Raising Literacy Rates in Central New York and Beyond

Illiteracy is a major societal problem. According to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), almost 25% of Americans are illiterate and so are nearly 771 million people across the world. Here in Central New York, several organizations are working to increase literacy rates on a local, national, and global level.

Proliteracy Worldwide

One of the world's most active organizations in improving adult literacy is based in Syracuse. In August 2002, Laubach Literary International merged with Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., to form ProLiteracy Worldwide. According to its website, ProLiteracy Worldwide is the oldest and largest nongovernmental literacy organization in the world.

In the United States, ProLiteracy America has more than 1,200 member groups that work to increase adult literacy. Each group offers classes and tutoring for adults who need to learn to read. The groups also research the needs of illiterate adults and develop curricula to help them learn to read and become more functional in American society. ProLiteracy America also holds a conference each year. This year's conference will take place in Alexandria, Virginia, in early November. The organization's representatives will hold workshops, have feature presentations, and visit Capitol Hill to discuss ProLiteracy's mission with members of Congress.

ProLiteracy's International Program addresses low literacy rates and social problems. In addition to teaching adults to read, the program shows parents how to teach their children to read as well. There are also programs that combine learning to read with learning about social issues. Literacy for Social Change is a program that allows participants to work on community projects while learning to read. The material they use relates to the projects their working on. The information not only teaches people how to read, but also educates them on community issues, such as education, economics, health, peace, and the environment. Women in Literacy Initiative was implemented in several developing countries where men are favored. In these countries, women are often denied rights, and that includes the right to learn. This initiative teaches women to read and also provides them with the knowledge they need to understand the world around them and their own self-worth.

ProLiteracy Worldwide has its own press. The New Readers Press publishes books, magazines, and newspapers for those learning to read. According to its website, the press generates $8 million of revenue each year. Proceeds from the sales of the materials fund the projects and programs ProLiteracy champions.

Oprah Winfrey's Book Club supports ProLiteracy Worldwide. In celebration of the 2007 selection of Sidney Poitier's The Measure of a Man, the Book Club gave a $50,000 grant to the organization.

This is a video from YouTube about ProLiteracy Worldwide.

Family Literacy Alliance of Greater Syracuse

The Family Literacy Allicance of Greater Syracuse works to increase the number of literacy services for children and adults. The Alliance focuses on the four components of "Family Literacy," which include adult education, childhood education, parenting education, and part-child interactive literacy activities. The Alliance strives to garner support for literacy advancement, identify and develop possible funding for literacy, increase awareness and education in literacy, and gather, analyze, and report research and statistics about literacy to the community. The Family Literacy Alliance of Greater Syracuse sponsors events for children. In the summer, the Alliance supports the SAIL Program (Summer Adventures in Learning). The program, which is sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York, targets children from kindergarten through eighth grade who have learning disabilities. The program offers classes in reading, writing, and art, as well as math and computers. The goal is to give students confidence who might otherwise feel inadequate due to their learning disabilities. Organizers say these students often become discouraged by their weaknesses and give up on learning to read and write, and the program teaches these skills in a relaxed setting, where students can learn at their own pace before starting school in the fall.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse

Even before Literacy Volunteers of America was formed in 1972, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse was working to improve literacy rates in Central New York. Today, the organization's volunteers often spend time in Onondaga County Public Library branches, as well as churches and schools, tutoring adults and children who operate below a sixth grade reading level.

Volunteers complete a training program that prepares them to help students learn to read and write the English language. LVS pairs volunteers with students who have been evaluated, and the pair works together for at least two hours each week. LVS says both volunteers and students come from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

According to the organization's website, students who have been helped by LVS have gone on to receive job offers, enroll in educational programs, become U.S. citizens, assume active roles in their children's schools and educations, learn how to take advantage of community resources, and participate in elections.

Syracuse University Literary Corps

More than 120 students at Syracuse University are members of the Syracuse University Literary Corps. The program came about as part of the America Reads Challenge that was designed to improve literacy rates among young children through community involvement by adults and college students. SU students tutor elementary school children in the Syracuse City School District.

Community Support

Several organizations and agencies throughout the Syracuse community either support one or more of the above organizations, have their own program that strives to increase literacy rates, or show their support for literacy in other ways. The Onondaga County Public Library has an adult literacy program that helps adults become "information literate" and puts them on a path to lifelong learning. Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll and Onondaga County Executive Nick Pirro declared February 26, 2003, Literacy Day in Syracuse and Onondaga County to raise awareness about illiteracy and the local programs working to combat it. Read Ahead supplies grants that fund literacy programs. Although illiteracy is still a problem in Syracuse and elsewhere, several local organizations are working to reduce it both here at home and across the world.

Winter in the Finger Lakes

While the winter may seem dull, the Finger Lakes region has something to do even through those cold, dreary months. The eleven lakes are located to the west of Syracuse and there is something to do for every member of the family.

This area produces New York’s largest amount of wine. Canandaigua Lake, Keuka Lake and Cayuga Lake all have wineries, but Seneca Lake has the most with about 54. The Seneca Lake Wine Trails don’t just close up when the weather gets chilly – they are open year round. The Deck the Halls Second Weekend is one of the more popular events and takes place on December 1 and 2. During this event several wineries, including Fox Run Vineyards and Amberg Wine Cellars, will sell limited edition wine labels that reflect the events theme song “The Twelve Wine Days of Christmas.”

Winter events at Seneca Lake don’t stop there. On February 10 and 11 there is a Valentine’s Day inspired event called Chocolate and Wine. Perfect for couples, this event’s name says it all – enjoy different types of chocolate and wine over two days for only $25 each.

