Central New Yorkers Needing Cheaper Funerals

The Syracuse funeral industry has been decreasing for the past 15 years. It began with many northerners moving to warmer climates in their old age and the average person living longer. Today, the newest obstacle for the industry has been the economy.

The average funeral used to cost between $7,000 and $10,000. Today, many people in Syracuse are in search of a deal and finding ways to pay between $4,000 and $5,000. But the biggest effect of the economy is less people are paying for health insurance. Then when they pass away, little to no money is being left to the remaining family. It is this money that usually helps fund a funeral and burial.

So how are people cutting back? The number of cremations have risen this year and cheaper urns are being chosen for their loved ones. Ceremonies have also become less traditional, making them shorter in length and with fewer services.

But what if you don’t have the minimum $4,000 to spend? For those in desperate need, Onondaga County often assists in paying for a burial.

Watch the video version of this story below:

Syracuse Meals on Wheels Makes Thanksgiving Special

Everyday the Syracuse Meals on Wheels provides 800 meals a day to 400 people who would not otherwise get the food they need.

Mason Kaufman, the Executive Director, says although they will be delivering meals over the holiday season just as they do all year round, they plan on making the Thanksgiving meal a bit more special.


Turkey, stuffing, side dishes, and apple pie are part of the menu. Festive fall place mats and after dinner mints will also be added to the delivery.



Volunteer Coordinator, Jeff Banta says Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers, but especially over the holiday season because it is very busy.



Banta, after loosing his job, began volunteering in the kitchen at Meals on Wheels. Volunteering gives him "the warm fuzzies" and he says he is grateful to now be employed by Meals on Wheels, because it helps so many people.


Other volunteers say they feel the same way as Banta. Working at Meals on Wheels is very fulfilling says Kaufman because "we become their family, in a sense."

Rescue Mission honors Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

The Syracuse Rescue Mission hosted an open house this Wednesday in light of Hunger and Homelessness Week to educate the community on the problems of hunger and homelessness in Syracuse.

A simple lunch of soup, salad, bread sticks, and rolls were served to the nearly fifty people that arrived. Executive Director Chasz Parker spoke on the increasing meals the rescue mission has served in the past two years. Their numbers indicate that in the typical week lunches have risen from 600 meals served to 650, and they’ve served 8,000 more meals than they served last year.

Parker says the struggling economy is to blame. With more pressure to make ends meet, families will come down to the mission just to have a full dinner served to them.

The open house also featured a tour of the mission, where members of the community could tour the campus of the Rescue Mission. Little known to many, the Mission even has a thrift shop, where 99 percent of their clothes are given away for free. The most an item will cost is two dollars.

Parker says the mission has even seen an increase in stay overs at the shelter, with beds full nearly every night.

JoAnn Lloyd of Liverpool, a new volunteer at the organization, said she thought the open house was very informative. She said she joined the Mission when she lost her job. Since then, her perspective has changed about her own circumstance.

“I’m already feeling better about my own situation. Everyday… I thank God for hot water, I thank him for heat, I thank him for.. and to see that video.. they’re out there in the snow.. I don’t feel bad about me anymore at all.”

Watch the video here:

No Snow In Syracuse

It’s the week before Thanksgiving and other than a dusting here or there, no snow lays on the ground. With temperatures in the 50’s at times this week, Syracuse residents seem to be enjoying the lack of snow. However, it brings up the question, how long has it been since the city had an inch of snow?

The last time Syracuse had an inch of snow was February 24, 2009. As of Thursday that’s 268 days ago. Eight more days without the fluffy white stuff falling to the ground, and Syracuse breaks a 63 year old record of most days without an inch of sno

w. However, according to SU Earth Science Professor Linda Ivany, it’s not something that is a trend.

“There’s some average value [of days] and there’s a mean and distribution around it, so sooner or later you’re going to go a little longer. So it’s not that significant,” Ivany said.

For the city this lack of snow is significant. The city is offering four free passes to the Clinton Square Ice Skating Rink to the person who guesses the date of the first inch of snow. The people who win those free passes may need to wait a little while though, with all this warm weather Syracuse Parks Commissioner Pat Driscoll said it could be a challenge getting the rink open on time.

Watch the video form of the story.

Winter Boots Mix Style With Practicality

The unmistakable sound of heels clomping on the sidewalk haunts the streets of Syracuse during the fall, but throughout the winter, four inches become a quarter inch rubber sole on the heels of winter boots.

Although Syracuse has gone 268 days without snow, winter boots are lining the shelves of shoe stores. In J. Michael Shoes on Marshall Street, Uggs are still a top seller.

Ugg boots are prone to salt stains and even with a moisture-guarding spray, can still be ruined by inclement weather. The new "Adirondack" model has shearling inside, but has waterproof leather on the outside.

"In the past, a lot of people have worn Uggs in the snow, but now they're realizing they can get the warmth and the style during the yucky weather," said Jim Hicks, the general manager.

Hunter boots are walking off the shelves, too. The popular rainboot brand has fleece socks that are sold separately, which keep feet warm and dry.

"For Syracuse, you want the practicality. You don't want no ice feet," said Kimberly Martinez, a freshman at SU, who's considering buying a pair of Hunter boots.

Hunter boots, however, run at about $115 and for heavier snow boots, they can cost about $240.

Hicks calls winter boots an "investment." Bruce Tidwell, an adjunct professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication's fashion communications program agreed.

"You can buy the same boots at Target for less and wear them for a few years, since the season is so limited," he explained.

Men's Uggs, nicknamed "muggs," aren't a top seller at J. Michael. Timberland boots and hiking boots tend to be a steady trend from year to year.

Common Council Prepares for Change

Two weeks after election day, signs of change are apparent at City Hall.

Syracuse Common Council President Bea Gonzalez was absent from Wednesday's study session. Incoming president Van Robinson presided over the council in Gonzalez's absence. Mayor-elect Stephanie Miner and 2nd District Councilor Pat Hogan were also missing from Wednesday's session.

Newcomers Jean Kessner (D-At-Large) and Matt Rayo (R-1st District) were in attendance to prepare for their upcoming positions on the council. Rayo and Kessner spoke with the incumbents after the meeting.

Wednesday's agenda included the sale of properties to the nonprofit Home Headquarters, nine of which the city plans to sell for just $151. Plans for the construction of Centro bus parking bays downtown and a new dormitory on the SUNY-ESF campus were also presented to the council.

Watch this Story:

From One Closet To Another

It might not seem like a suitable place for a suit drive. But that's what California Closets of Syracuse had for the third straight year last week. The store showroom was packed with business casual or business clothing to support Jobs Plus, a Syracuse based company to help people find employment. Jobs Plus donates the clothes to people hoping to get back into the workforce.

Showroom coordinator Sophie Meskos said the drive was only one day this year as opposed to the first two years, when it took place over the course of a week. However, that was not a problem for the drive. "This was our best turnout of any year," Meskos said.

In case you missed this year's drive, don't worry, says Meskos. Donations are still accepted and appreciated at Huntington Family Center and Women's Opportunity Center Syracuse. Contact information for both companies can be found on the California Closets website - just follow the hyperlink above.

Watch the video version of this story here: