New medical director of Rahma Health Clinic provides healthcare for uninsured When Dr. Mustafa Awayda settled in the United States in 1993, he suffered from a bit of culture shock. “For the first year, I was happy I had running water and electricity 24-7, which used to be a luxury in Lebanon because of a civil war from 1975 to …

Two cars carrying a group of eight Eagle Wings Academy students and two teachers recently climbed an icy slope that led up to the Mars Hill Network Radio Station at 4044 Maykes Road, Syracuse. Some dreamed of what it might be like to be a professional singer or DJ and others wanted to see gadgets and enjoy a get-away. As …

New WIC food packaging promotes healthy eating in Syracuse Community Sarah is Ashley Sprague’s second child. Her first, little Christopher, died during childbirth in 2010. She’s especially happy, then, to “spoil” Sarah — with healthy foods. “I’m so happy that I finally get to spoil someone,” Sprague said at her home. “I didn’t get a chance to do that with …

Did you know that colorectal cancer can be prevented? Screening can find precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening can also help find colorectal cancer early when it is easiest to treat. Although colorectal cancer is easily preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as of 2010, one in three adults …

Saturday, Feb. 16, in collaboration with D.R.E.A.M. Freedom Revival, the Ida Benderson Seniors Action League put on a jovial, quirky and message-heavy performance at the Grace Episcopal Church on Madison Avenue. The event was a way for the seniors, still reeling from the closure of the popular Ida Benderson Center back in October 2011, to musically and theatrically voice their …

The Writing Our Lives workshop connected 35 youth from Danforth Middle School with presenters and writing coaches despite cold temperatures and tremendous snowfall left from Hurricane Nemo last week. “Not one presenter called out,” said Marcelle Haddix proudly as parents and Danforth Middle School’s principal, Patricia Clark, shuttled students to the workshops in their own vehicles. “One young man came …

Lynn McDonald is on a mission to help Syracuse youth appreciate the power of poetry On Sunday, Feb. 10, as a volunteer for the Syracuse Poster Project, a local organization that brings together artists and poets to help create posters around the city, and with the help of La Casita Cultural Center, McDonald brought her passion for the written phrase …

7 Styles Deli relies on community feedback to stay in business A distinction of the 7 Styles Convenience Store and Deli at 2030 S. Salina St. is that it is believed to be the only African-American owned convenience store in Syracuse, according to Khalid Bey, the Common Council member whose Fourth District incorporates much of the South Side. In 2013, …

Will you be waiting for hearts and roses on Valentine’s Day? This year, love yourself by getting your mammogram. If you do not have health insurance, free breast exams and mammograms are available for eligible women between the ages of 40 and 64 through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP). Call 435-3653 today to begin registration or register online …

Mercy Works program offers students multiple opportunities Mercy Works, Inc., a non-profit organization based on the South Side, provides a plethora of programs to children, from computer literacy classes and internship placement to improving family relationships. Gina Rivers, the organization’s program director, said Mercy Works’ mission is to identify and meet the social needs of the community and to empower …