(Syracuse, NY, July 29, 2010) In Syracuse on Saturday, August 7, 2010, die-hard bikers and weekend warriors will ride together to raise urgently needed funds to help ensure every baby is born healthy.  Bikers for Babies^® will start from Jamesville Beach Park, 4110 West Shore Manor, just east of Syracuse.  Registration begins at 9 a.m. The kickstands go up and the ride begins promptly at 11 a.m.

Individual riders, as well as motorcycle clubs, will hit the road to support March of Dimes and help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives.  Funds raised by Bikers for Babies^® currently support nearly $1 million in active mission investments in the Central New York Division that have a direct impact on the lives of local families.  Among this support are national research grants at Syracuse and Cornell Universities, as well as community program grants at Upstate Medical University.

Ben Rabin, 2010 Bikers for Babies^® Start Site Coordinator says, “It’s a powerful sight to watch the riders set out together down a common path, to help those who can’t help themselves. It doesn’t get any better than to be outside, on the open road, hearing the roar of the bikes, and all for a great cause.”

Nearly 1,200 bikers from nine other Central New York start sites are expected to converge back at Jamesville Beach Park in the early afternoon for lunch from the famous Dinosaur BBQ and Gianelli Sausage, music by the popular club band, Rhythm Method, and a variety of select vendors.

The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth.  It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day.  This past November, the March of Dimes issued a Report Card on Premature Birth, giving the nation a grade of “D” and New York State a “D,” as well.  The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to problems that continue to threaten the health of babies.

Funds raised by Bikers for Babies in Central New York help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.

At approximately 8:47 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputy David Redhead, 27, was responding to 150 North Burdick Street to assist Manlius Police with a disturbance. Redhead was operating his marked police car and traveling east on East Genesee Street with his emergency lights and siren activated.

As Redhead approached Towne Drive he began passing a1998 Mercury Marquis operated by Sarah Meile, 19, of Jamesville. Meile, who was also traveling east on East Genesee Street, began making a left hand turn onto Towne Drive when Redhead’s patrol car struck the driver’s side of Meile’s car. Redhead subsequently traveled off the north end of the road, just east of the Towne Center’s entranceway, and came to rest after crashing head on with a tree.

Witnesses including Meile, rushed to assist Deputy Redhead and immediately called for Fire and EMS to respond.

Redhead was transported to Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital with non- life threatening injuries.

Meile received minor injuries and was seen by medics on the scene.

Members of the Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Team were called to the scene and will conduct a complete investigation. No tickets have been issued at this time.

Syracuse, NY, (July 2, 2010)—Despite a slow economy, the first and second quarter of 2010 saw exceptional growth for Ben Weitsman & Son of Syracuse, located in Solvay, NY both in volume of scrap metals processed and sales.  As a division of Upstate Shredding LLC, the new Syracuse location has only been operational since late December. In that time, however, the volume of scrap metals processed is up six-times over start-up forecasts and sales up a remarkable 400 percent beyond management’s conservative expectations.

“When we acquired the land and equipment of the scrap metal dealer Matlow Company, we had high hopes for our new Syracuse location. Our focus was modernizing the operation so we were surprised when the customer support ramped up as quickly as it did.  We knew things were looking great, but the final first and second quarter accounting truly amazed us,” said Steve Green, Upstate’s Vice President.

Company vice president Steve Green attributed the majority of new sales to a growing base of commercial, retail, and industrial customers, such as a recent contract with Covanta’s Onondaga resource recovery facility in Jamesville, NY. This installation processes 990 tons a of municipal solid waste per day generating up to 39.5 megawatts of electricity and recovers tons of scrap metal that would otherwise be landfilled.  Ben Weitsman & Son – Upstate Shredding was the winning bidder for the 1^st and 2^nd quarter contracts for the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA).

Since the Syracuse acquisition, the $8 million dollar modernization program has proceeded swiftly. Renovations and painting of buildings and landscaping have been completed. Paving of the facility will begin shortly.

