-OFF & SEVEN-DAY OPERATIONS AT DURAND

Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced the 2008 kickoff of operation “Cool Sweep,” a customer service and public safety initiative designed to provide relief from the heat for those with limited access to swimming and bathing facilities. As part of “Cool Sweep,” seven day per week operations at Durand-Eastman Beach will begin Mon., June 30.

“We continue to receive tremendously positive feedback from the community about the availability of Durand Eastman Beach and the ‘Cool Sweep’ effort” said Mayor Duffy. “The beach has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors since it opened at the end of May. It is a vital asset for the entire region and we are thrilled to continue making it a safe, fun and enjoyable destination for residents, visitors and their families.”

The beach will operate seven-days-a-week, Mon., June 30 through Tues., Sept. 2. For information on beach closings, residents may contact the Monroe County Beach Hotline at 753-5887. General information on swimming lessons and beach operations and policies is available by calling 509-8543.

“I want to thank my team at City Hall for their hard work keeping our residents safe and cool all summer long,” said Mayor Duffy. “This innovative program has helped bring relief to our neighborhoods throughout the summer for the past two years. I’m proud to bring it back.”
 
When the temperature exceeds 85 degrees, the City’s "Cool Sweep" program will run Mon. - Sat., from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. through Sept. 2, at a minimum of six locations. The sites will be monitored by Recreation and Environmental Services staff and Fire Department personnel. The Rochester Police Department will also patrol the areas.

The locations are:
• Edgerton Community Center parking lot, 41 Backus St.
• Gardiner Recreation Center, 75 Grover St.
• Baden Park on Vienna St.
• North Street Community Center playground, 700 North St.
• #41 School parking lot, 279 Ridge Rd. W.
• #22 School parking lot, 27 Zimbrich St.
• #7 School, 31 Bryan St. (on a variable basis)

During times of extreme heat, the Rochester Fire Department may dispatch additional apparatus to various neighborhoods to spray water using diffusers, depending on staff availability.

The City also maintains indoor and outdoor pool facilities and spray parks and may extend their hours of operation depending on weather conditions at the following locations:

• Genesee Valley Park Pool, 131 Elmwood Ave., 428-7888
• Adams Street Community Center Pool, 85 Adams St., 428-7456
• Avenue D Community Center Pool, 200 Ave. D, 428-7934
• Flint St. Community Center Pool, 271 Flint St., 428-7001
• Carter St. Community Center Spray Park, 500 Carter St., 428-7890
• Humboldt Community Center Spray Park,, 1045 Atlantic Ave., 428-7294
• Fourth and Peck Playground Spray Park,, Corner of Fourth and Peck Sts.
• Manhattan Square Park Spray Park,, 25 Manhattan Square Drive, 428-7888

When temperatures exceed 90 degrees, four branches of the Rochester Public Library will be made available for extended hours to provide a comfortable, air conditioned environment for our senior citizens and persons with special needs.

The following library locations will stay open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturdays:
• Lincoln Branch, 851 Joseph Ave., 428-8210  
• Maplewood Branch, 1111 Dewey Ave., 428-8220  
• Arnett Branch, 310 Arnett Blvd., 428-8214    
• Winton Branch, 611 Winton Rd. North, 428-8204

CITY OPENS FREE SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN

Beginning Mon., June 30, the City will provide free breakfast and lunch to those age 18 years and under through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program. Approximately 60 sites will serve lunch and about 50 sites will serve breakfast, Mon. - Fri. through Aug. 29, except July 4. Sites include community agencies, schools, churches and Recreation Centers. Click here for a list of sites.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service To file a complaint of discrimination, write or call immediately to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).

For more details about the program, call 428-7872.

MAYOR DUFFY ANNOUNCES FREE 'BIZ KID$' BUSINESS CAMP FOR CITY YOUTH

Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced an opportunity for young aspiring entrepreneurs, ages 10-13 years old, to participate in the FREE “Biz Kid$” camp. Camp registration is now open for two sessions to be held 9 a.m.B4:30 p.m. Mon.BFri., during the weeks of July 14--18 and Aug. 4--8, at the Genesee Valley Field House, 1316 Genesee St., in Genesee Valley Park.

Sponsored and organized by the City’s Bureau of Recreation, the Biz Kid$ camp provides youth an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship through fun, fast-paced games and activities. In developing a real business plan, they learn how to look and act professional, manage time and money, promote a business and prepare for the future.

Participants will also be rewarded with business cards, a canvas briefcase, calculator and receipt book to help them start and maintain their businesses and a chance to win cash prizes at the completion of camp.

Call the City Bureau of Recreation at 428-7371 to request a registration packet.

KIDS CAN LEARN TO SWIM AT CITY'S FREE SUMMER SWIM ACADEMY

Children ages 6-18 can learn to swim for free at the City's free "Summer Swim Academy," July 7--24 and July 28 - August 21. The 30-minute classes will take place 9:30 a.m. - 12 noon, Mon. --Thurs., at ten locations throughout the city. There are classes for every skill level, from beginners with no previous instruction to capable swimmers. Participants can earn Red Cross certification in five skill levels.

