R-House at 619 Otisco St.
The LEED movement continues to receive the green light on the city’s Near West Side.
During the Rust Belt Conference at SU,these two properties on Otisco Street, and other S.A.L.T. district developments were cited as model sustainable neighborhood efforts.
TED House, 621 Otisco St.
The Syracuse University School of Architecture (SoA) celebrated city life this week at the Formerly Urban (Projecting Rust Belt Futures) Symposium. Speakers from Syracuse, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Toronto and Paris discussed depopulation, prairie urbanism, redefining district identities, and new structures to activate urban life.
SoA Dean Mark Robbins said architects should harness the drive of commerce for the betterment of our cities and create incentives to do better (design, planning) work.
Former President Bill Clinton stumps for Dan Maffei (left) in Syracuse
Former President Bill Clinton finished his multi-state campaign tour in Syracuse last night to stump for Congressman Dan Maffei. Clinton urged the crowd to get out and vote. He also warned against falling into the politics of frustration.
Reenah L. Golden discusses urban education following her performance in No Child… at Syracuse Stage
I finally got a chance to see the production of No Child… (written by Nilaja Sun) at Syracuse Stage on Saturday. The one-act play features Rochester-native Reenah L. Golden, an actor, poet, activist and educator as the sole performer of nearly 20 characters in a play within a play set in a New York City school.
The direction by Timothy Bond, which featured a photo montage of various Syracuse School district locations, and the post show dialogue with the audience, made for a wonderful theater experience.
The Maars post-show interview was posted and can be seen/heard here.
Dr. Joan R. Hillsman
Musicians and Producers Robert Short, Jr. and Dr. Joan R. Hillsman (above), along with the Bethany Baptist Church Choir and guests recorded a live CD last night. There were several selections of Christ-inspired original compositions featuring Short, Hillsman, Pastor Phil Turner, Tisha Barnett ,George Kilpatrick, III and many others.
Rev. Phil Turner
Maars, emerging artist
We are grateful that mixed-media artist Maars, a friend of SIF, chose to hold his one man show at our studio location last night.
An interview we did with him and photographs will appear soon. Maars’ next show will be held at Homegrown in Ithaca, New York.
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.