Our friend C. wrote on Facebook about her terrible head cold, and we might think this is a rather slight matter for someone to write about, except we have this same head cold, and know it is dire, and a great issue indeed, if you will pardon the pun.
It has lasted two weeks and shows no signs of abating. One tries to hurry and get better before Thanksgiving, when traveling to see family, but that might be like trying to fall asleep fast because you have to get up early. It doesn't work.
This cold has us thinking about the nature of mucus, because we have produced more of it lately than an elephant, and realize now that mucus is not finite.
If you can't write about a head cold to your innocent and unsuspecting friends, what malady can you? You can't just casually write about some real chronic disease you have. That's too serious. And no one wants to read about anything that involves, let's say, inside your pants. Forget that.
So, head colds it is for the Internet. We have been eating a lot of soup lately, and saltines. When shopping, we noticed a variety of saltines that is unsalted, which seems really wrong. It should have another name.
feel better -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Free CDs For You Today at Angry Mom Records/Small World Music
Here we are at Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, on the only day of the week when we staff the store ourselves. And we realize it has been a while since we publicized the place, in which we have keen interest.
So, as we have done before, we make this special offer to Ithaca Blog readers: come in today, and pick out not one, not three, but two free CDs for yourself from our extensive selection of used, bargain-priced CDs from the $5-and-less shelves. Totally free - like, no purchase necessary.
We know it's short notice, but we just thought about it. The offer is good today only, while Steve works. Tomorrow, with George and Lee, it would confuse them. You have til 8 p.m.; the rain is not so bad.
See you soon!
Steve Burke
for Small World Music & Ithaca NY Blog
So, as we have done before, we make this special offer to Ithaca Blog readers: come in today, and pick out not one, not three, but two free CDs for yourself from our extensive selection of used, bargain-priced CDs from the $5-and-less shelves. Totally free - like, no purchase necessary.
We know it's short notice, but we just thought about it. The offer is good today only, while Steve works. Tomorrow, with George and Lee, it would confuse them. You have til 8 p.m.; the rain is not so bad.
See you soon!
Steve Burke
for Small World Music & Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Chevron Spends $4 Billion For Shot at Hydro-Fracking
The Chevron Corporation has purchased the Atlas Energy company of Pennsylvania to obtain a stake in the natural gas fields of Pennsylvania and New York.
The deal is worth over $4 billion in stocks and cash.
The gas fields in Pennsylvania, New York, and elsewhere in the eastern U.S. have only recently become accessible, through a controversial process called hydro-fracking, which pumps toxic chemicals into the ground to free the gas.
Concerns for water safety have led to popular and political opposition to hydro-fracking, including calls for outright bans.
Chevron, ExxonMobil, and other corporations are spending billions for the chance to drill even though the price of natural gas, and the demand for it, are low.
Opponents to hydro-fracking say that citizen protest can add to the cost of operation, and derail potential profits. In Ithaca, the Shaleshock organization is a leading voice of opposition: www.shaleshock.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The deal is worth over $4 billion in stocks and cash.
The gas fields in Pennsylvania, New York, and elsewhere in the eastern U.S. have only recently become accessible, through a controversial process called hydro-fracking, which pumps toxic chemicals into the ground to free the gas.
Concerns for water safety have led to popular and political opposition to hydro-fracking, including calls for outright bans.
Chevron, ExxonMobil, and other corporations are spending billions for the chance to drill even though the price of natural gas, and the demand for it, are low.
Opponents to hydro-fracking say that citizen protest can add to the cost of operation, and derail potential profits. In Ithaca, the Shaleshock organization is a leading voice of opposition: www.shaleshock.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, November 08, 2010
Marathoners Run Fast
It was a beautiful day in the city yesterday for the running of the New York Marathon.
Nobody seems to mind that a lot of the city shuts down for the race. Most New Yorkers are running from something, and admire people who can run away from their problems, if just for a day.
The winner, Gebre Gebremariam, ran the course in 2:08:49. This is less than 5 minutes per mile, for 26 miles. He had to pull away from his nearest competitor in the final mile. This means he was still going fast.
This is also what it means. I go to the gym, but I can't run a 5-minute mile. So if Gebre Gebremariam and I were to race each other 26 miles, and he spotted me the first 25 miles, letting me sit in a beach chair with my feet up at the 25-mile mark until he showed up after running that distance, he would still kick my ass.
