You may have never heard of the name Shepard Fairey, but I guarantee you know him. Fairey is the artist that created the iconic “HOPE” image of President Barack Obama. The image was everywhere- posters, buttons and probably most beneficial, featured on thousands of Web sites devoted to raising money for the campaign.

Fairey said he created the image after doing a Google image search for the then-presidential hopeful and choosing a photo where Obama looked inspired and hopeful. In another version of the story, he said an “unknown Obama staffer,” gave him the image...

CATEGORY: Art

TAGS: Obama, Fairey, Garcia, copyright

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One of the NFL’s commitment to kids is its “PLAY 60” initiative, which encourages kids to be active for at least 60 minutes per day.

I know I’m only 24, but my how things have changed.
Maybe its because I grew up in the country in a safe area where my parents didn’t have to supervise my siblings and me while we were outside, but I don’t think I sat down for 60 minutes per day when I was a kid—definitely not in the summer.

I remember during the school year waiting for my cousin’s bus to drive by (he lived only a few houses down but was in a different school district). His bus arrived about a half an hour after mine and it seemed like forever...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: football, NFL, play, video game, obesity

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Editor’s note: During production of this week’s edition of the Oneida Press, I found out that my grandfather Calvin Janes, a lifelong resident of Durhamville had passed away.

I don’t know how old I was, but too young to climb the ladder to the hayloft by myself. It’s one of the memories that’s only a few seconds long, but clear for that moment. It’s like a photograph- I’m not sure the context of the event but I remember the image.

My grandfather and I were wearing matching blue flannel shirts. He had his rubber boots and I had mine- they were red and when I stepped in mud they made a smiley face where my foot had been.

We walked through the barn past the cows and he bent down in front of the ladder to the hayloft...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: calvin janes

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I have only been a member of one union in my working life. While employed at the Buffalo Sabres, merchandise workers organized to fight drastic pay cuts while the Sabres were enjoying some of their most profitable years.
These cuts happened before I was hired so I was in a difficult spot. I understood the frustration my colleagues must have endured, but I was thrilled with the salary I was offered when I was hired, not knowing that just a few years before the merchandise team had been making double that.
Working at the Sabres was my favorite job. I loved the atmosphere, I loved the hours and I loved my bosses.
I stood by my friends when they talked about mistreatment, even though I didn’t really feel it...

CATEGORY: General Society

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When I was in high school I decided to start a new family tradition. I wasn’t sure if I had the authority to do this, but I did.
I went to Oneida High School but was friends with a lot of kids from Stockbridge. One of these friends was John Czajkowski. John’s parents, two math teachers in the Stockbridge Valley School District own a house that I knew how to get to because you just went past Marble Hill Inn until you could no longer go “up.” In the winter it was easy because there were signs directing us right to it. Signs from almost anywhere in Oneida. They own Czajkowski Tree Farm...

CATEGORY: General Society

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Varsity cheerleading was the only sport I was ever cut from. I guess I wasn't peppy enough. Plus I never understood the phrase "school spirit," but I think I had it.
In high school my best friends ("the crew" as we called it) were comprised of football players and football fans. Our weekends consisted of a Friday evening game, a Friday night celebration and then two days of recovery.
I was there when Oneida High school went to the sectional finals in 2002...

CATEGORY: Football (American)

TAGS: oneida, football, high school

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Even at the busiest common council meeting, there are only 20 to 30 people in attendance. This is in a city of 10,000. The vast majority of people get the information they need from newspapers.
I know a lot of the reporters in the area, which is not surprising. It’s a small community and we cover many of the same meetings and events. I am often disappointed in the flippant attitude of others in my profession—not only in our community, but everywhere.
I don’t think many reporters think about the fact that many readers take what you say as fact. This leaves little room for error...

CATEGORY: Government

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