Samadee never read the karaoke page in the New Times, but the Quigley’s Tavern logo and the stark red CLOSING sign jolted him out of his page scanning. “Due to the local economic situation, their doors must close,” the ad declared of Hanover Square’s oldest pub. “All are invited to say good-bye to a piece of Syracuse History. Drink specials ‘til it’s gone. Watch for Auction details in next week’s issue.”
“Too many memories to contain,” the Has Been reflected as they walked hesitantly into the farewell party. “The close AHOY races, before people started voting by mail. The stage with John Betsy and dancers when Jazzfest was downtown. The Blacklites set of the century outside in the pouring rain.”
“It’ll never happen,” the Wannabe said brashly...

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From cooking volunteer breakfast at the Westcott Café for a year, Thursdays with sausage and grits, Samadee knew that coffee made people talk. He had a sense that the Congressional sands were shifting since Jim Walsh announced he was not seeking reelection, with Mayor Driscoll, D.A. Fitzpatrick, State Fair Cappuccilli and a dozen others garnering some mention in the process. Samadee thought it was strange that Joe Nicoletti had not been one of those mentioned, nor had he gotten any real mention for last year’s County Executive race. Nicoletti was probably content to wait for the 2009 mayor’s race, Samadee thought, since it had been rumored that the once and former candidate already had the backing of a major City Hall strategist...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Nicoletti, Maffei, Walsh, Fitzpatrick, Samadee, Cappuccilli, Driscoll

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Samadee was getting ready to cast a spell. Not that he had ever proved proficient at the family practice. Not knowing his parents as he grew up, he was dependent on his Aunt Marie to develop the skills he would need to inherit the family business.

His Aunt Marie, however, was more in need of a stock clerk for her Botanical Gardens than another spiritual hustler at the front counter bilking the tourists. After more than four decades as a free-lance pall bearer, he had forgotten the incantations and appropriate candle color combinations. But there seemed no other avenue open for his attaining a nomination to run for political office...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: McMahon,Sweetland,Samadee,Yankee Stadium,Red Soxs

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When the tables went outside legally on Hanover Square April 15 Samadee held a determined, if lone and slightly frigid, vigil late into the evening. The following day showed a transformation, as the tables formerly set out for customers of New York Pizza now fronted a totally redesigned Anthony’s. The interior suggests an upscale tone, including framed photographs of Anthony’s hometown of Sonino, outside Rome, but Anthony said he preferred to see his cusine as “fun dining, not fine dining.” He explained that his partner had moved to Florida and he didn’t want to do pizza. “I don’t want to put people to sleep,” he said...

CATEGORY: General Society

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