One Man Uplifts the South Side

Purchasing one building at a time

Joyce Ogirri
NCC News Reporter

Syracuse, NY - Pastor Daren Jaime is on a mission. He ministers to the People’s A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African American church in Onondaga County. Pastor Jaime wants to help restore family values by reversing the culture of crime and violence on the South Side of Syracuse.

Rebuilding the South Side
“Now what we're in the process of doing, actually taking our rightful place in the community giving it new life putting a new spin on it," said Pastor Jaime.

That new spin includes turning the parking lot and rundown houses surrounding the People’s Church into affordable housing. And transforming the rundown brick building directly across from People’s Church into a place where young people can start their own business. South Side families, Jaime says, should spend their money here and not in other parts of Syracuse.

“It's important you invest in where you live and home is where your heart is,” said Pastor Jaime.

Activities in the Church
He decided to start at People's Church by having a clothing drive. Lenora Rice has five grandchildren to care for. She says this drive has made it much easier.

"We as parents, grandparents a lot of us is raising kids and it's hard. We are on set incomes. It helps us dress our kids properly," said Rice.

Pastor Jaime didn't stop there, he began a basketball ministry to teach the area's young people about the fundamentals of the game and life. This has helped Marquie Little go in the right direction.

"It helped me by staying out of trouble, having my head clear, focusing on school. Having people who care about me and having fun," said Little.

What He Means To The Church
Members of People’s Church say these changes are the result of one man’s faith in an area that most have written off. Darlene Kinsey has been a member for 50 years where she has witnessed the ups and downs. But she says they are on an up swing.

"God has sent us a Shepherd who has been able to watch over his sheep and teach the biblical way of learning and living through the Bible," said Kinsey.

Pastor Daren Jaime will continue to buy property on the South Side. He says economic and community developments are two of the biggest pieces that have to happen.

“We need to bring business that will sustain life into the community. It has to be attractive to the community at large,” said Pastor Jaime.

Sudanese Lost Boys Give Back to Homeland

How Lost Boys Give back to Sudan from CNY
by: Harold R. Kuntz, III
April 24th, 2008

A Civil War raged in Sudan, leading to over 2 million death. Once the war came to an end, some of the southern Sudanese people made there way to America. About 150 of them were called Lost Boys, and arrived in Syracuse. They have created different ways to raise money to give back to their homeland in despair.

John Dau was featured in the 2007 documentary "God Grew Tired of Us." The documentary explained how Dau and other Lost Boys traveled through an almost one-thousand mile trek from Sudan, Ethiopia, to Kenya before arriving to America.







John Dau set up the John Dau Sudan Foundation. The foundation has raised almost half-a-million dollars so far. He spoke as part of the "Save Darfur" week at Morrisville State College this past week. He said, "never give up." He went on to talk more about what drives him to give back to his homeland. "It is a first step because really, we african, we believe in just helping each other. We believe in what we call extended family. We believe in we, not I," said Dau.

He received a check from the African-American Alliance at Morrisville State for $400 dollars that evening. The money is going to help medical and educational opportunites for citizens in southern Sudan.

As part of an operation by Andrews Memorial United Methodist church, Dut Deng will return to Sudan to assess his homeland's health conditions and start a health clinic. The inspiration to start the clinic came after he learned his niece died three years ago. He is excited about the opportunity to start giving back. "It's a celebration, It's wonderful. When you dream about something and it came to reality," said Deng.

Dut Deng and his friend Mayol Malik both started asking the church for fundraising a trip to Sudan. The church welcomed the idea with open arms and started the fundraising three years ago. Reverend Bradford Hunt said, "These boys, they come in, and they get it themselves, establish it, they want to make a differenceto their own people."

John Dau Sudan Foundation is located at the United Way of Syracuse. Dut Deng and Mayol Malik will return from Sudan this week.

Why do pro teams in Syracuse strike out?

-By Jordan Meddy

Syracuse, NY - For a sports fan in Syracuse, the upcoming summer could be as bleak as the winter just survived. Soon the Chiefs will be the only option for those looking for game action. And no one knows that better than Shane Sutliff, who says he attends every Syracuse sporting event he can.

Sutliff has seen many teams come and go over the years. He witnessed the ordeal of the Syracuse Raging Bullz, the pro basketball team formed in July 2007, that folded after playing only two home games.

“I was not happy,” said Sutliff. “I will not describe in some of the words I would like to of my rage at them folding. But I was outraged.” Sutliff was one of about two dozen who purchased season tickets for the Bullz.

The Salty Dogs also once called Syracuse home, but the professional soccer team faltered financially after two seasons, from 2003 to 2004. “We built a very, very good team here,” said Tommy Tanner, a former player, coach, and general manager of the team. “And it was a shame we had to stop because we had a chance to go on. And if you win Syracuse will support you.”

So why is it so hard for many teams to stay afloat. Well, the mountain they must climb has a lot to do with a hill, the SU hill. “It’s probably like a lot of towns where the college is a big deal,” said Nolan Weidner, former sportswriter for The Post-Standard. “The college sports become the main attraction, at least for the sports that do well.”

Ninety miles to the west in Rochester, the picture is somewhat brighter. Fans can enjoy minor league baseball and hockey, but the city also offers pro basketball and soccer teams, indoor and outdoor lacrosse, and an arena football team. And teams have learned lessons that could help current and future professional teams in Syracuse.

“We went after soccer moms and soccer dads and the young families that are just experiencing soccer,” said Sam Fantuzzo, vice-president of the Rochester Rhinos soccer team. “The music at the game and the mascots, we tried to make it about more family fun. And I think that was a big part of our success.”

