Be sure to join me, Jumpin’ Zach Flash, for Central New York’s Greatest Hits every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here are some things you may not know about me. My favorite musician is John Lennon (this explains my round glasses—it's NOT because I am a Harry Potter fan). My favorite John Lennon song has to be “Give Peace a Chance.” My favorite Beatles songs are “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Come Together.” My hobby is photography, and you can see a lot of my work right here on this website—search “Zach’s Weekly Snaps” to check out my photos.
Jumpin' Zach Flash
6 Free Things to Do in Clinton
Let's face it, it can be difficult to go on vacation. Everything is so expensive. So, I decided to help you take a vacation without actually leaving. Here are six things you can do in the Village of Clinton that don't cost money.
7 Free Things to Do in Utica
Because of hard economic times, taking a vacation can seem impossible. Or, if you do take a vacation, everything costs so much money. So, what are you to do? Whether you are staying in the Utica area or planning on taking a trip to Utica, here are a few things you can do in the city that won't cost you anything (except maybe a tank of gas).
Will Syracuse Soon See a Trader Joe’s? [UPDATE]
My two favorite grocery stores are Wegmans and Trader Joe's. Utica has neither. So, I find myself constantly driving 45 minutes to Syracuse to go grocery shopping at Wegmans. Recently, I heard a rumor from Trader Joe's in Rochester that there will soon be a Trader Joe's opening in Syracuse. Needless to say, I was excited. Could it be--another one of my favorite grocery stores heading somewhat clos
Zach Remembers Toma’s Mohawk Mini Market–One of the Best Places to Get Hummus in Utica
As many of you have heard, Toma's Mohawk Mini Market is closing its doors after nearly 25 years in business. Toma's is known for its friendly staff, great tabouli and amazing hummus. As a matter of fact, Toma's made my Best Places to Get Hummus in Utica list (ranking number 2). It's sad to see such a well-known Utica establishment fade away.
Inexpensive DIY Air Purifier Using Box Fan and Furnace Air Filter [VIDEO]
I have seasonal allergies. During the spring and fall, my allergies are terrible. I have a few air purifiers in my house, and they were not cheap. Looking for different inexpensive air purifying options, I found this video. It's a do-it-yourself air purifier using nothing more than a box fan and a furnace air filer. Check it out.
Zach’s Top 10 Stories of 2013
2014 will be here in just a few days. It's a perfect time to look back at 2013. As a writer, it's always fun to look back at previous stories and see which ones were the most successful. So, that's what I did. I compiled a list of the top stories I wrote in 2013. The list is based on the page views and Facebook "likes" the stories received. Enjoy!
Wintertime in Clinton, NY–Zach’s Weekly Snaps
As much as I dislike winter, there is a certain beauty that the season brings to the area. Every year, I try my best to like wintertime; however, no matter how much I try, the snow and cold make it miserable. This year, instead of focusing on the negative aspects of this very cold season, I decided to focus on the beauty this season has to offer. So, I would like to share with you a few photos I t
Perfect Christmas Gifts for a Vegan
Shopping for a vegan can be tough. A vegan doesn't eat milk chocolate. A vegan doesn't wear leather or wool. A vegan doesn't drink eggnog. So, what do you get that vegan on your shopping list this holiday season? Here are a few ideas.
Best Places to Get Hummus in Utica
I consider myself sort of a hummus connoisseur. Anytime a restaurant offers hummus on the menu, I have to order it. Being a vegan, it is a staple in my diet. I tend to make hummus at my house a lot. But, for those days I just don't feel like making my own hummus, I turn to a few places in Utica that make great hummus. So, here's a list of the best places in Utica to get hummus, in my opinion. Even
Worth a Visit: ‘A Hole in the Sky’ Exhibit at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute
There's a new free exhibit at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. It's called "Sam Van Aken: A Hole in the Sky." The exhibit features many 10-foot weather balloons stacked on top of each other in the middle of the MWPAI Edward W. Root Sculpture Court. It is definitely an interesting thing to see.
7 Unique Places to Find Hanukkah and Christmas Gifts in the Utica Area
Hanukkah is only a few days away, and Christmas is right around the corner. And that means people are going to be rushing to buy the best gifts they can find. But how great is a gift if it's not unique or original? It's like everyone has the same thing. Luckily, in the greater Utica area, there are many unique stores where you can find those one-of-a-kind gifts that nobody else has.
5 Rockers Who Make Round Glasses Cool
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a bit of an obsession with round glasses. It's the only style of frames I wear. Since the popularity of Harry Potter, people think I wear round glasses because of the books and movies. However, the truth behind my love for round glasses goes back to John Lennon. I don't know what it is, but I just really like round glasses. And throughout the history of rock m