00 MAY 2011

ISSUE 1 // MAY 2011

the Punches
New Coach Whips
Assault City Derby
Girls into Shape
Roll with
Wild Rides
4 Summer Thrill Sports
to Boost Your Adrenaline
Syracuse Unplugged
School Kids Turn Off the Lights and
Reduce the Citys Energy Use
Northbound Traveling
Minstrel Jug Band
Sets off for Pivotal
Second Tour
00 SALT CITY
3 MAY 2011
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FEATURES
58 // Hell on Wheels
Assault City derby girls toughen up for their fourth
season with a new coach, lots of face paint, and a
power-packed crop of fresh meat.
64 // Faces of the Future
Local entrepreneurs take innovative ideas
and turn them into creative businesses.
68 // Energy Evolution
School kids learn green living, starting with
the transformation of their classrooms.
72 // Not Your Typical Jug Band
Before kicking off their second tour, the Northbound
Traveling Minstrel Jug Band nds a new sound, adding
folk to their signature blend of rock and bluegrass.
DEPARTMENTS
34 // ARTS
Rhythm in the Barn
From folk to open-mic nights,
Kellish Hill provides a stage for CNY
38 // VENTURES
No Limits to Business
Local program helps disabled entre-
preneurs start their own companies
42 // TRAVEL
Treasure Island
Theres 1,000 reasons to visit
this hidden New York gem
46 // DRINKS
Craft on Tap
Empire brewmaster infuses local
avors to create unique beers
50 // OUTDOORS
Thrill Ride
Unleash your wild side with these
four high-energy adventure sports
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Craft Chemistry // Owner Briana Kohlbrenner and co fuse art and merchandise at her shop
SHAKE IT UP
15 // Happy Birthday,
SyracuseFirst
17 // Craft Chemistry
Locals nd art and merch
in shops creative space
PULSE //
19 // Up, Up, and Away
Hot-air ballooning takes off in CNY
19 // Happy Trails
3 hikes less than 3 hours away
thatll get you out of the city and
into the woods
20 // Band Spotlight
Rule of 17
20 // Dine-In + Drive-In
22 // Your Twitter
Questions Answered
4 things you didnt know about
creating a successful Twitter handle
22 // Family Portrait
Art Rage displays photos of
LGBT relatives this month
STRUT //
25 // Shop 'til you Drop
Local vendors sell goods and
food at regional market
25 // Renew, Reuse, Recycle
5 ways to transform your
household items
27 // 5 Items Not to
Wear to Work This
Summer
27 // Heres to You,
Beautiful
Stylist Claudia Kieffer gives
the scoop on body image
27 // Flattering Frames
How to nd the perfect pair of
sunglasses for your face shape
CRAVE //
29 // 7 Whites for Spring
CNY grape growers reveal
their top-choice bottles
29 // Fiddling with
Fiddleheads
The springtime crop thats got
avor and aesthetics on its side
31 // Caffeine Crawl
31 // Spring Seating
5 picks for outdoor dining
32 // Diamond Delish
Chocolate jewelry makes for a
tasty status symbol
32 // Sweet Treats
Find an edible gift for mom
this Mothers Day
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CONTENTS //
ON THE WEB //
saltcitymag.tumblr.com
8 // Letter from the Editor
11 // Calendar
6 SALT CITY
Executive Editor
Daniel Bortz
Managing Editor
Kathleen Corlett
Art Director
Lauren Harms
Advisor
Jim Shahin
For the active, hip and aware. Salt City
taps into the cultural pulse of young
adult life in greater Syracuse.
Senior Editors
Carolyn J. Clark
Stacie Foster
Alyssa Grossman
Kaitlin Pitsker
Senior Writers
Patty Hodapp
Kate Morin
Katherine Salisbury
Carine Umuhumuza
Contributors
Emmett Baggett
Rachel A. Dobken
Mary Ann Durantini
Shaun Janis
8 SALT CITY
llow me to introduce you to the premiere issue of your cool new friend, the
monthly magazine Salt City. We named it after Syracuses long history with the
vital seasoning. We hope Salt City becomes just as vital to your everyday life.
Each month, we will bring you stories on crucial issues and on people mak-
ing a difference in the life of the city. This month, in our features we explore an up-
and-coming band, environmentally-conscious schools, a new wave of entrepreneurs,
and some hard-hitting roller derby girls.
The cover story, Hell on Wheels, brings you face to face with some of the toughest
girls in town: the Assault City Roller Derby team. These girls arent afraid to hit
and they hit hard. Writer Alyssa Grossman caught up with the squad before the start
of their new season to talk derby nicknames, proper derby attire think polka-dot
booty shorts and shredded leggings and the occasional derby wedding (pg. 58). By
the time Alyssa nished interviewing the girls, they were already thinking up derby
names for her: Control Alt DeletHer, ErasHer Mate, and Ghost WritHer.
In Carine Umuhumuzas feature, we take you into the living room of the Northbound
Traveling Minstrel Jug Band, a group that melds a clever blend of bluegrass and rock
(pg. 72). A lot of people think of us as this folky band, says guitarist Adam Cohen.
And then they come to the show and I have my guitar amp turned up, then I turn on
the wah pedal, and the tube screamer. Thats not folky at all.
We also delve into a city schools project that teaches students how to conserve energy.
Writer Katherine Salisbury guides you through these newly green classrooms and how
students are trying to reduce their schools carbon footprint (pg. 68).
Meet four entrepreneurs in our Faces of the Future piece who are creating everything
from a straw that changes colors when it comes into contact with date rape drugs, to
manufacturing ne-crafted rings that symbolize female empowerment (pg. 64).
Our front-of-the-book provides sweet ideas for celebrating your mom on her big day,
from chocolate jewelry to the citys best bakeries. We also take you to Americas best-
kept-secret getaway, the 1,000 Islands, less than a two-hour drive away.
Salt City is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a dedicated and plugged-in staff. It
celebrates life in and around Syracuse, and we look forward to bringing you the best of
the area in the months to come. So go ahead, savor our rst issue. Were sure itll leave
a good taste in your mouth.
Cheers,
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MAY //
Mountain Goat Run
Syracuse City Hall
Commons // 201 East
Washington St. // 10 a.m.
mountaingoatrun.com
Syracuse Chiefs vs.
Rochester Red Wings,
Alliance Bank Stadium
James Taylor in concert
Turning Stone Resort and
Casino // Verona // 8 p.m. //
$85 to $120
Cazenovia Farmers
Market Cannon Park //
Albany St. // Cazenovia //
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sterling Stage Festival of Arts
June 16-19 // 274 Kent Road // Sterling //
sterlingstage.com/Festival_of_Arts.html
This four-day festival explores every aspect of the arts:
music, paintings, sculptures, short and feature lms, and
storys. On June 18, Caravan of Thieves will take center
stage as the festivals main attraction, while vendors sell
henna tattoos, and local food to attendees. Weekend passes
from $50 to $75. KS
FORECAST: June
SPOTLIGHT: Sterling Stage Folkfest
274 Kent Road // Sterling // sterlingstage.com/Folkfest.html
In its seventh year, the Sterling Stage Kampitheater brings folk music
to an audience in this campy experience. Bands range from the local
Mike Bogan Band and the Northbound Traveling Minstrel Jug Band
to national bands, such as The Bridge. The crowd gathers for the
weekend at the Kampitheater camping grounds, where the evergreen
trees and the nearby Lake Ontario reect the spirit of the earthy
music. Tickets from $60 to $75. KS
Salsa/Merengue Class
Series Academy of
Performing Arts // 7 to 8:30
p.m. Wednesdays through
June 1 // $100/couple //
meetup.com/cnydance
Celebration of the Arts
St. Davids Church //
Jamar Drive, Syracuse //
7:30 p.m. // Free
Modern rock by
Ten Year Vamp
McGillicuddys Pub
// 5863 Scenic Ave //
Mexico
New York Times
best-seller David
Baldacci speaks Mulroy
Civic Center Theater // 411
Montgomery St. // $30
39 Steps, a play thats
part thriller, part comedy
Stanley Theatre // Syracuse
// $17.50 to $60
Mark Doyle and the
Maniacs concert The
Redhouse // 201 S.
West St.
Go Radio with
Sparks the Rescue
& This Century The
Lost Horizon // 5863
Thompson Rd. // $10
Open Mic with Shocker
Station // 58 Brewerton
Rd. // 10 p.m. // Free
Pirate Festival and
Classic Boat Show
Long Island Maritime
Museum, West Sayville
Converge with Burning
Love & Trap Them The
Lost Horizon // 5863
Thompson Rd. // $14.99
I am the Avalance
The Lost Horizon //
5863 Thompson Rd. //
6 p.m. // $10
King of Trucks: All
Truck Super Show
Empire Expo Center //
NYS Fairgrounds // 581
State Fair Blvd. // $12
TK 99s Blues Brews
& Barbecue Empire
Expo Center // NYS
Fairgrounds // 3 p.m.
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Beauty and the Beast
Crouse-Hinds Theater //
Mulroy Civic Center at
On-Center // $85 to $105
compiled by Kaitlin Pitsker and Katherine Salisbury
15 MAY 2011
N
ext month, the buy-local
nonprot organization
SyracuseFirst celebrates its second
anniversary. Committed to empower-
ing the local economy, SF is making
an impressive impact on our com-
munity. In Onondaga County, buying
local purchasing locally owned
and independently operated busi-
nesses could mean $130 million in
new economic activity, the creation of
nearly 200 new jobs, and a reduced
impact on natural resources. Salt City
sat down with founder and execu-
tive director Chris Fowler to hear his
thoughts on the buy-local movement
and where SF is headed.
SC: How does it feel for SF to turn
two years old? What do you feel you
have accomplished in two years?
CF: SF has begun to tell the story
of how we can transform this com-
munity one purchase and decision
at a time. Before our existence, there
was not a public conversation about
what kind of impact buying local and
thinking local rst can have. The abil-
ity that we have to create a conversa-
tion about how we change the health
of our community, from an economic,
cultural, and environmental way, has
been incredibly rewarding.
SC: What kind of a turning point do
you think SF is at?
CF: Although we are still a very new
organization, we have started to create
a brand for local. Now we have to
continue to develop ways to connect
citizens, businesses, and the commu-
nity to our efforts. This is a real
challenge, but people are thirsty for
ways to improve where they live.
SC: What have you seen as SFs
biggest impact?
CF: I have people comment to me
that they now think local rst.
The number of businesses who have
joined and want to be ahead of the
curve really get me excited.
SC: Have you seen an increase in lo-
cal businesses getting started now that
SF is here for support?
CF: I do, and the data seems to back
that up. A survey of the 2010 holi-
day season gathered data from 2,768
independent businesses. It found that
those in places with a buy-local
initiative reported revenue growth of
5.6 percent on average.
SC: What are your hopes for the
future of SF and the buy-local move-
ment in Syracuse?
CF: That 85 percent of all residents
know what SF is and what our mis-
sion is. If this happens, the decisions
made by municipalities, businesses,
and citizens will be impacted and the
transformation will be underway.
SYRACUSEFIRST by Lauren Harms
DINElocal
SHOPlocal
DRINKlocal
Empire Brewing Company
120 Walton Street
Syracuse, NY // 315-475-2337
Strong Hearts
719 East Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY // 315-478-0000
Isadora
191 Walton Street
Syracuse, NY // 315-474-1006
Think
Local First
syracuserst.org
Happy Birthday,
CHEMISTRY
Locals nd art and merch in shops creative space
by Alyssa Grossman
Science-averse patrons neednt worry:
The only chemistry youll nd at this art
boutique/gallery hybrid is the fusion of
art and community. Briana Kohlbrenner,
a Brooklyn native who fell in love with
Syracuse culture, opened the Salina
Street nook back in November 2009. This
small shop features crafts and wearables
in the front and a more open oor plan in
the back, leaving plenty of room for art
displays and creative gatherings.
But locally made prints, kitchenware,
and accessories werent enough for the
eccentric owner. Thats why she created
Craft Chemistrys artist of the month. I
was in a lull with my career and knew I
could spark other people to make things
happen, Kohlbrenner says.
Showing off his artwork this month
is Cayetano Valenzuela, who creates
paintings and line drawings on wood by
rearranging and meshing his personal ex-
periences into colorful creations. Every-
thing from skaters and punk rockers to
family members and other artists is fair
game for inspiration. Stop by this month
for a dose of Kohlbrenners retail therapy
and Syracuses local culture.
SHAKE IT UP //
PULSE