Back in Syracuse, Sutliff says he believes pro teams can compete with SU athletics. “If a team is going to make it here, you’ve got to market. You’ve got to market the team and have very good customer service,” he said.

But for now the city’s biggest sports fan looks ahead to another quiet summer. Waiting, hoping for someone to cheer for.

Black Belt Mama's

Middle-age women using the martial arts to fight off aging

By Taisha Walker, NCC News

Syracuse, NY Nancy Chappell has been a student of the martial arts for 7 years. Infact, she is even a second-degree black belt. Chappell loves doing karate but also likes being a teacher. She teaches dental assisting on the BOCES camps in Liverpool. What most people do not know about Chappell is that this 47-year old practices karate with her 17-year old son, Christopher.

"I don't think of her as my mom at the dojo. She's just like another person I train with, it's like another friend " said Christopher.

While being able to build a stronger relationship with her son was rewarding, Nancy also said she enjoyed the bond between herself and the other women in her Karate class. Nancy and the other three women in her class, Liana Person, 35, Maybelle Oros 59, Stacy Karpinski 49, are part of a group called "The Sweat Sisters."

"The Sweat Sisters" is a group of women between the age of 35 and 63 who practice karate at Tearney's Karate in Camillus.

"Most of them have been training for 6 years together. They all built a great bond with one another and great friends, that's how we've developed the Sweat Sister mindset. They all come in together and become sisters in the martial arts together" said Carlos Tearney, Head INstructor at Tearney's Karate.

All of the women all have sons who train in the martial arts as well. For Nancy, Christopher was her inspiration.

"I actually watched my son do karate for over 4 years and I thought I can do that. Then I turned 40 and it was my 40th birthday gift to myself; I figured it was now or never."

And after 7 years, Nancy is as passionate about karate now as she was the moment she started. She said it has changed her mentally, physically and has even given her new found confidence. Karate has changed Nancy's life for the better.

And it doesn't seem as if Nancy plans to give up karate anytime soon.

"I don't see myself ever stopping. We've had 2 older men get their black belts, one is 70, one is 77. I look at them as my role model that means I still have 30 more years " said Nancy.

Lacrosse: More than a game

The Onondaga Nation has produced some of the world's greatest lacrosse players but there is more

By Richard Zussman

NEDROW, NY - They say they play the game for medicine and that it is the game of the creator.  The young play.  And so do the old.  But the game of Lacrosse is more than a game.  It is part of who the people of the Onondaga Nation are.  Neal Powless is one of the greatest lacrosse players of his generation.  He was named an all world attack man in 2002.  "It is a community, it is our culture, it is our heritage." Powless said.

The Creator's Game

The people of the Onondaga call lacrosse the game made by the creator.  They also say he was a lacrosse player.  Jerome Thompson is one of the bright stars of the Onondaga Nation and was a key part to OCC's championship season last year.  "We play to make the creator happy."  he said "If we play with an open mind and not to hurt people he will be happy."  The game is played by the men of the Nation.  And part of growing up with the game is understanding the important religious role of the sport.  

The Medicine Game

Lacrosse players from the nation believe lacrosse has special healing powers.  When a member of the community is sick the players bring the individual to the lacrosse game.  Tobacco leaves are lit and players play with the traditional wooden stick.  The ritual is said to have healing powers.  Alf Jacques makes the wooden sticks.  He has been doing it for more than 50 years and inherited the job from his father.  The game for Jacques doesn't just have a role in an individuals time on earth but during the afterlife as well.  "When you die you are buried with your stick." he said "Because you are going yo play lacrosse in the after life."

Staying out of trouble

Lacrosse at the Onondaga Nation also acts as a way out.  For Powless lacrosse is way out of life in trouble.  "If you take care of yourself, and watch what you do yo might be able to do something not a lot of people can do."  He said "And at the very least you can get an education." The game of lacrosse has helped the youth of the Onondaga Nation stay out of drugs and alcohol and get a college education.

Bad Credit? Lets make a deal

How to make sure the car dealer doesn't win.

By Ted Johnsen

Syracuse, NY: You've probably seen the latest craze in automobile commercials. The ones that say "Bad credit? No problem."

But whats the catch? Gary Thurber works for a credit counseling service in Syracuse, and sees many people getting tricked into buying cars they cant afford. "Typically it's the payment, they forget to look at the interest rate or how long the loan is for," he said.

"If you don't read the rate of interest and term lengths, you will be taken advantage of," said Randy Elder, a finance professor at Syracuse University's Whitman School.

For example, let's take a car valued at $11,490. The bank could charge the customer a 20 percent interest rate. But, to shield the cost of the car, the dealer might suggest a loan paid back over 7 years. That way the monthly payment looks reasonable at $255. However, by the time the car is paid off, the buyer will have spent nearly double its original cost at $21,431.

What to watch out for
Car experts say there are a few of things to watch out for before agreeing to the interest rate and length of the loan. "You need to know what your credit score is," said Evie Hayden, a saleswoman at a local Volvo dealership. She said you can check your credit score for free every six months at annualcreditreport.com. She suggested buyers should also ask their bank what kind of an interest rate they'd be willing to offer, before going to the dealer.

Another thing to watch out for is the length of the loan. Experts say you dont want to take out a loan for more than 5 years, because they say you probably wont even own the car in five years. They say you don't want to be paying for a car you dont even drive anymore.

Have to be prepared
Car experts say to make sure you avoid being taken advantage of, you have to do your homework.

And if you're unsure about whether you can afford that car payment or not, credit counselors have a tip. "Practice. Before you go and buy that new car- if you think you can afford that 250 dollar payment- put that money aside in a savings account for 6 months. That way if you didn't have to touch the money, you know you're probably ready to buy a car, and plus you have a down payment," said Thurber.