Cayuga Lake also has wine events through the seasons. Mardi Gras at the Wineries on February 2 is on Super Bowl weekend. King Ferry and Long Point Wineries give away Mardi Gras masks and beads. Best of all, for only $20 guests get a food and wine sample at all 16 wineries.

Even Canandaigua Lake is even getting in on the cold weather activities. Night skiing begins at the Bristol Mountain Resort on December 7. Also, Light Up Canandaigua!, December 13-14 is good for the whole family. Touring houses and businesses compete for the best holiday displays and people can tour this area from the warmth of a tour bus – for free.

New York’s Wine and Culinary Center is a good way to combine wine and gourmet food. Located right off the lake, visitors can taste a sample of wines, attend a cooking class, or just indulge in good food upstairs in the restaurant. The good thing about this place is all of this can be enjoyed even when the snow is falling.

Wineries are not the only places to be enjoyed at the Finger Lakes. Sometimes relaxing is just as good - and, anyone coming to this area needs a place to eat and stay. The Snug Harbor Restaurant and Inn on Keuka Lake is open year round and lives up to its name – it really does look snug and that's a good thing in the winter. There’s live music through the weekend. All 3 dining rooms offer a panoramic view of the lake. The menu offers wintertime favorites like four cheese fondue, roasted pumpkin bisque and potato gnocchi.

Rogue’s Harbor Inn on Cayuga Lake is an elegant and historic place to stay and eat. Rogue’s has provided lodging since 1830 and still has a lot of the original woodwork and pressed tin ceilings. Also, this Inn was once connected to the Underground Railroad. The food in the restaurant is varied and offers a lot of hearty, winter foods such as apple onion chicken, balsamic duck and wild berry cobbler.

If you love great movies and lakes, then the Gone With the Wind Bed and Breakfast on Keuka Lake in Branchport is probably a good place to stay. Rooms are named after characters associated with the movie, like the “Bonnie Blue room,” “Melanie and Ashley’s room,” and “Rhett and Scarlett’s Hideaway.” In the “O’Hara room”, the hot tub is painted “Irish green.” Located on 14 acres, the Inn is so popular that the owners had to build an additional building to house all of the guests.

The Bristol Harbour Resort on Canandaigua Lake is an Adirondack style Inn. While this lodge is open all year, during the off-season guests can get up large discounts – up to 30% off with dinner vouchers. During the winter might actually be the best time to go here because all rooms feature a view of the lake, a fireplace and heated bathroom floors. The resort also offers ski and stay and cross country packages.

One of the more popular places to visit in the Finger Lakes is the village of Skaneateles on Skaneateles Lake. On Saturdays and Sundays all through December, there is the Dicken’s Christmas. This takes people back to the old days of carriage rides and hot chestnuts from street vendors. There is an interactive street theater, bagpipers and holiday sing-a-longs. The best part is all the free stuff – hot chocolate, carriage rides, cider donuts and Mother Goose reading children’s stories.

When all of the holiday festivities are over in Skaneateles, there is still a lot to do inside. Eating, relaxing and shopping are all good options to being outside in the cold winter months. Imagine is a store that offers an eclectic mixture of handmade gifts, like kaleidoscopes, blown glass vases and gemstone rings. But, if you have kids, the Teddy Bear Nursery might be more up you alley. Kids can hand stuff their own doll or teddy bear and custom make them – right down to the name on their new plaything’s birth certificate.

After all that shopping, people just want to relax. In comes the Mirbeau Inn and Spa. Relax in a guest room or private cottage with a fireplace and soak-in tub. Or while waiting to receive a spa treatment – soak your feet in a massaging pool, take a dip in a mineral salt bath or relax in a steam bath. This isn’t just for women either. The Mirbeau is rated high on the AAA Most Romantic list. There is also a restaurant here called Giverny and is styled in a Provencal French countryside theme. A lot of the items on the menu are organic and fresh.

The Finger Lakes region is diverse in nature. So pretty much wherever the Finger Lakes may take you, there is always something to do snow or shine.

The Boston "T" Party: The Quest for Titles in New England

Bean-town can rejoice once again. The Red Sox have done the unthinkable and come back from a 3 games to one disadvantage to defeat the Cleveland Indians. Now Boston is bound for the World Series, and has a chance to win its second title in four years. So much for the curse of the Bambino. The Red Sox finished the regular season 96-66, tied for first in baseball with the team they just defeated in the ALCS, the Cleveland Indians. The offense scored more runs than everyone but the New York Yankees, the Detroit Tigers, and the Philadelphia Phillies, and starters Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield came up big, posting a combined 37-19 record. The last time they came back to win an ALCS they went on to win the world series in 4 games. The momentum of having been the first team to come back from a three games to none hole, winning four in a row against their biggest rival, the New York Yankees may have helped to propel them to the sweep of the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. Now they face a foe that has won 21 of its last 22 games, and is hotter than any team in baseball. The Rockies swept both of their playoff series, beating the Phillies in 3 and the Diamondbacks in 4. Will Boston be able to use its momentum to vanquish yet another foe? Boston fans sure hope so.

The Red Sox may be the talk of the town, but there are plenty of other things to look forward to in the Boston sports world. The New England Patriots are 7-0 for the first time in team history, and look nearly unbeatable. Michael Wilbon, of the Washington Post, an admitted Chicago Bears fan, wrote that the scores by which the Patriots are winning their games (38-14, 38-14, 38-7, 34-13, 34-17, 48-27) suggest that they are untouchable. He does go on to say that no matter how dominant a team has looked in the past, everyone messes it up before the season ends. Except for the 1972 Miami Dolphins, of course. Whether or not they lose a game this season, they are very, very good. They are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl right now. So even if the Sox can't beat the Rockies in the World Series, Boston may be Super Bowl bound.

