Archive: Around Town

Numerous studies over the past decade have shown that the Monarch Butterfly population has been in a steep decline.  Factors include: weather, pollution, and pesticides, but the largest factor is a lack of food habitat. This spring Cayuga Radio Group will once again run its "Code Name Monarch" program to help rebuild the butterfly's food habitat.

"Our 'Code Name Monarch' program was a great success in 2015 and we want to do it again.  We estimate that we distributed over 100,000 seeds to some of our best local retail partners. Trip Pack 'N Ship, P&C Fresh, Sam Peter Furniture, Hickey's Music, and Dryden Agway."

by Sarah Post

Hello, my name is Kiwi! I am a very friendly little lady. I came into the shelter as a stray that was slightly shy but still willing to make friends. I can't wait for my new furr-ever home. Do you have a nice couch and windows for me to enjoy? Since I can be shy, a lower-energy home would probably be best for me. If you have those, I will be your friend! I'm already spayed, microchipped, and up-to-date on my vaccinations. If I sound like your girl, please come in and take me home today!


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Aurora, New York— Wells College, along with 83 other colleges and universities across the United States, committed to carbon neutrality and resilience by becoming a Charter Signatory to the Climate Commitment. The Climate Commitment, a signature program of Boston-based nonprofit Second Nature, will require Wells to set climate targets, report on progress publicly, and collaborate with the surrounding community, all while integrating sustainability across the curriculum. To become a Charter Signatory of the Climate Commitment, schools had to sign between October 5, 2015 and Earth Day, 2016.

"As an institution, Wells has a responsibility to stand at the forefront of efforts to create a more sustainable culture," said Wells President Jonathan Gibralter. "And because of our size, our location here in Aurora and the connections we have to our alumni community, we're really able to make deliberate choices that will help set standards that others can follow."

TCAT General Manager Joseph J. Turcotte died Mon., May 2, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 51.

"Throughout his struggle, Joe always thought about TCAT and was concerned for the well-being of all employees and the community TCAT serves," said TCAT Acting General Manager Alice Eccleston. "He was a caring, gentle man who demonstrated a passion for transit every day since joining TCAT as its leader on March 1, 2005."

Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES is one of 145 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group's "School Safety Excellence Award" for 2016 at the Titanium level.

The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts' safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. TST BOCES received its award at Utica National's 36th annual school safety seminar at the Syracuse Doubletree, East Syracuse, NY, one of seven such seminars the company hosts in the state. For over 40 years, Utica National has kept kids and school staff safe and currently insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York alone.

A community-wide effort to raise funds needed to fully enclose the Cass Park Arena has begun under the auspices of the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (FIYB), the nonprofit organization that exists to facilitate support for the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), announced FIYB President Jeff Love and IYB Director Liz Vance.

The Cass Park Campaign's goal of $1 million supports upgrades that will retain the arena's traditional charm while making the city-owned and managed facility more sustainable and successful, according to Mary Grainger, FIYB volunteer who is coordinating the fundraising effort. "Cass Park is now a four-season community resource that was first opened in 1972 as an open-air ice rink," said Grainger, who encourages everyone who has benefited from its almost 45 years of "fun, fitness and friendships" to participate in the campaign.

Tonight marks the seventh annual East Shore Festival of the Arts opening. The Lansing Town Hall campus will be open to the public from 6 to 9pm this evening to celebrate this year's juried art exhibit, which will be on display at the Lansing Town Hall and Lansing Community Library through June 24, 2015. As always the opening celebration will include food, music, a live guest artist, and a piece of Lansing History by the Lansing Historical Association.

Just North of Taughannock Falls State Park - well within reach of Lansing - is an unassuming tan building - enclosing sparkling gems of liquid artistry.

Passing this building with the friendly blue sign frequently since 2003, I wondered what lived inside, but never made the turn in until yesterday, when curiosity finally forced my car into the parking lot. Walking around the corner, I had no idea what was ahead.

Pansys in pots, vines around the porched entry and a comfortable outside seating area were unexpected charms of this low profile establishment.

Jim Giovannoni, Boyce Thompson Institute professor, USDA scientist and Cornell University adjunct professor of plant biology, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Giovannoni, who is known for his research on tomato fruit ripening and his participation in the International Tomato Sequencing Project, is one of 84 new members announced by the National Academy of Sciences on May 3. The organization recognizes his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research in plant science.

35 applicants from 18 countries became United States citizens Wednesday at a special session of the New York State Supreme Court at Boynton Middle School.  New York State Supreme Court Justice Eugene Faughnan presided in an assembly that filled the middle school gymnasium with students, the candidates for citizenship and their families.  Tompkins County Clerk Maureen Reynolds presented the 35 applicants, who were sworn in with the middle school students watching.

"It is my pleasure to introduce 35 candidates for United States Citizenship," said Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Officer Jack Phetteplace.  "They come from 18 countries of the world including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Morocco, Peru, The people's Republic of China, The Philippines, Romania, Thailand, South Korea, Sorraca, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Viet Nam.  Each person has voluntarily come forward to state his or her personal declaration of independence from all former allegiances and loyalties just as our own forefathers did over 239 years ago."

by Sarah Post

Hi, I'm Peanut - one handsome guy! I arrived all the way from Alabama with hopes of finding my perfect Ithaca adventure buddy. At only three years old, I have a great demeanor and EVERYONE falls in love with me! I love laps, cuddles, playing outside, and learning new tricks. I'm quite calm and would be fine with school-aged children. An obedience class would be so much fun, and I’m sure we could be the stars together! I would be happiest as the only dog in your home, but thankfully I have so much personality you won’t need anyone else. I'm neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and can't wait to find my forever person. Will it be you?


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Eileen Savino, Outreach Worker at the Office for the Aging, has been honored by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services/Better Housing for Tompkins County as this year's recipient of the Lucy Brown Award for Leadership in the Community.

Savino was honored at an INHS/Better Housing awards event April 25th.