19
entertainment
STRUT

25
fashion + style
CRAVE

29
food + drink

GO SEE...
Cayetano
Valenzuela
Shadows That Stir
Craft Chemistry // 745 N. Salina Street // Syracuse // 315-424-1474 // craftchemistry.com
Open Wed.-Thurs. 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fri. 1 p.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
CRAFT
Hot air ballooning takes off in CNY Up, Up, and Away
by Patty Hodapp
A 105,000 cubic foot hot air balloon oats over Central New Yorks green and blue
patchwork quilt of vineyards, rolling hills, and the Finger Lakes. The air sits still, apart
from the occasional release of re and gas into the 70-foot canvas bubble that keeps the
wicker basket dangling hundreds of feet above ground. When you get into a balloon
youre part of the wind, says Bob Grandinetti, owner of LTA Aviation, a CNY hot air
balloon company with a seven-balloon eet. Its peaceful, and a hot spot for marriage
proposals (the ring stays tied to the outside of the basket until the perfect moment). Just
bring an extra jacket for chilly high-altitude temps. Gradinetti says you dont have to be
rich or adventurous to appreciate hot air balloons. He plans to host 20 balloons from
across the eastern United States at the 32nd annual Jamesville Balloon Fest from
June 10 to 12. The festival, which features a palette of local vendors, music, art,
entertainment, and a nightly balloon glow, makes an ideal alternative for those
whod rather stay grounded. syracuseballoonfest.com
When You Can Fly:
Flights take off from sunrise up to two
hours before sunset and run May to
October, weather permitting.
How Much It Costs:
Hour-long rides run about $225 per person
an adventurous activity for young
professionals committed to their desks.
Who to Fly With:
Balloon Rides Over Syracuse // 315-727-
9000 // balloonridesoversyracuse.com
Liberty Balloon // 585-243-3178 //
libetryballoon.com
Airborne Adventures Ballooning Inc. //
315-495-6544 // yairborne.com
LTA Aviation // 315-637-0730 //
ltaaviation.com
Happy Trails by Carine Umuhumuza
Breakneck Ridge Loop
Go Big or Go Home
Drive Time: Three hours from Syracuse
The name says it all a challeng-
ing course for those seeking a physically
demanding hike and an adrenaline rush.
Known for its rocky cliffs, the 5.5-mile
trail takes you through steep ascents and
descents. Some portions of the climb will
have you rock-scaling, using both your
hands and feet to make it to the top. With
a vantage point of 1,260 feet, the views
are well worth the strenuous climb. Views
include Storm King Mountain, the Hudson
River, and West Point Academy.
Hudson Highlands State Park // Beacon // 845-
225-7207 // nysparks.state.ny.us/parks
Overlook Trail
Beginners Welcome
Drive Time: Two hours from Syracuse
A fairly easy and short path, Overlook
Trail is perfect for novice hikers. Color-
coded posts on trees throughout the path
help hikers stay on track. With gentle roll-
ing hills, the path provides a nice upand-
down tempo for rst-time climbers. The
path a favorite trail for park regulars
offers three lookouts ideal for a picnic
lunch and snapping photos of the view.
On the way down, be sure to check out
the geologic rock layers and wild plants
native only to upstate New York.
Baltimore Woods Nature Center // Marcellus // 315-
673-1350 // baltimorewoods.org
Gorge Trail
Couples Retreat
Drive Time: Two hours from Syracuse
Nestled in New Yorks Grand Canyon
of the East, this trail is perfect for a date.
The Genesee River cascades down both
sides of the trail, creating a serene setting.
The paths winding route under, over,
and through the gorge gives hikers spec-
tacular vantage points of the parks three
waterfalls. The trail runs east to west, so
be sure to park a car on both sides of the
path if you dont want to make the trek
back by foot.
Letchworth State Park // Castile // 585-493-3600 //
nysparks.state.ny.us/parks
Lush forests, mountain air, and breathtaking views are just a few perks of
Upstate New Yorks woodlands. With an abundance of hiking trails, the region
offers nature-lovers plenty to explore. Here are three hikes with different per-
sonalities and skill levels to jumpstart your adventures.
19 MAY 2011
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Its a sticky summer Saturday night, 1953. You and your sweetheart are
cuddled in the front seat of a classic T-bird, watching the latest lm projected on
a big screen classic Americana. A set of speakers perch on your car window.
Today, the screens are still big, but drive-in moviegoers tune their radios to hear
the movie in stereo-quality sound.
Though the technology has improved, the basic idea remains unchanged.
Step back into the golden age of lm and spend a warm night at one of three
nearby drive-in theaters for some classic American nostalgia.
Midway Drive-In
About 39 minutes from Syracuse
Perfect for: The classic drive-in
experience, complete with the best
modern amenities, like the full snack bar
that stocks any candy imaginable. Plus,
theyve got plenty of bug spray handy.
Shows: First-run lms
Open: Late April to mid-November.
Shows start at dusk; gates open at 7 p.m.
Price: Regular admission: $6; children
7-11: $2.
Where to eat: Check out Fultons Red
Brick Pub (224 West Fulton St South
// Fulton // 315-592-9797). Youll nd
delicious sandwiches and burgers, salads,
and wings, all at reasonable prices. Tex-
mex cravers should stop by local chain
Fajita Grill (451 South 2nd St // Fulton
// 315-598-5760) its fast, lling, and
perfect for munching at the movie.
Midway Drive-In // 2475 Route 48 // Fulton //
315-593-0699 // midwaydrivein.com
Finger Lakes Drive-In
About 42 minutes from Syracuse
Perfect for: Small-town charm.
Shows: Triple-feature, rst-run lms.
Family-friendly choices for the rst
showing each night.
Open: Mid-to-late April through Labor
Day; weekends at rst, seven nights a
week starting Memorial Day.
Price: Ages 12+: $7.50; ages 5-11: $3
Where to Eat: Stop in Auburn center on
your way to the theatre and choose from
one of the dozens of classic pizza joints.
A favorite is Avicollis (2000 Clark Street
Rd. // Auburn // 315-255-1073), where
you can choose from basic pizza pies and
elaborate Italian pasta dishes.
The Finger Lakes Drive-In // 1064 Clark
Street Rd. // Aurelius // 315-252-3969 //
ngerlakesdrivein.com
West Rome Drive-In
About 55 minutes from Syracuse
Perfect for: High-quality picture and
sound on double screens. Last summers
equipment upgrade does wonders for our
eyes and ears.
Shows: First-run lms. First show,
9 p.m., second show 11 p.m.
Open: Late April/early May
Early November
Price: Adults: $7.50; children: 5-11 $3,
under 4 free
Where to Eat: Its a bit longer of a trek
out to Rome, so stop in South Bay on the
way and eat an early dinner at one of the
lake-front eateries. Youll love Pier-31
(3653 New York 31 // Canasota // 315-
697-7007), offering classic fresh seafood
dishes and other American favorites.
The West Rome Drive-In // 5945 Route 69 // Rome
// 315-336-9440 // westromedrivein.com
Band Spotlight: Rule of 17 by Stacie Foster
Two years ago, Alex Amadeo,
Josh Barrow, Eric Anderson, and Will
Anderson were just four college kids who
could play instruments. They jammed
once in awhile, but nothing serious.
Barrow strummed the guitarthrowing
in a little sax whenever he couldwith
Eric on the bass, Will keeping the beat,
and Amadeos smooth voice leading the
vocals while his ngers tickled the ivories.
Soon enough, their jam sessions turned
into band practices. When the four friends
began writing their own music and lyrics,
they decided it was time to form a legit
band. They named themselves Rule of
17a play on a guitar tuning technique
called the rule of 18.
Together, they approached their
friend, fellow Syracuse
University student Ryan
Whitman, about getting a record
deal. Whitman studies music
industry in the College of Visual
and Performing Arts at SU and
co-manages a university-funded
record label called Marshall
Street Records. Whitman asked
label execs to listen to Rule of
17, whose sound he describes
as up-beat alternative with a
splash of jazz. As soon as the
band played, Marshall Street
Records signed them.
Rule of 17s rst gig, a performance
at SUs Jerk Magazine launch party in
November, convinced the record label to
get them into the studio, and fast. Jenna
Loadman, the other co-general manager
of Marshall Street Records, says the label
is planning for a June EP release.
Marceebeans Photography
Dine-In +
Drive-In
by Kate Morin
22 SALT CITY
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Your
Questions Answered by Kathleen Corlett
4 Things You Didnt Know About Creating A Successful Twitter Handle
In late January, @SyracuseU, Syracuse
Universitys Twitter handle, ranked
second on Klouts list of most inuential
colleges on Twitter in line with the
Ivy-Leaguers like Stanford (#1) and
Harvard (#3). The Twitter analyzer,
Klout, denes inuential as more than
size of audience it also includes factors
such as the number of retweets and
unique tweets and how often an accounts
content is retweeted. As the universitys
tweets may dwindle after graduation,
media gurus come to town to see that
yours dont. On May 4, the BizBuzz
Social Media Conference connects
Syracuse small businesses with tech-
savvy professionals to discuss branding
via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
YouTube, and blogs at the Holiday Inn
Convention Center in Liverpool. One of
last years speakers, 20-year newspaper
veteran and self-proclaimed Twitter
evangelist Gina M. Chen, boasts even
more followers than The Post-Standard
(her former employer). Her blog, Save the
Media, discusses how Twitter and other
social media affect journalists. Now she
dishes on how Syracuse venues should
build a social media presence:
Be unique. Come up with an excuse to keep tweeting.
This keeps you on your followers radar without making
you sound like a broken record. For example, a quote
a day from a local coffeehouse puts it on its followers
feed, Chen says, and thus in their subconscious when
theyre considering a drink downtown.
Reach 1,000 tweeps. Take 15 minutes each day
to nd and follow people who share your interests
via Twitters search feature. Theyll often return the
favor. By the end of a week, you have a sizable base of
followers to receive your tweets.
Engage, dont broadcast. Sending promotional
headlines and advertising through your Twitter account
doesnt work. Frankly, it gets old. Ask open-ended
questions about what interests your audience, and be
aware when they respond @reply. Chens rule of thumb:
80 percent of your tweets should be business, the other
20 percent about more personable chit-chat.
Update at different times throughout the day. Not
all of your followers go online precisely at 10 a.m., so
mix it up. Tweeting around the clock reaches a larger
audience. HootSuite, a tool for scheduling tweets, helps
out the busybody by posting when away from the
computer, but its less conversational. Dont fall into the
trap of excessive broadcasting, Chen warns.
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Family Portrait
Art Rage displays photos of
LGBT relatives this month
by Kathleen Corlett
In one portrait, an adopted child
sandwiches herself between two dads;
in another, a mom stands hugging her
son. ArtRage Gallery, an art house
dedicated to social change, continues
breaking boundaries with provocative
programming like Mays feature exhibit,
CNY Pride Families. This round of
photos captures family moments
in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender community, asserting that
the family model is not cookie-cutter
and challenging damaging stereotypes
about LGBT unions and families. Each
family portrait will be displayed with
a personal statement from the subjects.
The exhibit features family portraits
by Ellen M. Blalock, who began this
project as a collaboration with Light
Work (a Syracuse artist-run, non-prot
photography and digital media center)
and the LGBT Resource Center at
Syracuse University in 2007. This exhibit
runs from May 7 to June 18.
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by Kaitlin Pitsker
For many people, spring cleaning feels like a daunting
task, especially for the pack rats who hoard things well past
their expiration date. Instead of throwing out
everything thats sitting in your basement
this year, think of the environment and
nd ways to repurpose your items.
According to Chris McCray,
a design professor at
Syracuse University,
upcycling, is
the latest trend.
It involves tak-
ing something
outdated and
reinventing
it, without
spending a lot
of money.
Using some
bare aesthetic essentials,
McCray says you can make
upcycling part of your vocabu-
lary for this years spring cleaning.

