October One, please call 315-568-8060. Seating is limited. Try this website www.greatwomen.org
Kathrine is to be the emcee of the Empire State Marathon, Half, and Relay on October 16. www.empirestatemarathon.com or 315-403-8268 .
Kathrine Switzer (1947 – )
As the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon (1967), Kathrine Switzer broke the gender barrier and paved the way for women in running. Still recognized as a leader in the running world, Ms. Switzer has completed over thirty-seven marathons and has dedicated her career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women. In 1977, she founded the Avon International Running Circuit, and in 1984, she was a leader in making the women’s marathon an official event in the Olympic Games. Ms. Switzer is an Emmy Award-winning television commentator who has broadcasted for ABC, CBS, NBC and ESPN.
Syracuse University basketball tickets, Ra-Lin, 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc., Turning Stone, Wegmans, Guitar Center, eggs from free range chickens, Cakestries, B2B Printing, Comsource, Belle Avani, Papa Gallo, web service, chess set, fashion sewing–names you know, things you need, gifts to think about. Begin bids, Friday, November 5, online. lennieruns@aol.com Wind up the bidding on December 5 with Reception/Silent Auction at Wise Guys, 3:00 to 5:00 on a Sunday afternoon. Benefit Felder Stadium, the Cost/Revenue Study.
Lennie Tucker
Felder Meeting postponed until Thursday, January 6, 2011, 4:30, Oncenter Conference Room.
B started his mission last December, a mile a day—14 laps on the Kiesewetter Arena elevated track during our Walk/Run program which meets three days a week. B is 78 years old. His only interruptions occurred once or twice when the arena was closed unexpectedly. Rescue Mission Volunteer Rich Terpening accompanied B on his last half mile and friends J and P from Cross Roads cheered every lap. P rang the bell on the last lap and J gave to B a long stem rose for his victory lap. For his diligence in the effort to maintain good health, B was nominated for the Rescue Mission Hope Award. He is now on his way to his second hundred miles.
Lennie Tucker
B started his mission last December, a mile a day—14 laps on the Kiesewetter Arena elevated track during our Walk/Run program which meets three days a week. B is 78 years old. His only interruptions occurred once or twice when the arena was closed unexpectedly. Rescue Mission Volunteer Rich Terpening accompanied B on his last half mile and friends J and P from Cross Roads cheered every lap. P rang the bell on the last lap and J gave to B a long stem rose for his victory lap. For his diligence in the effort to maintain good health, B was nominated for the Rescue Mission Hope Award. He is now on his way to his second hundred miles.
Lennie Tucker
June 25, 2010
Participants, Luis Burgos, Parks and Recreation Commissioner; Judie Lynn McAirnney, Office of the Mayor, Pam Marcotte, Managing Architect, City of Rochester, Robert Kent of Teitsch, Kent, and Fay Architects, Cazenovia, and Lennie Tucker, Felder Stadium, Syracuse
The Felder questions, supplied mostly by Jon Verbeck, CEO consultant for the Felder Economic Feasibility Study, are these:
1.) How did/does partnering work?
2.) What did the Rochester project provide to the partners?
3.) What do partnerships demonstrate?
4.) What feasibility studies, agreements, measures are required before, during, and after construction?
5.) What hurdles?
Question: How did/does partnering work?
1.) In 2000, Rochester, schools were already in a modernization mode. A city recreation building was seen by authorities as deficient. A Feasibility Study indicated that the proposed project be a joint one.
Question: What did the Rochester project provide to the partners?
2.) In order that the joint project be smoothly conducted among the partners, that is, between the city and the school, communications had to be clear and responsibilities clearly identified first. An Operations Agreement, a contract, explicitly named who was responsible for what. Internal clients and external customers were identified. Community forums were arranged. All ideas from the community were accepted and many of these incorporated in the finished project. Those which could not be incorporated were carefully explained. In some cases a compromise was found to be acceptable. For instance, loss of a skating rink was lamented by some community members. It was impossible to keep, but a small aqua playground became part of the project. A positive attitude was not just ornamental. The Ryan Community Center has large acreage and room for both indoor and outdoor activities, which are flexible and shared. In 2002, the county entered the partnership and built a beautiful library.
