Life & Style: Multimedia Belt

Modern Malt serves unique eats during Dining Weeks
By Nicole Griffin
February 25, 2016 - 4:58pm
Learn about Modern Malt's specialty dishes featured during Syracuse's Downtown Dining Weeks.

Modern Malt is not just a typical diner. As it's name implies, it puts a modern twist on some of America's most loved foods. If you order a grilled cheese, expect to find apples inside. In the mood for French toast? Modern Malt serves them coated in Fruity Pebbles. This is all thanks to Executive Chef Anthony Donofrio, who has been the creative mind behind the menu since the restaurant opened just over two years ago.

Hair stylists wow crowds at a fairy tale hairstyle show
By Shumin Lai
February 22, 2016 - 9:27am
The fifth annual BLOWOUT fantasy hairstyle fundraiser show entertained crowds at the Landmark Theatre on Sunday.

The theme of the BLOWOUT 2016 show was, “Once Upon a Time”. The competition mimicked a party where characters from various fairy tales such as The Little Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio gathered together on stage.

“It is great for the salons to bring people out and show their creativity as a community event,” said Karin Leary, the assistant at BLOWOUT 2016. Leary said the event is a fundraiser for ACR Health and the Q Center.

Expressions of love
By NewsHouse Staff
February 14, 2016 - 7:12pm
Whether it's a another person or activity, these students and local residents are passionate.

Valentine's Day is the annual reminder of love, and that love isn't necessarily limited to another individual.

As several of our digital reporters discovered in their quest to find expressions of love, human passions extend to animals, activities and themselves.

Watch the series of videos above to learn more about the way love can be expressed.

Videos produced by Natasha Amadi, Kate Capodanno, Mariana Domingues, Danielle Gehman, Nicole Griffin, Shumin Lai and Jackie Prager.

Bathroom
By Gabriella Jones
January 31, 2016 - 10:26pm
Commentary: An introspective look at a personal space five college roommates share.

Imagine a commercial or movie scene set in a family bathroom. What do you see?

It's probably a pristine bathroom setting. A floor lined with shimmering white tile and fixtures that seem to sparkle. Maybe there's a young child standing on a step stool brushing his or her teeth while glancing at their reflection in a mirror. And in all likelihood, there's not a single item out of place from the porcelain soap dish to the towels neatly hanging on a rack.

Growing up living with my mother I was fortunate to experience something similar to what was just described.

Tattoo expo brings ink lovers together
By NewsHouse Staff
January 31, 2016 - 7:12pm
The 28th Annual AM-JAM Tattoo expo Kicked off on Jan. 29 at the Best Western Plus Convention Center.

Tattoo lovers attended to show off their ink and even add to their bodily canvases. The weekend-long event featured The Lizardman as the Master of Ceremonies.  The expo, which ended on Jan. 31, also featured competitions including Best Cover Up, Best "Creature from the Sea" and Best Sleeve. 

Community comes together for Fiesta de Navidad
By Spencer Arbige
December 22, 2015 - 8:39pm
La Casita Cultural Center hosts a party where people of all ages can sing, dance and enjoy a hearty meal.

Michelle Cáceres smiled, her bright purple skirt swirling around her waist. Her feet moved to the beat, the notes of drums and guitars echoing through the air. Cáceres, a member of Syracuse University’s Los Raices dance troupe, was full of energy, as she danced the night away.

Syracuse herbalist concocts tonics to prep bodies for winter
By Stephanie Jade Wong
November 10, 2015 - 4:36pm
Central New York herbalist Deb Thorna makes natural products to lessen the chances of getting sick during cold weather.

Winter will blow in soon, which could mean being surrounded by people coughing, sneezing and sniffling. Although there are prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal tonics may be an alternative addition or solution to lessen the chances of getting sick. Herbalist Deb Thorna, 59, recently hosted a Winter Health with Herbs event as part of her Herb Academy program.

Thorna, a Petit Branch Library clerk, said she has studied herbalism for more than 15 years.

Cat lovers crazy for local artist's whimsical cat paintings
By Stephanie Jade Wong
November 4, 2015 - 12:02pm
Cindy Schmidt paints colorful, cranky cats for her Cranky Cat Collection.

“I started painting cats, and they have basically taken over my life,” said artist Cindy Schmidt.

Schmidt created the Cranky Cat Collection around 2000, after noticing her cat paintings were more popular compared to her others.

Sculptor makes art for human prosthetics
By Alexa Voss
November 3, 2015 - 10:23am
SU junior Kate Browse delves into the process of making medical prosthetics by creating a plaster mold of her face.

Kate Browse, a sculpture junior, dove headfirst into pursuing her goal of discovering the process of making human prosthetics by constructing a mold of her face.

To do this, she and two other assisting sculpture majors mixed a skin-safe alginate with water to make a plaster-like substance. Her assistants then painted this mixture over her face, neck and ears. 

As a self-described claustrophobic, Browse said she first felt intimidated that she would have to breathe through two small plastic straws placed in her nostrils while the plaster dried on her face.

Making good on a Halloween costume
By Drew Osumi
November 2, 2015 - 9:35am
Photo essay: Senior Drew Osumi explores the motivations and inspiration for students' Halloween attire.

I’ve noticed at Syracuse University that there are many people who tend to remain exclusive to a set of friends. They might do this because they feel that it is safer or other people aren’t as cool as their current friends.

As a photographer, I’ve been able to travel around and photograph different events on campus, and I find it incredibly fascinating to see the similarities between all groups of people.