And if practice makes perfect, you won't need to worry about missing a payment, and further damaging your credit score.

Syracuse Lacks Professional Sports Teams

Syracuse-April 21, 2008- With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner there are very few professional sports teams available for people to go see in Syracuse.

Going to a Syracuse Sky Chiefs game and enjoying a warm weather day doesn't cost a lot of money. But what if you don't like baseball and want to watch another sport this summer in Syracuse? Well, you can't. The Chiefs and the Crunch are the only professional teams left in town. Last year, the Raging Bullz ceased operations after playing only two home games. The ABA franchise cited poor attendance as the reason.

Fans Let Down

But one former team had the fan support. The Syracuse Salty Dogs drew some of the largest crowds in the league but folded nearly four years ago because of financial problems. Shane Sutliff went to a lot of their games and he was less than happy when they left.
"I was furious about the Salty Dogs," he said. "I was just ticked off."

College Town

Syracuse University athletics are understandably the big dog in town so it's no surprise the two successful professional teams in Syracuse play sports that the university doesn't offer on the division one level. Even the Chiefs have problems drawing many people. So why does Syracuse have trouble keeping professional sports teams? "Probably like a lot of towns where college is a big deal or certainly a big part of the community here, the college sports become the main attraction at least for the sports that do well," Nolan Weidner, writer for The Post-Standard said.
Rochester has 7 professional teams, ranging from basketball to arena football. The Rochester Razorsharks draw about 5,000 fans per home game. So what do these franchises do that future Syracuse teams can copy?
"We went after the soccer moms, and the soccer dads, and the young families that are just experiencing soccer, the music at the games, and the mascots, and we try to make it more family fun," Sam Fantuzzo, VP for the Rochester Rhinos, said.

Ways to Succeed

Sutliff says the playoff-bound Crunch are a model of how a professional team can succeed in Syracuse.
"They started marketing the team from the get-go and not marketing just in the Syracuse area, they nationally marketed the team, all over the place, throughout the whole American Hockey League," he said. And even though the Salty Dogs are long gone, Shane still has his memories. At least that can't be taken away from him.

The Creator's Game

Nedrow NY- It's the fastest growing sport in the country. Though typically associated with east coast private school culture, lacrosse still means as much to some native communities as it did centuries ago. To the Onondaga Nation, lacrosse is a game that transcends its own sport. It's a path to a better future, but more importantly it's a way of life.

"It's part of our religion," said Alf Jacques, the traditional wooden stick maker for the nation. "It's in our blood, it's all encompassing. It's part of everything about who we are."

The Onondagas believe that the Creator is a lacrosse player, and the game is played for his enjoyment.

"It's more than a game to us, it ain't just lacrosse, it's a medicine game," Jeremy Thompson said.

Lacrosse is still played as a medicine game today. The Onondaga men play a traditional game every year to heal the sick. They still use the traditional wooden sticks that Alf makes. Most men have a wooden stick from the time they are born and carry it throughout their entire life.

"When you die you're buried with your stick, you're in the casket with your stick, because you're gonna play lacrosse in the afterlife," Jacques said.

A Path to A Better Future

In the shadows of Syracuse lies a sovereign nation. On the Onondaga Nation there are no written laws, no police, no taxes. Instead the reservation is ridden with poverty, alcoholism and a lack of education.

"Most of the kids around here, all their parents grew up and they might just even graduate from high school and that's good enough for them," Jerome Thompson said. "They come back here and get a job on the res and that's good enough for them, it's easier. You don't have to pay taxes you don't have to do any of that, it's just easier, and their kids do the same thing."

Only a quarter of all Native Americans make it to college, according to a study on the status of Native Americans in Science and Engineering. But, for some lacrosse is a chance to break the detrimental cycle of life on the reservation.

Education is why four men are enshrined on the walls of the nation arena. Neal Powless, Travis Soloman, Gewas Schindler and Marshall Abrams are role models not because they played professional lacrosse but because they graduated from college.

"For me it's opened doors," Powless said.

Lacrosse is opening doors for the Thompson brothers who plan to play and study at Syracuse next year. Their father is an iron worker and didn't know about college when he was younger. Now he wants his boys to go.

"He wants us to go beyond what he did because all he did was graduate from high school, so he wants us to go on and use the game of lacrosse and get an education out of it," Jeremy said.

The Thompson brothers hope that their education at Syracuse helps get their pictures on the wall of the arena. No matter what they know they're getting an education and making their Creator happy by playing his game.

Inflation Hits Close to Home

By Sujata Khandelwal
Central New York-With the economic slowdown leaving few untouched and the United States wrestling with the worst food inflation in seventeen years, low-income residents of central New York are making some tough choices just to put food on the table.

“Taking it one day at a time.”
Single mom, Deborah Wrightson, never thought she would have to make a decision between eating or heating her two-bedroom home. “I have to turn the heat off and my son says ‘Mom, I’m cold,’ and I say I know honey, but it’s expensive,” said Wrightson. Wrightson and her son Anthony are among hundreds of central New Yorkers trying to survive a struggling economy. According to a recent article on MSNBC, overall food prices this year have soared 5 percent as compared with the average 2.5 percent annual rise for the last fifteen years.

Local Organizations
For central New York families, who cannot continue to absorb the rising cost of groceries, there are several organizations lending a helping hand. The Food Bank of Central New York sponsors a food pantry everyday at various locations in the region. Pastor Claire Pietra of Valley Worship Church organizes a food pantry at least once a week. She notices many more people coming to the pantries. “More people are using food pantries as supplemental foods rather than emergency food. Much more people are in a crisis all the time,” she said. The Samaritan Center in downtown Syracuse prepares hot meals everyday, and it, too, is serving many more people than usual.