Question: What do partnerships demonstrate?
3.) The architect and the councilor and Mr. Burgos who together drove the project emphasized throughout our meeting the necessity of prior agreements and the importance of explicitly-named roles and responsibilities. The partners agreed to them before the question of demonstration came up. There seemed to be patience and flexibility on the part of the founding group. The well-planned collaboration of public groups, the collective good will, and painstaking community exchange produced a building of school and community service, itself a multi-purpose building of beauty.
Question: What feasibility studies, agreements, measures are required before, during, and after construction?
4.) In addition to, first, the Feasibility Study which determined the nature of ownership, then, second, an Operational Study, which determined at the outset who is responsible for what exactly, a third agreement came about, the Designer/Construction Agreement, explicitly pointing up funding roles and responsibilities, separating project costs from construction costs. School and city, together, selected consultants.
Question: What hurdles?
5.) Some hurdles were built-in. The school-city relationship was brought to unity, having been somewhat separated. The community didn’t want to lose the rec center or the skating rink; they questioned the design, held both sides on whether softball field or hardball field. The city council supported the project, however, and community forums served to air and ameliorate concerns. There was willingness to compromise and the community responded in kind. Youth were involved. Users, identified.
Some notes.
Felder and the Ryan Center are very much the same in emphasis on partnership-collaboration-sharing-cooperation in the promotion and pre-construction phases and in the objective of community service.
Over-simplified, the city provided the money and preliminary drawings and plans; the school district provided the building and administration; and they share use, indoors and outdoors.
The Ryan Center has almost no private support. The name of the game is leverage, leverage, leverage. Once the partnership was established, further monies became available in greater amounts. Pam, the architect, cited the Facilities Modernization Plan which requires land surveys. She used a European design for the re-built recreation building. These people did a lot of behind-the-scenes research. She also cited Neighborhood Block money and school aid. The starting amount available to the founding group was $1.9m and the project ultimately cost $36m.
The Ryan Center has no business plan, but think it “makes sense” for Felder. Their alternative was the Operational Agreement.
The emphasis was on collaboration and communication. Nothing left to chance or to misunderstanding. Pam, who is the architect, often said, “Share space with a conscious mind.” I’m not sure just what that means, but I suspect that we’re about to find out.
LT, 06-31-10
June 5, 2010
Good Evening, Friends.
A friend who wrote a letter in support of the new arena at Onondaga Community College responded to the news of the groundbreaking with, “I didn’t think you had a chance.” But he’d written the letter anyway. Whatever you thought of the chances, many of you wrote and the ounce or two of each of the many messages that went into the stuffed envelope which Dr. Sydow brought to the legislature carried the heft that earned their surprised remark that they didn’t know that there was that much community support. And they voted Yes.
Felder has been building successes. The OCC arena came about because of you. You supported the Zogby Poll and then you supported Phase One of the Feasibility Study. We have more than 2000 names on the I Believe in Felder Stadium lists, your names among them. We thank you for this support.
And we come again to ask support. In recent interviews with county, city and state officials we have been asked to produce a Business Plan which details costs and revenue of Felder Stadium. Jon Verbeck, of Verbeck Associates, Cazenovia, has submitted a proposal. You may know Jon. He did the Lake Placid Iron Man Triathlon. In 2003, I believe. The cost of his study will be about $12,000, a retainer plus hourly fees. Please support this endeavor.
One way to do so is to take out a Felder membership which is $5 per year. Go to Paypal and add a zero. Then, go to the Felder Store and choose a gift. I’ll put it in the next mail. Thank you very much. You keep sending memberships-plus zero and I’ll keep sending gifts until they run out. If you choose to become a member by mail, the form is on the website. Just tell me which gift you want.
This message will go to about 200 people, so we will be about $2,000 short if everyone answers. This happened with Zogby and with the feasibility study, too, but then an angel showed up and we were able to make the last payment needed to kick off each effort. We are counting on the angel in your nature. Thank you very much.
I’ve heard this “no chance” story before, about the OCC arena, about Felder, about Life, at times, but when I hear that a man will believe “no chance”, but acts anyway on that little flame of possibility which looks perilously close to dying, I can get excited all over again about the strength of hope against powerful declarations.
