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Hello Syracuse! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Swan Lake, a 4+2 master’s pathway, and studios turning into hotel rooms + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Streamlined route to advanced degrees: Canisius University and Syracuse University announced a 4+2 pathway letting local students earn a Syracuse master’s in engineering or computer science in six years, starting after a Canisius bachelor’s — get all the details.

Hotels make a campus comeback: The Syracuse Planning Commission approved Skyler Commons’ plan to turn 60 of 80 studios into hotel rooms, after nearly 600 rooms vanished, squeezing Onondaga County conventions and SU’s NCAA hopes — get all the details.

From aide to administrator: Syracuse Common Council recently honored Carmelita Sapp-Walker, its longtime secretary, for 30 years of steadfast support. A unanimous resolution highlighted her impact on City Hall operations and service to councilmembers — learn about her career journey.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate MAR10 Day with Super Mario characters
• Celebrate spring with musical puppy storytime
• Tip celebrity bartenders to benefit MOST
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Small plates, big comfort: Don Juan Cafe Restaurant nails the tapas-adjacent sweet spot, with pass-the-plate empanadas, potato balls, roast pork, and spoonable stews over rice with crispy yuca. Cozy, neighborly vibes make weeknights easy and delicious when you just want to share a little of everything.

Time to tune up: Snow, salt, and potholes took their toll, so Mello Velo Bicycle Shop will get your ride dialed with straightforward service, rentals, and smart gear. Test an e-bike or revive your commuter before the Creekwalk fills up again; your future self will thank you.

Historic big-screen vibes: Palace Theatre keeps Eastwood’s movie-night spirit alive with special screenings and live shows on a crisp setup with massive projection and Dolby surround. If you’ve been meaning to swap couch time for real popcorn, this week’s calendar is your nudge. A quick night out feels easy.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🦢 Swan Lake @ The Palace Theatre | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – Whether you know Odette from a school recital or just crave some drama, Swan Lake glides into the Palace Theatre in Eastwood. Grand Kyiv Ballet sets Tchaikovsky loose with white swans, a wicked sorcerer, and goosebumps, the kind you will not get at the Dome.

🥍 Women’s Lacrosse: Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech @ JMA Wireless Dome | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a reason to yell Let’s Go Orange without worrying about lake-effect frostbite, here it is. The Syracuse women host Virginia Tech in the Dome, all crisp stickwork, midfield hustle, and that familiar roar you secretly love.

🏒 Syracuse Crunch vs. Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins @ The Oncenter | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Hockey’s back, and the Crunch are taking on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the War Memorial. Expect hard checks, loud horns, and the joy of yelling “shoot” anyway. Bring a friend, grab a beer, and pretend your knees don’t make that noise.

🍳 Breakfast with Brothers & Sisters @ Prince Hall Masonic Temple | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Breakfast with the brothers and sisters means hot plates, real conversation, and coffee strong enough to remember your name. Come hungry, stay for the fellowship, and feel good when your waffles, eggs, and small talk help fund the Annual Fall Ball & Scholarship Gala.

🧶 Knit & Crochet @ Mundy Branch Library | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you can cable like a pro or still call everything ‘the loopy thing,’ this cozy meetup is for you. Learn the basics, swap tips, and finally finish that scarf you started in 2003, with yarn, needles, and friendly company provided, or bring your favorites.

🎧 K-Pop Demon Ravers Kids Rave @ The Song & Dance | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Your tiny K-pop stans get their own rave at The Song & Dance in downtown Syracuse, a kid-friendly matinee with soundtrack-inspired remixes, movie-pop anthems, and permission to wear costumes. You supervise, they dance, everyone’s home before naps, or at least dinner. Parents required, earplugs optional.

🍄 Mar10 Day! @ Luv Handlz | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:30 PM – MAR10 Day brings the Mushroom Kingdom to real life with character meet-and-greets, photo ops, and kid-fueled joy, no warp pipe required. Dust off your red cap, teach the kids who actually invented side-scrolling, and snag a family pic before Bowser steals the spotlight.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Syracuse report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 45°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy fog before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind around 2 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southeast wind around 2 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 54%

A chance of rain after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. East wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 3-bed, 3.5-bath luxury townhome sits across from Bellevue Country Club and blends comfort with efficiency. It features radiant in-floor heat on the first level, baseboard upstairs, and laundry on both floors. Vaulted ceilings, LVT flooring, an electric fireplace, 2×6 exterior walls with closed-cell spray foam, and stamped-concrete patios with privacy fencing. Completion in 90 to 120 days.

Take a peek inside →