a novel way to spend New Years Eve

Join the Syracuse Peace Council for the New Year's Eve Vigil for Peace in our Community and Around the Globe

Friday, December 31, 5-6 pm, Clinton Square, S. Salina St., downtown Syracuse
Come raise your voice in the call to start the New Year with peace here in Syracuse and in our nation's relations with the rest of the world. Contact Ann, 478-4571, if you wish to RSVP or have someone greet you at the protest.

After the Vigil, all are invited for some hot soup and bread at the home of SPC activists, 340 Midland Ave.


Sign making party for the New Year's Eve Vigil, tonight. Thursday, December 30th, 5:30-7:30, Syracuse Peace Council, 2013 E. Genesee St.
Come by our office to get creative and help craft messages to show our commitment to working for peace in the world and in our community.
We'll have hot coffee and tea to warm you up. Feel free to bring left-over Christmass cookies! RSVP Ursula, 472-5478 ursula@peacecouncil.net


Syracuse Peace Council
2013 East Genesee St.
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 472-5478

www.peacecouncil.net
Join SPC on Facebook!

Educating, agitating and organizing for 75 years!

This Economy Sucks....$ from the Green Apple (tree)

Ever think to yourself, man, all I need is some cold, hard cash to start my own bidness! No more punching a clock. No more daily grind. All I want is to be my own boss.

New Year's arrived right on time. Do it.

Yeah, yeah, money doesn't grow on trees. But if you've got the best business/ business plan in upstate NY, up to $250,000 could be yours.

This link is for you.* The NY Creative Core is looking for the most innovative and growth-oriented entrepreneur or emerging business.

The competition will run in three categories: Emerging Business, 15K innovations in agri-business, and the $6,000 Business Idea. The 1st place winner in the Emerging Business category will win $200,000, the 2nd place winner will win $50,000 making this event one of the largest business plan competitions in the country. The Business Idea competition will award one talented high school or college student a $5,000 cash prize for a great business idea essay. An additional $1,000 will be awarded to a professor, school, or business club associated with the student winner.

Deadlines:
250K Applications are due by:
Friday, January 21, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST.

Business Idea Applications are due by:
Friday, February 11, 2011

Participation in the competition is limited to individuals or entry teams from the Central Upstate New York region (defined as: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, and Tompkins Counties). Judging will be based on three categories as selected by the individual or entry team:

$250,000 Emerging Business Competition Company currently in existence – formally incorporated by January 22nd, 2010. Revenue stream between $0 and $5 million
$150 application fee (1st place winner $200,000 prize, 2nd place winner $50,000)


$15,000 Innovations in Agri-Business Competition Recognizes a company that has developed and implemented an innovative product, process, or technology that has significantly impacted their competitiveness and the competitiveness of the region’s agricultural community. No Application Fee ($15,000 prize)


$6,000 Business Idea Competition Open to High School and College Students only. $5000 is awarded to the student and $1000 is awarded to the institution the student attends.
No Application Fee ($6,000 prize)

* what link? The link in the title, fool. Click on the title! And don't even tell me you've missed all my other hidden links.

What's #1 on my 1,000 Things To Do in Syracuse list? Live here.

Really live here. Stop the syrabuse, embrace the brilliance of a snowy morning, pick up a Genny Cream Ale ($2), and take a look around. Walk. Explore your neighborhood. Find the hidden websites of the 12million non-profits and community based organizations that call this place home.

Pick up the local hotsheet- the newsletter of your neighborhood (City Eagle, CNY Vision, Our Northside, listen to the spanish-language SABOR LATINO radio show Saturday nights 5-7pm on 1069FM (power1069.com)

Start with a place to live in Syracuse.
On the web, check out:
http://orangehousing.com/
http://syracuse.craigslist.org/

Physical locations to find good apartments or roommates include the community corkboard outside the Syracuse Real Food Co-op on Kensington and just inside the entrance to 2nd Story Bookstore on Westcott Street. Sometimes even asking local business owners while you're picking up a cuppa at Kind Coffee on E. Fayette Street or handcrafted earrings at Craft Chemistry on the Northside will turn up a spectacular apartment.