I'll go to the gym today anyway. Congratulations to all marathoners.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Nobody seems to mind that a lot of the city shuts down for the race. Most New Yorkers are running from something, and admire people who can run away from their problems, if just for a day.
The winner, Gebre Gebremariam, ran the course in 2:08:49. This is less than 5 minutes per mile, for 26 miles. He had to pull away from his nearest competitor in the final mile. This means he was still going fast.
This is also what it means. I go to the gym, but I can't run a 5-minute mile. So if Gebre Gebremariam and I were to race each other 26 miles, and he spotted me the first 25 miles, letting me sit in a beach chair with my feet up at the 25-mile mark until he showed up after running that distance, he would still kick my ass.
I'll go to the gym today anyway. Congratulations to all marathoners.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Kristallnacht Remembrance at Cornell, Sun. 7 Nov., 1:30 P.M.
Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, was a series of attacks against Jews in Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on November 8 - 9, 1938.
Virtually every synagogue in Germany was set on fire. Graves were uprooted. Homes were invaded and people beaten to death in the streets. Businesses were robbed and destroyed. 30,000 Jewish men were abducted and sent to concentration camps.
Today at 1:30 p.m., , Cornell hosts "Commemorating the Holocaust - Affiriming Community,"
in the auditorium in Sherman Hall, in the Veterinary School, on Tower Road.
President David Skorton will speak.
Cornell Plantations is the site of a sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy called "A Garden of Stone - A Holocaust Memorial." Goldsworthy uses natural and found materials to make site-specific sculptures. His work is known world-wide.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Virtually every synagogue in Germany was set on fire. Graves were uprooted. Homes were invaded and people beaten to death in the streets. Businesses were robbed and destroyed. 30,000 Jewish men were abducted and sent to concentration camps.
Today at 1:30 p.m., , Cornell hosts "Commemorating the Holocaust - Affiriming Community,"
in the auditorium in Sherman Hall, in the Veterinary School, on Tower Road.
President David Skorton will speak.
Cornell Plantations is the site of a sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy called "A Garden of Stone - A Holocaust Memorial." Goldsworthy uses natural and found materials to make site-specific sculptures. His work is known world-wide.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, November 05, 2010
Land Grab By Gas Company
Chesapeake Energy Corporation announced a deal to buy mineral rights to half a million acres in the Appalachian basin, to drill for natural gas.
The purchase includes parts of Tompkins County.
The dangers of the drilling process called hydro-fracking have been publicized in the documentary film, "Gasland", and by a local grassroots group called Shaleshock.
The language of Chespeake's chief, Aubrey McClendon, is eerily telling about the company's huge financial resources (the purchase was for almost a billion dollars) and casual attitide towards environmental stewardship.
"We've been poking around and we saw something we liked and we bought it," he said.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The purchase includes parts of Tompkins County.
The dangers of the drilling process called hydro-fracking have been publicized in the documentary film, "Gasland", and by a local grassroots group called Shaleshock.
The language of Chespeake's chief, Aubrey McClendon, is eerily telling about the company's huge financial resources (the purchase was for almost a billion dollars) and casual attitide towards environmental stewardship.
"We've been poking around and we saw something we liked and we bought it," he said.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, October 31, 2010
James Carville at IC, Monday 1 Nov.
On the night before Election Day, Ithaca College presents James Carville, ex-political operative and current commentator.
We want to go, to see if Carville retains walloping significance, which we doubt, and to see if he is turning into a caricature of the caricature of him presented regularly on Saturday Night Live (last night, in fact).
The event is free.
It takes place at 7:30 in the Emerson Suites, address unknown at Ithaca College, the School Without Streets.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We want to go, to see if Carville retains walloping significance, which we doubt, and to see if he is turning into a caricature of the caricature of him presented regularly on Saturday Night Live (last night, in fact).
The event is free.
It takes place at 7:30 in the Emerson Suites, address unknown at Ithaca College, the School Without Streets.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Music on Halloween
Dead people can't enjoy music, or at least not live music, so on Halloween, we recommend you do, before it's too late. Eventually it will be.
How is that for Irish fatalism, in the spirit of the thing?