As if that weren't enough, the Boston Celtics made some big off-season acquisitions, and could be poised for a run deep into the playoffs. After going 24-58 last season, the Celtics missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. In response, the Celtics traded for Ray Allen during the NBA draft, and then picked up one of the top players in the NBA, Kevin Garnett, from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Alongside Paul Pierce, the nucleus of the team for the past nine seasons, the Celtics "big three" has the team looking big. They crushed the Knicks in their preseason home opener, 101-61. There is a buzz surrounding the team. The team website displays the words "Think Big". How big are they thinking? As big as the Red Sox and the Patriots.

The Bruins are not even on the same plane as the other three. The ESPN power rankings currently show the Bruins at 25th out of 30 teams. They should not even be mentioned in an article about title hopes in the greater Boston area. Yet they are 5-2 after 7 games, and are tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference. They have not beaten any of the NHL's top teams, and are stuck in a division with last season's Stanley Cup runners-up the Ottawa Senators and last season's President's Trophy winners, the Buffalo Sabres. They have yet to play either of those teams, and will face each 8 times over the course of the year. Should they hold their own, they might have just enough to make the playoffs. Boston shouldn't hold its breath for a Stanley Cup, but it may not be as bad a season as one would have thought based on preseason predictions.

With all the potential in Boston area sports, and the recent memory of bad seasons from all of the 4 major teams, New England fans must be ecstatic. Even though the Pats won three Super Bowls in four years, they were 5-11 in 2000. The Bruins and Celtics were under .500 just last year. The Red Sox missed last year's playoffs. Now Boston fans are all but assured of at least three winning seasons, barring major Celtics injuries. After all, even if the Red Sox lose, there is still football season. And if the Pats have trouble, Basketball season will be well underway to divert attention. According to Boston fans, however, football and basketball titles mean far less than the success of the Red Sox. Greg Sullivan, a life-long Boston resident, described the Boston sports strata as #1 Red Sox, #2 Patriots, #3 Celtics, and #1,000,000 Bruins. He supports this opinion with a story about a sandwich shop in downtown Boston. He walked past the shop a few days before the Patriots were to play in their third Super Bowl in four years. Posted on a board in the front of the shop was a sign that read "12 days until spring training starts." Talk about baseball crazy. Dick Johnson, curator of the sports museum in the TD Banknorth Garden, said (as quoted in the Boston Globe) "If you were able to do an electroscan of the average sports person here in Boston, well, the beating heart has stitches on it." In a poll just before the Patriots third Super Bowl appearance in four years, and just after the Red Sox won their first world series in 86 years, boston.com found that 82% of the respondents cared more about the Red Sox than the Patriots. And the poll was located on the Patriots section of the website. All evidence points to Red Sox favoritism. That's just fine for Boston, as the Red Sox are poised to win another World Series. If they do, maybe then the Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins will get some attention.

Source for Quote:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/01/29/its_the_talk_of_this_town?pg=full

SIDS: A Medical Mystery

In February I will become an aunt for the first time. As you can imagine, my family and I can hardly contain our excitement. This is the primary reason I wanted to learn more about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and why it continues to be such a mystery to medical professionals. I intend to share this research with my brother and sister-in-law, the parents-to-be.

Background:
Despite the decline in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome death rates, SIDS is still the leading cause of death among babies under the age of one. Each year approximately 4,000 babies die of SIDS. Recently, the Scripps Howard News Service completed a study on, not the possible causes SIDS, but why there are no universal standards in place to diagnose it. Based on the study, infant death investigations are done differently across the country. Therefore, several infant death cases may be misdiagnosed or overlooked. According to the study, “the Scripps review of 40,000 infant deaths going back to 1992 revealed that the quality of infant death investigations, the level of training for coroners, and the amount of oversight and review vary enormously across the country. In many cases, professional bias -- both for and against a diagnosis of SIDS – trumps medical evidence.” The study emphasizes that a lack of a clear protocol will only continue to hinder our understanding of an already mysterious disorder.

The Science:
According to the American SIDS Institute, SIDS is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby under the age of one. Generally, most SIDS deaths occur in babies between the ages of two to four months. Although SIDS is not fully understood, medical experts believe it is a combination of some biological predisposition and a stress in the immediate environment of the infant.

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, a medical cause of SIDS may be directly related to the brainstem, a part of the brain that controls heart rate, breathing, lung function, and arousal (ability to wake-up). A study conducted by the National Institute of Health says an abnormality in this region causes a baby to re-breathe his or her own exhaled air. Because the air would contain a high level of carbon dioxide and a low level of oxygen, the body malfunctions and shuts down.

Another possible cause of SIDS under research is Long QT Syndrome. Each time your heart pumps, an electrical impulse travels through the four chambers of the heart. Long QT Syndrome is a disorder in which the heart experiences several fast, sporadic beats disrupting the electrical system. This leaves the heart vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrest. Studies indicate that there is a gene linked to Long QT Syndrome. Research says ten percent of SIDS cases are related to this disorder. If SIDS runs in your family, a doctor may check for the disorder using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and genetic studies.

Infant sleep apnea may be another cause of SIDS. According to WebMD, apnea is a temporary pause in breathing during sleep. Some babies suffer from infant sleep apnea due to a neurological defect or simply an obstruction of the airway.

