This will be the third season for the inter-collegiate Tarp Skunks squad, which plays in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball league and is owned by a group of investors known as Jamestown Community Baseball.

This year the team has a new Director of Business and Sales Operations with the hiring of Christian Dolce in January.

Dolce tells WRFA he and his staff have been busy during the off-season getting everything ready for opening day, “Our number one goal here is to make it a great experience for fans. So, whether that’s in our merchandise store, providing a lot of merchandise, from season tickets, that aspect of it. We added on our Tarp Skunks Kids Club with our sponsors: Pepsi, Collaborative Children’s Solutions, and the Rotary Club of Jamestown. We wanted to give kids a great experience and behind the scenes we’re tying up all the loose ends and we’re ready to go to create a good experience for all our fans.”

Dolce adds that there will once again be plenty of promotions and special activities planned for this year to keep fans returning to ballpark all season long, “You come to the ballpark and there might be a promotion, there might be a giveaway. If you come to us on the weekend game, kids and parents, all fans can run the bases for free after games on the weekends. We have a number of firework games that happen after the fact. We have some more in-game stuff like $2 nights with the $2 beer and hotdogs and popcorn, as well as bleacher tickets.”

As for the team, the coach of Tarp Skunks will once again be Jamestown native Jordan Basile, who is now in his third season with the club. There will also be a few returning players on the squad, although most of them will be new players from across the country who are looking for an opportunity to sharpen their skills during the summer.

Jamestown’s regular season play begins on Saturday with a game on the road in Newark, NY. The first league game at home will a special Kids’ Day game next Wednesday, beginning at 11 a.m.

Tonight’s exhibition game begins at 6:30 p.m. and once again, all home games will be broadcast on WRFA.

For a complete broadcast schedule, visit WRFALP.com/TarpSkunks. For ticket information, visit TarpSkunks.com.

Jamestown YMCA VP of Operations John Barber presents to Jamestown Local Development Corporation (May 17, 2023)

The Jamestown YMCA is requesting $1 million in American Rescue Plan funds to construct a new facility on Harrison Street.

YMCA Vice President of Operations John Barber and Tom Benson presented to the Jamestown Local Development Corporation on their request of funding from the Non-Profit Business Grant Program.

Benson said the total project cost for the nearly 68,000 square foot facility is $30 million. He said there is currently $4 million committed from local foundations, “But we have three or four other sources of funding lined up, but we have to be able to go back to them and say, ‘Now we’ve got the city commitment, not just with a letter but with skin in the game.’ Go back to the state and try to get the state to commit. Then we have New Market Tax Credits, then we have tax rebond reissuance, then we have the (Ralph C.) Wilson Foundation who told us to come back when we had more commitment.”

Benson said there will come a time when the current East Fourth Street location will not be sustainable.

The new facility will include a childcare center, two pools, group exercise areas, a track for running and walking; gymnasium, and other exercise areas.

The Jamestown YWCA also presented a request of $145,714 for a three-year “Young Women Choosing Action” Program.

The program was developed by the national YWCA and is an “intersectional, culturally responsive, trauma-informed leadership program designed with the unique challenges and opportunities of low-income young women and young women of color, ages 13 to 19.”

Collaborative Children’s Solutions also presented on a request for $96,850 toward a peer-run mental health and substance use group that would be mainly operated at the Northwest Arena.

Wednesday’s presentations were the first three of eight that will come before the JLDC board before they are expected to vote in June on which non-profits will receive funding. The grant program was funded with $1.5 million.

Jamestown Local Development Corporation meeting (May 17, 2023)

A second round of $35,000 in downtown business grants were approved by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation board on Wednesday.

Grants Manager Tim O’Dell said the awards came from the Downtown Small Business Evolution fund.

He said Nouveau Beauty Aesthetics has been awarded $8,000 toward a $27,000 project to purchase new equipment that the businesses said will help sales increase by 20% based on the new services that will be available to customers.

Lisciandro’s Restaurant will receive $5,000 toward a $15,548 project to put in new floors and booths.

Sandees Bakery will use the $10,000 grant for the $19,760 purchase of a new meatball machine which will help with catering needs.

The Beer Snob has been granted $7,000 toward a $14,900 purchase of a three-door fridge to improve to-go purchases of beverages.

Art Cloth and Craft has received $5,000 toward the $8,000 purchase of sewing machines to use to create goods for the store in addition to use the machines for classes.

The JLDC board also approved three Fund for Downtown Programming requests.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts received $21,160 for three summer concert events that include a block party. The concerts receiving support include Lez Zeppelin on June 17, Vixen on July 9, and the block party with Uncle Ben’s Remedy on July 27.

Ballgame Heroes were approved up to $29,500 for a Trading Card Buffalo Bills Signing Show with Andre Reed. The event would include a VIP party on September 15 followed by a signing event on September 16. Owner Starr Ryder said the funds would be used toward Mr. Reed’s talent fee as well as to purchase merchandise that attendees could buy to have signed.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions also was approved $15,000 for a Winterfest event that will take place from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 2 ahead of the annual Christmas parade. Organizer Pat Smeraldo said he’s working out details still but the event could include an outdoor synthetic ice rink, live music, Christmas village, ice sculptures, and more.

