Hometown News

Federal program could give South and Southwest sides help they need City officials began applying last month to a federal program that would designate parts of Syracuse’s South and Southwest sides as a “Promise Zone.” The distinction would give those areas preference for certain federal programs for a 10-year period, according to the city’s director of research, Janet Burke. “It …

The Dunbar Center reopens, looks to start a new era for residents One of the South Side’s oldest institutions has opened its doors after a short downtime, bringing back a wealth of opportunities for residents of all ages. Ever since its founding nearly a century ago, the Dunbar Association, a community center at 1453 S. State St., has provided refuge …

Thanksgiving Week assistance needed for 3,670 meals Meals on Wheels of Syracuse needs more volunteers during the holidays and winter season. Thanksgiving week staffing is falling short compared to previous years and many regular volunteers are headed south for the winter. “We’re normally fully staffed with volunteers for Thanksgiving week by now,” said Mason Kaufman, executive director of Meals on …

Two groups met in the cathedral of a local church Thursday evening in the hopes that both could gain a better understanding of the relationship between them. “The Police and You” is a planned ongoing forum to join the Syracuse Police Department and South Side community in conversation and to be held monthly at various churches, the first meeting which …

A sea of brown cardboard boxes covered the second floor of Beauchamp Branch Library on a recent Saturday, decorated with cascading ribbons and hand-drawn logos. These weren’t ordinary packing containers. Every branch of the Syracuse City Library system hosted the Cardboard Challenge on Oct. 11, inviting children from across the city to showcase their own makeshift games, complete with corrugated …

Meachem Ice Rink opens after repairs just in time for new season After nearly four months of repairs, Meachem Ice Rink is back in business. According to Syracuse’s Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs Department, the repairs at 121 W. Seneca Turnpike had been a long time coming. “We’d known for a while that the rink was on its last legs,” …

The Dunbar Center is gearing up to reopen. The center held a community meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, to hear input from residents about what programs and events it could offer in the future. For now, the center is offering a few programs for seniors, a small after school program and weekly Zumba classes, which began Wednesday, Oct. 22. Weekly Zumba …

South Side residents find fresh produce under a tent at Store for a Day A chill hung in the air as a light rain fell on the South Side one recent Saturday morning. With his back to a white tent and several crates of fruit, Howie Hawkins fretted that the damp weather would scare off potential customers of Store for …

Writes 100K check to Mary Nelson Center Monday, Sept. 29, after attending the dedication ceremony at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Oprah Winfrey traveled to Syracuse’s South Side to visit the Mary Nelson Youth Center. She was invited by Nelson, who hoped Oprah would support her plan to add a basketball court to her center for local youth. …

Market set for first two Saturdays of each month A soft rain is falling, coating a carton of Concord grapes in a fine layer of mist, as South Side residents pass by the Eat 2 Live Food Co-op. The building’s doors are shut, but a group of community members are grouped on the sidewalk beneath a white tent, resilient to …