Star Review digital edition - Dec. 6, 2023

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Academic achievement Supervisor to run

While strikes halted film production, American High focused on students By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer Strikes waged this year by writers and actors shut down film production from Hollywood to Hickory Street. Now that the Screen Actors GuildAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike is finally settled, cameras can roll again at American High. For the past five months, however, the film company housed at the old high-school building at 800 Fourth St. at the corner of Hickory, had been forced by the work stoppage to shut down all production. But the 6-year-old film company founded by director Jeremy Garelick put that down time to good use by focusing on the Academy at American High where the staff educates aspiring filmmakers. On Nov. 10, the SAG-AFTRA national board of directors approved a tentative contract negotiated with the major studios. The board’s approval cleared the way for the three-year film and TV contract to be voted on by members. The union ended the strike on Nov. 9 after 118 days, saying it had secured a historic agreement to improve pay and protections for its 160,000 members. During the strikes, American High halted all production. But that dark cloud had a silver lining. “We’ve recently been pouring a lot of our energy into the Academy at American High,” reports the film company’s new director of development and fundraising, Andie Schlenker. “We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which offers engaging media experi-

ences to our large network of aspiring creatives both here in CNY and beyond,” she said. “We’ve historically done this by offering professionally led workshops and hosting guestspeaker seminars and internship programs.” In June, American High’s founder and CEO, Jeremy Garelick, moved his family’s home from Los Angeles to Fayetteville. Although he has produced or directed several of American High’s dozen-plus productions since 2017, he’s now spending even more time locally. “I’m now involved with every aspect of American High,” Garelick said. “Most significantly, I’m working on our Academy which is currently doing classes almost every day and very much looking for support from the community. Andie has been hired to build out our Academy programming.” Garelick’s partner, producer Will Phelps, said the strikes “gave us more time to focus on growing the Academy.” The SAG-AFTRA strike began July 14 amid an overlapping writers’ strike. The Writers Guild of America settled on Sept. 26, but the actors’ work stoppage lasted nearly four months, making it the longest strike in the history of SAG-AFTRA “The Academy is something we’ve always wanted to expand,” Phelps said. “It has been years in the making, and the strikes just gave us the bandwidth to really build the course offerings.” Schlenker oversees the numerous varied workshops. “We’ve been hosting classes al-

for state senate

Paro, four others seek Mannion’s vacated 50th District seat By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer

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Andie Schlenker, American High’s director of development and fundraising, discusses The Academy operated by the Liverpool-based film company. most daily via Zoom with student discounts available,” she said. For instance, on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. the Academy will host “The Daily Show” showrunner and executive producer Jen Flanz. Previous seminars featured professionals such as “Baywatch” creator Gregory Bonann and a lesson in screenwriting by American Film Institute alumnus G.Z. Asch. To learn more about these seminars visit academyatamericanhigh.com. “These seminars and classes give participants invaluable time with successful industry professionals,” Schlenker said. “Our students can learn directly from veterans in the entertainment industry.” Over the last five years some 900 interns, including 55 this fall, have

Less than a month after being re-elected to a second term as Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro has announced that he’s seeking the Republican nomination to run for the 50th District State Senate seat. The 50th’s current senator, Democrat John Mannion of Geddes, has decided against running for a third term next year and will run instead for Central New York’s seat in Congress against incumbent Republican Brandon Williams. Paro, 32, will face off against fellow Republican James Rowley who has also set his sights on Mannion’s vacated seat. Rowley, 61, is chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature and a former town of Clay supervisor. Three prominent local Republicans – former Congressman John Katko, Steve Wells and J. Kemper Matt – are hosting a $1,000-per-person fundraiser for Paro on Dec. 7, at the Century Club in Syracuse. Individual tickets to a VIP reception for Paro that day cost $2,500. Three Democrats have also announced their intention to run for Mannion’s State Senate seat. Assemblyman Al Stirpe of Cicero, former Oswego County legislator Tom Drumm and Onondaga County Legislator Chris Ryan are all campaigning in the 50th District. The 50th District includes several of the area’s largest towns – Clay, Cicero, Camillus, Manlius, DeWitt, Geddes and Salina – as well as the cities of Fulton and Oswego.

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LHS seniors nominated for scholars program

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New York State Senator John W. Mannion has nominated Liverpool High School seniors Andrew Wadie and Hunter Eichholz for the prestigious Presidential Scholars Program. Pictured, from left, are LHS Executive Principal Brett Woodcock, Technology Teacher Matthew Starke, Wadie, Eichholz, Associate Principal Briana O’Brien and School Counselor Sarah Moran. New York State Senator John W. Mannion has nominated Liverpool High School seniors Andrew Wadie and Hunter Eichholz for the prestigious Presidential Scholars Program. Wadie was nominated for his outstanding academic success and his involvement in school & community service. Eichholz was named a career and technical education nominee based on his academic rigor, technical

competence and employability skills. Senator Mannion’s nominations will be sent to the New York State Education Department, who will determine which nominees to share with the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. Presidential Scholar recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who represent excellence in education and the

promise of greatness in young people. Each year, the Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars from among the top high school seniors in the country based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and commitment to high ideals.

Neighbors dismayed by proposed project

By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer At a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 27 at village hall, several of his Oswego Street neighbors angrily protested Dr. Bryan Popovici’s plan to build a detached 50’ x 50’ garage at 717 Oswego St. The proposed building exceeds the village code which prohibits an accessory structure in excess of 150 square feet. That Monday evening, the village planning board heard from five nearby residents who urged the board to reject the proposed construction. Trisha Case, who has lived at 712 Oswego St. for 19 years, showed board members photographs of construction equipment on Popovici’s properties and played a recording of one of his machine’s warning beeps. “We have to hear that beeping from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every single day including holidays,” Case said. She and her partner, Lou Petino, also said they’re bothered by floodlights emanating from Popovici’s properties. “We call law enforcement,” Case reported, “but they can’t do anything about it.” Christopher LaFrance of 310 Balsam St. echoed Case’s complaints about the bright lights and poor drainage. So did Gerald MacLean of 709 Oswego St. Village Codes Officer Bill Reagan said that Popovici’s neighbors have voiced complaints for years about the doctor’s renovation projects. They’re concerned, Reagan said, about him completing various rehab jobs he has already started. “Every neighbor is upset with him,” MacLean said. Before board Chairman Bob Bradt opened the public hearing, the board heard from Popovici, his lawyer and his contractor. They contended that the proposed garage has historic significance because it will be designed in a saltbox style which is a traditional New England architectural style. Saltbox structures are typically gableProject l Page 12

Volume 131, Number 49 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.

cnyspca pet of the week: Kingsley needs a home.

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sports: Liverpool girls hoops open, beat Ludden.

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Calendar �������������������� 3

Obituaries ������������� 3,10

Editorial ��������������������� 4

PennySaver ���������������� 6

letters ������������������������ 5

Sports ����������������������� 11


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