Increased traffic at the Syracuse scrap metal yard led to the extension of business hours from 6 AM to 6 PM, six days a week. To meet growing volume and expedite customers, a second truck scale was added along with additional yard equipment and roll-off trucks, and the Company expects to add an additional ten new employees.

Upstate Shredding LLC – Ben Weitsman & Son Inc. has numerous operations in Upstate New York and is the largest privately held scrap metal company on the east coast. The Company has set the goal of reaching $1 billion in annual debt free sales by continuing to make acquisitions in the tri-state area. It is currently in the process of opening another facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Artillery and infantry will be transforming the fields of Jamesville Beach Park into a historical and educational experience that will carry on the memory of the people who lived and fought during the Civil War.

The encampment, which is open to the public and free with a $5 per vehicle general park admission, will have battle re-enactments at 2 PM each day, living history demonstrations and first-person impersonations.

Civil War author Frank Meredith will be launching his new book “The Unfinished Work” and there will be a period correct wedding with a renewal of vows, bridal brunch and dance with music from Curtis Osgood and Players.

Local Civil War units or individuals interested in participating should contact Jamie Rocque at 716-934-7605 or rocquejamie@aol.com.

Jamesville Beach Park is located at 3992 Apulia Road in Jamesville. For more information, call 435-5252 or visit www.OnondagaCountyParks.com.

The balloons will take off between 6-7:30 pm each night and at 6 am Saturday and Sunday mornings, weather permitting.
The music line-up features national acts John Waite, April Wine and Taylor Hicks along with top local groups.  The non-stop fun includes special balloon demos, amusement rides, petting zoo, the beach, and array of food and beverage concessions.

Balloon rides are available and can be reserved in advance by calling 727-9000 or at the event. Morning flights are $125 per person, evening flights are $150 per person, and include a chase crew and champagne.

The recommended route to the event is I-81 to Exit 15 (Lafayette), east on Route 20 approximately two miles to Apulia Rd., turn north onto Apulia Rd., 6 miles to park entrance.

Admission to the Jamesville Balloon Fest is $7; free for ages 10 & under. Alcoholic beverages, glass containers, grills and pets may not be brought into the event.

For more information, visit www.SyracuseBalloonFest.com.

Admission per vehicle is $5 weekends/Holidays and $4 weekdays. Season beach passes, valid at both parks, are available for $31.50. Pass applications are available at the beaches, the County Parks Main Office in Liverpool or online at www.OnondagaCountyParks.com.

At Oneida Shores, on the largest inland lake in New York, there is a sandy waterfront with lifeguards, a children’s playground and kayaks and Power Paddlers for kids available to rent. The dozens of shaded, lakeview campsites offer a perfect opportunity for a quick getaway.

The waters of Jamesville Reservoir and Butternut Creek are great places to rent a canoe, kayak, rowboat or paddleboat. The sandy beach with lifeguards, a waterfront playground and 18 hole disc golf course are some of the special features of this beautiful park surrounded by rolling hills.

For more information contact, Jamesville Beach Park at 435-5252, Oneida Shores Park at 676-7366 or visit www.OnondagaCountyParks.com.

(Fayetteville, NY) Cindy Clark, Licensed Sales Associate with RE/MAX Masters in Fayetteville, has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by RE/MAX of New York for 2009.

This recognition requires at least 7 years of experience in addition to high performance achievement. Clark specializes in Cazenovia village, waterfront and country properties, Fayetteville-Manlius, Jamesville-DeWitt, relocation and first time buyers.

Cindy is a long time resident of Cazenovia. She can be reached at 671-1621 or at cindy.clark@remax.net.

Disc golf is much like ball golf in that you have a tee box and you count the number of times it takes you to get the ball in to the hole except that with disc golf it is a Frisbee type object and instead of a hole, there is a chain basket.  Our volunteer organization works with the local parks and interested parties to design and install disc golf courses to be available in the community for all to enjoy.  The other great difference with disc golf and ball golf is that disc golf is free to play!  There is no charge to play locally.  If the course were in a state or county park that charges to enter the park that would be the only fee you’d need to pay. 

