Somali Bantu refugees find support, community at center on Burt Street While violence is an often-discussed problem for Syracuse and the South Side, the city and this neighborhood is a sometimes-unrecognized refuge from it, too. Many newcomers to America find a center on Burt Street to be a new start, and a peaceful alternative. “The mission here is to help …

A community garden was inaugurated at Syracuse Housing Authority’s Pioneer Homes Saturday, April 20. The garden was brought about through a partnership with Upstate Medical Hospital and the neighborhood as part of an initiative to promote healthy living through sustainable practices. The hope is that teaching residents, particularly at a young age, that planting your own food is not only …

South Siders speak out on New York City’s proposed soda ban, what could be done here While New York City continues to wrestle over a legal limit on oversized sweet drinks, one South Side registered nurse has laid down the law in her own home. Not in my house, says Barbara Yancy-Brewer.

Soccer League for youth begins this Saturday Tillie’s Touch is starting a Recreational Soccer League for children that reside within the city of Syracuse. The majority of the children can not afford to pay a registration fee or have equipment to play soccer. Tillie’s Touch is waiving their registration fee for any child/family that can not afford to pay and will provide soccer …

New artistic director brings back Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company The new artistic director of the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company says it’s all about community. His first project proves it. The PRPAC’s comeback production is a cabaret for the African-American students that were not cast in Cicero-North Syracuse High School’s musical production of “The Wiz.” Not a single African-American …

This Summer Issue features four profiles of community members. We take this opportunity each year to offer this special profile series, which expands on The Stand’s regular “Achiever” feature. The Stand is all about people who are contributing to the South Side community. If you have a nomination for our regular “Achiever” profile, please let us know. Our reporters also …

Dan Mumford wearing a pair of work gloves and a bright fluorescent yellow T-shirt with “Clean Up ‘Cuse” picked up trash in rotten yellow leaves, shoveled litter in stacks and cut down dry, dead branches. Holding a wooden big clamp to pick up litter, he turned to his 5-year-old son and said, “Hey Andrew. Can you pick up that trash …

National act Garland Jeffreys to perform at historic Palace Theatre on April 20 Over the past couple of years, A Friendly Five column has spotlighted many groups, bands, individual musicians and singers. With each story we have tried to share some insights with our readers as to the variety of musical styles and talents in our city. Occasionally we have …

This week, The Stand will offer its final General Interest Meeting. This free event will be offered at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the South Side Communication Center located at 2331 S. Salina St. The session will allow residents interested in the paper to meet with The Stand to learn ways you can get involved. We are always looking …

Teachers of Tomorrow leads professionals in careers helping students When she emigrated from Cuba to the United States, Rosalina Fonseca hoped to stick with her career as a teacher. She had taught math for nine years in her native country and hoped to do so here. “I didn’t know any English, but I wanted to be a math teacher in …