Walking this tour really gives you the opportunity to see just how manageable a city like Syracuse  is by foot.  Shuttles are also available along with special discounts at downtown restaurants, shops and more.

If you’re thinking about a move downtown or your guilty pleasure is peeking at cool interiors then this is the tour for you.  If you’ve got a thing for historic preservation or love that urban scene, then this tour is for you too.  It’s a fun day with a great vibe celebrating the emergence of Downtown Syracuse as THE place to be and live.

Sycamore Hill Gardens  holds an annual Mother’s Day tour in Marcellus.  Proceeds benefit Baltimore Woods .  Even if I can’t be with my mom on Mother’s Day, I can’t think of a more beautiful way to honor her then strolling the grounds of this unique and beautiful spot while helping to raise money for the nature center. She passed her love of gardening on to me.

Spa gifts are a click away with coupons good at thousands of spas and wellness centers, or who can resist chocolate and fruit artfully arranged in bouquets?  

Remember, as mom used to always say, “actions speak louder than words,” so keep the following in mind when selecting that special gift for that special someone.

Don’t buy . . . a new telephone
Do . . . call often to say I love you.

Don’t buy . . . 500-thread count sheets/ quilt cover/ bed ensemble
Do  . . . let her lie in bed as long as she likes on a regular basis and bring her breakfast

Don’t buy . . . a toaster- even if this season’s model is adorned with trendy stripes
Do . . . clean out the crumbs from her old one.

Don’t buy . . .  a microwave.
Do . . . take her out for dinner – regularly.

Don’t buy . . . a picture frame.
Do . . . dig out a special photograph from yesteryear and then buy a frame.  

Don’t . . . ask your Mum what she wants for Mother’s Day or make your purchase at the last minute.
Do . . . think about what she’d love rather than what she needs and get the practical stuff another time. Remember, the card is as important as the gift. And making her feel special is most important of all.   (Do’s & Don’ts Courtesy PerthNow.com)

Here are just a few of the things to savor in Syracuse during this revitalizing season:

• Syracuse Chiefs Season – April 5th at 2 PM is Opening Day
• Earth Day – April 22nd
• Local Nature Center Events at Beaver Lake Nature Center and Baltimore Woods Nature Center
• Local Parks (Thornden Park, Onondaga Lake Park)
• Local Road Races in May – Mountain Goat Run (5/6), Green Lakes Duathlon (5/12), Socci Stiletto Stampede 5K Walk and Run (5/12), CNY Race for the Cure (5/19), Charity for Children Run (5/20)

What do you love most about spring?  Please let us know what you will be doing this season!
]]> http://yourcnyhomeblog.com/featured/springtime-in-cny/feed 0 http://yourcnyhomeblog.com/featured/lets-move-program-fights-childhood-obesity-in-america http://yourcnyhomeblog.com/featured/lets-move-program-fights-childhood-obesity-in-america#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:33 +0000 Sarah http://yourcnyhomeblog.com/?p=1031 Childhood obesity in America has been on the rise for decades.  Today, one in three children are overweight or obese and could face serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and asthma.  An overall change in lifestyle is likely to blame – busier schedules often lead to eating on-the-go instead of home cooked meals, kids are more likely to ride than walk to school, and active playtime has been replaced by media entertainment.  Additionally, children are eating larger portions and snacking more frequently than ever before.  

All of these factors can be changed with some commitment from parents, schools, communities, and kids themselves.  First Lady Michelle Obama has initiated action to win the fight against childhood obesity.  Let’s Move! is a program designed to educate families about healthier choices and help make healthy foods more accessible and affordable.

By visiting the website, you can get involved in the Let’s Move!  program in many ways – taking a pledge, planning healthy meals, joining meetup groups in your area, starting a community garden, taking the President’s Challenge to get fit, and much more.  There are also links for schools and local officials to make a change within the community.

The website is full of useful tips and simple plans for an affordable, healthier lifestyle.  Get involved today to contribute to raising a healthier generation of kids!

Interested in architecture and history?  The Westcott East Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a series of walking tours in the Westcott and University area neighborhoods.  “Westcott Sundays” will begin at 1:00 PM on 4/15, 5/6, and 6/3 (weather permitting – rain dates are each consecutive following Sunday).  All tours begin at the Petit Library located at 105 Victoria Place in Syracuse.  The schedule for Westcott Sundays is:

• April 15 (rain date April 29), 1:00 pm

             Stately Streets: Allen and Cambridge

• May 6 (rain date May 20), 1:00 pm

             A Gridded Garden:  Victoria, Concord, Clarke, Strong, Euclid

• June 3 (rain date June 17), 1:00 pm

             West of Westcott: Avondale, Trinity, Greenwood and Thornden Park

For more information on the tours, contact wenanation@gmail.com.