The Grady Girls will do a lively set at Felicia's, at 7 p.m.
The big show in town is at the State Theater: Sim Redmond Band, Donna the Buffalo, and Railroad Earth. Doors open at 6:30, says the publicity; music starts at 7:30, and goes all night.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
How is that for Irish fatalism, in the spirit of the thing?
The Grady Girls will do a lively set at Felicia's, at 7 p.m.
The big show in town is at the State Theater: Sim Redmond Band, Donna the Buffalo, and Railroad Earth. Doors open at 6:30, says the publicity; music starts at 7:30, and goes all night.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Lexicon And On
We watched David Letterman tonight, as we do sometimes because we work late, and dopey stuff helps us relax.
(You will see that we keep late hours sometimes if you notice the time of this posting.)
Anyhow, Mr. Letterman was interviewing a snow-boarding dude. (We assume most guys such as this, who have long hair and snow-board for a living, are dudes.)
In the course of the conversation, Letterman alluded to their differing life experiences, as reflected in their language.
"You know, I feel like I'm missing something," Letterman said about his life: "I'm 62 years old, and I've never been 'stoked'."
Neither have we. We don't even think we were even ever "psyched," although we remember when this was common.
A similar phenomenon, which we have noted here before, is that we have never found much to be "awesome," at least that we would talk about, rather than ponder; but people today do, pretty frequently.
Of course, it is all a matter of lexicon, which delights us, personally. We wonder, as "psyched" has turned to "stoked," what's next in line. "Awesome" has, in our memory, lasted a real long time, and we wonder if it will go on. It seems to have legs. And when did that expression start? And, stop?
We bid you goodnight now, as we hit the hay; crash; and, our personal lexicon favorite, geeze.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
(You will see that we keep late hours sometimes if you notice the time of this posting.)
Anyhow, Mr. Letterman was interviewing a snow-boarding dude. (We assume most guys such as this, who have long hair and snow-board for a living, are dudes.)
In the course of the conversation, Letterman alluded to their differing life experiences, as reflected in their language.
"You know, I feel like I'm missing something," Letterman said about his life: "I'm 62 years old, and I've never been 'stoked'."
Neither have we. We don't even think we were even ever "psyched," although we remember when this was common.
A similar phenomenon, which we have noted here before, is that we have never found much to be "awesome," at least that we would talk about, rather than ponder; but people today do, pretty frequently.
Of course, it is all a matter of lexicon, which delights us, personally. We wonder, as "psyched" has turned to "stoked," what's next in line. "Awesome" has, in our memory, lasted a real long time, and we wonder if it will go on. It seems to have legs. And when did that expression start? And, stop?
We bid you goodnight now, as we hit the hay; crash; and, our personal lexicon favorite, geeze.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Stressed? Zag With Your Friends
Our friend Catherine Saar, who runs an enterprise called Saar Coaching (Google it, or find it on Facebook), posted a reprint today of a piece on how to be happier at work.
The strategy that most impressed us was called "Invest in your social network."
The basic idea is that, when or over-worked or -whelmed, often our impulse is to retreat, to close ourselves off, and to approach work (and life) with a bunker mentality; and that this is the exact wrong approach.
Focus on the work, sure. But also make sure you spend time - keep time; make time - to enjoy friends. This helps keep things in perspective. It helps us enjoy life, which should be part of one's everyday routine. All this is likely to help you achieve your work.
We generally like zagging when common wisdom says zig. Thank you to Ms. Saar for the good advice.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The strategy that most impressed us was called "Invest in your social network."
The basic idea is that, when or over-worked or -whelmed, often our impulse is to retreat, to close ourselves off, and to approach work (and life) with a bunker mentality; and that this is the exact wrong approach.
Focus on the work, sure. But also make sure you spend time - keep time; make time - to enjoy friends. This helps keep things in perspective. It helps us enjoy life, which should be part of one's everyday routine. All this is likely to help you achieve your work.
We generally like zagging when common wisdom says zig. Thank you to Ms. Saar for the good advice.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Stephanie Miller Event: Sold Out
Well, our instincts in the previous post were sort of correct about the possible popularity of the Stephanie Miller/Bill Press appearance at the Hangar Theater this Saturday.
We contacted the Hangar and found it is sold out.
