The first-grade class of McKinley–Brighton Magnet School performed two rocking Christmas performances Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15 and 16, recently. The performance was a first time experience for them, and it was wonderful to see the parents and family members in attendance clapping and cheering with great support of the children on stage.

Do you have questions about health care reform? Community Health Advocates, AIDS Community Resources and the Syracuse Northeast Community Center offer a service to guide groups or individuals through the maze of present day health care and the changes coming with the new health care law. Community Health Advocate Coordinator Steve Wood of AIDS Community Resources says many don’t know …

Center gives South Side children a place for reading, computer work The Southside Family Resource Center — a community center based in the P.E.A.C.E, Inc. building on West Castle Street — is more than a place for children to go after school. It has become a safe haven for children across the South Side to play with friends, do their …

Just in time for Christmas, Dec. 17 marks the Third annual Dunbar Christmas Jazz Concert to take place at 8 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 2384 James St. The Dunbar Christmas Jazz concert is a fundraiser to help raise money primarily for the center’s youth services. “Unfortunately we have really been hit hard with cut backs, and our youth programs …

Dedication fuels Corcoran High School girls cross-country team to achieve A chilly wind whipped the grounds outside Corcoran High School recently as the girls cross-country team members ran speed workouts. Their season, coming to an end, had been an exciting one, said their coach, Joseph Serrao. Serrao, 42, has served as the team’s coach for 17 years. This year his …

The light drizzle was secondary to sipping hot chocolate and eating sugar cookies as South Side residents collected outside of Beauchamp Branch Library for the 14th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held on the evening of Monday, Dec. 5.

Leather store provides tools to craft own pieces Tandy Leather Factory, a branch of a national chain and a South Side fixture for 26 years, is the only branch in the entire state. “There used to be one in Rochester, Albany, Binghamton and New York City, but they kept the Syracuse one,” said Donald Sell, 29, Tandy Leather’s new manager. …

The newest book from the “Images of America” series highlights the history of Syracuse’s Police Department and will be widely available starting Monday, Dec. 12. “Syracuse Police” is written by local authors and members of the Syracuse Police Department, Daniel F. Walsh, Thomas L. Derby and Russell W. Gates. The forward is written by the city’s current Police Chief Frank …

Local legends share their secrets to staying on top of the music scene Over the years, Syracuse has enjoyed its share of traditional quartet-style gospel singing groups, including the Davis Sisters, Five to Life, The Flying Eagles and Foundation. But none has endured the test of time like The Bells of Harmony or the Pilgrim Gospel Singers.

Pedal to Possibilities offers bikes, bonding and beverages for the homeless It’s barely dawn on a Monday morning, and Andrew Lunetta is already up and working. The senior peace and global studies major at Le Moyne College is busy fine-tuning a bicycle for one of his riders. It’s all part of a routine he follows every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.