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Calmesha Givens keeps her acting dreams alive while also working at On Point For College Actress Calmesha Givens sits in a room with three other people — waiting — anxious to hear who made the cut. The room is silent as the tension builds. Everyone in the room seems on edge, except Calmesha, better known as “Caly.” She looks confident, …

Saxophonist, vocalists catch attention with their strong musical performances I ran into Pat Odom about a month or so ago in the supermarket. Pat was my daughter Maricia Danielle’s chaperone back in 2003 when she won first place in the local ACT-SO competition in the vocal music category. The win allowed her to travel to a national competition in Miami. …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Dharma Kids program at Zen Center of Syracuse open to all Today’s assignment: “Draw what you hear.” As soon as Reijitsu Paul Batkin says these words, the eyes of the children sitting inside the Zen Center of Syracuse light up. These are the kinds of activities they look forward to on Sundays at the Dharma Kids program. The five children …

A place of learning, peace and warmth P.E.A.C.E., Inc. enjoys a prime location off of South Salina Street, yet Reshana Blackshear and her team members say they are still tirelessly trying to make the community aware of the organization’s existence and purpose. “We want to know, how can we better serve you? How can we better serve each other? How …