Table Hopping November 2022

Beauty & Fashion

by rachel douglass

Item

of

the Month: The Statement Tie

As traditional workplace attire is becoming less common, the tie seems to be a slightly out-of-place trend to be making rounds. However, it has arguably become ‘the’ accessory of choice on both runways and in street style. It was the statement tie in particular that had a hold on fashion leaders, each of which were seen putting their own individual twists on the former office musthave. Bold colors and eye-catching prints helped to emphasise the popular accessory, seeing it transcend its typical confinements and bring it into a new fashionforward era of existence.

Despite its links to formal office wear or occasion wear, this season’s interpretation of the tie makes the accessory more of a fashion-forward statement piece. Its presence can be particularly attributed to the ongoing collegiate trend that draws inspiration from American college attire and preppy styles. It could also be tied into the growing tendency to more casual office wardrobes, as spurred on by the increase in work-from-home lifestyles that came to head during the pandemic. As these trends collide, the popularity of the tie as a wardrobe essential has risen, placing it in the spotlight for the

The tie was the must-have accessory for runway collections, present in both women’s and men’s lines. Bold stripes in eye-catching colorways were a particularly popular choice. The look was donned in a college-inspired line, in bright greens and pinks and other highly contrasting hues. Some brands, such as Dolce & Gabbana and Dries van Noten opted for ties in a more formal fashion. Paul Smith, among others, however, took to matching ties to button up shirts, a subtle take on the popular trend. While the look prominently contributed to runway collections, it was also heavily spotted among street styles.

The tie’s new purpose has seen it transform into a daily accessory, crossing seamlessly

between menswear and womenswear as a genderbending wardrobe staple. Despite its transformation, it has still been used as a neck piece, popularly worn in its typical fastening with a button up shirt, in oversized proportions. Draw inspiration from past eras by layering up the look with a leather jacket and mini skirt for edgy daywear. The accessory can also be experimented with, leaving it open to be used more as a scarf or tied around the waist as a belt, providing multiple opportunities for use.

For the upcoming seasons, the tie has transcended its typical traditional workplace status and become a must-have, fashion-forward accessory that has been spotted within all areas of the industry. Shoppers can make a statement with both bold colors and simple designs, giving the tie a new place as a boundary-pushing daily wear item.

“Despite its links to formal office wear or occasion wear, this season’s interpretation of the tie makes the accessory more of a fashion-forward statement piece.”

Now Playing

by BriaN miller

Halloween Ends

When Jamie Lee Curtis returned to the HALLOWEEN franchise in 2018, I don’t mind telling you that I didn’t really care one way or the other. The franchise, I thought, had been bled dry. How much more could they possibly do? Aside from the litany of sequels, it even received the reboot treatment courtesy of Rob Zombie. Michael Meyers had been killed a million different ways, and, aside from being the embodiment of evil, he wasn’t even that interesting of a character anyway. Sure, he was terrifying, but what was the point of seeing him grotesquely slay yet another unsuspecting victim?

Imagine my surprise, then, when HALLOWEEN was a pretty fantastic movie. It served as a direct sequel to the original, ignoring all other chapters that came before it. Curtis revisited the role that made her a star and brought with it a refreshing take on a familiar tale. Two further sequels were shortly confirmed, promising to bring the saga of Laurie and Michael to a thrilling conclusion.

Though HALLOWEEN was a knockout, HALLOWEEN KILLS barely packed a punch. Relegating Curtis to the sidelines, it reintroduced plenty of characters from the original, but reverted back to the same ol’ tediousness that had bogged down the franchise for years. There was some hope that this was just the middling precursor to the spectacular finish, but HALLOWEEN ENDS is far more “meh” than “marvelous.”

Four years after the events of HALLOWEEN KILLS, Laurie and her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) are now living together and trying to get their lives on track. Allyson is working as a nurse at a physician’s office while Laurie plays the role of doting grandma. She is also attempting to write a book about the tragic events that

have befallen her and her community. It is a community, as it turns out, that really kind of can’t stand Laurie. They blame her for Michael’s rampage and will occasionally accost her in public in order to lay a guilt trip on her for the actions of a homicidal giant in a Captain Kirk mask.

Laurie isn’t the only person constantly harassed in the quaint little town of Haddonfield. While babysitting one night, Corey (Rohan Campbell) inadvertently causes a kid to tumble over the railing of a large staircase. This results in one of the few genuinely shocking moments in the film, along with lifetime of scorn for Corey. Laurie sees him being harassed by some local punks (I’ll let you guess whether or not said punks make it through the entire movie) and takes pity on him. When Allyson and Corey end up dating, Laurie thinks all as well, until she sees something unsettling in Corey’s eyes.

The perceptive Laurie was correct, of course. The reason Corey seems a little off is because he has forged a random and weird relationship with Michael Meyers, who is apparently just chillin’ in the sewer system of Haddonfield. Meyers has entered the mentoring phase of his murdering career and wordlessly forges a maniacal bond with Corey. Corey gets a taste of the good ol’ Meyers bloodlust, and

“HALLOWEEN ENDS is far more ‘meh’ than ‘marvelous’.”

Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie in Halloween Ends

1129 North state st. syracuse NY 13208 Phone: 315.474.1011 Fax: 315.474.7072

PU b LISHE r: Shawn Fresina

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Jim Bastian

GRAPHIC ARTISTS: lauren Brown, Jamie wallace

SOCIAL MEDIA: Jennifer Nastasi-guzelak

Interior Images: Freepik.com, Pixabay.com, Freeimages.com & Pexels.com.

starts teaching lessons to those who have wronged him. What was built as an epic conclusion to the story that began in 1979 is largely misleading, as Corey is far more of a focal point than Michael. Whereas Laurie had very little screentime in KILLS, Michael is largely vacant this time around. The film ends up being more of a weird psychological horror romance than anything else, which may have worked, had it not been billed as a HALLOWEEN movie. There are a couple of superb sequences, and credit should be given for an attempt at some genuine character development, but this creates plenty of loose ends and scattered scenes that never quite come together. HALLOWEEN fans will delight in the opening credit sequence and some of the more gruesome elements of the production, and admittedly, the hyped (and obligatory) Laurie vs. Michael showdown will satisfy some, though even that has a highly questionable decision attached to it that fans will no doubt have opinions over. Whether this is truly the end of the road for the franchise remains to be seen, but given what we’ve seen over the past three decades, I find it very hard to believe we’ve seen the last of Michael Meyers.

HALLOWEEN ENDS- C (Now playing in theaters and streaming on Peacock)

diNiNg

out

by Keri Micale

The Inn Between

oF iNterest

beauty & fashion by Rachel Douglass 2 now Playing by Brian Miller 4 the write stuff by Nancy Roberts 8 Preventative medicine by Dr. Barry 10 exercise & fitness by Jennifer Nastasi Guzela 14 sPorts take by Mike Lindsley 20 sounds of syracuse by Chuck Schiele 22 my mind to yours by Debra Merryweather 24 streaming now by Brian Miller 26 comPuters by Nancy Roberts 30 golf by Jon Sherman 32 tales from the vine by Andreas Widmer 34 also . . . music & events . . . . . . . 28 classifieds . . . . . . . . . 30 reciPe . . . . . . . . . . . 33

the street by Bill McClellan Ted Limpert for Onondaga District Court Judge

word

BusiNess

by Nancy Roberts NYS Craft Brewers Festival

Rohan Campbell as Corey

dining out

by KerilYN e micale

The Inn Between

As a lover of all things delicious I have found that my favorite dining experiences are those that appeal to all five senses. Indulge me for a moment and let’s take a trip together to one of my absolute favorite places to enjoy an evening, The Inn Between in Camillus. While you are taking a scenic drive out of Syracuse, past where the highway ends, you see a gorgeous sprawling farm complete with pond, apiary, fruit trees, beautiful landscaping and of course a prestigious manor house. The historical building has been adapted into a restaurant where you are lucky enough to have

Due to the fact that each meal is hand crafted to order, seating is limited so you will want to make reservations ahead of time by calling 315-672-3166.

There are so many things that truly stand out at The Inn Between. Let’s start with the chefs, and by that I mean well trained, highly skilled, and masters of the culinary arts. The culinary team consists of some of the finest chefs in upstate NY, all from the Camillus area with certifications and awards too numerous to mention! This team of culinary artists consists of Certified Executive Chef Cesta, who shares his 40 years of talent with Chef Randy Colman, and his 50 years of experience (a man truly deserving of the title “Master Chef”), Chef de cuisine, James Neuman, Sous Chef (and award winning pastry chef!), Jeremy Patterson, and Santo Rosario, the amazing steward. These people have tirelessly worked together at The Inn Between for many years. Then there is the dining room staff and, my goodness, I don’t know how they find these staff members but their service is strictly top notch. Not only do they seem to remember every single customer that has ever been in, they do it with such warm and grace that even if the dining room is full they

reservations. As you walk through the double doors you are welcomed both by the warm hostess and the intoxicating scents of this evening’s offerings and you feel your mouth already start to water! You are quickly seated at the best table in the house (after all, every seat is the best one if you get to occupy it here!) You may hear the words “welcome back!” “great to see you again,” or even “wow I can’t believe how big your kids are getting!” and you will again be reminded that you made an excellent choice in coming to The Inn Between. As you get comfortable at your table you may notice being overcome by a feeling of luxury as you touch the linens, glassware and silverware. You may also notice that as each dish arrives, from the amuse-bouche all the way to the dessert, the plates and plating is exceptional and adds a wonderful visual element to your enjoyment. As each dish arrives you will again regale in the intoxicating aromas each ingredient adds. And of course, with each and every bite you will delight in handcrafted flavors that appeal to every last taste bud! Now that you’ve expirenced this journey through your senses by reading, let me suggest making a reservation at The Inn Between! They are located at 2290 West Genesee Turnpike in Camillus. They are open Wednesday through Saturday with dining service with reservations beginning at 5 pm.

somehow still make you feel like you are their only table. The service that every customer receives is just remarkable and makes this dining experience from remarkable to completely incredible!

“I am truly humbled by this and acknowledge that it is my entire team that earn and deserve these accolades additionally there are many talented chefs and cooks in our region that deserve to be honored as well.”

Kyle, the little ones, and I went to The Inn Between on a crisp fall Wednesday evening. Upon entering the warm and cozy restaurant we were immediately greeted by the friendly hostess and brought to our romantic table near the window. Shortly thereafter we met our friendly and knowledgeable server who made us feel like we were her only table; her service was absolutely exemplary! One of the nice and unique things about The Inn Between is that dinner begins with a super creative amuse-bouche, a single bite hors d’oeuvre hand crafted by the chef. Tonight’s creation was a beautiful seasonal butternut squash soup served in an adorable cup and saucer. We always look forward to this little treat and we love how the Chef incorporates seasonal flavors. After hearing the delectable specials, we decided to start our meal with an order of the appetizer special for the evening, the Calamari served with lemon and aioli. These were generous pieces of lightly fried calamari that paired perfectly with the creamy aioli – even the kids loved this dish. We also ordered the Baked Oysters with spinach, parmesan and garlic butter, mornay sauce served on the half shell. This dish was as visually stunning as it was

honored as well. Chefs and their respected restaurants and cuisines have truly added to the enjoyment and wellbeing of not only the residents but the many travelers to our region as well. I honestly share the honor with each and every one of these culinarians from breakfast cooks to burger makers and anyone who picks up a knife and set of tongs to serve the public with the passion we do.”

