Good News York by Growth Mode Content | Podcast on RSS.com

Good News York by Growth Mode Content

Good News York by Growth Mode Content

by Growth Mode Content

Season 1

GNY EP. 186 | feat. Marc Baum & Monica Kinner from the All Things Oz Museum (Oz-Stravaganza)

Inside Chittenango’s All Things Oz Museum & the 49th Oz-Stravaganza Festival Host Noah Chrysler interviews Mark Baum and Monica Kinner of the All Things Oz Museum (International L. Frank Baum and All Things Oz Historical Foundation) in Chittenango, a 501(c)(3) founded in 2011 that now holds 18,000+ Oz items across a museum and two annexes, spanning original Baum materials through Wicked and other modern Oz productions. They preview Oz-Stravaganza, a three-day, free-admission festival (49th annual; about 30,000 attendees) featuring vendors, fireworks, a parade, evening guest programs hosted by Oz historian John Fricke, kids’ runs, costume contest, silent auctions, and museum hours (10–5; $12 admission) with three new exhibits kept secret. Guests include Baum’s great-granddaughter Gita Dorothy Morena, filmmaker Hugh Gross, and Wicked actor Marissa Bode, plus authors and artists. They also share notable artifacts, including a first-edition Wizard of Oz mailed untracked and costumes from The Wiz, Wicked, and other productions. 00:00 A Priceless Book Arrives 00:09 Meet the Oz Museum Team 00:52 Inside All Things Oz Museum 02:50 Oz Stravaganza Festival Preview 03:30 Guests and Weekend Highlights 06:37 Museum Hours and New Exhibits 07:25 The 135000 Dollar Mail Surprise 09:08 Wicked Boom and New Fans 11:25 Rare Items and Donation Stories 15:21 Baum Roots in Central New York 18:44 Why You Should Go This Weekend 21:13 Closing and Sponsor Message

GNY EP.185 | feat. Eric McElveen from the New York State Blues Festival

Erik McElveen Previews the New York State Blues Fest and Youth Programs On Good News York, host Noah Chrysler interviews Erik McKelvin, executive director of the New York State Blues Fest, about the admission-free festival June 11–13 at Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds. McKelvin highlights the lineup, including headliner Gary Clark Jr. on Saturday, plus artists such as Eddie Nine Volt, Vanessa Collier, Grace Bowers, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, and JW-Jones, with the student band Blues Ignition opening Saturday. He explains the fest’s funding through grants, sponsors, and a $10-per-day parking fee, and notes RV park options. McKelvin also details the nonprofit’s mission and youth initiatives: Blues in the Schools, Blues Ignition, and the Beginnings Credit Union K.J. James Memorial Scholarship. Noah closes with information about Click Stream Studios and free marketing plans for Central New York businesses. 00:00 Accessible Community Events 00:26 Meet the Blues Fest Director 00:42 Festival Dates and Venue 01:13 Lineup Highlights 02:04 Free Admission and Funding 03:54 Mission Beyond Aficionados 04:55 Youth Programs Overview 07:20 Blues in the Schools 10:17 Blues Ignition Student Band 12:09 Scholarship and Legacy 15:40 Why Live Music Matters 23:30 Final Details and How to Attend 24:40 Show Wrap and Studio Promo

