CNY Speaks Sets Up Forum for All Mayoral Candidates

By Jeff Landset
SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- A forum hosted by CNY Speaks that will feature all seven candidates for mayor has been set up for September 8th at the Hotel Syracuse. It's a free event that will focus on the revitalization of downtown Syracuse.

CNY Speaks has been using other forums and surveys to get the public's thoughts and own ideas about what they think about downtown. All of these ideas will be boiled down to one "Citizen's Agenda" which will be presented to the candidates by the public in September.

Greg Munno is one of CNY Speaks' organizers, and he was relieved when he was able to fulfill the promise he made: for the public to talk directly to the mayoral candidates.

"When I got those commitments and the room was free and there were no other forums conflicting with that, it was a tremendously good feeling, absolutely," Munno said.

"It will be a better feeling when it's over."

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Job Loss Down, but Not Yet In Syracuse

Delayed Recession Means Delayed Recovery

by Beth Jones

8-11-09

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Last month saw the lowest number of job losses in a year. With 247,000 jobs gone in July its even a huge contrast from what we just saw in June, when almost 450,000 were eliminated. Unemployment even dropped to 9.4% last month from 9.5% in June.

Behind the Curve

But you won't see this kind of upswing in the Syracuse area for a few more months. The reason? According to Karen Knapik-Scalzo, an associate economist for the New York State Department of Labor, the recession hit the country in December 2007, but it didn't really start to affect the Syracuse area until much later. So while the upswing may be starting for the nation overall, Syracuse is still in a downward slide.

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When they say the Syracuse area, according to Kanpick-Scalzo, they are referring to the Syracuse MSA, or metropolitan statistical area. This includes three counties:

• Onondaga
• Madison
• Oswego

Why the Lag?

This lag between when the nation fell into recession and when the Syracuse area did happens for a couple reasons. For one, industry in Syracuse is more diversified. So, the economy here is not highly dependant on one or two industries. Namely, the financial industry here is smaller and did not take as big a hit. Another big factor is the area housing market, which also fared better than the nation.

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As a result, it took longer for the recession to hit here. But it did eventually hit. And because of the later onset, that means we won't see the same upturn that the nation as whole is reporting, not for another few months at least.

On the Bright Side On the other hand, says Knapik-Scalzo, the Syracuse area is faring better overall. Unemployment percentages have been consistently below the national average. Job loss numbers are below the national pace and even the state pace, she says. So even though things are still technically on the decline, overall Syracuse has been fairing better than much of the rest of the U.S. There's even some job GROWTH in the health and education sector, says Knapik-Scalzo.

Better Late Than Never So, basically the message is simple: hang in there. We started the recession later than the nation, so it's logical that we wold see a later upswing than the nation. But, says Knapik-Scalzo, if the nation is seeing one, we will too...just a little later.

Syracuse University Installing New Cameras

Dorms to receive security upgrade

August 11, 2009

By: Collin Sullivan

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- When the students come back for the fall semester, they will have an extra sense of security. The university is adding 120 cameras at the entrances and loading docks of the residence halls to monitor potential criminal activity. Captain of the Department of Public Safety, Andy Mrozienski said that these days, every school and business is adding more to increase security. He said, "Everyone is upgrading to deal with any kind of threat."

Mrozienski said that the original plan was to install over 3,000 cameras across campus and in the residence halls, but it was going to cost about 20 million dollars. The plan has been reduced to about half that with the first phase starting in the dorms.

Mrozienski added, "We also have different security measures we are talking about adding right now. New technologies bring new ideas." Listed below are some of the new security ideas:

• Warning signal alert system
• Cameras in the blue lights on campus
• Phone alert system

The cameras will be used for preventative measures along with facial recognition to help aid in investigations after incidents, Mrozienski said. The cameras will also be used for real time monitoring that will allow dispatchers to follow and pursue criminals.

Installation of the cameras began at the end of July and should be finished by the time students come back in the fall.

Interview Soundbites:

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'Madden 10' Continues Video Game Dominance

By John Garcia Jr.

August 11, 2009

SYRACUSE, NY- The NFL preseason has officially begun with the Hall of Fame game last Sunday. Training camps are in full swing as players continue to jock for starting jobs in preparation for a Super Bowl run. But the interaction between fan and player is more anticipated off the field.