Buying a house in Syracuse is a damn fine investment. Our housing market didn't bubble...and consequently, it didn't bust. The house Otto-the-Orange-Fan-Gal bought in 2002 for $180,000 has most likely appreciated, and the house Yo'-Mama-Oh-No-She-Didn't bought in 2009 for $30,000 then flipped for $85,000 was a hot property. No, I'm not making it up. You can get a beautiful brand new home in mint condition in Syracuse for well under $200,000. You can get a beautiful, 100 year old house in fine condition for well under $200,000 in Syracuse. You can also find smokin' hot condos in downtown Syracuse, buy a house for $1 on the Near Westside and fix 'er up, or purchase a state-of-the-art super energy efficient custom built home on the Near West side for $80,000.
Yes, these are real numbers. No, I wouldn't play with your emotions like that.

Holla back with questions.

The sky is falling.

If anyone ever tells you that the sky isn't falling, you tell that punk-@%* pollyanna that you've lived in Syracuse, NY and it durn well is. Snow, baby, snow. I couldn't be happier. No, serious, I love blizzards and think we don't get enough of them. Last week, us northerners got 52" of snow, followed by a thaw over the weekend that sent icicles the size of icebergs plummeting off my roof, and now a continuous flurry of perfect snowflakes that is making me yearn for snow days. Kids don't know how lucky they have it.

And what do I want to do on perfect snowy days like this one? After I've built a fire and put on fuzzy socks, I wander in to the kitchen to make some (kosher) Guinness beef stew and (vegan) baking powder drop biscuits from scratch.

In the spirit of hearty winter cooking, I'm providing you with a resource guide to buying locally raised meats. If you've every had a burger at Empire Brewing Co, you can absolutely taste the difference. If you're kosher, this likely won't help you at all. Go to Wegmans in Dewitt or Price Chopper on Erie Blvd for meat. If you're halal, there are small groceries/butchers that sell meat along the Little Italy stretch of N. Salina Street, at the intersection of Erie Blvd and Westcott Street, and in the Shop City plaza. For the rest of you, order up!


Barb Fuller
Dancing Goat Farm
1667 Co Rt 2
Richland NY 13144
315-298-5032
rabfuller@frontiernet.net

David & Erin Hull
Lucky 13 All Natural Red Angus
6638 Rt 80
Tully, NY 13159
315-696-6856
Lucky13beef@yahoo.com

Will & Allison Schonfeld
Will-Sho Farm (Beef)
1916 Dixon Rd
King Ferry NY 13081
315-246-9782

Dean Richardson
Richardson Farm (Beef)
200 S. Daysville Rd
Pulaski NY 13142
315-298-6579

Kirk & Vanessa Phillips
Circle P Farm (goat)
Parish NY 13131
315-391-1656

Mark & Angela Mattison
Mattland Farm, Family Farming Meats (Beef & Pork)
583 CO Rt 52
Richland NY 13144
315-298-8249

Jim Manning
Ferris Farm (lamb)
Prospect NY
Jim@ferris-farm.com

Sjana McClure-Berry
Berry Farms (beef)
10382 St Rt 90
Genoa NY 13071
315-497-1476

Tom Quinn
Quinn’s Irish Hill Farm (poultry & lamb)
Freeville NY
607-844-8645
tom@quinnsirishhillfarm.com

Do you know the ice skating rink?

Living on Drury Lane? Winter can be tough, and in Syracuse only the strong survive. One of the best pick-me-ups come winter time is a rush of raw endorphins. Run, do not walk, over to your local ice skating rink or Onondaga County Park for some cross country skiing. I happily recommend the roomy and magical Clinton Square rink downtown. It's $3 to skate, $3 additional to rent, and $.50 to get a locker for your boots. After you've toured around one of the best designed rinks I've seen in a while, turn those puppies back in and head over to Roji Tea Lounge (108 E Washington St.), BitterSweet(121 W. Fayette St.), Wise Guys Comedy Club & Bar (201 S Salina St.), or Empire Brewing Company (120 Walton St.) for a hot beverage. Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps is traditional...and the bartender at Empire does not fool around...she handed me the spiciest, warmest cup o'chocolate mint gorgeousness that I've :hiccup: every had.

For Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing and Sledding at a variety of levels, check out Highland Forest for:
- Highland offers a wide variety of mostly groomed ski, and separate snowshoe, trails for all abilities.