Heres how:
Records: With a little heat, old vinyl can make for a
great decorative bowl. Using a baking sheet covered with
aluminum foil, warm the record in the oven at 480 F until
it softens. Put on a pair of oven mitts and manipulate the plastic
to form the bowl.
Chairs: Before you throw out that battered chair, think
about reupholstering the seat cushion with a cost-friendly piece
of fabric from T.J.Maxx or Michaels. This will give the chair a
revitalized look, blending old and new.
Wine Bottles: Turn glass bottles into a series of ower
vases. You can use the corks, too. Gather about 15, tightly ar-
range them in a circle, hot glue them together, and you have a
clever drink coaster.
Books: Tear out some pages and cut them into slivers. Glue
the edges together and tape them to a lampshade. This will cre-
ate an airy look that shows your appreciation for literature and
the environment.
Fabrics: Purchase a small wooden frame and arrange a
variety of old fabrics in whatever pattern you like. Then use
a staple gun to attach the fabric to the frame. When youre n-
ished, youll have a new piece of wall art ready to mount.
Renew, Reuse, Recycle by Daniel Bortz
5 ways to transform your household items
Local vendors sell goods and food at regional market
Bins and baskets overowing with
brightly colored produce are stacked on
rows of tables. The following morning
every square inch has been taken over
by an eclectic assortment of household
goods, DVDs, jewelry, and furniture.
There are oddities to be found, but for
Geno Elmos, manager of the Central New
York Regional Market since 2002, and the
hundreds of vendors, its just another day
at the market.
The market, which began in 1938,
functions as both a farmers market
and a ea market. Saturday farmers
markets and Sunday ea markets take
place throughout the year, but from May
through October, the farmers market is
also open on Thursdays.
The nicer weather allows us to make
use of our two outside tents again and
welcome even more vendors to both ea
and farmers markets, Elmos says. With
this additional space the market wel-
comes more than 450 vendors from May
to October and 300 more vendors than
space permits during the winter months.
Some of the best produce reappears
in May, so theres a wider selection, El-
mos says. Some markets only allow one
tomato vendor, one organic vendor, one
of everything. We dont do that, which
means we have a wider selection and
more competition.
The selection of produce, including
local and organic goods, draws nearly
7,000 customers on Thursdays and
26,000 visitors on Saturdays. Another
14,000 shoppers typically visit the ea
market on Sundays.
Markets on Sundays have pretty
much everything thats legal to sell.
Everything in the kitchen cabinets,
household items, game. You name it, its
probably here, Elmos says.
In addition to the small food court
area, selling beverages and other refresh-
ments, the market plans to begin provid-
ing free wireless Internet to customers by
the end of the month.
Central New York Regional Market Authority //
2100 Park St. // 315-422-8647 //
Farmers Markets: Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
(May through October only), Saturday 7 a.m. - 2
p.m. // Flea Market: Sunday 7am-2pm
Shop til You Drop
25 MAY 2011
Items Not to Wear to Work is Summer
5
H~r.s t ,u, teauttfut
27 MAY 2011
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Stylist Claudia Kieffer gives the scoop on body image
Flattering Frames
Claudia Kieffer knows beauty. A
fashion consultant and personal styl-
ist who grew up in Camillus, she spent
the last decade styling country stars
in Nashville,Tenn. In 2006, Kieffer
was diagnosed with breast cancer. The
subsequent treatments caused her to
reevaluate her lifes work and the ideas
that came with it. She considered leaving
the beauty industry for good but felt
compelled to help women with their
self-image. Kieffer recently sat down
with Salt City to offer her thoughts for
handling body hang-ups this season.
On Self-Esteem:
Being beautiful is not just about
clothing. I dont care what you look like.
Everybody has body and self-esteem
issues. Everybody thinks the worst of
themselves sometimes and puts them-
selves down. Were supposed to make
ourselves feel beautiful, no matter what
our bodies look like.
On Size:
If you know what you look like
naked, its easier to know your size and
to know what you look like with clothes
on. Sometimes that can be tough. I forget
all the time that Im not a small. Then I
go into the tting room and clothes are
too tight. Size isnt the issue, t is.
On Working With Celebrities:
Ive worked with some of the most
stunning women in the world. Physically
they can be perfect specimens of beauty,
but what comes out of some of these
women is ugly. Thats most of the reason
I got out of the business of working with
celebrities.
On Real Women:
When I work with real women its
about helping them bring out their inner
beauty. Finding the loveliness in some-
one is about how they talk, who they are,
and what's important to them; not if they
look runway ready.
How to nd the perfect pair of summer
sunglasses for your face shape
by Katherine Salisbury
Springs hottest item is sunglasses, but sometimes its hard to tell
the difference between dazzling and disaster. There are hundreds
of sunglass options, and different frames atter different face
shapes. It can be frustrating to try on pair after pair, so it is crucial
to know the type of glasses you want before walking into any
local store. Here is the lowdown on what you should know about
sunglasses and your face shape to nd the perfect summer shade.
For the square face
The Good Thing: Your strong facial shape
is bold and unique, allowing you to choose
smoother frames to compliment your face.
Celeb Twin: Megan Fox, Demi Moore
Shopping Hint: Try oval and round frames
to soften your otherwise angular jawline.
Glasses with temples set at the middle or
top of the lens will help create balance.
For the round face
The Good Thing: Your soft face allows
you to wear geometric, bold frames that
many other face shapes cant pull off.
Celeb Twin: Kirsten Dunst, Mila Kunis
Shopping Hint: Look for upswept frames
that draw attention to the top of your
face, or try glasses with angular frames
to sharpen soft facial features. The most
attering frames are slightly wider than
the broadest part of your face.
For the heart-shaped face
The Good Thing: Everyone loves a heart
shaped face, although it can be chal-
lenging to nd the perfect sunglasses.
Experimentation is key, and dont get
frustrated trying on a few different pairs
before nding the one.
Celeb Twin: Jennifer Garner, Rihanna
Shopping Hint: Look for bottom-heavy
frames, such as glasses with lower set
arms, to add width and bring attention
to the lower half of your face.
For the oval face
The Good Thing: Lucky for you, the bal-
anced proportions of your face mean you
have a variety of sunglass options to
choose from. Most frames tend to be a
good t on oval faces.
Celeb Twin: Beyonc, Jessica Alba
Shopping Hint: Try square, rectangular,
or other geometric shapes, which add
angles to the soft curves of your face.
by Kaitlin Pitsker
by Stacie Foster
Flip
-
Flops. Sure, everyone loves
ip-ops. Theyre comfortable, come in
colors, and are easy to put on. But theres
a reason why you can buy ve pairs of
ip-ops for $10 at Old Navy: theyre
cheap. Here's the ip-op golden rule:
If youd wear them in the shower, you
shouldnt wear them to work.
Sunglasses. Lose the shades at
the door. You need to greet and make eye
contact with people when you walk in.
Shades make you seem unapproachable.
Statement T-shirts. Even if
Obama really does Barack Your World,
letting the entire ofce know your politi-
cal ideology isnt a great idea. The same
goes for funny T-shirts. Most of the time
theyre inappropriate, and when they are
appropriate, theyre usually not funny.
Save the jokes for happy hour.
Hawaiian print. Unless youre
prepared to wear a grass skirt and hula
your way into the ofce, leave the Hawai-
ian shirt safely tucked away in the closet.
Better yet, burn it.
Tank tops. Sleeveless tops might
keep you cool in the heat, but they show
too much skin. For the ladies, its almost
impossible to hide bra straps and abby
arms. And men, you don't want to look
like Kevin Federline.
When its 6 a.m. and youre headed to work instead of the beach,
summer seems more bitter than sweet. Instead of indifferently throw-
ing on random clothes to get the day over with, keep this dont-wear list
handy to make choosing summer ofce attire easier:
00 SALT CITY
CNY grape-growers reveal their
top-choice bottles Come spring, wine lovers store heavier
reds back on the rack to uncork lighter
whites. And since vineyards stir from
their winters sleep in early May, you
should do the same. We uncover springs
vino favorites from local vineyards to get
your list started. These seven dry, sweet,
or crisp white wines pair perfectly with
favorite warm-weather dishes. To satisfy
guests at a backyard potluck, pull out
these regional white wines that please all
manners of taste. Swirl, smell, and sip
tastes refreshing, doesnt it?
To add a punch of character to your
springtime meals, try ddleheads the
green, coiled crop that sounds as intrigu-
ing as it looks. These crisp veggies taste a
bit like asparagus and typically make an
appearance on the farmers market scene.
Pick ones with a tiny, leafy pattern along
the sides of the coil and make sure that
spiral part is 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
When you get your ddleheads home,
chop off the stem if its more than 2
inches long. Rinse them in cold water a
few times to remove any dirt and cook as
soon as possible.
Need an idea for ddlehead prep? Try
out this recipe from Emeril Lagasse:
Fiddlehead Fern Ragout
We suggest pairing this springtime recipe
with grilled salmon or steak to get the most
of the seasonal avor.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ddlehead ferns
2 shallots, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced
cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Grab your saucepan and bring 1 quarts
of salted water to a boil. Throw in the ddle-
heads and return to a boil. Use a slotted
spoon to transfer ddleheads to an ice bath
and chill them. Drain and pat dry, remov-
ing as much of the outer brown, tissue-like
membrane as possible.
Take a skillet and saut the shallots in
butter until theyre soft, about 2 minutes.
Add the thyme and garlic and cook for
another 3 minutes. Once all the liquid is
evaporated, add the chicken stock and cook
until reduced by half. Add the ddleheads
and cook 2 minutes. Add the chives, parsley,
and a bit of salt and freshly ground black
pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
with
Fiddleheads
Spring 7
White
Wines
FOR
Fiddling
The springtime crop thats got
avor and aesthetics on its side
by Alyssa Grossman
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#2 Arbor Hill Chardonnay, $10.95
A dry, complex blend of 100
percent Chardonnay grapes
aged in French Oak. This
chardonnay pairs well with the
lightly charred taste of grilled
sh. Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery
// Naples // 800-554-7553 // info@
arborhill.com // thegrapery.com
#4 2006 Traminette Classic, $14.95
Dry and spicy. Combines a
fruity bouquet with a clas-
sic taste that complements all
avors. Wilhelmus Estate Winery
// Canandiagua // 585-394-2860 //
info@wilhelmusestate.com //
wilhelmusestate.com
#6 2008 Heron Hill Eclipse, $11.99
A fruit-driven wine. Blended
varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot
Gris, and Pinot Blanc aged in
oak. This wine pairs well with
an appetizer of grilled shrimp
drizzled in cocktail sauce.Heron
Hill // Seneca, Canandaigua, and
Keuka Lakes locations // 607-
868-4241 // info@heronhill.com //
heronhill.com
#3 Gelnora Barrel Fermented
Pinot Blanc, $14.99
Delicate pear and citrus
avors complements a soft
oak and vanilla bouquet. This
wine enhances dessert like
tiramisu. Gelnora Wine Cellars,
Inc. // Dundee // 607-243-9500 //
info@glenora.com // glenora.com
#5 2008 Casa Larga
Gewurztraminer, $9.99
Dry, lightly acidic, fruity, and
ideal with lightly seasoned
or spicy foods. Try alongside
a dish of curry-spiced baked
chicken. Casa Larga Vineyards //
Fairport // 585-223-4210 // info@
casalarga.com // casalarga.com
#7 2008 Shaw Vineyard Pinot
Grigio (Li Bella) $14.95
Light, crisp, and dry with
an acidic punch that leaves
a fruity tingle on the tongue.
Try alongside a light seafood
pasta dish. Shaw Vineyard //
Seneca Lake // 607-481-0089
// shawvineyard@yahoo.com //
shawvineyard.com
#1 Caywood Dry Reisling, $12.99
A dry wine with a subtle
bouquet of peach and apricot.
Pair this reisling with the
smoky, tangy taste of barbecue
chicken. Caywood Vineyards //
Caywood // 607-582-7230 // info@
caywoodvineyards.com // caywood-
vineyards.com
by Patty Hodapp
29 MAY 2011
For something that we drink every day, too many brewers dont take
coffee beans seriously. When youre looking for an afternoon pick-me-
up this spring, grab a good book or friend and take a trip to one of the
citys best coffee houses, where the bean reigns supreme.
Caf Kubal
This best-kept secret of Syracuses coffee scene caters mostly to the locals of the
Eastwood neighborhood. Caf Kubal roasts its own coffee a few doors down
from the eight-seat, counter-service caf. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable,
and passionate about coffee. Grab a shaken iced rosemary latte made with
fresh rosemary simple syrup and take a seat at one of the patio tables.
3530 James St. // Syracuse // 315-299-8300 // cafekubal.com
Freedom of EspressoFayetteville
The Fayetteville location of this local chain makes the list for two reasons:
ample outdoor seating and the intoxicating smell of fresh roasting beans. A
clean and modern atmosphere with comfortable seating, space to plug in
your laptop, and free parking add to the appeal. Try the Ice Mocha Slush,
made with frozen espresso cubes, chocolate, caramel syrup, and milk.
128 W. Genesee St. // Fayetteville // 315-637-1511
Recess Coffee
Owned by Syracuse natives Adam Williams and Jessie Daino, Recess
is a staple in the Syracuse University neighborhood. What started as
a punk coffee-and-skateboard shop has transformed into a popular
quasai-vegan hangout for hipsters. A mish-mash of tables, chairs,
and lamps make for an eclectic feel. Order a large Iced Red Eye for
your afternoon caffeine x and watch students enjoy the springtime
from the cafs front porch. 110 Harvard Pl. // Syracuse // 315-410-0090
// recesscoffee.com
Strong Hearts Cafe
This environmentally-conscious coffee-lovers paradise offers an
entirely vegan and almost 100 percent organic selection.
The large windows, bright wall colors, and dark wood tables
make it the perfect place to relax any time of day. In addition
to espresso drinks and killer milkshakes, Strong Hearts menu
boasts breakfast, lunch, and pizza (on Friday nights). Try the
Sacco & Vanzetti vanilla and espresso milkshake or a Thai
Iced Tea. 719 E. Genesee St. // Syracuse // 315-478-0000 //
strongheartscafe.com
Second Story Books
Second Story Books, tucked above a Spanish restaurant
in the Westcott neighborhood, offers high-quality coffee,
espresso, teas, and a small-but-delicious menu. The soups,
salads, and paninis change with the season, and usually
more often than that. Order a classic macchiato and perch
yourself at one of the tall tables in the center of the store,
where you are surrounded by bookshelves lined with
poetry collections, eclectic novels, and literary classics.
550 Westcott St., 2nd Floor // Syracuse // 315-299-6021 //
secondstorysyracuse.com
Caffeine Crawl
by Kate Morin
spring
seating
Five picks for outdoor dining
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31 MAY 2011
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Asti Caffe
Outdoor seating opens in April, and Asti Caffe
offers the option to enjoy an Italian spring
meal overlooking Salina Street. Tables seat two
to four people, offering an intimate experience
where you can share a close conversation with
anyone from business to romantic partners.
411 North Salina St. // Syracuse // asticaffe.com
The Retreat
This Liverpool restaurant, with a variety of menu
options, holds more than 45 people on its back
patio a perfect spring spot to enjoy a sunny
lunch. The opened umbrellas keep its green plastic
and straw chairs in the shade, while giving the place
a casual, yet fun, vibe.
302 Vine St. // Liverpool // retreatrestaurant.com
LAdour
Petite tables sit underneath a red, white, and blue
overhang that shadows the windows of this French
restaurant. LAdour connects to a small brick patio, with
wooden benches perched under tall trees to allow a
serene escape from the city hustle and bustle.
110 Montgomery St. // Syracuse // ladour-com.wildtex.net/
PJs Pub and Grill
Located in Armory Square, PJs Pub and Grill provides an
elevated view of the downtown scene. The steakhouses
green decor complements the brick of the surrounding
buildings, and allows its patrons to enjoy a lively lunch
amidst the bustle of the city.
116 Walton St. // Syracuse // pjspubandgrill.com
Blue Tusk
This beer pub in downtown Syracuse lines the side of the
restaurant with metal grated tables, allowing any sized group
to enjoy the spring sunshine. A blue overhang with the words
white beer printed on it and neon LED beer signs in the
windows set the tone at Blue Tusk, where patrons can pair meat,
cheese, and sandwich menu options with a wide variety of beer
and wine choices.
165 Walton St. // Syracuse // bluetusk.com
32 SALT CITY
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Delish
For the mom that owns more necklaces
than she has occasions to wear them,
consider a sweeter alternative. The phrase
rich chocolate takes on a whole new
meaning with gem trufes, part of the ed-
ible jewelry line available through Promise
Me Chocolate. This online business began
in the studio space of Syracuse Univer-
sitys Comstock Art Facility by Stacey
VanWaldick, a jewelry and metalsmithing
teacher at Oswego High School. Now, she
creates rubies, diamonds, and rings from
her favorite dessert a gift attracting the
attention of celebrities like Martha Stewart,
who recently purchased 500 gem trufes
for guests at a New York City event. Dusted
with jewel-tone pigments, the gems range
from solid bite-size jewels to larger charms
containing ganache avors of mocha, rasp-
berry, hazelnut, and chocolate.
VanWaldicks pick for mom: the Promise
Me Pendant. Picture a metallic heart the
size of a half-dollar made from your pick
of milk or dark chocolate dangles on two
strings of licorice in bright color combina-
tions. Customize it as a silver heart on red
and blue licorice or silver on strings of
yellow and green. Its the newest addition
in the line by Promise Me Chocolate, and
mom wont have anything like it in her
jewelry box. Starts at $8.95 for a necklace
and ships in two weeks time.
Order online at promisemechocolate.com
Biscotti Caf and Gelataria
For the true Italian mom
Situated in the Little Italy of
Syracuse, Biscottis serves up the best
cannoli in the city. At $2 per cream-
lled delight, you can buy enough for
mom to try one of each avor vanilla,
chocolate, and ricotta or enough for
her to share with you and the rest of the
family. They also serve gelato and Italian
pastries sure to make any Roma Mamas
sweet tooth satised. 741 North Salina St. //
Syracuse // 315-478-9583 //
biscotticafe.com
Ninos Italian Bakery
For the traditional
but nutty mom
Moms who love to bake and cook
will tell you the way to make the
best treats is to use the best ingre-
dients. Thats why Ninos uses only
real almond paste for its almond
paste cookies. No almond extract
for these addicting morsels. Buy two
pounds ($10 per pound) of the sweets
when you go because mom wont want
to share hers. 1421 Lodi St. // Syracuse //
315- 422-8892 //
ninositalianbakeryofsyracuse.com
Provisions Bakery
For the classic mom with an urge
to do good
Some just love to have a few clas-
sic cookies to nibble on throughout
their special day. Provisions offers
such delicious staples as chocolate
chip and half-moon cookies for $1 to
$1.50. Looking for something a little
richer for moms special treat? The
Chocolate Ultimate cookie ($1.75),
with rich chocolate and pecans, will
do the trick. And because Provisions
benets Transitional Living Ser-
vices, youll be showing mom you
learned from her how to help and
care for others. Thats sure to earn
some brownie points. 216 Walton St //
Syracuse // 315-472-3475
Pastisserie
For the chocoholic mom
Skaneateles offers a lot of great food,
but when looking for a chocolate indul-
gence for your mom, look no further
than Patisserie. Sure, its artisan breads,
mufns, and cupcakes look and taste
great, but the chocolate croissants will
please your chocolate end of a mother.
At $1.75 each, these aky, soft, yet deca-
dent, croissants will solidify your spot as
moms favorite. 4 Hannum St. // Skaneateles //
315- 685-2433 // thesherwoodinn.com/Patisserie
Geddes Bakery & Pastry Shop
For the mom who likes to
try new things
As a Greek bakery,
Geddes still deliv-
ers delicious Italian
cookies, but also
caters to different
tastes. Its baklava
($1.50 per triangle)
strikes the perfect
balance between
sweet honey and
nuts. And the
tomato pie can
help your mom
broaden her taste-
bud horizons. If you
think shed prefer
something on the
safer side, pick up a
few of the cherry or
apple turnovers (also
$1.50 each) to
brighten moms
morning. 421-423
S. Main St. //
North Syracuse //
315-437-8084 //
geddesbakery.com
Chocolate jewelry makes
for a tasty status symbol
Diamond
Treats by Carolyn Clark
Sweet
Find an edible gift for mom this Mothers Day
by Kathleen Corlett
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What better way to treat your mom this Mothers Day than with some succulent
treats from the areas specialty bakeries. But every mom is different. Is yours a choco-
late fanatic? Or is she more of a cookie monster? We clue you in on Salt Citys best
pastry shops and help you make the right choice for your mom. Weve found the best
that Salt Citys bakeries have to offer.
34 SALT CITY

