At the crossroads

They go by very fast when you’re driving and trying to find the right way, right?

Off by a few degrees

While enjoying Martinfest in the downtown Syracuse parking lot Saturday, of course I had to stroll a bit to take in the late-morning, late February mood. Time on the tower, check. Temp on the tower, off by half-year. I’d take the 94 instead of 34. How long would it take me to complain about how…

A Martinfest under sunshine is a very good thing

When the sun shines on Martinfest, everybody has a really good time. The gathering of great friends put together so wonderfully by the Martin family took over the corner parking lot for another fantastic Saturday. We marked the almost-passing of February in fine style for, maybe, a decade straight now. I could go back and…

May you have a great Feb. 14

Spotted during my recent walk in Downtown Syracuse … … a perfect message for today with this store name. May you all have a good Valentine’s Day.

Maybe I’ll try one of their non-beers

Walking recently in downtown Syracuse, I noticed the logo for an old joke-telling emporium on a corner awning. Oh, yes, Wise Guys Comedy Club. I recall seeing many comics at a handful of different spots around Syracuse during my decades as a Central New Yorker. At this corner? I remember eating at various restaurants here.…

A monument to the lasting significance

Clinton Square can still rock it. Put that Soldiers and Sailors monument amid the lights and glorious sky, and there’s your reflective holiday moment for the day.

Hanover Square dresses up nicely for the holidays, too

Downtown Syracuse’s Hanover Square warms my heart still with its decorated skinny stick trees. The space appeared to be more reflective than ever this year, including a festive spot in the middle of the square. The single star sure is lovely.

Syracuse still gives out a holiday glow

My hands were cold, sure, but I kept my phone out while walking from the Onondaga County Public Library Central branch to my car. OK, I’d strategically parked it waaaaay down Salina Street by Clinton Square, so I could make the most of my iPhone 8 photo moments on Salina Street at holiday time. I…

Is it still a really pretty tree?

So the City of Syracuse switched out to an artificial Christmas tree for the traditional spot on downtown’s Clinton Square for the first time this year. Lots has been discussed in local media spots regarding costs, the saving of one really big live tree that won’t be cut down each year, this and that. I…

Pierogi make us dance, too

So what would put George Three, my terrific daughter Elisabeth and my dear wife Karen in such a good mood in downtown Syracuse’s Clinton Square? We had just eaten our annual Polish Fest meal cooked up by the folks from the food-makers who travel to the event from Rome, N.Y., that’s what. Their pierogi make…