Jeff and Gina Rivers aboard the Mystère
A special thanks to Gina and Jeff Rivers for inviting us to join them on the Soul food Sunday on the Lake cruise. Gina has been an advisor to SIF since our launch, and her husband Jeff was the event caterer.
The cruise departed from the Port of Brewerton and traveled along the Oneida River. The company, conversation, scenery and food were all wonderful.
Mystère
Majora Carter, environmental justice advocate and green collar entrepreneur
Environmental justice advocate and green collar entrepreneur Majora Carter visited Syracuse yesterday and spoke for the University lecture series at Hendricks Chapel. She detailed how cities can turn financial disinvestment and environmental degradation into movements for equality and recognition of environmental assets.
Carter had really good things to say about Syracuse, especially the Near West Side Initiative. Her talk wasn’t very long so it’s understandable that she didn’t address Onondaga Creek or the Syracuse University Steam Station.
Wilson Park
I first heard about Carter after her TED Talk a few years ago.
Her organization (Majoracartergroup.com) now promotes micro agribusiness development through green roofs and urban greenhouses.
Iyanla Vanzant
It started with a song; then a prayer that led to laughter, tears and hugs.
Eventually author, teacher and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant told the female executives of Syracuse that they should avoid the mistake of following masculine models of femininity. “Stop trying to be like men, it’s killing us.”
Vanzant encouraged participants at this year’s You Can’t Fail Conference, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, to make the condition of their soul the primary concern.
She also stressed connection, cooperation and mastering tools of effective communication to achieve success.
Vanzant is founder of Inner Visions.
You Can’t Fail was founded by leadership executive Gwen Webber-McLeod.
ESF students Nick Watkins, Brendan Beeke and Thaddeus Holland set up in a metered parking space along the Connective Corridor on East Genesee Street today.
Cities around the world today celebrated Park(ing) Day, an event to advocate for more green spaces in urban areas.
Several neighborhoods in downtown Syracuse participated, including the Midtown section (pictured above).
The event was started in San Francisco in 2005.
Dr. Ron Walters, speaking at Syracuse University in 2007
Renowned political scientist Dr. Ron Walters passed away last week.
Walters graduated from Fisk University in 1964 and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from American University. He taught at the University of Maryland, Howard, Brandeis and Syracuse Universities.
He last spoke at SU in 2007 (pictured above).
Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb stands on the sidelines during a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets. McNabb did not play.
Despite an ankle injury, former Syracuse star Donovan McNabb expects to start for Sunday for the Washington Redskins. McNabb previously spent 11 years as a Philadelphia Eagle.
Hilby
Sometimes the best entertainment at the New York State Fair is free.
From the first year I covered the Fair, I’ve enjoyed shows by juggler, acrobat, magician and street performer Michael Hilby.
Hilby at the 2010 New York State Fair
The self-proclaimed skinny German juggles fire, balls, and even carries a chainsaw.
Hilby always draws a crowd and always has a flair for the unordinary, punctuated with a comedian’s timing.
Hilby’s act, lasting about an hour, is worth one or two Grandstand performances (for about $50 dollars less). He reminds me of an essay from The Big Moo that says, there are three rules of life: 1) Your Attitude is Your Life; 2) Maximize Your Options; and 3) Don’t Let Seeds Stop You from Enjoying the Watermelon.
Hilby, juggling fire
Rest time, Dairy Building
Robert Randolph at the New York State Fair
Robert Randolph, master of the steel pedal guitar, danced while he played with his bad at the New York State Fair tonight. Randolph’s performance reminded me that the last time I covered a steel pedal performance was by the late Leonard Stephens, Jr. of Syracuse, during Gospel Weekend a few years ago.
Living Statues, Colonnade