Everybody line up. Squirrels to the right, elephants to the left

This sign caught my eye while walking around (and around) Shoppingtown in DeWitt. Usually this corner of the mall delivers the sweet scent of chocolate. On this day, it was cashews, almonds and pecans. I passed but my imagination went wild, as my headline demonstrates.

Smile. Wear orange. Enjoy the extra zip in your step when Syracuse makes the Final Four

Take a good look at today’s date. Fourth day of the fourth month. It’s 4/4. In Syracuse, all minds immediately take out the slash to make it 44. That’s the big dog, the highest pinnacle, the most revered Orange number of all, starting on the football field and moving on to the basketball court. On…

Who needs Valet Parking at a mall? Give me back all of my favorite lot

I’ve been on board with Destiny USA since the first time I walked around the new wing. And I’ve praised the mega-mall in this spot to prove it. Bellyachers and Congel-haters abound in Syracuse, for sure. Me, I think it’s way better to have Destiny USA than to not have Destiny USA. Then came my…

Goose, goose, duck!

On a blustery Eastwood stroll with dear Dogamous Pyle, aka Ellie B, we encountered two resting geese in Norwood Park. One quick bark later, they took flight on a beeline over our ducking heads. I plan to make photos that catch my interest a periodic feature on markbialczak.com. Let’s call it Syracuse through the ‘i’…

At Toby Keith’s joint in Destiny USA, you’ll find a good bar, tasty food and promising music spot

The waitress was well-versed on the beer side of the menu at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. Stella Artois, my dear wife’s order, was available in bottle. Fine for Karen, who prefers that vessel of beer delivery. For me, though, there was one and only one way that I was going to…

At mile 5, neighbors admire the speed, pluck and grit of the Syracuse Half Marathon

They went by in a blur. Our little knot of neighbors cheered. Sunday morning sure wasn’t its usual self in Eastwood. The Syracuse Half Marathon wound its way down our three blocks of Syracuse city living, and near the bottom of the hill, eight people and one amped-up Dogamous Pyle altered the routine to welcome…

A soul-mate with dazzling teeth could be around the corner

A silly, little TV commercial caught my ear yesterday. I’d seen it before but the true madness behind the ridiculousness escaped me until the, oh, fourth time around. Setting the scene: A woman is at a cafe. She’s apparently eligible because a guy across the room catches her eye. She decides: He could be my…

When spring knocks on Syracuse’s door with snowy morning, I grab my shovel

I saw it starting just as my dear wife, Karen, was pulling into the driveway after work yesterday. It stayed in the corner of my right eye from a window in our living room as we went about our evening ways. The weather guy on the 11 o’clock news talked all about it. When Dogamous…

Justin Bieber isn’t perfect! Calm down and tell your kids to be themselves

So they’re reporting about Justin Bieber’s wild streak over in Europe on “The Today Show.” Breaking news. Canadian kid turns 19 and squirms under the spotlight that’s been following him all of his teen years. He acts out. The magnifying glass of our world tells all. He sings and dances for thousands of young people…

Inside my mind on a daily walk through our Destiny

The last couple of days, I’ve taken my daily walk inside, to Destiny USA. Before I jump in the car, I have to deal with the look of disappointment mixed with just a tinge of pissed-off from my dear dog Ellie B. OK, maybe it’s just my guilt over the fact that when I decide…