In the mood for something slightly more Currier & Ives? Highland Park also offers Sleighrides - 20-30 minute horsedrawn rides are available weekends and holidays (except Christmas Day) on a walk-in basis from 11am - 4pm, December 18 - March 13, 2011. $5 per person, under 5 free. Or take a drive to Skaneateles for their Dicken's Christmas. Live carrollers (don't know how to spell that, I'm Jewish), character actors such as Father Christmas and the Ghost of Christmas Past in costume, sketches/skits, and roasted chestnuts for sale to passers-by. There is also delicious local candy specialties at the area chocolate stores.

Enjoy the snow!

Can't buy me love...but please, buy local

It's that time of year when we all meet up with our high school friends home for Turkey Day and hit Armory Square like a bulldozer through the wall of the NYC branch of the Federal Reserve in Die Hard (with a Vengeance). Complicated metaphor, yes. But what is less complicated than buying from local crafters and artisans, or at the least, locally-owned stores for all your holiday shopping needs, I ask you? So this year, take a locavore vow and get all the good stuff right here. Syracuse, Live it! Love it! It's all here.

Plowshares Craftsfair & Peace Festival
December 4-5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, December 5, 11 am - 5 pm
@ Nottingham High School
3100 E. Genesee St.

Don't miss Central New York's premiere multicultural craftsfair. Over 120 local craftspeople and community organizations. Great entertainment, food from The Mission and the friendliest crowd in town.

The Syracuse Peace Council is still accepting donations for the silent auction, see auction for last year's items, contact Andy. Plowshares is completely full for 2010 (including a stocked waiting list).

"Buy Local Bash" DECEMBER 15 @ Orange Line Gallery
Orange Line Gallery doors open at 6pm
106 Montgomery St.
Syracuse, NY 13203

Help SyracuseFirst celebrate our first full year at the Buy Local Bash. We have the opportunity to transform this community but it is going to take all of us to do that. I call it the ABC's of community development: Awareness = Behavior Change!

We need your help and attending the "Buy Local Bash" is a great way to do that and have a lot of fun at the same time. There will be local food, fashion, drinks, great live music, and a DJ.
Local Food... Local Fashion... ALL Fun!
Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members and will be available at SyracuseFirst businesses across the community as well as on the SyracuseFirst website.
Its time to celebrate what makes Central New York great.

Maxwell Alumni, won't you please stand up?

Some of you peeps came to Syracuse for a purpose. Well, I got somethin' for ya...a chance to meet and mingle with other graduates of the esteemed Maxwell School. And potentially a chance to witness a good bar fight. All in one!

Post Election Discussion & Happy Hour
Thursday, November 11th, Awful Al's in Armory Square

Maxwell Central New York Alumni (MAXCNY) invites all CNY Alumni and Maxwell School Graduate Students for a discussion on the outcome of the November 2010 elections
Join us to hear Robert McClure Chapple Family Professor of Citizenship and Democracy

Who will offer an opening commentary on the election results.
Professor McClure's remarks will be followed by Q&A and spirited discussion among those present.
The setting will be Awful Al’s located at 321 S. Clinton St (Armory Sq, between W. Fayette St. & Walton St.) (Phone: 315 472 4427)
Free Food with a Cash Bar
5:30 to 8 PM with the opening commentary at 6 PM.
This is an inaugural "Happy Hour" style event for MAXCNY and we look forward to seeing you there.
Please RSVP no later than Friday, November 5th as we need to provide the restaurant with an estimate for the food order. (I think it's safe to ignore this detail)
For more info:
Norma Ann Shannon
Director of Alumni Relations
202 Maxwell Hall
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244
Phone: 315-443-5504
Email: nshannon@maxwell.syr.edu
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/normashannon

Let me give you a hint, Syracuse is clean and green, and on the map...

in the Global Cleantech political economy. As evidence, I submit exhibit B:

"10 ways Global Cleantech Clusters are accelerating the Cleantech Revolution" and under #8...
Clusters can support all types of cleantech stakeholders – For example The CleanTech Center in Syracuse, New York offers support to entrepreneurs and early stage companies through incubation, acceleration and retention. Collaborators include angel and venture investors, financial institutions and other lenders, colleges and universities, service providers, utilities, industry associations and government agencies. Together, they all provide technical and financial assistance to foster clean technology business development.

Lifted directly from Cookin' in da Cuse

Cookin' and I are already linked. You'll find her delicious blog on the right side of this very page. I know how it is, however. Sometimes something may get in the way of exploring all the wild and varied blogs about town that are attached to my svelte little internet resource. Since I'm here to help you out...I've decided that you need this info directly from the source:

Cookin' in da Cuse writes...

