International Music Festival

The Slutzker Center for International Services is hosting the International music festival at Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University wednesday, November 17th. The concert features traditional music from places such as China, Korea, Palestine, Turkey, and India, as well as traditional dances, poems, and unique instruments. Event sponsor Elane Granger says that she believes that it is absolutely essential for overall peace that people, especially Americans, understand the role that other cultures play in what makes America unique.

The Slutzker Center for International Services has already held 6 events this year. Each event holds a specific theme that is reinforced daily throughout the week with events, meetings, lunch ins, or concerts like the International music festival. The theme for this week is transforming students into peacemakers of the world. Event sponsor Elane Granger says she hopes for every seat to be filled by the end of the night but if the people are excited and engaged about the event, how many people show up does not matter.

Day Care for Dogs

Originally reported for NCC News on November 17, 2010.

Pet owners want to care for their animals, but is doggie daycare going over the top? Not for some people. At Bark Avenue Doggy Day Care and Grooming Salon, on the corner of Park Street and Oak Street in Syracuse (seen here), people drop off their dogs before going to work, trusting that their beloved pet is in good hands.

“The dogs are playing with each other, so they’re forming little packs and playing and running around…they’re not napping here…they’re watching or engaging in the activitiesso, they’re tired,” said owner Cindy Myrdek.

There is a doggy playroom at Bark Avenue where the dogs are free to roam around the office or play in the room with their toys while Myrdek is grooming a dog.

Myrdek says some days she watches ten or fifteen dogs at a time in daycare and sometimes the dogs can get a little rowdy or even destroy things in their playroom - such as couch cushions. Myrdek (seen here telling her dog, a Spinone Italiano called "Gelato") says she has no problem handling so many dogs at once, though. By asserting herself as the leader of what she calls “the pack", the dogs listen to her commands and are generally not a problem.

In addition to having playmates during day care, Myrdek said the dogs learn pack socialization skills by interacting with each other; these are skills she says the dogs would otherwise not learn by staying at home or in a kennel all day.

“It’s almost like if you’re housebound all the time and you get to go out and do something; it’s really exciting. It’s fun,” said Myrdek.

Not everyone can afford her services, however. Most of Myrdek's clients are attorneys or professionals who are away from their house for a majority of the day. When her daycare services are not in high demand, such as just after the winter holidays Myrdek said, she relies on the grooming services she offers to keep her business successful year-round.

Both grooming and day care services are demanding on the doggy day care owner. Continually having to clean up after the dogs and the hours spent grooming means Myrdek is not sitting around during the day.

She added that the dog’s personalities really begin to show once they are part of the day care pack. For her, seeing the social growth of a dog in day care is the most enjoyable part of the job, she said, and makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

Dog Daycare

Doggie Day Care

Dogs are said to be "man's best friend". For many people dogs are their children. Dog day cares provide an outlet for dogs to interact with other dogs and be active. At Bark Avenue Doggie Daycare you can leave your pet to socialize with other dogs or you can have it pampered and groomed. Owner and operator of Bark Avenue is Cindy Myrdek, she has been caring for dogs more than ten years and says "a tired dog is a happy dog". The care for you dog is essential for many health reasons. An important purpose for dog daycare is that "it's socialization, they're apack animal and like to be around there own kind" says Cindy. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Crulety to Animals (ASPCA) there are many reasons for grooming your dog, here are a few tips.

• Dogs cool off by panting and by air circulating around through their hair.
• Matted hair pulls and causes pain for your pet, and creates a breeding environment for fleas, and ticks.
• Hair in anal areas as well as the ears serves as hosting areas for nests
• A dog’s ears have hair deep in the inner canals that need to be removed every 4 to 6 weeks; otherwise you risk inflammations and potential ear infections.

PTSD Therapy from a Dog named Gabe

Originally Reported by NCC News on November 13, 2010




More and more service members are being diagnosed with a psychological condition many professionals are still trying to understand, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Antonino Carubia is one veteran from Syracuse who struggles with PTSD. He deployed to Afghanistan on September 12th 2002. After serving 9 months, he came home and had trouble sleeping. He said, "I was on edge, but I assumed that was a temporary side effect due to regular rocket and mortar attacks." So, he kept his mind busy and trusted the effects would ware off over time. They didn’t.