D
Rhythm in the Barn by Kaitlin Pitsker
From folk to open-mic nights, Kellish Hill provides a stage for CNY
Barnyard Beat // Kathy Kellish shows off the
stage in her familys barn that often doubles as
a danceoor during lively shows.
riving through the outskirts of Manlius, theres no shortage of barns. Old-time red,
wooden barns with horsesheads protruding through stall windows, abandoned barns
made of rotten brown wood, and the modern sheet-metal structures built to replace
them, speckle the miles of land. Kellish Hill Farm stands out, not only for the two
bright- yellow wheels that line the driveway leading to the 152-acre farm, but also for
its blend of agriculture and music.
Six years ago, Kathy Kellish and her husband Rick Harding began inviting bluegrass
and old-time musicians to the operational farm owned by her family since 1948. Since
then, the music hasnt stopped. The music has, however, diversied. Kellish Hills blue-
grass roots are now peppered with other musical avorings, like the Native American
drumming of Cornbread and Battle of the Bands competitions. I like to think of it as a
sanctuary for all types of music, Kellish says.
The sheet-metal building is classic barnyard red, with room for 100 people. Its main
oor features barn doors that open wide into the parking lot, which allows for use of a
tent to expand the performance space if necessary. A 30-foot atbed trailer serves as the
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photography by Kaitlin Pitsker
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stage and rows of chairs easily give way to
dance space.
The farms Sunday afternoon jams stick
to the classic mix of country and bluegrass
that includes well known tunes and origi-
nal creations, but anything goes during
open-mic night on Thursdays. A monetary
donation and a dish to share for dinner
cover admission, while a "cuss jar" sits on
a table collecting $0.25 a curse word to
raise funds. We have our weekly events,
but were always trying to run workshops
and bring in something new, especially
local musicians and ethnic groups,
Kellish says.
Come July, the venue will host the rst
annual American Music Festival, bringing
the natural amphitheater on the property
back into use. Held in the second week
of July, the event will feature medieval
instruments and music that highlights the
relationship between French and Ameri-
can inuences.
People will try different types of
music, but theyll always go back to what
theyre comfortable with, Kellish says.
This is especially true during economic
times like these, when people stay closer
to home and tend to go back to their
roots. She recalls listening to nearly every
specialty hour on the radio while growing
up in the house across the street. My par-
ents were very open-minded to all sorts
of music, she says. It was just second
nature to bring music back to the farm.
Playing music is what farmers do after
the days work is through, says Harding,
the primary caretaker of crops as well as
the Irish Dexter cattle, miniature and draft
horses, llamas, goats, and other livestock.
Smaller gatherings generally move to
the 1800s farmhouse, complete with an
extensive and assorted collection of Amer-
icana dcor. The smaller performance
space, often including a ring of chairs that
stretches through the living room and
into the open kitchen, frequently provides
lodging for wayfaring musicians. We like
to think of ourselves as the island of mist
musicians, Kellish says. Everyone has
a home here. Weve got young farts here.
Weve got old farts here. Music bridges
the gap.
John Wolford, owner of Wolf Tracks
and the man behind the sound technology
at Kellish Hill, sees the farm as a unique
music venue. It really cultivates an envi-
ronment for people to come up here and
experience playing their music, he says.
Its an awesome opportunity to hone your
skills in front of a friendly audience and
learn from others.
Kellish taps into that friendly
audience to keep the farm operating.
Everybody pitches in, and we rub our
pennies together to make this work.
Theres been times that I take the money at
the gate, be the emcee, and rell the toilet
paper, too. I couldnt do it without all the
help, she says, gesturing to the half dozen
friends-turned-family in the farmhouse.
Mark Matthews, who began frequent-
ing the farm four years ago, has watched
the farm progress and its musical family
grow. Kellish Hill is no longer the best-
kept secret in Manlius, he says. People
come here through word of mouth, but
you come through the door once, and
youre a member of the family forever.
Afternoon Duet // Kellish kicks back with
longtime friend Mark Matthews as the two
perform for a small audience on autoharp and
guitar. The pair plays their own tunes as well as
renditions of other favorites.
38 SALT CITY
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No Limits to Business by Carolyn Clark
Local program helps disabled entrepreneurs start their own companies
Open for Business // With help from Inclusive
Entrepreneurship, Della Brown overcame her
disability and opened her dream taco store.
ella Brown sits behind the counter of her taco eatery, going through papers and
making sure her two employees complete their tasks. Her small counter-service
restaurant, Tacolicious, decorated with brightly painted walls and Mexican-themed
banners, is the fulllment of a long-held dream.
Brown didnt have the resources to start her own business. So, in February 2008,
she turned to the South Side Innovation Center, a Syracuse University-run center that
helps entrepreneurs launch businesses. Because Brown is a disabled Onondaga County
resident, she worked with the centers Inclusive Entrepreneurship program, which
helps people with disabilities in Onondaga develop and sustain small businesses.
Through the program, Brown met with an advisor, developed a business plan, and took
classes on entrepreneurship.
Co-founder and senior vice president Gary Shaheen started the program seven years
ago as Start-Up NY, which began as a grant program through the Ofce of Disability
Employment Policy. That ofce is a faction of the federal Department of Labor that caters
specically to those with employment-affecting disabilities.
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Shaheen helped battle unemployment
among people with disabilities, which, he
says, reaches more than 65 percent of the
population. The number of self-employed
people with disabilities, Shaheen says, is
less than 1 percent.
Start-Up NY aimed to train 150 people
with disabilities in business planning and
to assist 30 in business start-ups. In his
rst year, Shaheen worked on developing
the program. He wanted to carefully build
a comprehensive and integrated program
that involved everyone from business con-
sultants and doctors to family members
and friends. Enrollment started in the
second grant year and, by the third and -
nal year, Start-Up NY served 150 disabled
persons and helped start 50 businesses.
Although the grant ended, the program
continued and so did its success. To
date, 220 people have been trained and
nearly 60 businesses started. Shaheen
estimates there are approximately 68,000
people with disabilities in Onondaga
County. How many of those people are
working? he asks. Roughly 35,000
people. Or more. Some of those people
may want to start their own business
certainly more than the 220 people that
were serving now.
Part of the project includes involve-
ment from Syracuse University students.
In spring 2011, 30 students enrolled in
Entrepreneurship and Emerging
Enterprises, taught by Shaheen in the
Martin J. Whitman School of Manage-
ment. Students form teams based on
interests, majors, and strengths. They play
the role of business consultants, assisting
Syracuse entrepreneurs from the
Inclusive Entrepreneurship program and
receive college credit for their efforts. The
students meet with the entrepreneurs on
a weekly basis to familiarize themselves
with the businesses, the owners, and their
strengths and weaknesses. They then de-
velop and implement new business ideas.
Brown works with six students who
call themselves The Big and Cheesy.
Theyre awesome, she says. Theyre
bright, creative, and know more about
business than I do. Shes implemented
one of their ideas: Tacolicious now uses
white slips of paper with a list of the taco
toppings available and employees are re-
quired to ll one out according to custom-
ers orders. This helps Brown keep better
track of inventory and food needs.
Steven Noles, one member of The Big
and Cheesy, enrolled in the class to get
hands-on experience working as a consul-
tant with a small-business owner. We get
to help these entrepreneurs develop their
businesses, so they can improve and make
a prot even after our work with them is
done, Noles says.
At the end of the course, Shaheen
surveys his students to nd out how
theyve changed from the experience.
Most of these students dont really have
much experience working with people
with disabilities, he says. Maybe they
have a relative or a friend, but most stu-
dents report that this was one of the rst
times that theyve dealt with the barriers
and obstacles associated with disabilities.
Brown, who has had debilitating
problems with her feet and legs, thinks
the driving force behind Inclusive Entre-
preneurship is not the disabilities people
have, but rather their ideas and business
goals. She tucks herself behind the coun-
ter and watches her employees pile tacos
and nachos with cheese, lettuce, jalepe-
os, and other toppings. She makes calls
to payroll services; shes recently hired
someone and wants to get them started
right away. My husband was always
bugging me to start my own business,
Brown says. I knew how to cook, but
I didnt know how to run a business.
They gave me the training and the tools.
And now Im looking forward to more
marketing and getting my name and
business out there.
All Smiles // Brown works alongside one of her
employees. In addition to the Tacolicious staff,
she works with six SU students as part of the
Inclusive Entrepreneurship program.
42 SALT CITY

