Archive: Around Town

Tompkins County Republicans turned out in Lansing to honor outgoing New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio.  Fellow Senators Tom O'Mara and Jim Seward, U. S. Congressman Tom Reed, Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler, State Assembly candidate Herb Masser, and contenders for Nozzolio's Senate seat including Pam Helming and Floyd Rayburn were among the many Republicans to join Lansing Supervisor Ed LaVigne, who was Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

"Mike is known as a great political strategist," Seward said.  "That’s why he’s been a member of our State Senate Campaign Committee.  He’s been a great mentor for many, many candidates running for the State Senate, and has made the difference in many races to elect more Republican senators."

The Rotary Club of Ithaca is introduced six individuals Tuesday who have recently joined the service club. These community members volunteer in Tompkins County and bring professional experience from the business and not-for-profit sectors.

"The Ithaca Rotary Club is delighted to welcome these individuals," said Rotary Membership Chair Ron Provus. "Our members come from all walks of life and have a wide variety of interests to match those of Rotary. As members of Ithaca Rotary, individuals give of their time and skills to positively impact the needs of our community."

In the summer of 2014 Davi Mozie began working with jump ropers and counselors at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center summer camp to promote increased physical activity, healthy and nutritious eating, anti- violence, and peaceful living. The sessions transitioned into the school year with continued skill building and activities including jump rope exhibitions, fundraisers and trips to the Double Dutch Holiday Classic 2014 in Harlem, New York.

It was around this time that the Ithaca's Jumper Unity Mentoring Program (I-JUMP) was formed. The program goal is to promote youth leadership development, increase awareness of the sport of jump rope, cultivate relationships across cultures and promote safe and respectful relationships, and promote the sport of jump rope across Tomkins County.

SPCA of Tompkins County Executive Director Jim Bouderau announced the March for the Animals will be held on Sunday October 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the F.R. Newman Arboretum at the Cornell Plantations on the Cornell University campus. The Plantations also serves as host sponsor for the event. Like other local "friend-raising" events, the majority of fundraising for the $100,000 goal will take place now in the weeks leading up to the event.

"This year is particularly important for us," Bouderau says. "We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary as the first no-kill shelter in the country. This incredible milestone, much like the support we receive for this event, is a true testament to our local community."

Dear Margaret: I'm a middle manager at a company that makes a practice of hiring many interns from local colleges. The students get real world experience on the job, it's a nice addition to their resumes, and as a company we get possible new hires and additional part-time employees to help with projects. You'd think this would be a win/win. However, it feels like the Wild West. The interns arrive and leave whenever they please, on a day when we are hosting important clients they come dressed in what looks like beachwear, it's difficult to keep them on task, and they sometimes come in hung over from a previous night's party. Trying to corral these new hires is frustrating and is taking time from focusing on my job. It's my unspoken responsibility to manage them. I'm feeling overwhelmed and overrun. Any suggestions?
Cowboy Herding Cats
 

by Sarah Post

       This lovely dilute tortie cat is named Pufluna! She's also known as Luna or Puff, if you prefer those names instead. Pufluna was brought to the shelter because her previous owner developed allergies. This pretty kitty is a sweet girl who likes to be pet - and likes to pet you back! (by rubbing her face on your hand). She has been somewhat afraid since entering the shelter environment, and may be nervous at first, so please approach her SLOWLY and give her a little time to get to know you. Once she feels comfortable, Pufluna is just a puffball full of love! She has lived with other cats before, but due to her shyness, she would prefer to go to a home without children under 12. She has been spayed, microchipped, and vaccinated, so she's ready to find her forever adopter. Spend some time with Pufluna today and see if she's the cat for you!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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For their 2016 'Build-It' Project, the Webelos I Den of Cub Scout Pack 48 constructed a Little Free Library (LFL).  The scouts decided to donate the LFL to the Lansing Community through the Town of Lansing's Department of Recreation.  On August 30, 2016, the cubs held an opening ceremony to mark the LFL's installation at the Lansing Town Fields.

During the ceremony, Den leader Dan Geise noted that the new LFL is now one of over 40,000 Little Free Libraries world-wide.  The LFL will provide free books to individuals and families accessing the Fields, while encouraging literacy at the same time.

Kim Shank, Beverly J. Martin Elementary School first-grade teacher was honored with the 2016 Raymond C. Loehr Innovative Science Teaching Award at the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Convocation on September 6. Managed by the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the award was presented by Loehr's son Stephen Yale-Loehr and Cheryl Mitchell, IPEI Board member.

"I'm grateful for this recognition of the value of integrating science in all subject areas, both in and out of the classroom. Science is a natural and exciting way to engage students in learning across subject areas. I look forward to telling my students about the award because their curiosity is my inspiration." expressed Shank.  "I also appreciate the para-professionals who have supported me as we take very young children on outings and when more hands are needed during classroom activities."

Honest, I'll get closer to home next week, but I've gotta get this out of my system.

To the north of New York State are two very different countries. 
"Two?" you say? "Silly, there's only one, Canada".
"Two!" I say – "there's Canada, and then there's Quebec."

Described as 'More French than France', Quebec is beautiful, friendly and the English language is never heard in conversation. Ever. Everywhere else in Canada, the road signs are dual language – well they are in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Ontario seems to be as English as Quebec is French. So consider this as a very short course in what you need to do to survive in France – excuse me, Quebec.

Raymond C. Buckley Elementary School's new principal is ready for school to begin this week.  Lorri Whiteman officially began July 1.  That has given her a couple of months to poke around the building and begin to get to know the Lansing school community.  Yesterday the Lansing Bobcat visited the elementary school to mark the official first day of school and greet the students and their new principal.

"I’m looking forward to getting to meet the students, to experience their education through their eyes," she says.  "It’s been lovely meeting a bunch of families coming in for open house, and the excitement of a new school year.  The new school year has always been one of my favorite times.  It’s a new beginning.  It’s a new opportunity to meet new friends."

My wife and I have been searching for a home for about six months because we are tired of renting and want a place of our own. We can afford to live very comfortably – money isn't a big issue. Each time we find the house that seems perfect, she pulls out her spreadsheet and shows me that logically this house doesn't meet enough of our agreed upon criteria. She's like a machine. Our Realtor tells us there is no such thing as a perfect house and that each house will have some amenities that will outweigh some of the features we are less than happy about. This, in fact, has been the case. I think the Realtor might be getting impatient with us, and I'm tired of being dragged around from house to house knowing that my wife will find fault with whatever house I like. We generally get along very well, but when it comes to big decisions like this my wife depends completely on logic.  How can I get my wife to see past the spreadsheet and really look at the house?
Wants a Place to Call Home
 

by Sarah Post

      Hello! My name is Lola and I just came back to the shelter after caring for my six kittens. Thankfully I now get a chance to find a furr-ever home of my very own! I love being petted, watching the birds outside, and following my people around. I am one of the sweetest cats ever, and would make the purr-fect addition to any family. I am spayed, microchipped, and current on my vaccinations. Please talk to an adoption counselor today, about taking me home!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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