Registration is now open and applications are being accepted until July 3 for Session I and until July 25 for Session II. Forms are available at all City recreation centers and libraries. In person registration for all sites will also be held at the Genesee Valley Sports Complex Pool, 131 Elmwood Ave, 4--8 pm, Mon., June 23. A drop-in enrollment session at the location where the student plans to take lessons will be held 9:30 a.m. --12 noon, June 30--July 3. Classes are filled based on proficiency levels and available space. Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and individuals may sign up for only one class per session. Preference may be given to city residents.

Summer Swim Academy locations offering Levels 1 through 5 (see levels below):
• Adams Street Community Center (School #3), 85 Adams St., 428-7266
• Franklin High School, 950 Norton St. (entrance #13 in back), 428-6755 or 428-7888
• East High School, 1801 E. Main St. (athletic entrance in front)., 428-6755 or 428-7888
• Genesee Valley Park, 131 Elmwood Ave., 428-7888
• Thomas Jefferson High School, 1 Edgerton Park (rear entrance #8) 428-6755
• Dr. Freddie Thomas High School, 250 Scio St., 428-7888
• Wilson Foundation Academy, (McCree Way Entrance), 200 Genesee St, 428-7888

Summer Swim Academy locations* offering Levels 1 and Level 2 only*:
• Avenue D Community Center, 200 Ave. D, 428-7934
• Flint Street Community Center, 271 Flint Street, 428-7001
• Durand Eastman Beach, 1250 Lakeshore Blvd., Lot A

* Registration at these sites will be taken from June 30--July 3 ONLY in person.

An end-of-session "swim academy graduation" will recognize participants for their achievements. Swimmers will also have an opportunity to participate in the City-Wide Swim Meet and Aqua Fest on Aug. 1 at Genesee Valley Sports Complex Pool.


Levels offered in the program will include:
• Recruits: Level I: (Water Exploration): No previous instruction; cannot swim
• Seamates: Level II: (Primary Skills): Floats and puts face into water.
• Boatswains: Level III (Stroke Readiness): Dives into deep water and swims 25 yards.
• Navigators: Level IV: (Stroke Development): Swims 25 yards crawl and backstroke
• Skippers: Level V: (Stroke Refinement): Swims 50 yards crawl and backstroke

Call 428-7888 for further information or a registration form. Automated information is available by calling 428-6767. Learn more about City of Rochester recreation programs by going to: www.cityofrochester.gov.

AUDITIONS SCHEDULED FOR MAIN GAME TALENT SHOWCASE

Subj:	AUDITIONS SCHEDULED FOR MAIN GAME TALENT SHOWCASE
Date:	5/14/2008 9:01:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

 

City residents ages 10-18 are invited to audition for the 2008 City Recreation Main Game Talent Showcase. Finalists will perform on stage at the Main Game event, July 26. Auditions for both individual performers and groups will be held 6:30--8:30 p.m., Thurs., June 19 and June 26, in the small auditorium of School of the Arts, 45 Prince St.

Performers may audition in categories including song, dance, rap, poetry and instrumental. Other categories may be accepted, but please call to discuss. For further information or to obtain an audition form, visit any City Recreation or Community Center, or call Humboldt Recreation, 428-7294, 3--6 p.m., Mon. --Thurs.; 2--9 p.m., Fri. Each member of a group must complete an audition form, which requires the signature of a parent or guardian for those ages 17 and under. Forms must be returned no later than Fri., June 13.

“Main Game” showcases the programs and talentsoffered at City Recreation and Community Centers during an outdoor recreation extravaganza on Main Street in Rochester. The event features not only an entertainment stage, but also display booths, interactive games and arts & crafts projects from every City Recreation facility, as well as boxing and martial arts demonstrations. Other activities include a soccer exhibition by Flower City Soccer, floor hockey demonstration and clinic by Genesee Valley Youth Hockey Team and the Seneca Park Zoo-Mobile. Projects including Kidtech, the City's computer program for youth, and BizKid$, the City’s youth entrepreneurial program, will also be represented.

COMMUNITY TREE TEAM ASKS KIDS & ADULTS TO HELP PLANT TREES

Subj:	COMMUNITY TREE TEAM ASKS KIDS & ADULTS TO HELP PLANT TREES
Date:	5/16/2008 9:01:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

 

The City's Community Tree Team, encouraging children and adults to help care for and plant trees within the city, will plant 13 trees from 9:30 a.m.--12 noon, Sat., June 7. City forestry and horticultural staff will coordinate these efforts at:
• North Street Community Center, 700 North St.
• 325 N. Union St., Marketview Heights community garden.
• Participants will meet in the Draper Street parking lot, near the North Street Center.

As a part of the Community Tree Team, youth and their families may also help with other tree care activities, such as mulching and learning about tree care. Scouts may earn nature badges.

Participants should bring a shovel, a large bucket and work gloves (if available) and wear pants and sturdy shoes. Some tools, wheelbarrows and pruners will be provided. Noregistration is required, and the event is dependent on weather. No rain date will be scheduled in the event of rain. For more information call 428 6770, M F, 9 a.m.--5 p.m.