As summer’s heat lingered through August, Nichols Supermarket installed five dozen six-foot-high swinging-door beverage coolers. The new glass doors not only look spiffy, they allow you to get a good look at the groceries before you open the door and grab ’em. As a bonus for store owner Mike Hennigan, the coolers actually save energy!
And here’s some more news about Nichols.
Around the same time the swinging doors swung open, the supermarket started printing its weekly flyer at Eagle Newspapers, the same company that publishes the Star-Review.
Gifted graphic artist
“After Scotsman Press went out of business in June, we needed a new printer,” explained Hennigan. A couple out-of-state companies vied for job, “but we wanted to keep our business local,” he said.
So the gregarious grocer contacted Eagle publisher Dave Tyler, and they worked out an arrangement that benefits both.
As you might imagine, Nichols’ flyer is a “must read” for all Liverpudlians. It lists the store’s weekly specials, produce prices, meat bargains and delicatessen delicacies, and it does so with a crisp and colorful presentation designed by Eagle Newspapers graphics guru Debbie Smith.
A former Scotsman employee, Smith has years of experience working on Nichols’ ads, as does new Eagle ad rep Patti Puzzo, another Scotsman veteran.
Anyhow, when you pick up Nichols’ flyer this week, think fondly of your hometown newspaper chain which brings you both the Star-Review and the supermarket’s specials.
War is the worst
On Sept. 26 before a massive SRO crowd at Liverpool High School Stadium saw Coach Dave Mancuso’s football Warriors overwhelm rival Cicero-North Syracuse by a score of 39 to 12. Liverpool running back Jaydakis Scott rushed for 309 yards and scored five — count ’em, five —touchdowns as the Warriors vanquished the hapless Northstars.
While the Post-Standard sports page reported the lopsided score and Scott’s rare achievement, on Oct. 2, the newspaper’s editorial page critiqued students in the stadium crowd who apparently dressed in “denigrating and cartoonish” costumes which harkened back to the days when “Warriors” referred to American Indians. Were the kids exhibiting foolish racism or simply showing school spirit?
Leave it to former Liverpool school board member Donna Marsh O’Connor to put the controversy into perspective. She wrote:
“Perhaps it is time to get rid of all ‘warrior’ references and to focus on the competition that comes from hard work — physical, intellectual and emotional. Maybe it’s time to seek the icons that promote the best in us rather than the worst.”
Amen.
Dublin’s rocks Saturdays
Dublin’s, the big bar and restaurant which opened July 23 at the former Meghan MacMurphy’s location on Route 57, welcomes one of CNY’s top classic rock combos, Letizia & The Z-Band, to its stage from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 18.
With the talented and tantalizing singer Letizia up front, the Z-Band features saxophonist Mike Angiolillo, keyboardist Gary Kunkel, bassist Bill Weiss and drummer John Mangicaro (brother of former Liverpool Central School District Athletic Director George Mangicaro).
On the following weekend, a band called Hard Promises plugs in on Oct. 25.
Hard Promises includes Jeff Gordon on vocals, Kevin Farrell on electric guitar, John Goodwin on keyboards, Pete Levante on drums and Todd Troubetaris on bass. The quintet cranks out everything from Aerosmith to Zeppelin.
Dublin’s, which opened July 23 at 7990 Oswego Road, is owned by Mike and Kim Flood, who have worked at restaurants such as Twin Trees in Bayberry, the Suds Factory River Grill in Baldwinsville and Traditions in downtown Syracuse.
Dublin’s is open for business until midnight on weekdays, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights; 622-0200. BTW, Dublin’s garlic-parmesan wings come highly recommended.
Café discontinues music
The owners of Café at 407 at Ophelia’s Place have decided to to discontinue regular music nights at the café, effective Nov. 1.
“This decision did not come easily, as we have enjoyed being one of the local venues to host some of the best music talent in Central NY,” Dan Clausen wrote in an Oct. 8 email.
“We’re working on ways to feature local foods and growers in a farm-to-table environment on a daily basis, as well as to showcase local artists and musicians in ‘event’ type settings…So, this is not forever, just for now.”
Soul singer Isreal Hagan is still scheduled to perform at the café at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23; 451-5855; cafeat407.org.
