Residents of the Oxford Street Inn, a men’s shelter run by Catholic Charities on the South Side, over the years have consistently had a favorite destination to spend the early mornings: the Samaritan Center, a soup kitchen in downtown Syracuse. Their consistency may partly have to do with the fact that there really aren’t many places to go to grab …

David Rabinowitz, a combat veteran, knew of hardships during his stint in the Army. But now he was on Syracuse’s South Side sleeping every night on a dusty hard floor, without even a blanket or sheet to protect him against the bitter cold. Neither he had a pillow to rest his weary head so he improvised his backpack as a …

Public Hails Proposal to Rename Castle Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Khalid Bey, Syracuse 4th District Councilor, did not expect high attendance for the public hearing to discuss his proposal to rename Castle Street to Martin Luther King Jr. He talked to many residents who said they would not attend because they were already in support. If anything, he …

Thirteen-year-old Jaclyn Turner knows what it’s like to be bullied. An aspiring poet with a love for the band Rise Against, Turner wears her curly hair cropped short. She says she can’t grow it out because of an autoimmune disease, and used to wear wigs to cover it up. “I used to get bullied all the time,” Turner said.

Local boys received haircuts in time for the upcoming Christmas holiday during the Southwest Community Center’s annual Christmas Cut-A-Thon. Local Barbers donated their time and talents Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012.

What’s New in Ministry I proudly present Rochester Center of Theological and Biblical Studies. For years RCTBS has been located in the Rochester area. It has now found its way to the Syracuse area. RCTBS holds revolving courses in Christian Ministry, offered on Monday evening and Saturday morning at the Gospel Temple Church, located at 571 Oakwood Ave., on the …

A Friendly Five columnist catches up with local musicians who’ve taken to the road Syracuse has been home to a score of bands, musicians and singers over the years. Some of them have been really good and some, well… you know what momma said, “If you can’t say nothin’ good ….” A lot of the talented ones are still participating …

The 100 Black Men of Syracuse held its Fifth Anniversary Celebration Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Liverpool. The banquet’s theme was “Our Past, Now Our Future.”

After-school program teaches karate, other ways to solve conflicts through nonviolence To help children deal with bullies, a Roman Catholic elementary school has teamed up with a karate school to offer a weekly program for young boys and girls. The Tuesday afternoon program — called “bully-busting” — is hosted by Most Holy Rosary School, at 1031 Bellevue Ave., in collaboration …

Santa Clause, neighbors and the positive legacy of Charles Dozier III kept spirits high and children busied at the 15th annual South Side Tree Lighting Ceremony held the evening of Monday, Dec. 3, at Beauchamp Branch Library.