Local artist creates GIF poetry
By Chase Ferren
October 7, 2016 - 9:58pm
Central New York artist Edgar Paiewonsky-Conde explains his latest art presentation, “Icons and Eye Poems.”

Edgar Paiewonsky-Conde has a full head of white hair that cascades down into an equally-full and white beard. The whiteness is only slightly broken up by an all-linen, cream jacket and pants, with an aqua blue linen shirt. His words, soft and thoughtful, are accented with the sound of the Dominican Republic – his home long before he lived in Manlius. His handshake is firm and his eyes are endearing when he asks, “Do you know what a GIF is?”

Students weigh in on debate season
By Ankur Dang
October 4, 2016 - 1:20pm
As the vice presidential candidates square off tonight in their only debate, many are hopeful for a substantial policy discussion.

Following last week's presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Syracuse students are awaiting tonight’s vice presidential showdown.

Advertising senior Daniel Denning was discouraged by the lack of policy discussion last week, and hopes for a more substantive conversation between vice presidential nominees Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

Local high school football players join the Kaepernick protest
By Ankur Dang
September 23, 2016 - 1:12pm
At least three Syracuse students took a knee during a pre-game national anthem last week.

Three Nottingham High School football players knelt during the national anthem before a game in Auburn last Friday, joining the silent protest started by Colin Kaepernick to raise awareness about injustices against people of color.

“We know what we stand for, or kneel for,” said senior linebacker Jakev Jackson, who raised his fist and bowed his head as three of his teammates knelt on the ground.

Westcott Street Fair celebrates 25th year, supports local businesses
By E.Jay Zarett
September 18, 2016 - 8:43pm
The Westcott Street Cultural Fair celebrated its 25th year with live performances, street vendors and local businesses.

In the summer of 1992, Grace Flusche walked into the local bookstore Tales Twice Told and walked out with the idea for the Westcott Street Cultural Fair.

She chatted with a group of patrons in the store that day about how the Westcott neighborhood should have a festival, and three months later, its first fair was held.

“The very first year it was small, but I think it quickly got big,” Flusche said.

'Original Gangster' has one goal: peace
By Rachel George
September 14, 2016 - 10:25pm
Clifford Ryans takes to the streets to spread his powerful anti-violence message.

Clifford Ryans is no stranger to the violence in Syracuse. The 52-year-old is taking to the streets to help find peace in his community.

It starts on the sidewalks, where Ryans greets neighbors as cars honk hello and children stop to chat. “Hi, OG,” one little boy said, walking home from a nearby summer camp.

“You not touching no guns! You not touching no squirt guns! You not touching no toy guns! You not touching no Nerf guns! You not touching no guns at all, right?” Ryans said.

A Southside 'Gentle Giant' leads local Black Lives Matter group, brings hope to Syracuse
By Bridget Whitfield
September 14, 2016 - 8:32pm
Anthony Harper is no stranger to the violence in Syracuse and is rallying his community together to create change.

Anthony Harper sits on a bench near Mountain Park Avenue, hunched over his phone, wearing a black baseball cap, a gray tank top, dark blue denim, and light brown work boots. He stands up, he is 6-feet 5-inches. His arms stretch out like tree trunks with hands the size of catcher’s mitts. His arms are sculpted with hard muscles and tattooed with thick black lines that swirled around his shoulder blades and on to his chest.

Deaf refugees in Syracuse work to overcome unique challenges
By Samantha Mendoza
September 7, 2016 - 6:30pm
Resources available in the city to help with language barrier, job placement

It’s a summer afternoon in August, and Hai Nay Htoo is sitting in a classroom. He and a group of peers watch as their instructor at Whole Me, Inc. gives the day’s lesson about job preparation and training. Like many 19-year-olds, Hai is concerned about the future and all that comes with it: making himself employable, becoming independent and finding a job.

Hai also faces a different set of challenges. He is a deaf refugee who arrived in the U.S. from Burma in 2012.

Congolese refugee becomes church leader
By Elliot Williams
September 7, 2016 - 12:26am
A Congolese refugee fled his home country to escape a violent civil war. Papy Amani is now an unofficial leader at All Saints Church for the refugee community.

In the front pew of All Saints Church, Papy Amani stands with his Bible in hand. Sunday mornings here are filled with the sounds of Congolese men and women dressed in colorful garb, raising their voices in joyful praise.

"Hosannaaa, Hosanna eyyyyy Hosannaaa, Hosanna eyyyyy."

Such joy was hard to find where Amani came from, he said. Papy (pronounced pah-pay) Amani is the unofficial leader of the rapidly growing Congolese refugee community in Syracuse.

“The way I used to live was miserable,” he said. “There was no hope. Not even food to eat. No peace.”

Organizations foster talents of local artists, SU students
By Shumin Lai
June 20, 2016 - 1:07am
Light Work and Point of Contact are just two local galleries that support artists in visual art and poetry.

There are seven Syracuse University-affiliated art galleries in the Syracuse area alone. Among the longest running arts institutions are Light Work and Point of Contact, Inc., which have been running for more than 40 years each. Within a walking distance, students and residents can not only access art but also participate in their different events.

Community team: Violence in Syracuse is more than gangs
By Kate Capodanno
May 12, 2016 - 2:24pm
Syracuse has targeted gangs and gang activity to combat violence, but one group says to solve this problem the city needs to focus on neighborhood relationships.

Cities across the country are developing different ways to combat violence and crime within their urban landscapes. The City of Syracuse is no different. For the last 15 years the Syracuse Police Department and community members have developed programs and groups to help make the city a safer place.

Despite these initiatives, violence and crime have not changed much, and in some cases have even increased.