Feeling the Pinch
Many residents in Syracuse are finding it difficult to even afford simple basic items. Eveanne Davis recently visited a food pantry for the first time. “I stopped buying the eggs, and I don’t buy the milk, and I only buy things I have to buy, the necessities,” she said. Jalica Housely is a widow living on social security. She cannot recall a more difficult time. “This is the hardest for me. It’s very hard for me right now. Like, I said, I manage though,” she said.

Although many in Syracuse continue to struggle, and perhaps wouldn’t survive without food pantries and the good will of volunteer agencies, it’s the help from above that get them through one day at a time.

Think Twice Before You Sign On The Dotted Line

By Megan Eaton

Syracuse, NY-During recent economic struggles, car dealers work to peek the interest of consumers with bad credit. Their commercials promise low prices and guaranteed financing. What they don’t mention are the additional fees and interest that come with buying a car. Fees that people with good credit probably won't get charged.

HIGH RISK FACTOR
Before a customer signs on the dotted line, a car dealer has a bank run their credit score and set an interest rate. Because there can be a higher risk in collecting money from people with bad credit, banks charge them a higher rate. That's something dealers take advantage of. "It's called bumping," said LaMacchia Honda salesman Fredrick Killian.

BUMPING?

Bumping occurs when dealers add on to interest rate set by the bank. For example, if a bank approved a car loan with a twenty-two percent interest rate, the dealer can add on their own three percent.

RED FLAGS
Adding on interest isn't the only thing dealers do to make a profit. "Quoting you more than one price...running your credit right away before they show you the car...adding things on at the end they say you have to have that add on to the price...like rust protection," said Evie Hayden, a salesperson for Alan Bryer Volvo.

Potential buyers may also think it saves them money to extend the length of a car loan. But it can end up costing them much more.

DO THE MATH
For example, if a used car costs 7,990, and the bank approves you for an interest rate of 22 twenty-two percent. Then the car dealer "bumps" up the interest an additional three percent, and a buyer takes out a loan for 84 months, or seven years. The monthly payment would be 202.23 a month. However, seven years later the customer has spent 16987.32. More than double the amount of the car. That's what dealer's call being Upside Down. "It means you owe a lot more than the car is worth," Hayden said.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
"Do your homework. Make certain they're not taken advantage of. Don't buy unnecessary protections...try to get the best terms just like everyone else," said Syracuse University's finance professor Randy Elder.

That make people with bad credit smart shoppers, who are then less likely to end up further into the black hole of debt.

Running Out of Fuel

Meals on Wheels is experiencing dificulties as high gas prices drive away new volunteers and boost food prices.

Arrianee LeBeau, NCC News

Loyalty in Low Numbers
Syracuse, NY- Three days a week Nann Poole of Fayettville, NY delivers meals to homebound and elderly people in Syracuse. Poole is one many volunteers who use their own cars and pay for their gas to get food out to people in need. “I love the people. Usually they are disabled unfortunately or elderly and it’s hard for them to get out and get their meals on a regular basis, she said.” She said rising gas prices will not keep her from delivering food to some of the neediest people in the community.

Poole and other volunteers said they are usually the only interaction customers have in the day with other people. “I wouldn’t know what to do without them. They’re a big help.” Anne Kicak of Syracuse, NY is on Poole’s delivery route. She has been a Meals on Wheels customer for several years and said she enjoys the time spent with Poole.

But not all volunteers share the same sentiment and are as committed as Poole. Edward Brown, the volunteer coordinator from Meals on Wheels said they are experiencing a decline in new volunteers who say they would like to volunteer but are deterred by the high gas prices.

Daily Mission
Meals on Wheels uses seventy-five volunteers a day to delivery and prepare meals. It delivers about four-hundred hot and cold dinners a day to people throughout Onondaga County. The delivery routes range from ten to forty miles round trip but with gas prices expected to reach $4.00 this summer new volunteers are not stepping up to the plate.

However, Brown said they have always managed to compensate for the lack of new volunteers. Loyal volunteers like Nann Poole as well as staff members have picked up extra routes.

Double Trouble with Gas Prices
But this has been the least of the organization’s worries because high gas prices are now increasing how much they pay for food. “What we’ve found is that the food is dependent on our vendors. And our vendors use trucks to transport. And as their cost go up so do the cost of food, said Mason Kaufman.” Kaufman is the Executive Director of Meals on Wheels and said high gas prices has caused items they use for ingredients to double and triple what they budgeted. Kaufman said shipments are received daily for certain items and they must stick to a strict diet.

Meals on Wheels agreed that it fulfills a need in the community that sets out to feed people who no longer have the capacity to cook for themselves. But with gas and food prices steadily increasing it’s becoming harder to accomplish that mission.

What the Flip?

Amid a national housing slump, it seems some cities in Central New York are seeing more of an up turn than a down. In Syracuse, two men are “flipping out” about this rare case.

By: Marissa Torres, NCC News

Shawn Zachary Designs

Shawn Clarke and his partner Zachary Belil began their house flipping company, Shawn Zachary Designs, more than ten years ago in New York City. In starting the company, they were able to turn their passion for home design into a profit. They soon realized however, how much more expensive it was to continue this business in NYC compared to anywhere else in the country.
“ We were at a point where we could do it here…but if we had to do the same thing in NY it would be impossible…because it would cost us a million dollars for a crappy one bedroom” says Zachary Belil.

What the Flip?