The transition from the summer to fall is not complete without the anticipation of a tradition that is now paired with the NFL season, Madden. The new version, Madden 10, is set to release on Friday, August 14.

Madden is the highest selling American video game franchise of all time. The game’s cultural importance is evident on college campuses, in video game store tournaments, and even on ESPN shows.

One of those college campuses, Syracuse University, has students who pre-order the game to be guaranteed a reserved copy. Nick Feely, a graduate student, said it’s almost as important as gas money.

“I think people actually set aside money for that, you know, in preparation that it’s coming out; so I know that I have done that,” said Feely.

Tommie Fair, of Syracuse, said the game has the best graphics and has always been the best.

“It sells the most because it’s John Madden. He’s been out forever and hands down it’s the best game out,” said Fair.

The game is based off of legendary NFL coach John Madden who ended up becoming a legendary color commentator as well. Madden recently retired from the booth but the franchise is continuing to use his name in the title for Madden 10.

Feely:

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Fair:

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Orange apparel retailers hoping for more wins

August 11, 2009
By NICK CARBONI (NCC NEWS)

SYRACUSE -- Fans weren't exactly lining up to get Syracuse University football gear during a 3-9 season last year. But, that doesn't mean they won't this year.

"We're truly keeping our fingers crossed," said Kim Apergis, a sales rep at Papa's Sports Athletic Apparel on Park Street. "And we're waiting."

Apergis said the staff at Papa's is optimistic that new coach Doug Marrone, and new players like Greg Paulus will attract more excitement to the Orange this season.

"We're all looking forward to it," Apergis said. "We all think something's going to change around here. We've been waiting for Syracuse football to come back."

WAIT AND SEE

Apergis said many people come in a few weeks before the season, but when the team is bad sales numbers start to slip early on.

"In the beginning of the season it doesn't matter what they think is going to happen," she said. "Usually by the third or fourth game is where we see them dropping off."

Fire Alarms: More than Just a Headache

More to it than Just Noise

Will Dugan

8/11/2009

Syracuse--What is it about the sound a fire alarm makes? Why does that alarm compel us to go outside? It could be because the noise is so harsh, people will do anything to escape it. Or maybe, because it means there is a fire someplace in the building. But Dale Eller, the Executive Director of a Pennsylvania based safety-consulting company, I-T-Z solutions, said there is a science behind the repeating pulse of a fire alarm horn.

“The pulsing actually helps move people out of a building faster. It is almost like a march pace, where they will tend to walk to the pace of the horn, which means they evacuate quicker,” said Eller.

Fire alarm horns pulse in a Temporal 3 pattern, which is three quick bursts and then a pause; this pattern does not only makes people walk quicker, but it is also good for waking people up. The Temporal 3 pattern is a component in any fire alarm built in the last decade, and it is exclusive to fire alarms, said Eller.

Bells Don’t Cut it

Older systems used bells to alert people to fires. The idea was that the bells mirrored the sounds fire trucks make, said Eller. But bells do not resonate through a building well, so most new systems use pulsing horns he said. Any building that has been built in the last ten years, or buildings with significant renovations, have one of these updated systems said Eller. Although these new systems were not made with the intent to annoy, it is a welcome help to getting people out of a building he said.

Founder of Special Olympics, Died Today

August 11, 2009
By: Kristen Tripodi

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died early this morning in a hospital in Massachusetts. She was 88 years old. Shriver, sister of John F. Kennedy, carried on the family's tradition of public service. She founded the Special Olympics in 1968, with the first games in Chicago of the same year.

Shriver's older sister, Rosemary Kennedy born in September of 1918. According to Shriver, Rosemary had a mild form of mental disabilities and lived with the family in their home. It was uncommon at the time for families to have their disabled children live with them, most of the time they were institutionalized. Shriver drew inspiration from Rosemary and her condition; and started the Special Olympics.

Shriver received many awards for her work on behalf of those with mental disabilities, including the nation's highest civilian award, the (U.S.) Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1984 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Neal Johnson, President and CEO of the New York State Division of the Special Olympics says while the Special Olympics movement is truly an accomplishment, that's only one of the many things Shriver achieved in her lifetime.

