Star Review digital edition - Nov. 29, 2023

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Have a blast

WORK  BUY  SELL  TRADE  GET IT DONE

Young entrepreneur opens CNY’s first gel blaster arena

By Janelle Davis

R

ecently, a new indoor adventure was unveiled at Destiny USA, and the imagination behind it may surprise you. Joining a host of other attractions at Destiny is Central New York’s first indoor gel blast arena, Blast CNY. Jimmy Ginsburg, 11, of Cicero is the young visionary behind the actionpacked concept. His motivation his mother Nicole Ginsburg said, is making memories. Jimmy and his family are always thinking outside of the box when making their own memories. “We have always been fortunate to travel,” Nicole said. “We were always on the hunt for places to try something new or experience history, science, or the arts.” Nicole said that having the ability to spend time together doing something fun, like Blast CNY, to make memories is a powerful motivation. “Everyone deserves to smile, laugh, and experience true joy,” she said. “There is nothing more precious than time.” At the age of nine, Jimmy developed the creative idea while attending the

Submitted photos

Jimmy Ginsburg, 11, of Cicero, with the support of his family has opened Blast CNY at Destiny USA. International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Conference with his mom. The IAAPA is a trade organization that represents the diverse and everchanging attractions industry, at least in part this experience helped inspire Jimmy’s vision for Blast CNY. But, the conference isn’t Jimmy’s only inspiration. Jimmy only had to look to his own family to see the creative and entrepreneurial spirit at work. Nicole is the creator and producer of live events locally and nationally. Her endeavors range from trendy pop-up experiences, immersive theater productions, holiday attractions, live stage shows to interactive entertain-

ment concepts. Nicole is the creative mind behind projects like the Museum of Intrigue, Intrigue Experiences, Escape The Estate, Painting with a Twist DeWitt, and the renowned Frightmare Farms Haunted SCREAM Park. All of these influences coalesced and inspired Jimmy to pursue a business opportunity to utilize gel blast in the same manner as foam darts, laser tag and paintball. With the help of his twin brother, Owen, and father, Jeremy Ginsburg, they got to work creating a safe space for kids to enjoy themselves. Jeremy assisted in the physical space design and layout. Owen helped with the “game” and scenarios.

The young entrepreneur and his family stay involved in the experience with Jeremy in charge of daily operations and Jimmy and Owen helping wherever they can as their academic schedules allow. Blast CNY introduces a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and physical activity. It is located on the second floor of Destiny USA in the Canyon Area. Players can participate in thrilling scenarios such as capture the flag, free-forall, sudden death matches, and several portal games that players complete for points. According to Jimmy and his family, Blast CNY is the ultimate destination

for family outings, teambuilding events, and unforgettable birthday parties. If you would like to check out Blast CNY, walk-ins are welcome, but advanced bookings are recommended. Make sure to arrive in sneakers and comfortable

clothing. Be prepared for a fitting for your gear and a safety briefing before you’re on your way to high-energy fun. For more information call 315-751-7279 or email BlastCNY@gmail.com.

Final figures Trustees fund police program Lexipol will aid accreditation and provide wellness services Paro tops 3,000 votes, but By Russ Tarby resources, grant services Penizotto claims moral victory Contributing Writer and industry news for law By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer After revisiting the updated results posted at the Onondaga County Board of Elections website, both Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro and his challenger, Stella Penizotto, saw their vote totals climb. Paro, a Republican, soundly defeated Conservative Party nominee Stella Penizotto in the Nov. 7 election by a vote of 3,047 to 2,259. After making her first try for public office, Penizotto – who operates a successful day-care center – found encouraging signs amid her loss. “The fact that Salina only has like 100 registered Conservatives, yet I got 2,200 people to vote for me on that line is a big accomplishment,” she said. Paro still maintains that Penizotto waged a negative campaign against him. “This campaign year has been one of great personal loss for my family, and it has been exacerbated by an oppositional campaign marked by hostility and negativity,” Paro said. Penizotto disagrees. “My campaign was always factual and Nick knows it,” she said. “The truth about everything he has done to people and this town will come out soon enough.” For his part, Paro is proud to win a second term as supervisor. “We pushed back against fallacious attacks,” he said, “and we stayed focused on what is and always will be the most important thing in every campaign – the people I represent.”

Correction

In its Nov. 15 edition the Star-Review reported that Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro was being sued by his former father-in-law. In fact, it is the other way around. On Oct. 25 in state Supreme Court, Paro filed the legal action charging his ex-father-in-law with defamation.

At its Nov. 20 meeting, the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a public safety solutions company to supplement the administrative efforts of Liverpool Police Chief Jerry Unger and Sgt. Dave Sturtz. The board – Mayor Stacy Finney and trustees Melissa Cassidy, Rachel Ciotti, Mike LaMontagne and Matt Devendorf – voted unanimously to hire a firm named Lexipol to oversee the Liverpool Police Department’s applications for NY state accreditation while assuring that the department remains in compliance with state-mandated standards. The trustees agreed to pay Lexipol $29,772 for the first year, followed by an annual payment of $10,700. In addition to its accreditation and policy services, Lexipol’s Cordico wellness plan provides a confidential program which supports the physical and mental health of law enforcement personnel and their families. Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, Lexipol provides state-specific policies, accreditation support, online training, mobile wellness

enforcement and local government agencies. Lexipol serves more than 4,500 agencies nationwide, representing more than 300,000 employees

New officer sworn in

For more than a year, the Liverpool Police Department has been critically under-staffed. So when Joseph Ottaviano was sworn in as a full-time LPD officer at the opening of the village board meeting, his appearance was warmly welcomed by the trustees and by Unger. After Finney conducted the ceremony, Cassidy looked Ottaviano in the eye and exclaimed, “Welcome to Liverpool, officer!” Ottaviano relocated to Central New York after serving five years with the NYPD. He will complete his field training here in mid-December when he will be able to cover shifts for the LPD. Another applicant, Morgan Baumler, has also been hired by Unger, and is currently finishing his phase 2 training with the Camillus Police Department, set to be completed Dec. 5. After phase 2, Baumler will begin field training that

LPD photo

Police Chief Jerry Unger, Mayor Stacy Finney and new full-time police officer Joseph Ottaviano. will last until March. He’ll ger reported via memo that then be sworn in and start his officers made 98 traffic covering shifts in Liverpool. stops and issued 78 cita“The addition of these tions for violations of the two officers will bring the state’s vehicle and traffic department to four full- laws in October. Three artime officers, still three rests were made of motorshort of the approved seven ists charged with driving officers,” Unger said. while intoxicated. Unger pointed out that Eight accidents were inan academy hosted by the vestigated here last month. Onondaga County Sheriff ’s Officers made 39 residential Office will begin in Febru- checks and 106 business ary. checks while responding to a total of 409 incidents and Eight accidents in Octocalls for service. The LPD arrested 16 inber At the village board’s dividuals last month on 25 monthly meeting on Nov. criminal charges. 20, Police Chief Jerry Un-

Volume 131, Number 48 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.

#CnySTrong: Hope for Bereaved names new executive director.

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sports: C-NS bowlers face Homer, RFA to open season.

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#cnySTrong ���������12-13 death notices ��������� 11 Editorial ��������������������� 4 letters ������������������������ 5

Obituaries ���������������� 11 PennySaver ���������������� 6 Sports ����������������������� 14

Breakfast With Santa Sunday, December 10th, 9-11am

Photo shoots with Santa, and gifts for the children!

Food provided by Hughie’s House of Hotcakes Cost $10 adults, $6 children, Under 2 free (Cash only)

Please RSVP (315) 652-4242 At the Clay Volunteer Fire Department, 4383 State Route 31, Clay, NY


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