In words and pictures, why we loved our trip to Cape Cod

A good time was had in Massachusetts. Call it a quick getaway. Call it a wonderful trip. For markbialczak.com purposes, we’ll go with “What I did on my Cape Cod vacation (in a few words and pictures).” It will be a fast recap. Promise. Enjoy. Chapter One: A dog’s life Yes, my dear wife Karen…

From Mike Waters and Mark Bialczak comes ‘The Syracuse Fan’s Survival Guide to the ACC’

The next time a Syracuse University sports squad takes the field in a league contest, it will be a battle in the ACC. Yes, the much-anticipated move from the Big East is upon Orange fans. I know you want to be able to talk intelligently about the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, just…

From the mailbag: A trip to Brazil for Grupo Pagan, it’s in the book for Jeff Barone, British Invasion in Cazenovia

A Syracuse band will be spreading its wings in Brazil the first two weeks of July. Grupo Pagan will be performing its rich combination of world beat, pop, rock, and more in São Paulo and Rio de Janero. The self-described “lite” version of the band — founder Edgar Pagan, Bill DiCosimo and Josh Dekaney —…

At the U.S. Open, life at the top can be rough

It’s U.S. Open week in the golf world. I will be watching when I can, on ESPN and NBC. Starting today, golf fans will savor the sight of the traditional red wicker baskets atop the pins on the greens of famed Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. No flags fluttering in the wind here. The…

You don’t have to buy a lot to appreciate this sellers’ market in downtown Syracuse

The Farmer’s Market returned to Clinton Square yesterday. Even though I no longer work across the street, I still had to visit. Even on a drizzly day, it’s got what I seek. Throughout the years and in several different locations in downtown Syracuse, I always made sure I took a few minutes to wander through…

In 36 countries, people have checked out my blog. Far from Syracuse, please tell me what you think

Anybody with a search engine hooked into this www-dot age of ours has the ability to discover what I’ve got to say. Intriguing concept, this far-flung visibility of markbialczak.com, but kind of far-fetched as well. Elusive. Ethereal. Throw in exciting. I write on my lap here at home in the city of Syracuse. Life unfolds…

At the big daily reunion, it’s a great thing to share

Reunion. Now here’s an event fraught with emotional traps pocking its twisting path. You get back together with people you haven’t seen in a while. You’ve changed. They’ve changed. Everybody remembers certain milestones a different way. New life events just might not be that interesting when shared with a group. This weekend, I went to…

A hip-hop past helps solidify Sound Garden’s Syracuse future.

It took a talented politician to step in an help broker the deal that hopefully will keep The Sound Garden in Syracuse. The Most Talented, in fact. News outlets started reporting yesterday that another compromise of the bill that caused store owner Bryan Burkert to declare he was done with the city will move to…

Benny Mardones to play BBQ Bash Benefit at Sharkey’s, and the love affair with Syracuse rages on

Benny Mardones is coming back to town. Fans will rejoice. People will sing along to “Into the Night.” Women of all ages will jump on stage and dance mightily to “Sheila C.” Mardones and his Syracuse band, the Hurricanes, rocking out for “Benny’s Backyard BBQ Bash,” Aug. 3 at Sharkey’s, on Oswego Road in Liverpool.…

Hobo Graffiti offers a sampling of rough cuts, just perfect for Taste of Syracuse weekend

Hobo Graffiti has been recording an EP, reports drummer Kevin Dean. The intense band was born from one hard-rocking daddy, Brand New Sin. Dean, guitarist-singer Kris Wiechmann, lead guitarist Tommy Matkowski and bassist Chuck Kahl added singer-guitarist Heather Jones and headed off in the direction of rootsy Americana. Dean sent over three rough mixes. “Way…