1632 Westmoreland Avenue is located in the Sherman Park section of the University Neighborhood, just minutes away from Syracuse University.  This 3 bedroom, split-level home is cheerfully bright and features a sliding glass door opening up to a heated Florida room overlooking the yard.  On cold winter nights you can cozy up next to the black Italian tile fireplace.  Syracuse University is known for its athletics, most famously the top-seeded men’s basketball team, the Syracuse Orange.  But there’s plenty more going on in the area.  There’s never a shortage of entertainment options here, whether it’s shopping, theater, dining out, parks, museums, or nightlife.  

Located in East Syracuse’s Fremont neighborhood, 204 Manor Drive is a 3 bedroom ranch.  With its fireplace, large sunroom, open kitchen, and lovely gardens, this home is perfect for entertaining or relaxing all year round.  The East Syracuse Minoa School District offers state/district-funded pre-K programs for children aged 1-4, as well as a full-day kindergarten program.  The high school is one of 11 in the state designated as a “comprehensive high school,” offering courses for college credit, AP courses, and Career and Technical Education Programs.  In addition to the good schools, Fremont is just minutes away from beautiful Green Lakes State Park.

502 Boyden Street in Eastwood is on a dead-end street just steps away from Sunnycrest Park.  It’s a 3 bedroom colonial with a fireplace, hardwood floors, and many updates within the past five years including the driveway, appliances, bathroom fixtures, furnace, and hot water tank.  Perhaps the most enticing part of this house is the price – listed at 60,000, this would be a perfect starter home or great choice if you are down-sizing. If investment property is your financial goal, this would be a great addition to your portfolio. The Eastwood area has been nicknamed “The Village within the City” because of its numerous shops, restaurants, bookstores, churches, and other community attractions.  There is a strong sense of pride and community amongst residents of this urban neighborhood.  

Stop by and get a taste of Central New York living — 3 different homes in 3 different neighborhoods.

This year, Syracuse will hold its 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 17th beginning at noon.  The parade will begin at South Salina Street and Clinton Square, and end at the intersection with Onondaga Street.  This year’s theme is “Irish Roots in Ireland – Irish Spirits in Syracuse”.  After viewing the parade, warm up and take the kids to see The Balloon Guy between 1-4 PM at the Central Library.  They can twist their own balloon animal with a true balloon specialist!

In addition to the festivities, you will have the chance to donate food to the Hunger Project.  Donation areas will be set up at the parade, so bring your non-perishable canned goods and help provide meals for hungry families right here in Syracuse.

What’s your favorite thing about St. Patrick’s Day?  Do you have a tradition or memory you can share?  

Although online shopping is easy and convenient, there is nothing that replaces seeing, touching, and holding an item before buying it.  Nearby Carousel Center is conveniently located, and offers 3 levels with over 100 stores and more than 20 eateries.  With the anticipated expansion of Destiny USA, even more stores and restaurants are expected.

I recently found out that AAA members can receive discounts every day at Carousel Center stores and restaurants!  See the website for a list of those participating.  All you need to do is present your AAA Membership card at the customer service desk, and you will get your “Passport of Savings.”  In addition to these discounts, you can save on furniture, gas, pizza, coffee, movie tickets, car washes, and other services (not at Carousel Center).  

If you favor outlet malls, AAA also offers a discount at Waterloo Premium Outlets. With over 100 outlet stores and located only 40 minutes from Syracuse, this is a good alternative for the value shopper.  Present your AAA card at the information booth for a free VIP coupon book.

Go to this website to see what special discounts are available this month, or see the complete list of AAA discount partners — I was surprised at the shopping benefits of AAA!

Located right across from the Carousel Center and next to the Alliance Bank Stadium, the Regional Market has free parking and is easy to get to.  The sheds are lined with vendors offering a nice variety of goods.  

This past Saturday I decided to check it out for myself.  Some of the food available included bread, pastries, produce, yogurt, hot fudge, honey, pies, gourmet beef jerky, fresh fish, and many other homemade specialty products.  I sampled some sweet treats — rich, homemade fudge, fresh baked cookies, and heavenly baklava.  The smell of freshly prepared food filled the sheds.  In addition to all of the food available to sample, there were vendors selling ready-to-eat items such as hot dogs, fried dough, crepes, and pizza.  Aside from the food, there were lovely flowers and plants, fresh smoked dog bones, local wines, and so much more.  I realized I forgot to bring cash with me, but luckily you can purchase tokens with your credit or debit card at the market office. I picked up a pretty bundle of pussy willow branches and some pastries for my husband.

Before I left I popped in to the last shed, which had a flea market setup.  There were hundreds of bins filled with items ranging from $1-$5.  Sunglasses, books, jewelry, woodwork, and clothing items are just a few examples, but this only scratches the surface.  If I had more time to shop, I’m sure I would have found some interesting things at very affordable prices.  In fact, Sundays are just Flea Market days from 7 AM – 2 PM.   If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, I highly recommend it — and go hungry!