Monthly Archives: February, 2025


Zestful Aging – Bringing Pickleball to Maximum Security Prisons

Published - February 8, 2025

Today’s subject checks all of the boxes that Nicole cares about: helping those less fortunate, racket sports and finding purpose in our third chapter. Roger BelAir was a successful businessman (and was even on the cover of Money Magazine!) who was an avid pickleball player. One night, the show 60 Minutes aired a segment on Chicago’s Cook County Jail. Roger noticed that many of the inmates were playing cards or watching TV. Being an avid pickleball player, he commented to his wife, “They should be playing pickleball. They’d not only get exercise but learn valuable “life skills” like learning from mistakes

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S09 Ep24: Women of Color: Performers, Part 8

Published - February 8, 2025

  “I’d never heard anybody play like that – short pearls on the string that just rung with the sweetness of honey.”  – Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama   Women of color are still a relative rarity in the classical music world.  So on this episode, we’ll hear performances from several women working today, and making new paths and opportunities for tomorrow.   Women of Color: Performers, Part 8 Flutronix & Third Coast Percussion:  Play, from Rubix Flutronix (Nathalie Joachim & Allison Loggins-Hull) Third Coast Percussion “Perspectives” Cedille 210 Judith Lang Zaimont:  Serenade Melissa White, violin Paul Wiancko, cello; Awadagin Pratt, piano “Eternal

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Our New Neighbors, Episode 26 – Chef Christo: The CongoBox

Published - February 6, 2025

On this episode of Our New Neighbors, host Ibrahim Mohamed is joined by chef Christo who came to America in order to escape conflict in his home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today Christo is an entrepreneur and the owner of the CongoBox food truck, where he serves the community authentic food from his home country. Christo discusses his reasons for coming to America, his experience here, and shares valuable tips to those who wish to do the same.

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Feb. 6, 2025: Pianist Elyane Laussade

Published - February 6, 2025

  Pianist Elyane Laussade is coming to the Rome area for a short tour.  Concerts include chamber music, a solo concert, a masterclass – and even a bit of theater!  We spoke to Elyane as well as members of the Alliance Classical Players about the concerts and the importance of live music.   More about Elyane Laussade (including the performance details) is available on her website. And the Alliance Classical Players Facebook page is available here.

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It’s Happening Here, by Central Current Ep. 1 – President of SUNY ESF Joanie Mahoney

Published - February 6, 2025

Former Onondaga County Executive and President of SUNY ESF Joanie Mahoney joins hosts Maximilian Eyle and Dr. Rick Wright on Central Current’s inaugural episode of “It’s Happening Here”, a new podcast exploring how local news, local government, and local civic engagement impacts our democracy. The three discuss the challenges of information fragmentation in CNY, the need for humanizing political discourse, and Central Current’s collaboration with ArtRage to produce a photojournalism exhibit on the housing crisis.  

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Feb. 5, 2025: Silverwood Clarinet Choir & Ron Caravan

Published - February 5, 2025

    The Silverwood Clarinet Choir presents “Name That Clarinet” – a chance to hear clarinets that might be unfamiliar to you.  Ken and Kathy Freer from the choir, along with Ron Caravan, guest conductor, stopped into the studios to tell us more about this concert, the clarinets featured on the concert, and even share a sample of a live performance from the choir.   Information about the Silverwood Clarinet Choir is available here.

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Science Today with Dr. Rich Kopecky – Episode 32

Published - February 5, 2025

The energy requirements of AI computing present an environmental challenge.  How will it be resolved? A new approach to combating the herpes virus. Also on Science Today, the unexpected power of placebo, the search for alien life and an update on planetary exploration.    

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CNY Heroes, Episode 28 -Ryan Woodruff, CEO of Clear Path for Veterans

Published - February 5, 2025

Dan’s guest on this episode of CNY Heroes is Ryan Woodruff, a Marine Corps veteran who did 2 tours in Iraq and is now the CEO of Clear Path for Veterans, based in Chittenango.  Ryan has been with Clear Path since 2016, when he became both a client and a peer educator, pairing veterans with dogs and training the animals to become service dogs.  We catch up with Ryan on his journey and Clear Path’s services since we first interviewed him 2 years ago.  