Thank you for your past support.
Please continue your support of Felder Stadium.
Lennie
What Felder is about can be found here on our website. How we go about Felder is not found on our website. Our method of operation is partnership. It is our belief that if two or three people or two or three groups of people are up to the same thing, they ought to be up to the same thing together, for economy of effort and funds, for hands-on help, for promotion of cause, for pooling ideas, for community benefit.
Felder was there at the beginning of–
–the Onondaga County Parks Lights Walk and Run. In summer, 2005, Felder called Jon Cooley with an idea. Jon said, “I think we can do that.” Seven thousand people walked for Free through the annual exhibit in November 2009, so many people that the event now runs for 2 nights. Syracuse Parks sends Chris Abbott, a volunteer in partnership. OLP produces the event, Felder volunteers parking attendants and course marshals. Felder directs the Midnight Run and serves hot chocolate and cookies. County Parks, City Parks, Felder are partners.
–the Rescue Mission Walk/Run program. Felder introduced the Walk/Run idea to James Breslin in late winter,’08-‘09. Soon, a group of RM residents, monitored daily, found weight and diabetic numbers dropping. It’s written! A doctor recommends our program to his patients. A group of temporary residents also participates. Fleet Feet Sports donates shoes to Walk/Run participants, $7,000 worth in 2009. Rescue Mission, Fleet Feet Sports, and Felder are partners.
–the Track, Field, and Cross Country Summer Day Camp for Youth, Ages 7 – 12. A teacher’s idea with complete plans for 5 days–every child doing every activity every day–accepted as Syracuse Parks summer offering in 2000 by then-Commissioner Jennings, produced by City Parks, City Schools, and Felder. High school youths teach the six skills. Wait lists and requests each year demand more camps for more age groups so, in 2010, with greater resources and facility for broader scope, Syracuse Parks has taken over this project entirely. City School, City Parks, and Felder teacher are partners.
–the Community Practices. A Felder idea spun from the t, f, and cc summer day camp, accepted in 2007 by Syracuse Parks Commissioner Pat Driscoll and offered Free of charge to City families, 231 people of all ages in 2009. Felder provides volunteer coaches. P.E.A.C.E., Inc. sends families. City Parks, City School District, P.E.A.C.E., Inc., and Felder Stadium are partners.
–a Kathrine Switzer run under the moon and booksigning, 2005, at Onondaga Lake Park.. Another book and signing, soon, by the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Felder, OLP, Bagelicious, and the woman who put the women’s marathon into The Olympics are partners.
_____________________________
One day I saw a Downy Duck with feathers on his back
I said Good Morning, Downy Duck and he said Quack, Quack, Quack.
Jamar, who attended Elmwood School, did not have a clock in his home, but he got to school more or less on time because he didn’t want to miss the reading lesson, words with something the same about them, words which rhyme, which was the first lesson of the day. Galloping into the building, heading first to the breakfast ladies who gave him something no matter when he showed up, galloping up the stairs to our kindergarten, a sugar ring around his mouth, he then sat attentively in front of me, listening and rhyming.
I thought of Jamar when, while researching for a grant proposal, I found that of the 414 children who went to my old school last year, 4 of them could afford to pay for their own lunches. I thought of Jamar when, while refreshing my mind about the determined efforts of the Salvation Army and their dozens of partners–which included Felder Stadium–who had applied in vain for the Kroc grant, I was reminded of Vito Sciscioli. We partners held meetings following the disappointing announcement that the grant would not be coming to Syracuse. Led by Mr. Sciscioli we tried to keep up our spirits and to continue the pursuit of the intelligence, the good will, and the extraordinary skills we found among our group as months of the Kroc discussions had progressed. We could not pull ourselves together. Perhaps we were too hurt, but in a summary of our further attempts, dated June 15, 2006, this was said about Mr. Sciscioli.
“Vito urged a reassessment of the athletic plan for the Institute (of Technology). (He has) strong feelings that the school will be at a competitive disadvantage if it does not have superior athletic facilities. (We) don’t want to miss an opportunity at the Institute to make it as big and successful as possible. How can we pool resources to invest in this neighborhood site?”