GNY EP.184 | feat. Ryan Zlomek from Skill Shot Arcade

Inside Skillshot Arcade: Syracuse Pinball, Community Events, and Balls of Steel Improv Night On Good News York, host Noah Chrysler interviews Ryan of Skillshot Arcade, a Syracuse pinball arcade and event space opened in 2021 offering $15 all-you-can-play nights (Wednesdays and Fridays) and private rentals for events. Ryan describes Skillshot’s curated, rotating lineup of about 25 pinball machines spanning 1978 to 2026 plus arcade games, highlights favorites like Flash (1979), Swords of Fury, and a Star Trek machine, and discusses pinball’s French origins, Chicago-based manufacturing, and design/repair mechanics. They promote “Syracuse Improv presents Balls of Steel” on Saturday, June 6 at 7 PM ($20, includes an hour of pinball and multiple acts). Ryan emphasizes Skillshot as a welcoming “third space” and previews upcoming events including Pride Night (June 19), an SPCA fundraiser (June 26), Kids Play Free days (July 1 and 3), food truck nights, and themed evenings. Noah closes with a Clickstream Studios promo offering free marketing plans and thanks sponsor Ads on the Go. 00:00 Pinball Made in Chicago 00:37 Welcome to Good News York 00:47 Skillshot Arcade Overview 01:30 Improv Night Promo 02:42 Curated Machine Lineup 03:38 Favorite Machines Picks 05:30 Ryan’s Pinball Journey 07:42 Hidden Gem Location 10:19 Maintaining the Machines 11:32 First Time Pinball Tips 13:36 Pinball Origins and Design 16:10 Engineering Magic Tricks 18:08 Design Quirks Teaser 18:35 Pinball Mechanism Magic 19:42 Pinball as Third Space 20:29 How People Use Skillshot 24:26 Planning the Improv Night 25:59 Mission and Syracuse Energy 30:41 Building Community Through Classes 32:57 Upcoming Events and Theme Nights 36:17 Visit Skillshot and Support Local 37:15 Show Wrap and Studio Plug

GNY EP.183 | feat. Jack Pflanz from Erin's Angels

Aaron’s Angels of CNY: Weekend and Summer Meals for Food-Insecure Kids Host Noah Chrysler interviews Jack Pflanz, director of fund development and communications for Aaron’s Angels of CNY, a 501(c)(3) food pantry providing meal bags to children facing food insecurity on weekends, school breaks, and during summer. Jack describes the Phoenix School District program where volunteers pack about 500 meal bags per month and teachers discreetly place them into students’ backpacks to protect anonymity. He cites that one in five kids in Oswego County and Central New York go to bed hungry and shares his own experience of hunger harming learning. Jack explains the nonprofit’s growth from a church basement to expanded outreach, an endowment, and two $1,000 scholarships, and notes it is named in memory of Erin Maxwell. He highlights needs, volunteer opportunities, donations (including an Amazon wish list and $5 feeding a child for a weekend), upcoming events including a June 13 bed build with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and an NFL Alumni meet-and-greet and charity golf tournament benefiting summer meals. 00:00 Hunger and School 00:31 Meet the Host and Guest 00:49 What Aarons Angels Does 01:08 How the Backpack Program Works 02:17 Local Hunger Stats and Jacks Story 03:49 Origin Story and Growth 06:27 Most Requested Foods and Wish List 07:43 Five Dollars Feeds a Weekend 07:58 Build a Bed Event 11:54 Meet and Greet and Golf Classic 14:41 Summer Meals When School Ends 16:22 How to Volunteer and Donate 17:53 Why Jack Does This Work 19:05 Volunteer Impact and Friendsgiving 20:14 Final Call to Action and Future 23:15 Wrap Up and Studio Promo

GNY EP.182 | feat. Carrie Wojtaszek from Taste of Syracuse

Taste of Syracuse Preview: $2 Samples, Live Music, and Art in the Park Host Matt Masur interviews Carrie Wojtaszek of Taste of Syracuse about the upcoming downtown Syracuse festival, held the first Friday and Saturday of June from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Carrie, in her 18th year with the event, explains that the free festival features food vendors, food trucks, and restaurants offering $2 samples so attendees can try many options, plus three stages of nonstop live music with over 30 bands, mostly local, and a Saturday appearance by Fuel. The event also includes beverage tents and an expanded Art in the Park area in Perseverance Park showcasing local artists. Saturday partners with Paige’s Butterfly Run, and this year’s charitable partners are Honor Flight Syracuse and Feed Our Vets. She shares parking and timing tips, recommends coming hungry, and directs viewers to tasteofsyracuse.com for details. 00:00 Come Hungry Teaser 00:12 Meet The Host And Guest 01:15 What Is Taste Of Syracuse 02:37 Two Dollar Samples And Prep 03:22 Success Stories And Impact 04:33 Music Lineup Highlights 05:58 Crowds Hours And Charity 08:40 Parking Timing Pro Tips 10:04 Art In The Park Spotlight 11:25 Final Invite And Sign Off

