Syracuse is a very misunderstood city.
It starts with the views one gathers from routes 690 and 81. From these perspectives one might wonder, “why get off?”

Our beloved city can resemble a bit of a backwater: Industrial and isolated, even harsh.

The truth of the matter is that Syracuse is really a walking city, filled with every kind of neighborhood, interesting characters, memorials, small businesses, churches, schools, libraries, galleries, eateries, lots of great architecture, trees and more than four dozen parks.

It has been ravaged by the call of the suburbs, the malls and the shopping centers - leaving pox marks in many of its great neighborhoods. These developments were designed with the car in mind...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Interstate 81,690,syracuse architecture,downtown syracuse,walking city

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My first reaction when I saw Sarah Palin was “Oh my God, we have the same hair style!”

I was thrilled to be able to see my hairdo get so much air time – make that hair time?

I wondered who does her hair? And, if she moved to Washington DC, how would she handle that transition? I mean switching hairdressers is huge. I remember contemplating a move once, and the first thing I thought about was, “What would I do without Tommy Green” – my Armory Square hairstylist? I mean having someone “do” your hair is a very intimate, trusting experience...

CATEGORY: Government

TAGS: palin,hair,glasses,sarah,wild turkey

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While in City Hall’s Common Council reception area – or shall I say brain center – I became engaged in a full on foray about food with two administrative officers, Susan Ennis and Lydia Medina.

Medina is always eager to learn about a culture’s cuisine from a historical perspective – “the in-country perspective.” Ennis is gaga for food presentation. While, I seem to be more enchanted with ingredients.

We all chase flavor.

We all borrow from each other’s interests. For example, I am probably not going to even consider eating something, if it doesn’t look good.

Medina is a research-aholic. Mention something, anything, and before you leave city hall, you’ll know more about that subject...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: syracuse,city hall,andy warhol,everson museum

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Waste not want not.

My parents are members of the greatest generation. Broadcaster Brokaw hit the bullseye when he coined that moniker.

When something breaks they want to get it fixed. How archaic?

Take for example their bread knife, a cheap serrated knife used for slicing bread. The plastic handle broke. My father decided to bring it to my friend Ernie Ahrens - a hotshot welder with an artistic bent. He has fashioned anything out of steel and beyond.

“Dad, it’s a cheap knife,” I said. “Get a new one.”

He ignored me, made an appointment with Ernie and dropped the blade off. A few weeks later, he picked it up. That same old blade with perhaps the finest handle I ever did see...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: yankee stadium,welder,charm, character,Ernie Ahren

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