The City of Jamestown, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, and Collaborative Children’s Solutions are hosting the free event along the Riverwalk in Brooklyn Square.

Kids activities will begin at 10:00 a.m., featuring games, tie dye, face painting, and more.

At 11:00 a.m., Jamestown’s own Lucky Leprechaun will Turn the River Green.

Kids activities will continue until noon with a Downtown Scavenger Hunt taking place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Entry forms will be available at the river event.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo tells us about the annual Downtown Jamestown Christmas Parade taking place Saturday, December 3, 2022.

The parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. on West Third Street before the Third Street Bridge and continue down Third Street to Tracy Plaza in front of the Jamestown Municipal Building.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo said this year’s theme is “Season of Joy,” “Last year was about diversity and how diverse our city is. Everybody has a different way they relate to Christmas. And me being a teacher and being in an elementary school now, it might be a television show. Or if you’re an adult, it might be a favorite food you look forward to, or way to give a gift, or a Secret Santa, or something like that. So, it was a way for people to express the way they show the joy of Christmas to them.”

Smeraldo said the family of Matt and Danielle Stone will be the Grand Marshals for the parade in recognition of their work with foster care in the city, “The Stones have been great. We collaborated with them on their Birthday Box Project. And if anybody knows Danielle Stone, she’s a firecracker. She took it and ran with it. They donated 100 birthday boxes for next year for New Directions and CASA and the money stayed right here in Chautauqua County.”

Smeraldo said parade attendees are invited to bring a toy to donate to the Toys for Tots float as it goes by. He also said the block between Lafayette and Washington Streets will be a “no siren” zone for adults and children who are adversely affected by loud noise.

Smeraldo added that the Christmas Tree lighting on Tracy Plaza will take place just before the fireworks show at about 8:00 p.m.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo discusses the Jamestown Labor Day Festival scheduled for September 4, 2022 as well as other events he’s helping organize over the next couple of months.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo is organizing this year’s event in conjunction with the city of Jamestown. The festival has been on hold for the last two years due to the Pandemic.

Smeraldo said the Dan Feather 5K will be in the morning with the Arts & Craft Show starting at 11:00 a.m., “And then at noon is when the entertainment begins and the food vendors begin. So, the park will be open at 11 but at noon is when the entertainment will start and not only music but Randy Grey with Southern Tier Wrestling and Mike Baron‘s magician shows, petting zoo, Scott Mekus will be up there doing kids games and bingo.”

Smeraldo said the Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will present the George Ritzer Labor Award at 4:30 p.m. on the main stage.

The fireworks show by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale will take place about 8:30 p.m.

While admission to the park is free, parking for the event is $5 with proceeds going toward the festival.

CCS Owner Pat Smeraldo said his wife got the idea for the event from something similar she attended in Warren, Pennsylvania, “They dress up. It’s only women. There’s dance music. There’s treats. She has really worked her tail off and she has probably 10 or 12 baskets for a basket raffle collected. So, it’s a great event.”

The event takes place from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. in the Northwest Arena Reception Room on Saturday, September 3.

Tickets are $25 and attendees must be 21 to attend.

For more information, visit http://ccsolutions716.com/

Jamestown City Council

The Roof, Private Sewer Lateral, Private Water Line Repair/Replacement Program had originally been funded with $750,000. The administration requested an additional $2 million as only 30 applications were able to be approved of the 131 received. City Director of Development Crystal Surdyk had stated at work sessions that the additional funding will make it possible to fund the rest of the applications that met guidelines. The program will not be re-opened for new applicants.

A resolution requesting an additional $1 million in ARPA funds for the Building & Property Infrastructure Improvements program will be considered. Like the roof and sewer repair program, the additional funds will just go toward businesses that have already applied for funding.

Council will also vote on a resolution to fund the 19A Homeownership program with $750,000 using ARPA monies. Under state law, municipalities can take ownership of properties that are vacant and either have one year of unpaid taxes or are subject to an order of condemnation.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Ben Haskins, addressing the Housing Committee, said the funding would be used to rehabilitate those houses, “And selling them to people who, A, reside in them for five years as a owner-occupant; B, during that time pay their taxes on time; and, C, once all the initial code enforcement violations that were written up upon taking title are fixed, that they will ameliorate further code enforcement that arises over that five year period.”

Under new business, Council will vote on a resolution to enter into an agreement with Zambelli Fireworks in the amount of $19,500 for the Labor Day Fest fireworks show on Sunday, September 4. According to the staff report, Collaborative Children’s Solutions, who is organizing this year’s festival, recommended Zambelli’s bid over a lower bid of $14,000 by Young Explosives, saying Young did not have the shell capacity for the type of show the Labor Day Festival Committee requested. The staff report said the funding is coming from the Parks Festival Budget.

City Council will have a work session at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Training Room on the fourth floor of City Hall. The voting session will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the second floor. The voting session is open to the public and will be livestreamed on jamestownny.gov.