At The Inn Between they have a saying that “You haven’t dined at your favorite restaurant until you’ve dined at The Inn Between” and I promise you that this saying is absolutely true! Visit the website at www.inn-between.com or check them out on Facebook to stay up to date with their amazing specials and pictures of the delicious selections. Whether The Inn Between is already your favorite restaurant or it is your soon to be favorite restaurant after your first visit you need to treat yourself to a fantastic meal at The Inn Between as soon as possible! Make reservations today and treat yourself to an amazing meal and an all-around fantastic dining experience.

delicious. If you are a lover of oysters you absolutely must try this dish because it was perfection on a plate. Next, we were then served our beautiful salads with homemade rolls and their famous date nut bread served with honey butter from the onsite apiary. Kyle decided on the specialty salad which was a beautiful salad topped with toasted almonds raspberry vinaigrette with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese. I decided on the Caesar salad topped with anchovies (I love anchovies!) so there was no way I was passing that up! For an entrée Kyle decided on the Tenderloin Steak Neptune, a positively stunning dish with grilled tenderloin steaks, lobster, crab, asparagus, béarnaise and beef demi-glaze and served with whipped baked potatoes and fresh vegetables. This dish is equal parts beautiful and tasty and I certainly snuck a few bites from his plate! The oysters and calamari set me on a seafood kick so I decided to keep it going and ordered the Maine Lobster Plate! The dish is centered on the most perfect broiled lobster tail with Clams casino (whole little neck clams topped with bacon, pepper and crumb topping and served on the half shell- so yummy!) and crab stuffed shrimp that are just out of this world amazing. We absolutely could not pass up a dish from the beautiful dessert tray. We actually had a hard time making our selections because everything was absolutely mouthwatering! Kyle was absolutely blown away by the apple crumb dessert and I would highly recommend the strawberry almond puff pastry filled with lavish cream! Chef Cesta would like to tell the readers that he is honored to receive the Table Hopping readers’ poll award for best chef over the past three years. “I am truly humbled by this and acknowledge that it is my entire team that earn and deserve these accolades additionally there are many talented chefs and cooks in our region that deserve to be

the write stuff

by NaNcY roBerts

Time and Again

by Jack Finney, published:

1970

As a rule, I don’t like to review a book until I’ve finished it. It seems like cheating, somehow, and more to the point – how will I know I like the way it ends? Ok, I cheated. I read the last page already, which is something I started doing as a kid, and I have no idea why.

What I will say is, though in one way it would seem likely to ruin any suspense the book might generate – after all, I know if Joe lives ‘til the end, don’t I? But then, in another way, it allows me to evaluate the book: did the author do a good job of leading to the conclusion, or was it just tacked on? Or even better, did I forget all about that last page “cheat” because I got so involved in the story that I didn’t think about it? With this book, either way would have been fine, cheat or no. I’m actually surprised that in all my reading, especially of fantasy, Sci-Fi and time travel, I never stumbled on this one before. And “stumble” is about the exact way I encountered it – and I still don’t know how it ended up on my bookshelf! It was late one night, and I couldn’t sleep. I was reading some non-fiction, and my brain wasn’t quite up to that. I stumbled to the bookshelf in my room and grabbed the first thing that didn’t look too long and that I hadn’t read recently. In fact, I realized as I studied the cover, while the title looked familiar, I didn’t remember ever reading it –and it was fresh and the spine uncracked. How did it come to be there?

I settled in and couldn’t stop for several chapters (and woke up with the book in

my hands).

For many readers, this is the grand-daddy of time travel books. I would guess that that’s because (and this is also one of its chief criticisms by some readers) there is no technology involved in the time travel. No machine, no special equipment or room or even stones or stellar alignment. Instead, the traveler must be in a location that existed at the time he intends to travel to, and then immerse himself in the period and place. Then, using a form of self-hypnosis, convince himself that he will, in fact, move through time (and with luck, back again to his present if he chooses). If this sounds like the film, Somewhere in Time, it does in fact use a strikingly similar technique, though since Finney wrote his book prior to the one the film is based on (in 1970), he might be given credit for the method. But as it turns out, the writer of that book (Richard Matheson, another favorite author, who wrote I Am Legend among others) based his book, published in 1975, on the writing of

J.B. Priestly, who published his time travel tome in 1964. So, as of right now, it’s Priestly for the win. Having not read either Matheson’s or Priestly’s work, I can only say that the distinguishing feature of Time and Again is the details – and our shared experience of them with the protagonist, Simon (Si) Morley. Recruited to be part of a top secret government experiment,

“It was the wonder of seeing New York not just as it was in all those old black and white photos, or advertising sketches from antique newspapers and cards that kept me enthralled, but through the eyes of someone like myself had they actually woken up there.”

our hero (an advertising sketch artist) becomes even more intrigued by his mission when his girlfriend shares with him a letter that confesses to a crime that leads to the suicide of the writer. They want to learn who is he, and what the “world burning” event he writes about might be.

As Si travels back in time to 1882, New York City, he not only involves himself in a mystery and with some intriguing characters, but he explores the city as it was then from his home base in a then-vacant apartment in The Dakota (yes, that Dakota, the alter-ego of the Bramford of Rosemary and her baby; the home of John Lennon outside which he was killed) and we see New York City through his wondering eyes. In one long day, he arrives to find his house-mates at 19 Gramercy heading out for some sleighriding in the park. We are immersed in the 19th century. We can hear the bells, the clip-clop of the horses hoofs, the calls of children sledding and throwing snowballs; we can feel the chill of the day and the scratch of woolen mufflers around our necks and fur hats sitting firmly snugged on our heads; we can take part in the singing, eating, and drinking to warm ourselves later. And then we can come crashing back to our own perspective as we ride along on a bobtail trolley, in which the driver explains that he must stand outside in the freezing cold to drive the horse as a driver one night fell asleep and died of the cold as he was sitting at his post. We hear about the orphans and working children nestling down in hale bales by the river to try to stay warm; we see the pitiful attempts of the poor to wrap enough layers of clothing around themselves to try not to freeze, and the 14 hour long days of street vendors selling gadgets and fruits from baskets and bags they carry, walking and walking through the less lovely parts of town.

Suffice to say, Si gets more involved than he intends; he is threatened with the plug being pulled on the project as parallel studies have resulted in dangerous accidents and even a death; and he realizes he can’t just leave what he has discovered without trying to make it right. On that level, the story is a solidly good novel of intrigue.

But for me, it was the wonder of seeing New York not just as it was in all those old black and white photos, or advertising sketches from antique newspapers and cards that kept me enthralled, but through the eyes of someone like myself had they actually woken up there.

Peter Jackson created an absolute masterpiece of a film, They Shall Not Grow Old, about World War I, by piecing together old film clips from the era, colorizing them, adjusting the speed, and adding sound. He managed to tell a little “story” about characters – real people – young men who went to war with great good spirits and high-minded intentions, and the horror they found as the shells began to explode, the bullets to fly and their friends drop around them. It makes a period we think of only in a five-times-removed, colorless, soundless, motionless way, come alive. And suddenly the people are real; the events are real; the story is real.

If you have spent any time in New York City, you’ll recognize the landmarks Finney refers to: Broadway, 5th Avenue, The Dakota, Gramercy Park, Central Park. You’ll “see” them as you have seen them yourself. And you’ll see them as Si does when he lands in the past century, and walks around a town the tallest building of which was Trinity Church. In color. Moving, talking, shouting, real.

I do recall getting a small hint of Si’s experience when walking around Wall Street, on

some of the still-cobbled side streets, and seeing the old buildings that still stand there, and being greeted by street vendors selling toys and foods and postcards. But between the author’s absolute attention to detail, and his use of old photos, new sketches, and probably staged new photos to invoke the work of 1882 –and his artist’s eye as well as his amazed time traveler’s shocks in experiencing it, we are taken along with him on an excursion that, though it was written nearly 55 years ago, reads as real to us now as it might have had we read it when it was written. Or had we actually lived it.

Finney was, himself, a advertising artist, born in 1911, and might have seen remnants of the world he takes us back to. He’s probably best known as the author of the book, The Body Snatchers, that you never read but no doubt saw the movie based upon it, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Finney was also a prolific short story writer in the great last age of the short story, writing for Colliers, Cosmopolitan, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, McCall’s, The Saturday Evening Post, and more.

The question I’m left with, though, is this: how did that book come to be on my bookshelf, just when I was looking for a book just like it to read? Why didn’t I notice it before? Was it left there for me, perhaps?

And: what happens in the end? Questions to be answered.

Preventive medicine

by dr. BarrY

Mission Not Impossible

I am on a mission. A mission to drag you and your medical provider into the 22 Century. There are simple, inexpensive blood tests you should have done that are not getting ordered routinely and they are much more important than your blood type, your cholesterol, your blood glucose etc. The two tests are your insulin level, done fasting, and your omega 3:6 ratio.

Although vital for life, excess insulin is linked to pretty much every inflammatory process in your body from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to dementia. Those of you who follow Dr. Peter Atia know that he believes this is the most important blood test you can do to assess your current health and it’s the best marker to predict your future health. Dr. Gundry believes the same thing. Your insulin level will be abnormal years and years before your blood sugar or HAIC ( a marker of diabetic control) levels are abnormal. It’s a simple blood draw and when combined with your blood sugar you can calculate your insulin resistance. The lower your insulin and the lower your insulin resistance the better your health. I do this test all the time on my patients and I never get blowback from the insurance companies. Tell your doctor to use the codes for insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome.

Just as important in my metabolic book is the Omega 3:6 ratio. To grossly oversimplify, the Omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA are key ingredients to every cell membrane in the body. The Standard American Diet is so low in these essential fatty acids that we have to supplement if we want to get sufficient levels in our bodies.

Anthropologists have speculated that it may be that Homo Sapiens beat out Neanderthals because we lived mostly in coastal areas, ate more fish which contain abundant EPA and DHA and therefore grew bigger brains and outcompeted the Neanderthals. I wasn’t there so it’s only a theory but it seems plausible and attests to the importance of these nutrients in the brain and the body. Here is a general reference about the vital role these fatty acids play in our body. PMID=22332096. Just type that number into your search bar and the article will pop up.

So, these essential fatty acids play a critical role in cell membrane function and involve every cell in your body and luckily can be measured by the lab and impacted by our diets and supplementation. Historically, we are supposed to have a one to one ratio of the healthy anti inflammatory omega 3’s to the inflammatory omega 6’s. Omega 6 fats are found in fried food and in almost all the seed oils like canola, corn, sunflower, etc. You need both omega 3 and omega 6, but just like a good cake recipe there is the proper ratio for these fatty acids. So ideally we should have a 1:1 ratio but with the modern American diet which is low in Omega 3 and high in Omega 6 many people have a 10:1 ratio or a 20:1 ratio. This altered ratio is a disaster for the function of the cell membranes and therefore for your health. Two proponents of measuring Omega 3 / 6 ratios are Dr. Chris Knobbe and Dr. Paul Mason, both of whom have great Youtube videos on this issue. Dr. William Harris is probably the world expert on Omega 3 and he focuses on just the Omega 3 level. Best health outcomes are with an Omega 3 level above 8. Worse health outcomes are with an Omega 3 level of less than 4. In between is a work in progress.