GNY EP.181 | feat. Larry Luttinger from CNY Jazz Central

CNY Jazz Central’s Larry Luttinger on Arts Incubation, Education, and Jazz in the City Host Noah Chrysler interviews Larry Luttinger, founder and executive director of CNY Jazz Central in Syracuse, about Jazz Central’s mobile performing-arts mission, its downtown mini-theater used as a fully equipped arts incubator (instruments, Steinway, lighting, audio/video recording) for under $200 with ticketing, marketing, and front-of-house support, and how the pandemic reduced local user groups. Luttinger outlines CNY Jazz’s education pipeline, including the Summer Jazz Workshop at Le Moyne College, in-school cultural history shows aligned to NYS standards, a paid youth orchestra partnership with the American Federation of Musicians trust fund, and the One Culture Curriculum for urban children and new Americans. He recounts CNY Jazz’s 1996 founding, the 2001 storefront grant that led to opening in 2004, and lessons learned about not over-programming and building fundraising. They preview the free Jazz in the City public health concert series (starting June 4 at Jubilee Park with Wayne Tucker & The Bad Muthas) and discuss keeping arts talent in Central New York. 00:00 Early Gig Money Talk 00:15 Meet Larry Luttinger 00:34 What Is Jazz Central 01:53 Affordable Venue Rental 03:29 Programs Beyond The Theater 04:57 Education Pipeline Breakdown 07:14 Equity And Mobile Arts 10:29 Origins And Mission Of CNY Jazz 17:06 Festivals And Jazz In The City 18:05 Advice To His Younger Self 19:15 Touring Rock Musician Days 21:08 Lifelong Drummer Roots 21:37 Teen Drummer Hustle 23:21 Syracuse Roots Story 23:55 Why Talent Leaves Town 25:05 Jazz in the City Homecoming 27:53 Building a Local Arts Incubator 29:49 Bedroom Community Explained 32:30 How to Support CNY Jazz 33:39 Summer Concerts Lineup 36:25 Swing Dancing Side Quest 37:29 Wrap Up and Sponsor Plug

GNY EP.180 | Retro Games, Cosplay & Voice Actors Take Over Syracuse!

Retro Game Con 2026 Spring Edition: Free Play, Vendors, and Voice Acting Guests in Syracuse Noah Price visits Retro Game Con 2026 Spring Edition in Syracuse for Good News York, explaining it as a scaled-down spring version of the fall event featuring a large free-play area, vendor hall, artists, retro sellers, and celebrity guests. Organizers describe the convention’s growth since 2013 into a multi-day On Center event drawing regional and international attendees, with the spring edition selling out. Guest Alicia Glidewell discusses voicing Carmelita Fox and Constable Neyla in Sly Cooper and doing Zero Suit Samus lines in Smash, plus being the Portal character model, and shares wholesome fan interactions and cosplay. The episode highlights vendors like a 3D-printing small business, an online Syracuse dice shop, and Megaton Games, along with attendees enjoying games from the 1980s through 2000s, and ends with calls to subscribe and repost. 00:00 Welcome to Retro Game Con 00:25 What the Event Offers 00:50 How It All Started 01:26 Meet Voice Talent 02:01 Wholesome Fan Moments 02:48 Vendor Spotlight 3D Prints 03:39 Free Play Nostalgia 03:55 Family Gaming Connection 04:18 Dice Shop Hustle 05:12 Designing Retro Vibes 05:57 Running Megaton Games 06:28 Everyone Is a Gamer 06:57 Come Next Year 07:15 Subscribe and Farewell

GNY EP.179 | feat. Ruth Ann Riposa from ProNexus & Alyssa Johnston from GiGi's Playhouse