"That's just really a part of her legacy in service to people who are differently abled.. There is so much more that she's done on their behalf, that quite honestly gets overshadowed by the impact of the Special Olympics movement, which of course is her child, so to speak" says Johnson.

Because Shriver died early today, Johnson says the New York Division hasn't had time to plan a memorial service. Johnson say; "We have not made a determination yet if we are going to do a formal tribute to Mrs. Shriver, but undoubtedly she will be a large part of every event that we produce."

August 7th, she was admitted to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts; where she died early this morning, around 2 a.m.

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Creative Problem Solving: The Benefits of Learning Soccer the International Way

International Model of Learning Soccer Breeds Different Type of Player***

Jacob Donnelly (NCC News)

Auguest 11, 2009

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- The United States will play Mexico tomorrow at Azteca Stadium, a venue where the Yanks have never won. As every international match-up does with the U.S., the game will display players who learned the game in two very different manners.

Two Different Models

The American model of learning soccer is very regimented. Children play in recreation leagues and are sent to soccer camp in the summers. It is a very organized way of learning where the focus is on the fundamentals of the game. The organized system is similar to the manner that other sports are played in America. So why the big uproar over the difference?

Simply put, when it comes to soccer, America does not have the same type of success it experiences in other sports. The two biggest names in American soccer in the past 50 years have both been imports, Pele who played in the now defunct North American Soccer League and David Beckham who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy of the Major Soccer League (MLS).

Many think the lack of enthusiasm and success is because Americans learn soccer differently than the rest of the world. The international style of teaching soccer, or futbol, is by letting the children play. It allows for the children to experience the games for themselves as opposed to telling them how to do it.

Creativity & Problem Solving

The international model compels young players to think on their own when it comes to the "how to" problems they face on the soccer field. "They should discover the game in a free play atmosphere, which, in my opinion, makes them better problem solvers for when they get older," said Syracuse University Head Coach Dean Foti.

What the Future Holds

People are starting to change their thinking in America and it is becoming more and more popular to hear of children simply picking up the ball to play and learning the game on their own. After all, not everyone hones their craft in rec leagues; some still mold their skills out in the sandlots and brick-top courts of America. They are out there. Children who still learn the game in the same manner that their fathers and grandfathers learned the game, by just picking up a ball and playing.

Either way, when the Americans face off against Mexico tomorrow, it will not be who learned what how, but the final score that will matter most.

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New SU Residence Hall to Open This Fall

Sean O'Brien
08/11/09
State of the art building
The 600 block of Comstock Avenue looks like a regular construction site right now. But it is actually the first dormatory being built since the Boland and Brewster Halls opened in 1966. the 140,000 square foot building costs about $54 millon. It will offer more amenities then any other dorm on campus, including air conditioning and 10,000 square feet of recreational space.

Still under Construction
The building is supposed to open August 21st. SU housing director, Eileen Simmons, said even with a few setbacks this winter, the building will open on time. "They're on the mark with where they wanted to be. I think initially in the winter there were some issues with pouring concrete but that all managed to work out fine so they're prepared for student arrival on the 21st," said Simmons.

What about Washers, dryers and furniture?
A construction worker at the site said it's pretty empty inside. There are still things missing such as washers, dryers, and furniture; which is supposed to arrive later this week. The worker said there are still several windows and doors that need to be installed. When asked if he thought that the building would open on time, he responded with a grin, "I plead the fifth."

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New York State Comptroller says money is running out for local infrastructure

8/10/2009

By Matt Granato

NYS Comptroller Visits Syracuse

Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli visited downtown syracuse this morning. The visit highlighted a report DiNapoli released that said the State is running out of money to fund local infrastructure projects. DiNapoli projected an $80 billion gap over the next 20 years if something is not done to change the course New York is on.

Failed Infrastructure

The report acknowledges that New York has many old cities, and many of them are in dire need of an update to their roads, bridges, and water systems. Syracuse city water system was specifically mentioned as a priority in the report. DiNapoli pointed out that millions of gallons of water are lost each day in cracks and leaks in the city water system. The report also points out that besides the wasted water costing the city money, patching and fixing a broken system over and over again is costing far too much money. Some of the other priority projects mentioned include:


-The City of Buffalo water system
-Village of Springville sinkhole repairs
-Oneida County Sewer District
-Town of Vestal water system
-Broome County bridges rated structurally deficient
-37% of all NYS highway bridges rated structurally deficient or functionally obselete

Funding

DiNapoli says the state will be receiving $1.8 billion dollars now from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but that will not begin to cover New Yorks cost from the projects that need attention.