The Environment:
Although there is a strong biological component to SIDS, doctors say there are several other factors that make a baby more susceptible to SIDS. Among these factors are:

1. Premature or low birth weight
   
2. Mothers who consume drugs during pregnancy
   
3. Poor pre-natal care


4. Baby’s exposure to second-hand smoke


5. Placental abnormalities
   

The Back To Sleep Campaign:
The Back to Sleep Campaign was launched in 1994. The campaign has made an effort to educate the public on ways to prevent SIDS. Specifically, the campaign emphasizes the fact that a baby sleeping on his or her back reduces the risk of SIDS. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development leads the campaign, along with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Center for Disease Control, and the Census Bureau. In March 1997, Tipper Gore became national campaign spokesperson.

What You Can Do:
It may seem like it is difficult for parents to be pro-active in protecting their baby from SIDS. However, since environmental stresses are also a major factor in causing SIDS there are several simple precautions new parents can take.

·Babies Should Sleep On Their Back: If a baby sleeps on his or her back there is a reduced chance of suffocation.
·Sleep In Crib Near Parents Or Other Caregivers: An infant should be in his or her own crib-not in the bed.
·No Toys Or Stuffed Animals In The Cribs
·Bedding: Babies should sleep on a firm mattress. Parents should not use fluffy blankets or comforters. Mores SIDS related deaths occur in the winter because parents tend to cover their baby with extra blankets.
·Pacifier

Here is what a safe environment for your baby should resemble.

Coping:
Often after a child dies from SIDS, parents feel agonizing guilt and the question “What could I have done?” constantly runs through their minds. Parents should join a support group and perhaps seek mental health counseling. It is also crucial for parents to acknowledge how a SIDS related death might impact other children in the family. Support groups are available specifically for siblings.

If you or someone you know is dealing with the loss of a child to SIDS, there are several resources available. University Hospital in Syracuse and Crouse Hospital have materials such as books, videos, and information on support groups in the Central New York region.

OTC Drug Interactions

As cold and flu season approaches, many people will be flocking to the drugstore to stock up on over-the-counter (OTC) or nonprescription medications. While these medications are readily available to consumers, there are precautions customers should keep in mind to prevent consequences from drug interactions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says label comprehension is one of the most important factors to preventing an over-the-counter drug interaction. Always read medication labels before buying or ingesting a medication. The FDA says there are several different things to look for on the label of a product:

• PRODUCT NAME
• "ACTIVE INGREDIENTS": therapeutic substances in medicine
• "PURPOSE": product category (such as antihistamine, antacid, or cough suppressant)
• "USES": symptoms or diseases the product will treat or prevent
• "WARNINGS": when not to use the product, when to stop taking it, when to see a doctor, and possible side effects
• "DIRECTIONS": how much to take, how to take it, and how long to take it
• "OTHER INFORMATION": such as storage information
• "INACTIVE INGREDIENTS": substances such as binders, colors, or flavoring

Bemedwise.org posts suggestions for adults, parents and caregivers on how to get the maximum results from over-the-counter medications. Bemedwise says it is important to look for a medicine to treat ONLY the symptoms one is suffering from. This will help to prevent the mixing and matching of the wrong drugs—which could cause an undesired interaction.

The site stresses while taking over-the-counter medications, never assume anything. If in doubt, always address concerns to a pharmacist or doctor. Also, make sure to flip on a light or wear glasses when reading labels to prevent dosage mistakes. This is especially important for parents administering medications via droplets to babies and children.

The FDA says drug interactions are broken down into three categories: drug-drug, drug-food/beverage, and drug-condition. Drug-drug occurs when combining two or more drugs.

The FDA uses the example of mixing a sedative (sleep aid) with an anti-histamine (allergy medication), which would result in delayed reactions, where operating a vehicle could be a potentially dangerous activity. WebMD lists drug-drug interactions: the upcoming holiday season usually calls for overeating and a supply of acid reducers, which should not be combined with theophylline (oral asthma drug), warfarin (blood thinning drug) and phenytoin (seizure drug). Many people grab an Antitussive (cough suppressant) for the alleviation of the common cold, but WebMD suggests consulting a doctor before taking this with a sedative or tranquilizer. FamilyDoctor.org suggests not taking medications with the same active ingredients (substances that work to alleviate one's symptoms).

CVS Caremark also lists drug interactions to avoid: the Birth Control Pill can lose its effectiveness when mixed with Antibiotics. Matthew Grissinger is a pharmacist and an educator at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices says to use backup protection if you are on the pill and need to use antibiotics.

Delayed reactions can also occur from drug-food/beverage interactions. The FDA says one of the most common drug-food/beverage dangers is the mixture of alcohol with medications.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) says not to mix grapefruit juice and blood-pressure lowering medications, and The Methodist Hospital System of Houston Texas, lists several of the most common drug-food/beverage interactions:

Aspirin and other OTC medications combined with a low vitamin-C intake can cause stomach bleeding; Asthma Medicines can lose effectiveness when combined with caffeine, high protein, low carbohydrate diets and charbroiled foods; Dairy intake should be limited when taking Antibiotics because it blocks the absorption of a certain class of the medication; and, the absorption of penicillin is limited when taken with food. One potentially deadly combination is Antidepressants with the following: aged cheese, Chianti wines, chicken livers, various pickled, aged and fermented foods, which can cause fever, high blood pressure and even death.