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Treasure Island by Kate Morin
Theres 1,000 reasons to visit this hidden New York gem
View from Above // To be considered a part of
the 1,864, each island needs to be above water
year round and have at least two living trees.
peedboats zip through channels. Scuba divers explore 100-year-old wrecks. Fishing
boats unload the daily catch.
Welcome to the 1,000 Islands, one of the nations best kept vacation secrets. Situated
90 miles northeast of Syracuse, between the United States and Canadian borders, the
islands 1,864 of them to be exact speckle a 100-mile stretch of the pristinely blue
St. Lawrence River.
The area was made famous by the salad dressing, which wealthy hotelier George C.
Boldt started serving in his hotels after tasting it aboard his yacht. But the islands have
more to offer than condiments.
Once home to the summer cottages of New York Citys richest socialites, the 1,000
Islands has changed a lot over the years. Even though gigantic mansions line the shores,
local towns have budget-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and shopping areas. You
can make the two-hour trek for a weekend getaway without breaking the bank.
Heres how.
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When to go:
Warmer summer months are a safe bet,
but prep yourself to battle large crowds
for beach space and restaurant seating. In
late May the throngs of summer tourists
havent invaded yet and temperatures
hover in the low 60s.
How to go:
Save and go by car, riding I-81 North
for about two hours until you hit the river.
Have a boating license handy? Splurge on
a yacht rental on Lake Ontario and motor
your way from Oswego up the river to
your rst 1,000 Islands stop. Opt for a
waterfront hotel or cottage site that offers
space to dock your boat, but plan ahead
spots ll up fast.
Where to Go:
Alexandria Bay, N.Y. is a quaint
waterfront village famous for its rich
history literally.
A-bay, as locals call it, is just a short
boat ride to Millionaires Row, where 19th-
century socialites built their grandiose
summer homes. Visit landmarks like the
120-room Boldt Castle on Heart Island,
which George C. Boldt, owner of the
famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New
York City, built for his wife as a summer
home. Wine lovers can save by visiting
the 1,000 Islands Winery in Alexandria
Bay (thousandislandswinery.com). Save on
six free samples or splurge on 14 samples
and a souvenier glass for $5. Or, splurge
on a romantic hot air balloon ride,
with Champagne Balloon Adventures
the best way to see the landscape
(balloonadventures.com).
Splurge on a weekend at The
Captain Visger House, an elegant bed
and breakfast with just four rooms and
stellar hospitality, at $189 to 199/night
(captainvisger.com). Save and stay at the
Otter Creek Inn, a short walk from the
main drag in town (ottercreekinnabay.com).
For dinner, save by grabbing a cheap
slice of pie at Cavallarios Bayside Pizza
(315-482-4438) and take a seat at one of
the porch tables for a great open view of
the river. For something more substantial,
splurge at Das Village Haus (dasvillagehaus.
com), where a main course runs from $9
to $24 and includes international favorites
from French Provincial to classic Italian.
After dinner, move bar-to-bar for a few
drinks. Dont miss the ship-shaped bar
at The RiverBoat Bar (riverboatriverhouse.
com), and the live music at Pirates Pub
(315-482-3607).
Gananoque, Ont. a picturesque
Canadian town, is perfect for any
adventurer. The town is small, but the
surrounding landscape draws tourists
for the boating, diving, walking, and
biking. Splurge on a guided kayak tour of
nearby islands in Canadas Frontenac Arch
Biosphere Reserve with 1,000 Islands
Kayaking (1000ikc.com), which offers
programs of every level and length. Save
and stay on dry land by taking advantage
of the walking or biking trails in and
around town.
For chic, modern amenities on a
budget, save on a weekend in an Absolute
1,000 Islands Suite (absolutelocations.net)
at about $130 per night. For more upscale
accommodations, splurge on a suite at the
Gananoque Inn (gananoqueinn.com), $195
to $295 per night.
Save by eating at Maple Leaf Restaurant,
(mapleleafrestaurant.ca) where you can enjoy
classic Canadian fare on a European-esque
patio for $6 to $14. Splurge on a gourmet
dinner at The Athlone Inn (athloneinn.
ca), where the executive chef prepares
contemporary French cuisine, with main
courses ranging from $26 to $32.
Kingston, Ont. is the city slickers 1,000
Islands paradise. Its bustling restaurant
scene and Queens University make
Kingston a popular getaway for Toronto
natives. The citys lakeside parks bring
nature to the metropolis. Save and rent
bikes for a ride around the city for the
perfect blend of sightseeing and waterfront
hospitality in an urban setting.
Follow the waterfront trail from
Portsmouth Olympic Park to City Park,
about 1.5 miles (waterfronttrail.org). To
extend your trip, take the free Wolfe
Island Ferry across the harbor to hit some
more rural trails. Feel like a splurge?
1,000 Island Cruises offers great lunch,
dinner, and cocktail cruises to get out on
the water and see the scenery up close
(1000islandscruises.on.ca).
Save and stay at Jeans Guest House,
a classic home style bed and breakfast in
the heart of Kingston. At just $85 a night
for a double, its a steal (613-546-5247 //
pnworks.com/guesthouse). For something
more extravagant, splurge on a suite at
the Confederation Place Hotel right on
Kingston Harbor and a short walking
distance from bustling nightlife.
Save on a moderately-priced light
lunch or dinner ($9 to $18) at Atomica
for gourmet pizza, great wine, and
inventive cocktails (atomica.ca). For a
dinner on the water, splurge at Aqua Terra
(aquaterrabyclark.com), which costs from
$20 to $36. Get a table by the wrap-
around windows for a great view.
Heartbroken Building // George C. Boldt built Boldt Castle on Heart Island for his wife. When she
died suddenly, he ceased construction, and it remains unnished to this day.
46 SALT CITY

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Craft On Tap by Patty Hodapp
Empire brewmaster infuses local avors to create unique beers
Brewed to perfection // Tim Butler, Empires
brewmaster, started crafting beer with a home-
brew kit he unwrapped at Christmas in 1997.
im Butlers thick, tattooed forearms barely strain as he opens the heavy glass door to
Empire Brewery, which lies in full view of the bars customers. He jokes that it feels like
a dry aquarium where he and his assistant, John Sullivan, brew on display behind the
large glass windows. In the brewery, stacks of kegs line the walls of a cooling room.
Multi-colored beer tubes weave together overhead. Pungent air trapped inside smells of
stale beer, wet cement, baking bread, and the unlikey scent of cinnamon and lavender.
Empires brewmaster stops next to an empty keg and puts his foot up on the rim,
his hands on his hips. He pushes reddish shoulder-length hair off his neck, strokes his
beard, and turns his gaze to the massive barrels. So this is pretty much it, he says,
gesturing to seven large copper and stainless steel barrels, each six to eight feet tall.
Even by craft brewing standards, Empire is small. While craft brewers can produce
up to 60,000 barrels, or 120,000 kegs annually, Empire brews 1,100 barrels, or 2,200
kegs. Thats about to change. David Katleski, Empires owner, plans to break ground on
a 22-acre property in Cazanovia by 2013. Butler will oversee the plans for a 30-barrel
brewery, more than four times the size of Empires current brewpub. It will also include
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photo by Carolyn Clark
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garden patches to grow fresh, organic food
used in recipes for both the restaurant and
the beer.
To satisfy the demand for his brews
from New York City until he can make
larger batches, Butler contracts with Kelso
Brewery in Brooklyn. Kelsos brewers use
his recipes and distribute to taps in restau-
rants and bars around the city. In addition,
Butler was one of only ve New York
brewers invited to an exclusive dinner at
the renowned Blue Hill Farm restaurant in
NYC in January.
Dan Barber, executive chef, assigned
each brewer one ingredient to create a
beer that would complement a dish on
the menu. He assigned wheat, to pair with
the sausage main course, to Butler, who
brewed a wheat wine. Butler loves pairing
food with beers, pulling from his previous
experience as a chef. I dig the culinary
aspect of life, Butler says. I translated
that love for avor and creation into the
brewing business.
Butler attributes the start of his
brewing career to his wife, Lisa, who
demanded he nd a new hobby. Butler
started brewing the Christmas of 1997
when Lisa bought him a $100 homebrew
kit. He brewed his rst pale ale on top of
their old electric stove. While Lisa said
the ale wasnt perfect, to their surprise, it
came out infection-free. Difcult to clean,
homebrew kits are likely to input chemi-
cal impurities in the beer. You can taste
infections instantly, Lisa says. It tastes
like moldy, musky bread, but his rst
batch had none of that. Perhaps a good
omen. Shortly after, Butler started bottling
at The Towpath Brewing Co. in Syracuse
and moved up to assistant brewer before
the brewhouse closed. Fast forward 10
years and Butler oversees Empires brew-
ing operations, where he brews beer
recipes made from local ingredients.
On Butlers workbench rests a Dell
laptop, a gray sweatshirt, a paintbrush, a
can of WD-40, allspice, a brewing calen-
dar, and Empires holy grail: ve 6-inch
binders containing records of every batch
of beer Bulter has ever brewed. Its hard
to know what people like because taste is
so particular, so I brew for myself, Butler
says. I know that whatever I produce will
be drinkable and customers tend to like
it. If not, I listen. He brews Deep Purple
with Concord grapes from the Finger
Lakes Organic Growers Cooperative.
He picks, hand-mashes, and roasts local
pumpkins for his Autumn Pumpkin Ale,
and spices the White Afro Belgian with
ginger and lavender, drawing inspiration
from fruits, spices, and vegetables he nds
at regional farmers markets. Most of all,
craft beer caters to customers increasing
demand for unique avor. Craft beer was
pioneered by people who said, 'Hey, I like
this beer, so there must be other people
who will like it too. Im going to make the
kind of beer I like and nd other people
who like it, too, says Ray Daniels, presi-
dent of the Craft Beer Institute.
On Friday night, Butler stands at the
corner of Empires long mahogany bar,
arms crossed. Bartenders manipulate taps
of owing beer, playing their own sort of
musical instrument in unison with the
blaring rock music. They pass the beer
across the bar. Customers sip and smile
Butlers favorite part about the whole
brewing process. The look on their faces
is what it comes down to, Butler says.
It means something when people spend
their hard-earned money on something
you create.
photograph submitted
photograph submitted
photo by Carolyn Clark
photo by Carolyn Clark
50 SALT CITY

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Thrill Ride by Stacie Foster
Unleash your wild side with these four high-energy adventure sports
Birds-eye View // A hang glider soaks in the
sights as he soars peacefully over the Catskills.
alling all daredevils: Get your adrenaline pumping this summer with extreme sports.
These activities arent for the faint of heart theyre for the thrill seekers and adventure
lovers. They might seem dangerous, but theyll satisfy the kind of rush all adrenaline-
junkies crave. Here are the most enticing adventures Central New York has to offer:
Hang Gliding:
For a long-lasting thrill, hang gliding provides a great option. Mountain Wings
Hang Gliding, located in Ellenvilles hilly terrain at the base of the Catskill Mountains,
is considered the hang gliding capital of the northeast. Hang Gliding is a sport that is
easy to pick up, says Mountain Wings owner Greg Black. A lot of times, people come
and get lessons with the intention of going once or twice and then end up purchasing
their own gliders.
Mountain Wings offers ight lessons Monday through Friday at $140 per two-hour
session. Weekend sessions are $40 extra per lesson, but last two hours longer. Earning
a pilot's license is the ultimate goal for anyone who chooses to stick with hang gliding.
A pilot glider can spend hours in the air, depending on her jumping point. Moun-
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tain Wings record glide clocked in at
11.5 hours. The center also trains pilots
through its Eagle 1 package, which
costs $1,895. The price includes full use
of Mountain Wings equipment and
unlimited gliding until you reach a hang
3 rating, and can glide by yourself.
When making hang gliding plans, be
sure to check the weather. Any sign of
rain, high winds, or other potentially haz-
ardous conditons will cancel the lesson.
Mountain Wings Hang Gliding // 77 Hang
Glider Rd // Ellenville // 845-647-3377
Whitewater Rafting:
Imagine navigating down the Black
River in northern New York with your
closest friends. Youre ghting the current
the weight of your body and strength
of your paddle the only tools you have to
stay aoat. The river moves fast, but if you
think youre up for the challenge, grab
a few buddies and head to Whitewater
Challengers in Watertown.
Since safety is a concern, each partici-
pant jumps into the boat with a life jacket,
helmet, and certied rafting intstructor
to lead the way down the river. For a real
challenge, sign up for the Lehigh Mara-
thon, an all-day whitewater experience
that includes travelling through class-three
rapids from dawn to dusk. The course
runs 25 miles long and is offered on week-
ends for $76.95.
Whitewater Challengers // Foster Park Road //
Dexter // 800-443-7238
Skydiving:
Theres no air fresher than the O
2

available at an altitude of 9,000 feet. At
Duanesburg Skydiving Club, Inc., located
about two hours from the center of Syra-
cuse, experience the excitement of jump-
ing out of a moving plane. Its the ultimate
feat for adrenaline seekers with their
sights set on the skies. Divers experience
up to 30 seconds of freefall, followed by
nearly eight minutes soaring to the ground
in a parachute. Jumpers have the option
of diving in tandem, where a skydiving
professional accompanies the jumper on
the fall, or riding alone with in-ear radio
guidance from an instructor.
For an extra $325, a videographer will
record your dive in an 8-minute video or
in a series of 24 still images. The video
captures the plane ride, the actual jump,
and your entire ride to the ground. The
funny faces youll make during the freefall
are reason enough to have permanent
documentation of your skydiving trip.
Duanesburg Skydiving // 5065 Western Turnpike
// Duanesburg // 518-895-8140
Motocross:
Add some speed to your summer fun
and check out motocross racing at Frozen
Ocean Motorsports Complex in Auburn.
You dont have to be an expert to try out
the track. For people interested in testing
out the sport, Frozen Ocean offers lessons
and rentals during the week. They even
have a practice track for beginners to use,
so theyre not intimidated by veterans.
If youre still wary of the idea, head to
the complex to check out a race. Admis-
sion to the event is $8, and youll get to
see the competitive nature and skill of
motocross drivers rsthand. The track
opened the beginning of April and oper-
ates through the rst week of September.
Frozen Ocean Motorsports Complex // 4415
Vanderstouw Rd // Auburn // 315-592-4807
White Waters on Black River // Rafters navigate seven miles of rough water on Black River, where
the rapids are strongest in May and June. Paddling will be tough but worth the challenge.
FEATURES //
SKATE OFF

58
NORTHBOUND
TRAVELING
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Hell on Wheels
Not Your Typical
Jug Band
LOCAL BIZ

