Tag Archives: featured

A blue tarp kept the mud at bay during the groundbreaking ceremony for the South Side’s  Eat to Live Food Cooperative Friday morning, as organizers and local officials voiced their support for the project. Linda Littlejohn of Syracuse University’s South Side Initiative said the day reminded her of the lyrics to a Sam Cooke song: “It’s been a long time …

South Avenue restaurant offers employees stability, a second chance Omanii’s Lemonade Heaven restaurant doesn’t just serve the best lemonade in town. It has helped resurrect the lives of a dozen South Side felons over the last 18 years by giving them a place to work. “Before I was surviving, now I am living,” said Westcoe Williams, 54, the head chef …

Food cooperative set to break ground May 4, open early next year After about five years of planning, the South Side Food Cooperative, a division of the Southside Community Coalition, and the South Side Initiative are gearing up to build a food co-op in the neighborhood. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled May 4 at 2327 S. Salina St., to initiate …

Sam Rowser with On Point helps local students achieve college dreams Ever since Sam Rowser overcame the obstacles in his life that stood between him and a college degree, he has firmly believed that education is the key to positive change and success. “In my life, I’ve had some bumps in the road, and the one thing that was consistent …

Syracuse community members depend on pantries for nutrition Verleen Innis has a fresh and deep, pink scratch near her left eye. It’s not her first — nor is the story behind it a new one. The 54-year-old South Side resident says she tries to ration the food she gets from pantries, but it is tough for her and her disabled …

Tucker Missionary Baptist Church provides members in need with financial, employment assistance Tucker Missionary Baptist Church provided Walter Tapley with spiritual guidance — but that won’t pay the rent. The church was there for that as well. “I had fallen on some hard times, and Tucker Missionary helped me through a lot of my struggles,” Tapley said.

This Saturday, April 14, high school students from the Say Yes Collegiate Preparatory Academy are scheduled to visit a developing snack garden housed on the property of the Rahma Free Health Clinic located at 3100 S. Salina St. The students will give out information they have gathered about food deserts while they also assist with mulching, trail building, sign making …

Ever since 2002, Mary Nelson, founder of the Mary Nelson Youth Center, has worked to empower her community. Recently Nelson decided to reach kids through the form of entertainment. On Thursday, April 12, Nelson will hold her first mock interview of the radio program Rise Up, which she says is scheduled to air on Clear Channel’s Power am 620 on …

In the cafeteria of Bethany Baptist Church, more than 200 students, parents and teachers sang, danced and rapped all for the same purpose — to learn how to be better writers. The church, located at 149 Beattie St., was host to writing consultant Erik Cork. Cork, the founder of International Write Now, Inc., presented his high-energy, interactive workshop, “Rap, Rhythm …

Corcoran fights a national trend by exposing the city youth to lacrosse Emmanuel Rowser’s parents wanted him to be involved in sports year-round when he was young. So when Rowser was 12 and the basketball season ended, they told him he needed to find his next sport. Rowser decided on lacrosse — but there was something different about it. It …