Black Belt Cycles

As many of my friends know, both of our younger children are very active in mixed martial arts (karate) and have been enrolled at Lavalles USA Black Belt Champions Cicero dojo for a little over three years. The kids have grown a lot in those three years, and together my wife and I are certain that the decision to get the kids involved at this location is one of the best decisions we've ever made regarding their upbringing. Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Self Control, Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit are the underlying tenets of their role as members of this "extended family"

My 11 year old son earned his Black Belt after two cycles. He's an athletic type and while hard work, he made it seem like it was a simple walk in the park. My beautiful 9 year old daughter is now in her second cycle, and is finding it more challenging. She does a great job in class sessions, but the required running is a tremendous hurdle for her. She's been working hard running four times a week in an effort to lower her times to the benchmark set by Master Sgarlata. Yesterday she was 19 seconds away from passing that benchmark, and honorably, the Master offered her another chance. That didn't go well at all. She's upset, but we're trying to keep a positive outlook and will be there to encourage her next time.

Cycles are a much more intense workout than regular classes are, because the student is proving that they've worked hard enough to go to the next level. They spend a great deal of time working out and exercising to meet the goals required for that next level. They're 16 weeks of having a carrot dangled in front of them, the carrot being their next belt whether it be first degree, second degree, third or beyond. You won't get to cycle if you haven't earned the opportunity, and you won't make it to Power Weekend if you don't meet the goals. for some these goals and challenges are more difficult than others but the Masters and Sensei's won't invite people into cycle that they don't believe posses the "gumption" needed to succeed. There's people who have needed up to nine cycles to achieve their next level, but those in charge believed enough in them to keep at them until they made it through.

That's what the martial arts is about. It's not about kicking someones butt, it's not about breaking boards and cinder blocks (although that is one of the more popular aspects of Power Weekend!). It's about the discipline to succeed. It's about believing in yourself. It's about Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Self Control, Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit as I mentioned before. I feel a bit of a hypocrite for not enrolling myself. Unfortunately health concerns prohibit that from becoming a reality. But being around people who live these principles has helped to make them a part of my life also. I can't run with them or work out with them but I can live the principles that I expect them to.

Anyways, GOOD LUCK Sara! We're rooting for you!!!

Penny Curtiss Job Fair

The following companies and agencies will have representatives available for displaced Penny Curtiss workers on January 25, 2008 at:

VFW

2000 Lemoyne Avenue

Syracuse NY 13211

Penny Curtiss Training, Job and Services Fair


Employers Attending:

Anoplate Corporation
Byrne Dairy
Fleischer’s Bagels
George Weston Bakeries, Inc. (Stroehmann Bakeries)
ICM/CPS
McLane Northeast
Muench-Kreuzer Candle Co.
NYS Department of Corrections
Solvay Paperboard
The Raymond Corporation


Training Providers Attending:

CBIT – of Syracuse University
Columbia College
Crouse Hospital School of Nursing
ITT Technical Institute
LeMoyne College
Onondaga Community College
Oswego County BOCES
SUNY Educational Opportunity
SUNY Oswego
Syracuse City School District
Syracuse University


Agencies Attending:

Americhoice by UnitedHealthcare

Thank you my friends

This is an open letter to all those that have offered encouragement and sympathy and positive reinforcement the last few days due to the closing of Penny Curtiss Baking Company on the north side of Syracuse.

Thanks very much. Your kind words and thoughts are appreciated, as are those from all those here that I've come to know over the many years I've been a resident of Yada (and these forums in general- the North and business people have also been very kind to me)

Everyone keeps telling me that "You're the lucky one, you've still got your job with the Local". I'm not so sure that's good luck or bad luck. I'm the one that will be behind the scenes, cleaning up the mess negotiating the severance, insurance continuation, and other end-of-employment issues. So it's actually like being brain-dead and having nobody there to pull the plug (figuratively speaking, of course).

I'm sure the next few weeks are going to be very trying and emotional at times. This past 5 days has kind of been a fog, but the reality is starting to set in, like yesterday. I've spent close to 20 years pulling into that parking lot and have never been treated like I don't belong there (even during the strike back in 93), but that was exactly the case on Saturday. Some guy that doesn't know a proof box from an oven told me that I couldn't be there and it was like getting slapped in the face!

I'm hopeful that many of you are correct (even our resident sourpuss Critic02!) in that everyone will eventually say that the closing of PCB was the best thing that ever happened to them. I'm not to worried about the young kids, or the old men. They'll either use the NYUI option of going back to school for re-training or start collecting their pensions a few years earlier than originally planned. It's those 'tweens' that I'm concerned about- too young to retire and too old to start over. Those are the people I'll have in my mind when I sit down with the company for our first day of effects bargaining next week.

Protecting Assets

Today was interesting. I drove by the plant out of curiosity and passed two former co-workers. We stopped to chat as they had some questions for me. After about 5 mionutes a guy who looked like a sophmore in high school came out and asked "Can I help you guys with something?"

I replied" You came to us, shouldn't I be asking YOU that?" He then told me that I was blocking the entranceway to the shipping docks (that had a locked 8 foot gate going across it) and ould have to move! This is all happening on the side of the road, not on their property, mind you. I then replied" Why, is someone coming to take that gate out?" At this point the rent-a-cop got on his Nextel and reported "Sir we have a possible security breach at the west entrance. Do you advise I notify 911?"

I turned around to finish my conversation with my friends and around the corner about two minutes later comes the Director of Asset Protection for the parent company (or so he claims)! He came up to me and asked if I was there to start trouble. I said "No, I was just driving by and saw these two guys so we stopped to chat for a minute. By the way, don't you have people you trust to watch over an empty factory so you can have a day off on the weekend?" He replied that it was his job to protect unsecured assets and his schedule should not worry me! I then turned to our high school Pinkerton and warned him that "Hey, if your boss can't trust you with an empty building, maybe it's time you learned something from the 160 people you're keeping out. You could be next"