"This weekend is the Pride of New York Harvest Fest Nov. 6-7 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. There will be about 100 growers and producers there plus wine and beer tastings and local food products galore. It could be a great way to check out local foods that don't always get to store shelves--and purchase things for the holidays: a local foods basket is a great gift, don't you think? Tickets are $25.

For the meat lovers out there, I've just received word about a Meat Fair--that's right, a LOCAL meat fair sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County. It will take place on Saturday, November 20th, 2010, at the Central Square Middle School cafeteria, on U.S. Rte. 11 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Many different meat vendors from the area will be on hand to speak with consumers and answer their questions. Janet Wells, of the Farm House Kitchen Catering Company will prepare the different meat dishes for sampling; including goat, beef, pork and poultry. Cost to attend the event is $5.00.

Shhh! And you thought the secret to the wardrobe was Narnia.

Ok, I'm a girl. I admit it. What I shouldn't admit is where I get my clothes. You might be as much a clothes horse as I am. You might take this information and steal off to usurp all the good stuff while I'm writing this. But I am willing to risk it in the hope that smart fashion takes off in Syracuse. Oh, by smart fashion, we're also talking completely green.

Marshall's in Fairmount Fair
3501 West Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13031
No joke, this Marshall's has an amazing buyer. Forget the one on Erie Blvd, it sucks. This one rocks. Calvin Klein suits, super cute undies, swim suits in all styles, Michael Kors sunglasses, Sofft shoes...you brand name it and this place has it.

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Rummage Sale
10am-4pm October 31st, 2010 (and there is a spring rummage sale too every year)
18 Patsy Ln, Jamesville, NY 13078-3706
Who knows clothes better than a Jewish mother? This sale is consistently stocked with quality clothes, kitchen items, coats/suits, children's toys, books. This is my super secret go-to for clothing, especially vintage suits and jewelry. A Do Not Miss on my Things To Do list.

Boom Babies
489 Westcott Street, Syracuse, NY
Designer dresses, formal wear, men's hats, vintage hankies, cool jewelery, and Halloween costumes out the wazooh. Buyer beware- this shop is wicked but during the peak prom season (March-June, and sometimes August-October for Homecoming) this place is filled with glamor-seeking 16 year olds, harried mothers, and impatient (read: rude) staff. It's a little slice of St Mark's Square chic.

Encore Thrift Shop
119 Brooklea Dr, Fayetteville, NY 13066-1303
And I quote, "located in the Limestone Plaza area of Fayetteville this charming thrift store is staffed by volunteers" and all profits benefit the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. This place is on the pricey side for a thrift store, not like ye old Salvo, but has top quality brand name goods thanks to it's focus on arts philanthropy and location in richville.

Salvation Army Thift Store
2433 Erie Blvd E Syracuse, NY 13224-1186
The to-go thrift location for Syracuse city residents. This store in particular has all your non-disposable party needs- dishes, silverware, glassware, kitchen appliances, chairs and other household furniture. It also has a warehouse-sized store filled with rows of clothes organized by color. Random, right? There must be a method to that madness because everytime I go I come back with good loot. You need a $16 Tahari pant suit? or 70 little ceramic cups for an amuse bouche? This is THE place.

Newtonian Physics...or The Apple Picking Post

This is disgraceful. Here it is, mere days before Halloween and far too close for comfort for the November 2nd election and there has not been one single post on apple picking in Central New York. Apple picking up here is a lifestyle. It means days of apple cider donuts, spiced cider in a steaming paper cups, and baked apples with cinnamon perfuming the kitchen. If you're a canning freak like myself, it also means churning out quarts of the best complement to Hanukah latkes- pure handpicked and home made apple sauce goodness.

Now, there are exactly twelve million places to go apple picking around Syracuse. My favorite is Abbott Farms. Abbott Farms has something for everyone. Fresh, hot apple cider donuts (for me), spiced hot apple cider, local meats and cheeses, regional food specialty items and gifts (kid's tea sets, cook books, popcorn, New Hope Mills pancake mixes, etc), pies, ice cream, locally made fudge, and burgers made with their own farm-raised beef (beware, the fries are terrible). They have a pumpkin patch, petting goats, kids amusements and haybales to tumble on, a cider press for voyeurs like myself...oh and loads of apple trees.