Try Craigslist for tickets?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We contacted the Hangar and found it is sold out.
Try Craigslist for tickets?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Stephanie Miller and Bill Press at the Hangar Theater, Sat. 23 Oct.
Two stars of lefty talk show radio, Stephanie Miller and Bill Press, appear at the Hangar Theater this Saturday night for an evening of commentary and, we imagine, comedy, of the political sort.
This kind of fare is generally irresistible to the typical Ithacan. The ticket price, a mere $10, is likewise nicely likeable in a town where people are used to cheap entertainment all the time.
We're a little surprised the event is not in a bigger venue for more money. We recommend getting tickets asap.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
This kind of fare is generally irresistible to the typical Ithacan. The ticket price, a mere $10, is likewise nicely likeable in a town where people are used to cheap entertainment all the time.
We're a little surprised the event is not in a bigger venue for more money. We recommend getting tickets asap.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Cayuga Beans in NY Times Magazine
The Sunday New York Times magazine today features a piece on Cayuga Pure Organics, our local growers of beans and grains whose products are the rage of restaurants and farmers markets in the big city.
We've written about CPO before here. Their products are amazingly good, and available in Ithaca at GreenStar Co-op.
The co-op gets a generic mention in the Times piece, as does a particular local tacqueria that orders 500 pounds plus of CPO's beans per week.
Congratulations to Dan, Adrian, Anne, Eric and Tycho, and thanks for the great work.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We've written about CPO before here. Their products are amazingly good, and available in Ithaca at GreenStar Co-op.
The co-op gets a generic mention in the Times piece, as does a particular local tacqueria that orders 500 pounds plus of CPO's beans per week.
Congratulations to Dan, Adrian, Anne, Eric and Tycho, and thanks for the great work.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday Morning: Fire on the Commons
There was a fire this morning on the Commons, in the Petrune building on the north side of the middle of the mall.
We are directly across from the building. Reports are there are no injuries. Exterior damage is minimal. Interior is probably moderate, mostly smoke damage.
At the moment, the middle of the Commons is closed, but fire crews are packing up and preparing to leave, so re-opening is probably imminent.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We are directly across from the building. Reports are there are no injuries. Exterior damage is minimal. Interior is probably moderate, mostly smoke damage.
At the moment, the middle of the Commons is closed, but fire crews are packing up and preparing to leave, so re-opening is probably imminent.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Happy Birthday
As you might have noticed, Google noticed, and much of the world remembers, it seems, that today is John Lennon's birthday. He would have been 70.
Of course, he is noted for his music, his peace activism, and his energy and humor, all great. For us, though, one of the most important things about him was his writing.
Lennon wrote two books in the mid-1960s: "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard in the Works." They were books of short comic vignettes, absurd and playful, with drawings. They showed influences of Lewis Carroll, James Thurber, and even James Joyce.
They were the first books I ever owned. I got them when I was 10 or so. I had to send away for them. Maybe there were bookstores in Manhattan that sold them, but there weren't in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
I treasured them, I guess. I enjoyed them and learned from them.
Lennon was a big inspiration to me. I started a newspaper at school in 6th grade because I knew he had.
I imagine his was better. I remember reading a weather forecast he wrote for it. "Today will be Muggy," he wrote. "Followed by Tuggy, Wuggy, Thuggy, and Fuggy."
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Of course, he is noted for his music, his peace activism, and his energy and humor, all great. For us, though, one of the most important things about him was his writing.
Lennon wrote two books in the mid-1960s: "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard in the Works." They were books of short comic vignettes, absurd and playful, with drawings. They showed influences of Lewis Carroll, James Thurber, and even James Joyce.
They were the first books I ever owned. I got them when I was 10 or so. I had to send away for them. Maybe there were bookstores in Manhattan that sold them, but there weren't in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
I treasured them, I guess. I enjoyed them and learned from them.
Lennon was a big inspiration to me. I started a newspaper at school in 6th grade because I knew he had.
I imagine his was better. I remember reading a weather forecast he wrote for it. "Today will be Muggy," he wrote. "Followed by Tuggy, Wuggy, Thuggy, and Fuggy."
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Fighting Cancer Locally, at the Cancer Resource Center's Walkathon/Race
Most of us, probably, have had our lives touched by cancer.
