From classroom to lakefront: the story of Onondaga Lake
By Gwendolyn Craig
May 10, 2013 - 2:28pm
Students at Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF recount the history of Onondaga Lake through puppets, poetry, music and art.

Geoffrey Navias tends to have a deadpan expression most of the time. But when he dons a mask or works with a puppet, his movements bring the character to life.

“Creative art is a lie,” the artistic director of Open Hand Theater told a room full of Syracuse University and State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry students on a recent Saturday morning in The Warehouse downtown.  “It’s a lie. It’s not really here. 

SUNY-ESF taxidermy collection brings animal specimens back to life
By Kerry Wolfe
May 2, 2013 - 4:28pm
In a SUNY-ESF classroom lies the Roosevelt Wildlife Collection, an assortment of 10,000 stuffed animal specimens that educate and inspire students to add their own finds to the collection.

Remove the skin from the body. That is what Tiffany Dellaventura, a senior conservation biology major at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, will do with the two baby raccoon carcasses she just pulled out of her backpack. She will pay careful attention when skinning their faces, because the face draws the most attention from viewers.

The Adventures of Jessica DiCicco
By Paige Cooperstein
April 22, 2013 - 12:05pm
DJ, actress, music video director and voice of Flame Princess on the hit animated TV series, 'Adventure Time': Jessica DiCicco is doing it all, and she's only getting started.

“Flame Princess! Flame Princess! Flame Princess!”

A crowd of people wearing fiery-colored dresses, red wigs, cat-eared hoods and green backpacks suddenly rushed the stage as Jessica DiCicco was deejaying.

Community members recount love tales for oral history initiative
By Leanna Garfield
April 13, 2013 - 10:14am
During the final event for the Black Syracuse Project's "Your Story!" series, members of the Syracuse community spoke about their experiences with love in its many forms.

On a rare sunny Tuesday in downtown Syracuse, a group of strangers gathered in an auditorium above Beauchamp Library to share love stories. A row of chairs faced an empty stage, their voices echoing off the hardwood floor. An initiative by the Black Syracuse Project, “Your Story!” was a chance for community members to recall stories of past love, new love, lifelong love and even love of self.

Gangs of Central New York
By Hani Taha
April 10, 2013 - 2:22pm
Thirty years since former gang leader General Davis ruled the streets, Syracuse is home to 22 gangs and 1,300 gang members, and the violent crime rate remains above the national average.

Three decades ago, it would have been unimaginable to have a conversation with General Davis in a public space like the chic Café Kubal on University Avenue in Syracuse. What can you expect from a man who is a self-proclaimed "one stop shop for gangs in Syracuse"?

'Tap into the MOST' tickles taste buds while raising money for science education
By Jingnan Li
April 7, 2013 - 5:31pm
The food and drink tasting event drew large crowds to the Museum of Science and Technology even during the SU Final Four game against Michigan.

If you weren't watching the Syracuse-Michigan basketball game and needed something else to do on Saturday night besides spill beer on your orange Final Four T-shirt or shout “Go Cuse!” at a bar's TV, "Tap into the MOST" at the Museum of Science and Technology was definitely the best way to spend your night. 

Auto show spotlights classic car collectors from the community
By Jingnan Li
March 25, 2013 - 11:58am
Automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles were on display this past weekend at Syracuse Motorama, the largest indoor custom and classic car show in New York.

Around 130 well-maintained, elegantly crafted cars lined a barn at the New York State Fairgrounds this weekend, each with its own sign boasting the automobiles' make, model and history. Car owners hovered near their prized automobiles, eager to tell visitors about their lifelong passion for cars. Occasional bursts of laughter could be heard over the live music from a rock and roll band.

SU alumni explore the impact of 9/11 with documentary
By Benjamin Fang
March 18, 2013 - 8:41pm
In 'We Were Quiet Once,' a community grapples with the aftershocks of a tragedy that unfolded right in their backyard.

Somerset County is a quiet, small community located in southwest Pennsylvania. It was relatively unknown to the world until the events on September 11, 2001, when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into an open field in the community. Hijacked by terrorists, the plane was reportedly headed to Washington, D.C., but passengers fought to take back to the aircraft, ultimately crashing and killing all 44 passengers on board.

Crime reporter tracks down mystery bus company
By Omnia Elsayed
March 7, 2013 - 8:26pm
Finding leads and following clues? Just a day in the life for journalist Douglass Dowty.

“High school student threatened his director,” said the voice coming out of the police scanner on the desk. The reporter quickly picked up the phone connected to the police scanner to listen to the remaining information about the incident.  The police scanner, supported by 911 centers, is one of the tools that crime reporters at The Post-Standard use to learn about crimes taking place in Syracuse.

Salsa dance classes heat up wintry Syracuse
By Maya Gao Qian
February 25, 2013 - 5:40pm
La Familia de la Salsa's lessons bring people together and lift their spirits, even in the depths of winter.

The room is filled with twirling bodies, sweat-drenched faces and occasional laughter after missing the beat.

The energetic atmosphere of the evening salsa class at Syracuse Pulse Fitness Studio, 713 W. Fayette St., makes it easy to forget the freezing temperatures outside. The snowy weather apparently didn’t prevent people from coming to the weekly lesson.