Feeling Salty

After 4-feet of snow fell across the Syracuse area last week, road crews and sidewalk shovelers braved the cold to clear the powder and ice covered travel ways with of course, salt.

Not everyone is happy though. It seems all the good salt has done for the area, whether it be the industry of days past or simply melting ice, goes un-noticed by some residents. In fact they despise salt. But why?

"They don't like [that] it rusts out their cars, pits their concrete sidewalks.

It makes a mess and you track it indoors. It ruins floors, but, it's the only way to be safe on the ice,"says Mark Casale of Suburban Hardware in Liverpool.

That's quite a laundry list of complaints considering the U.S. dumped 22.6-million-tons of salt on roads in 2008 - according to the United States Geological Survey.

With plenty more snow on the way, plan to wash your car a few more times and sweep up rock salt tracked into the house, but be patient, because nothing else does the melting job salt does. And besides, Syracuse, with it's rich history of salt production, is after all nicknamed "Salt City."

Near Record SnowFall puts Syracuse in the lead for Golden Snowball

Residents of the greater Syracuse area are still digging out after last weeks near record snowfall that brought over forty-three inches to the region in four days. The total, a mere one inch from the record books, pushed Syracuse into a commanding lead in this years Golden Snowball competition.

Syracuse is a near perennial winner of the award, which is held among five upstate and central New York cities to determine the snowiest city in the continental United States.

This years late start to the Winter put Syracuse at a big disadvantage to its chief rival, Buffalo, starting at a near two foot disadvantage. But those days are gone for now as the massive snowstorm has left our city with a nearly twenty inch advantage with more snow in the forecast.

Four Winter Veteran, Pete Ross said, "I have never seen this much snow up here, since I have been here, crazy." Mr. Ross has his own ideas about beating the winter blues. "I'm headed to India over Christmas break," he said, "I will be warm there."

Syracuse has won the annual award nearly seventy percent of the time since it began competing in 1951.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Originally reported for NCC News on 05 Dec 2010

The Christmas tree has been a holiday tradition for more than 500 years and for the past 26 years, Drexler’s Trees has taken pride in adding a little holiday spirit to each of its customers who wanted just the right tree.

The Drexler family’s tree lot, which opened after Thanksgiving, is located less than 20 miles south of Syracuse in Manlius behind Snowtop Ice Cream and is open every day until Christmas.

Although the Drexler family’s Springside Farm has been making a living from agriculture for more than 200 years, one of its members has been creating memories for children of all ages for quite a while. According to one family member, how long is that?

“My whole life,” says Travis Drexler. “I’ve been doing this before I was a thought. This has been my December for as long as I’ve ever known.”

Travis says he gets a kick out of seeing children’s faces light up when they pick their tree. The tree farm contains several varieties of trees including Fraser, Canaan, Balsam, and Douglas fir and every customer searches for just the right tree.

“I don’t even know how to put in words,” says Travis. “You gotta think back to when you were a kid at Christmas time and what it meant and you just try to be a part of the experience.”

Once a family chooses their tree, Travis or one of the other Drexlers, ensure it is the right height. If not, they trim it to as needed before putting it through the baler so it is easier to take home. However, the Drexlers also offer a delivery service for a small fee.

Despite freezing temperatures and snow falling on hundreds of handpicked trees, families and their pets endured the weather to get into the holiday spirit by choosing this year’s Christmas tree from Drexler’s and keeping the centuries old tradition intact.

Syracuse's Snow
Originally reported for NCC News on November 12, 2010.

The city of Syracuse was pounded with heavy snowfall this past week. The people of Syracuse told us how they spend their time and what they think of the snow. These three gentlemen told us that "there's not really much you can do out in this weather." With the tempature dropping into the single digits at night and reaching a high of mid thirtys during the day, many people would agree that staying indoors is the best thing to do.

The National Weather Service reported that we recieved more than 40 inches of snow in some areas of Syracuse. With that much snow on the ground the snow plowing crews had their work cut out for them. The New York State Police says to leave the distance of at least two cars between you and the car in front of you. To allow your self more time to get to your destinations.

Jessica Martinez said she takes these percations in order to come out and skate at the Clinton Square Ice Rink. She says "that's what I like to do when it's snowing because I can't go run outside so this is kind of like my exercise activity." Some people like to stay indoors and others find hobbies during this heavy snow fall. The forecast does show we will be getting a break from the snow.

Winter Ice fun

Originally reported for NCC News on November 12, 2010.

This week’s heavy snowfall brought about three to four feet of snow to the Syracuse area. Some people are calling it the worst snowfall in years. While some people we spoke to say winter keeps them indoor most of the winter. Others we spoke to like Marie Shaw say's "I wait all year to come ice skating here." The reason why she waits is because Clinton Square opens its ice rink in the last week of November.

Kids at the ice rink like Alessia say’s "I like to make snowman’s and ice skate in the winter." If you think that summer is the only time to enjoy the outdoors think again ice-skating is a great way to get outside and get some exercise. It’s also a good way to spend with friends and loved ones. says Irene Smith a worker at the ice rink.

Clinton Square Ice Rink in downtown Syracuse opened its doors for the 2010- 2011 season. The ice rink first opened its doors in 2001 and has been one of Syracuse popular destinations. The ice rink attracts over 20,000 visitors each season bringing people to the downtown area to shop.

A video of the story can be seen here by clicking on this link.

Cardio Kickboxing

Originally reported for NCC News, December 7, 2010.

Roxanne Wightman started R Total Fitness in the Ultimate Goal Family Sports Center in Marcellus.

Wightman teaches seven different classes throughout the week from TRX suspension training to Zumba. She also teaches Cardio Kickboxing.

“It’s just for a total body workout. To do a really high cardio but incorporate the muscle and then some plyometrics for power," said Wightman.

“It’s a great workout and it gets your aggression out if you’re frustrated. Everyone knows if I’ve had a bad day because the bag moves across the room.” said Denise Longtin, a participant in the Cardio Kickboxing class.

Wightman hung a large banner in the room that says "yes you can," and teaches her students to work by that motto.

“She does a great job. She’s really fun and you can tell she’s in it to help people out. And she makes it fun," said Longtin.

Wightman isn't your typical fitness instructor; she's a sales representative for a dairy company, and a grandmother.

“As a matter of fact I’m 55 right now and I’m just getting started," said Wightman.

A month of unlimited classes is 59 dollars and seven dollars for one class.

Click here to watch the video.

A Fourth Place Storm

Residents of Syracuse are just now beginning to get the upper hand over the onslaught of lake-effect snow that was unleashed on Central New York from Sunday to early Thursday morning.

Early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service reported that 43.2 inches of snow had fallen at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, after removing the 4-day lake-effect snow watch that had been in effect since Sunday.

This storm is ranked as the fourth highest total record snowfall over a four day period, 1.4 inches lower than the top ranked blizzard that occurred in February 1966.

Even with all the snow Syracuse University had classes on schedule. Kyle Harris, a student at Syracuse remarked “ Its fun to see, but not, I mean not to walk in and go to class and stuff” Even with maintenance crews working around the clock snow still clogged the streets and covered the sidewalks.

Not all the people of Syracuse had bad things to say about the storm, a local running group who run every Thursday stopped to say “Its beautiful, gorgeous, it Mother Nature at its best.”

Syracusans continue to move the mounds of snow off their cars and brace against any other weather that may be on it way.