The Plan

The report did not just identify the budget gap, but also outlined strategies to make the impact less severe. DiNapoli says part of the underfunding that has taken place stems from a slowdown in state and federal investment in infrastructure. DiNapoli suggests more efforts in capital planning at the local level. He also says municipalities close to one another should find ways to work together on projects to keep costs down. DiNapoli says that he hopes the report will encourage local government to take this issue seriously, and begin thinking in new ways to take on this problem.

SU Entrepreneurship: Brand-Yourself.com Launches & Enters contest

Brand-Yourself
August 10, 2009
Lindsey Briggs (NCC NEWS RADIO)

A group of Syracuse University's Information Studies students are one step closer to receiving the college Entrepreneur of 2009 Award.

The company, Brand-Yourself.com is one of five finalist for the 2009 award in the Entrepreneur Magazine. The company helps customers strengthen and monitor their image on the web to improve their chances of getting a job.

Communications Director of the School of Information Studies; Margaret Spillett speaks highly of the students

"Pete and RJ are really fine examples of what we think of as sort of a typical I- school student, they think out of the box, they come up with new ideas, their very innovative and entrepreneurial"

The company has entered the competition for a chance to have a two page profile of the in the Entrepreneur Magazine.

The Brand-Yourself team has been looking forward to this day and say that social networking is something that everyone does, and that is why their company has been an will be beneficial to the clients who take advantage of this great opportunity to sell themselves in a positive light and get hired!

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Mock funeral held to "bury" violence

August 10, 2009
By NICK CARBONI (NCC News)

SYRACUSE -- A month after his brother was brutally murdered, Willie Cooper got up on stage and sang a song.

The 25-year-old said his lyrics were for all victims of homicide, which includes his 22-year-old brother, Gary Cooper, who was stabbed to death last month.

"It wasn't even anything to do with gangs," Willie Cooper said. "Just wrong place, wrong time."

Cooper was taking part in the fifth annual Mothers Against Gun Violence Community Vigil, a march from Armory Square to Clinton Square. This year the event had a different look. A hearse donated by the DeWitt Memorial Funeral Home. The hearse was supposed to signify the death of violence in Syracuse.

There have been 12 murders in Syracuse in 2009, and 2008 saw 25 homicides. Willie Cooper isn't sure if it will ever end.

"We need the suspects and people who do these things to come forward and how it affects the families," he said.

The event ended with a candle light vigil.

Local Animal Shelter will Step In If Human Society Closes

by Beth Jones

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Humane Society Animal Shelter, located in the town of Clay, is facing imminent closure due to lack of funding. The facility houses and supports around 150 animals, all of whom will need new homes if the closing actually happens.

CNY SPCA Steps Up

The Central New York SPCA(Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) says they will step in and provide a new home for as many as all 150 animals if necessary. Director of their Public Education Department Stephanie Woyciesjes says they've dealt with cruelty cases that meant as many as 200 new animals at one time. So this would not be a first for them.

Sudden Influxes can Mean Strain

Woyciejus does say that just because they've done it before doesn't mean it isn't a very hard situation to deal with.

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She says that's not the only issue.

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Woyciesjus says it was just last year when the the SPCA found itself in a similar crisis, facing closure due to lack of funds. But the public rallied, raised money and the shelter stayed open, and is right now in good shape. This rebound was due in large part to increased public awareness from media coverage. She says she hopes the public will rally behind the Humane Society in the same way.

Donations

The Humane Association takes donations of cat and dog dry food, cat litter, laundry detergent, blankets and cat toys. Items can be dropped off at 4915 1/2 W Taft Rd Clay, NY 13088. Checks can be made payable to the Humane Association of CNY. If you're interested in volunteering call 315 457 8762.

Local Reaction to National Texting and Driving Ban

Aug. 10, 2009

It has been 40 days since Onondaga County banned texting and driving. Since the ban, there has been a lot more scrutiny for a nationwide ban.

Reaction We Got

In general, people from the Central New York area seem to support a national ban on texting and driving. Most everyone we spoke with agreed that it is very dangerous.

