A walk with Ellie B takes flight

A long loop walk with Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle this week took us behind the apartment complex more than a few blocks away from our home in the Syracuse city neighborhood home of Eastwood. I noticed a Fed Ex truck stopped on the extreme right side of the lot, hugging the bit of unkempt…

How far have the lines moved these days?

I couldn’t quite believe the news story the other week when I read deeper into the particulars about a honcho losing a prestigious position because of something said in public. Or, more precisely, something this middle-aged white American male tweeted to the world in reaction to comments made by a European golfer about an older-generation…

In our garden, still a bit of seasonal confusion

As I read the east coast blogs and, most significantly, looked at their pictures of the driving and piling snow, I felt a bit conflicted. Hell, no. I felt bad for my brethren who were already taking to the shovel. Sorry, Austin, who was moved in Maine to post this headline and all it entailed…

Fabulous Ripcords, Gunrunners, Joanne Shenandoah up for Native American Music Awards

No doubt, Fabulous Ripcords can rip with the blues. I’ve been appreciating these guys’ talent for years, since my time covering the Syracuse scene for the big daily. I remember walking around the outdoor festivals, spying them on an outdoor stage, and stopping for a song. Two. Three. Half the day. Well, that’s a bit…

For Jimmy and Tootie Heath, the brotherly love of music started in Philadelphia

In 1975, three siblings who grew up in Philadephia thought they’d pool their vast talents in jazz as the Heath Brothers. The eldest, Percy Heath, played double bass. Middle man Jimmy Heath was a star of alto sax. Kid brother Albert “Tootie” was the drummer. They’d been in the bands of Dizzie Gillespie and John…

Looking out my back porch door

Stepping to the top step of the porch to let Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle out to do her backyard morning thing, I couldn’t help but look right and left to check out autumn’s progress in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood. The empty lot to the right has a brightly yellowed tree hiding out…

Carlos Santana soars, with no obstructions

It had been while since my dear wife Karen and I had gone to a concert in the Turning Stone Resort and Casino Event Center, but when I heard the word that Carlos Santana was bringing his guitar to the 5,000-seat room just 30 miles east of Syracuse, I knew that would make one heckuva…

Fall seems more crisp where I used to live

After driving those 35 miles east of Syracuse to pick up my monthly collection of meds from my friends Jen and Chris at Doughterty Pharmacy this week, I was struck by a familar feeling as I climbed out of my car, moved to walk up and down the half-mile strip that makes up the town-and-gown…

Mick Fury, Seth Faergolzia back for Syracuse shows

When I posted the link to last Friday’s piece about Jason Teska’s return from Nashville to play a homecoming show for his Syracuse area fans, friends and family on my Facebook page a week ago, Mick Fury was quick to comment. Why he’d just run into Jason in a Nashville bar, Mick told the world…

No more trending up, until I spot the moon in the sky

My bowling hopes were high. The average going up, up, up. But splits were everywhere. Conversions were few. Pins stood. Winking. Laughing. First game. 152. Second game. 154. Final game. 127. Enough to make the spirits sink. Until the exit to drive home from Bowling Green Lanes. A look to the sky Spots a vision…