Life & Style

Tough Questions: Find the Syracuse trivia night that's right for you
By Jillian D'Onfro
February 25, 2013 - 9:39am
Head to one of the many local, bar-hosted events to bond with friends over beer while stepping up your knowledge of pop culture, geography, and American history minutiae.

The buzzy commotion of the bar softened and gazes shot to the front of the room in excited anticipation.

"The 'Seychelles' are a group of islands in what ocean?" Brian Cocca asked the group gathered at Trapper's Pizza in East Syracuse. Teams as small as three or as large as six were crammed around tables laden with drinks, appetizers, free popcorn, and baskets containing the cellphones of all participants. Trivia nights need to take certain precautions in the age of the smartphone.

New Year's Resolution Update: Why sticking to those exercise goals is a good idea
By Michelle Van Dalen
February 21, 2013 - 3:01pm
Syracuse University students sound off on how they're keeping up with fitness ambitions -- and why it's important to stay active.

The Archbold Gymnasium bustles with students working on the weight machines, lifting free weights, and running on the treadmills. Guys watch themselves lift weights with pain on their faces while girls power through their elliptical and treadmill workouts. The image differs greatly from the way the Archbold Gymnasium looked in December, perhaps because of the new year.

SU students explore martial arts in the community
By Hani Taha
February 20, 2013 - 8:07pm
A group of Honors students check out Aikido of Central New York for an evening of education and empowerment.

Samurai warriors in kimonos, high kicks soaring through the air, swooshing limbs: all stereotypical images that flash when one thinks of Japanese martial arts. Aim for the kill and -- KA-POW!

A group of Syracuse University students swapped stereotypes for reality though when they visited Aikido of CNY this week and got a crash course in the martial arts.

Insulin Life: Living with diabetes
By Drew Shapiro
February 18, 2013 - 8:44pm
For the nearly one in 10 Americans over the age of 20 living with diabetes, life is a constant balancing act.

Brian Stevens is one of 25.8 million people in the United States diagnosed with diabetes. He is also a single father, an apprentice electrician and part-time ski school instructor.

“Even though I’m diabetic, I do live a fairly regular lifestyle,” Stevens said.

But balancing work, school, parenting and diabetes is a tricky act for the 28-year-old Syracuse resident.

Syracuse students take on the Harlem Shake
By Jillian D'Onfro
February 18, 2013 - 1:38pm
The easy-to-imitate viral video trend hits SU with some hilarious results.

Hula skirts, a sombrero, and fuzzy blue and orange batons added to the bizarre atmosphere that infiltrated Watson Theatre Thursday morning during Professor Anthony Rotolo’s Social Media in the Enterprise class (affectionately known as #RotoloClass). A strange, blue-haired stuffed giant lounged up front and Otto the Orange hopped excitedly on top of a chair. A girl with a tutu and a masked gentleman sitting in a wheelchair, shirtless under his lab coat, waited eagerly in front of the professor, who was donning a wizard’s hat and robes....

Gazing into the 'Great Beyond' at the Syracuse Psychic Fair
By Hani Taha
February 16, 2013 - 10:45pm
Mystics, mediums, and the metaphysically in-tune gather in Liverpool for a weekend of spiritualism.

There weren’t many crystal balls, gypsies, or the stereotypical Professor Trelawney-type robed soothsayers. However, plenty of gems, incense, dowsing rods, and dream catchers lent an aura of mysticism to Syracuse’s 23rd annual Psychic Fair held at the Liverpool Holiday Inn this past weekend.  

Seniors and SU students get savvy on social media
By Lauren Levy
February 15, 2013 - 1:34pm
Local senior citizens and Renee Crown Honors students participated, side by side, in a social media class that used both Twitter and Facebook as a supplement to in-class teaching.

This fall Syracuse University students and local senior citizens enrolled in "HNR 360: Election and New Media" to learn about the impact of social media on political campaigns.

Love is in the air
By NewsHouse Staff
February 14, 2013 - 7:04pm
Check out how Valentine's Day made its mark on 'Cuse this year.

Congratulations, you survived another Valentine's Day! Whether you spent it cuddling up to a special someone or hanging out with your friends, we hope that you felt the love.

Scouring campus and the Syracuse community, we saw signs of celebration all around, from heart-shaped balloons to semi-creepy kittens.

Relive the romance by checking out this Valentine's Day slideshow above or checking out the special romance-themed videos below.

Forgot a gift? We’ve got you covered
By Jillian D'Onfro
February 13, 2013 - 6:50pm
Three easy tips for putting together the perfect last-minute V-Day present.

Happy Valentine's Day from TheNewsHouse.com Okay, so we've heard all of the excuses: It’s been a busy week!  You gave up your New Years Resolution to stay more organized January 5th!  You didn’t think your boo was really into Valentine’s Day anyway!

SU promotes health and wellness with free flu shots
By Allie Caren
February 10, 2013 - 11:06am
Faculty, staff, and students can receive no-charge influenza vaccinations, but awareness is a critical first step.

Members of the SU community enjoy a privilege that not every university offers come winter: Influenza shots, free and accessible for all.

Kathy Van Vechten, in charge of flu vaccinations at SU’s Health Services, said that the university initially ordered 3,000 doses of the vaccine, and recently ordered 400 more.  Each shot cost the university around $10.