We have all seen or heard of the popular shows like “Flip this House” by A&E or “Flip that House” by TLC, but are these television series truly a reality?
According to Shawn and Zachary, it’s pretty close. While the shows make it look easier, and tend to invest much more money, it is accurate to what their company is all about. Shawn and Zachary find a classic “fixer-upper,” which is reasonably priced, and in an area they feel will be prosperous. They renovate it, re-design it, and re-sell it for a greater price. This is an attractive idea to many people looking for convenience. “They want to come in and they want buy a house and they want move in. They don’t want to buy a house and do everything from top to bottom” says Shawn.

Why Syracuse?



According to various realtors in the area, Syracuse, along with the rest of Central New York, is not following the national housing economic downturn. Jim Giannuzzi from Salt City Mortgage says the past year held a fair to good selling and buying trend. “We are very fortune because we didn’t see inflation effect the price of our houses like a lot of areas did. So it’s really not a bad market around this area” says Giannuzzi.
David Manzano, President of the Board of Realtors, says last year, the median price of a house in Syracuse was 131,000 dollars. Compared to New York City, where Shawn and Zachary began their business, the median price of a home was 440,000 dollars. Here it is much easier for them to get more “bang for their buck.”

What's the Best Level?

By Sean Sadri - NCC News
April 20, 2008

Wolcott, NY - Business and property owners along Lake Ontario are finding their investments wash away with the water. Mother Nature may have a little to do with it, but shoreline erosion has been greatly accelerated since a dam was constructed to regulate the lake's water levels for international shipping. Shores and wetlands have taken a lot of the damage, and many locals think something should be done to preserve the environment.

How the Locals Feel
Wolcott resident John Mayer lives along the lake, and over the years has witnessed the land in front of his property disappear. He also has a boating business that relies on Lake Ontario, and sees a need for consistently high water levels.

"There's gotta be water management and shoreline management," Mayer said. "It's a natural resource. You've got to keep the channels open. You've got to have enough water, but too much water destroys the shoreline."

New Plans to Fix the Problem
An American and Canadian commission conducted research on the lake and made three plans to manage the waterways. The commission's research has already cost American and Canadian taxpayers $20 million. The plans were designed to be both environmental and economic, but many people have voiced opinions against these plans.

"The three plans that they came up with a year and a half ago, none of the plans were at all acceptable," said Wolcott homeowner James Quick.

Government taking action
New York Governor David Paterson has even voiced his disappointment with the newest plan, and has asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for a new plan that is more environmentally conscious. Many environmental experts are concerned that the plans are ignoring the impact the water levels have on local ecosystems. Dr. John Farrell, a senior research associate at SUNY-ESF, said he is glad that the environment is finally becoming an issue with the government, after harm has been done to wildlife and wetlands around Lake Ontario.

"Clearly the environment has not been part of the process in the past," said Farrell. "One thing I like about the current plan is that they have adaptive management, and they are trying to bring the environment into the fold."

Ultimately, the debate between commercial and environmental interests will remain controversial until a new plan that suits all parties is developed.

The U.S. is battling the highest food inflation in 17 years and it could get worse.

By Ashley Prchal NCC News

With America's economy in a tailspin, rising food prices are hitting low income families the hardest. In Central New York, food pantries are struggling to keep up with a new trend.

Claire Pietra is a Pastor at Valley Worship Center in Syracuse, New York. She runs the weekly food pantry.

"You're seeing more young people. More single mothers. More children coming to shop for them and their families," says Pastor Claire.

One of those is Deborah Wrightson, a single mom of 8 year old son Anthony. Deborah is on social security and workman's comp. She can't work because she hurt her back. So she must stretch $79 dollars a month in food stamps to buy groceries.

"I'm on a limited budget so you have to count every penny. And by the end of the month, the last week is very hard," says Wrightson.

Food stamps help, but a lot of families don't qualify. When it opened nearly 30 years ago, the Food Bank of Central New York was supposed to be a temporary fix for hunger. Now more people are using food pantries as supplemental foods rather than emergency food because more people are in crisis all the time.



Stephanie Crowley is Development Associate for Food Bank of CNY. She says, "We even have some people that are working two and three jobs and they are still not able to make ends meet and get enough nutritious food for their families."

The Department of Agriculture says food prices rose 4 percent last year and it's predicted to hit 4 and a half percent this year.

Organizations all over Onondaga County are feeling the pinch. Meals on Wheels is dealing with a 16 percent increase in operation costs.



Mason Kaufman is Executive Director of Meals on Wheels. He says, "It's a triple wami for us. We're seeing food prices go up, we're seeing gas prices o up and the economy is uncertain."

If the economy doesn't improve, volunteers say there'll be more families relying on food banks. For now, Deborah Wrightson is just thankful for a helping hand...

"I'm taking it one day at a time. Cause you have to. If I don't I'll go crazy," says Wrightson.

Deborah is just one of may families struggling to survive through these tough times. But the key to making it out alive, program directors say, is to put your pride aside and ask for help.

Flipping Over the Market!

Two local men are using Syracuse's healthy real estate market to flip a profit!
By Kristen LaVerghetta, NCC News


SYRACUSE, NY - When Zachary Belil and Shawn Clarke look to buy a house, they don’t go for the nicest one on the block, they search for the fixer upper with the most potential. Zac and Shawn are flippers, they buy, fix-up, and re-sell homes for a profit.

The partners used to live in New York City and then Minneapolis, where they began flipping. They decided to leave big city life, and move back to Shawn’s hometown, Syracuse, where they could try their hand at flipping high-end homes at a bargain price.

Zac says that it’s Syracuse’s affordable real estate market that enables them to flip upscale homes. “We can do it here, but if we had to do the same thing in New York it would be impossible… This house in a suburb of long island would cost me a million and a half dollars, it’s no where near that here.”