A drug-condition interaction results when consuming a certain drug will be dangerous to someone's pre-existing condition. The FDA uses the example, if one suffers from high blood pressure, refrain from using nasal decongestants. AARP.org says body changes in the elderly due to aging affect medication interactions. The absorption, metabolic, distribution and excretion processes can take longer, causing more interactions because foods and beverages are staying in one's system longer.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices says staying an informed consumer is the way to avoid bad drug combinations. The Institute suggests keeping a list of medications you are currently taking, and update the list as new medications are incorporated into your lifestyle. The Institute stresses always taking the correct or included measuring device--do not rely on household teaspoons and tablespoons.

According to the Institute of Medicine, about 400,000 drug-related preventable injuries are reported in U.S. hospitals. According to Familydoctor.org, the effects of interactions are dizziness, nausea and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract (GI). FamilyDoctor.org also says the most common adverse effects of drug combinations are more likely to happen when someone is taking three to four OTC medications daily. At that rate, the most likely candidates to get an adverse drug interaction are the elderly. According to AARP.org, sixty-seven percent of Americans 50 years old and over take an average of four medications every day.


The web provides many options to research specific drug combinations to ensure the drugs' compatibility. IGuard.org is a website offering a personalized alert system for patients and their health care team. The site alerts members with updates on the safety of their current medications. The site has a personalized safety scale for the medications for each of its members.



DiscoveryHealth provides a similar type of service, but focusing more on drug interactions. Users have the ability to click on several medications' names to find out if those medications will have a negative interaction with one another.

The most important advice when taking over-the-counter medications is to stay informed. Read, read, read and keep updated on each medication's effect on your body. Keep daily medications organized and take proper dosages. Do not take multiple medications that have the same active ingredients, and the FDA suggests using the same pharmacy for all of your drug needs.

Restoring Wrestling's Pride from CNY

2007 has largely been a black eye on the professional wrestling world. Amid steroid controversies, a rash of injuries to superstars like champions John Cena and Edge (Adam Copeland), and even a murder-suicide involving one of the industry's biggest stars. The series of obstacles faced by the sports entertainment business this year has led to declining television ratings. Less than a month after the Chris Benoit incident, World Wrestling Entertainment's flagship show, Monday Night Raw, experienced a 10-percent decrease in viewers. A few months later, World Wrestling Entertainment announced the suspensions of several top stars for violating the company's wellness policy.

From a national perspective, it would seem that little can be done in Central New York to put a more positive spin on professional wrestling. Look harder. A few of the more upstanding characters in professional wrestling today connect to this very region. And if you want to help restore the pride, you can "learn the ropes"; figuratively and literally, in Central New York. It is often overlooked, but Central New York is as much a pipeline for the wrestling industry as anywhere, with the exception of the Carolinas, perhaps.

One Syracuse University alumnus can be heard bringing WWE's Friday Night Smackdown to living rooms each week. Sean Coulthard, known by wrestling aficionados as Michael Cole, graduated from SU in 1988. After spending the early 90's covering presidential elections and the conflict in Sarajevo, among other events, he jumped to the then-World Wreslting Federation in 1997. Since his time in the news industry, Michael Cole has had various roles in wrestling broadcasting, most of it coming alongside color commentator and former wrestler Tazz on Smackdown's broadcast crew. Apparently, Cole has even become a topic on Saturday Night Live (See photo).


Another Syracuse University Alumnus, who actually wrestled "for real" at SU, had a decorated career in the industry, and today is directly responsible for elements of WWE programming. Mike Rotunda, known by fans as Mike Rotundo, IRS, and Mr. Wallstreet among other monikers, is currently a road producer for WWE, as he continues to work in the industry in which he achieved great success in the 1980's and 1990's.


(Photo at Left is Courtesy of Mick Foley's Official MySpace Profile)

Another character- make that group of characters- went to SUNY-Cortland, for a little while at least. Mick Foley, the man behind the characters Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love, attended Cortland until he failed out of the school. The state of New York acted as somewhat of a launchpad for Foley's blast-off to wrestling stardom; Foley actually hitchhiked to Madison Square Garden to see WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka wrestle a match that is believed to have inspired Foley's career pursuit. No word yet on whether or not Mr. Socko hails from New York.

Since entertaining Foley, Jimmy Snuka has been slammed to the mat by Zaquary Springate, who is the head trainer at the Institute of Professional Wrestling in Liverpool. Springate teaches all aspects of wrestling, from interviewing to backstage etiquette, giving Central New Yorkers the chance to follow stars like Foley and Cole to the highest level of sports entertainment. Anyone over 18 years of age can find out if they have what it takes to be a wrestler, but there is a fee. The training is connected to the independent wrestling organization known as 2CW, or Squared Circle Wrestling. The brand puts on shows around the region, with shows in Rochester and Binghamton in early November; both of which will feature Springate in matches, as well as former ECW and WWF star Spike Dudley, who now wrestles under the name Matt Hyson. A show in Syracuse is also scheduled for December 29.



At its highest level, the WWE has made Syracuse a frequent stop on the schedule. The Onondaga County War Memorial at OnCenter hosted the first WWF "In Your House" pay-per-view event back in 1995, where stars like Bret Hart, The Undertaker, and the late Bam Bam Bigelow displayed their talents. The stars of WWE's Monday Night Raw are scheduled to bring their abilities back to the War Memorial shortly after the turn of the new year. A house show, which means a show that will not air on television, that was supposed to have happened in late September, will run on January 18. The show was rescheduled after a number of wrestlers were suspended for violating WWE's wellness plan; some top talent was also injured at the time as well, such as "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and former ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley.


