Off Campus: Multimedia Belt

Two individuals, 46 mountains, one week: A climb to fight depression
By Varuni Sinha
September 12, 2014 - 11:57am
Two Clarkson University students hike all 46 Adirondack High Peaks to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Kolby Ziemendorf, a mechanical engineering alumnus from Clarkson University, lost his high school classmate Greg Lombardo to depression and suicide in 2010. Rattled by this tragic incident, Ziemendorf, 22, struggled to find answers.

While sitting in church one day, an idea came to him: a way to honor Lombardo’s life. He would climb 46 peaks of the Adirondack Mountains in seven days to help raise awareness on this sensitive issue.

Baking together, one croissant at a time
By Christine Rushton
July 28, 2014 - 12:27pm
The co-owners of Picasso’s Pastries and Cafe partner to offer from-scratch goods for the Westcott community.

Sun rays cast weak dawn light on the empty glass cases. Steam rises in wisps above the first brew of the day. In pink bunny slippers dusted with a coating of flour, Kayla Brandt balances a tray of warm butter croissants destined for the front display.

It’s 6:30 a.m. on a recent Wednesday, and Picasso’s Pastries and Cafe smells of French bread and apple tarts.

Meet your motivated neighbor
By NewsHouse Staff
July 15, 2014 - 12:22pm
UP Start Syracuse is helping make dreams come true for seven local entrepreneurs. Discover why their business ideas are passions, not just plans.

Among the many people who dream of starting their own business are seven who may have a more than even chance at making it. 

The reason: A local organization has tapped their ideas as worthy of a boost. 

Finding his own way
By Allie Caren
June 26, 2014 - 12:11pm
Scotty Fura and his family are determined to move forward after a tragic accident to the Camillus boy.

Jennifer Fura remembers it being quiet — as if life was on autopilot — for a long time.

“Whatever they needed they got; try to sleep when you could. I don’t remember a lot of it,” she said. “I kind of felt like a zombie for awhile.”

One day all of that changed, when her son, Scotty, walked into the kitchen, smiled at her, and said, “Hi, mom.”

“And that’s when it hit me: I’m like, if this kid is smiling, every day, after what he’s been through: why aren’t I?” she said.

Tapping into the sweet legacy of maple syrup
By Katrine Dermody
May 27, 2014 - 3:15pm
Every spring, Howard LaFever faithfully harvests sap from 400 sugar maple trees in Morrisville.

Howard LaFever has been making maple syrup since he knew how to walk.

Back then, he and his siblings would collect old cardboard boxes and fall asleep next to the hearth in the sugar shack as their father and grandfather boiled sap late into the night.

Today, many years later, LaFever is an accomplished engineer, he is married and he has children and even grandchildren. Unofficially living by the “work hard, play hard” motto, LaFever collects antique and modern race cars — and don’t let his age fool you, this grandpa races. And he wins.

Funk N' Waffles to get new location in Armory Square
By Elena Sorokina
April 12, 2014 - 11:48am
New downtown location looks to book bigger bands and add alcohol to the menu alongside famous waffles.

The popular Marshall Street diner, Funk N’ Waffles, is opening up a new location downtown in Armory Square. The new venue plans to serve alcohol and bring more live music into town, but will try to stay family-oriented.

There is also no exact date for the opening yet, owner Adam Gold says.

“I have never done anything like that before, I am unsure about the date,” he said.

Hopeprint gives refugees a fighting chance
By Jonathan Gault
March 27, 2014 - 7:07pm
Sean Haley's Hopeprint provides Syracuse refugees English classes, job training and tutoring.

When Sean Haley decided to enroll at SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2010, he could have moved anywhere. Haley could have chosen a location close to the school’s campus on East Adams Street. Or he could have returned to his hometown of Manlius and commuted from there. But Haley decided to make his home on Syracuse’s Northside, the heart of the city’s refugee community. Moments like the one Haley experienced last summer remind him that he made the right decision.

Pay it forward
By Maxwell Antonucci
March 20, 2014 - 12:54pm
Student-run credit unions bring hands-on experience to local high schools in poor economic conditions.

There’s been a steady increase in student-run credit unions in Syracuse high schools, helping more students learn to better save money.

Making the best of a snowy situation
By Katrine Dermody
March 2, 2014 - 9:39am
At a time of year when we most need it, sledding at Greyrock Farm gives us a reason to get some fresh air and reminds us of why winter in CNY can be great by combining the best of what this long, snowy season has to offer.

It has been said that Syracuse feels the snow in its bones.

Well, if that's the case, this winter -- which in my opinion has felt extra cold, extra snowy, and extra long -- might prove why snow and ice are part of our collective CNY DNA.

And perhaps it's this biological condition, this genetic disposition which gives Central New Yorkers that admirable and insane winter fortitude -- something we all rightfully take great pride in, by the way.

CNY Brewfest spreads good beer and good cheer in Syracuse
By DJ Summers
February 10, 2014 - 5:40pm
This year's CNY Brewfest brought 1,500 drinkers and 103 breweries together under one roof at The State Fair Exhibit Center.

The 18th annual CNY Brewfest, held Saturday at the New York State Fairgrounds, takes a loose approach to commerce that ties into attendee David Brennon’s goal. Brewfest is less about making money than spreading good beer and good cheer.