Archive: Around Town

Dear Margaret: For a number of years I’ve watched my wife and now teenage daughter go to battle over anything and everything. It seems like my daughter does things to purposely irritate her mother. If her mother says the sky is blue, my daughter says its more azure. You get the idea – they argue when they are actually of the same opinion. When I point it out I become the bad guy. It’s tiring listening to these two. I know they love each other, and the funny thing is they are just alike in personality and temperament! They exhaust me. I’d love nothing better than to come home to a peaceful household. How can I facilitate a peace treaty?
Domicile in Discord

Janet and I are kinda picky when it comes to going out to dinner, since it happens fairly rarely. The one place where we have NEVER been disappointed is the Antlers Restaurant on Rt 366, east of Cornell. In business since 1972 first as the Stables and then The Antlers - it is still run by the same two gentlemen, Toby and Bill, who are there with a welcoming smile every night.

My history with the Antlers began with my Mom and Dad taking us there in the mid 90's. It was their special place; formal enough to be classy, casual enough to be comfortable. It was the first 'real' restaurant we took our three children to, and the venue of choice for family milestones of every type. Several times we've taken visitors from the UK to enjoy the charm and warmth of the Antlers. The décor is, well, antlers. Elk, moose, deer, bison and many, many more on the wall – obvious but not overpowering. Antique lighting and a fire burning cheerily in the stone hearth complete the mood.

	NYSEG is launching the Energy Smart Community in large portions of Lansing, Dryden and Ithaca.  This week we look at an energy future for consumers that will be up and running in Tompkins County this summer.  Next week we'll look at how the new upgrades will better facilitate alternative power sources like solar and wind power generation.

The email said, "Introducing Smart Savings Rewards; Get $85 by enrolling your thermostat; Honeywell and NYSEG have teamed up to save you energy and turn it into real dollars. You can earn $85 when you enroll in Smart Savings Rewards. Plus, for each event that you fully participate in, you can earn $5 in bill credits. Enroll your thermostat to begin saving."

Huh?  Following the link I found, "Enrollment will allow us to make brief, limited adjustments to your Wi-Fi thermostat during times of peak summer electric demand (May 1 through September 30)."  My first thought was that the idea of a big utility company connecting to the Internet-connected thermostat in my home to control the temperature smacked of dystopian future scifi.  Then I thought the future is now.  Here is a way to save energy fairly automatically, without thinking about it, and saving money at the same time.

"There are people who want to do it all -- they want to change their thermostat and they want to feel in control -- they don't want to hand that over to someone else," says NYSEG Spokeswoman Susan Mann.  "There are other people who say: don't make me think about this -- I don't care about it- this is not what I'm worried about.  I have other, bigger things I need to worry about.  Maybe it's meeting my rent, or whatever it is."

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May 1, 2017 the Boy Scouts of America, Baden-Powell Council will honor Charlie Trautmann with its prestigious 2017 Tompkins County Distinguished Citizen Award during its annual fundraising dinner held at Ithaca College, Emerson Suites.

Trautmann as this year’s honoree will be recognized by Baden-Powell Council and other business and community leaders for his significant achievements and service to the community and its youth.

After nearly 40 years of dedicated service, TCAT Operations Manager Nancy Oltz will officially retire today, February 17.

The TCAT Board of Directors at its monthly meeting on Thurs. Feb., 23, is expected to honor Oltz by approving a resolution in appreciation of her years of service.

Oltz's successor is Scot Vanderpool, former Syracuse University Manager of Parking and Transit Services, who prior to that was Manager of Operations and Planning at Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CENTRO) in Syracuse.

by Sarah Post

   Hi visitors, I'm beautiful Gracie! I am an incredibly sweet, independent, and playful feline who can't wait to meet my fur-person. Everyone describes me as a mini-tiger who exudes "grace" with every step I take! I would be happiest as the only cat resident in the house, but thankfully I have so much personality you won't need anyone else! My ideal home would be a quieter one with windows to look out of and plenty of toys to play with. If I sound like the purr-fect match for you, come in and meet me today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Dear Margaret: I work for a mid-size company where I have aspirations to advance my career. I’m known to be a conscientious, hard worker. I receive 'high grades' on my performance reviews, and am satisfied with my salary increases. I’m well thought of by other members of my work team. My problem is my boss takes my suggestions to advance company objectives and my innovative ideas for problem solving and makes it look like they are his. He takes all the credit! This leaves me frustrated and feeling like I want to hold back in terms of working as diligently. I do like my job but am getting frustrated by my boss stealing my ideas and taking credit. How should I handle this?
Burglar for a Boss

Lunch with friends is always a treat, and when it takes place at a restaurant I've never visited before, it's even more special – because I have another cool place to write about!

People have remarked that there is a block in Ithaca that could have been transplanted from the Big Apple. Aurora St's restaurant row is such a place, just around the corner from the commons. In the middle of the block is a very rich looking façade with Mahogany Grill on marquee above the awning. Although the woodwork inside is exquisite, the feeling of informality makes us comfortable, whether wearing suit or jeans – it doesn't matter. Our server treats with friendly pride – it's obvious he likes working here. Looking around, there is a spacious dining room curtained off from the bar, lending a bit of privacy and protection from the cold breezes near the outside door.

The cafeteria at Boynton Middle School came alive with inhabitants of ancient China, India and Mesopotamia on a December evening as sixth grade students dressed as and acted as the dwellers from ancient river civilizations. The 'Night at the Museum' presentation featured stories derived from archaeological artifacts, histories and explorations that were acted out in real time.

The students' six-week long research projects and the culminating 'Night at the Museum' event were supported by an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Red and Gold Grant awarded to Cara Salibrici and Gina Amici. Both teachers work with sixth graders at Boynton. They developed the curriculum-based program to help students to employ critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and self-management in their exploration of ancient civilization.

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NYS Senators Pam Helming and James Seward came to the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport last Friday to announce a $250,000 grant that will be used to promote the airport.  Airport Director Mike Hall says the money, which  comes from the Senate's SOARS (Statewide Opportunities for Airport Revitalization) program, will be used for marketing and publicity.  Helming, who represents Lansing, announced the grant at a press conference in the terminal.

"This is really a very exciting time for the Town of Lansing, for Tompkins County, and our entire Finger Lakes region," she said. "Fortifying this airport's presence is critical to the area's continued growth and prosperity.  We cannot underestimate the importance of the airport, for, as Mike Hall likes to point out, this airport is very unique with the majority of its travelers flying to this area, not leaving it, and, therefore, spending their money in our community and New York State."

Lansing Fire Department volunteers, their families and well wishers filled the Lakewatch Inn Friday at a banquet to honor their top achievers for 2016.  Lansing volunteers responded to 846 calls in 2016, 407 in the Village of Lansing and the rest in the Town outside the Village.  Officers, elected each year by department members, were sworn in by Tompkins County Director of Emergency Response Lee Shurtleff.

"The previous year was an interesting one with a number of challenges along the way," Shurtleff said before administering the oath of office to the seven 2017 officers.  "One of the reasons that you're able to meet those challenges and do as well as you've done is in no small part due to the elected  leadership.  It's my pleasure to be able to install those leaders for the year ahead."