Enforcing a Ban

"I don't think that it's realistic, because the thing is how would they know if you're texting and driving..." Syracuse resident, Skylar Andrews said. "I text with it down in my lap and I know where all the letters are."

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Personal Experiences

"There have been a few times in my life where I have tried to do that and I quickly realized, you know, that I was putting myself in danger. Ithaca resident, Barry Durfel said. "So I don't do it anymore, but I think a ban would motivate people. "

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What's next

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said that he is in favor of a national ban on texting and driving and will be at a summit next month to discuss the issue.

The summit will include people from groups such as the following:
- senior transportation officials
- law enforcement representatives
- members of congress
- people who study distracted driving

'Get Moving CNY' Has Unexpectedly Fewer Participants Than Other Years

As Program Concludes, Directors Suspect Weak Summer Weather May Be to Blame

August 10, 2009

by Christie Witt, NCC News

SYRACUSE, NY-- 'Get Moving, CNY' is a summer program initiated by the Onondaga Parks Department, that encourages Central New Yorkers to get up, and make a conscious effort to exercise. 

"Get Moving CNY is an award-winning program, in its third year. The basic premise is very simple: thirty minutes of some sort of physical activity for thirty days in a row" explains program director, Eric Sopchak. 

Once the thirty days of exercise are completed, just log them onto the calendar available on the Onondaga County Parks website, and submit it for approval. After the completed calendar is completed, participants are eligible for a variety of prizes and giveaways. 

All Participants Receive:

- One month Gold's Gym membership

- Wegman's Produce

- Zoo & Cross County Ski Rentals at Highland Forest

Grand Prizes Include:

- One Year Gold's Gym membership

- Adult Bicycle and Helmet 

- Child Bicycle and Helmet

- Syracuse City Parks Summer Camp Week Package

- Syracuse City Park Ice Rink Season Pass

- $50 Wegman's Gift Certificate

- $30 Sporting Goods Gift Certificate

Last year, the program had more than 14,000 participants. This year, the number is significantly lower. Director's assume reduction in participants is a result of bad weather, less prizes, and cuts in funding.

The final number of this years participants will not be known until the program wraps up on September 1. Entries may be taken up until that date.

State roads fall prey to nature.

State Roads and Bridges fall prey to nature***
Ever wonder why the roads in the state are so rough and bumpy?
by Shardé Edwards (NCC News)
August 10th, 2009, 10:20p.m.


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Ever wonder why the roads in the state are so rough and bumpy?
Central New York's severe winters are to blame.

The Department of Transportation for region three maintains central New York’s bridges and roadways. Region three covers six counties, which includes Onondaga County.

Region three is located between I-81 and I-9O, and has more than 800,000 residents that it serves. With six cities, 49 villages and 97 towns, the region is responsible for over 3,000 miles of highway and 614 state highway bridges.

The six counties include:
· Cayuga
· Cortland
· Onondaga
· Oswego
· Seneca
· Tompkins

Weather is the culprit

Gene Cilento of the Department of Transportation says due to the extreme weather of central New York, the roads and bridges need mending.

“In an area that sees a lot of freezing, thawing cycles as water collects in the winter time it gets into the pavement it freezes, it expands it creates voids,” said Cilento.

Bridges tend to need joint replacements since the weather causes rust.


The Solutions

The Department of Transportation uses Super Pave, a dense asphalt to repair roads. “It’s supposed to restrict the flow of water through that top surface of asphalt,” said Cilento. The solution to repairing the bridges is to change the joints.

Cilento says the Department of Transportation does not constantly repair the roadways. Then the question is - Are the roads being neglected?

Region three receives approximately 60 projects a year, with a value of 64 million dollars.

Photo Credit: Syracuse University

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Severe Thunderstorm Disrupts Businesses

Businesses Around Westcott Theater Area Disrupted by Storm, Blackouts Across Central New York Counties***

Jacob Donnelly (NCC News)

August 10, 2009

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- A severe thunderstorm rolled through Syracuse late Sunday night and through the early hours of Monday morning. There was a violent stretch of thunder and lightning that lasted about two hours from just a little after ten until finally settling down right after midnight.

