Liverpool — Tuesdays can be stressful for Kimberly Hall.
That’s the weekly court date at the village of Liverpool Justice Court, Judge Anthony LaValle presiding.
The court docket routinely overflows with traffic cases, but Judge LaValle also rules on cases of people accused of assaults, burglary, possession of stolen property and drug offenses.
No matter how busy her Tuesday, however, Kim Hall never fails to keep her cool and maintain an impeccably professional attitude. That professionalism benefits both the judge and the defendants and ultimately the village itself.
On Feb. 10, the Onondaga County Magistrates Court Clerk’s Association recognized Hall’s efforts by swearing her in as one of its officers at its annual meeting at Bellevue Golf and Country Club. The ceremony was conducted by none other than Judge LaValle himself.
The association’s new president is Mary Upwood from Town of Camillus Court, vice president is Kimberly M. Hall, of Liverpool, treasurer is Georgette Waldau, from Town of Otisco Court and secretary is Carleen LaRonde, from Town of Lafayette Court.
The court convenes at 4 p.m. every Tuesday, excepting a fifth Tuesday that happens to fall in any given month; 457-5379.
Really the blues
Carolyn “Dessie” Kelly has the blues.
The frontwoman for the he Carolyn Kelly Blues Band which will perform continues at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at Liverpool Public Library, will be unable to sing much that day as planned. Late last year she was diagnosed with a polyp on her vocal cord, and her doctors have recommended a lengthy break from performance.
But the show must go on.
Bandleader and bassist Jim Pavente of North Syracuse has hired songwriter and harmonica player Tom Townsley to fill in. Townsley previously led his own bands, Cold Shot and The Backsliders, and hosted the “Sunday Night Blues” on WAER-FM for more than a quarter century, retiring in 2012.
continued — And who knows? If Dessie’s feeling chipper, maybe she’ll pick up the microphone for a brief tune or two.
Admission is free at Sunday’s concert, part of the library’s ongoing Origins of Jazz Series; 457-0310; lpl.org. The series continues March 20 with the Bear Cat Jass Band; and April 17 with the Tony Joseph Swingtet.
Business briefs
-The Rent-a-Ride at 318 Oswego St., at the corner of North Willow Street, is morphing into a Verizon Wireless retail shop.
-Stewart’s Shops plan to open a new location at the corner of Taft Road and Henry Clay Blvd. Last year, the franchise opened a shop at 7667 Morgan Road.
-The Retreat is now presenting live music on Saturday nights in its already lively barroom. Frank & Burns held forth on Jan. 23, and Paul Valentino’s Prime Time kicked out the jams on Feb. 6. Stay tuned for future bookings…
Hopkins at Hafner’s
Syracuse University Assistant Basketball Coach Mike Hopkins will appear from 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 15 and 22, at Jake Hafner’s Restaurant & Tavern, 5226 W. Taft Road, in North Syracuse. The heir-apparent to Jim Boeheim, Hopkins hosts a weekly radio show on ESPN Radio, and it’s broadcast live from Hafner’s.
From Dec. 5, 2015 to Jan. 5, Hopkins helmed the SU Orange roudballers during Boeheim’s nine-game NCAA suspension. The younger coach notched four wins and five losses, including three ACC losses; 458-5108; jakehafners.com.
Dr. Sanders downtown
Mississippi-based multi-instrumentalist Dr. Alphonso Sanders returns to Syracuse to perform with members of Soft Spoken at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Al’s Wine & Whiskey Bar, 321 S. Clinton St., in Armory Square. Admission is free; 703-4773. Sponsored by Joined Artists, Musicians & Singers, Inc., Sanders is a vocalist, recording artist and musician who has worked with some of the greatest blues artists of our time, including the late B.B. King and Otis Clay. Sanders serves as chairman of fine arts and director of the B.B. King Recording Studio at Mississippi Valley State University; mvsu.edu.
The columnist can be contacted at [email protected].