Contain Omega 3s Not

One of my functions at my office is to work with my Nurse Practitioners to help them understand these fundamental metrics of your health as these are still not really covered in their schooling nor is it really covered in medical school. I have shared with them articles that detail the importance of Omega 3’s and the right ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6. This article focuses on the Omega 3 levels and risk for heart disease. The lower the Omega 3 level the higher the risk for heart disease.

PMID =20551373

“So ideally we should have a 1:1 ratio but with the modern American diet which is low in Omega 3 and high in Omega 6 many people have a 10:1 ratio or a 20:1 ratio. This altered ratio is a disaster for the function of the cell membranes and therefore for your health.”

This article discusses a correlation between the Omega 3 level and Telomere length. Telomeres are found at the ends of your chromosomes and the longer the telomere the longer your life expectancy. Higher Omega 3 levels are associated with longer Telomere length. PMID= 35189049. This article correlates Omega 3 levels with brain MRI scans showing inflammatory changes. The higher the Omega 3 levels the less inflammation of the brain. Inflammation equals dementia. PMID = .22371413

Finally here is an article that evaluates the Omega 3 levels in 42,400 patients. The higher the Omega 3 the lower the all cause mortality. That’s all cause mortality and it’s pretty impressive. PMID=33888689

translate that for you. Lower your carbohydrates to lower your insulin. To improve your Omega 3:6 ratio stop using most commercial salad dressings and cut down the fried food. As importantly, to improve your Omega 3 level, get more fish and nuts in your diet. However, if you want to get your Omega 3 level really in the

Contain Omega 6s

So, work with your provider to get these labs ordered. You can follow your Omega 3 level, you can follow your Omega 3:6 ratio and you can follow your insulin and insulin resistance. These are vital signs for your metabolic status. These are not expensive labs and I use them over and over to measure whether patients are working on their diets. It’s not just about measuring your weight. Ok, I have told you that Omega 3 is good and high insulin levels are bad. Let me

right range you need to supplement with fish oil, krill oil or my favorite...Carlson’s Lab Cod Liver Oil in Glass with Lemon Flavor. This is not your grandma’s cod liver oil. This is really quite palatable and will greatly improve your Omega 3 level and your Omega 3:6 ratio. Try it for yourself and see. Get your numbers measured. Take action and remeasure. This isn’t just about improving numbers on a piece of paper. I am convinced that if you lower your insulin level and raise your Omega 3 level you will feel better. Why not see for yourself? Until next month….get well and stay well, J T BARRY MD

Lower your carbohydrates

“There are simple, inexpensive blood tests you should have done that are not getting ordered routinely and they are much more important than your blood type, your cholesterol, your blood glucose etc.”

Busi ness of i nterest

by NaNcY roBerts

sports take New York State Craft Brewers Festival

I love the artwork of wine labels, but craft beer branding is every bit as artistic, often beautiful – and it evokes the history of beer, brewing, NYS, hops, the personalities of the brewers, and in some cases, just the fun of enjoying a brew with friends – good times, good memories, good beer.

Let’s do a short quiz, shall we?

I’ll name a brand, you tell me why you’d recognize it as a brewery from our State! • Rusty Nickel • Prison City • 315 • Big Ditch

Then I could go even easier on you with Hamburg, Heritage Hill, Lake Placid,

used to promote beard growth!), to an animal (wild or beloved – or both!), an idea, or a mood. The point being: beer, like music, art, and imagery, is fun, unforgettable, and has a way of bringing people together for the very best of times.

And then there’s the fact that though we’ve named several New York State breweries, there will be more than 60 at the Landmark Theatre in November at the New York State Craft Brewers Festival to help you celebrate the art, craft, and tastes of New York State brewed craft beers.

Since 2013, the New York State Brewers Association has been holding the festival, now the oldest and longest-running of the many that they hold state-wide.

“There’s something about the Landmark,” said Association Executive Director, Paul Leone. “When you stand on that stage and taste the beers – and when the brewers serve it – you can’t help thinking about the history of the place. You might have seen your

Some breweries from our state

favorite band play there.”

the write stuff

And, like the Landmark Theatre, brewing beer is definitely bound up in the history of New York State. Prior to Prohibition, there were 386 breweries in the state, one of the reasons being the plentiful fresh water the state boasts. In addition, New York State was a huge producer of hops, one of the four essential ingredients in brewing beer, the others being water, malted barley, and yeast. And equally important, Leone adds, “New York State has been supportive legislatively of the industry, and it’s our job at the Association to keep that relationship positive.” And clearly something’s working: New York State now boasts over 500 craft breweries tempting the tastebuds of beer lovers.

The creative side of brewing craft beer can be easily seen on the taps, bottles, cans, and advertising – but more importantly, it’s in the flavor of the brews. As Leone explains, “The brewers like to get creative, and offer beer lovers something new and different, as well as their old favorites in terms of flavors – right now the heavily fruited sours are quite popular, but one of the best reasons to come to the festival is to taste and discover new beer and breweries.”

With the large number of breweries represented at the festival – from all corners of the state, encompassing regions as distinct and diverse as the Adirondacks to Long Island, Buffalo to the Hudson Valley – you’re sure to find something to add to your list of loves. And you’re assured to have fun challenging your taste buds! And your beer will be poured by the brewery owners themselves, so if you have questions, or you just like to “talk beer,” the festival is definitely the place for you.

I asked Leone about the “post-pandemic” situation for the brewing industry. “It’s still a challenge,” he said. “While people are glad to get back out enjoying their favorite craft breweries, we’re still looking at challenges like supply chain issues, increased costs, and labor. But the breweries are still committed to doing their best for their customers.”

The limits on the world barley supply, and the supply of material for cans have both added to costs, but the aim of brewers is to limit the impact as much as possible. “And breweries have been challenged by labor shortages,” added Leone. “So if you’re looking for a great career, lots of fun and plenty of opportunities, this is it!” And while it may not seem like a tall order for a true beer lover, visiting your local craft breweries, and attending fund-raiser festivals like this one, are ways of ensuring that your favorite brews will be here far into the future.

The NYS Brewers Association was originally founded in 1830, halting operations during Prohibition. Re-organized in 2003, the association offers support and marketing to the craft beer industry in the state. In addition, beer lovers can find t-shirts and mugs, and if you want to explore the many member breweries throughout the state, “We’ve got an app for that!” says Leone. The cool

free New York Craft Beer app offers two “passport programs,” a and the Empire State Trail Brewery Passport. The maps help you find the destination breweries, and you can collect virtual “stamps” as you go, earning “Think New York, Drink New York® beer gear.

“The point being: beer, like music, art, and imagery, is fun, unforgettable, and has a way of bringing people together for the very best of times.”

exercise & Fitness

by JeNNiFer Nastasi guzelaK

November Is the Your Month to Get Back in Shape

any to make your physical well-being a priority. Here are a few strategies to help start this month off on the right foot.

Make Fitness More Social

It can be tough to stick with your exercise program. Especially if you’re doing it all on your own! Find an exercise partner – co-worker, friend, significant other, roommate – to help you stay motivated. Once you have a workout companion be creative and make your workouts fun. If you’re out of ideas, try something new like a group fitness class. This is a great way to share time with others and get a great workout in without having to plan ahead. It’s also a great way to avoid focusing on how tired, sweaty and bored you are.

Only Change One Thing at a Time

Time seems to accelerate once the holiday season begins. Most of us cram a huge number of activities and social events into our calendars in a short period of time.

Now more than ever, you may struggle to manage your weight and your workouts. Be honest though. You’re always busy! Why question your will to commit to exercise now? Busy people get the job done!

We all want to be fit but we can’t quite seem to make it happen. The truth is, getting in shape takes time, commitment, consistency and a lot of hard work. It can only be improved minimally from day to day and to create a significant amount of improvement it can take months or even years.

The gym is a selfish time because naturally it’s for yourself. It’s okay! It’s time to make choices that are going to be best for you and your well-being. It does not mean you’re being selfish or even rude. It means you know your value and respect yourself enough to take care of your body, mind and soul.

There is never a good time to let your health slide. November is as good a time as

Becoming fit requires adopting several new habits. This is why we call it a “lifestyle change.” However, to ensure your success, I suggest that you adopt one new habit at a time. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Once this has become a habit, choose another thing to fix.

Make it a Priority

If you’re going to be successful in this area of your life, it has to be a priority. If you don’t have the time, you’ll have to create the space in your life to make it happen. Once it becomes part of your every day routine you won’t even have to think about it.

Find a Way to Enjoy It

Keeping up with your fitness routine is going to be a lot easier if you enjoy the activity. Whether it’s Zumba, racquetball, indoor soccer, swimming or hiking, pick something that you won’t dread doing! When you enjoy an activity, you’ll look forward to it.

“The truth is, getting in shape takes time, commitment, consistency and a lot of hard work.”

Learn to say no to the doggie bag

Take the First Step

The most important thing is to just get started. Pack your bag and head to the gym. Throw on your shoes and go for a walk. Decide to skip the donut and have an apple instead. All roads leading to better health and fitness require simple decisions like these.

Don’t Skip Workouts

After a long day at work, it’s really easy to skip a trip to the gym. However, with the holiday season upon us, it’s more important than ever to get your workouts in. Making it to the gym regularly will help reduce holiday stress, give you more energy throughout the day and help keep your weight in check.

Don’t Cheat

Just when you think you’ve made it to the bottom of your Halloween candy stash, Thanksgiving hits you smack in the face. Food-related gatherings make it easy to over

In Conclusion:

The time you take for yourself to exercise and eat right is an investment! You are investing time now in order to gain extra years later. Making yourself a priority is not rude or selfish. It’s necessary.

A season of good health is what you really deserve. This November, focus on developing and maintaining healthy habits. There’s no better time to get started than now. Good luck to you!

I have been a personal trainer for over eighteen years and I absolutely love what I do. I honestly feel that I have one of the best jobs out there! The most rewarding part of my profession is helping one of my clients succeed at reaching their personal fitness goals. Making a difference in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association.

indulge. Cheat meals quickly turn into cheat days and before you know it you’ve fallen off the weight loss wagon.

Leave the Doggie Bag Behind

Learn to say no to the doggie bag! Portion sizes at restaurants are always too big! We always end up coming home with containers of leftover food. When we go to friend and family gatherings, they want to be hospitable and send us home with leftovers. Having extra food in the house will only tempt you to overeat. Saying no is okay. Just be honest and explain that you are trying to be better at practicing healthy eating habits.

Set Realistic Fitness Goals

Fitness goals are an essential part of your wellness journey. Setting goals helps you hold yourself accountable, shows yourself what you are capable of and can also help you push through the more difficult moments to make a longer-lasting change. Keep a journal to track your progress and be sure to reward yourself for each accomplishment no matter how small.