Businesses Feeling The Storm

Lightning strikes were visible about every five seconds for the better half of two hours last night. The ferocity of the storm brought late-shift workers on Westcott Street out of their businesses to watch the impressive storm.

A good deal of the action happened near the Westcott Theater. First Cambridge street lost power, then Victoria Street lost power, "One of our workers lives right there and he's like 'the power went out' so he came over here. And our power went out for like 30 seconds over on Westcott," said Dorian Gourmet Pizza & Deli worker Symeon Petkopoulos.

Bouncer James Sayko of the Taps Bar & Restaurant was flushed from outside the bar and ran to shelter across the street. "Half of our bar has power, the other half doesn't...(I) Got a chance to step outside, the sky was lit up for about a half hour...It's pretty cool to look at, but also kinda dangerous in the back of your mind saying, 'don't cross the street too many times,'" said Sayko.

The same thunder clap that forced Sayko from out under the canopy at Taps and "shook the (entire) building" also set off an alarm at the Abdo's Grocery shop on South Beech Street. The owner arrived on the scene around a quarter past midnight. He did not know why the alarm was going off and was in no mood to answer questions as he was woken up from his sleep to respond to the alarm.

Forecast

The rain stopped for a short period Monday morning and through the lunch hour, but the people of Syracuse were greeted with the sound of thunder at around three o'clock in the afternoon. The rain remained constant through the rest of Monday. More thunderstorms are expected for Tuesday before the people of Syracuse should be given a respite with the weather getting better the rest of the week.

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Incoming Freshmen Athletes Making the Transition

Making Sacrifices is Necessary, says Student-Athlete Support Director
By Jeff Landset

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Practice began today for the Syracuse University football team. It will be Doug Marrone's first practice with the team, including the freshmen that he recruited. So just as Coach Marrone has a transition to make from being an NFL coordinator to a college head coach, those incoming freshmen have one as well.

"It's natural for many of the students, student-athletes included, to have feelings of homesickness," says Kevin Wall, Syracuse's Director of Student-Athlete Support. "[Incoming freshmen] can be successful in high school based on natural ability and now you're stepping up the intensity."

Academics Goes Hand-in-Hand with Athletics

Many of the incoming players have been on campus for the SummerStart session, where their primary focus has been academics for the past five weeks. Wall says they are excited now to shift their focus to football, but at the same time finish strong in the classroom.

Wall also says that while most freshmen in general have two months of summer vacation after their high school graduation, these student-athletes don't. He says that's part of the commitment of being a Division I student-athlete.

"It's important for them to get up here, get acclimated to the university, get some classes under their belt. If this is what they want to do, making sacrifices is part of that process."

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Storm Keeps Some In Dark

Manlius still suffering

August 10, 2009
by: Collin Sullivan (NCC News)

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Last night's powerful thunder and lightning caused power outages all over Syracuse, and there are still some homes and businesses suffering. National Grid spokesperson, Courtney Quatrino said, "Manlius still has about 1,100 power outages as of this morning."

Quatrino said that there were over 300 lightning bolts recorded last night after the storm got started. The storm brought heavy rains, wind, and, of course, thunder and lightning. She said there were still about "50 or less" new outages this morning in each surrounding area of Syracuse.

Quatrino said that crews have been dispersed all over Central New York to fix the outages. She had no timetable for when they would be up and running, but was hopeful it would not last longer than today.

Soundbite:

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New Plates for New York Residents

August 6, 2009
By: Kristen Tripodi

Starting April 2010, the New York State Deparment of Motorvehicles will begin issuing new license plates.

Jackie McGinnis, Communications Director for the NY DMV, says license plates are replaced every five to ten years.

The plates in use now were first issued in 2001. McGinnis says due to wear and tear on the plates, it's important for safety reasons to replace the plates. Another reason for the change in plates is so that the Police can read them better.

McGinnis says the charge for the new plates are $25 and another $20 if you want to keep the same number.

There is no reason to rush in getting the new plates because it will be a 2 year process and all the paperwork is done through the mail.

McGinnis says the DMV will notify you when to get new plates, at the same time you re-register your car.

There will be a new design, but McGinnis says it has not been released yet.

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Home HeadQuarters Host a Clean-up Block Blitz

North & Near Westsides clean-up Day
Lindsey Briggs (NCC NEWS RADIO)
August 6, 2009

Syracuse Home HeadQuarters is planning a clean-up campaign on the city's North and Near West sides today instead of it's annual fundraising dinner.

