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Monthly Archives: May, 2026

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There’s More to That from Smithsonian magazine: Amazing Stories of Route 66 Reflect the Twists and Turns of 100 Years of Americana

Published - May 29, 2026

This episode chronicles the origin of the federal interstate system and how Route 66 fits into that history — before the massive tangle of highways and roads we know today were paved and packed with traffic. During the Great Depression, route 66 helped migrants find their way to new jobs in the West. During World War II, it facilitated the transportation of munitions and armaments en route to the Pacific theater. Later, it became a busy thoroughfare for Americans wanting to explore their country. Storefronts, towns, gas stations, cafes and much more grew up along its edges. Then, as major

Check It Out: Killian Crowley (Gerald) and Meg Keough (Pig) on the Upcoming Gifford Family Theater Production

Published - May 23, 2026

We have TWO MAJOR celebrities: Piggie and Elephant from the Mo Willems books are our guests this week’s for Check It Out. Maggie and Tom talk to Killian Crowley (Gerald) and Meg Keough (Pig) about the Elephant and Piggie play going on at the Gifford Family Theater. We will learn about the play, how to get tickets to see the shows on the weekends and a brief history of actors, who are both a lot of fun. Get ready for a zany Check It Out, with Maggie and Tom (the library’s version of Pig and Elephant).

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‘The Grocery List Show’ Free Community Screening

Published - May 19, 2026

Join “Top Chef” contender Chrissy Camba as she visits five international grocery stores across the country, uncovering the rich community stories found beyond the shelves. Friday, May 29, 2026 | 5–7 PM Salt City Market Community Room There is no cost to attend and all are invited!

CNYLatino Podcast

CNY Latino Podcast, Episode 97 – Utica Latino Festival & Storm Chasers

Published - May 19, 2026

(#97, 5/19/26) In this May 2026 Episode of CNY Latino: cnylatinonewspaper.com/Podcast, Hugo and Marisol will review and narrate, last year’s Utica Latino Festival, and also explaining some crazy plans we ended up having in 2025, and a short narration of an intense and dangerous moment we had driving, throughout a strong noisy and difficulty storm. En este episodio correspondiente a mayo de 2026, Hugo y Marisol repasarán y narrarán lo sucedido en el Festival Latino de Utica del año pasado; asimismo, explicarán algunos planes descabellados que terminamos ideando para 2025 y relatarán brevemente un momento intenso y peligroso que vivimos

Jeffrey Siegel
Keyboard Conversations

May 14, 2026: Jeffrey Siegel, Keyboard Conversations

Published - May 14, 2026

Jeffrey Siegel is returning to Utica for the season finale of his Keyboard Conversations, “(More) Music of Joy and Peace.” Jeffrey joined host Adam Fine to chat about the concert and the great music you’ll hear. More about Keyboard Conversations available here.

Making The City Smaller Ep. 2 – Ryan Woodruff, Marine Corps Veteran and CEO of Clearpath for Veterans

Published - May 14, 2026

On this edition of Making the City Smaller, host’s Peter Ward and Mike Durkin are joined by Ryan Woodruff, a Marine Corps Veteran and CEO of Clearpath for Veterans. Together they discuss the mission of Clearpath, which serves the needs of military veterans across New York State through its wide range of services such as the Canine Program which provides trained therapy dogs for veterans, as well as many that focus on community engagement and wellness.

WCNY Entertainment Academy Secures Third-Year Grant to Expand Workforce Training in Film and Television Production from Empire State Development

Published - May 14, 2026

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is proud to announce the continuation of its innovative WCNY Entertainment Academy, now entering its third year of grant-funded workforce development programming. This milestone reinforces WCNY’s commitment to building a diverse, skilled talent pipeline for the growing film, television, and digital media industries across the region. Since its inception, the WCNY Entertainment Academy has provided hands-on, career-focused training to underserved adults ages 25–39, equipping participants with industry-relevant skills across multiple production disciplines. The third-year grant will allow the Academy to expand its reach, deepen training opportunities, and strengthen pathways to employment. “This continued