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Faces of the Future
REDUCE

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Energy Evolution

photograph by Rachel A. Dobken

photograph via ickr
Hell on
ont tell the women of Assault City Roller
Derby its not polite to hit. Then again, they
probably dont care what you think. These ercely
competitive ladies, banging each other around in their
mismatched socks, polka-dot booty shorts, and shredded
leggings, arent afraid to derby it up.
They love hitting. At least when theyre here, at the Great
Northern Mall in Clay, where they gather for practice.
Excited and maybe a little apprehensive, they stretch with
skates on, some concentrating solely on themselves, others
eyeing one another.
They pull on their knee pads, strap on their elbow pads,
tighten their helmets. Like two gangs about to rumble, the
veterans and the fresh meat, as the newbies are called,
prepare to bang each other silly as they speed skate around
on the beat-up wooden oor. In other words, theyre about to
have some fun.
59 MAY 2011
Wheels
Assault City derby girls toughen up for their fourth
season with a new coach, lots of face paint, and a
power-packed crop of "fresh meat." by Alyssa Grossman
60 SALT CITY
The veterans are dressed in black
and white, the rookies in pink and red.
They huddle in a mass at the starting
line, hunched over, then anxiously start
skating around the makeshift track,
designated by red tape on the oor. A
whistle blows. The hive is off in a blur
of elbows and knees. One woman,
protecting herself from the mayhem,
covers her head as she gets knocked to
her knees. Another takes a spill and rubs
her ankle in pain.
Stay together! the coach commands.
Stay together.
If they remain bunched up, there is
less of a chance for a player from the
opposing team to break through. Thats
how you score, by dodging and pushing
until you get ahead and lap opposing
players. Most of the time, players are so
engrossed in their rockem-sockem they
dont even notice the groups of families
looking through the small glass
window of their practice space, stealing
a peek at the hits and bruises being
dealt. With names like Thunderlicious
and Chainsaw Mama, roller derby
sounds more like a monster-truck battle
than a female-powered sport. But these
women love it.
As the players skate in circles, trying
to hold position, they yell. Constantly.
They yell each others names. They yell
signals. They yell for the sake of yelling.
The din ricochets off the oor and the
walls, creating the perfect soundtrack for
the mayhem.
Its music to these ladies ears.
Kristie Moore, a 43-year-old insurance
trust company employee, wears a
makeup-less face, dark clothes, and dirty-
blonde, wavy hair. Moore never expected
shed become a derby addict. She tagged
along with a friend to practice to give her
a ride home afterward. She only intended
to watch, but another player brought an
extra pair of gear with Moores name on
it. That was four years ago. I hit that
night, Moore says of knocking into
another player during her rst attempt at
derby. I couldve run for president. I felt
invigorated, liberated, stress-free. I had
no idea making contact with somebody
on that level would feel so good.
Since then, Moores packed on 30
pounds to improve her hitting, changed
her persona from Kristie to Krispy
Kremya, and hasnt looked back.
M
ay 14 marks the start of the new
season, and Assault City is skating
with more condence than ever. This
year, the previously self-coached team
adds a secret weapon to its arsenal: Pat
Russo, a strict, yet compassionate coach
who transformed the team from a ragtag
group to a well-oiled machine in a matter
of months. When Russo rst set foot
on the wood-oored practice space, she
found a group in need of camaraderie,
direction, and a team chant. With derby
knowledge limited to her days spent
watching matches on television in the
60s and 70s, Russo learned as she
coached. Her effectiveness already shows:
Under Russos direction, Assault City
celebrated its rst off-season scrimmage
win against Ithaca in early March. After
13 attempts, it was the rst time they
beat Ithaca. A week later, during another
exhibition bout against Connecticut,
the team captured a 141-49 win. The
girls anticipate an action-packed season,
with match-ups against teams from
Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, and
across New York.
But success doesnt come without
sacrices. Players call their spouses
and boyfriends widows for a reason.
Between charity events, practices,
scrimmages, meetings, and games, life
outside the rink can get shoved down on
the priority list. Such strains, coupled
with injuries and longer-than-normal
days, attest to the high level of dedication
each player brings to the team. Were all
volunteers, Moore says. Anybody can
walk away from this at any time. Nobody
gets paid, and nobodys under any type
of contract.
Learning to work around these strains
requires a bit of creativity. When Moore
fell in love with derby, her husband
Kevin took up refereeing to partially
minimize his widower status. Kevin
promptly declared his derby name Otto
1 // The whistle blows once
and the pack takes off.
2 // When the last blocker
crosses the pivot line, the
whistle blows twice, and
the jammers take off.
3 // The jammers work to
get through the pack. The
rst time through, the
jammers try to beat each
other through the pack to
become the lead jammer.
Jammers dont score on
the rst pass. On subse-
quent passes, the jammers
can score points.
4 // The blockers block the
opposing jammer while si-
multaneously trying to get
their jammer through.
61 MAY 2011
Alignment, referencing his job as an auto
mechanic in Brewerton. It didnt take
long before the derby girls adopted Kevin
as one of their own. Its family for me,
he says. When they do good, you feel
good.
Last year, the two renewed their vows
during a matchs halftime. They had
eloped ve years earlier, after a spur-of-
the-moment decision that resulted in a
private Lake Tahoe marriage. This time,
Kristie and Kevins families got to watch.
An employee from Moores ofce played
wedding planner, which, in derby world,
meant bringing to the bout a tutu, veil,
and double-stick tape to attach the veil
to Krispys helmet. Each derby girl held a
bouquet and took a knee to show respect,
as Crazy Diamond, who gave Kristie her
rst taste of derby, walked Krispy toward
Otto.
Their vows showed an acquired
knowledge of what it takes to keep a
derby marriage going strong. Kevin
promised he would sleep on the couch if
he threw me in a penalty box at a bout,
Moore says. I promised not to complain
about the oil stains from his classic cars
on the driveway.
Later, Moores teammates forced her to
wear the tutu out.
This sense of humor plays a crucial
role in such a demanding atmosphere.
Even their nicknames strike a balance
between serious and fun. The girls
register each name, from Arizona
Lightning to The Grouchy Lady Thug,
on Two Evils, a roller girls website with
more than 28,200 crafty callouts from
across the country. Earning ones derby
name marks a crucial part of initiation
into the roller derby realm.
But it takes more than a clever
nickname to earn a spot on Assault City.
The training process lasts three months,
explains Becky Firman, better known
as the aforementioned Crazy Diamond.
After that, the fresh-meat girls take
skills and written tests. These measure
endurance, hitting, jumping, falls, and
a fundamental understanding of derby
rules. Generally, no player gets turned
away, but not everyone makes it on a
game-time roster.
Those who do get to play need
to adhere to a strict and complex set
of rules. Each match consists of two
30-minute halves. Jammers, one from
each team, start skating 20 feet behind
a pack of players, four from each side.
The whistle blows and the jammers
race to the front of the pack. Whoever
gets there rst earns the title of lead
jammer, meaning they hold the privilege
of calling off the two-minute set at any
time. A new lead jammer is established
every two minutes. After this, jammers
race to break through again. Once they
lap the pack, they score one point for
each opposing player passed. And while
the mattress-lined walls of Assault Citys
practice space indicate hitting is a crucial
part of the sport, even derby has its
illegal moves. Players cannot grab with
their hands, trip, kick, shove, punch, jab
with elbows, or use their head to hit an
opponent. If they do, they earn a penalty
and sit out for 60 seconds.
With such a high level of demand,
some derby players are forced to live a
You don't mess with a derby girl at a bar when
she's with her derby sisters. - Kristie Moore
Fast Track // In the heat of a match, an Assault City skater speeds by her oppo-
nent. The teams rst four seasons were a mix of wins and losses, with surpris-
ingly only one broken bone. Roller Bride // Kristie and Kevin Moore renew their
wedding vows at halftime to celebrate ve years of marriage. Kevin became a
referee to spend more time with his wife and fell in love with the sport, too.
photograph via ickr
photograph submitted
62 SALT CITY
.

A team sport is born

when the group divides
into two teams of ve
players, creating the
format we have today.
.

.
.
Debuts in Chicago as a
marathon race around a
circular track. The travel-
ing entertainment provides
skaters with jobs and food
during the depression.
.

.
.
A live telecast of a
New York game sparks
national recognition and
sold-out arenas.
....
Derby fever spreads and
Fireball, Mickey Rooney
and Marilyn Monroes
movie about the sport,
debuts.
double life. Weve got social workers
[on the team] and they have to counsel
all day, be supportive of other people,
be more reserved, Moore says. For
some people, its their outlet. Moore,
on the other hand, embraces the overlap.
She arrives at work covered in bruises
from a match. She doesnt believe in
hiding her passion from coworkers, and
her colleagues have responded well. For
her rst bout, her fellow trust company
employees and their families showed
up to cheer on their friend. Since then,
theyve shown nothing but support.
This means the world to Moore, who
has a difcult time disguising her love
for derby.
Moores derby sisters come from
diverse backgrounds, from morticians
to chemists, but a common love of derby
brings them together. This sisterhood
stays strong, no matter what. A derby
girl has another derby girls back,
regardless of any type of personality
conict off the track, Moore says,
warning it isnt wise to test the support
system. You dont mess with a derby girl
at a bar when shes with her derby sisters.
It doesnt normally get physical, but
youre not gonna win.
If someone hits you, you
want to hit back. But
when the whistle blows,
that feeling goes away.
- Kristie Moore
t
..
,
. ...
Rolling Throuh History:
63 MAY 2011
W
ith help from Kevin and Coach
Russo the team is improving both
mentally and physically. Playing the
game requires a level of self-awareness
and mental stability thats often difcult
to come by. For this reason, Russo dubs
herself part anthropologist and part
psychoanalyst, constantly shifting the
focus from individual players to group
impact. I say what they cant say to
each other, she says. If one player isnt
aggressive enough or keeps committing
penalties, its Russos job to call her on it.
Still, in an environment that requires
and praises hitting your friends,
aggression runs high. If someone hits
you, you get up and try to see who it
was because you want to hit them back,
Moore says. But when the whistle blows,
that feeling goes away. As long as you
can separate it, its okay. If you cant,
you probably wont stick around long.
The Moores initially let their game-time
disagreements seep into home life. They
learned the hard way to keep it on the
track and no longer ride to practice
together, allotting ample debrieng time
to calm any hurt feelings.
Assault Citys rst four years were
lled with plenty of struggles and
learning and surprisingly, only one
broken bone. Moore will never forget the
teams rst win. She sat anxiously on the
sidelines, recovering from a recent knee
surgery, wishing she could roll onto the
track and take a jab at the opposing team.
I was so happy for them, but I thought,
Why couldnt I have been out there? she
says. The minute I was cleared to skate,
I skated. The minute I felt I could do
contact, I did. Its addictive.
Coach Russo knows she has a talented
group of skaters, but her true success
as their leader is yet to be determined.
Assault Citys May 14 season opener a
double-header against Hackettstown,
New Jerseys Skyland Roller Girls and
Ottawas Capital City Derby Dolls will
test how much progress Russos made. I
dont know if some of these plays are the
things we should be doing, she says. [Ill
get to] see them work together and see
what we can accomplish when we really
understand the plays.
Fans should expect a season lled
with energy, power-packed hits, and bold
personality. After all, thats what being
a derby girl is all about. Well sit on the
couch and snuggle with ya, Moore says.
And then well kick your butt.
Celebrate // The Assault City girls
pile on top of each other after a big
win. They will compete in the season
opener on May 14.
....
San Francisco becomes a
derby hub, and syndicated
games increase player
fame.
.

.
Television stops show-
ing derby and the sport
goes bankrupt, leaving
skaters jobless.
.

.
Derby comes back to
life as a part-time sport,
providing an after-work
outlet.
.

TV producer Stephen
Land gathers $10 mil-
lion and launches Roll-
erJam, a weekly derby
broadcast on what is
now SpikeTV.
.
.
.
.
Women create at-track
leagues, solidifying the
sports current structure.
.
.
.

