Page 4 - RR-6-25-26

4 • • Thursday, June 25, 2026
Buffalo briefs ing to swim is a lifelong skill that
promotes health, builds confidence,
and can save lives. Growing up in a
city on the shores of Lake Erie,
every child should have the oppor-
City pools to tunity to feel safe and comfortable
around the water. These lessons will
open July 1 help young people develop skills
ayor Sean Ryan recently an- they can use for the rest of their
Mnounced that the City of Buf- lives.”
falo will open six public pools this In addition to expanded pro-
summer, providing free swim gramming, the City is implementing
lessons to 300 children, adding time new measures to improve
for passive programming at every pool safety for the 2026 season,
pool, and introducing new measures including additional security per-
designed to create a safer, more en- sonnel to support pool staff and help
joyable experience for Buffalo resi- Project,” Assemblymember Jon D. ensure a positive environment for Help name the howler
dents and families. Rivera said. “These free swim les- swimmers and families.
The pools will open beginning sons will help hundreds of Buffalo The City is also implementing a The Buffalo Zoo is looking for the public’s help in naming its male
on July 1 and children build confidence, develop a new free pool ID program to help baby howler monkey.
will operate through Sept. 7. The lifelong skill, and stay safe around staff better manage facilities, im- Born on April 20, 2026 to first-time mom Rio (7) and first-time dad
outdoor pools (Centennial, JFK, the water. I want to thank Mayor prove safety and accountability, and Tater (8), the whole family is doing incredibly well and can be seen
Kensington, Masten, and Riverside) Sean Ryan and all of our communi- ensure City resources are directed regularly in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls.
will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 ty partners for working together to where they are most The animal care team has selected four possible names as finalists, and
p.m. five days per week, including expand access to recreation and cre- needed. Beginning this summer, all now, they have turned it over to the public to vote. The four finalists are:
one weekend day each. The ate more opportunities for Buffalo residents wishing to use City pools Beni (BEH-nee) - After the Beni River in Bolivia. Also, a little tie-in
indoor Connors, Kait, Harrity Mem families this summer.” will be required to obtain a free to mom, Rio, since they’re both connected to South American waterways.
orial Pool at Cazenovia Park will be “The City Swim Project is grate- digital pool ID. Residents can regis- Julián (hoo-lee-AHN / JOO-lee-in) - Means “youthful.”
open Monday through Friday. In ful for the opportunity to serve the ter online or in person at any pool Cortado (kor-TAH-doh) - A popular South American espresso drink.
total, five pools are scheduled to be City of Buffalo and help more chil- location with proof of Castanha (kah-STAHN-yah) - Meaning chestnut in Portuguese
open every weekday, with three dren gain access to swim educa- identification. A series of pop-up You can vote for your favorite at https://www.survey
pools open on Saturdays and two tion,” said Mike Switalski, registration events throughout monkey.com/r/9CYRK96.
pools open on Sundays. All executive director of City Swim Buffalo will be announced in the Voting will remain open until 9 a.m. Monday, June 29.
10 City splash pads Project. “We thank Mayor Sean Ry- coming days to educate
will operate seven days a an and Assemblymember Jon Rive- residents about the new
week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., ra for their leadership and support in system and help them register. Chil
through the summer season (weath- making this possible. We look for- dren under 18 must be registered by
er dependent). ward to helping Buffalo’s youth de- a parent or guardian.
“Our goal was simple: open as velop these important skills – Additional information regardin
many pools as possible and make and perhaps inspiring some of the gg pool schedules, splash pads, pool
them destinations for families city’s future lifeguards along the ID registration, swim lessons, and
throughout the summer,” Mayor way.” summer programming are available The RiverRock Times is read every Tuesday 8:30 - 9 a.m.
Sean Ryan said. “We’re not just For the first time, at www.buffalony.gov/pools. For people who are blind or have a print disability.
opening pools. We’re creating safe, the City will also block out time https://nfradioreading.org/
welcoming spaces where residents for passive programming at
can swim, learn, exercise, and spend every public pool throughout the Summer Jazz 2026
time together in their neighbor- summer season. Under this season is here
hoods.” initiative, time and space in the
The expanded pool pool will be reserved for self- The Buffalo AKG Art Museum
programming is highlighted by directed activities including lap announced June 23 the lineup for
a new partnership with the City swim, senior swim, family swim, the upcoming Lipsey Summer Jazz
Swim Project to provide free swim teen swim, and "Me and My Grown at the AKG season. The Lipsey
lessons to 300 Buffalo children ages Up" sessions designed for young Summer Jazz at the AKG concerts
4 to 14 this summer, with classes at children and their caregivers. take place on the museum’s Lincoln
the JFK, Kensington, Masten, and This will help ensure that Stairs overlooking Hoyt Lake. Ad-
Riverside pools. The program pools can serve residents of all ages mission is free. Parking is available
is being funded through a $50,000 and abilities and provide opportuni- on the roads surrounding the muse-
New York State grant secured ties for recreation um, or in the AKG’s underground
by Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera. beyond traditional open swim Parking Garage off Elmwood Ave-
“Every child deserves the oppor- hours. Additional pop-up program- nue. The concerts include:
tunity to learn how to swim, regard- ming events will be announced in Sunday July 12, 2026 - Janice
less of their family’s income or the coming weeks. Mitchell Quintet - 2 p.m. Re-
background. That's why I was proud “We’re excited to expand pro- nowned for her contributions to jazz
to secure $50,000 in state funding to gramming at our pools this summer, and blues vocals, Janice Mitchell
support this partnership between the especially swim lessons,” Deputy has collaborated with the Jim Beish-
City of Buffalo and the City Swim Mayor Maria Whyte said. “Learn- line Trio and received the 2000 Buf-
falo Music Award for Top Jazz
Small Band.
Sunday July 19, 2026 - George
Caldwell with Tim Clarke: A Mu-
sical Tribute to Pianist/Composer
Donald Brown - 2 p.m. A perennial
favorite, this Lipsey Summer Jazz
performance will once again feature
Grammy Award–winning pianist
George Caldwell and Buffalo-based
trumpeter Tim Clarke in a special
tribute to the great pianist and com-
poser Donald Brown.
Sunday, July 26, 2026 - Joe
Gransden’s “The Good Life” – A
Musical Tribute to Tony Bennett - 2
p.m.
Sunday August 2, 2026 - The
Buffalo Jazz Collective: A Musical
Tribute to Duke Ellington - 2 p.m.
Sunday August 9, 2026 - Jay
Bianchi Collective with David
Kane - 2 p.m.
In case of inclement weather,
the performances will be moved in-
doors to the Stanford and Judith
Lipsey Auditorium. Lipsey Summer
Jazz at the AKG is presented by The
Stanford and Judith Lipsey Founda-
tion.