In 2006 his life slowed down a little. This is when things got worse. He remembers, "I had more trouble sleeping, I was depressed and feeling guilty for surviving when others I worked to save as a combat medic didn't." Recognizing the seriousness of his condition he went to the Vet Center and was diagnosed with PTSD. Therapists counseled him and prescribed multiple medications. This helped a little but he still found it difficult going out in public. Getting a job became problematic as he says employers struggled with the idea of hiring someone they feared would be mentally unstable. Indeed, when he did get a job, he couldn’t hold it. He filled bankruptcy and suffered further depression.

This year things are beginning to change. Antonino is venturing out into public and for the first time since 2003, he’s even putting up Christmas decorations. He attributes his recent success to Gabe, a young, lovable, Pit-bull offering a new form of therapy. Gabe wears s a vest that read’s “working dog.” He’s licensed and authorized to enter locations a Seeing-Eye-Dog can go, but Gabe’s job is a little different, He offers emotional support. He’s a constant companion for Antonino and even allows him a reason to engage in conversations and open-up with others about his condition. His therapists reminds him there is no cure for PTSD – rather it’s something people have to learn to cope with, and Gabe is helping Antonino along the way, providing love and encouragement.

A Life Story in a Book

At the Palace Theater in Syracuse, New York… it was more then just a movie night. It was about bring back the past and gathering with friends. Stephanie Hubbard wrote her first book called “Bluff Island Rescue Service.”

Stephanie tells her life story about her family and friends in a book she read to an audience of about 50 people on the November 16, 2010. After reading her book people were able to ask question about her drinking which nearly killed one of her friends while she was drunk behind the wheel of a car.

Some of her old classmates where in the audience and they had a few questions to ask about the transformation. Once the reading was done, Stephanie took the time to sign book for anyone who wanted. Then she stayed around to talk with some of her friends and others who just wanted to know how she felt after writing the book. She said, it was good to talk with old friends.

Stephanie Hubbard lives in Los Angeles, California as a famous documentary and she teaches film making. BeeKeeper Productions is something she started and it gave her the reason to do what she loves now. Also you can look forward to seeing another book coming out from Stephanie Hubbard. No time has been given yet on when we will see the former Syracuse student’s next book.

Airmen of Note

Originally reported for NCC News on November 16, 2010.

The U.S. Air Force's premiere jazz band, the Airmen of Note, hosted a free concert at Syracuse University's Goldstein Auditorium on Tuesday.

In its 60th year, the band plays for dignitaries, civilians, and military members stationed throughout the world.

Technical Sergeant Paige Martin, lead vocalist for the group, first saw the Airmen of Note when she was attending Schenectady Community College in New York.

"I waited ten years as a civilian for this opening in this band," Martin said. "I didn't want to sing with any other band than the Airmen of Note."

Martin said that the group of musicians in chosen based solely on their musical ability, most of which hold master's or doctorate degrees in music, including herself.

Being the only female member of the group this year, Martin said it took "a bit of acclimating at first." But she keeps her self-described "dream job" in perspective.

"To be able to do what you love and serve at the same time... Wow, that's just amazing!"

Mans Best Friend

The war in Iraq and Afghanistan has been ongoing since 2001. Some veterans who have served and returned bear no visible wounds. Their injuries are emotional, and it is affecting more and more veterans.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is being diagnosed for several of the retuning veterans. Their symptoms can range from just an overt startle response to vivid flashbacks from combat. Some don’t even notice the symptoms till well after they return from combat and leave the service. One veteran in particular, Antonino Carubia didn’t notice his until three years after he returned from Afghanistan.

Carubia served in Afghanistan in 2002 with a Civil Affairs Group where he was a medic. He was never in a combat situation but he had to deal with an ongoing flow of sick and disabled kids that flowed through his clinic. The memories of those children plague him to this day.

Carubia did not start to notice his symptoms till 2006. He said "When I started to slow down to have a family, memories started to come back" These memories would cause him problems dealing with people, being out in the public. and a short temper when he’s approached by officials. He started going to counseling and he takes medication but it was not enough.