Ellen Page and Drew

Barrymore star in Whip
It, bringing derby fur-
ther into the public eye.
photograph via ickr
64 SALT CITY
The Ring Bearer
by Carine Umuhumuza
Evin F. Robinson has three women in
his life to thank for his success: an inspir-
ing mother, an encouraging mentor, and
one nagging teacher.
Raised by his single mother, Robin-
son remembers watching her struggle to
balance school and work. She eventually
dropped out of college to spend more time
with Robinson and his younger brother.
Growing up, my mother always allowed
me to see that there was more in the sur-
rounding areas, says Robinson, who re-
members going to the movies, museums,
and vacations things that were not com-
mon in his Brooklyn neighborhood.
Robinson, 20, is the founder of
InspiRING, a company that creates right-
handed rings for women. The rings, craft-
ed with gold-lled wire, hand-blown glass
beads, and Swarovski crystals, symbolize
female empowerment.
Robinson caught the entrepreneurship
bug in 10th grade. That summer, he won
the Network for Teaching Entrepreneur-
ship business plan competition through
an after-school program. Looking to honor
his mothers hard work, Robinson collabo-
rated with three classmates in the program
to create a product that would encourage
others to be role models.
He rst learned to make rings through
a jewelry-making class he took with his
mother while in high school. The teams
idea, rst named Seek Within, advanced
them to the competitions regional level.
His partners did not want to continue on,
so Robinson carried the company forward.
After the NFTE win, Robinson renamed
the company InspiRING and continued en-
tering competitions. In 2008, he won the
Growing CEO award from Merrill Lynch
and Global Entrepreneur of the Year from
Goldman Sachs. Thats when I knew that
InsipRING was starting to have the impact
that I initially had for it, he says.
With prize money from competitions,
Robinson improved the quality of his
product. When we rst started, the rings
were really cheesy," he says. "We had this
wire that turned your ngers green and the
beads were really small.
Schools, community centers, and me-
dia outlets also became interested in the
face behind InspiRING. Robinson, with
his clean-cut look and friendly demeanor,
used the opportunity to tap into New York
City are high schools and talked to stu-
dents about the importance of education.
Working solo, Robinson spent his time try-
ing to keep up with ring orders and speak-
ing engagements.
Robinson currently works with Syra-
cuse University law students to tie up loose
ends of the InspiRING business, includ-
ing creating a trademark, signing releases,
and writing legal documents for past and
future promotional campaigns. InspiRING
has sold 247 handcrafted rings. He plans to
manufacture the rings and projects sales of
2,000 rings in 2012.
Everything I do in life, I try to connect
it back to me, Robinson says. The most
successful businesses are ones that you can
connect back to something that is mean-
ingful to you and that will have a larger
impact on society.
FACES
OF THE
FUTURE
65 MAY 2011
The Pattern Maker
by Kathleen Corlett
Whitney Daniels design has been
known to follow her to bed when the days
work is done, or show up while shes out
shopping. Daniels, 25, creates surface de-
signs, or patterns that repeat, in her home-
based Syracuse studio and ofce space to
sell at trade shows in New York City two to
three times per year.
The simple 2-inch and 4-inch square
designs are some of her favorite projects
because of the artistic freedom that comes
with making them, says Daniels, who regu-
larly updates her business blog with three
to ve designs weekly. Her surface designs
have graced button pins, notebook covers,
and a pair of pajamas by Soma Intimates.
What she called her small claim to fame
was a pastel geometric packaging design
for Crabtree & Evelyn lotions. Its not like
it has my name on it, she says, but when
I saw it in stores, I knew it was mine. She
recently sold a oral design to Bed, Bath,
& Beyond, and hopes a duvet will soon be
covered in her black-and-white roses.
A year and a half after Daniels gradu-
ated from Syracuse University in 2009
with a degree in communications design,
she paid the $32 fee to register a new
business at the Onondaga County Clerks
ofce: WRKDesigns. Nine months later,
surface design makes up only half of her
work and she spends the rest of her time
creating business cards, brochures, website
designs, and logos. The average project
lasts three weeks, from the time she begins
researching other designs to when her cli-
ent chooses his favorite from a selection of
prototypes, and the two work together to
make tweaks.
She also joined the Near Westside Ini-
tiative Business Association, a support or-
ganization created last July for small busi-
nesses and entrepreneurial development
in Syracuse. [Whitney] really represents
the type of people were trying to support
in the neighborhood, says Michael Short,
the associations deputy director. [They
are] young, creative people invested in the
community who are looking to expand
businesses, build skills, and possibly hire
more within Syracuse.
The group gave her the opportunity to
redesign its logo and network with other
small businesses, and shes still building
her client list. As the groups resident de-
signer, she has picked up small jobs for
business logos and brochures and spread
her name through word of mouth.
Keeping a steady stream of clients poses
one of her toughest challenges: Its a dif-
cult market out there for anybody, but
especially [for] design, which isnt always
top priority for businesses on a budget,
Daniels says.
Currently, this design multitasker
makes postcards and trade show displays
for Green Cleaning Technologies, a local
eco-friendly cleaning supply company on
Teall Avenue, while designing business
cards for the Landscape Elf, and working
on a book design for a Post-Standard pho-
tographer. Meanwhile, she is preparing to
showcase her freelance design work at the
next New York City trade show.
Local entrepreneurs take four innovative ideas
and turn them into creative businesses edited by Kaitlin Pitsker
66 SALT CITY
The Local Foodie
by Kate Morin
In Circas tiny open kitchen, Alicyn Hart
checks her bread dough working in a stand
mixer. The our she uses comes from an
artisanal company in Vermont. She would
prefer to use local our, but hasnt found
one that meets her standards. Her focus on
nding the perfect ingredient underlies the
philosophy behind her Cazenovia bistro:
Use only the best.
When possible, Hart does use local
products. She works with a number of area
farmers and artisans to source meats, or-
ganic vegetables, cheeses, and coffee, and
also produces some of it herself. She and
husband Eric Woodworth have a one-acre
garden where they grow tomatoes, corn,
peas, beans, herbs, and winter squash to
freeze and use throughout the winter.
Eventually, they hope to run a more self-
sustainable operation, integrating renew-
able energy sources like the bio-diesel car
Woodworth converted a few years ago.
Its this chefs simplistic approach that
has turned Circa into a success since open-
ing the eight-table restaurant with Wood-
worth in 2006. It received a rave review
last December from the Post-Standard.
And noted local food blog Cookin in the
'Cuse called it top notch.
Three years working in European coun-
tryside bed and breakfasts, two seasons in
Colorado, and short stints in Alaska, Mex-
ico, Australia, and Southeast Asia taught
Hart to appreciate local food. When she
opened Circa ve years ago, she wouldnt
have done it any other way. I came back
from my travels with knowledge of how to
live a better lifestyle," Hart says. Spreading
that lifestyle is what Circa is all about.
After witnessing the 2002 terrorist
bombings in Bali, Hart returned home to
CNY. She got a real job teaching culinary
arts at a BOCES, a professional develop-
ment program, and married. A few years
later, Woodworth saw space on Albany
Street in Cazenovia for sale and thought it
would be perfect for a restaurant.
Hart met a few people who tried to start
a fresh and local movement in the area, but
had given up, frustrated over the challeng-
es posed by a region and a clientele more
accustomed to what she calls "pretentious"
cuisine. An experience from her rst job
in a restaurant helped Hart push past this
hurdle. My rst boss told me I couldnt
work in the kitchen because I was a girl,
that I couldnt handle it, she says. That
made me want to open this restaurant.
Hart and Woodworth turned the small
corner storefront in a sleepy upstate town
into a model for the fresh-and-local move-
ment. The menu, which changes regular-
ly, features such daring fare as butternut
squash gnocchi with roasted oyster mush-
rooms and rosemary ricotta, pork raised
on Harts farm, and sustainable-accredited
black sea bass. The famous $10 burger
made from a choice of beef, elk, turkey,
veggie, or lamb pairs fabulously with
hand-cut chips and local salad greens.
Through Circa, Hart educates the com-
munity on the value of local and sustain-
able eating. This is how we live, Hart ex-
plains. Its not just following a trend, this
is what we believe in.
67 MAY 2011
The Safe Sipper
by Katherine Salisbury
Colby Morgan was watching The Hang-
over when she came up with the idea for
SafeSips, a company aimed at creating a
safer drinking atmosphere. I was watch-
ing the part where he rooes his friends
and thought to myself, There should re-
ally be something to combat things like
that," Morgan says. Even though its a
joke in the movie, its a very serious offense
in real life.
Morgan, a 22-year-old Syracuse Uni-
versity graduate student, began working
on the company in a startup ideas class in
Spring 2010. SafeSips planned to produce
a technologically-advanced straw that
would be used to expose date rape drugs
in drinks by changing colors if a drug is
detected. In addition, Morgan wants to de-
velop a lid to put on cups, which she calls
a condom for alcohol drinks," focusing
on preventative measures to avoid drug
dropping in drinks. One is a date rape
detector, Morgan says, and the other is a
date rape deector.
In April 2010, SafeSips plans won
$4,000 from The Orange Tree fund, which
helps launch startup companies. The team
used the funds to create prototypes of the
cup condoms. Since the original business
started a year ago, the team has begun
work on other date rape deection ideas.
SafeSips is now focused on creating
a phone app to monitor drinking behav-
ior. Morgan says the app will send ques-
tions throughout the night to access how
drunk the person is. If the questions are
answered wrong, a text is sent to a friend,
alerting them of the users drunken state
and your location according to the GPS in
your phone.
John Liddy, director of the Syracuse
Student Sandbox summer program that
Morgan attended, praises the perseverance
of the young student. She wants to solve
this problem of date rape, and when one
idea doesnt work out, she comes up with
a different way to approach it, Liddy says.
Eventually, Morgan hopes to connect
the app to cab companies, allowing people
to prepay for rides. When questions are
answered wrong, the phone will automati-
cally call a cab company that can nd your
location and home address.
Apps are ying off the shelves every
day, Liddy says. As long as she can get it
out quickly, it has a high chance for suc-
cess. The lid is more of a challenge, be-
cause you are changing user behavior to
put a lid on their cup in a bar, where they
normally wouldnt. The straw would not
be such a big change and could be used in
mixed drinks.
With the straw and lid still in produc-
tion, and the app on the verge of release,
SafeSips is a young company that wants to
change the game of drinking, and decrease
the risks that accompany it.
SafeSips will have a large positive im-
pact on college drinking, Morgan says. It
will not only help to reduce the incidents
of drug facilitated sexual assault on college
campuses; it will also serve as a method
of spreading awareness. If our products
succeed in helping one person, it will be
a victory.
illustration by Kathleen Corlett and Lauren Harms
K
evin Woods, an eighth grade student at Lincoln Middle School in Syracuses
Eastwood neighborhood, shufes into a science classroom and takes his seat at
a makeshift conference room table made of ve smaller tables pushed together.
He sits down, looks around the room, and ddles with the sleeve of his sweatshirt. He
is the rst of six students present to speak. He mumbles that he found a lot of school
appliances, such as little freezers and microwaves, still plugged in even when people
werent in the classrooms. It only takes a few seconds for his shyness to wear off and his
voice and opinions to take on a stronger tone: Sometimes theyll have the lights on and
a lamp on, even though there is only one person in there.
Heidi Feyl-Crane, the schools science teacher, has asked each student to walk
through assigned classrooms and look at the energy usage in each room. Can you guys
Energy
Evolution
by Katherine Salisbury
School kids learn green living, starting
with the transformation of their classrooms.
69 MAY 2011
70 SALT CITY
all speak up a little bit more about your
rst project and tell everyone what your
ndings were? she asks. Amongst the
students sit the head custodian Brian
McGann; a special education teacher,
Kelly Abt; a volunteer student from the
SUNY College of Environmental Science
and Forestry, Jennifer Spoor; and Todd
Rogers, the northeast coordinator from the
National Energy Education Development
(NEED) Project team. Each student offers
his or her observation, noting computer
monitors left on when not in use and soda
machines running despite rules against
buying soda during school hours.
Their input is part of a nationwide
program targeted toward making students,
faculty, and staff aware of ways to reduce
energy use. Lincoln is one of seven
Syracuse schools participating in the
NEED project.
Founded in 1980, NEED funds
selected schools for two years. In addition
to city schools, the NEED committee
funds educational programs in museums,
environmental education centers, and
other education institutions. Money from
NEED covers the cost of supplies and ma-
terials teacher and student guides, ther-
mometers, light meters, and radiation cans
to help students and teachers properly
assess the carbon footprint of their respec-
tive schools. The goal is to show that a
carbon footprint isnt simply a numerical
gure, but the sum of thousands of every-
day decisions made by each person who
uses the building, and that these decisions
can decrease their footprint.
Bill Ottman, science and technology
coordinator for the Syracuse City School
District, applied for the grant in Novem-
ber 2009, which took effect this spring.
The grants emphasis on helping low-
income students enabled Syracuse to get
the support, which will assist the districts
focus on going green.
In the grants rst year, seven schools
will participate in the program: Clary, Ed
Smith, Lincoln, Blodgett, Nottingham,
Expeditionary Learning School, and
Danforth, comprising a total of 1,440
participating students. In the second year,
the program will expand to include six ad-
ditional city schools. And while the NEED
funding only covers a span of two years,
city ofcials plan to continue the project
even after the grant expires, eventually
involving all 36 schools in the district.
Experimentation and documentation
of the schools energy usage through the
NEED project will allow the district to
implement energy saving techniques. Lin-
coln Middle School launched its program
March 1, around the same time as the six
other participating schools. During the
rst week, Lincoln students measured the
energy usage in each room of the school.
They then made suggestions on how to
decrease their energy usage. Their rst
experiment involved light bulbs through-
out the school, in which students used
instruments provided by NEED to test if
the bulbs actually emitted the amount of
watts they claimed to emit. As students
turned on the bulbs, they discovered that
each one did have the correct wattage.
To assess each schools carbon foot-
print, students look at their everyday deci-
sions regarding lighting, heating, cooling,
food preparation, transportation, and ven-
tilation. NEED ofcials hope the program
will help students understand the connec-
tion between their own personal energy
use and its global impact. To test students
knowledge of global energy emissions,
they are asked at the beginning of the
project to estimate how much the levels
of carbon dioxide have increased since
the industrial revolution. The answer:
40 percent. Understanding the history of
energy usage will allow students to apply
it to current-day usage, and help them
understand how much energy usage has
increased. Once they grasp the impact of
turning off the lights or lowering the heat,
they will ideally start to implement these
actions in their everyday lives, including
their time at home. It provides teachers
with training and classroom resources,
and it provides students with an oppor-
tunity to affect change in their buildings
while studying energy and environmental
issues in a hands-on, meaningful way,
says Daniel Lowengard, superintendent of
the Syracuse City School District.