Of the regional cider producers, you will hear two names consistently: Beak & Skiff and Red Orchard. Beak & Skiff cider is available at all local grocery stores, and they have recently pioneered a vodka made from apples, but you have to go out to the orchard store to get that. You can also pick there BUT Beak & Skiff is like the Disneyland of apple picking: clean, sanitized, and overrun by screaming children and tourists. Red Orchard cider is available from multiple vendors at our Regional Farmers Market. Rumor is they're organic.

Let the good times roll...Assault City Roller Derby

It's true, I've been keeping things from you. Like the time I got all dolled up on a hot Saturday night in August and pre-gamed in a parking lot in Baldwinsville before the Assault City vs. TriCity Roller Derby game. Sadly, our Assaulters got their asses handed to them by the Tri'd n True but no matter. Roller derby is an exciting sport to watch. The referee jeering in particular is highly enjoyable. Mostly because there are about 3 refs to every woman on the rink- and if that wasn't laughable enough- the refs actually think there are rules to be observed. :snarf:

Salt City Strikes Back...in vogue

The 2nd annual market will be on Saturday, October 23rd, 10am – 6pm, at the Case Supply Warehouse at 112 Wyoming St in Syracuse, NY.

The Salt City Urban Art & Craft Market is a unique event for the Syracuse area. Crafters of the new generation are emerging to provide funky, alternative and contemporary handmade artworks and our mission is to create an annual marketplace where a diverse group of local artists and designers have the opportunity to showcase and sell their work.

The Salt City Urban Art & Craft Market is the place to buy, experience, share, and re-imagine all things locally handmade while enjoying local music performances and yummy food provided by a local venues!

Green Drinks has hatched in Auburn

I posted about Green Drinks in Syracuse. Well, I'm sorry if I shock you but...we've already had a spin-off! Auburn is just west of Syracuse and it's a town with a burning secret. Auburn has one of the most progressive renewable energy strategies in the nation. :shocked gasp:
Now, this is just my opinion but listen up...3 hydroelectric sites in town, waste-gas methane digestion with the projected addition of a solar farm, a geothermal HVAC system for its 100 year old City Hall and several geothermal public schools, and continued movement toward Blue City (off the grid completely) energy policy. Now you agree with me, right?

Auburn Green Drinks Oct 19th reminder and listserv
WHAT: Green Drinks event in Auburn NY
WHEN: 7pm 'til 9pm, Tuesday 19th October 2010
RULE: Third Tuesday of every month
WHERE: Swabby's Tavern, 6 South Street in Auburn New York.
WHO: Anyone working on environmental issues or studying them
WHY: Fun, contacts, alcohol (or not), info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure
NEW: Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.
STATUS: Informal, self-organizing network.
URL: http://AuburnSIG.blogspot.com
HOW TO FIND: Look for the all electric three wheel "BugE" vehicle that will be parked near the entrance!
Contact: to sign up for the Auburn Green Drinks notify list, just write a blank email To the automated list: 'greendrinks-on@wells.edu'
For more info, write to William McCracken at william.mccracken@rocketmail.com


Autumn. Prime apple picking time. In the spirit of the green apple, a local symbol of innovation, I invite you to tour through the Creative Core, Central Upstate New York’s regional marketing campaign and website. www.creativecoreny.com Lots to see and do, regional photo competitions, the largest privately funded business competition in the USA, and vital stats and stories from creative (and sustainable) initiatives throughout the 12 counties!

October 14th at 6pm is the next Syracuse Green Drinks, followed closely by November 11th.
We’ll be in the back room of the Lounge unless otherwise noted on the sign in the Lobby of the Genesee Grande Hotel: 1060 East Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13210. The Genesee Grande has created an easy method of spotting treehuggers- a table-top sign stating “Green Drinks”.

City-wide meeting on Saturday

Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today (TNT) was a broken process intended to create community-led leadership on city matters in the neighborhoods. Mayor Miner is revamping the process and this meeting will be key...

Tomorrow Neighborhoods Today
Annual Meeting
Saturday, June 12th 2010
9:00am*~12:00pm
City Hall Atrium
201 E. Washington St
Agenda:
Housing Blitz
Presentation by Neighborhood and
Business Development Staff
For More information and to RSVP (suggested!)
email Babette at bbaker@ci.syracuse.ny.us
Or call at 448-8173 or 448-8100
* 8:30-9:00am Networking and Refreshments



Babette Baker
Coordinator-Tomorrow Neighborhoods Today
City of Syracuse
Department of Neighborhood and Business Development
(v) 315.448-8173
(c) 315.935-3773
(f) 315.448.8036
bbaker@ci.syracuse.ny.us
www.syracuse.ny.us

Green Drinks, 2nd Thursday of every month (erm, this week)

NEXT Syracuse Green Drinks June 10, 6pm

Oh June, Oh World Cup, Oh bloomin’ oil spill. Holy teeth clench, batman. With so much to anticipate this month, Green Drinks is your spot of sanity in a crazy Technicolor world.