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Built to Serve, Episode 31 – 100 Black Men of Syracuse and the CNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

Published - February 4, 2025

Alzheimer’s’ disease affects an estimated 2.9 million people over the age of 65 in the United States.  African Americans are 35% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s yet twice as likely to develop dementia than most of the country. This month’s edition features 100 Black Men of Syracuse and the Central NY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and their collaboration on an event taking place March 12th at the Dunbar Center in Syracuse. Local and National experts on the subject will be presenting best practices and taking questions in a Town Hall on “A Peace of Mind.” More information on

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Checkup From the Neck-Up, Episode 26 – Pot, CBD, THC: The Facts on the Highs and Lows.

Published - February 3, 2025

Dr. Neckup psychologist Rich O’Neill talks with Mr. Tom Ringwood NP, the director of SUNY Upstate’s Outpatient Addiction and Pain Clinic, about the ongoing giant experiment here in the United States. Many states have legalized marijuana for recreational and medical use. They have done so thinking marijuana is safe, fun, and has many health benefits. But few benefits have been adequately researched. And about 20 to 30% of new users become addicted with some surprising negative consequences. Here are the facts.  

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Introducing WoodSongs Kids

Published - February 1, 2025

New to WCNY’s kids’ hour on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. is WoodSongs Kids. The series features young musicians and performers. It’s recorded in front of a theatre audience at the historic Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. On this first episode, Brannock McCarton is a 16-year-old banjo picker from Louisville. He started playing the banjo when he was seven. And, this episode features John Maupin, who started playing the violin when he was five; now at 16, he plays a mean bluegrass fiddle and earned the nickname ‘Fiddlin’ John’.

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Check It Out: Big Changes for Tully Free Library

Published - February 1, 2025

This week on Check It Out, we welcome first-time guest Kelsey Hall. Kelsey is the Director of the Tully Free Library. We talk about the big changes coming to their library this spring. And Maggie and Tom recap the Literacy Day with the Syracuse Crunch, which was a huge success.

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Funky Foodies Episode 310: It’s Show Time for the Funky Foodies

Published - February 1, 2025

The Ditzy Daisies make a mess of the pie eating contest and their fast fashion outfits, but the Funkies come up with a creative solution that makes the Slow Fashion Show a huge success. Funky Foodies is a podcast for kids, and it’s produced right here in Central New York. Tween foodies Frankie, Fern, and Zara share a passion for food and its impacts on the environment. Adventures follow after they form an alliance called Funky Foodies, Inc., pledging to, “Save the Planet, One Veggie Burger at a Time.” Kid-friendly recipes reflecting the theme of each episode are included.

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“The D.O.T. P.O.D.”: Can You Dig It…D.O.T.’s Drillers

Published - February 1, 2025

While we don’t often think of what goes on under our feet, the drillers of D.O.T.’s Geotechnical Engineering Bureau are tasked with exactly what makes up the ground beneath us. On any given project, drillers will take core samples, allowing engineers to create a soil profile and select the most appropriate foundation type for the structure being analyzed. On this episode of The D.O.T. P.O.D., Josh and Anya welcome in two members of the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau, Steve Heiser and Ernie Holmberg, to find out more about this crucial work that often goes unnoticed. The D.O.T. P.O.D. shares stories from

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S09 Ep23: Women of Color – Leaders, Part 5

Published - February 1, 2025

“People can’t be what they can’t see.  Representation matters.”  – Kalena Bovell, conductor There are many ways to inspire young musicians.  Just performing, being a visible example of what is achievable, can be more influential than you may realize.  And of course, being an educator has a direct impact on others.  Not to mention arts organizers and leaders in advocacy organizations.  This episode highlights women of color who are leaders, in a myriad of roles, providing guidance and inspiration to others along their way.   “Women of Color – Leaders, Part 5”   Zenobia Powell Perry:  Cycle of Songs on

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