Compared to the majority of the country, the cost of real estate in Syracuse is very low. Last year the median cost for a house in Syracuse was 131,000 dollar. In New York City that number jumps to just under 440,000 dollars.

Real estate experts say the affordable market here is partially due to Syracuse avoiding the housing boom. David Manzano, President of the Board of Realtors, said that Syracuse did not see the spike in building that most of the country saw. Because of this, the market has remained stable.

Affordability aside, Zac and Shawn say that for their customers, buying a flipped home in Syracuse is a life style choice. Shawn says, “A lot of people, when they buy now in today’s market and they are paying a lot for the house, they want to move into their house right away. They don’t want to take the time to do all of this work… We’re giving them the opportunity to buy an old house, brand new!

Zac says that some of their clients move here to escape the rush of big city life. “It’s a little tiring to constantly face the race in Manhattan, and when you get here it’s a little easier, it’s a little more livable.”

The Syracuse real estate market allows Zac and Shawn to make a good living flipping homes. However, bringing out the beauty in the homes they refinish, is what really gives the pair a sense of accomplishment.

Lake Ontario Water Plan Lacks Transparency

By Daniel Yang

Boating season along the Great Lakes is about to begin, but there’s something troubling the waters in the North Country. On the shores of Lake Ontario, there’s a growing controversy this year on just high the water should be.

Sandy Creek, NY (NCC) - Sailboater John Mayer says high water levels during the summer are good for racing, but the waves are devastating the peninsula between Port Bay and the lake.

"The Canadians and the Americans let the water levels go up," said Mayer, "and it completely washed this out. You can see that trees are down... 500 feet in front of here, this used to be an apple orchard."

But bringing the level down can be bad for charter boats.

"Means you can't get access to the docks," said Randy McCoy, recreation director at Port Bay Marina. "You'll either ingest mud or strike the bottom and the propellers."

How high the waters run affects everything from fishing and shipping to hydroelectric power to.... well, just going to the beach. They all rely on international regulations that control how much water is allowed to flow from Lake Ontario through the Moses-Saunders Power Dam on the St. Lawrence River, now considered one of the most endangered rivers in America, because of a water plan that turns 50 years old this year.

More water flows through the dam during the spring and summer -- to help commercial shipping and power production-- and less in the fall and winter, when the St. Lawrence River freezes. This reduces flooding and helps protect Central New York vacation homes along the shore.

But after years of disrupting a more natural cycle of highs and lows, erosion is a huge problem--destroying half the wetlands around the lake. Only a few species of plants and animals can survive the constant change, like the invasive cattail, now considered a weed.

"There used to be a 30 to 35 year cycle between highs and lows in the system," said John Farrell, director of the Thousand Islands Biological Station. "When we draw levels down for storage in the fall time, it really dries up the wetland. And when flooding is reduced, it really affects the fish spawning processes."

The International Joint Commission that regulates Lake Ontario spent $20 million of American and Canadian taxpayer money researching a new plan that was supposed to address environmental concerns but only lowers levels during the storm season.

Governor David Paterson says the plan is too conservative and fails the environment. Senator Chuck Schumer and 23rd District Congressman John McHugh call the IJC's plan irresponsible.

"I am disheartened that the IJC has chosen to disregard the effort made by so many local residents who thought they were participating in an open and transparent government process," said McHugh.

The commission says a more environmentally- minded plan that New York has endorsed risks flooding in Montreal and makes too many sacrifices for commercial shipping.

Residents have until July 1st to comment on the new plan. The IJC will be holding several hearings in June, open to the public.

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON DELIVERIES

Everyone is feeling the pain at the pump but it's being felt particularly hard by delivery companies and non-profits.

Christina D'Amato, NCC News

Syracuse, NY- Nan Poole drives her mini-van three times a week for Meals on Wheels. As a volunteer, Nan brings hot dinners to the elderly and disabled.

But the national average for gas prices spiked to another all time high this week of three dollars, fourty cents a gallon, and Nan is suffering because she has to pay for her own gas.

But it's not just Nan, the whole agency, Meals on Wheels in Syracuse, has been squeezed by high gas prices. It's an agency whose purpose is to deliver well-balanced meals at the lowest possible cost to a client who is unable to shop or prepare such meals due to illness, disability or advaced age. So the staff also worries about a shrinking pool of volunteers who deliver more than 200,000 dinners door to door every year to 400 clients in Syracuse.


"Individuals who say they really would want to help, but when they think about the possible mileage, it may be inhibiting them from volunteering for us.," Edward Brown, Director of Volunteer Services, said.

"Meals on Wheels is a community driven agency. We depend on the community to support it, As it impacts them it impacts us," Mason Kaufman, Executive Director, said.

TAXIS

Gas approaching four dollars a gallon is also a hugh concern for taxi drivers, who spend on average 50 dollars a day on gas. That money coming out of their own paycheck because taxi rates are set by the city.

"I have to adjust my way of planning. The drivers in the east side, I wouldn't send them all the way to the south side to pick someone up," Sonny Singh, Owner of Blue Star Transportation, said.

Instead of multiple trips to the gas station to fill up the tank, Blue Star Transportation makes the customers wait.

"We're making the customer wait. The customer has to suffer for it because they won't get their cabs on time because the driver doesn't want to pay extra money for the gas," Singh said.

FLORISTS

And it's not just taxis, but consider businesses that depend on deliveries. Florist Dave Hoover, of Hoover Flowers, never turns customers away and will not carpool deliveries with other florists. Instead he's been raising prices to cover transportation costs. If you want flowers delivered by him, you have to pay a fee of 13 to 20 dollars just for delivery alone.

"It's just a fact of business either you pass your higher prices along or you lose business," Dave Hoover, Owner Hoover Flowers, said.