Let It Go

We all slip up from to time to time. Skipped workouts, too many cheat meals and moments of disregard to our health happen to us all. They are not at all indicative of how the future will play out. If you have a bad day or even a bad week, don’t give up! Wake up the next morning and try again.

word on the street

by Bill mcclellaN

Ted Limpert for Onondaga District Court Judge

The Best of the Best

It is all too rare that someone comes along that inspires me to do my very best to choose the words to let you know that someone we need very much has entered the arena. Ted Limpert is running for Onondaga County Court Judge. In politics, election season is a brief window in time. It is to us to recognize when our best have come forward, less when this window closes the quality we need during this vital era will have passed us by. Ted Limpert is the best we can be. It is not just qualifications that set one above the rest. It is what is going on in the heart of one with these qualifications. That is what gives birth to amazing deeds. Ted Limpert is not only unusually highly qualified, he “genuinely

National Guard in 1982. In 1984 he became an operational member of the 174th Fighter wing and was the 138th Fighter Squad Commander from May 2002 to September 2007. Ted is a Pilot. He has over 2200 hours in an F-16 and nearly 750 hours logged in the A-10 Warthog.

On 9/11, for a surreal and eerie period there was only one Civilian Airliner in the Air of the United States. The only other planes in the Air were fighters preventing any incursion into American Air Space and ensuring the safety of the United States. Ted Limpert was flying one those fighters.

cares.” And those two words turn qualification into a mighty force. Especially courageous and professional qualifications such as Ted’s. As County Court Judge Ted will balance justice with compassion. We will come first and fairness will prevail. These are the reasons why we need Ted Limpert.

Ted served his Country with awe-inspiring distinction. He was commissioned in the Air

Ted deployed to Southwest Asia 7 times (Qutar, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qman and Kyrgyzstan). To keep us free and safe from harm Ted flew 106 combat missions far exceeding the life expectancy of a Fighter Pilot. Ted’s bravery and patriotism is an inspiration to all that get to know his story. A story that is still being written. (The average number of Combat Missions in World War II was 35).

Ted was appointed to the bench as City Court judge in 2009 and in 2010 was elected by the people to a 10-year term. Prior to this he was in private practice for 20 years. Ted is a lifelong Syracuse resident. He is married and has four children. He is also a runner, scuba diver and lacrosse coach. Ted graduated from Syracuse University College of Law earning a Juris Doctor Magna Cum Laude. This is conferred upon those students who complete their course of study with a cumulative grade point

“When you see a candidate in this column it is because my lifetime of experience has shown me they will make your life better.”

“We call Ted our Angel”

average of 3.70 to 3.89. And again, please bear in mind in the voting booth that along with Ted’s fabulous qualifications, is that they are complemented by his being a natural good caring man.

Ted has lived his life in the service of all us with great distinction. And all of his deeds have been adjusted to his natural compassion that balances fairness, justice and equal treatment to all. I speak of compassion often in these columns. That is for good reason. Compassion is singularly the human element that separates us from the wild. It is not intellect or ability. It is care and love for others that gives humans humanity, and gives us this remarkable standing among the wonders of God and nature.

Compassion is what gives quality to bravery. Those that think compassion and love carry even an inkling of weakness fail to see where strength and good really lie.

I love this story. It demonstrates how Ted lives his life. When the call came, Dimitri Georgiadis would have exactly four hours to hug his two sons, zip up his bag and motor 253 miles from Syracuse to Philadelphia. If he wasted even 15 minutes, the donated lung would be gone. Organs have strict time restrictions that if exceeded, render the organ not useful for transplant. Word spread quickly through the St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church community. Does anyone know a pilot? Ted Limpert immediately said yes.

At the time Ted was a Syracuse City Court judge, handling every kind of charge from midnight mishaps to human trafficking. They had four hours before the lung would be given to someone else to insure viability. Ted leaned on his decades of experience. He named the mission “TOT – time over target” a military phrase emphasizing the importance of timing. Ted developed a quick strategic plan embracing the flight, ground transportation, checking gas, the weather and any step that would save a minute. Then the unimaginable. Too much fog. We had to drive. The destination was Philadelphia. This fighter pilot made it. They pulled into the hospital in Philadelphia

at 12:43am. With 15 minutes to spare. The operation was a success. The Fighter Pilot arrived in his office for arraignments by 9am. All in a days work for Ted whose Chamber walls displayed commendations from Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dimitri’s wife Eleni said “In Greek “Theodore” means “The Gift of God” – We call Ted our Angel.”

Readers, I am very careful when I run a column on behalf of someone running for office. I have been doing this column for 40 years because you have shown me that you have regard for my voice. I pursue truth and good as best as can be seen with what I am made of. When you see a candidate in this column it is because my lifetime of experience has shown me they will make your life better. Far too seldom do compassionate good people with such qualifications come before us. Please Vote for Ted Limpert for County Court Judge.

Election Day is Nov 8th. http://www.judgetedlimpert.com

City Court Judge

Ted and his family

Brew time

by KristiN merritt

Rocky Mountain High Part Two

I explored a lot of the West this past May, visiting Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. As I said in last month’s article, my trip was, in a sense, somewhat life changing and the awe I experienced both in the landscapes and with nature was extraordinary. I visited two more areas of Colorado post-Denver: Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins.

Just south of Denver, by approximately 1 hour, is the city of Colorado Springs. The city sits closer to the mountains than does Denver and it’s the second largest of all the cities in the state with around 470k residents. My friend Brian, from my college days at Le Moyne, had settled out there and he was set on showing me around town.

I checked into my historic hotel The Mining Exchange by Wyndham, which operated from 1894-1925 as a stock exchange for local mining companies, complete with a giant gold vault that one can still view in the main lobby of the hotel. (There’s actually a total of 17 vaults on the premises!) I then proceeded to spend an evening on the town with Brian and his friends playing TopGolf – which was SO much fun! (Really wish we had one in this area).

The next day we headed to Pikes Peak, the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. We opted to use the Cog Railroad to climb to the peak which sits at 14,115 feet. (Pikes Peak also happens to be one of 54 peaks in Colorado above 14,000 feet.) The Pikes Peak Cog Railroad is only one of 3 such types of railroads in the US. Construction on this line began in 1889 and finished in completion in 1891. Initially the locomotives were run by steam engine, but today, the train is powered by diesel-fueled engines with self-propelled railcars. Between October 2017 and May 2021, the railroad was closed and underwent a complete refurbishment, replacement of track infrastructure and rebuilding and purchasing new railcars and other elements of the rail system.

The 9-mile trek up the mountain took approximately 3.5 hours round trip, which included approximately a 30-minute allotment to spend time at the peak. Both the trip up and down was a great way to experience the views of the surrounding mountains and visualize the different flora and fauna with the elevation changes. The beautiful Aspens gave way to all pine, and then after some time, no further trees grew and the landscape was essentially a tundra! Birds and marmots are able to be seen even at the highest of elevations and I was even lucky enough to experience the split-second swoop of a Golden Eagle snatching a Marmot with his talons and carrying him off for an early dinner!

At the peak, the wind and the temperature difference were unbelievably different –when we left at the base of the mountain, it was a warm 70 degrees or so, up at the peak?

SIX DEGREES. It was FREEZING!! Thankfully, I had dressed in layers, but I was not prepared

for the intensity of the wind. It literally took my breath away, leaving me gasping at moments and was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. There were snow packs present that were 5-6’ in height. In addition, the altitude difference made me feel like I was drunk – my head was slightly spinning, a dizziness ensued. The oxygen at the top of Pikes Peak contains only about 60% partial pressure as it does at sea level. People can become very sick sometimes – altitude sickness being a very real thing – thankfully only being a bit dizzy was the extent of my reaction. And I wouldn’t have traded it for ANYTHING. The views at the top of the mountain were incredible. I literally felt like I was standing at the top of the world!

After our jaunt, it was time for some beer! (That’s the whole point of this column, is it not?) Brian brought me to two places in Colorado Springs: Cerberus Brewing Company and the very aptly named, Pikes Peak Brewing Company.

Cerberus Brewing Company has been open for about 5-years and has a full kitchen and a very dog-friendly patio and beer-garden. While I did not feel like they had great customer service, (IMO, their staff could have very much used a lesson in being friendly from the lovely dogs that visit the brewery) the beer was decent. I tried the Motivational Speaker, a double IPA with loads of piney hop notes and Mango Thug Passion a very tasty, tropical-fruited, tart, easy-drinking sour.

Pikes Peak Brewing Company, on the other hand, had very friendly folks – and therefore saved my view of the Colorado Springs beer scene! They have two locations, the one in downtown Colorado Springs has a rooftop patio, which is where we visited, and sampled a flight of beer.

• Cherry Lime Sour – You guessed it, this gose is made with real cherries and limes! It certainly made your mouth pucker, and I was able to taste the lime, but the cherries I had a more difficult time noting. Regardless, it was a refreshing beer on a warm spring day.

• Elephant Rock IPA – This American IPA was very enjoyable – a little bit of pine there, a

little bit of citrus here, and a whole lot of hoppy-goodness throughout! The beer itself is named after a popular local sandstone rock formation.

• Tropical IPA – A West Coast American IPA, this exuded more bitterness throughout, but still had some bright citrus notes.

• Grand Peak Porter – An oak-aged Imperial Porter, this was my favorite of the flight. Roasty, flavorful, and richly malted. Easy drinking and super smooth!

Next up: Fort Collins, CO. But not before visiting Garden of the Gods, just on the edge of Colorado Springs. Beautiful sandstone rock formations jutting up from the ground, these wonders are worth the trip to see.

Fort Collins is approximately 1 hour north of Denver and home to Colorado State University. Slightly bigger than Syracuse with a population of approximately 170,000 it has over 20 breweries to wet your whistle! It is basically Colorado’s beer mecca and one I had been looking forward to ever since the trip planning gained ground. In addition,

Haley, my friend whom I met in a women’s beer group online, and whom I had done a couple of beer trades with over the last couple of years, lived there, and we were finally going to meet in person!!

We planned to meet at New Belgium Brewing Co., which is headquartered in Fort Collins and has a big and beautiful campus! I was super psyched to visit this brewery, as I am a huge fan of their beers, and they had just re-started their brewery tours since Covid! (Does anyone else out there miss brewery tours as much as me?? BRING THEM BACK!!) I arrived first and when Haley arrived, it was like we had never missed a beat, like we had been old friends who just hadn’t seen each other in a while – our meeting couldn’t have gone any better! We grabbed a drink, sat outside for a bit, and then circled up with our group to start our tour.