Some updates- Syracuse Green Drinks has now taken its rightful place on the international list of Green Drink locations. Find out more here: http://www.greendrinks.org/NY/Syracuse AND we’re working with the Genesee Grande to create an easy method of spotting treehuggers- a table-top sign stating “Green Drinks”. Be on the lookout at our next gathering.

Speaking of which, JUNE 10th at 6pm is the next Green Drinks, followed closely by July 8th. We’re out on the patio unless it’s raining. The Genesee Grande Hotel: 1060 East Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13210

Tweetup, verbatim

K, I admit it. I copied this verbatim from the email invite I received. Gotta problem wit' that, son? I'm a newbie so I'm checking this out.

Social Media Tweetup: For Rookies to Rock Stars
Wednesday, May 26
5 to 7:30 p.m.
Syracuse Technology Garden,
235 Harrison Street, Syracuse, N.Y.
Light refreshments will be provided.

Join us for a tweetup for registrants of the Syracuse BizBuzz event and members of the Syracuse twitterati. Network with members of Syracuse’s social media community and exchange tips-and-techniques. If you’re new to social media, there will be people available to help you get started with tools such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogs.
Program of events
5 p.m. Arrival and Networking Over Refreshments

5:30 p.m. Social Media 101 Presentation and Welcome
Presenters:
Anthony Rotolo, iSchool Social Media Strategist and Professor of Practice (http://twitter.com/rotolo)
Jill Hurst-Wahl, iSchool Professor of Practice, Information Consultant
(http://twitter.com/jill_hw)
5:45-7:30 p.m.
Syracuse Tweetup
At the core of social media is the need to be social. Join your Twitter-buddies and other colleagues to share tips-and-techniques, questions, ideas, etc. Remember to bring your mobile device, so you can tweet, browse, or download new apps as we talk.

How-to Training
If you don’t have accounts on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn or need other help on getting started, members of the local social media community will be available to help you. Come with questions and leave with answers. If you would like to setup your account on your own laptop or smartphone, please bring it with you (and bring the power cord too!)

Refreshments will be served and mingling between social media “rookies” and “rock stars” will be encouraged.

RSVPs are not required, but are requested to ischool@syr.edu or 315-443-2911.

The Syracuse Technology Garden is located at 235 Harrison St. (at the corner of S. Warren St.). Street and lot parking is available.

Or seriously, learn to be urban and grab a bus or find a meter. People who can't find parking piss me off.

The Social Media Tweetup: For Rookies to Rock Stars is a pre-conference of the BizBuzz Social Media Conference on Thursday, May 27 at the OnCenter in Syracuse. Register for the conference at http://www.syracusebizbuzz.com.

Cookin' in da Cuse...

or at least, cookin' in da Syracuse Test Kitchen. And yes, I went there.* Literally, I Pulled into Syracuse** to the Syracuse Test Kitchen and took a cooking class. Not just any cooking class but a class from Julie Tabouli (aka Julie Ann Sageer) who makes incredible Lebanese cuisine. Her mother, Hind, showed me some exciting knife skills while we make fresh, delicious tabouli, kibbeh, hummus, babaganoush, toum (garlic emulsion), and fresh falafel. It was exquisite. I'm also happy to report that the Syracuse Test Kitchen is hot. Not temperature-wise either. Hot like an amazing place to cook with all sorts of neato equipment (like the oven that heats in seconds). Hot like your mom, even. Hot. I will be going back and for $15/students, $20/mere mortals...it was equivalent in price to eating out and and twice as fulfilling a culinary experience.

*If you haven't checked out the actual blog Cookin' in da Cuse, what on this green, tender, and chewy earth are you waiting for?

**Ditto for Pulled into Syracuse, for the less hands-on, more eat-out crowd.

See how the other half live...the Syracuse Downtown Living Tour

Presented by the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, the 2010 Downtown Living Tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 22nd noon-6 pm.