Not only does modern wrestling have links back to Central New York, but the area is closely tied to wrestling's history books as well. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is not far away in Schenectady, New York. Among the Hall of Famers are a couple early heroes of wrestling with ties to Central New York. Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer is another wrestler who is also a former SU student and SU football player. Len Rositano, who wrestled under "Len Rossi," is a Utica native, and a recipient of the Hall of Fame's New York State Award, which is awarded to wrestlers who have "made significant contributions to the sport of professional wrestling in the PWHF's home state of New York."


Wrestling has taken its bumps in 2007, but expecting the industry to continuously pump out pop-cultural phenomena like Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and The Rock may be a bit too much to ask, even from the WWE. But despite the obstacles, wrestling has shown it can ascend again, and again.

And it can do so in this very region. With connections to current wrestling personalities, a training school, independent professional wrestling, wrestling pioneers, and a shrine commemorating some of the brightest stars in the history of the industry, there are few places with more appreciation for steel cages, ladders, tables, chairs, and the men who put their careers on the line every night to entertain the fans.


Central New York is a great place for the bell to sound.

African Americans are Racist: Fact or Fiction

African Americans are not racist according to Dr. Frances Cress-Welsing, author of The Isis Papers. That's what a source from africanwithin's website records from an interview with the psychiatrist and former Howard University Professor. The website also notes Cress-Welsing as saying "the majority of non-white people do not have a sufficient analysis of racism, white supremacy."

The above cartoon about racism is courtesy of Google Images.

So what exactly is Racism? Racism is defined as a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. In other words, a person is racist if she or he is a member of the "majority" race that abuse their financial and social power to degrade and belittle other races. Members of the Aryan Nation , a white supremacist group can be seen as racists. According to this group's website, they feel Caucasians deserve "sovereign existence and racial self-determination within a territorial area." But according to a global minority website, the world has been brainwashed by White Supremacists; believing that the white race is the majority when they are actually the minority.

Lack of color pigmentation sparked jealousy is what Cress-Welsing says led Europeans to enslave Africans for over 400-years. She also says African Americans were the first people on the planet and everyone on the planet including Caucasians came from people of color. "They lost the color through a genetic mutation to albinism, which genetics defines as a genetic deficiency state and they were forced out of Africa into Europe," says Cress-Welsing.

Even 142 years after the abolition of slavery, many people like Cress-Welsing are still disturbed by racist behavior. Within the last few weeks, hangman nooses, a symbol of hatred and tool used for lynching, have been found in the locker of a Hempstead police officer, at a post office near ground zero and on the door of a Columbia University professor. The noose doesn't only affect its target or victim. Its appearance has also disturbed New York State lawmakers to the point where they banned nooses completely. According to Yahoo's website, the state's lawmakers voted on an anti-noose bill on October 21 and made it a felony to display the symbol of hatred.

The photo of the noose was taken from Google Images.

Earlier this year, Don Imus and Senator Joe Biden were accused of being racist for making controversial statements. According to CNN's website, in February, Senator Biden made this comment about Presidential candidate Barack Obama, "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." Months after the Biden incident, former CBS talk show host Imus referred to the Rutgers women basketball team as "nappy headed hoes." Both men claim they are not racist; their words simply didn't come out as they envisioned it would. They both later apologized to their victims.

If Imus and Biden say they did not intentionally make racist statements, does that argument prove true for Michael Richard's tirade last November? During a comedy show at the Laugh Factory, comedian and former Seinfeld actor repeatedly referred to an African American audience member as "a Nigger." The Richard's incident caused quite a buzz amongst many people, especially those who are unsure why there is a double standard. If African American's refer to themselves as the N-word why can't Caucasian's refer to them as such?



This video of Michael Richard's racial tirade at the Laugh Factory was taken from Youtube.

Many African Americans argue that the N-word has evolved from a oppressive slave term into a term of endearment for each other. However, not everyone is buying into that notion. A source on black voices' website says, "the lack of self identity probably causes some young men to identify with 'nigga,' because they do not have knowledge of self." If a word is bad for one group, does that mean it's bad for all groups? Even if the word is now viewed as "positive" by many of the people it was created to harm? No matter which which way the word is pronounced or spelled, "Nigger," "Niggah" or "Nigga," it's obvious that it causes tension and will continue to offend people of different races.

On American Daily's website, some Caucasians are curious as to why they are most often at blame for being racist. One feels people turn the other cheek for African Americans as if they aren't capable of being racist. Dave Gibson, the article's author says "while those in the media are very quick to point out instances of racism when they are committed by white people...egregious acts of racism go unreported if committed by a black person."

According keithboykin's website, African Americans can be racist. But his definition of racism differs slightly from Merriam Websters definition. The site defines racism as "racial prejudice or social discrimination." So we know the definition of racism but do we know what's defined as prejudice? Prejudice is defined as injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights. For instance, if an African American man calls a Caucasian man a derogative name or says he hates all Caucasians he can not be racist. That is if we followo Cress-Welsing's explanation that African Americans can not be racist. Instead, she notes that they can be prejudice. She also says African Americans are only reacting to hundreds of years of oppression, physical and mental enslavement.

So is it true or false that African Americans can't be racist? It appears that the answer to this question will continue to differ by person and by race. However, one thing is for certain, racism is alive and thrives on personal hatred to survive.

Hold The Phone!