The thing I love about New Belgium, isn’t just that they brew some fantastical beer, it’s that they foster a culture that’s people-forward. One example of this, is that they don’t garner any tips from patrons at the brewery. They pay their employees a fair and living wage and then they provide profit-sharing at the end of the year that they extend to all their employees. There’s a whole outline on their website dedicated to this peoplecentric philosophy and thought, and it’s extremely refreshing to see a very successful company opt to put their employees first. It certainly, as a conscious consumer, makes me want to support their endeavors and purchase their products because I know that they’re providing a pretty damn good life for their employees. In addition, when their employees pass milestone anniversaries they’re rewarded handsomely (not like a key chain, for 5 years of employment at the hospital I work at as an RN *groan*) – at the first anniversary, each employee receives a custom red bike (for reference, see their logo, notably on their Fat Tire amber ale), and then at 10 and 20 years of service, they provide an all-expenses paid sabbatical. How cool is that? They’re also dedicated to environmental advocacy and change. Which is also something I can totally get behind. The tour was so much fun, to say the least! We toured the entire facility, from brewing, to barreling, to bottling, and sampled several beers along the way! We were given Fat Tire bottles of beer to drink that had come off the line that morning, and then, in a special surprise, we were invited down onto the canning and distribution floor where we got to hand-select our own Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPAs tall-boys right off the line to take home. At the very end of the tour, they have a corkscrew shaped slide that all the adults in the tour can take to get back down to the main floor. I mean, how awesome is that!? After all that beer, it was just too much fun to pass up!! So, one by one, amid all sorts of laughter and videos being taken, like big kiddos, we tumbled down that slide. A perfect end to, in all seriousness, the best brewery tour I have EVER been on. Haley then showed me to one of her favorite local watering holes, Tap & Handle, a top100 beer bar in the US with 74 rotating taps, not to mention the great menu they have to accompany all those fabulous beer options. I decided to try some of the local beers on tap – namely from WeldWerks Brewing Company, based in Greeley, CO. The first was The Nerdy Professor, a sour ale created with strawberry and grape “crunchy candies,” grape syrup and strawberry puree. I don’t know how, and I’m pretty sure it’s by some voodoo wizardry and magic, but that beer straight-up tasted EXACTLY like dumping a Halloween fun-sized box of Nerds into your mouth and crunching it up as a kid. (or maybe as an adult, don’t judge me) It was sweet, and sour, and just full of candy-flavor.

The second beer I had was Strawberry Cheesecake, a Berliner Weisse-style ale with strawberry puree, cheesecake, and milk sugar. Again...WHAT WAS THIS MYSTICAL POTION?? You know those strawberry crunchies ice cream bars from our grade-school cafeteria days? This tasted EXACTLY like that!! I was beside myself with this creamy, mouth-watering, unique concoction.

The third beer, (because, hello, I was on a roll and two was not nearly enough) was Marsh Madness, a Milk Stout, made in a three-way collaboration with Odell Brewing Company (Fort Collins, CO) and Little Man Ice Cream (Denver, CO). WeldWerks calls this an “ice cream stout” for obvious reasons, and it did not disappoint with notes of marshmallow and vanilla, and while it was sweet, it was not overly so and once I’m able to come back to Colorado for another visit, WeldWerks will be at the tippy-top of my list of breweries to visit!

The next afternoon with Haley brought a full evening of brewery-hopping. We went to Timnath Beerwerks, Odell Brewing Company, and Jessup Farm Barrel House.

Timnath Beerwerks, a nano brewery, I have actually written about in a previous article, as they brewed a White Stout named Snow on the Grain that was out-of-this-world, and Haley had included it in one of our beer-trades. Therefore, I was super-stoked to visit. We sampled several beers from IPAs to Sours to Kölsch to a Brown Ale. My favorite happened to be a Pink Boots Society collaboration – Tart Cherry IPL, an India Pale Lager (IPL), that was brewed in honor of International Women’s Day, featuring tart cherries, and a PBS hops blend of Idaho Gem, Talus, HBC630, Triumph and Loral. The resulting beer was quite lovely, subtle, and light. Runner-ups included Timnath’s West Coast IPA in all it’s pinenoted glory and the Catharina Sour with Blackberry with it’s dry, tart hint of blackberries.

Next stop was Jessup Farm Barrel House – a rather unique brewery as they only brew barrel-aged craft beer. It’s also situated in a restored 3,000 square foot, 140-year-old barn! Quite a lovely setting, including the beer-garden on the surrounding property. They also had very LARGE flights, so it was a definite bang for your buck type situation. I sampled several complex and very tasty brews including:

• Hurry Up & Wait: Cherry Blackberry – An oak barrel-aged quick sour with tart cherry and blackberry purees.

• Hurry Up & Wait: Mango – A dry-hopped oak barrel-aged quick sour with mango puree.

• Sangriaweizen – A red wine barrel-aged wheat ale with Syrah grape juice, blackberry, strawberry, Cara Cara orange puree, and orange peel.

• Legal in Europe – A whiskey barrel-aged Imperial Stout with chocolate, cinnamon, and chiles.

Jessup Farm should definitely be on your list if you’re ever out in Fort Collins!

Odell Brewing Company, closed somewhat early on the day we visited and we only had enough time for a quick drink, so I chose Sippin’ Pretty, the guava kettle sour. It was excellent.

Fort Collins, CO also has the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to the west as well. It’s a beautiful college town with a very walkable Old Town main street with lots of unique little stores and local artisans dotting the sidewalks. There are trails, gardens, parks and conservation areas dotting the landscape in and around the city. And most notably, if you want great beer in Colorado, Fort Collins should be on your itinerary!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my two-part beer and travel article on Colorado as much as I did on my actual trip. Book a trip out west, you won’t regret it, I promise! Cheers!

“That beer straight-up tasted EXACTLY like dumping a Halloween fun-sized box of Nerds into your mouth and crunching it up as a kid.”

sports take

by miKe liNdsleY

62! It Means Something.

Barry Bonds vs. Aaron Judge. Aaron Judge vs. Barry Bonds. Who is the all-time single season home run record holder?

Honestly, who cares?

Truth is, it’s probably Barry Bonds despite his mutant-sized body thanks to performance enhancing drugs. He hit 73 in 2001. I saw his 50th at Wrigley Field in person, a cannon shot to right field. The PED’s helped, but he still had the hand-eye coordination and ability to do it. It hurts as real baseball fans, but that’s probably the truth.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge is compared to Barry Bonds more than Roger Maris and Babe Ruth because he hit more home runs in a single campaign than Roger and Babe, yet 7th most all-time, and because in-between you have Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, who from 1998-2001 were sending moon shots out on PED’s and having chicks dig the long ball. But people compare Judge to Bonds because the two guys in between, like Barry, were doping. It’s the clean Judge vs. the guy at the top of the record books in Bonds who cheated with the middle guys doing the same. Should be leader vs. alltime chemically-enhanced leader? In other words, everyone after Maris until Judge is in question. By the way, here are the Top 10 single season home run marks:

Most single-season home runs, MLB 1. Barry Bonds, 73, 2001

Mark McGwire, 70, 1998

Sammy Sosa, 66, 1998

Mark McGwire, 65, 1999

Sammy Sosa, 64, 2001

Sammy Sosa, 63, 1999

Aaron Judge, 62, 2022

Roger Maris, 61, 1961

Babe Ruth, 60, 1927

T10. Giancarlo Stanton, 59, 2017

T10. Babe Ruth, 59, 1921

The American League is about Ruth and Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx. The National League is about Willie Mays and Willie McCovey and Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson

Judge made history twice, and that’s the point here. Don’t worry about Bonds vs. Judge and Judge vs. Bonds. Compare the eras all you want. Compare more at bats and more games, the same way you do with Maris in 1961 when he toppled Ruth. How about Ruth never facing integrated competition? He was lucky in 1927 that he didn’t have tougher competition with Black and Hispanic pitchers and also the deep bullpens today with the most heat we have ever seen with changeups sprinkled in. But above all, realize that 60 and 61 are still hallowed numbers.

Hate baseball? Don’t care? That’s fine, but at least be educated if you have an opinion or are doing the Bonds vs. Judge and Judge vs. Bonds thing. So many people yell and scream about the AL record. Who cares, they say, when it isn’t the overall baseball record? Glad you asked. It matters because baseball values its leagues as LEAGUES more than any other sport. It’s why for years we had a DH in the AL while pitchers hit in the NL. It’s why “winning the pennant” used to be a big deal in each league. Now, most people say “pennant chase” as we gear up for October when a pennant cannot be won for weeks.

Aaron Judge is the all-time single season home run champ in Yankee history

and Ernie Banks. They

together as Major League Baseball (and together with guys like Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. who played in each league) but separate in so many ways. It’s one of the many reasons that the All-Star Game in this sport remains the best by a wide margin. Finally, many long time baseball fans cheer for the league their team is in even if their favorite club is out of the postseason.

Look, sports are different. Baseball isn’t football and basketball isn’t hockey. There is a uniqueness to each. We don’t celebrate the all-time scoring leader in Eastern Conference history in the NBA. And we don’t celebrate the all-time passing leader in NFC history in the NFL.

If you know and love and understand baseball, you will know that in this sport, the AL and NL have their own place in many ways. Judge blasted his way into history as the all-time AL record holder for home runs and did the same for the Yankees franchise.

Oh, the Yankees. Ruth-Gehrig-Mantle-DiMaggio-Maris-Yogi Berra-Reggie Jacksonmore. NONE have as many homers in one season than Aaron Judge. That says something. It means something.

This isn’t about Barry Bonds vs. Aaron Judge as much as the incredible year Judge had in breaking the aforementioned home run marks and bringing back the humble and great Maris’ 1961 season to baseball. Baseball and sports have a way of doing that. Players and teams and eras and records and generations of fans linked in some way, shape or form.

So yell and complain and compare all you want. Remove Barry Bonds from the conversation and make it more about Aaron Judge. More about 62 and chasing a historic mark while almost winning the Triple Crown (an award, by the way, where you must have the most home runs and RBI and highest batting average in YOUR league, another separator from the point above). Yes, that Triple Crown, which has been won 12 times by 10 men. That’s it, that’s the list.

Aaron Judge is the all-time single season home run champ in Yankee history and the American League. Don’t yell. Don’t complain. Don’t compare.

Instead, celebrate, appreciate and live in the moment. #99 had some year.

All Rise, indeed.

Mike Lindsley is the host of the ML Sports Platter Podcast and has been in sports media for 20 years. Subscribe to his YouTube page “mikelsports.”

sounds of syracuse

by chucK schiele

Jeff Martin Jazz Man

I believe I met Jeff at one of the open jams here in Syracuse. Our conversation began when we both noticed that we had D’Angelico guitars, which are very nice guitars. Wouldn’t’ya know it, pretty soon I saw him playing a certain style of Fender Telecaster that I had been eye-balling for some time. Coveting the thing I remember figuring out a way to politely need it so I could try it at one of these jams. He let me. It was cool.

As a fine player it’s no wonder that he remains busy out there playing shows all over Central NY. His brand of jazz guitar comes from the schools of George Benson and players like Larry Carlton. Adept at his craft, Martin is an asset to the Syracuse music scene as one of the area’s jazz representatives.

Chuck Schiele: I know you primarily as a Jazz guitarist. And I’ve seen you do other things. How would you describe your brand of playing?

Jeff Martin: Although I’ve been focusing on learning and playing mostly jazz guitar, I like to consider myself a guitarist that can do the gig in most musical situations. I can’t really shred, so you won’t see me on a hard rock or metal gig, but an R&B, blues or pop gig would be right in my comfort zone.

CS: How long have you been playing?

JM: My dad, Don Martin, is a great guitar player and tried to get me playing at a really young age with lessons at DeSantis music. My hands were too small and I wasn’t really interested in lessons at the time. When I was about 15, I wanted a Squire Strat and asked my dad if he could teach me guitar. From that time, I’ve played in bands in high school, college and off and on over the next 15 years. Around 2010, I really started focusing on my jazz playing and playing out more consistently.

CS: Who or what influences your music, most?

JM: I think my dad is my biggest influence just from playing with him and being around him at his gigs. I’m really

into listening to great guitarists of all genres, so my influences would be too long to list. But George Benson, Grant Green and Kenny Burrell are my jazz influences and I’ve always been drawn to studio musicians like Larry Carlton and Steve Lukathar, who could play anything and do it well.

