I’ve learned a lot at the store

For seven months, I’ve been proud to pull on that red vest and talk to customers. Working at the store has been interesting, every shift, every day. Yes, even when I spilled paint on my favorite pair of work shoes. Here’s the most important of what I’ve learned since October, when I started as a…

Me and Chinese

I have a weak spot for Chinese food. There, I said it. So when I get two weekdays off in a row from the store, and my dear wife Karen is working at SMG, well … The allure of Chinese for lunch is pretty darn strong. Last week, I had a 10:30 a.m. vanity appointment…

Mary Fahl, Joe Whiting welcome in May

Tom Honan will be busy this weekend bringing interesting music to Central New York. The main behind Live Space Entertainment cranks up for May with a pair of shows flanking Syracuse. Friday night, Mary Fahl performs at Homer Center for the Arts. Fahl is a singer of note who also carries a connection to the…

Tedeschi Trucks Band knows how to get tight

I love when a band proves it can think out of the box. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks proved that so by putting together a really cool video for NPR’s great feature, the Tiny Desk Concert. The southern rock blues bunch proved you can indeed get 12 working musicians crammed behind one desk. My connection…

Ellie B puts her best paw forward for the Chiefs

The Syracuse Chiefs were thankful that the last Saturday in April went to the dogs. Our Triple-A baseball team has been having one heck of a time with the spring weather so far this season, general manager Jason Smorol pointed out several times with the microphone in his hand during the pregame pooch parade at…

Now you see Tom Hanks, now you don’t in A Hologram for the King

A Hologram for the King begins with the nightmare of businessman Alan Clay singing Talking Heads’ classic Once in a Lifetime to a chilling effect as he jets to Saudi Arabia to escape and — possibly, hopefully — eradicate the noted pain of said subject matter. Wife, lost in divorce. Life, in turmoil. After he…

Where’s Waldo?

A recent walk around our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood led us past one fat cat who’d found a fine place to hang out. My dear wife Karen saw the kitty first. Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle never seemed to notice. Have fun finding the industrious cat. If only its owner dressed it in a…

Holes, Odds and Ends

I posted a photo of our beloved rescue mutt Ellie B attempting to investigate a hole in our neighborhood this week. Paul Curran commented that it jogged his memory. Indeed. Take it away, esteemed weekly Sunday guest columnist from Canada. Welcome to the weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul, I’ll be your…