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The open space of the baseball field, and the possibilities of where the ball might travel when struck, are important components of the game, and the game is best viewed live, with the space fully in front of you, rather than segmented on a screen. This is tough for fans in Ithaca, five hours away from the New York Yankees and Mets, but there is salvation of a sort an hour away in Binghamton, where there is a minor league team affiliated with the Mets. Met fans in Ithaca are delighted with the proximity of an adjunct where one can see future players for the big league team. Usually it is Yankee fans who get the perks and breaks. The Mets have always played in the shadow of the Yanks and Met fans are not used to organizational triumphs or renown. If you walk into a shop in Ithaca that sells sports paraphernalia and apparel, you will see plenty of Yankee merchandise, and not much Mets, and even more Boston Red Sox merchandise than Mets. Boston is in Massachusetts. The Dangerfieldish nature of the Mets persona is evident even with the franchise team in Binghamton, which this year changed its name from the Mets to the Rumble Ponies. This is not a typo. It’s actually not so much a matter of respect as of marketing. In minor league ball, the trend for the past decade or so has been names featuring an animal and an adjective that is either quizzical or colorful. Ouropinion
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fusion as to what you will pay to go to the airport or to Ithaca Mall, for instance. But these regulations don’t account for ridesharing apps and therefore, segregate these companies from the competition, a trend similar to one pointed out in a 2014 article by the Harvard Business Review: price regulation is killing the taxi industry while helping Uber. You could always regulate the companies, some government groups have argued, but that might lead to the companies pulling out, as Uber did to Austin, Texas last year. If the taxi companies are allowed to die (though unlikely, considering their reliance on business via Medicaid recipients under state law), there is no guarantee that Uber and Lyft’s
Among the Rumble Ponies’ competitors in the Eastern League are the Akron Rubber Ducks, Erie Seawolves, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Portland Sea Dogs, Hartford Yard Goats, and New Hampshire Fisher Cats (I don’t know how they missed “New Hampshire Hamsters,” or if you really want to get quizzical, “New Hamster Hampshires”). The concept is an attentiongetting moniker that suits cartoon logos and mascots. Children like it, and children are the engine for much merchandise purchase at minor league ballgames, which cater to families. It can be tough on adu lt fans, though. A grown-up can feel a little funny expressing affection for Rumble Ponies. The team used to be known as the B-Mets and I have taken to calling them the Ex-Mets. I need time. Still, I go to the games (two this year so far), and root, root, root for the home team, or as near to home as there is. I recommend the outing. It’s a quick, enjoyable trip out of town. The level of play is good, the tickets are cheap, the ballpark is clean, and the fans wellbehaved. Don’t feel obliged to wave at the mascot if you don’t want to. Stephen P. Burke is a columnist for the Ithaca Times. His column, Ithaca Notes, appears biweekly.
corporate structure w ill recreate themselves to ensure the stability of small-town transportation. They are a private company, not a public service, and therefore have no stake in your getting from Point A to Point B. Uber has been rumored to have an IPO coming up, after all, and will soon have shareholders to answer to. And maybe if they’re lucky, the drivers will get to make a buck too. According to our readings, there are now multiple Uber and Lyft drivers in the area. If anyone is willing to do a comparison of them and all the taxi companies, we would be more than willing to publish it. For science.
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topped with lemon and olive oil, parsley and mint, plus special light Turkish seasonings.” With the addition of new equipment and new skills Unsal has also added a good size Turkish Steak: hand cut and much in demand. More chicken options have premiered. For those who love eggplant, there are still seven eggplant choices. And the delicate olive oil and the olives which come from the Mediterranean part of Turkey, across the sea from Greece, still grace each diner’s meal. Open all day, serving lunch and dinner and those who arrive between meals, old and new diners have welcomed the extended lunch and dinner menus. Those who cannot resist ordering their customary favorite can be heard negotiating with a fellow diner to order a new dish and they will go halfsies. Unsal has crammed a lot into his 28 years, and Istanbul Restaurant and Cafe is just part of his life. Spending as much time as possible with his sons, he also coaches soccer for the fourth year in Lansing. Growing up, he played soccer all the time, almost every day he says. “I am thrilled that my children can play soccer too; and I am glad to give back to the community we love.” Despite the demands of a lively restaurant, Unsal spends as much time as he can doing his restaurant work at home, while his kids do their homework. His youngest started kindergarten last year and it was a big transition. Now he has made good friends, and looks forward to school next year. “And he and we loved his teacher,” Unsal beams. “I can’t believe that his wrestling coach was Kyle Dake, four-time Gold Medalist! He is great with the kids and a hero in Lansing. He is a great guy and a great role model for the children, for all of us.” Luckily Carina’s parents are a big part of this young family’s life. An Ithaca College graduate, she handles the endless bookkeeping and paperwork and grew up right here: in beautiful, rural Tompkins County. Unsal raised by another close, loving family in urban Istanbul 5,000+ miles away, this couple is committed to their children feeling connected to both cultures and their relatives. Last summer, Unsal’s younger sister spent three weeks in Lansing, and the winter of 2015 Unsal and Carina and their boys spent 12 days in Istanbul. “Annual travel with a growing family’s schedule is difficult,” Unsal said. “Now with the outbursts of terrorism in Turkey travel is even more problematic. I wish it were different, but there were attacks near my Father’s bakery. The attacks affect everyone and business too in my country. Turkish people are tired and scared and they can’t enjoy life as much as they used to do.” “We try to model how people from different cultures can respect each other, be good to each other and to their community members, and be good to the earth.” Marjorie Olds is a columnist for the Ithaca Times. Her column appears monthly.
The
Week Of 6/25-7/1 By Vaughn Golden Barbara Lifton NY State Assembly & Tom O’Mara NY State Senate
The New York state legislature was supposed to be gone and settling down in their home districts this week, however Governor Cuomo had different plans in order to settle on last minute piece of business. Mayoral control over New York City’s schools was the issue in question, but more issues were tacked on the side of the mayor’s control of the city’s schools. One of the most crucial issues that didn’t make it into the legislator’s chamber during regular session was the yearly provision to extend all of the upstate counties’ sales tax revenues. The legislature did reach a deal to hammer out both of these differences however. The ultimate resolution gives control to New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio over the city’s schools for another year. It also tacks on provisions extending the upstate counties sales tax revenues for another year, allocates funding to alleviate flood damage on Lake Ontario, and mandates full-day kindergarten for all New York schools.
Tom Reed U.S. Congress Congressman Tom Reed sponsored a bill this week expand Medicare coverage for t ype II diabetes patients. Reed, who co-chairs the house Diabetes Caucus, says the legislation would expand access to, often expensive, insulin medication that is often necessary for diabetics across the district. His provision would make it so that those receiving coverage under the plan could be subject to tax breaks. In addition, Reed also signed on as cosponsor to legislation that would prevent marijuana dispensaries across the country from being accountable to any other federal tax breaks.
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten gillibrand - U.S. Congress Senator Chuck Schumer was tour the district making a stop in Cortland to tout his efforts compact the local effects of the opioid epidemic. He visited local authorities to comment on the situation in Cortland and surrounding counties. On June 30, both Schumer and Gillibrand announced $190,000 in federal funding for the Cortland Fire Department. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The Cortland Fire Department will use this funding to purchase new vehicles. Editor’s note: Government stuff takes a break soon and this column space will be open. If you have ideas or opinions, email editor@ithacatimes.com
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