CS: Please share how you

“I look back on my years playing and I’m really blessed to be part of a musical family. We would play live music at almost all of our special occasions (graduations, weddings, holidays)”

got started in music, and a brief history of your music path?

JM: I started going to my dad’s gigs when I was in high school. At that time I was hooked, not only with playing, but the hang and the camaraderie amongst musicians. Over the years, I played in mostly blues/Motown influenced bands. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I decided to take my playing a little more seriously and really focus on my jazz chops. I started learning the tunes, theory and started taking lessons with John Magnante from ESP. From there I started getting more jazz gigs and jumped into playing solo jazz guitar. Today, my gigs are typically solo jazz guitar, organ trios and quartets. I’m very fortunate to be able to play the music I love with incredible players.

CS: What are your thoughts on the Syracuse music community and music scene?

JM: Syracuse has a really great music scene. I’ve lived and visited other cities our size and they do not have anything like what we have in Syracuse. Not only do we have great musicians in town, but they are all good people and you can catch great music any day of the week if you want. That makes for a great scene.

CS: Please share a highlight or two from your music career.

JM: I look back on my years playing and I’m really blessed to be part of a musical family. We would play live music at almost all of our special occasions (graduations, weddings, holidays). Playing and hanging with my dad is definitely a highlight of my music career. Another highlight was playing with Tony Monaco at the Fulton Jazz Fest. Tony is a great B3 organ player out of Columbus, Ohio that Joe Cortini (drummer) and I have had the pleasure of playing with

on multiple occasions when he came through Syracuse.

CS: What’s in the near future for your music?

JM: I’m always trying to take my music career to the next level. First, it was getting gigs and establishing myself as a jazz musician, then creating a website. Now it’s time for me to do some recording. I’ve recorded a few songs with my cousin Don Martin on bass and Josh Dekaney on drums. I want to record a few tunes with organ and drums and hopefully get an album together.

CS: How do we keep track of you and your music?

JM: You can find my calendar and samples of my playing on my website, JeffMartinGuitar.com. I also post my upcoming dates on Facebook and Instagram if you want to catch me out.

CS: Thank you Jeff, for chatting with us here at Sounds of Syracuse.

JM: Thanks Chuck. I appreciated the opportunity to share a little about my musical journey.

Jeff Martin

my mind to Yours

by deBra merrYweather

We Now Know

It was in November 2011 while hiking in Clark Reservation that I suddenly remembered people and places I’d known when I was in elementary school. This wasn’t my first burst of recovered memory; years before I’d experienced frightening memories of what I thought was a hospitalization when I was eleven. I had tried to make sense of these thoughts, but no clear narrative emerged until I remembered what I remembered during my 2011 hike.

Two years prior to the “recovered memory” hike that shifted my consciousness of my own life experience, I suffered a concussion which led to a brain MRI. Medical staff asked me about the old brain injury revealed on the imagery.

I knew nothing about a brain injury so I told doctors that, because I couldn’t remember it, it couldn’t have been too bad. I now know brain injury blocks memory of brain injury. Physical damage to the brain’s glial tissue, neurons, axons, dendrites, and long nerves such as tenth cranial nerve, deters the natural action of neurochemical processes which create memories and consciousness. I now know that lack of self-awareness labeled by a few people from whom I’ve sought help or, who’ve sought me out

formation and memory loss. Brain trauma can cause the loss of past memory, (retrograde amnesia) and can impair ongoing short term memory processing (anterograde amnesia). In general, short-term memories are held as needed, and then, moved into long term memory. Experts categorize memory as follows: semantic: memory of facts and knowledge; episodic: memory of personal history; implicit: rote memory; and procedural: how-to or muscle memory. Some experts theorize that short-term memory capacity peaks during the years in which peoples’ work and family responsibilities might be most demanding.

Physical activity improves body-mind connectivity and responsiveness.

There are many books and articles about the latest developments in general healthcare, brain awareness, and neuroscience because brain and neurological health connect to everything in life. A recent “Neuroscience News” article reports that Weill Cornell University researchers found that “in people with inflammatory bowel disease, the pain-sensing neurons are diminished and there are significant disruptions in pain-signaling genes.” The article quotes Dr. Artis of Weill Cornell, “when it comes to chronic inflammation, we’ve been seeing only some of the picture – and now the rest, including the role of the nervous system, is starting to come into focus.”

Our neurons, in the brain and elsewhere, transmit sensory information throughout our body to keep us safe and healthy. Gut pain and sometimes butterflies-in-thestomach feelings communicate to us when something’s not right. Brain health and cognitive function generally rooted in how people are taught to think and communicate about their minds and bodies, can and generally affect people’s ability to seek appropriate health care. The “Neuroscience News” coverage

“Memory loss robs people of their own histories and their own personal points of view. When one’s brain heals and neurogenesis connects memories which, experts suggest, are stored in various places all over the brain, life looks and feels different.”

of the Weill Cornell study of pain sensing neurons in patients with digestive inflammation didn’t mention if the adults in Weill Cornell’s gut inflammation study grew up eating presumably healthy based on a food pyramid. An overabundance of processed grains in one’s diet is now thought to cause brain fog. Neurons that fire together wire together. When we ignore neuronal messaging such as gut feelings, chronic pain, and/or emotional discomfort, we’re headed for inflammation, depression, and learned helplessness. Cognitive dissonance occurs when added information challenges long-held semantic, episodic, and procedural information and memories we have stored in our conscious awareness.

Then, there is subconscious awareness. Children are dependent and sometimes helpless; episodic memory starts in early childhood. Drs. Peter Levine and Bessel Van der Kolk have written extensively about how our bodies store sensory information that years later can manifest as recovered memory once the person doing the remembering has the understanding and verbiage with which to label those physical and sensory experiences.

Differently focused competing health and educational systems, including spiritual and

faith-based systems, determine group and individual dispositions toward what we call “mental health.” Systems that elevate authority, leadership, and following that, compliance, seem to rely on rote learning and response using yesterday’s facts and teachings. Information based systems, while still building on historical foundational knowledge, include more recently acquired observations and awareness.

Our minds develop from connections made from, to and through our individual and collective pasts. While we celebrate our shared cultural milestones, we still have personal milestones we can and should remember.

Happy Thanksgiving.

“The article quotes Dr. Artis of Weill Cornell, “when it comes to chronic inflammation, we’ve been seeing only some of the picture – and now the rest, including the role of the nervous system, is starting to come into focus.”

streaming Flicks

by BriaN miller

House Of The Dragon

By the time GAME OF THRONES reached its disappointingly abysmal end, it had already entered the zeitgeist as a bona-fide phenomenon. Even those who didn’t watch were aware of its existence, as it successfully ingrained itself in every aspect of popular culture.

With its epic success, HBO was eager for more and multiple spin-offs were put into motion. The first, BLOODMOON was scrapped after its ambitious and expensive pilot was filmed. That left HOUSE OF THE DRAGON as the first series to head back to Westeros and unveil itself to a rabid fanbase.

Set 200 years before the saga of the Starks, Lannisters, and pals, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON focuses primarily on the Targaryen’s. Long before Daenerys hatched some dragons, rose to power, and went completely bananas, level-headed King Viserys (the constantly underrated Paddy Considine) sat on the Iron Throne but had no male heir to inherit the kingdom upon his passing. As a result, he names his daughter Rhaenyra

threat to destroy everything in his wake.

HOUSE boasts some of the same grotesquely violent and opulent visuals that GAME OF THRONES fans salivated over during its initial run, but it does have a distinctly different feel than its predecessor. Though there are a few action sequences to be found (one dialogue-free scene in one of the earlier episodes stood as the standout for the entire series) they were not entirely common. By focusing specifically on the Targaryen’s, the scope of the series is much more limited. Whereas THRONES spanned

(Milly Alcock) as his successor. Folks weren’t exactly thrilled with the idea of a woman set to rule. Many had their sights set on succession, including Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) whose wife Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) had a possible claim, and even the King’s own Hand, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) has a differing opinion once his daughter Alicent (Emily Carey) and the King have a son together. Meanwhile, through it all, Viserys’s brother Daemon (the seething and scowling Matt Smith) is constantly causing creepy concerns and remains a

multiple houses and so many storylines that it was often difficult (particularly in later seasons) to reach adequate resolutions to all of them, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON wasn’t bogged down by these

Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon

Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen

Matt Smith

same conundrums. It allowed for a much more deliberate pace, as there weren’t constantly warring factions looking to smite one another with ruthless abandon. This worked for some audience members and was a severe detriment to others. Whereas I appreciated the storytelling and character building in this production, I certainly wouldn’t begrudge anyone who prefer the barrage of blood and guts that made THRONES so shocking.

It is the focus on story that allowed me to enjoy this freshman season of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON more than I did the last couple of seasons of GAME OF THRONES. I was slightly surprised (and found it particularly convenient to advance plot points) by the time jumps that happened twice during the season. After growing accustomed to and appreciating the performances of Alcock and Carey, it was jarring when those roles were filled by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke. That’s not to say that the switch didn’t work or was distracting in any way, because it certainly was not. Both have brought deeper nuances to their characters, highlighting the dissolution of a relationship that not only turned friends into foes, but serves as a catalyst of the inevitable bloodshed to come.

As was the case with the original series, HOUSE features a host of familiar faces but does not rely on superstars to sell its wares. The performances by the entire cast are excellent, even if some of the lines they are delivering feel a tad clunky and cheesy at times. At this point, huge names are hardly needed, as the THRONES brand is now all the power you need. Whether HOUSE OF THE DRAGON will continue to build on its engaging opening salvo or it will begin to languish as its predecessor did, will likely serve as the catapult for the future of the entire franchise.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON- B (First season now streaming on HBO Max)

Emma D’Arcy as older Rhaenyra

Olivia Cooke as older Alicent

Mus IC

November 2

Nancy Kelly • 6pm

Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Syracuse November 3

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm

The Green Gate Inn, Camillus November 3

Jamie Cunningham • 8-11pm

Limerick Pub, Syracuse November 3

Just Joe • 6pm

Daniella’s Fresh Seafood & Pasta House, Syracuse November 3

Paul Davie • 6pm

Maplewood Bar & Grill, Liverpool November 3

Miller and the Other Sinners • 6:30pm

Buried Acorn Brewing Co, Syracuse November 3

Jessica Novak • 8pm

Abbott’s Village Tavern, Marcellus November 3

Ben Wayne Music • 8pm

Abbott’s Village Tavern, Marcellus November 3

“Jones Garage “ feat : The Pallbearers Burden, Undefeated and Pale Green Stars • 8pm

Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 4

Mike MacDonald • 6:30-9:30pm

Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse November 4

Brooks Williams May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, Syracuse November 4

