Ithaca, NY National Dog Bite Prevention Week

by Breanne Durning

ITHACA, NY-Warm weather welcomes Ithacan residents outside their houses after battling the snow for several months; while customers, children and skateboarders all take advantage of the sun’s presence, Ithaca’s canine population will venture outside along with their owners. May 16 to 22 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, urging owners to learn about canine safety to protect themselves and others.

Public health sanitarian for Tompkins County Environmental health division of the health department, Frank Chase said, “In 2007 there were 161 reported dog attacks, 2008 had 183 attacks, and in 2009 there were 192 cases.” This year’s total has reached 32 incidents so far, Chase warns number will rise, “a majority of reports come in the hot weather.” While people put on sun block to protect from the sun’s rays, they should also know the basics to protect themselves from canines in order to have a healthy summer.

Tompkins County’s SPCA Web site provides guidelines of how to control aggressive dog behavior and prevent future situations from occurring. SPCA advocates socializing a puppy it is, “the most important thing you can do to create a wonderful dog. Many behavior problems in older dogs stem from the simple fact the dog was not socialized as a puppy.” When owners actively take part in introducing their puppy to new situations, it reduces the dogs fear and aggression, making those around them safer.

National Dog Bite Prevention week is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and has been since 2001. The AVMA press release reads, “The American Veterinary Medical Association has joined with the U.S. Postal Serivce, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons and Prevent The Bite to celebrate National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 17-23, 2009. Children are the most common victims of dog bites, followed by the elderly and USPS employees.”

Barbara Baldwin a representative of the AVMA said, “we have brochures and pamphlets on our web site people can download to access information about dog bite prevention.” Public awareness is the key aspect to reducing the number of incidents involving dog attacks. “It’s important that people are aware of the information we are putting out there.” Baldwin reveals her mixed emotions about the increasingly warm weather, “the summer season is my favorite but it’s when most dog attacks happen.”

Ithaca’s Dog Park, located near Allan H. Treman Marina Park, allows dogs to run around leashless in the 6-acre fenced in area. Liz, a retiree of 10 years from the Ithaca’s public school system, brings her 3 year-old Collie, Sky, is a daily frequenter of the dog park. She’s been here for over 20 years keeping an eye on the park and the people. “Dog bite prevention comes from public awareness, when people are knowledgeable and are paying attention everything runs smooth. It’s when the parents are blabbing to one another that an unsupervised child is at risk for danger.”

“Just now we had a problem with an unattended child,” Liz said, discussing with fellow dog owner Marty. A father, with a larger dog, placed his young daughter in the “small dog” section of the dog park and walked away. The girl then proceeded to wave and taunt one of the dogs with a tree branch. “Had Marlene not stepped in that little girl could’ve gotten hurt.” Marlene, assessing the situation, escorted the girl out of the small dog park to her father. “I don’t know what people are thinking sometimes, if you have a child or dog you are responsible for their well-being and actions.”

Tanya Nelson, a 5-year resident of Lansing, brings her dog to the park about once a month. “He loves it out here, I try and get out here every time my work permits it.” While at the dog park, she noticed a girl approaching a grey hound inappropriately. “I had to speak up, she would eventually find out the hard way,” Nelson says of the woman’s inexperienced dog behavior. “You can’t stand tall over most dogs, they’ll feel threatened. You’re better off kneeling down and waiting for them to approach you.” According to Nelson, smaller dogs have a tendency to bite or nip more than bigger dogs; their small stature makes them more fearful and stressed.

To stop the slow increase in dog bites and attacks occurring in the Tompkins County area people must keep a watchful eye this summer. Those with young children or aggressive dogs should pay greater attention to their loved ones. There have been numerous reported cases where people, worse children, suffered serious injuries due to a lack of responsibility. In order to protect the public, there needs to be more focus on canine education among people of all ages.

Ithaca’s Bike Shop

A friend of mine, an avid bicyclist, informed me that Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles is back open after having been closed for renovations. Right now RIB’s headquarters is the Southside Community Center, but will soon move back to its place of origin, the corner of Buffalo Street and Route 13.

They hold public meetings every couple of weeks and urge residents to come out and participate. I hope to attend their next public forum to learn the progress the bike shop has made in relocating their building.

Is God wearing Red?