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

No one knows what the future holds but economists say what goes up must come down. Even if it doesn't go down, people like Nan Poole, will continue delivering hot meals to the doorsteps of the needy.

"I'm going to continue doing it until there may be a point where I'm going to have to reduce my days but not totally give up the service," Nan Poole, Meals on Wheels Volunteer, said.

Where the Green Grass Grows

Brad Seal NCC News

April 19, 2008

Syracuse, New York--Spring time means it's baseball season in Syracuse, but you'd never know it by looking in the stands. Syracuse ranked near the bottom of the division in attendance last year. This year the Syracuse Chiefs organization hopes more fans will turn out to see a renovated baseball field.


What's Changed

The Chiefs spent 1.5 million dollars in Onondaga tax money to tear up the old artificial turf field and in it's place went a combination of 4 types of Kentucky bluegrass. The Chiefs also moved the bullpen from beyond the outfield wall to first and third baselines.


The Reaction

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans used many different adjectives to describe the old turf and none of them were pleasant. Chiefs season ticket holder Jacob Fikes said that the old turf made Alliance Bank Stadium look like a "graveyard".


Does it Matter?

That is the real question: Will the new field bring in fans for the Chiefs? Chiefs general manager John Simone says that only two things will bring fans to Alliance Bank Stadium: good weather and a winning team. Syracuse residents know about the weather; it can snow in May here which makes it very hard to play baseball during the early part of the season. There is nothing the Chiefs can do about that.

Unfortunately, the Chiefs can also do very little to control the winning team part of the equation. Major League parent organization the Toronto Blue Jays have a very mediocre farm system and the players that do turn out to be good players are sent up to the Blue Jays fairly quickly. That doesn't leave many up-and-coming stars for Syracuse fans to watch.

It also doesn't help that the Blue Jays play in Toronto. Syracuse has New York and Boston fans, but no too many Toronto fans. Several fans we talked to discussed the rumor about the New York Mets sending its Triple A team to Syracuse next year. The Syracuse contract with the Blue Jays is up at the end of the year so that remains a possibility, but as of now it is still just a rumor.

The Chiefs haven't had a winning season in seven years and there is very little happening to make fans believe that will change anytime soon. Looks like the Chiefs are zero for two on Simone's recipe for bringing fans to Alliance Bank Stadium.

Play On The Grass

When the novelty of grass wears off, will baseball fans still fill the seats?

April 14th, 2008 - Alliance Bank Stadium - Syracuse, NY

Matthew Schultz - NCC News

There's Grass

A new sound can now be heard at Alliance Bank Stadium; that of a lawnmower! Many baseball fans in Syracuse, frustrated for years by the deteriorating astroturf field at Alliance Bank Stadium, will no doubt make a point of seeing an early season game on the new grass field. According to outfielder Russ Adams, "It's exciting, hopefully it's exciting for the fans, too, to come out and see a game. You know, it's more appealing to the eye to see the game of baseball played on natural grass". But once you've seen the grass, what is the reasoning for a return visit? The Chiefs marketing strategy for the year relies almost solely on the grass - including grass-themed slogans and memorabilia.

What gets fans to the games?

According to Chiefs General Manager John Simone, good weather and a winning team are really the only ways to get more fans out to the stadium. That's a problem here in Syracuse, where the Chiefs have had only 8 winning seasons in the last 31 years and where mother nature does not often favor outdoor activities. With the smallest population of any city with a triple-A baseball team, Syracuse needs to do even more to convince fans to come out to the ballpark, and their marketing and promotion efforts are often not enough. "We need new blood at the top," says Chirs Fikes. "Some new ideas, fresh ideas. When I came here with my dad, back in the 60's, when I was a young teenager, same guys basically." If they need ideas for promotions, their fans certainly have plenty. We heard ideas ranging from guest announcers to better food. Just one new concept might be able to make a huge difference.

Winning Sells Seats...Will grass help the Chiefs Win?

"Just playing on a smoother surface, a nicer surface, and something that's a lot easier on your knees and your back, and everything else, is only going to help us," said Russ Adams. Pitcher Jordan DeJong echoed the sentiments of many others in the organization that Alliance Bank Stadium is now going to be a very pitcher-friendly ballpark, as the left field wall has been moved back to make home runs to that part of the stadium a little harder to come by. Russ Adams also reminded us that, despite being a pitcher's park in terms of home runs, the grass may help to slow the ball down when it is hit to the outfield, which may allow the Chiefs to score more runs in situations where they may not have had time to get all the way to home plate in the past. In any case, the grass will cut down on injuries, and reduce the home field DISadvantage that the Chiefs used to face, as they had to play 70+ games each year on what amounted to carpeted concrete.

Energy Drinks Pose Dangers?

Why the extra boost isn't the only thing worrying doctors...

By Joyce Ogirri, NCC News

On most any college campus, you’re as likely to see college students with a Red Bull in their hand as a Coke. This growing energy drink industry is giving millions of people that extra something to get throught the day.

Matija Popovic goes to work when most people are going to bed. He’s a night delivery driver for a Syracuse restaurant. He says he depends on drinks like red bull for a rush of energy. “It’s not like it’s an addiction, oh I need one. It’s just, makes you, makes the job you do easier, whatever you do, focus, or physical,” said Popovic.

Matija is one of the millions of consumers who will spend three quarters of a billion dollars annually on caffeinated drinks.


Red bull is the #1 selling energy drink in America. Even though Red Bull makes you feel alert, Syracuse nutritionist Michelle Gallant, say its not good for you. “Its empty, extra calories. We don’t need that and it certainly can be one of those factors that contributes to obesity,” said Gallant.