Hiroya Tsukamoto

Auburn Public Theatre, Auburn November 4

Composer SpotlightSCI Conference

Park Central Presbyterian Church, Syracuse November 4

Rockin’ The Redhouse Landmark Theatre, Syracuse

November 4

Liuzzo

ONCO Fermentations, Tully

November 4

Mr. Monkey • 5pm

Willow Rock Brewing Co, Syracuse November 4

Mark Nanni Music • 5pm

Shaughnessey’s Irish Pub, Syracuse November 4

The Leaps • 6-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 5

One Man. The Band • 5-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 5

Time Trax • 7-10pm

Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse November 5

Starcrawler • 7pm

The Lost Horizon, Syracuse November 5

The Dirty Doves • 6:30-9pm

Middle Ages Brewing Co, Syracuse November 5

Just Joe • 7pm

Tanner Valley Golf Course, Syracuse November 5

The Ripcords • 7pm

Huega’s Alpine Restaurant & Bar, Tully November 5

Symphoria Masterworks III: Concert for Peace • 7pm

Civic Center, Syracuse November 5

Mr. Monkey • 8pm

Average Joe,s, Baldwinsville November 5

Between Covers • 8pm

Asil’s Pub, Syracuse November 5

Backstage With The Beatles • 8pm

The Showroom, Verona November 5

Odyssey of the Acorn • 8pm

Westcott Theatre, Syracuse November 5

Kansas • 8pm

Del Lago Resort & Casino, Waterloo

November 5

TIONESTA w/s/g Modern Instincts + The Mudlarks • 8pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 6

The Dirty Doves • 11:30am-2:30pm

Brian’s Landing, Jamesville November 6

Mark Nanni Music • 11am Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 6

Clarinet Colors • 1:30pm Fayetteville Free Library, Fayetteville November 6

Jazz Jam w/ Josh Dekaney Trio • 3pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 6

The Accountant and All-Thumbs • 6pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 6

The Outlaws • 7pm The Showroom, Verona November 7

Dead Night w/ Gratefully Yours • 7:30pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 9

Payton Bird • 6-9pm Vicino’s Brick & Brew, North Syracuse November 9

Death Before Dishonor • 6pm The Lost Horizon, Syracuse November 10

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm The Green Gate Inn, Camillus November 10

Paul Davie • 6pm

Maplewood Bar & Grill, Liverpool November 10

Harmonic Dirt • 7pm

Meier’s Creek Brewing, Syracuse November 10

Miller and the Other Sinners • 7pm Guilded Club, Syracuse November 10

Champagne Drip & Sippy • 7pm Westcott Theatre, Syracuse

November 10

Hustle Souls • 8pm

Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 10

Patrick Young Music • 8pm

Abbott’s Village Tavern, Marcellus November 10

Glass Image • 10pm

Al’s Wine & Whiskey, Syracuse November 11

Freeway • 6:30-9:30pm

Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse November 11

Jam Theory • 6-9:30pm

Skarkey’s Event Center, Liverpool November 11

Tri County Mill • 6-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 11

One Voice -

The Music of Barry Manilow

Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cortland November 11

Cycles • 7pm

Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 11

Nefesh Mountain • 7pm 443 Social Club & Lounge, Syracuse November 11

Houston Bernard • 7pm

Yellow Brick Road Casino, Chittenango November 11

Ron White • 7pm

Del Lago Resort & Casino, Waterloo November 11

Beyoncé Renaissance Night • 7pm Westcott Theatre, Syracuse November 11

Cole Swindell • 7:30pm

The Showroom, Verona November 11

Mr. Monkey • 8pm

Black and Brew Bar & Grill, Syracuse November 12

Chuck Shiele Quatro • 6-9pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 12

Tapestry Unraveled -

The Music of Carol King Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cortland

November 12

Classic Guitar: John Ferrera

Skaneateles Library, Skaneateles November 12

Frank & Esce • 6pm Huega’s Alpine Restaurant & Bar, Tully November 12

Nefesh Mountain • 7pm Temple Adath Yeshurun, Syracuse November 12

Mark Hummel • 7pm

443 Social Club & Lounge, Syracuse November 12

Mark Nanni Music • 7pm Brewerton Center for the Arts of CNY, Brewerton November 12

Kopps • 7pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 12

Count Blastula • 8pm Shifty’s Bar & Grill, Syracuse November 12

Mr. Monkey Duo • 8pm Asil’s Pub, Syracuse November 12

Feem • 10pm Westcott Theatre, Syracuse November 13

Mood Swing Duo • 11am-1pm Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 13

Jazz Jam w/Josh Dekaney Trio • 3pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 13

Rock Eupora • 7pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 13

Rock Eupora w/s/g Modafferi • 8-10pm Funk n Waffles, Syracuse November 13

Jamie Cunningham • 11:30am-2:30pm

Brian’s Landing, Jamesville November 14

Will Hoge & Dave Hause • 6-10pm 443 Social Club, Syracuse November 17

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm The Green Gate Inn, Camillus

November 18

Bitter Creek Band • 6-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse

November 18

13 Curves • 7-10pm

Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse November 18

The Dirty Doves • 7-10pm

JP’s Tavern, Baldwinsville November 18

Scars n Stripes

Beach Party • 6-9:30pm

Skarkey’s Event Center, Liverpool November 19

Dusty Rose Duo • 8-11pm

Amy’s Eddie’s Cove, Pulaski November 23

Mid-Life Crisis • 6:30-9:30pm

Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse November 23

Neil Minet Band • 6-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 24

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm

The Green Gate Inn, Camillus November 25

Southy’s Keys • 6-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 25

Mark Zane • 6-9pm

San Miguel Mexican Bar & Grill, Baldwinsville November 25

Midnight Mike Petroff’s Blues Band • 6:30-9:30pm

Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse November 25

The Dirty Doves • 7-10pm

Brian’s Landing, Jamesville November 26

Kid Roscoe • 5-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse November 26

The Dirty Doves • 8-11pm

McCarthy’s Irish Pub, Cazenovia November 27

Fourth Fret • 11am-1pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse

December 1

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm

The Green Gate Inn, Camillus December 2

Tiger • 6-10pm

Sharkey’s Bar & Grill, Livepool December 2

13 Curves • 6-8pm

Crazy Daisies, Syracuse

December 3

Nosmo King’s • 7-10pm Western Ranch Motor Lodge, Syracuse December 8

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm

The Green Gate Inn, Camillus December 10

Bob Piorun & Friends • 7pm

Auburn Public Theatre, Auburn December 11

Loren Barrigar & Irv Lyons • 5:30pm Auburn Public Theatre, Auburn December 15

Jazz in the Burbs • 7:30-9:30pm

The Green Gate Inn, Camillus December 16

Dangerous Type • 6-10pm Sharkey’s Event Center, Liverpool December 26

The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 6 • 7:30pm Palace Theatre, Syracuse

Ev EN ts

November 1-December 6

The Madison County Historical Society’s Cottage Lawn Farmers Market • 2-6pm, Tuesdays Madison County Historical Society, Oneida November 2

Ray LaMontagneThe MONOVISION Tour with special guest Lily Meola The OnCenter Crouse Hinds Theatre, Syracuse November 2

Steamers’ History on Tap: Historic Snowstorms of Central New York

GS Steamers Bar & Grill, Oswego November 4

Stand Up Comedy with Keith Barany

Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cortland November 5

The 20th Annual Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale

St. George Macedonian Orthodox Church, Syracuse November 5

An Evening With Mary Fahl

Auburn Public Theatre, Auburn November 7-January 1

Monday Night Salsa at Epicuse

The Tasting Room & Cheese Bar at Epicuse, Syracuse

November 11-13

27th Annual Holiday Shoppes • 10am Horticulture Building, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse November 11

An Evening for Second Chances • 6pm Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Syracuse November 11

KPOP Night • 10pm Westcott Theatre, Syracuse November 11

Deal Or No Deal • 4pm The Showroom, Verona November 12

New York Voices James Commons @ Le Moyne College, Syracuse November 12

Marcellus Film Festival • 7pm Marcellus Free Library, Marcellus November 13

Fashion Show with Hope for Heather • 10am Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Syracuse November 13

Brad Williams • 7pm Funny Bone Comedy Club, Syracuse November 19 New York State Craft Brewers Festival • 4-8pm Landmark Theatre, Syracuse thru December 30

Proof Positive: Wine, Beer, and Spirits of the Finger Lakes Cayuga Museum of History and Art , Auburn thru December 24

Crafted Underground Series The McCarthy Mercantile, Syracuse December 10

Christmas Cookie Café • 9:30am-12pm

Columbian Presbyterian Church, LaFayette

Art

November 2-18

Nothing Gold Can Stay Edgewood Gallery, Syracuse November 2-27

Transcendence Epicuse, Syracuse November 2-December 12

Anni Albers: Work With Materials Syracuse University Art Museum, Syracuse

November 3-19

Cairns The Other Side of Utica, Utica November 4

Sketching Evergreens Baltimore Woods Nature Center, Marcellus thru November 10

Marc Safran: “Bravo/Brava: Performers Offstage and In Studio”

Wilson Art Gallery at LeMoyne College, Syracuse November 12

Tattoo Like A Lady Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse November 12-January 4

ROMMY TORRICO: Cabeza en las nubes ArtRage Gallery, Syracuse thru November 13

Dan Shanahan: Scenes of Syracuse Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse thru December 12

Anni Albers: Work With Materials Syracuse University Art Museum, Syracuse thru December 31

Rebecca Hutchinson: Re-Generation Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse thru December 31

Raymon Elozua: Structure/Dissonance Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse thru May 15

Stephanie H. Shih: My Sweetie Has No Pockmarks Syracuse University Art Museum, Syracuse

t h EAtr E

November 2

Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre

The Palace Theatre, Syracuse November 3-5

The Madwoman of Chaillot Coyne Center for the Performing Arts @ Le Moyne College, Syracuse November 6

Come Like Shadows Wunderbar, Syracuse November 8-12

Tootsie Landmark Theatre, Syracuse November 9-12

After Ashley SUNY Oswego Tyler Hall , Oswego

November 10

A Tomb With A View Spaghetti Warehouse, Syracuse December 1-4 The Calamari Sisters Auburn Public Theatre, Auburn

s ports

November 4

Syracuse University Volleyball vs. Pittsburgh • 7pm Syracuse University, Syracuse November 6

Syracuse University Volleyball vs. Virginia • 1pm Syracuse University, Syracuse November 7

Syracuse University Men’s Basketball vs. Lehigh • 8pm Syracuse University, Syracuse November 7

Syracuse University Women’s Basketball vs. Stoney Brook • 3:30pm Syracuse University, Syracuse November 9

Syracuse Crunch vs. Rochester Americans • 7pm The OnCenter, Syracuse November 10

Syracuse University Women’s Basketball vs. Colgate • 7pm Syracuse University, Syracuse November 11

Syracuse Crunch vs. Belleview Senators • 7pm The OnCenter, Syracuse November 12

Syracuse Crunch vs. Utica Comets • 7pm The OnCenter, Syracuse November 12

Syracuse University Football vs. Florida State Syracuse University, Syracuse November 14

Syracuse University Women’s Basketball vs. Binghamton • 7pm Syracuse University, Syracuse November 15

Syracuse University Men’s Basketball vs. Colgate • 8pm Syracuse University, Syracuse

computers & the web

by NaNcY roBerts

Old Timer Tech

Some time – I have no idea how long ago, now, though I could probably at least come close to identifying when the list was created by the skills on it – I read a list of skills every young person should master.

They were things you don’t really think about unless and until you need to use them. Start a fire; cook a meal; balance a checkbook; sew on a button; change a tire; use a compass; hammer in a nail, write a thank you note and ballroom dance. And there were bits of basic knowledge: right tight, left loose; lift using your knees, not your back; salt to clean spilled wine on a carpet, cold water to avoid setting blood stains, hot for coffee or chocolate; keep baking soda in the house for all sorts of things like soothing a rash, brushing your teeth, calming your stomach and even for bug bites.

