This is CNY

30/07/2025

🍳 At 6:50 a.m. this morning, Eddie DePalma stood in his brand-new kitchen, looked at his staff and shouted, “It’s GO time! Let’s do this.”

Ten minutes later, the doors of Second Chance Diner’s third (and largest) location swung open, and the first customers walked in at 7:04 a.m. They ordered the Bananas Foster French Toast, and just like that, the newest chapter of one of Central New York’s popular breakfast spots was underway.

Charlie Miller reports:

The new location still has the look of a restaurant and bar but the feel of a diner.

30/07/2025

📈 Central New York’s economy is expanding rapidly and so is the need for future leadership.

Our area’s youngest Baby Boomers reach retirement age within the next four years, raising a critical question: Who will step up to lead the next generation?

To answer that, Central New York is growing a pipeline of leaders through several leadership development programs that welcome participants from fifth grade students to seasoned executive-level professionals. The programs have curricula focused on community, collaboration and professional development.

These are a few standout leadership programs paving the way for a thriving future in CNY: https://this-is-cny.visitlink.me/KuqVuQ

29/07/2025

Dazed is planning a grand opening on Marshall Street, around the end of August when students return, said Kasey Tsaganos, one of the shop’s managers.

“We’re sort of doing a soft opening now,” Tsaganos said. “But we will do something bigger when the time is right.”

Full story:

The dispensary opened in April in the heart of Marshall Street near Syracuse University.

29/07/2025

At 197 years old, Mike and Betsy Pfohl’s house at 310 North Manlius St. in Fayetteville is one of the oldest homes in Onondaga County.

Known for generations as “Oak Grove,” the 2.7-acre property dates to 1828 when the original part of the house was built by David Collin who had come to the village in 1816.

Now it could be yours. Johnathan Croyle has the story:

Mike and Betsy Pfohl has renovated the historic home at 310 North Manlius St. for modern tastes.

28/07/2025

🌞 There’s plenty of summer left to enjoy.

This week, we have a full slate of CNY events, ranging from Syracuse Macedonian Festival and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Brew at the Zoo to Little Big Town at the Amp and the 52nd Bluegrass Ramble Picnic.

Sara Atencio-Gonzales has the rundown:

There’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy.

28/07/2025

in the hands of The Covey Theater Company and director Garrett August Heater, yes, you do need to see “Into the Woods”— even if you’ve seen it before, and especially if you haven’t.

Performed in the black box BeVard Studio at the Oncenter, Heater’s deeply-felt production restores that lost intimacy through physical proximity, minimalist yet evocative set design, and exemplary casting.

Read Linda Lowen's full review:

This immersive production rings true with an exemplary cast of gorgeous voices.

27/07/2025

🇵🇷 The weekend-long Puerto Rican Festival Syracuse NY celebration concludes at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Spirit of Jubilee Park with a Latino-themed showcase.

Festival organizer Jesús M. Rolón said the reason for celebrating the festival in multiple city locations was to foster a sense of community.

“We’re diverse, but we’re also one,” said Rolón. “I strongly believe in collaboration and bringing communities together.”

Photos and story by Wesley J. Pérez Vidal: https://this-is-cny.visitlink.me/VryOOO

26/07/2025

❄️ Looking for a fun way to beat the heat while celebrating Syracuse’s snowy soul during the dog days of summer?

Harvey's Garden is hosting a Golden Snowball celebration today, July 26, from 2-8 p.m., to honor Syracuse’s victory in the 2024–2025 Golden Snowball competition.

Full event details:

Harvey's Garden hosts Golden Snowball Celebration from 2-8 p.m.

25/07/2025

🏫 Contractors will still be working on the building when the cutting-edge Syracuse STEAM High School opens its doors to 250 students just five weeks from now.

But school and municipal officials said Monday they're confident that New York state’s first regional high school will open on time for its first freshman class.

“We have five and a half weeks left, which is just a race to the finish,’’ said Archie Wixson, facilities commissioner for Onondaga County, who is overseeing the project.

The school will open on time, Tim Knauss reports:

The regional high school is the first of its kind in New York, Mayor Ben Walsh says.