Tag Archives: featured

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, attributed to king Nebuchadnezzar II, were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. If the Rev. Craig French gets his way, Syracuse’s South Side could be seeing a modern version of the gardens, which were purportedly built in the 6th century BC. French, the lead pastor of the University United Methodist Church, said …

In the tangled green smell of trees and dirt, the cracking snaps of twigs and the chirps of robins and neighborhood children running through Kirk Park, students dug, planted and pulled at the expansive roots and shoots alongside Onondaga Creek in an effort to spread their message of making the world a better place for people, animals and the environment. …

The SMTC and NYSDOT will host its third public meeting for The I-81 Challenge from 3:30 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the OnCenter Ballroom. Interested attendees may drop in any time that is convenient.

It’s unavoidable to walk down any street on the South Side and not come across at least one vacant or abandoned property. It is a familiar sight for residents: windows boarded up, wooden steps broken, shingles on the verge of falling. The Greater Syracuse Property Development Corporation, commonly referred to as the Land Bank, might be just what the city …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …