A wet, green Christmas was OK here

So much sentimentality is hung upon the concept of a White Christmas. Sorry, Bing, not this year in Syracuse, N.Y. I did not mind at all that in the front of our house in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, the lawn once again had returned to green. OK, I will admit that at the…

The corner is long … and dark

We passed the Winter Solstice mark Sunday here in the Northern Hemisphere, officially moving into the fourth season, the coldest season. The darkest season. We are gaining light. That corner is always turned on the solstice, designating the day when the tilt of the earth begins to move us more prominently toward the sun for…

A gift of song from Todd Hobin

Syracuse singer and songwriter Todd Hobin sent out an email to friends and family last night, and I just opened it now. The member of the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame talks about a fruitful 2014, tells of good plans ahead for 2015, and, most importantly, shares the story behind his original Christmas…

All-Beatles show will visit ‘Abbey Road’ this time around

This year’s Syracuse Beatles spectacular will send its all-star cast out on the Landmark Theatre stage to deliver the goods from the memorable album “Abbey Road.” The name of the evening is “Beatlecuse,” and it’s the work of Paul Davie and his My Generation Music Promotions Company. Davie also plays guitar and bass and sings…

All puffed up for the holidays

One week ’til Christmas. Are you over the moon yet? Now just because I wasn’t out there stringing lights and putting out lawn ornaments at the adored Little Bitty of my dear wife Karen and I in our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood doesn’t mean that I’m not into the spirit of individuality at this…

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…

One and done for my Christmas shopping

Two big boxes, one strip center, one old-school mall and a mega entertainment, dining and shopping cooooomplex! I started and finished my Christmas shopping yesterday. When I got home, I quickly addressed the cards to my significants ahoy, stuffed them with the gift cards, affixed stamps and walked in the rain with Ellie B aka…

What’s Phantom Chemistry, you ask? Hot rock, to start

Listen attentively to the lyrics “Whiskey Slurs” and you’d think these could be the stories of people fighting out their living one block over, one street down, one neighborhood away. Maybe even in the garage next door. They sing about being in a band and how proud they are of it and hell no, that…