When it comes to cell phone theft, thieves may have the upper hand. A recent case in Baltimore left one cell phone owner puzzled by the lack of action on the part of his provider (Sprint). University of Maryland Professor Orde Kittrie did everything he could after being mugged in daylight on a Baltimore street. He called his provider immediately and reported the theft asking the service rep if any recent calls were made. The response he got was that the information was confidential. After filing the incident with police it took nearly a month before Sprint released a call report, costing valuable investigation time, and consumer dollars.
According to The Red Tape Chronicles, cell phone providers require the owner to pay for any unauthorized calls that are made under an account. After a theft, no matter how many long distance calls are made, the subscriber is liable to foot the bill.
These such injustices are what led the to start of the Wireless Consumers Alliance, an independant, non-profit organization who strives to give the power back to the people. In fact, they provide a list of things to do if your cell phone is stolen. Some tips are simple enough, like keeping the key pad locked with a secret code and reading that contract carefully.

The Fight for Land

The Onondaga Indian Nation sued the state of New York in 2005 for illegally taking approximately 4,000 square miles of land from them that was negotiated in five treaties between 1788 and 1822. New York did not obtain congressional approval for the land acquisitions, which was required by the 1790 Trade and Non-Intercourse Act. The Onondaga asked the court to declare the nation holds legal title to a strip of land up to 40 miles wide stretching from Pennsylvania to Canada. The cities of Syracuse, Oswego, Fulton, Watertown, Cortland and Binghamton lie within the disputed territory.

About 875,000 people reside in the claim area. There are approximately 1,500 Onondagas living on an 11-square-mile territory south of Syracuse.

The Onondaga Indian Nation, have not asked the court to award them any monetary damages. The nation said they would not try to evict anyone living in the disputed territory.

Senior U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn reserved decision Thursday on New York's request to dismiss the Onondaga land claim suit.

Personal Care Product Precautions

Recently, the discovery of lead in children's toys has been the cause of several recalls. It turns out; the toy shelf is not the only place in your home that may contain toxins. Consumers may now have to worry about what is in their bathroom cabinets! Everyday personal care products, like toothpaste, deodorant, and make-up contain lead and other harmful chemicals.

Boston's WCVB did a story on lipstick that contains lead. They sited a study done by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The campaign tested 33 brands of lipstick, and found that one third of them contained lead amounts that exceeded the federal limit. The FDA does not regulate what goes into personal care products, nor do they have required testing in place. Over the years people are exposed to toxins from an innumerable amount of these products as well as other outside sources. The accumulation of toxins in the body is what can do harm.

Toxins found in these products can cause a wide range of problems, such as cancer, developmental problems, or infertility. Health Care Without Harm reported that phthalates, an ingredient that gives flexibility and a moisturizing quality to personal care products, can sometimes exceed 200 gm/kg or 20%. It has been found that when phthalates accumulate in a person’s body, they can cause harm. For instance, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester, found that phthalates could be linked to feminization in boys.

If you are interested in finding out what chemicals are in your personal care products, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a cosmetic safety database, Skin Deep. The database gives personal care products' safety ratings and alerts consumers to the specific dangers of each item.

Global Warming Isn't Just for Gore

It was announced this morning. Al Gore won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in educating people on global warming. He has been a proponent of global warming for many years, even releasing the movie An Inconvenient Truth which focuses on the subject.

But, Al Gore wasn't the only one to receive the award. He is sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.


The panel was established in 1998 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The group's website says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assesses information relevant to the scientific basis of global warming, its possible effects, and options for dealing with the problem. The panel doesn't perform research, but it studies scientific literature on the subject. The chairman is Rajendra K. Pachauri from India. There are also 43 other members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Bureau from all over the world.

The Scottish are coming.

Everyone needs to get away. And sometimes that getaway isn’t too far away. Those living in Syracuse can go about 30 minutes south to Cazenovia. The main draw in the town is Cazenovia Lake. In the summer, the lake is filled with boaters. The cooler months attract those looking for the quiet tranquility of a still lake.


One place to enjoy the fall and the winter is the Brae Loch Inn. According the Brae Loch's website, the Inn was originally built in 1805 as a "stately home" for the Barr Family. Since 1950, it has been open to the public as a bed and breakfast and restaurant. The family has a Scottish background and the quaint rooms and the restaurant's menu lends itself to this tradition.

Starting last weekend, a Sunday brunch is offered for the rest of the fall and winter. Afterwards, guests at the Inn can relax in front of the fireplace or in the Jacuzzi in one of the Scottish themed guest rooms. The Inn offers packages for couples like the "Romantic Scottish Escape." There is even an old-fashioned game room with a dart board and pool table that has seen decades of guests.

Al Gore: Global Warming, Central New York, and the Presidency

Al Gore calls himself a retired politician. Ever since he narrowly lost the 2000 election, he's been making a name for himself in a different arena: global warming. He has delivered his slide show presentation thousands of times, all over the country. This presentation raises awareness about the Global Warming issue. His movie An Inconvenient Truth won two Academy Awards. Today, he picked up another honor: the Nobel Peace Prize.

Gore's efforts in the fight against global warming are particularly important to Central New York. The city of Syracuse recently celebrated its six-month anniversary for its first fleet of hybrid buses. Also, a month ago the Syracuse Common Council unanimously passed a bill requiring all municipal building projects to adhere to "green" building standards.

Recently, there has been a major push to get Al Gore to run for President in 2008. The group, DraftGore.com, recently bought a full-page add in the New York Times. This marked a major effort to urge Gore to run for office. While Gore has said he has no intentions of running for president, he still hasn't completely ruled himself out.

Flu Misconception

If you think your flu vaccination is going to protect you from contracting the “stomach flu,” think again.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say the “stomach flu” is a common misnomer used to describe viral gastroenteritis—a stomach virus not at all caused by the influenza viruses. The seasonal flu virus is a respiratory disease--not a stomach disease.