Marketing Director, Karen Schroeder made the executive decision to clean-up instead of the dinner because she thinks it will be more affective; for the people volunteering and the local residents.

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More than 100 local contractors and non-profit organization will volunteer their services to these locations today. They plan to paint houses, pick up trash, repair fences, plant trees, and fix up the landscaping.

The Local people of Syracuse who usually attend the fundraising dinner will be able to give of themselves physically instead of just their money and postive things said behind the podium.

Schroeder says residents will find that the people of Syracuse do care about the surrounding neighborhoods.

"There's a woman on the Near Westside, she's 92 or 93, her house is immaculate, she just needs some extra help, she's obviously on a very fixed income, she's already an anchor for that neighborhood so if we can help give a little back, I think it really counts for something"

The clean-up is expected to happen each year.

New Study Finds Jews More Secular

Study Says Number of Religiously Observant Jews Dropped by more than 20 Percent

Jacob Donnelly (NCC News)

August 6, 2009

SYRACUSE-- The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey found that the number of American Jews who consider themselves religiously observant has dropped by more than 20 percent. There are close to two million Jews in New York, making up almost ten percent of the population, by far the most of any state in the nation. Out of the total 5.4 million Jews in America only 3.4 million Jews say they are religiously observant.

Findings

The drop comes in response to Jews who claim they are only culturally Jewish, with little to no religious affiliation. The number of cultural Jews rose from 20 percent in 1990 to 37 percent last year as opposed to the number of Americans who said they have no religious affiliation whatsoever rose from eight to 15 percent.

Researchers attribute the trends to the high rate of intermarriage and “disaffection from Judaism” in the United States.

Religious Response

“There’s more to being Jewish than just going to a synagogue,” So says Rabbi Rachel Ain of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. The Rabbi said she does not agree with the survey because it is too black and white, “it doesn’t leave enough gray;” what it means to be Jewish is hard to quantify because it is at both times a religion and a culture. She said the survey misses the point because the religious aspect of Judaism lingers even in the secular Jews.

Modern Jews are different from the ones from 20 years ago in that they are staying away from the traditional synagogues and are “finding other venues to express their Judaism. But I'm not convinced that that means that Jews are less religious and therefore secular," Said the Rabbi

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New Downtown Ads Have New Edge

Is it working?


August 6, 2009
Collin Sullivan (NCC News)


SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Downtown Committee of Syracuse has an aggressive new ad campaign to promote business and shopping. You may have seen the ads on TV, the man and woman on missions to shop while coming across ninja-esque obstacles.


The Director of Communications, Kevin Schwab said that they added a new twist to their regular commercials to boost attention downtown. Schwab said, "It really does a great job of showcasing the great things that downtown has to offer."


The commercials are not a new feature to hit the TV airwaves, but Schwab said adding a hip storyline will help grab people's attention.


The way the economy is down right now, might not be a bad idea.

Soundbite:

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Cash for Clunkers gets another $2 Billion.

Senate agrees to give more money

By Sean O'Brien
8/4/09
The Senate agreed on adding an another $2 Billion dollars to the "cash for clunkers" program. The deal will allow car shoppers to utilize the program until Labor Day. After long talks, Democrats and Republicans agreed on the deal late last night.

Car Manufacturers are Happy

Car manufacturers have seen a double digit increase in the percent of cars they have sold since the program started. Following is the percent increase in sales for major manufacturers:
- General Motors Co. - 18.7%
- Toyota Motor Corp. - 17.9%
- Ford Motor Co. 16%

Detriot automakers made up over 43 percent of the total sales so far.

Local Dealerships thriving under program

Brandon Catalone of Romano Toyota in East Syracuse says they made over 45 deals under the cash for clunkers program in the last two weeks. He is positive that with the extension of the program the dealership will make many more deals, "We have people that are here right now looking into the program as we speak. As long as they are putting the money into the program, if they were too say they are going extend it through September and October I think the business will just keep coming"

He says the Yaris and Corolla have been their best sellers so far. Each car gets over 30 miles to the gallon. The Corolla is the highest selling vehicle amongst all manufacturers under the program.

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