In Ithaca, we are blessed to have the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, a not-for-profit group offering services to people with cancer.
One of the best ways to help the Cancer Resource Center is to support their annual Walkathon/5K Race. The 17th annual event happens this year on Saturday 23 October, in Cass Park.
Pre-registration is available on-line at CRC's web site, www.crcfl.org. Registration the day of the race, at 10 a.m., is at 9 a.m. The event happens rain or shine.
If you are not a runner, or even that much of a walker, there will be music and other activities at the site. You can sponsor runners. You can buy a t-shirt. Or you can simply make a donation.
Please contact the Center for more information on how to help.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
In Ithaca, we are blessed to have the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, a not-for-profit group offering services to people with cancer.
One of the best ways to help the Cancer Resource Center is to support their annual Walkathon/5K Race. The 17th annual event happens this year on Saturday 23 October, in Cass Park.
Pre-registration is available on-line at CRC's web site, www.crcfl.org. Registration the day of the race, at 10 a.m., is at 9 a.m. The event happens rain or shine.
If you are not a runner, or even that much of a walker, there will be music and other activities at the site. You can sponsor runners. You can buy a t-shirt. Or you can simply make a donation.
Please contact the Center for more information on how to help.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, September 27, 2010
Apple Harvest Festival, Ithaca Commons, Fri. 1 Oct. - Sun 3 Oct.
A reminder that agriculture is Tompkins County's second-largest industry comes this weekend with the 28th Annual Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival.
The festival stretches from Friday noon til dusk on Sunday.
Favorable weather this season has produced a crop with exceptional flavor, growers say. Dozens of varieties will be available for sale on the Commons, along with cider and pies.
The family-friendly festival also includes amusements such as magic, belly dance, an Iron Chef competition, pie-eating contests, and a Ferris wheel.
Over a dozen bands provide music. On Saturday, at Dewitt Park, a First People's Festival celebrates Iroquois and other indigenous culture of the region. The State Theater hosts a concert by children's performer Dan Zanes , at noon.
More information is available from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance at www.downtownithaca.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The festival stretches from Friday noon til dusk on Sunday.
Favorable weather this season has produced a crop with exceptional flavor, growers say. Dozens of varieties will be available for sale on the Commons, along with cider and pies.
The family-friendly festival also includes amusements such as magic, belly dance, an Iron Chef competition, pie-eating contests, and a Ferris wheel.
Over a dozen bands provide music. On Saturday, at Dewitt Park, a First People's Festival celebrates Iroquois and other indigenous culture of the region. The State Theater hosts a concert by children's performer Dan Zanes , at noon.
More information is available from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance at www.downtownithaca.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, September 20, 2010
Commons Finds You Can't Partly Quit Smoking
Six weeks after its start, the city of Ithaca has declared the partial ban of smoking on the Commons a failed experiment, and decided to ban smoking on the pedestrian mall entirely.
The partial ban prohibited smoking in the center of the Commons, near the pavilion and the playground. But the result was not to reduce smoking, only to relocate smokers into smaller areas, intensifying second-hand smoke in these areas to intolerable levels for passers-by and adjacent businesses.
Outdoor dining in the smoking areas fell off to next to nothing. Businesses in the smoking areas were forced to keep doors closed. Fights between non-smokers and smokers - about the borders and other issues - were daily, if not hourly, and spirited, when not vituperative or even violent.
Our business, Small World Music, inside Autumn Leaves Books, is on the border of the smoking/non-smoking areas. Originally we supported the partial ban (see our July 28 post here on Ithaca Blog), but can attest first-hand to the failure.
We support the ban, and commend city officials for so quickly recognizing and fixing the failed policy.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The partial ban prohibited smoking in the center of the Commons, near the pavilion and the playground. But the result was not to reduce smoking, only to relocate smokers into smaller areas, intensifying second-hand smoke in these areas to intolerable levels for passers-by and adjacent businesses.
Outdoor dining in the smoking areas fell off to next to nothing. Businesses in the smoking areas were forced to keep doors closed. Fights between non-smokers and smokers - about the borders and other issues - were daily, if not hourly, and spirited, when not vituperative or even violent.
