You're Never Too Old To Cook

Maybe you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But you can still teach an old man new recipes.

The Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth is in the fourth year of its "Men Can Cook" program. The program helps men from their 60s and up learn how to cook healthy recipes. Maria Mahar of the Department, who runs the program, says "these men have wives who have become dependent on them or they are dependent upon themselves."

"Men Can Cook" is a four-week program which changes its location from year to year. This year, it takes place at Assumption Church in Syracuse. A group of nine or ten men ranging from their mid-sixties to mid-eighties generally shows up.

John Murray, 81, of Syracuse, said he enjoys not only the skills learned at the program but also the people he meets, saying "I would recommend this program to everyone and I want to think the Department of Aging and Youth for letting us do this."

Central New Yorkers Are Cutting Back On Their Pets

The CNY SPCA is filled over capacity, with little to no room left for any more animals. But what’s the reason for this overflow? Many Central New Yorkers can no longer afford their pets during this rough economy, forcing them to either give them away or completely abandon them.

Over the past few months, the SPCA has found cats and dogs left at their front door by their owners in the middle of the night. This has given the organization about 120 cats and close to 100 dogs, which is more than their kennels can handle.

The biggest expense owners can no longer afford is food. It costs on average $35 per month to feed a pet, on top of veterinary bills that aren’t always expected. But the CNY SPCA is trying to help with their Food Bank program. Anyone with a pet can fill out a form to begin receiving free food while their budget is tight.

But while many people are giving up their pets, equal amounts are looking to adopt. There has even been a large increase in adoptions, with several going home each day. This is the result of many wanting a companion to get through this tough time, as well as animal lovers in fear of what might happen to the cats and dogs if no one takes them home.

The one downside to the increase in adoptions is that many are getting returned within weeks because of their expense. The SPCA says before adopting, it’s important to know all the responsibilities involved with adding a pet to your family.

Watch the video version of this story below:

Ground Breaks for the Construction of Three Green Homes in the Near West Side

The city was invited to a public ceremony this Wednesday to celebrate the construction of three ‘green homes’ in Syracuse’s Near West Side. The houses are winners of a sustainable development contest sponsored by Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, Home Headquarters Inc., and the Syracuse Center for Excellence. The initiative began through Syracuse Art, Life, and Technology District, otherwise known as SALT.

The houses will be built on Otisco St. and Marcellus St. They will cost $80,000 per year and are slated to be completed by spring of next year.

Ben Zender, a Syracuse resident working for the university will be the first to purchase a home from the project. Zender says he should be more conscientious in caring for the environment and believes owning an energy efficient home is his way to give back.

Both New York State and Syracuse University are helping to fund the project.

From Old To Green: Former Temple Will Be Converted Into Hotel

A new hotel is set to open in Syracuse next year. While there are plenty of hotels on the hill, this one plans to set a new hospitality industry standard in going green.

"We're not only building this for everything that's going on in the market now, but we're also trying to build a product that will reach farther beyond and actually help the environment and help the guests everyone else who travels to the area," said Tom Fernandez, the director of marketing at the Genesse Grand Hotel.

A building once considered an eyesore on the corner of South Crouse Avenue and Harrison Street is now set to become the Hotel Skyler. It was once Temple Adath Yeshurun, until the congregation moved into the suburbs.

The building hosted the Salt City Players until 2004, when it fell into such a state of disrepair, they were forced to move.

The original structure will remain intact. Sam Gruber, a Jewish Art Historian, said this building has changed with the context of the neighborhood. Once again, it is undergoing a metamorphasis, but this time, it's going green.

The Woodbine Group, which also owns the Genesee Grand Hotel and the Parkview Hotel, is targeting environmentally conscious travelers through various technological investments.

Fernandez said room key cards will not only unlock the door in the new hotel. Once the guest is in the room, they must place the card on the wall, which controls the lights.

"It gives the guest a sense of control over their environment," said Lynee Sauer, the business manager of the Woodbine Group.

Sauer said some of the sheets and linens will be reclycled and some of the furniture will be made out of bamboo.

SU Professor of Hospitality Management Linchi Kwok said these practices are already in place in Asia, but newer to the United States.