More than a few companies of late have aimed at our insecurities and curiosity to market books and how-tos on “survival skills,” or at least, a set of skills that can help you DIY. I note this because not only have I noticed more people producing their own eggs and honey, but at my doctor’s office the other day, one of the nurses was chuckling as a fresh breeze came through the office window and a feisty rooster was crowing his heart out in the adjoining property. I can’t recall the last time I heard a rooster crow in real life! And one person I know has started the odd but useful hobby of “vermiculture,”

which utilizes the composting power of worms to get rid of kitchen waste, and create a wonderful fertilizer for the vegetable garden, as well as the worms themselves, which can be shared with other vermiculturists, or used as bait.

But I did realize that we have come to rely so heavily on our stores being full, our products being manufactured, and our phones guiding us to our destination, the time, even such things as plant identification and medical self-diagnosis, that we have lost many of the skills of our grandparent’s, even our parent’s generations.

So rather than focusing on modern tech and the advance into space, the world of AI, and taming your computers and devices, I thought I’d take a few (dozen) steps back and examine some basic life skills that would come in handy if one day the power went out, you got lost in the woods, or you just wanted to see what it felt like to live more simply and primitively.

One key skill is to actually prepare for the possibility of needing to know “how to,” and “which to.” Taking the time, or even just grabbing a useful book on the subject of survival might come in handy one day – and as they say, the best outcome is that you never need it. But having a guide how to manage a situation where you might need to know how to reckon direction, find food, or stay warm (and then keeping a copy where you live and in your car) isn’t a bad way to get started. My sister and I once discussed it and agreed, with the proper books in the house, we always felt assured that we could handle almost anything!

One good idea is to always keep some essential supplies handy, both in your car and your home. Bottled water, matches, something warm and waterproof, and some easy to carry, easy to open food. I like to have an old school compass and a combo wind-up, solar powered flashlight and radio handy (one with outlets for small devices would be good), too, as well as candles in the house and extra socks and a hat in the car! And a basic first aid kit.

Consulting experts, I found there were two basic ways, two approaches to doing for yourself: one was the mental/skills based approach, and the other was the hierarchy of needs approach. The second one started more or less the way I did this article: think about it! What would you need first and foremost?

“At at my doctor’s office the other day, one of the nurses was chuckling as a fresh breeze came through the office window and a feisty rooster was crowing his heart out in the

Vermiculture

Easy to carry, easy to open food

Of course, that’s going to depend somewhat on what your problem or goal was: are you lost? Is there a power outage? Did you run out of gas on a lonely back road with no cell coverage? Has there been some sort of disaster – fire, flood, accident? Or do you simply want to know you can take care of your basic needs, or perhaps what to do as those neighbors I noted have been doing, and supply your own eggs, honey, and vegetables (even if you live in the city)?

One survival school website reminded us of two very useful things: The Rule of Threes (“You can survive: 3 minutes

protection from possible predators. I recall a while back we had a major power outage here in Syracuse. Being healthy and well-stocked for food, and having plenty of water, and not at any real risk of predators, the biggest challenges most of us faced were warmth and boredom! It wasn’t a very hot or very cold time of year, so while a fireplace and a wood supply was handy, it probably wouldn’t have been necessary. As power was restored, we were able to resume shopping and buying gas after a few days – so a car charger for a laptop made life a lot easier. However, had I been without power (as I was) for 10 days in the dead of winter, or in a hot climate, or caring for a person with a health condition, I’d have had to deal with other issues.

There are dozens of skills that used to be common knowledge, even such simple things as knowing how to make a garment, identify edible plants, dry meat or boil down maple syrup.

without air, 3 hours without a regulated body temperature (shelter), 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food. And the other useful acronym is SPEAR: “When faced with a potential survival situation, remember to use SPEAR: Stop, Plan, Execute, Assess & Re-evaluate.” (https://www. wildernesscollege.com/basic-survival-skills.html)

Over time, anyone is going to need water, food, shelter, and some sort of

But after doing a bit of investigating, I’ve concluded that the “Plan” step is the one we should all keep in mind. After all, if what you want to accomplish is a kitchen garden, a lot goes into deciding where and when to plan, how to feed the soil, how to manage pests, knowing when and how to prune, when and how to harvest – and then what you’re going to do with all the zucchini in the late summer! But if you want to take a hike into the Adirondacks, your learning curve will be entirely different.

And if you’re taken by surprise: make sure you have those survival skills books ready!

golf

BY JoN shermaN

Stiff vs. Regular Shaft Flex

The golf shaft industry is filled with myths and misinformation. One of the most popular decisions golfers face is whether to get a regular or stiff shaft in their irons, hybrids, fairway woods, and driver.

Most resources will tell you to make that decision based on your swing speed. Unfortunately, they are wrong. There’s a lot more that goes into deciding between regular and stiff shaft. In this article, I’ll clear up some basics for you, but more importantly, tell you the truth.

There Are No Standards for Flex

There is a lot of misinformation amongst golfers (and companies) regarding flex. The most important thing to understand is that there are no standards when it comes to shaft flex. One company’s “regular” could be another company’s “stiff.” This is one of the dirtiest secrets of the shaft industry. So be careful when someone tells you to go out there and buy a stiff shaft; you might not actually be getting what you think you

are! Quality control can be very sketchy amongst shaft OEMs, and many times, you get what you pay for.

Every shaft has a different profile, and it’s impossible to know exactly which one is right for your swing by reading an article on the internet (shocking, I know).

Stiff vs. Regular Flex – It’s Not All About Swing Speed

I’ve learned by working with one of the best clubfitters in the entire industry that swing speed is not necessarily the most important factor when choosing your shaft flex. Despite that, plenty of “guides” all over the internet will say if your swing speed is “X,” then you should get a

specific shaft flex. It’s more complicated than that. Let me explain…

Getting the right shaft flex is more about what kind of load the golfer applies to the shaft. The shaft itself has no idea how fast you are swinging. It mostly responds to the force you apply.

Nick Price and Fred Couples (and why they need different shaft flex)

My close friend Woody Lashen has a great story about two legendary golfers and why they need different shaft flex.

If you remember Nick Price, he had a lightningquick swing tempo. His swing was also incredibly short.

Conversely, Fred Couples has a longer, flowing golf swing that looked effortless. But don’t let looks deceive you; both golfers were swinging the golf club very fast (compared to recreational players).

Despite having similar swing speeds, each player needed a much different shaft flex. Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft that was stiff enough for him. He applied so much force to the shaft with his swing length and tempo that he needed a much stiffer shaft profile compared to Fred Couples.

So What Should You Do?

I don’t have perfect answers for you in terms of which shaft you should purchase. Every golfer’s needs are different. Getting the right shaft is important because it will affect how you deliver the golf club. The wrong shaft will make it harder for you to swing consistently and access the clubface center.

If you have access to a clubfitter or even a teaching professional who has a lot of knowledge about golf clubs, I urge you to use them as a resource first. If you purchase a shaft based only on your swing speed and nothing else, you are just guessing.

Other characteristics, such as weight, are important. Generally speaking, golfers with slower swing speeds can benefit from a lighter shaft and vice versa. That can be addressed using a graphite or steel shaft. Graphite tends to be lighter, but many companies are offering steel shafts in much lighter versions.

Long story short, using your swing speed to choose a stiff versus regular shaft is not enough information. You need to know more about your golf swing tendencies and, more importantly, have someone who actually knows shafts well enough to match the specs up properly. The shaft industry is still like the Wild West, and it isn’t easy to navigate as a consumer.

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“The most important thing to understand is that there are no standards when it comes to shaft flex. One company’s ‘regular’ could be another company’s ‘stiff’.”

Nick Price

Fred Couples

tales from the Vine

by aNdreas widmer

The Art of Business:

Cheers to the Creator of Box Wine

“I have done much more good through my company than I ever did through my philanthropy,” said Art Ciocca, a business leader and benefactor America should have known better than it did. He passed away on Dec. 18 at the age of 84, yet his belief that entrepreneurship is the most powerful driver of human progress must live on.

Ironically, Art’s name is most likely to endure through his philanthropy, especially his funding of “Ciocca Centers” of Principled Entrepreneurship at The College of the Holy Cross, Santa Clara University, and The Catholic University of America, where I teach. Yet Art’s impact on society is most clearly felt in the innovations he shepherded as co-founder of The Wine

Group, especially box wine. Whereas his philanthropy has helped tens of thousands, his entrepreneurship has served hundreds of millions. Art did not invent box wine, but he did introduce it to society. He saw entrepreneurship as more calling than career, and he pursued it with all his heart. He started his company by taking out multiple mortgages and spending his life’s savings, only to discover that he couldn’t compete with bigger winemakers.

His best-laid plan to provide affordable, quality glass-bottled wine wasn’t viable. But rather than give up, Art decided to create a completely new market altogether.

The search led Art to an Australian vintner who’d experimented with putting wine in plastic bags. The vintner couldn’t make it work,

“He started his company by taking out multiple mortgages and spending his life’s savings, only to discover that he couldn’t compete with bigger winemakers.”

but Art thought he could, and his company depended on it. By replacing glass bottles with plastic bags in a cardboard box, he could save huge sums on production costs, while also offering bigger volumes of five liters instead of the typical glass-bottle maximum of three or four. No one else was doing it, and in Art’s mind, that meant he had to. It was easier said than done. Art personally went through twentyplus iterations of his new product, desperately trying to stop the rips and leaks that flooded grocery stores and sparked furious calls to the sales department. He refused to give up, even after his team begged him to stick with traditional bottled wine. He saw what others didn’t: that customers would see tremendous value in this new creation.

Kathleen Pluff

THIS MONTH’S

Dad’s Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients

2 cups frozen peas & carrots

2 cups frozen green beans

1 cup celery, sliced

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup onion, diced

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

½ tsp. celery seed

½ tsp. onion powder

½ tsp. Italian seasoning

1 ¾ cups chicken broth

1 1/3 cups milk

4 cups leftover cooked turkey, cubed 2 (14.1 ounce) packages pastry for a 9-inch double-crust pie

Step 1 • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F

Step 2 • Place frozen peas, carrots, and beans in a saucepan with celery; add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med/low and simmer until celery is tender, about 8 min. Drain.

Step 3 • While the veg. are cooking, melt butter in saucepan over med heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 min. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, onion powder, and Italian seasoning and whisk until a paste forms, about 1 min. Whisk in broth and then milk until blended; bring to simmer and cook, whisking, until sauce thickens, 3 to 5 min.

Step 4 • Remove thickened sauce from the heat; add cooked, drained vegetables and cubed turkey and stir until filling is well combined.

Step 5 • Set out (2) 9-inch pie dishes. Fit one pie pastry into the bottom of each dish. Spoon 1/2 of the filling into each dish, then lay the remaining pie pastries over top. Pinch the top and bottom pastries together at the edges to seal. Use a sharp knife to cut several small slits in each top pastry to allow steam to release while cooking. Place pies on baking sheets.

Step 6 • Bake for 15 min. Check the top crusts for browning; if they are browning too quickly, cover with foil. Continue to bake until the crusts are golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 15 to 20 more minutes.

Prep Time: 25 min.

Total Time: 1 hr. 20 min.

Servings: 12

from Allrecipes