Our business, Small World Music, inside Autumn Leaves Books, is on the border of the smoking/non-smoking areas. Originally we supported the partial ban (see our July 28 post here on Ithaca Blog), but can attest first-hand to the failure.
We support the ban, and commend city officials for so quickly recognizing and fixing the failed policy.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, September 19, 2010
New York Pizzeria and the NFL
We went to Trumansburg today to help out at a benefit there, but with another, non-altruistic motive: to bring home a pie (large, of course) from New York Pizzeria.
Of course there is plenty of pizza in Ithaca and we like all of it nicely, but NY Pizzeria's is the best in the region, we think. We looked forward to stocking our freezer with a box of this rarefied product.
Imagine our shock and chagrin to find, at 2 p.m. (on our way home), that NYP does not open until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
We understand about day of rest, and all that. Still, we wonder what gives - this time of year, when the NFL provides televised spectacles all Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.
It seems to us that Sunday starting at 1 p.m. is probably the prime pizza-buying time of the week.
Not that we sit around and watch the NFL much, although we wish we did. But we look at it a little, and when we do, see plenty of ads for Papa John's pizzeria, and also frozen varieties.
It's bad enough that you have to watch these cheesy (ha) ads, but then not to have a flavorful and authentic alternative to their cruddy products? It's unfortunate.
Not for us to tell the NYP people how to run their shop. But they do name themselves after the city that never sleeps. Where is the "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" spirit when it comes to day-long game-day pizza?
As a non-resident of the famously proud town, I'll keep my nose out of T-burg's business, beyond this. But I think it is time for a sit-down, or even a walk-and-talk over there, you know what I'm saying?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Of course there is plenty of pizza in Ithaca and we like all of it nicely, but NY Pizzeria's is the best in the region, we think. We looked forward to stocking our freezer with a box of this rarefied product.
Imagine our shock and chagrin to find, at 2 p.m. (on our way home), that NYP does not open until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
We understand about day of rest, and all that. Still, we wonder what gives - this time of year, when the NFL provides televised spectacles all Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.
It seems to us that Sunday starting at 1 p.m. is probably the prime pizza-buying time of the week.
Not that we sit around and watch the NFL much, although we wish we did. But we look at it a little, and when we do, see plenty of ads for Papa John's pizzeria, and also frozen varieties.
It's bad enough that you have to watch these cheesy (ha) ads, but then not to have a flavorful and authentic alternative to their cruddy products? It's unfortunate.
Not for us to tell the NYP people how to run their shop. But they do name themselves after the city that never sleeps. Where is the "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" spirit when it comes to day-long game-day pizza?
As a non-resident of the famously proud town, I'll keep my nose out of T-burg's business, beyond this. But I think it is time for a sit-down, or even a walk-and-talk over there, you know what I'm saying?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, September 13, 2010
Seeing Signs For No Fracking
We had some friends from Brooklyn here for the weekend. Sunday we enjoyed the Porchfest in Fall Creek.
Most Ithacans probably take for granted the creativity behind such an event. Our friends didn't. They were impressed by the do-it-yourselfness and sociability.
As we strolled the neighborhood, what also came to light is the political activism in Ithaca. Alongside the "Porchfest" signs on many porches were "No Fracking" signs on lawns.
Our friends didn't know what this was. A quick explanation brought no flicker of recognition. But the next time they hear of it - which they inevitably will, downstate - they will remember.
The signs are a good way to spread the word about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing in our area. They are available for a $5 donation from the Shaleshock group organizing opposition to fracking.
Shaleshock's office space is in the Peace and Justice Center, on the 3rd floor 115 The Commons (in Autumn Leaves Books).
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Most Ithacans probably take for granted the creativity behind such an event. Our friends didn't. They were impressed by the do-it-yourselfness and sociability.
As we strolled the neighborhood, what also came to light is the political activism in Ithaca. Alongside the "Porchfest" signs on many porches were "No Fracking" signs on lawns.
Our friends didn't know what this was. A quick explanation brought no flicker of recognition. But the next time they hear of it - which they inevitably will, downstate - they will remember.
The signs are a good way to spread the word about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing in our area. They are available for a $5 donation from the Shaleshock group organizing opposition to fracking.
Shaleshock's office space is in the Peace and Justice Center, on the 3rd floor 115 The Commons (in Autumn Leaves Books).
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
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