Ken Simon’s reflections on Fat Igor, the paper’s memorable mascot: “He thought he was very hip and cool but he wasn’t really, and that’s kind of what I liked. He’s kind of brash, he’s kind of aggressive and you like that in a person. He’s harmless, he’s a womanizer. We just started using it and people responded to it. I even posed for a photo dressed like Fat Igor. I don’t know how long Fat Igor lasted. He was a cool mascot. “Can you dig it?”When Syracuse New Times creator Ken Simon visited our 1415 W. Genesee St. office on March…
Author: Staff
The Syracuse New Times’ origin story starts at the defunct Waldorf Diner on Erie Boulevard in the fall of 1968. Over a hottle of tea and a shared plate of home fries, I was discussing with my college pal Jack Myers what we were going to do once we graduated from Newhouse that June. Neither of us were eager to take a corporate job. We had an idea: We knew that free all-advertising tabloids called pennysavers were distributed in stores throughout Syracuse. We figured that if we blanketed the Syracuse University campus with a similar publication we could attract advertisers who coveted the student market but who weren’t advertising in the…
Welcome to the Syracuse New Times’ 50th-anniversary celebration! This retrospective issue is something of a bittersweet triumph, however. Although we’ve made it this far (as you can tell by examining the many mastheads that have adorned the paper through the decades), this is the final free edition of The New Times. The April 24, 2019, issue begins a new journey as a paid newspaper, right alongside The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other bastions of journalism. But they don’t cover the Salt City beat, which is why the Syracuse New Times will remain your favorite local source for community journalism as Central New York’s…
The 2019 Syracuse Area Music Awards saw a medley of local musicians and music-scene supporters once again honored for their dedication and service to the Central New York arts community. More than 600 people attended the annual, gala-like awards ceremony on March 8 at Eastwood’s Palace Theatre to see who would take home the coveted black obelisk this year. Related: Soaring SAMMYS: Syracuse area musicians recognized at 2019 ceremony Nominees were whittled down from about 111 submissions, and the SAMMYS committee announced their final decisions this weekend. See the full list of winners below: Best Pop Forgottensong, Forgottensong Vol. 1…
Every year, when the snow begins to fall in Central New York, we at the Syracuse New Times put out a special issue: Winter Times. In it, we recap all the need-to-know information for surviving the winter season. From the latest snow report to ways to stay warm indoors, Winter Times should be your go-to source for seeing what’s-what in the Greater Syracuse area. Don’t forget to check our exclusive, hand-curated events calendar to keep abreast of all the goings on over the next few months! The ski season is still in flux, yet snowmaking helps cover region’s slopes Toddy Language:…
State Sen. John A. DeFrancisco pens a satiric speculation on what Central New Yorkers could expect if the I-81 viaduct is replaced with a community grid.
The nominations have been tallied for the 14th annual Syracuse New Times Syracuse Area Live Theater (SALT) Awards, which honor performances and behind-the-scenes work by area professional, regional and community theater companies. The SALT winners will be announced during a ceremony to be held Sunday, Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m., at the Redhouse Arts Center, 400 S. Salina St. The show’s presenting sponsor is Empower Federal Credit Union. This year’s co-hosts will be WSYR-Channel 9’s Bridge Street personality TeNesha Murphy and actress (and former Rockette) Bradley Benjamin. Cocktails and light fare will be available. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available for $22…
Best of Syracuse is a reader-generated poll trademarked by the Syracuse New Times. Since its 1997 inception we have asked our readers to nominate in a number of categories. For the 22nd anniversary edition, the categories include: Sports and Recreation; Love and Romance; Family; Beauty and Pampering; Animal Lovers; Professional and Civic Services; Booze, Bars and Wine; Local Personalities; Food; Health and Wellness; Specialty Foods and Best Spots; and Arts, Music and Entertainment. Your nominations are tallied, and the results bring out the top five in each category. We then turn it all over to you again for the final…
Check out these fall activities, events and goings-on. This is just a small list, so make sure to check our online community calendar for daily information.
Central New Yorkers have their pick of frightening fare, from tamer events suited for all-ages to full-on adults- and teens-only horror shows.
If you’re looking for a place to pick pumpkins this fall season, look no further.
Across Central New York farms, apples are ripening for tart treats and apple pies.
The Syracuse New Times inaugurated its Best of Syracuse poll in 1997, asking readers to select their favorites in a wide range of categories. For the 22nd annual event, we’re again asking readers to choose from more than 100 categories covering food, arts, media, services and more. Make no mistake that area businesses are highly pleased whenever they are named the Best of Syracuse. The awards are presented with pride for everyone to see; check out the awards wall as you dine at Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse, Old Liverpool Road, or while ordering a hot fudge sundae at Gannon’s Isle, 1525…
Put your feet up and relax with these 2018 Best of Syracuse Beauty & Pampering finalists. Below, you will find the category broken down by title and a list of the top finalists in each category. Most list the Top 5, but an extra nominee was included in instances of a tied vote. Click the “Vote Now” button at the bottom to vote on who you think should be the winner. An email address is required, and each person can only vote once. Voting will remain open until September 30. You do not have to submit a vote for every category. Make…
Do you ever see those people around the city who are always sending a positive message, the ones who always seem to be where interesting things are happening? Well, according to Central New Yorkers, the individuals listed below have become household names for anyone living in or near Syracuse. See the finalists for the 2018 Best of Syracuse Local Personalities category. Below, you will find the category broken down by title and a list of the top finalists in each category. Most list the Top 5, but an extra nominee was included in instances of a tied vote. Click the…