Come see downtown’s finest examples of urban living. The tour features ten tour stops, showcasing a wide variety of living environments found right in your downtown! The 2010 Tour will be headquartered at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que’s new function room and will be showing off residences throughout downtown, including Clinton, Hanover and Armory Squares! The 2009 People’s Choice award winner, the Jefferson Clinton Commons, will also be featured –come back and see how much it has changed since just last year! This year’s tour features five new tour stops. Come see a variety of upscale condo’s, new apartments, historic renovations and enjoy specials from downtown restaurants and see what downtown living is all about!

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Michelle Erno at merno@downtownsyracuse.com or 422-8284. A volunteer orientation will be scheduled closer to the event. Each volunteer is asked to volunteer for a two hour shift and will receive a free t-shirt and ticket to enjoy the tour.

Healthcare Teach-In

In case you haven't been following the FUBAR nature of our healthcare debate, this Friday at Syracuse University's Schine Student Center there will be a Healthcare Teach-In with info in abundance.

April 16th, 11-5 in Schine 304 A, B, C
Goal: To clarify some of the complexities of a healthcare system and dispel misconceptions with straight forward, factual information that students may interpret and subsequently formulate their own informed opinions.

1st Panel – Healthcare 101
• Single payer v. public option (THE BASICS…)
• Medicare, Medicaid
• Costs to be insured, employee benefits

2nd Panel- Healthcare Systems: Domestic v. International
• Shortcomings of our system, and what other countries (of comparable development..i.e other countries in the OECD[organization for economic cooperation and development] mostly European anyway)
- What within their models is able to address such short-comings?
• Reasons behind the hesitation to adopt things from other models.

3rd Panel- Life without Healthcare (Students from Dr. Lane’s Class [prof of epidemiology/public health ethics)
• Graduating students getting kicked off of parents insurance plans
• What demographics trends are normally uninsured

4th Panel- The Economic Implications of Healthcare Reform
Which system provides reduced cost?
• Current challenges for small businesses, will they be reduced?
-small businesses like start-ups are a major source of innovation and job growth, and protecting them could greatly help to improve our economy.
-sometimes can’t provide health insurance for employees, and therefore reduces the likelihood that people will opt for such a job (especially if they have dependents).

The 700 Space pARTy

The 700 Space pARTy is the coolest thing happening in April or your money back. This free event will feature a whole night of "out of this world" entertainment sure to knock your space boots off, including guest appearances by your favorite aliens, bands, and artists. Come one, come all and by all means come in costume.

Launch Date:
16 April 2010
18:00 - 23:00 hours
(that's 6 PM - 11 PM for you civilians)

Why Space, you ask? And why pARTy?
This event is all about transforming vacant and traditional commercial spaces into art galleries and music venues for one evening. It’s also about bringing greater attention and new visitors to spaces that already exist as music and arts venues in our community (cough cough, Craft Chemistry). Because this event so heavily focuses on the theme of “spaces”, we thought it only right to introduce a space theme to the evening. We figured it couldn't hurt.

The Flight Plan
Bands:
Joe Driscoll: http://www.myspace.com/joedriscoll
Cheap 'N Easy
David Wax Museum: http://www.myspace.com/davidwaxmusic
Summer People: http://www.myspace.com/summerpeople
Brownskin Band: http://www.myspace.com/brownskinband

Visual Artists:
Isaac Bidwell - illustrations: http://isaacbidwell.com/
Tara Hogan of Ink+Wit - papergoods: http://www.inkandwit.com/iw/
Sara Mills - mixed media installation
Vanessa Miguel - jewelry
Christine Clifton - photographs
Danielle Sakowski - paintings: http://www.infiniteintuitions.com/

Things you'd have to see to believe:
Open Hand Theater puppetry: http://www.openhandtheater.org/
Moon Bounce
Motivational/Prompted Photography
NASA footage, hosted by UVP: http://www.urbanvideoproject.com/
Juggling Lessons

Green of the Crop

Belated post...but at least you can see that green is growing in Central New York. Implementing the competition is and has been a wonderful team effort with the Creative Core, Syracuse Center of Excellence, AMOS Project, CNY Works, and the Metropolitan Development Association...the $150 cash prizes come from a Who's Who of green development organizations and agencies in Central New York and the prize sponsors are green businesses from all over Upstate NY. Look for more info next week at the awards ceremony and keep Green of the Crop in mind for next year.