In order to deal with his PTSD Antonino adopted Gabe, a Stafford terrier mix to be his companion. Carubia He told us " anytime I am upset, even if he is in another room, and he hears me upest he will come"

Carubia has started taking Gabe to service dog training courses and so far Gabe has gotten his puppy qualification. Carubia wants to take him to follow on training when Gabe gets older.

Syracuse's LEED Hotel

What was once a Jewish Synagogue will soon be Syracuse's first LEEDs certified hotel. LEEDs stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a rating scheme to evaluate the environmental performance of a building. The buildings owner believes they will receive the LEEDs Platinum rating for the changes they plan on making.

There are a lot of changes being made to transform this building to be more "green". Some of the major changes are the use of a Geothermal Well system which will provide all the heat for the building, and a feature that cuts power to guest's rooms when they aren't in them. These and many more upgrades make the owner, Norman Swanson, hopeful to receive platinum, and if he does it will be a first in Syracuse.

This building has been around since 1922 as the Temple Adath Yeshurun,but has pretty much been empty since all of the members moved to a different location. Norman Swanson decided to buy the building, and is now changing it into the Skyler Hotel. Though he can make changes to the inside, it is a historical building so he has to leave the skin of the building intact. Construction has begun and is expected to be finished by April. Mr. Swanson is very excited about the hotel, and he believes that with all the "green" technology he will be using he can save a lot of money.

Airmen of Note play in Syracuse.

Originally reported for NCC News on November 15, 2010.

The Airmen of Note, an Air Force Jazz band played Tuesday night in Goldstein Auditorium at Syracuse University. The one night concert was free and open to the public.

The band was created in 1950 to carry on the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Corps dance band.

This year the Airmen of Note celebrated 60 years as one of our nation’s most revered musical organizations. They have earned an international reputation as one of the finest bands of its kind in the world. They play to audiences throughout the United States,Europe and Asia, as well as their home in Washington D.C.

One of the Airmen of Note missions is to promote the image of the U.S. Air Force through goodwill. The group’s successful delivery of their recorded music to millions of fans over hundreds of media outlets worldwide is validated by industry measures, including the JazzWeek jazz chart. This also makes it a good requirement tool for the Air Force. Singer Paige Martin sais "We are engage in a recruiting effort, we’re engage in a good will effort, we put a smiling face on it for everybody. We kind of display a patriotism that we see in our audience, I think its a direct reflection of what we bring to them."

Green Tech Creates Eco Friendly Hotel

It's been a fixture in Syracuse for more than ninety years, now its getting a face lift. The Jewish Synagogue that has sat abandoned on the Corner of Harrison Street and South Crouse Avenue is now a hum of construction activity as crews prepare for an April opening of the Hotel Skyler, Syracuse and New York's "Greenest " hotel.

according to the project engineer, "Using special recycled wood, energy efficient windows and a rainwater reclamation system that will save over a quarter of a million gallons of water a year." The owners of the hotel were attempting to achieve a"Gold" rating for energy efficiency. However, due to over engineering the group actually received the much more coveted"Platinum" certification. The big reason was for the over certification was a Geo thermal well system under the parking lot that harnesses the energy of the earth to heat all of the hotels water.

Norman Swanson, the owner, said "using green construction techniques made the construction cost about twenty percent more than it would otherwise have." Swanson expects to make the construction money back in energy savings over the course of about fifteen years.

Dodgeball helps Kenyan orphans

Originally reported for NCC News on November 13, 2010

Syracuse University students set aside their books in order to have some fun and help some orphans halfway around the world. Led by the local chapter of Engineers Without Borders, teams competed in the second annual dodgeball tournament held at the Womens Building on SU on November 13.

The funds raised during the double elimination tournament will help ‘Into Abba’s Arms’ a non-profit organization started by Jane Gravis more than ten years ago. The organization helps the homeless children of Kenya.

“Into Abba’s Arms is an orphanage that hosts about 30 orphans,” said Marieke Sparrow-Pepin, Engineers Without Borders President. “They’re actually trying to expand right now.”

There are many ways to raise funds for organizations like Into Abba’s Arms. However, the students wanted to do something not only fun and different, but also that did not require a lot of skill or preparation.

“We figured basketball tournaments happen all the time,” continued Sparrow-Pepin. “Dodgeball is something you don’t need skill to do and anyone can do it.”