Syracuse (On)Stage

Syracuse (On)Stage, Episode 41 – Ginny Parker Young Playwrights Festival

Published - May 14, 2026

For more than 25 years, the Ginny Parker Young Playwrights Festival has given Central New York students the chance to see their ideas leap from the page to the stage. In this episode, longtime Christian Brothers Academy teacher Todd Benware, Syracuse University Department of Drama and YPF alumna Catie Kobland, and recent finalist and Jamesville-DeWitt student Udochukwu Okereke share stories about creativity, collaboration, and the excitement of bringing student voices to life through theater. Together, they explore how the festival inspires young writers to tell bold stories, see the world through new perspectives, and discover the power of their own

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May 11, 2026: Julie Pretzat & Carole Brzozowski, SVE & SNM

Published - May 11, 2026

The Syracuse Vocal Ensemble and the Society for New Music are joining forces to present a concert of Premieres & Encores. SVE Artistic Director Julie Pretzat and SNM Managing Director Carole Brzozowski stopped into the studios to talk about these wonderful works from Central New York composers. More about the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble is available here. And the Society For New Music here.

Check It Out: Nan Brown Talks Kids Space, Summer Reading and More

Published - May 9, 2026

Maggie is back, Tom is there and we have an actual librarian guest on our library podcast for young patrons. Coming in the studio for today’s episode of Check It Out is Nan Brown. Nan is the children’s librarian at Central Library in the heart of downtown. We chat about the Kidspace area on the 2nd floor, some of the many programs that are go on there, and what we can expect to see during Summer Reading. All of that and more on this week’s edition of Check It Out.

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S10 Ep36: Black and White, Part 3

Published - May 9, 2026

“Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.” – Wassily Kandinsky Today we listen to piano music performed or composed by women. It’s all there in black and white! “Black and White, Part 3” Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Notturno in G minor Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano “Mendelssohn” Decca Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Margarita Höhenrieder, piano “Northern Lights” Solo Musica Anton Diabelli: Theme Lydia Kakabadse: Variation on a Theme by Diabelli John Lenahan, piano

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CNY Heroes, Episode 43 – Kari Mickinkle, Discusses the Office of Veteran Success at Syracuse University

Published - May 7, 2026

On this episode of CNY Heroes, Kari Mickinkle is a School Certifying Official in the Office of Veteran Success at Syracuse University. She discusses the Office mission of supporting the student veteran experience on campus by assisting with educational benefits and the work-study program. She talks about the challenges of today’s veterans entering higher education, including her own experience as a Marine Corps veteran.

Checkup from Neck-up

Checkup From the Neck-Up, Episode 41 – Artificial Intelligence: Part Two

Published - May 7, 2026

On this edition of Checkup From the Neck-Up, Psychologist Rich “Dr. Neckup” O’Neill’s guest is Associate Professor Serife Tekin Ph.D. from at the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at SUNY Upstate Medical University. They discuss AI in the space of our daily use of technology, AI “companions” in the context of our loneliness epidemic, and the use of AI “therapists” in “treatment” of individuals with mental disorders. How do they compare with human companions and therapists?

Gerard Schwarz
(photo credit: Indie House Films)

May 7, 2026: Gerard Schwarz, Syracuse Orchestra

Published - May 7, 2026

Gerard Schwarz is stepping up to the podium with the Syracuse Orchestra to conduct the season finale in the Masterworks series. On the program is a new cello concerto, and the guest artist for this performance is Jerry’s son, cellist Julian Schwarz, for whom the concerto was written. The conversation ranged from the creative process, to the joys of working with his son, to the process of hiring a new music director. More information at the Syracuse Orchestra website.

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May 6, 2026: Sarah Chandler, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

Published - May 6, 2026

The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra’s 2025-26 season is drawing to a close, and mid-day host Diane Jones was joined by CCO Ithaca Executive Director Sarah Chandler to talk about the final chamber concert with works by Mendelssohn, Auerbach, and CCO concertmaster Christina Bouey – and to talk about the Reveal Fundraiser in June, with music, conversation, and a look at next season. More about the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra is available here.

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