Archive: Around Town

When Gavin and Adley Hoffman bought a drone four years ago, they began using it to videotape waterfalls, parks and lakes around Ithaca. The brothers thought of turning their videos into a business, but they didn't know where to start.

A year later, they enrolled in the Youth Entrepreneurship Market (YEM), a program in Ithaca that teaches students in 4th to 12th grade the nuts and bolts of starting a business. They found their first client at an outdoor market organized by the program, and their business, GA-Studios, was launched.

"We learned how to make a business plan, how to budget, how to get known in the community, and how to keep surviving as a business," says Gavin, 17, who has continued to run his videography startup with his 12-year-old brother. "It was a good boost to get our business going."

Photo Courtesy of Wells College
Aurora, NY - Wells College celebrated the grand opening of its new center for multiculturalism with an uplifting event on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 that was attended by dozens of students, staff and faculty. Dubbed the "Hallway for Cultural Humility," the newly renovated space is intended to bring together students from different backgrounds to promote mutual understanding and appreciation of their differences. The event served as the grand finale to a month's worth of campus programming in conjunction with Black History Month.

The area, which encompasses an interconnected suite of rooms on the first floor of the Main Building, was previously the home of the College's Office of Student Affairs, which recently moved to the newly renovated Sommer Center. That renovation opened the door, literally, to providing a long-desired physical space for multicultural activities on campus.

Concluding a multiyear review, Cornell University Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff has announced a pair of initiatives intended to chart the future of social sciences scholarship and education at Cornell.  The university will launch the Cornell School of Public Policy, a separate school with its own dean who will report to the provost. In addition, 'superdepartments' drawing faculty from multiple colleges or schools will be created or expanded in the disciplines of economics, psychology and sociology.

The moves are expected to lead to new programs and collaborations that elevate Cornell's excellence and prominence, addressing the long-standing challenge of connecting faculty within the core social science disciplines who are based in multiple units across the university.  Those concerns were the focus of a review the provost began in 2016, involving a series of faculty committees, which followed numerous reports produced in preceding decades.

The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County (CAP) has appointed Megan Barber as the organization's next Executive Director.

Raised in Tompkins County, Barber has more than 20 years of experience serving in the nonprofit, business, arts, and government sectors. Having grown up in Enfield and Caroline, Barber spent 25 years living in Massachusetts before returning to Tompkins County three years ago. She is the former director of Art at Work Holyoke, an initiative to improve municipal government through strategic arts projects with municipal employees, elected officials, and local artists. As the Director of RSVP of Hampshire & Franklin Counties, Barber managed and grew a network of more than 600 senior volunteers and 60 nonprofit and municipal service partners. Barber most recently worked as a project manager with Concept Systems, Inc., a social research and evaluation firm based in Ithaca.

By Adam Kramarsyck

Hey there! I'm Squirrely Dan! I am an active guy with an excitable side (hence the nickname). I really like to eat and can get a bit hangry around food so keeping snacks put away will be a big part of living with me. I love attention from my human friends. I love it sooooo much that sometimes I get mouthy with your hands. As a result, I would do best with adults (or older children) who can recognize when I need a break. In my opinion, I'm down right outstanding. Just come meet me and see for yourself!

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A new report by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli shows the challenges faced by the state's school districts are as varied as the state itself. Regional factors including the local economy, labor force mix and demographics all have implications for spending, pupil outcomes and the delivery of services, including special education. The report details school district demographic and financial information from nine separate regions outside New York City.

"School districts must navigate a complex set of state rules and local needs to determine how to best educate our children and pay for it," DiNapoli said. "My office's report identifies the regional changes and trends that could impact district budgets now and in the future. It is a useful tool to better inform lawmakers, stakeholders and taxpayers about local and statewide issues."

The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) has a long history of serving a wide and diverse audience, from scientists to school children, and its two public educational venues—the Museum of the Earth and Cayuga Nature Center—each have their own unique audiences. With the goals of improving ease of access and enhancing visitors' experience, PRI has launched a new suite of integrated websites.

With over seven million specimens, PRI's world-class fossil collection attracts researchers from around the world. PRI's publications include the oldest continuously published scholarly journal on paleontology in the Western hemisphere (Bulletins of American Paleontology), as well as a wide range of books about paleontology, geology, and Earth science education.

By Adam Kramarsyck

Hi! I’m Kahlua, so named because I am strong but sweet. My most favourite thing ever is snuggling. I love to be nearby my people all the time, day and night. The person who brought me here said a friend found me as a stray but couldn’t keep me. I needed medical attention which I received as soon as I got here. I sure am thankful! I might look a little rough right now, but all I need is a little TLC and a bit of allergy management to get me back on track.

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed state agencies Thursday to deploy storm response assets in Western New York, Central New York and the North Country ahead of the heavy snowfall and high winds that are expected to impact the state from Wednesday through Saturday. In terms of the highest accumulations, current forecasts are calling for the possibility of up to three feet of snow in the western portion of the North Country and up to two feet in the southern portion of Western New York.  While the state is preparing its resources and coordinating response efforts with local partners, Cuomo is also urging New Yorkers to ensure they are prepared for potentially hazardous travel conditions and keep a close eye on local weather forecasts for changing developments.

"As severe winter weather moves across portions of the state tonight and continues into the weekend, I am urging New Yorkers in these areas to be prepared and use caution when driving due to reduced visibility and high winds," Cuomo said. "I have directed our state assets to mobilize additional resources in the areas that will be hit hardest, and we will be actively monitoring the conditions and assisting our local partners as needed."

On Tuesday, February 25, public health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Reported outbreaks in other countries beyond China are causing concern for a potential novel coronavirus pandemic. When a new virus spreads among people, causing illness worldwide, it is called a pandemic.
There is low risk of coronavirus infection in Tompkins County because individual risk is dependent on exposure, and there are currently no confirmed cases in New York State. Our community and individuals must take responsibility to maintain our well-being and protect the health of others. The best ways to slow the spread of illness are to take everyday actions, including stay home from work and school if you are sick, cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, and wash your hands often.

Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) continues to monitor and respond with guidance from NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the CDC. Public health response is focused on containment of the virus and preparation for any emergent situations that may arise in the future.

Everyone knows that Florida is where New Yorkers go to retire.  Florida is the number one retirement destination in the United States.  But did you know that New York is the #7 destination for retirees?  That's right.  A new study by SeniorLiving.org (looking at statistics from 2017) reports that New York is the seventh top retirement destination for people 55 and older coming from other states.  The largest number of new Florida residents aged 50+ came from New York.  Despite the stereotype, only 13% of outgoing 50+ New Yorkers moved to Florida.  And oddly enough, the largest number of seniors relocating to New York came from Florida.

The study also finds that Ithaca was the number one metropolitan destination for people aged 18 to 29 in 2017, with 33.8% of residents coming from a different metropolitan area.  Especially impressive since that was only two years after the notorious Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau campaign in 2015 that advised tourists, "Due to the ridiculously stupid winter, Ithaca invites you to visit The Keys this week.  Please come back when things thaw out.  Really.  It's for the birds here right now."  With a big promotional link for Key West.

By Adam Kramarsyck

Mmmmmm! I'm BC Nerf! "BC" stands for "best cat" because, well, that's exactly what I am. I'm adorable, friendly, outgoing, great for handling and very, verrrrry curious. I'm so curious in fact, that I like to eat just about everything, not just food. I've actually been named after the nerf dart that I ingested. I'm doing fine now but I'm looking for a home that is free of small objects for me to accidentally eat. Come visit me today and I'll bet you'll be willing to adapt to my needs!

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