The Hotel Skyler is LEED certified, which is an international rating system that evaluates buildings based on sustainability and efficiency.

Kwok said going green is "a must" in the hospitality industry and that it is a trend that is picking up speed nationally.

"You have to be green. You need to start becoing environmentally conscious or you're going to miss the boat," said Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel General Manager David Heymann.

A sign in the hotel's lobby shows several of their own initiatives. However, Heymann doesn't see a threat from an entirely green hotel only streets away.

"It's going to be a very niche-y customer, but... it certainly has opportunities to be successful," he said.

SU student Amy Nightingale said going green isn't her top priority when it comes to choosing a hotel, "Primarily, when I stay at a hotel, I'm staying at a hotel because I'm traveling and I need a place to stay--not what it can do for the environment or how it can better the environment."

While it may not be a top attraction for everyone, Fernandez said many corporations now have incentives to seek green hotels, when sending employees on business.

He said just because the hotel is greener doesn't require more green from your pocket. The hotel is set to cost somwhere between the rates of the Woodbine Group's other two hotels.

Hotel Skyler is set to open summer 2010.

End of Month, End of Construction?

For residents of Onondaga County, the morning and evening commutes are becoming impossible.

Three major construction projects are taking place simultaneously, leaving few alternate routes and many angry commuters. Three Syracuse bridges that run along I-81--Spencer St., Court St., and Butternut St.--are in the process of being reconstructed.

But Department of Transportation Public Infomation Officer Gene Cilento says the Spencer St. and Court St. bridges should be completed by Oct. 31. The demolition of the Butternut St. bridge will take place this winter and it will be reconstructed next spring. The bridge projects began last November.

In addition, there has been paving on 690 since last April. Cilento also expects it to be completed by the end of the month. The paving on 81 and 690 is simply routine maintenance to get 8-10 more years out of the roads, according to the DOT.

Here are some useful Web sites for regular commuters:

http://trafficland.com/ - features live video of local roads 24/7!

http://511ny.org/ - find out where the accidents are!

Watch the video version of this story below:

Teens Targeted in "Operation Hang Up"

New York State Troopers are handing out violations for motorists driving with a cell-phone. New research from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) says teenagers are at the highest risk of being pulled over for breaking this law.

"Operation Hang Up" is a four day initiative to eliminate distracted drivers from the highway and reduce traffic accidents. The program began Monday, October 12 and the enforcement period ends Thursday, October 15th.

Le Moyne students were not surprised to hear that troopers were handing out tickets to most of their classmates. Tyler Hammond, a junior at Le Moyne told reporters, "Honestly if the phone rings while I'm driving, I'm going to pick it up."

According to the NHTSA, in 2008, teenagers comprised 22% of people injured in crashes involving distraction. In response to the increasing numbers, members of Troop T issued 5, 403 tickets to Thruway motorists that year.

In comparison to its last attempt in April, Troopers aren't seeing much success this time around. Sergeant Martin, a State Trooper says "there is just not enough man power within the unit to have eyes everywhere."

Most drivers are caught at toll booths, under passes, or stop lights. But police say it's still difficult to tell if someone is on their phone or using the hands free blue tooth technology.

Violators who are ticketed face up to $100 in ticket fines combined with a $60 court fee.

Temperature Change. Global Warming?

Now that the fall season has arrived, the leaves have begun to change color. However, that is not the only thing that has changed. There are also changes in the temperature as well. This month Syracuse has experienced lower than normal temperatures. With the weather feeling a lot more like winter, then early fall. Leaving some to wonder if it is because of global warming. Syracuse Research Professor, Bruce Wilkinson, chimes in. "When I moved her four years ago, we had record snow fall and someone had written a paper, that I will not name, who said were getting record snow fall because the climates are warming," said Wilkinson. Two years later, It was completely different. "The next two years we had below average snow fall even though the temperature's were warmer," he said. "Then in the next two years, we had below average snow fall. Even though the temperatures were warmer. So there is a lot of variation in the weather. That's why it's always hard to convince people that global warming is the real thing." Forecasters predict that we will experience some unusual weather before the end of this week.