I desperately needed a cup of coffee. So much so that after circling Armory Square for parking, and finally finding a spot across from the MOST, I entered Starbucks intending to cut through to the local roaster, Freedom of Espresso. But my need was so great; I found myself in a line at Starbucks and stayed. Also, as a former restaurateur, Starbucks is one of the chains I actually admire. It does try to engage in the local neighborhoods it occupies, serves a quality product, is innovative and pretty consistent, too.

Anyway, there was a young African American man in front of me in line who was acting all kinds of edgy. I thought, coffee ain’t gonna help that...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: computer literacy, Starbucks coffeeSyracuse literacy,Armory Square,Freedom of Espresso

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U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd celebrated a milestone before Thanksgiving. He is the man with the most hours in the Congress...

CATEGORY: Government

TAGS: Byrd,President Bush,Mission Accomplished,Gulf of Tonkin,U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd

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Chris Fowler’s Syracuse First (page 1) is a can do concept. The beauty of his thinking is based in economics and simple math. He has created an association of local businesses rather than local producers.

His message isn’t all or nothing at all. He is simply asking the populace to stop for a minute and rethink your purchasing dollars. Could you use the local chain Byrne Dairy for convenience food versus an out-of-state company?

Okay, you really like Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, but how about one out of 10 you purchase from a local roaster such as Freedom of Espresso or Kubal Coffee? He says just that little switch could make a big difference in our economy.

It’s true the national chains and big box retailers employ people, but so do the local outfits...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Syracuse First,Chris Fowler,Isadora,Armory Square,syracuse economy,shopping dollars syracuse

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The truth hurts, as it is often messy and confusing. Hiding from it, as counterproductive as that sounds is often a whole lot easier – not necessarily over time – but for the time being, “yeah, it works.”

Some people conduct a whole life pretending that their truth doesn’t exist. I even do it from time to time. I put facts away that I can’t deal with. Away? Bury them in my psyche, so much so I don’t even remember burying them.

I’ve noticed recently that the difference between the political far left and the far right is dealing mainly in the issue of the hard truth. I’m not taking sides, rather taking note.

The left often deals in the raw, honest to goodness, in your face truth...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: truth,political right and left,gays in the military,gay vote

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Syracuse will soon add one more woman to its leadership roster that already includes Onondaga County Exec Joanie Mahoney, SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor, OCC President Debbie Sydow, Syracuse Chamber of Commerce’s Darlene Kerr and many more.

Before I met Stephanie Miner, I have to admit, I had heard of her prosecutorial style and a temperamental nature.

Spending some time observing the Syracuse Common Council in action, I only witnessed her stepping up and asking the tough question, which could tend to make some attendees feel uncomfortable, in particular, her fellow councilors.

I finally met Miner at City Eagle Senior Editor Walt Shepperd’s Q&A; during the mayoral campaign...

CATEGORY: Commentary & Debate

TAGS: Syracuse City Hall, first woman mayor syracuse,SU Chancellor,Syracuse Common Council,Joanie Mahoney, SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor,Debbie Sydow, Syracuse,Darlene Kerr,Walt Shepperd,Stephanie Miner,Ellen Leahy,women's issues,Kenneth Shaw

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I remember the exact moment that I finally really got the concept of Jesus Christ.

Consider the fact that I was baptized and raised as a Catholic in a pretty accepting America when it came to the Catholic faith.

I heard the stories, studied religion regularly, listened to the gospels, received sacraments, ate fish on Fridays, covered my hair in church, did the Stations of the Cross, made a few confessions, but still I didn’t quite get the significance of the spotlight on Jesus, the son of God. Or, more to the point, why the obsession in regard to Jesus bypassing God, our father, with almost total disregard for the Holy Spirit?

So, almost 40 years into this life I was on my way to work in Armory Square in the mid-90s...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Jesus christ,god,armory square, ellen leahy,the holy spirit

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My mother was the most intense bargain hunter on earth. Raised during the depression by a single-mother working as a live-in nurse for babies, mom ended up in a quasi foster home. She witnessed a strong work ethic and the value of a dollar from an early age.

Growing up it seemed I had the only post war, middle class, mother who still tried to haggle with storeowners. She fed a family of seven on $100 a month. She drove to a farm to purchase cracked eggs at a reduced cost. She didn’t buy any junk food except for the occasional giant value pack of cookies. She loved to get bread at the Arnold Bread Outlet Store...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Upstate medical center,Upstate Medical University,Bill and marion Leahy,donating body to science,CNY health

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