And the high amount of caffeine doctors say can affect your heart. Cardiologist Michael Gabris, from the New York Heart Center says there is no long-term damage. “It won’t lead to heart attacks or anything like that. But in high doses of caffeine can cause a racing heart beat can lead to dizziness, lightheadness. And in high enough dose it can cause you to faint,” said Gabris.

That doesn’t stop college students from mixing energy drinks with alcohol. Red Bull targets young males by using extreme sports advertising that show kids living on the edge.


Syracuse University student, Emre Sahinalp takes part in this new trend. “What’s my favorite drink after water? I’m gonna have to say red bull and vodka. It tastes good,” said Sahinalp.Experts say mixing a stimulant with a depressant can be dangerous. Syracuse University psychologist, Dr. Kate Carey says drinking too much alcohol will raise a person’s blood alcohol concentration. “When they use it at the same time, they’re feeling alert, they keep drinking. And when the energy drink wears off, the alcohol hits them hard,” said Carey.

Another S.U. student, Alex Bercheck has experienced this first hand. “You know to do all these stupid crazy things you usually don’t have the energy to do it because you’ll like oh I’m drunk. But rebull and vodka you get the energy and stupid ideas,” said Bercheck.

And its that kind of feeling that helps keep this $5 billion dollar a year industry alive.

Independent Music Artists keep up hope

Everyday workers try hard to become music stars after work

By: Harold Kuntz, III

Syracuse, NY – For many Central New Yorkers, the daily grind of a 9 to 5 job is enough for one day’s work. But for about 150 people around the area, their second job is music. They’re independent music artists, paying the bills through their day job but striving to achieve fame without the help or backing of a major record label.

The independent music artists continue to put their own money to their equipment, record making and sometimes take free appearances to perform at shows at local music venues. Jameel Hammonds, who performs under the name Black Lotus, and his group Piciden Entertainment, takes any show he can get and hopes the shows lead to expanding his music career outside Syracuse.

“It’s like a sacrifice you have to make, getting all the equipment and buying all the records even if sometimes it might seem kind of grim. One day it’s definitely going to pay off, its seeing your passion come to fruition by determination,” said Hammonds.

Bernard Wilfork, another independent music artist who performs under the name Porkcrhop Willie, moved from Florida and enjoys the atmosphere of the Syracuse venues, however small they may be.

“It’s a good time, it’s more about having fun now. If I can please one person with what I’m doing, one note, that’s made my night, that’s success to me,” said Wilfork.

But local album sales and interest has been down recently. The Soundgarden store in Armory Square makes an offer to local music artists to put the albums on the shelves but people aren’t buying.

“I think people take it for granted that there are so many local artists around here. People just take for granted and they don’t go to a show of they don’t buy the album they get it from a friend there’s a huge decline,” said Soundgarden Manager Michael Watson.

Even though sales are down, it does not deter the music artists path toward chasing their dreams. Wilfork, who has performed under bands Earth, Wind, and Fire and Kool and the Gang, says for any independent music artist, you must have breaks to break in the spotlight.

“It’s all about practice. it’s all about who you know. It’s all about getting everything together spiritually if your even thinking about forming a band,” said Wilfork.

Jameel Hammonds and Piciden Entertainment recently performed in the Upper State Independent Tour, a three-city tour. Bernard Wilfork performs with various groups in local music venues around Syracuse.

Nationwide Primary Care Physician Shortage Hits CNY Hard

By Alex Reed


Syracuse, N.Y. - Matthew Lorber is a doctor at University Hospital but says he plans to move back to New York City once his fellowship ends.

"That's where I'm from," he says. "That's where most of my friends are. That's where most of my family is. A lot more job opportunities down there as well. Just the benefits that the city has to offer. Also, the weather is nicer."

But it's not just that upstate New York has fewer primary care doctors, which include pediatricians and family physicians. There are fewer doctors coming out of medical schools choosing to practice primary care. A decade ago, more than half of doctors in the U.S. chose primary care after their residency. Three years ago, that number had dipped to 1 in 5. So why the big plunge?

"With Medicare reimbursement remaining at a low level and proposed cuts each and every year and with health insurers reducing reimbursement, young people coming out of medical school and out of residency programs, faced with these 100 to 200 thousand dollars in loans for their training, there's not much of a financial incentive for them to go into primary care," says Gerald Hoffman, Executive VP of the Onondaga County Medical Society.


Here in upstate, that problem is made worse. Doctors in general tend to try to find work in big cities, that can offer larger salaries to pay off huge medical school debt. In Syracuse, experts say not having a consolidated children's hospital is a major barrier to attracting doctors to come. This has left upstate New York with an older primary care workforce and not enough incoming doctors to fill the void.

"Because of a lack of having a consolidated childrens hospital and really the desire of many pediatric residents who eventually become pediatric physicians to actually train and work at childrens hospitals, that's why you see such a shortage of physicians, pediatric trained physicians here in Syracuse," says Bj Adigun, Director of Community Development for Golisano Children's Hospital.

Hope on the Horizon

When the Golisano Children's hospital opens here next year, not only will it attract a team of new primary care physicians, it will allow families in the region closer access to pediatric care.

"It's the kind of project that I think can bring everyone in the community together and they can see the importance of having world class healthcare for our kids," Adigun says.

Mike Mincolla is a 4th-year med student at SUNY Upstate Medical University. "One of the main reasons why my wife and I do want to stay in Syracuse is, being from Syracuse, we were born and raised actually in North Syracuse so being a local has a lot to do with it," he says.

History has shown, experts say, that if you build one hospital, soon enough all of the beds will fill up, creating a need to build another one. And that's something children and their parents can smile about.