SeanKirst

Syracuse's community grid will have landscaping. Can trees prevent air and noise pollution? Trees can act as a second line of defense against pollutants from the community grid — but only with the right strategy.

The Mike Greenlar image on this piece by Deb Sur for The Central Current says it all: Imagine this devastated landscape - once #I81 is gone in downtown Syracuse - replaced by trees. centralcurrent.org/syracuses-co...

Terrific piece by the great Steve Watson, so gifted at these tales: Fifty years ago, these guys buried an old Oldsmobile as a time capsule at Artpark. A half-century later, the state won’t let’m dig it up:

Dave Sage, an old friend and retired lead forecaster from National Weather Service in Buffalo, says one thing he loves about these high-profile Bills games in our magnificent autumn: Reminding millions of just how beautiful this region really is, especially right now. My column …

The images of the great Mike Greenlar capture what several regional meteorologists say is simple truth: If you love being outdoors, the autumn weather we’re experiencing right now - including celestial September - is as consistently beautiful as they’ve ever seen. My column:

Sean Kirst: A farewell tribute to our Upstate September, 'the most perfect month you could ever see' Several Upstate meteorologists, rarely given to superlatives, say this September was a template of sun and beauty.

Several CNY & WNY meteorologist friends say this point-blank: If you love being outdoors, our Upstate September was one of greatest, most beautiful months this region's ever seen. My Central Current column with stunning Mike Greenlar images: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-a...

After a series of blows, Westfield banks on a return to grapeness Westfield was once dubbed the “grape juice capital of the world." Now, it's on the comeback.

Westfield has held onto its identity, despite the loss of Welch’s corporate headquarters and a shrinking demand for Concord grape juice. To remain a "grape place to live," local leaders have had to innovate.
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...

The 2014 leveling of this Fairmount landmark - on farm created by key engineer on Erie Canal - led to eviction of this family … & decision by one son to become lawyer devoted to helping powerless, which led last week to immigrant mother being freed to reunite with 3 children.

Yeah, that house … just looking at it created a feeling of antiquity.

It’s staggering - when you think of what that place represented - that there was no civic pushback against knocking it down.

Much like the Genesee Theatre in Westvale. www.syracuse.com/kirst/2014/0...

Sean Kirst: Family's eviction from lamented Fairmount landmark ignited mission of immigration lawyer Matt Gonnella used his family's experience being evicted to propel his career as an immigration attorney, Sean Kirst writes.

The lessons of isolation taught by eviction from childhood home - a beloved landmark unexpectedly demolished - inspired CNY native’s career as Massachusetts immigration lawyer … who just helped free client from detention. My Central Current column: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-f...

Don Paul: Almost summerlike stretch ahead as drought worsens and U.S. hurricane threat builds We are in for another extended stretch of dry and warm daytimes and pleasantly cool evenings, meteorologist Don Paul says.

We are in for another extended stretch of dry and warm daytimes and pleasantly cool evenings, meteorologist Don Paul says. Sunday starts with patchy fog, giving way to a partly to mostly sunny sky and warm temperatures for a delightful Bills game day.
buffalonews.com/news/local/w...

Image of Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, by his longtime friend and celestial photographer Mike Greenlar: At 95, Lyons has decided to place a lifetime treasury of letters, documents, artwork and photos into the hands of skilled archivists at Syracuse U. My column:

Oren Lyons, 1971, at the Onondaga Nation with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Leon Shenandoah in photo provided by Oren's son, Rex. Such treasures will be part of massive collection of papers, images and artwork that Syracuse University will safeguard and archive for Oren, who retains ownership. My column:

Sean Kirst: At 95, Oren Lyons trusts SU and its skilled archivists with his treasury of papers A lifetime of letters, documents and photos from a global Haudenosaunee diplomat will be made available to scholars, at SU.

Oren Lyons, globally renowned Onondaga Nation faithkeeper, has reached an agreement to make a lifetime's worth of papers, photos and artwork available to scholars at Syracuse University. My Central Current column, with stunning Mike Greenlar images: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-a...

Nedrow’s Dragon China shuttered. ICE detained its owner. ICE detained Dragon China owner Li Xing Chen at an immigration hearing, according to Chen's son. The restaurant will close, his son said.

Owner of popular Dragon China restaurant in Nedrow, just outside Syracuse, arrested and detained by ICE on 'a warrant of removal': Story by Patrick McCarthy of The Central Current ... centralcurrent.org/nedrows-drag...

I will!

That’s fantastic. Thank you. And fyi:

🤫

I may have to stop by.

I share your sadness: Pizzazz was fantastic and ambiance of the shop so beautifully Syracuse. Miss it big-time. I honestly believe creative, inspired investment and planning - with buy-in from nearby neighborhood associations - could bring that commercial district back.

The Elmwood neighborhood of Syracuse in its commercial heyday, image one (courtesy of OHA), image two as it appears all too often today. To read my Central Current column on a cleanup there Saturday and dreams for that district - as well as tale behind new Eli Harris mural - follow this thread:

Sean Kirst: In Elmwood Saturday, a memorial cleanup to reinforce how 'we need to be community' At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, a group of Syracuse residents will gather for an annual peace cleanup in the memory of Jim Gifford, who was killed 11 years ago.

Saturday, in Elmwood neighborhood of Syracuse: A cleanup to remember those lost to violence, and a gathering - beneath new mural of city legend - with dreams of turnaround. My @Central_Current column: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-i...

A poster found behind a wall during the restoration of the old Central High, about to reopen as a regional CNY STEAM school after a shutdown of 50 years. Star Park is long, long gone. To get a look inside - thanks to some beautiful Michelle Gabel images - follow this thread:

The magnificent old Central High, abandoned 50 years ago, reopens Wednesday as Syracuse Regional STEAM High School, moment of spiritual resonance downtown. Some amazing photos from inside by great Michelle Gabel, with my Central Current column: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-i...

My column this morning is about Oren Lyons and Roy Simmons Jr., a friendship built upon lacrosse for 70 years - and what it means to them to be honored with award named for Alf Jacques, legend of the wooden stick. Photos by the great Mike Greenlar: As always, simply beautiful. My piece:

Sean Kirst: For Oren Lyons and Roy Simmons Jr., Alfie Jacques Award all about his knowledge of true value Two old friends speak to the spiritual and natural meaning lived out by a legendary artisan of wooden lacrosse sticks.

It was joy and privilege to write for Central Current about lacrosse legends Oren Lyons and Roy Simmons Jr. receiving Alfie Jacques Ambassador Award. But please: Read it for stunning, intimate photos by Mike Greenlar, friend to all three for many years. My piece: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-f...

The farewell look in 2012 before a kindergartner gets on bus for first time, the farewell look - in 2025 - when his folks drop off same guy for first time at his dorm. My column on how one family lives out classic journey:

Sean Kirst: From kindergarten to college, an oldest kid, a farewell, the aching glory of late summer Wistful moments, as August becomes September, that every parent understands, Sean Kirst writes.

If your kid just moved away for college or work or the military, or if you just walked your child to first day of kindergarten, or if you vividly remember quiet in house after any of those moments, my @Central_Current column today is for you: centralcurrent.org/sean-kirst-f...

2024 was a record-breaking year for Buffalo Niagara tourism. This year is different So far this year, local tourism officials say visitor momentum has slowed from its highs in 2024, with noticeable drops in Canadian travelers crossing the border for shopping trips and getaways, and f...

That was then.
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