-Breanne Durning

Ithaca, NY-Cornell University’s underdog basketball team’s recent win into the NCAA Sweet Sixteen has left the streets of Ithaca red and some citizens turning to a higher power.  Cornell’s sports, Big Red, gained national attention when their basketball team made history beating out two higher ranked teams, University of Wisconsin 87-69 and Temple University 78-65. This would be the first time in over ten years an Ivy League has gone this far in the basketball championships.

Tomorrow Cornell faces the much-acclaimed University of Kentucky in Syracuse, and long time Ithacan resident Shannon Ivory has lit a candle with red in mind.

“I was a cook over at the university for years, I fed some of those boys,” he says. Ivory is a devout Christian and huge college basketball fan and after the Temple game Friday he found himself turning to God for the final push.

“They need to be healthy,” he said with his fist clenched, “they are doing so well.”

Lighting candles is a popular practice in the Anglo-Catholic churches where people show a connection with the person who the prayer is being offered to. Ivory said the candle was lit for protection and good health for the boys on the team.

Religion has played a part in college sports for years. Institutions like Notre Dames, Loyola, and Georgetown has historically exuded Catholicism in their athletics. Subtle signs of religion appear in the field an on the stands. A quick pregame prayer, a sign of the cross, rosaries, all have been present at major sporting events. Many fans and teammates call upon a higher being.

The Rev. Robert Foote, of the Trinity Lutheran church in Ithaca and a member of the Cornell United Religious Work, has first hand experience dealing with sports and the Devine spirit.

“We always pray for the teams to be free from injury,” he said. He finds many athletic teams bring the element of faith into games due to “the numerous unknown variables,” that might occur.

The Rev. Foote reveals a personal quandary about the up coming game.

“I am a bit conflicted my alma mater is Ohio State University and Steve Donahue [Cornell’s basketball coach] is my neighbor,” he said. Before Donahue left Foote informed him should the two teams face off, Cornell would have his support. “Both team colors are red, so it’s okay,” he said.

Andre Wilkins, senior point guard for the Cornell basketball team is proud of his team. “It’s amazing, our good work is finally being notice,” Wilkins said.

“We’ve been working hard since sophomore year, our team clicks,” adding, “we have that chemistry.” Before each game the boys in red gather in a close huddle, the Chaplain Dave Jones blesses the team. Immediately following the underdogs jump around, hollering and hooting. Wilkins explains, “We’re getting excited, we’re turning on.”

Years of practices, months of training, summers at basketball camp and possibly the words from the Chaplain have supplied the team with the skill and energy used to defeat their opponents.

A fine line can be crossed when dealing with religion in sports. The Interim Chaplain James K. Boodley of Ithaca College’s Muller Chapel said, “It is nice to be connected to God. But I don’t encourage those to pray for victory.” Glorifying God is the crucial element in the Christian and Catholic faiths. When praying before a game “hoping that God is on your side is childish,” Boodley says, “It sounds like magical thinking.”

Long time Syracuse fan, Ivory has included Cornell in his prayers. “I’m not praying for Cornell to win,” he said, further explaining, “it’s about how hard those boys worked, I want them to be free of illness and have the lord’s protection on the road.” Ivory’s good-natured excitement towards the game Thursday has him saying, “Kentucky is set to win, but Cornell’s pretty strong; it is anyone’s game.”

Ithaca Community is aware of Cornell’s achievements. The Rev. Rick L. Bair of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America at Cornell said, “there was a significant amount of people wearing red [Cornell] and orange [Syracuse] during service on Sunday.” The reverend noticed that during a time of historical sporting events residents of the Ithacan area will display their pride even in God’s house.

“Steve Donahue is on board as a coach, he understands what really matters,” the Rev. Foote said. Knowing how far this underdog Ivy League team has come, the reverend talks of Donahue’s concern for the boy’s lives. “What’s important is making their lives rich.”

Continuing to astound sportcasters and diehard fans alike, the Cornell basketball, ranked No. 12, has defeated team after team. Whether it is from the hard work the team has utilized or a little help from the big man upstairs, Cornell basketball has become a crowd favorite.

Local and Corporate Pizzerias

Ithaca, NY-Competition is rising due to the recession forcing several Ithaca businesses to close. Local stores like Sammy’s Pizzeria are up against corporate chains like Domino’s Pizza in using new tactics to attract customers.

The struggle to stay afloat in a costly and competitive Ithaca market has left stores like Juana’s Café, Ithaca Books, Mulberry Knoll, Smoothie Hut, and Beyond the Wall either to close or relocate away from the Ithaca Commons. Businesses are introducing new promotions and items in order to garner the strongest retention rate and attract new customers. Ithaca’s Mom and Pop shops strive to keep local businesses alive, and to drive out corporate competition.