Viral gastroenteritis is a contagious condition causing vomiting and diarrhea. This virus can be contracted through person-to-person contact, contaminated utensils, drinking glasses, food, and water.

Stomach problems can be related to the flu, especially in children, but is rarely the main cause of the flu. Symptoms are a headaches, abdominal cramps, and a fever that can last from one to ten days depending on the type of virus.

According to howstuffworks.com, several viruses cause viral gastroenteritis: rotavirus and astrovirus cause symptoms in the cooler months (October through April) and the Norovirus is prevalent in institutionalized and group settings.

According to stomachvirus.com, remember to wash your hands twenty seconds after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, wash hands before eating, and disinfect contaminated surfaces before using them to prevent contracting a stomach virus.

If you have viral gastroenteritis, stomachvirus.com says the best way to recover is by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids and reintroducing foods including toast, bananas, broth, apples and rice. Be certain to avoid caffeine, dairy products and alcoholic beverages until symptoms are gone.

SU Lacrosse Looks Ahead

The Syracuse University Lacrosse team will conclude its fall season on Saturday with scrimmages against Penn and Stony Brook during the Stony Brook Classic. The matchups should be a good indication of the team's depth and will hopefully send them into the off-season with their high hopes.

Last year the Orange finished with a record of 5-8 and ended their 31 year run of consecutive winning seasons. This year Syracuse has the fifth ranked freshman class in Division I by Inside Lacrosse magazine. Leading the Orange Freshman will be Goalie John Galloway from West Genesee High School. Galloway was The Post Standard's 2007 All-Central New York Player of the Year with a 75-percent save percentage. Galloway has been getting the most time in goal this fall season since Junior Peter Coluccini had foot surgery this past summer. According to Inside Lacrosse it is possible that because of Coluccini's surgery and his less than stellar performance last season, Galloway could start in goal in the spring.

This weekend is not only a test for Galloway but for the Orange in general. Syracuse has a strong history of lacrosse including nine national championships but missed the NCAA tournament last year for the first time since 1982. The Orange have not released the 2008 season schedule but hope to make a comeback against some of the nation's best teams.

LATAVIUS MURRAY HAS ALOT OF HART

Mike Hart is a good running back. The Syracuse native has made a name for himself around the country, and is putting Central New York on the map as a untapped recruiting ground for college football programs around the country.

Hart has paved the way for another Central New York running back, hails from the same high school as him. Enter, Latavius Murray. Murray is one of the top high school running backs in the country, and colleges are licking their chops to get him.

Maryland, Connecticut, University of Central Florida and Boston College are just a few of the schools who want Murray. according to the Post-Standard newspaper, Murray is getting a lot of his college advice from a good friend, Mike Hart.

Murray has some time before he has to make his decision on where he is going. Whats most important is will he be able to help keep Central New York on the recruiting map, and will he keep the tradition that Mike Hart has started with him, and help the younger stars.

Donte' Greene (Updated 3:49 P.M.)

The 2007-2008 Syracuse University’s Men’s Basketball Team will hold its first official practice tonight.
(Photo courtesy of Suathletics.com)

The Orange got Freshman Donte’ Greene, a 6’11 (though he's listed at 6'8 and 6'9 elsewhere) forward out of Baltimore, to play for them this year. Sound familiar? Actually, Greene says he patterns his game after ‘Melo.
Amazingly, Greene says he coached his little brother’s team when Greene himself was just 10 years old!

"It was awesome," Greene said as he recalled the moment. "I'm …10 years old and I draw up this play to free up the shooter in the corner. Greatest moment right there."

In April, Greene won the MVP of the Jordan All-American Classic, in New York City. According to scouthoops.com, his athleticism and potential are some of his biggest strengths, though he needs to improve his ball-handling and three-point shot. Greene says he needs to improve his overall strength. Greene was rated as the third-best small forward by Rivals.com and ninth overall.

With one Baltimore native already having taken Syracuse to the promised land several years ago, many Syracuse fans are probably hoping history will repeat itself real soon.

Book Fest

To make sure elementary-aged children are interested in reading, one local organization is holding its annual Book Fest next weekend, where children and parents take an interactive approach to reading.

The event is organized by the local chapter of United Way Success by 6, the nation’s largest network of early childhood coalitions. Success by 6 works to improve education through community change.

Book Fest will take place at Webster Elementary School in Syracuse on Saturday, October 20th. The event begins at ten o'clock in the morning and runs through three o'clock in the afternoon. The event is sponsored by the United Way of Central New York and Read Ahead, a Syracuse-based grantmaking organization that funds programs that work to increase literacy rates.

Book Fest will give children the opportunity to experience stories in an engaging way. Author Regi Carpenter, an Upstate New York native, will read aloud several stories, Milk and Cookies, a singing duo comprised of two moms, will perform children's songs, and Moreland the Magician will do magic tricks. Two popular children's books characters, Maisy the Mouse and Clifford the Big Red Dog, will be there in costume.

The day isn't just about reading. NewsChannel 9 reporters and anchors will host "Kids in the Newsroom," where anchors and reporters interview children on camera. Children who participate will receive a DVD of their interview.

Safety is also part of the day's activities. The Syracuse Police Department will be on hand to register children in the Operation Safe Child program. Children will have their photographs, fingerprints, and height and weight measurements taken for an ID card. The information on the ID card will be stored in a database that law enforcement officials can use in the search should the child ever go missing.

For lunch, the parent faculty organization will be selling food in the cafeteria as a fundraiser. The menu includes pizza and sodas and healthier options like fruit and low-fat milk.

Last year, Book Fest drew over 1100 people, and organizers say they expect even more people to come this year.