The NEED project furthers the districts
sustainability efforts. Its recycling and
composting program received state
recognition in 2007, when the Syracuse
City School District received the Big City
of the Year award from the Go Green Ini-
tiatives and the Environmental Excellence
award from the New York State Depart-
ment of Environmental Conservation. In
2010, the district won the Green of the
Crop award for outstanding green efforts
in Central New York. Between 2007
and 2010, the schools energy cost-per-
square-foot has dropped 30 cents. While
the NEED project does not require any
reconstruction of the school buildings,
this green initiative comes at a time when
the district plans to reconstruct all of its
school buildings within the next 10 years.
The Environmental Protection Agency
says that buildings in the U.S. usually use
30 percent more energy than they need.
This project gives Syracuse the opportuni-
ty to identify wasteful usage and construct
more efcient buildings.
The six students sitting at the confer-
A powerful presentation // Students and staff at Lincoln Middle School join for a middle-of-the-day
meeting to discuss the upcoming year of green initiatives. After students completed their investiga-
tive work of the schools carbon footprint, they formed plans to decrease Lincolns energy use.
photography submitted
ence table in the green team meeting
act as representatives for the Lincoln
Middle School student body. Responsible
for monthly meetings, the representatives
each have a section of the school to pay
attention to, and they are taking their job
at the school seriously. The team enacted
a monthly plan, giving everyone weekly
goals to focus on. Week one consisted of
teachers and students turning off lights
as they exit classrooms. Week two made
sure teachers switched off their computer
monitors at the end of the day.
Crane makes it fun, calling the
students the spies of Lincoln Middle
School, as they keep an eye out to make
sure everybody is doing their green part.
Dont tell the teachers we are going to
be spying on them! exclaims Emma Abt,
an eighth grade student who practically
jumps out of her chair with excitement
every time she gets to speak about the
project. Crane promises not to.
The curriculum aims to get more
youth involved beyond the team of stu-
dent representatives. Crane and Kelly Abt,
Lincolns special education teacher, create
daily lesson plans that follow the general
guidelines of the NEED Project. Every
student takes part in the hands-on
experiments, and the teachers create
an atmosphere where everyone feels
involved. Every student learns how to
conduct the experiments and use the
equipment, so that they can take that into
the future, Crane says. Everyday lesson
plans give students the idea that they can
make a difference and allow them to get
excited about science and the work they
are doing around the school.
The Environmental Protection Agency
work grant plan also predicts the project
will decrease the number of students aca-
demically at risk for not nishing school.
The curriculum, according to the work
plan, focuses on engaging students in de-
cision making and problem solving, allow-
ing them to become involved and invested
in their workload. The NEED committee
hopes that having students take action
based on their ndings will make them
more excited about coming to school ev-
ery day and stimulate their desire to learn,
decreasing Syracuses dropout rate.
The learning continues at home. Along
with the help of their parents students
will score their own household energy
efciency. Throughout the course of the
project, they can improve their score by
implementing energy saving techniques as
they continue to learn about them and see
their impact.
Crane wants her students to focus on
energy reduction in all aspects of their
lives, including at home, at school, and
in the wider community. It is important
to continue doing it in the future, so we
can sustain what we have here, and to
really make a difference, Crane says. We
want them to share with everybody really
because the more people know about it,
the better off well be.
As the meeting concludes, the teachers
ask for any last thoughts on things the
team can work on. The team decides that
turning off lights is one easy step everyone
in the school can take. They need to turn
off their lights, or theyll get a ticket from
the green team! Kevin says.
His classmates and teachers laugh and
look around at one another, beaming over
their chance to make a difference.
Just the Beginning // Students get excited at
the kickoff assembly, learning about the green
initiatives taking place in the upcoming year.
Lincoln Middle School has saved
30 cents per-square-foot on
energy over the past three years.
72 SALT CITY
Not Your
Before kicking off their second tour, the
Northbound Traveling Minstrel Jug Band nds
a new sound, adding folk to their signature
blend of rock and bluegrass.
by Carine Umuhumuza
Jug Band
Typical
73 MAY 2011
O
n a snowy Monday night, the members of Northbound Traveling Min-
strel Jug Band hang out in an apartment a few blocks from the Syracuse
University campus. Aaron Gittleman, 20, and Adam Cohen, 21, lounge on an orange
futon by the window while Lucas Sacks and Dan DiPasquale, both 21, sit on an old
'70s-style couch. A quick sweep of the apartment that Gittleman, Sacks, and DiPasquale
share proves two things: Musicians live here, and theyre boys. Guitar cases lean against
one wall. To the left of the TV, more than 30 records ll four metal cases. Music festival
posters are taped to another wall. Beer bottles line the top of the window ledge, each
carefully placed like trophies on a mantelpiece. A blue Nintendo set sits in front of the
TV, the attached cords leading to a crate of games under the coffee table.
The boys discuss their band name. I made it up off the top of my head at an open
mic, says Cohen, the shaggy-haired and talkative guitarist. I just pulled together some
of my favorite silly words.
We tried to change it, he adds.
For like a day, interjects Sacks for clarication. The proposed replacement,
photo by Lauren Harms
74 SALT CITY
Homebrewed, was short-lived, and they
changed it back to the original name. The
members of Northbound think it shows
that they dont take themselves too seri-
ously. On this evening, they tease each
other constantly, often interrupting to
complete someone elses thought. Its
a long, ridiculous name for a bunch of
ridiculous people, Sacks says.
Ridiculous or not, the band is on
the rise in the rock n roll and bluegrass
scene. This month, Northbound celebrates
the one-year anniversary of its self-titled
EP by kicking off its second tour. Loaded
with a demo of new songs, the band will
perform throughout the Northeast.
Its a far cry from their start four years
ago as a group of guys just playing for the
love of it. The four original members met
in fall 2008. DiPasquale, Gittleman, and
Sacks met through the Bandier program, a
selective music industry and business
major at Syracuse University. The three
also lived in the same residence hall.
Cohen, who lived in an adjoining hall,
found his way to the group one October
weekend at 4 a.m. Sherman, a high school
friend of Sacks, is the latest addition to
the band, joining in the summer of 2010
while the group was on tour. He played
keyboard for the bands shows in New
Jersey and New York.
Shermans involvement exemplies the
bands free-spirited attitude and typies
the modern-day, location-is-no-object way
of doing things. During the school year,
Sherman lives in Washington, D.C., where
he attends George Washington University.
He corresponds regularly with the band
members through calls and emails, im-
parting his opinion on all band decisions.
He will record his portion of the songs on
the demo after he wraps up his semester
in D.C.
Northbound got its start playing at
campus spots, like the popular eatery
Funk N Wafes and house parties. The
bands exposure expanded when it signed
with O, Morning Records, a label run
by Bandier students, in October 2009.
Northbound was under O, Morning
management until their tour ended in
June 2010. Sam Mason, a member of
O, Morning, remembers being initially
drawn to Northbounds bluegrass sound
and impressed by their hard work and
knowledge of the music business two
qualities he believes will take the band far.
All the members are really smart when it
comes to how they work, how they man-
age themselves, and how they function as
a band and as a business, Mason says.
Following the EPs release, North-
bound hit the road for a two-and-a-half-
week tour, performing in New York,
Vermont, and New Jersey. Equipped with
instruments, sleeping bags, and a U-Haul
trailer, the band piled into Sacks Jeep to
perform 15 days straight. Their rst show
was in a nearly empty bar called Gonzos
in Lockport, N.Y. It was cool because it
was the rst show, and it was safe to say
that every show was getting better and
better, says Gittleman, the groups lead
vocalist and guitarist.
The group slept on apartment oors,
drove over the Canadian border without
passports, and performed night after
sleep-deprived night. It was a big learn-
ing experience, Sacks says. They were
based out of Syracuse for the rst leg
of the tour, bouncing between cities in
central New York. When they performed
in Burlington,VT, they crashed at a friend
of a friends place after the rst show, but
when they didnt have a place to stay the
second night, they packed up and drove
back to Syracuse at 12:30 a.m. I like
to say I got ve minutes of sleep during
the ve and a half hours, just from being
half-asleep while driving, Sacks says.
Then I got up two hours later to return
the U-Haul.
O, Morning helped Northbound gain
momentum as a band by spearheading
marketing and promotion, funding the
recording of the EP, and booking live
shows off campus. Northbound soon
began playing at bigger venues, such
as Als Wine and Whiskey Lounge and
other downtown bars. The label, which
dismantled this past summer, had the
initial goal of helping bands until they
could sustain themselves, and North-
bound proved successful.
Sacks now handles the business aspect
of Northbound. He has that boy-next-
door charm: a quick smile and friendly
demeanor. He is approachable and like-
able. These attributes, along with being
a music industry business major, make
him an ideal manager. He books shows,
makes contacts, and balances the band
checkbook. He keeps up with the Kar-
dashians, jokes Cohen about Sacks or-
ganizational skills. Through O, Morning,
Northbound formed solid relationships
with venues and bands, so the transition
to self-management was fairly effortless.
It always started with meeting one person
and remembering them, talking with them
again, Sacks explains.
Other band members also have distinct
roles. Cohen is the master of set lists, a
task he usually does on his cellphone
before each show. We tried to do it once
without Adam there, and we just started
bickering about it, Sacks recalls. Drum-
mer DiPisquale, who has an easy-going
mannerism and boyish charm, is the
self-declared band morale booster. Being
in a band, theres a lot of ups and downs,
he says. Youre riding the wave. I always
try and make sure everyone is on their A
game, doing well, having a good time.
Bonded by a love for performing mu-
sic, the ve members also played in bands
during high school. Sacks and Sherman
attended the same New Jersey high school
and performed classic rock covers at Sher-
mans familys restaurant during the sum-
mer. Gittleman, also a New Jersey native,
played in a jam band throughout high
school, boasting a Battle of the Bands
title his junior year. DiPasquale still plays
with the indie/alternative band he formed
photo by Lauren Harms
75 MAY 2011
with his Long Island high school friends.
On DiPasquales musical roots: Were
all jam band kids, and Dan doesnt come
from that at all, Cohen says. His opin-
ions and inuences keep us away from
being another annoying jam band.
Despite coming from different musical
backgrounds, the band members skillfully
combined their tastes and styles to form
Northbound. The band cites the Grateful
Dead, Little Feat, and other classic rock
bands as their biggest inuences.
The mixture of inuences makes
Northbounds sound both fresh and new.
Its seven-track EP showcases a medley
of different sounds, including tracks that
blend rock, bluegrass, and folk. But the
band doesnt want to be boxed into one
genre. A lot people think of us as this
folky band, Cohen says. And then they
come to the show and I have my guitar
amp turned up, then I turn on the wah
pedal, and the tube screamer. Thats not
folky at all.
Sacks adds that its hard to clearly
dene the bands genre, especially since
most of its songs are a blend of differ-
ent inuences and styles. The variety of
instruments, including the mandolin,
banjo, and harmonica, adds to the bands
unique sound. The group doesnt want
to be called just a jug band or bluegrass
folk band. Musically, theyre doing a lot
more than that. The track Two Things
on the EP showcases the bands ability to
seamlessly blend blues and rock elements.
Starting with a sharp harmonica; the song
also incorporates skillful guitar solos and
ends with a folky upbeat blend of both
instruments. Sherman says the recent
addition of the keyboards also gives the
band an edge. The sound of the band has
changed a little bit since Ive joined, he
says. Its been elevated to a more plugged-
in, kind of rock sound, but keeping to the
bluegrass roots.
What we released in the past, and
what we will be releasing, you can
denitely start seeing that our sound and
style, and what we want to do, is differ-
ent, adds DiPasquale.
Yet even as their sound transforms,
the core of Northbound remains intact.
Gittleman, the primary songwriter, draws
inspiration from his personal life. Hes not
interested in sending a particular message
with his songs, but hopes fans can con-
nect to the stories and experiences in the
music. The song-writing process starts
with the skeleton of the song, he says.
Basically Ill just have a verse, chorus,
something like that, and then as we play
together, everyone pitches in on what
works, what doesnt work.
Cohen, who does a lot of arranging,
says good music is best when kept simple.
It doesnt have to be complicated as long
as it sounds good to us. We try to have
songs that people can have a good time
to, Cohen says. We have the philosophy
[that] every show should be a party, [and
that] the music should be organic. Di-
Pasquale adds that danceability is key. Im
big about the snap, lots of snap, he says.
On a rainy Thursday night in March,
Northbound gets ready to take the stage at
the Westcott Theater in Syracuse. Cohen
arrives to the theater last. Its midterm
week, and he had a karate exam just
hours before. He rushes to write the set
list, scrawling the eight songs on a piece
of scrap paper in permanent marker. The
crowd is small tonight, but that doesnt
stop Northbound from having a good
time. They kick off with Devil Child,
an original song from their EP. Gittleman
straps on the harmonica rack and riffs
loudly as the song climaxes. The small
cluster of concertgoers raise their beers.
Back in the small living room,
Northbound plays its ballad Loraxs
Lament. Gittleman and Sacks play their
guitars. Cohen strums the mandolin and
DiPasquale keeps the beat with a small
drum. Gittleman leads the vocals. The bal-
lad is based on Lorax, Dr. Seusss ctional
character whos concerned about the en-
vironment in The Lorax. The silly song,
as Gittleman describes it, is lyrically sweet,
and the band captures a loveliness.
Later, with their instruments put aside,
the conversation turns to the future of the
band. All the members will graduate next
spring. Northbound plans to stay together
and make things work, even if it means
juggling part-time jobs during the day.
Says Cohen: Sort of a Hannah Montanta/
Miley Cyrus thingnormal, happy-go-
lucky kids during the day and rockstars
at night.
photo by Emmett Baggett
photo by Rachel A. Dobken
photo by Emmett Baggett
Drum Roll // DiPasquale pounds out a beat during a show at Westcott Theater.
Delicate Mix // Northbounds sound can't be categorized into one genre or another its their own.
Sweet Sound // Gittleman sings to the crowd during a gig in Syracuse.
Long-Distance Friend // Northbounds fth member, Sam Sherman, attends George Washington
University in Washington, D.C., but keeps in touch with his bandmates through phone calls and email.
76 SALT CITY
MAY 2011
We raise (and lower) our salt
shakers to this months noteworthy
events, places, and people.
PUNGENT
Eighty years ago, Syracuses Merchants
Bank installed the countrys rst drive-in
window a precursor to all things we love
about fast food.
JUST A PINCH
Syracuse University ranks #55 among the
nation's best colleges, according to U.S.
News & World Report.
MILD
The spring thaw reveals Syracuses garbage-
covered streets, making parts of the city
resemble a giant dumpster.
BLAND
Syracuse claims the Golden Snowball Award
for a sixth consecutive year, beating out other
upstate cities for heaviest winter snowfall.
Now thats an honor wed gladly give up.
SALTY
Nothing says the start of summer like a
picnic in the park. Take the afternoon to relax
and enjoy some of the citys best murals in
Lipe Art Park.
Daniel Bortz
00 MAY 2011
00 SALT CITY