As of Oct. 1, 2009 Sammy’s Pizzeria opened a joint store called Sammy’s Italian Buffet & Grill. A commercial found on Sammy’s website shows customers the new and improved family dinning restaurant.

“The whole nine yards, walk-ins, catering, delivery, take out, and we’re great for parties” Same Chafee, the general manager said.

At the center of the restaurant rest two large, brightly lit, dancing water fountains accompanied by the sound of chirping birds. Scene of an Italian vista cover the walls while a constant firework show takes place above. The brochure boasts “best lunch deal in Ithaca.”

Donna Holmes, a stay-at-home mother of two, recently decided Sammy’s Italian Buffet is in the rotation for Friday night family dinners. She found flyers for the restaurant at the Sammy’s Pizzeria in the Commons.

“It’s cheap, great pizza. What else do you need?” she said shaking the Parmesan cheese shaker over her son’s pizza.

“There are 22 different types of pizza at the buffet,” Asya Abramyan tells customers upon arrival. “The dessert one is my favorite,” she confesses seconds later.

Even with Sammy’s new Italian buffet, they still face competition from chain pizzerias. In 2002, Domino’s Pizzeria had their grand opening attracting many customers, and since then have used standard business tactics such new deals and promotions to keep up with the public. Recently they have added several new items to the menu and have introduced a new promotional deal of a medium pizza with two topping for $5.99.

“Local pizzerias aren’t really our competition. In Ithaca, it’s Papa Johns,” said Leah Internicola, Domino’s general manager.

“Our busiest days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” said Internicola. There is a spike in sales during the school year, but sales tend to be regular throughout the year. They have also won several awards for having record-breaking sales within the past several months.

Sammy’s new dining establishment has not hindered Domino’s sales. Internicola explains, “Domino’s in Ithaca has been mentioned at several meetings, we’re doing really well.”

With these bigger businesses dominating the market, Ithaca may soon become Generic Town, USA. The recession has put an immense amount of stress on locally owned stores to fight against them. Some stores like Sammy’s have been able to adjust to the change in economy, but others were not so lucky.  The pizzeria is located in the Commons and has maintained their spot since 2001. In the years to come, Ithacan will see either the return of Mom and Pop shops or be run over with mega-marts and restaurant seen in every other town.

Observation

E. Spencer road late afternoon

Cars line the side of the narrow road that follows closely alongside a river. A girl attempts to parallel park her white Honda Civic between a tiny blue car and a white pick up truck.  Reverse, drive, reverse, drive. Her reverse lights flash on the pick up truck’s fender. After a couple moments, and some close calls, her male counterpart jumps out of the car to direct her. His grand gestures and hand movements seem overly exaggerated but eventually the car fits snuggly in between the two cars.

“These streets are so annoying,” she said, her pink cheeks and red nose peaking out over her zebra-print scarf. They walk to the brown house with Christmas lights up, her voice still audible from yards away.

Orange and yellow graffiti pierce through the bridge’s bleakness. The illegible letters sit resting on the wall just above the water. The murky water leaves it impossible for any reflection to be seen. The tall, grey concrete walls stretch for miles; they follow down E. Spencer road making their way over to Giles street. Twisted sticks and large rocks poke through the surface, slicing up the river’s water.

A pale, lanky man donning a black puffy coat briskly crosses the rusty green bridge looking over the edge at one point. A trail of smoke leaves his hood as two visibly cold fingers clutch a cigarette. His dark rubber boots slop through the brown slush pushed on the sidewalk by snowplows.

Light from a television set shines through the blinds of nearby house revealing various silhouettes.  Stairs, driveways, and rooftops grow white as snow collects. Cars whiz past the road spraying slush into the air. The sound of busy cars driving blends in with the rushing of the river’s water. The streetlight close by flicks on.

Interesting News

Recently a good friend of mine has mentioned the Onondaga Tribe and their current headlines. Her anthropology professor, Brooke Hansen, is teaching a class in Native American studies, and has kept her updated on land disputes. Since hearing some of the discussions,I became interested, and will be attending a meeting tonight in Syracuse.

Where I live, North Jersey, there are no Native Americans and mention of them is even rarer. So I decided to do some investigation to see support from local groups. During my research I found that there is a government organization, the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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