“Having the States in Central NY makes a lot of sense.  We are happy to have two great local courses that can house this two day event.  Each course is very different and should be a great mix to bring out player’s strengths and weaknesses.” Wendy Courbat, the tournament director explains.  “Jamesville Beach Park has a more open course that will play to the big arm players where Oxbow Falls Disc Golf Course is a more technical course that will reward those players that have the ability to place their shots.”     

The winning open player will be awarded the New York spot in the USDGC Tournament to be held in October in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  They will have their entry fee and hotel for the week of the event paid in full.  Although the top open player gets this prize, there are all different levels of players in different divisions.  All open players compete for cash where amateurs compete for prizes.   “We have a great group of people registered to play.  If anyone wants to see what disc golf is and what it is about, this weekend would be the time to see some great players.” 

Artwork shown includes “Drawing Within” by Megan Connor, right, and “In Remembrance of Better Times,” by Ken Nichols.

The Cazenovia College Art Gallery will host its final summer show, “Dimensions: A Gallery Show by Five Artists,” on the weekends of July 31 and August 7.  An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 31, 6 to 8 p.m., and the show will be open Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug, 2, 1 to 4 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9, 1 to 4 p.m.

The show features work by local artists David Church, Megan Conner, Ken Nichols and Karen Steen and Randy Thompson.  For information, contact Danielle Murray at 315-655-7365, or visit www.cazenovia.edu/art-gallery.

Metalsmith David Church has taught art at all levels from elementary college in Hawaii, Boston, in the Adirondacks, and in Central New York, currently at Jamesville-Dewitt High School. For 30 years he has maintained a jewelry and metalsmithing studio and gallery for the past eight years in Armory Square and currently in the beautiful hills of Pompey, N.Y. He designs and creates jewelry he calls “art to wear,” as well as sculptures that are primarily one-of-a-kind and commission pieces. Church has a bachelor of science degree in art education and a master of arts degree in jewelry design and sculpture.

Ceramicist Megan Conner has worked as an artist and art educator in Central New York for ten years. Born and raised in northeast Pennsylvania, she studied art at the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University where she received a bachelor of fine arts degree in art education with a concentration in ceramics, and earned her master of arts degree in liberal studies from Skidmore College, studying the evolution of pottery traditions within Native American cultures. Connor teaches art at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, and also operates her own ceramics studio, Terra Incognita. Connor is an active member of the Syracuse Ceramics Guild and has worked with local artists in a variety of arts education partnerships in local schools.

Ken Nichols, a graphic designer for 30 years, says, “My paintings paint themselves. I have no premeditated idea when I start one. Each stroke and color is predicated upon the one before it. I want people to know a human being painted it – no computer precision or do-overs.” Nichols’ paintings represent universal energy and he wants viewers to feel good positive energy, and something new, from each viewing of a canvas. “The world has enough angst-filled self-portraits of brooding artists,” he notes. Nichols earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in drawing and painting from Rochester Institute of Technology and has.

Fashion Designer Karen Steen, of Cazenovia, N.Y., is the director of Fashion Studies at Cazenovia College, where she has taught since 1987. Her education includes undergraduate degrees in retail management and clothing design/textiles, and a master’s degree in vocational education. Her artwork focuses on the use of fibers in a variety of different contexts including wearable fashions as well as decorative pieces. Most recently, she has focused on fashions created from fabrics she has gathered from international travel to India, Southeast Asia, Africa and Syria.

Jewelry designer and metalsmith, Randy Thompson, is a native of Central New York. After earning a bachelor of fine arts degree from the State University of New York at Oswego, he began a career as a professional metalsmith. He also spent four years as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Oswego. Now his fulltime career is jewelry design and metalsmithing, creating both a line of limited production works and one-of-kind show pieces.