The players may not have had time during the competition to realize their efforts would help provide funds for food, clothing, and medicine, but they knew they could change the lives of orphans halfway around the world. “It feels good to know dodgeball can help in some way,” said Tucker Hart, of the Tuc and Friends Team. “It can help the world.”

Although all the players had a great time, one player noted the dodgeball tournament was about having fun and helping out the orphanage.

It was a win-win situation as everyone had fun and raised money for children less fortunate. The size of the event and the amount of funds raised are not as important as the reason a small group of compassionate students put down their books and played dodgeball in order to make a difference in the world.

If you got it...show it

The 41 year-old fitness trainer out of Aspen Athletic Club in Liverpool is competing in Figures Open short and Masters. on November 20, 2010. Lea VanApeldoorn started dieting three months before her show, but never stopped training in the gym.

The competition took place at the Drvier’s Village in Cicero were more than 20 females competed for a pro-card. This is VanApeldoorn’s fifth competition and her second one in the area of Syracuse. The women had to show four different poses while showing how tone their bodies are.

After the judges saw all of the ladies they a break, but the competitors still could eat much as they prepared for their individual performance. When the ladies got back into the staging area, they bring replying make up and some changed their bikini.

Once Lea VanApeldoorn and the other ladies finished their show, it was time for the judges to present the result. In Figures Open Short and Masters VanApeldoorn placed first.

Since she won the main two categories, she then had to compete against a female in medium and tall for the Pro-Card. The judges asked both ladies to do several poses to determine a winner. Lea VanApeldoorn placed second overall. When asked what’s next she said, who knows. The one thing VanApeldoorn, said she couldn’t wait to eat some apple crisp.

Stephanie Hubbard Shares Her Memoir

Originally reported for NCC News on November 16, 2010.

Stephanie Hubbard is an award winning documentary filmmaker, living in Los Angeles. But she came from Syracuse, and returned last week to share her memoir.

"Bluff Island Rescue Service," is Hubbard's first book. It's all about her life including her struggle with alcohol, sailing with her dad, and her move to California.

"I'm a writer, and writers don't have much choice but to write," said Hubbard.

She did three book readings and signings in the Syracuse area. Her last one was

at the Palace Theatre in Eastwood.

"I'm having a good time connecting with people I lost touch with for a long time," said Hubbard.

She started writing the book in 2005 and finished writing in 2009.

Hubbard says she has a gift and needs to use it. She's working on a second book, which she says is about being a dedicated artist.

Students Communicate through Music

Originally reported for NCC News, November 15, 2010.

The Slutzker Center for International Services put on a concert for International Education Week at Hendricks Chapel, Wednesday Nov 17.

According to Dr. Elane Granger, who oversaw all six International Education Week events, the goal of the program is to transform students into international peace-makers.


"The idea is to give students the opportunity to rub shoulders with people who are different than they are on campus," said Dr. Granger. "Music is a beautiful way to do that."

Granger also said that it is a good way to remind people that the United States is also an international community.


"We all live under the same sky,” said Dr. Granger.

Yuan Zou, a graduate student from China decided to play in the concert because she felt it would be a great way to share her culture with a great number of people.

“Most importantly [I want] to share this traditional Chinese music with all of the people here from all other countries,” said Zou.

According to recent city statistics, nearly eight percent of Syracuse residents are foreign born.

Dr. Granger said within the Syracuse University system, there are nearly three thousand students coming from Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament

Originally reported for NCC News on November 13, 2010.

In the Women’s Building gym at Syracuse University the Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament attracted many enthusiastic SU students. Not only did they hit their peers with dodgeballs but they also donated money to orphans in Kenya. SU Sophomore Scott Anthes is also a member of the non-profit humanitarian organization Engineers Without Boarders and helped coordinate this event. In regards to the amount of money he plans to raise Anthes said, “Last year we raised about 400 dollars from the dodgeball event alone, and this year we’re planning on raising about 600. We had a much better turn out this year; people started getting the word out a little bit. So it’s a lot of fun and it’s helping out a lot.”