Mr. Sciscioli did not know Jamar, but the ubiquitous book is under his arm and I’d have to say that he knows something of the inquiring drive Jamar evidenced. He is saying, I believe, that we do not want to miss an opportunity to give to the children who live `in our poorest neighborhoods that which is first and best.
Jamar’s mother was in prison for most of his kindergarten year. She was released in spring in time to help chaperone our class visit to the Dome where our hosts played games with them on the green turf and sat us in a circle upon it for a box lunch. On the last day of kindergarten, he what? galloped out of the door and down the steps with his report card. An hour or so later, he galloped back. He’d forgotten the long-stem carnation intended to go with each child. He wanted it for his mother. He chose the most perfect blossom, comparing carefully the blooms which remained. He laughed and he galloped through the door once more and forever, our principal standing in the hall, hands on hips.
Jamar died in street violence at age 22.
Felder asks you to give. Donate whatever you can. And then, add a zero. Give to the realization of a belief.
Felder Stadium is a proposed indoor athletic facility which is to be built in downtown Syracuse, off Adams Street and just down the hill from Syracuse University.
For some of us, Felder Stadium is to be the answer to keeping the competitive edge year round and round the clock without the interruption of a period of “rest” foisted upon us by the four or five months of winter. For the rest of us, Felder Stadium is the answer to staying fit all the year around with an elevated track offering 24 -7 access.
Track meets of all levels, club through international productions, may be offered in Felder Stadium because of the 200 meter track which has automatically raised and lowered curves, the fastest track made, and because of the 5,000 seats available to spectators. Two lanes of the same surface surround the high tech track, creating 8 lanes useful for the middle distance events. For small track meets, one of the two seating sections may be closed off. An interesting configuration of the second floor of the lobby design by Teitsch-Kent-Fay provides superior views from each section of seating.
Soccer and lacrosse fields cross at the end of the track oval and two volley ball courts are off-set. All fields and courts are competition regulation. During a track meet, these fields and courts may be used for warm-up and/or practice for the current competition.
Having supported the Onondaga Community College track and field arena with letter-writing and advice and consultation, in particular advocating for a regulation track which will, as we see it, provide more and more for the college community from 2011 onward, we can turn to putting in place a building which will serve the tiny Syracuse neighborhood as well as take a leap beyond the college needs. Cross pollination, as it were, or a perfect dovetail of community services.
The merchants of Salina Street are key to the success of building Felder Stadium. Felder Stadium will sit almost upon their avenue. Some of the merchants have formed The Ambassadors, who support whatever activity happens on Salina Street. This means building up the Mountain Goat Race. This means building Felder Stadium.
Youth is an untapped source for Felder Stadium support. Seeing differing needs, 22 year old Marty Nicholson has teased two groups out of the Youth portion of the population he represents. A volunteer since he was 9 years old and an athlete at Oneonta State for his four years there, Marty will speak about Youth fitness and athletic needs and Youth involvement in building Felder Stadium at the March 25 meeting of The Ambassadors.
We have financed what we need as we go along. Phase One of the feasibility study, that of the building itself, is underway and we save and plan for Phase Two which is a study of the grounds of the planned site of the building, Roesler Park. For this part of the study, we need $40,000.
Considering that Felder needs are all part and parcel of community and school needs, Felder applied for a grant for pole vault equipment with which to replace obsolete and ruined equipment at Henninger High School. The proposal is in the final stages of study by the grantors. A proposal for Felder itself has gone out to another group of grantors with indicators expected in May. We look at another proposal offered by a bank. Meanwhile, we learn from the successful grant writer who works for another community group and from the clinics and tutorials which The Grantmakers offers now and then.
Felder Stadium is due to open in 2016. We offer a new website, a webmaster whose work you already know through Fleet Feet and through the Mountain Goat Race. His name is Steve and we aim to please. With that in mind, let me know what’s on your mind. I’m blogging and I’ll get back to you. If you offer an idea, please also offer your effort. You know that we can do this–together. Check out Steve’s work. Order a shirt. Come to The Ambassadors meeting. See us at the track. Donate.
Thank you.
Lennie Tucker