Good News York: GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse Expands Free Programs, Seeks $50K to Sustain Growth Host Noah Chrysler interviews Alyssa Johnston, Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse, and Ruthann Raposo of ProNexus and interim board president. They explain GiGi’s mission to provide free educational and therapeutic programs for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, including math and literacy tutoring, speech therapy, kitchen skills, and GiGiFit from ages 0 through adulthood, largely run by volunteers. They describe the Playhouse layout that fosters family connection, text groups that extend peer support, and tangible impact such as a child told he might never read who began reading and empowered his mom and school with tutoring methods. GiGi’s programming has grown 40% year-over-year to over 1,000 hours monthly, prompting a $50,000 fundraising campaign. ProNexus supports nonprofits via retained search, interim leadership, and finance/accounting services. Website: gigisplayhouse.org/syracuse. 00:00 Reading Breakthrough Story 00:33 Welcome to Good News York 00:59 What Is GiGis Playhouse 02:25 Inside the Playhouse Tour 06:24 Community Impact and Growth 08:13 How ProNexus Supports GiGis 12:36 GiGis Origin and National Reach 14:08 Success Stories Across Ages 17:01 How to Interact Respectfully 19:29 Alyssas Personal Journey 21:06 How to Help and Donate 22:53 ProNexus Services and Hiring Fit 25:11 Final Thanks and Sponsor Plugs

GNY EP.178 | feat. Nathan Grant from RetroGameCon

Retro Game Con Spring Edition Goes Two Days: Guests, Free Play, Vendors, and Charity Host Noah Chrysler interviews Nathan Grant, an event coordinator for Retro Game Con, about Retro Game Con Spring Edition on May 16–17, its first two-day run and how it differs from the larger fall event. Saturday-only tickets are sold out; Sunday tickets remain available at retrogamecon.com, along with schedules and guest pricing. Grant explains the event’s evolution from a post-pandemic partnership with the Museum of Science and Technology, a brief “Retro Game Con Jr.” phase, and growth leading to expanded programming at the Oncenter. He announces four voice-acting guests: Alicia Gladwell (Portal), Kevin Miller (Sly Cooper), Kenny James (Bowser), and Daisuke Tsuji (Ghost of Tsushima’s Jin; Mortal Kombat 1’s Scorpion). The episode highlights free-play retro hardware, panels, vendors and artists, and raffles benefiting Extra Life and Upstate Golisano via Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, plus RetroGameCon social channels and Discord. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:48 Dates and Tickets 01:59 Why Spring Edition Exists 05:48 Meet the Special Guests 10:21 Panels and Fan Moments 11:14 Free Play and Game Preservation 15:44 Vendors and Charity Raffles 18:02 How the Con Keeps Evolving 22:11 Social Links and Community 23:32 Nate’s Best Games 25:07 Wrap Up and Studio Promo

GNY EP.177 | feat. Gary Simons from Esta Safety Park Dragstrip

Esta Safety Park Dragstrip: Family Drag Racing, Track Prep, and Upcoming Events in Cicero Host Noah Chrysler interviews Gary Simons, longtime announcer and current manager of Esta Safety Park Dragstrip in Cicero, NY, a family-owned dragstrip operating since 1960 that runs quarter-mile and eighth-mile racing with a quarter-mile runoff. Simons explains what visitors can see—from street cars and motorcycles to 200+ mph dragsters—and describes weekly track resurfacing by scraping old rubber and dragging/brooming the surface for traction and safety. He outlines bracket racing basics, including dial-ins, ET strategy, reaction timing, and “racing the stripe,” emphasizing driver skill alongside car performance and luck. Simons discusses rising costs, fewer tracks, and efforts to move street racers to a safer venue, including extended Test and Tune hours and No Prep events featuring Daddy Dave (June 14). He lists tentative upcoming Test and Tune and Sunday bracket races, Monday car shows starting June 1, entry pricing, and where to find schedules. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:14 Welcome And Introductions 01:09 What The Dragstrip Is 02:19 Cars And Classes Explained 03:53 Track Prep And Rubber 06:38 Weekly Maintenance Routine 08:02 Driver Versus Car 08:59 Bracket Racing Strategy 12:55 Why Visit The Track 14:36 How Racing Has Changed 17:15 Racing Changes Driving 18:05 Track Safety Mindset 19:23 Street Racing Reality 20:06 Run What You Brung 21:52 No Prep With Daddy Dave 23:02 Favorite Racing Movies 24:29 Upcoming Track Events 27:52 Visit And Pricing 28:18 Community And Sponsors 29:22 Studio Promo And Wrap

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