According to Anthes the Into Abba’s Arms orphanage in Kenya is one of the only places within a several mile radius that produces clean water up from the ground. The money raised during the Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament will go towards building a kitchen for Into Abba’s Arms. The kitchen will provide a more sanitary environment to prepare food for the orphans. The money will be turned into the pride office at L.C. Smith Engineering School where it will be put into a special account, and transferred by Engineers Without Boarders to Kenya.

Tucker Hart, a freshman at SU, was one of the many competitors at the Dodgeball Tournament. Hart admits that dodgeball is a past time sport for him. Hailing from California he grew up playing dodgeball on the beach. Hart jokingly admits the pain of being pegged during the game is not only physical but also emotional as well due to the embarrassment of being publicly hit by a rubber dodgeball. However, one rule was set in place before the games began. No aiming for the face of another player. If you do hit another player in the face you will be disqualified. Hart was unaware of the Into Abba’s Arms charity before attending this event. However, once he found out that the entry fee of five dollars was going to Kenya he said, “It feels good to know that dodgeball can help the world in some way.”

At the end of the day the winning team called themselves the “Underdogs”. They wore matching Boston Celtics jerseys and each won a ten-dollar gift certificate to Chili’s, and a free movie ticket to the Regal Carousel Mall Stadium 17 movie theater. However everyone who donated money won the right to say they helped children in need at the Into Abba’s Arms orphanage in Kenya.

Syracuse University ROTC Involved in Veterans Day Ceremony

The men and women involved in the ROTC program at Syracuse University, spent Veterans Day morning 2010 participating in a ceremony honoring local military members. For these college students, Veterans Day service was much more than a chance to pay respects to those who have served, it was an opportunity to consider their own roles each will play as military leaders in the near future.

Cadet Colonel Son Lee is the student leader over the Air Force ROTC cadets. She says she is deeply honored by the veterans who stood in Hendricks Chapel. Considering the sacrifice they have made and the experiences they have had, she said makes her feel like a child who has yet to experience it all. And yet young as she is, it is no wonder why she is in charge of the group as she explains her view on leadership: service towards others.

And just like the veterans who are honored this day, Son Lee and all of the other ROTC students will one day be veterans themselves - providing the service of freedom and democracy to us all.

Syracuse Beer Week

Originally reported for NCC News on November 9, 2010.

Its promoters are dubbing it as "Seven Days in Beer Heaven," and for the third year in a row, Syracuse Beer Week is
taking over bars, restaurants and even museums in the area.

One of the many beer samplings involved with Beer Week was a lecture given by Don Cazentre, Food and Drink editor at the Post-Standard, on the current state of craft beer.

The event brought roughly 30 visitors to the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse, as Cazentre spoke for more than an hour on the history of microbrews in Central New York.

Cazentre is self-described beer lover who got involved with home brewing after a trip to Germany years ago. "I just like to talk about beer," he said.

After the lecture, attendees were treated to samplings of six different beers Cazentre spoke of. The socializing allowed them an opportunity to speak to Cazentre one-on-one.

One beer sampler, John Thomas, said, "It's definitely worth while to talk to somebody who's got that kind of knowledge in the industry."

Art and Business Blend at Screen-Printer

Originally reported for NCC News, November 15, 2010.

Multi Image Corp is a Syracuse small business that specializes in screen-printing.

Multi Image has been in business for more than 35 years and owner/manager, Bill Russell says that despite the recent economy, his business has not been harmed.

“In fact, our business in the last year has been better than normal,” said Russell.

Part of the reason for that is what the owner calls a good product, but another part is Chuck Westfall who has worked here since 1978.

He started working for Multi Image when his waivered on accepting the job. He is a local artist specializing in offset printing.

Westfall said he feels that screen-printing offers freedom, allowing him to keep in touch with his artistic background while maintaining steady employment.

How will you survive the Winter

The Fall season is upon us and winter will be here in just a few weeks. Students attending Syracuse University come from all over the world. Some have never seen snow and most have never been through a Syracuse winter.

How do you prepare for the snow and what do you wear? We asked students and faculty how they plan on preparing for this winter. The experienced said to dress in layers, wear a t-shirt, a sweater on top of that and a jacket. For the legs and feet, they suggested wearing long johns and weatherproof shoes with thick socks.

