MAYOR DUFFY ANNOUNCES NEW CRACKDOWN ON UNLAWFUL HOUSE PARTIES (06/20/07)

Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced a new strategy to identify and stop unlawful house parties before they begin and to crack down on owners and tenants of residences which conduct these unlawful gatherings.

"This community has had enough of these unlawful and often violent house parties and we will use the full force of law and the diligence of the Rochester Police Department to shut these down," said Mayor Duffy. "We have already identified and terminated several parties before they started and will take action against the owners and tenants of the premises which have held such parties."

The new strategy has two major components. The first is early detection of parties and stopping them before they begin. The second component addresses parties that have already occurred by authorizing strict enforcement measures. These measures include:

  - The voiding of the Certificate of Occupancy
  - Vacating of the premises

These tough measures are justified under state law and the zoning and property codes of the City of Rochester to address the improper use of a residences as a nightclub or commercial establishment. Potential violations include, zoning violations, over-occupancy, service or consumption of alcohol without a license, service or consumption of alcohol by minors and drug possession or use.

The new plan uses various investigative tools to alert police to the plan for such a party. Once identified, the law department issues a warning letter to the property owner and/or tenant to warn them of the dangers and possible enforcement measures.  In addition, the police regularly patrol the area to prevent the party from starting.

The recent spate of unlawful house parties have several distinguishing factors that separate these events from legal parties that are held in many homes. Unlawful house parties often:

  - Are advertised;
  - Are open to the public;
  - Charge a fee to attend;
  - Charge a fee for food or beverages;
  - Occupancy is of unlawful and dangerous proportions.

Each event will be evaluated on a case by case basisto ensure legal parties, such as graduation parties and reunions, are not wrongly classified or penalized.

Attn:18 & 19 year olds! CITY REC. TO OFFER ADULT TENNIS INSTRUCTION (06/21/07)

The City's Bureau of Recreation will offer professional tennis instruction for ages 18 and over during three upcoming sessions. The first two are 8-week courses, running July 1-28, and July 29-August 25. The last, a 6-week course, runs Sept.10-30. Instruction will be offered by well-known Rochester tennis professional Curtis Carter, director of the Swing Tennis Academy and tennis instructor for more than 20 years.

Sessions are outdoors, last 90 minutes, and will be taught at beginner and intermediate levels at Cobbs Hill and Genesee Valley Parks. Sessions are offered mornings, evenings and weekends to accommodate busy schedules. The enrollment fee is $80 per eight class session (July 1-28 & July 29-August 25) and $60 per six class session (Sept. 10-30). Classes will not be held on July 4 or Labor Day week, September 2 - 8. City residents age 60 and over may use their Good Times Pass for a 50% discount on this program.

Registration is required and will be accepted until one day prior to the start of each session, as space allows. For more information or to register, call the Bureau of Recreation at 428-6755 or visit 400 Dewey Ave., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Reservations will be taken over the phone only if payment is made by credit card.

FOURTH ANNUAL TEEN BEACH BASH SCHEDULED (City of Rochester News Release - 06/21/2007)

Teens ages 13-18 from Rochester and Monroe County are invited to celebrate the end of the school year at the Fourth Annual Teen Beach Bash, 7-10 p.m., Tues., June 26 at Nola's Waterfront Barbeque, 4775 Lake Ave., Charlotte Beach. Identification is required for proof of age and admission is $5 at the door. Space is limited.

The City of Rochester's Bureau of Recreation, the Rochester Monroe County Youth Voice, One Vision Youth Council and the Edgerton Community Center Youth Council are sponsoring this event, which includes a barbeque dinner, dancing, contests, and prizes.

Appropriate dress is required; no du rags, bandanas, tube tops, clothing with suggestive material, foul language or gang symbols will be allowed. Please call 428-7371 for more information.

OPEN HOUSES KICK-OFF SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS

OPEN HOUSES KICK-OFF SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS (City of Rochester News Release - 06/05/2007)

The City's Department of Recreation and Youth Services will kick off its Summer 2007 programs with open houses at all major recreation sites. Guests can take tours of the facilities, register for programs and meet Recreation staff. The City operates 35 recreation sites during the summer. The following is the schedule of open houses:

Adams Street Community Center, 85 Adams Street, 428-7266
2 - 4 p.m., Sat., June 9: Snacks and open swim party

Avenue D Community Center, 200 Avenue D, 428-7934
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat., June 2: Performances, 3 on 3 basketball, games and refreshments

Campbell Street Community Center, 524 Campbell Street, 428-7860
5 - 8 p.m., Fri., June 15: Family garden planting

Carter Street Community Center, 500 Carter Street, 428-7890
6 - 8 p.m., Fri., June 15: Family picnic

Edgerton Community Center Complex, 41 Backus Street, 428-6769
4 - 7 p.m., Fri., June 15: Amusement rides, entertainment, followed by a showing of the movie "Cars" at 7 p.m.

