It looks like all-skate to me

The famous 30 Rock isn’t the only downtown outdoor center that’s got it going on. I thought I might find a deserted core Saturday in the heart of Syracuse, N.Y., when I had my dear wife Karen stop the car off on our way to a holiday party so I could see if there was…

Another weekend where everybody feels Irish

Dancers with a high step. Singers of Celtic rock. Singers with traditional strings. Spirits and spirit. The Syracuse Irish Festival was again sponsored by Guinness last Friday and Saturday, and it was pretty evident that the people it drew to downtown’s Clinton Square felt pretty darn Irish about the whole thing. In March, St. Patrick’s…

Does anybody really know what time it is?

On the first day of this fourth week of this new full-time job, I knew it was time to take a lunchtime shot of the clocks that I pass while walking during my 60-minute break. At the corner of Warren and East Washington streets, just a block from Hanover Square, the Key Bank branch has…

3 fountains and a lunch from home in 60 minutes

So how much can you accomplish in a 60-minute lunch break in downtown Syracuse? You can sit on a bench and eat the lunch you packed, a ham-and-cheese sandwich and a baggie of baby carrots chased with a can of Arnold Palmer Zero, and thrill at how chilled your brand new Igloo lunch bag kept…

You have to try the Polish beer, the guy said

My dear wife Karen and I enjoyed the sights, sounds and tastes of the 60th Polish Festival last night in downtown Syracuse’s Clinton Square. No, contrary to a rumor circling the square, I have not been to all of them. Ed, a city firefighter I’ve known for more than two decades, asked me if I…

That Crawfish of Louisiana comfortably opens fest season in Syracuse

Five months worth of available dancing, drinking and eating in downtown Syracuse’s Clinton Square kicked off yesterday afternoon. The spring gray broke for a stretch, my dear wife Karen and I took off our jackets, the good friends were chatty, and my very favorite Syracuse band was on the stage. I enjoyed the Crawfish Festival.…

New York State Blues Festival back with big lineup

After a year off to retune the organization and format, the New York State Blues Festival has announced a big and impressive lineup for a two-day return, July 18 and 19 in Clinton Square in Syracuse. Media relations representative Julie Briggs sent out the list of performers today. Coming to play the free-admission event in…

Lovely Christmas Tree, happy skaters in downtown Syracuse

My friends and former co-workers threw a happy hour party last night, so I parked my car downtown and headed off on foot to meet my dear wife Karen. Everybody was gathering at a nice joint by the name of J. Ryan’s, to honor Michelle, who’s leaving the big daily at the end of this…