According to the Farmer Almanac, “Syracuse was selected as the city with the worst winter because it last so long.” How well will you be prepare for this winter?

Syracuse Beer Week

Originally reported for NCC News on November 09, 2010.

The Third Annual Syracuse Beer Week kicked off on Sunday and will continue until the finale on Saturday the 13th. The Primary goal of Syracuse Beer Week is to enhance beer knowledge and appreciation throughout a series of events that are being hosted within the Greater Syracuse area. During the week over 100 local bars, restaurants, caterers, retailers, and entertainers will be offering samples of many unique beers from the local area and around the world.

Many restaurants have specials on their menus to compliment a certain beer that they will be offering. Other establishments offer free beer mugs with a purchase of a specialty drink.

According to Patty Sheridan, a General Manager at Syracuse Suds Factory, says "The Primary goal of Syracuse beer week is to enhance beer knowledge and appreciation throughout a series of events that are being hosted throughout the great Syracuse area." she also said the biggest attraction for customers during the event is the

special on beer that certain establishments will have. This will give customers a chance to try a certain beer that they would not normally try.

Beer Week is presented by Great Brewers, a web site community about beer, connecting people around comunites and around the world thru beer.

Don't Fear the Snow

Jarid Watson, NCC News



Well all you first-year non-resident Syracuse University students, it's inevitable. Like it or not, winter IS coming. According to the National Climactic Data Center, Syracuse averages more than 115-inches of snow a year. That statistic might have you feeling a bit nervous.



Scott Casenova a life-long Syracuse resident says,"Everybody just kind of you know, moans and complains and you know, the first thing they do when they get up is look at the thermometer. Like, just expect that it's going to be cold and windy, especially you know, December on."



So basically, he's saying you're just going to have to tough it out. Have no fear though - for Scott - this local guy on the street has a couple of tips.



He says it's simple: put snow tires on your vehicle so you don't slide all over the slippery roads - and - dress in layers to stay warm outside, then de-layer yourself when you head back indoors.



That sounds simple enough, right? Scott says sometimes people might over-react a bit though.



"My favorite thing honestly is the first time it snows, you'll see a bunch of students with umbrellas and it just makes me laugh."



O.K., so it's a bit of humor at the expense of others, but what Scott may have been getting at is if you stay calm and follow a few tips from some of the locals, you'll make it through the winter just fine.

Call it the Square Dance

Ever Wednesday night Square Dance Caller and Instructor Ron Brown gives a lesson in Square Dancing to a group of students at Andrews Memorial Church in North Syracuse. The class is one of many that Mr. Brown leads all over New York.

It starts off with the Mainstream class for about 22 weeks. After the students graduate that course they can become members of the North Syracuse Square Group, or they can just continue on to the Plus class to learn more advanced moves.

The point of the lessons is to teach the students the calls that the Caller is singing during the dance. Each call lets the dancers know what moves they will be performing. the dance requires that all eight people know the calls, because partners change at any given moment. All Square Dances are called in English so no matter where the students go they will be able to understand the caller.

Mr. Brown started Square Dancing because of his wife. He didn't want to initially, but he gave it a chance and he really enjoyed it. Another bonus for Mr. Brown is that he gets to sing, which he loves and he doesn't need a band to do it. This class at the church is his smallest class, and his largest class is in Rochester, NY. The biggest reward for him is know the people he sees out of the dance floor are having a good time and he taught them how to do it.

For him its not just about the dance. Mr. Brown wrote an article titled "Square Dance to Better Health." In the article he explains the health benefits of Square Dancing. He says it's good light aerobic exercise and that Square Dancing for about two hours is equivalent to walking five miles.

Not only is it good light aerobic exercise, but it's also a good way to meet people. Most people the take Square Dancing lessons are couples, and the dance requires a lot of teamwork so most people end up bonding over the course of the lessons. Some go on to further that connection with more people by becoming members of the North Syracuse Square Group when they graduate the main course. This helps them branch out to meet more people and dance with others that are at their level.

Square Dancing began in New England, but not many people know that Henry Ford was responsible for Square Dancing's rise in popularity back in the 1940's. This is the same Henry Ford that started the Ford Motor Company. Ford along with dance instructor Benjamin Lovett worked hard to spread the dance around the U.S.