Flint Street Community Center, 271 Flint Street, 428-7001
2 - 4 p.m., Sat., June 9: Special arts and crafts projects

Genesee Valley Complex, 131 Elmwood Avenue, 428-7888
5 - 7 p.m., Mon., June 18: Free swimming; registration for Learn to Swim Program and in-line and roller skating on the sports court (Bring your own skates.)

North Street Community Center, 700 North Street, 428-7149
1 - 4 p.m., Sat., June 15: Community softball games and light refreshments

South Avenue Community Center, 990 South Avenue, 428-6015
12 - 4 p.m., Sat., June 23 : Preview of summer activities, special events, refreshments

Webster Avenue Community Center Complex, 530 Webster Avenue, 428-7828
11 a.m., Sat., June 9 : Summer Kickoff Parade with games and refreshments.

To locate the center closest to you, call the Bureau of Recreation at 428-6755.

KIDS CAN LEARN TO SWIM AT FREE SUMMER SWIM ACADEMY

KIDS CAN LEARN TO SWIM AT FREE SUMMER SWIM ACADEMY (City of Rochester News Release - 06/05/2007) 

Children ages 6-14 can learn to swim for free at the City's "Summer Swim Academy," July 9 - 26 and July 30 - August 16. The 30-minute classes will take place 9:30 a.m. - 12 noon, Mon. - Fri., 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 June 22 for Session I and until July 21 for Session II. Forms are available at all City recreation centers and libraries. A drop-in enrollment session will be held 9:30 a.m. - 12 noon, June 27 - 29. Drop-in enrollment must be at the location where the student plans to take lessons. 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

• James Monroe High School, 164 Alexander St. (rear entrance) 428-6755 or 428-7888

• Thomas Jefferson High School, 1 Edgerton Park (rear entrance #8) 428-6755

• John Marshall High School, 180 Ridgeway Ave. (rear entrance) 428-6755

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

• North Street Community Center, 700 North Street, 428-7149

* Registration at these sites will be taken from June27 - 29 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. 3 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.

"Call for Essays" - for kids ages 6 to 18

What I Love About Rochester

That's what we want to know! So we've made it the focus of our "Call for Essays" to all children ages 6 – 18 in the greater Rochester area, giving them a unique opportunity to voice their opinion as part of our 25th anniversary "An Evening Out At Home" celebration on May 19.

Local youth are being asked to submit original essays of no more than 250 words. One essay will be selected and read on Time Warner Cable Channel 9 during "An Evening Out At Home" celebration. In addition, a select number of essays representing each age group will be chosen for publication on our Web site. Every youth who submits an essay will receive a certificate in recognition of their participation. Essays may be submitted online at www.racf.org, by e-mail (essays@racf.org), or by U. S. mail addressed to:

CALL FOR ESSAYS
Caroline Merenda, Program Officer
The Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, New York 14607-1912

Essays will not be returned.  For more information on “An Evening Out At Home” visit our Web site www.racf.org

*** It would be SOOOOO COOOOOOL if a young Lyell-Otis neighbor won this contest! I hope all our great kids will enter!!!!  :)

MAYOR DUFFY ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO ENTER IDEABOUNCE EVENT (City of Rochester News Release - 02/07/2007)

Mayor Robert J. Duffy today encouraged youth in grades 7 -12 to enter Rochester's first IdeaBounce™, an event that supports and encourages young people to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice. The deadline to register an idea is Thu., Feb. 15.

The theme, "What's Your Big Idea? Take it On!," is designed to serve as an inspiration for young people to think creatively and turn their ideas into action - whether that means starting a new business, developing an innovation for an existing company or solving a problem that improves our community. The event, which will be held March 3 at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, is part of national Entrepreneurship Week USA (Feb. 24 to March 3).

The IdeaBounce™ concept, which was developed at Washington University in St. Louis, gives students two minutes to present their idea, invention, or innovation to a panel of judges. It is the first step to help students determine if they will take the idea to the next step—the business plan development stage. Twenty-five students will be selected from all entries to present their ideas in-person and receive prizes.

Students are encouraged to register online at www.ideabounce.com, or through the mail by writing: IdeaBounce™ c/o University of Rochester, Special Programs, RC Box 270358, Rochester, NY 14627. Applications are also available at all City of Rochester Recreation Centers, all 7th to 12th grade schools in the Rochester City School District, and at all public libraries in Monroe, Genesee, Orleans, Yates, Wyoming and Seneca counties.

IdeaBounce™ is sponsored locally by the University of Rochester, Junior Achievement, the City, the Rochester City School District, the Credit Education Bureau, Biz Kid$, the Dazzle School of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.