Archive: Around Town

Red Bridge is expected to reopen by late summer.  The little one-lane bridge on Salmon Creek Road in Ludlowville has been closed for more than a year, with construction activity paused because funding had to be spread over two budget years.  Last December Tompkins County authorized a bid for painting the 97 year old bridge, and the work is expected to begin next month.  Tompkins County Legislator (Lansing) Mike Sigler reports it should be open by the end of summer.

"The county heard from the bridge painting contractor and he is planning on starting Salmon Creek Bridge painting by July 10th, 2017," Sigler said.  "If that’s the case, they should be complete by the end of the month allowing us to add the deck and new railing; having the Bridge back open by the end of August."

A couple years ago, we saw signs for a new cidery in the Interlaken region. It was off on some old dirt road in the quiet ranging farm land East of Powell Rd – you know, a direction we never travel. Over time, the signs got a bit larger, fancier, more professional and more inviting and finally, irresistible.

Driving Hickok Road up the hill from Rt 89 is always a slalom course to avoid the potholes, but I promise you will find it worth the distress to your suspension. The gravel driveway is better surfaced than the road. Maybe Interlaken can do something about that.

Aurora, New York—The New York State Department of Education has approved Wells College's new major in Biological Sciences: Health Sciences. The program offers opportunities to explore varied areas of healthcare study, take part in immersive experiences outside the classroom and receive advice from an expert faculty advising group.

The new major will provide students with a foundation in essential courses covering topics such as anatomy, biology, genetics, chemical analysis and psychology. Additional electives will bolster skills and knowledge related to mathematics and social issues as well as a selection of courses diving more deeply into animal or human biology, medicine and clinical or health psychology.

Dear Margaret: My wife is an attractive, mature woman of 67 whom I deeply love just as she is. I do let her know that is how I feel about her. I'm proud of her intellect as well as her physical appearance. About a year ago she decided to have some 'work done' on her face because she was concerned about wrinkles. I think she's simply aging gracefully, and I'm proud of her. When I let her know this I get the eye roll and deep sigh like I just don't understand. She gets injections every three to four months. Money isn't an issue, but I worry about the obsessive nature of her quest to remain forever young. How can I help her understand that I love her without regard to how she ages, and she doesn't need invasive cosmetic intervention?
Beautiful without Cosmetic Intervention

The big Lansing story last week was the announcement of an 18 megawatt solar farm on 75 acres of land at the Cayuga Power Plant in Lansing.  Cayuga Operating Company officials were joined by elected officials, Chamber of Commerce, and union officials to tell the story of how the company will embark on the next generation of power generation.  The solar facility will generate enough electricity to power 3,100 homes.  But the press conference also needed power.  The story behind the story was that the event was powered, appropriately, by a portable solar array.

"It's meant as a demonstration of what we do," says QuikSolar Partner Ryan Wallace, who provided a portable solar array to power the event.  "On a daily basis we connect homes and businesses to solar.  This project that Cayuga Solar's doing is going to connect the equivalent of 3,100 homes to the grid, or the equivalent of 12,000 of these trailers."

Emily Morse was named as the recipient of the 2017 Lee Strebel Memorial Award for Enthusiasm in the Performing Arts. Emily accepted the award at the Ithaca High School (I.H.S.) Underclassmen Awards Night, June 6, 2017 in I.H.S. Performing Arts Center's Kulp Auditorium. The Lee Strebel Memorial Award is presented each year to an I.H.S. student who has not only participated in performing arts at the high school level, but has shown extraordinary spirit in that pursuit.

The award is given in memory of Lee Strebel, an I.H.S. student who died suddenly during his freshman year in February 2006. In his short time at the high school, Lee became a standout in the drama department after playing the leading role of George Gibbs in Our Town.

With Spring now in full swing and the arrival of warmer weather, there's been an increase in the number of complaints tied to the illegal disposal of trash. The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management is reminding residents that illegal dumping is against the law, with violators liable to face fines, jail time, or both.

"Those caught illegally disposing of their trash may face fines of between $50 and $500 and/or jail time of up to 15 days…and that's just for the first offense," said Paul Cowles, Tompkins County's Solid Waste Enforcement Officer. "In addition, they could be sentenced to community service, and are also liable for the cost of proper disposal."

The Phyllis B. Brodhead Library Media Technology Grant allocated by the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) this year enabled Ithaca City School District (ICSD) librarians to purchase Pixton Comics, a new technology that provides students the opportunity to communicate through comics on the web.

Pixton Comics encourage creative expression and an alternative means for students to reflect on what they have learned. It helps students to avoid the frustration of drawing, allowing them instead to focus on the creative and content aspects of an assignment.

The Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (IO) announces the release of its update to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan (RPP). The original plan from 2001 developed a comprehensive list of threats to the Cayuga Lake watershed and its water resources. The update details additional threats to the watershed and water resources and resulting evolving priorities.

The updated Restoration and Protection Plan will help provide sustainable, long-term protection and management strategies for area streams, wetlands, creeks, and the lake. These invaluable water resources will continue to need attention and care in the coming years. Financial support for the project came from the New York State Department of State through the Title 11 Environmental Protection Fund.

by Sarah Post

Are you looking for a fun-loving, happy as can be teenager? If so, choose me! I'm a boxer/pit mix and absolutely love playing, cuddling with volunteers, and learning new tricks. I'm an excitable young dog who came in with very few manners, but the trainers at the shelter are teaching me so many fun things! My play style is a bit rough and tumble for other dogs, so it's best if I'm the only pet in the home. After a good play session, I love nothing more than to cuddle in your lap. My exuberance for life may be a bit much for youngsters, but high school aged children and older would be fine. It would be great to have other teenagers at home to play with! If I sound like the perfect package, come in and say hello today – I can't wait to meet you!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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by Sarah Post

My name is Cara Mia, and it's true - I am a love! I am a very adorable kitty with some special needs. I am blind due to a birth defect, but once I learn the lay of the land I get around nicely. I love being groomed and I can't get enough cheek rubs! I tend to do well in company of other cats, but I prefer them to be on the calmer side. I have been described as being very adventurous, but loud, new noises do tend to frighten me.  I am looking for a quieter home where I can get lots of love and spend my days snuggling on your lap and lying in the sun. Could I be your new best friend?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Dear Margaret: I have a business partner that drives me nuts. He seems unable to commit to a direction in our small firm. He gets close to making a decision, finds more information on the topic or project, and off we go to explore other options. I'd rather do something wrong than do nothing at all.  I know we've lost business because of his inability to move forward with almost anything.  We've partnered for about a year and a half and I've invested a great deal in this venture. I feel it unwise to back out at this point. I'm at my wits end. What can I do to convince him that there comes a point when constant research has diminishing returns?
At My Wits End