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Archive: Around Town

posticon Southern Dogs Arrive In Chilly Ithaca

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dog1February 25, 2015 For immediate release  Southern dogs arrive in chilly Ithaca in hopes of finding forever homes The SPCA of Tompkins County recently completed a rescue involving a dozen young dogs from a high kill shelter in rural Alabama.  Thanks to a grant received from the ASPCA and SubaruUSA's 'Share the Love' program, these dogs have a second chance—to remain alive and find loving homes.

The ASPCA, after much research, has developed a M.A.P. Program to connect shelters that have space for incoming animals with those who are facing population issues.  M.A.P, which stands for Moving Animals Places, offered grants to help subsidize transportation costs incurred for shelters enrolled in the program. It is an extraordinary gesture on the part of the ASPCA and SubaruUSA to earmark funds for the local shelters performing this life saving work.
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posticon Quilters and Sewers Contribute Their Talents to the Cancer Resource Center

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quilters 120Quilters and sewers from all over Tompkins County have been recruited by the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes to make tote bags, hats, and head scarfs for cancer patients. An individual in the midst of cancer treatment can be affected in many ways from the physical to the social to the emotional.

"At the Cancer Resource Center, we try to support individuals who are experiencing the many side effects of treatment.  One way we do this is by providing head scarfs, wigs, and hats for those who experience hair loss, and the quilted tote bags  can be used to carry their belongings to treatment," says Executive Director Bob Riter.

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posticon Brrrrr...

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The upstate Finger Lakes region has been plagued with sub-freezing and sub-zero temperatures for weeks now.  That has taken its toll on lakes and roadways in the region.  Ithaca: Gorges, Waterfalls, and Cayuga Lake posted a picture of the Finger Lakes Region, taken Monday from a NASA satellite.  It shows Cayuga and Seneca Lakes as the only two that are not entirely frozen.

nasafingerlakes20150216Photo by NASA. Click to see larger image.

"Yes, even the biggest deepest Finger Lakes are freezing over," says Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Steward/Executive Director Hilary Lambert.

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posticon SPCA Pet of the Week - Daryl

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by Ashley Fleming

GarfieldGarfield is an adorable Pomeranian mix pup who is estimated to be about 8 years old. He came to us from an out of county hoarding situation, so Garfield was understandably terrified when he first arrived at the shelter. He was quickly transferred to one of our loving foster homes for some extra TLC. Although sudden noises and unexpected movements cause him to jump and hide, he is quickly becoming accustomed to home life. He is house trained, gets along with other dogs, and even though he's getting used to life with kitties he still thinks getting them to run is an awful lot of fun. Garfield likes life on his own terms and even though he loves to snuggle and cuddle, he does not like to be picked up and carried. He will no doubt bond deeply with a kind, gentle, patient person who is looking for a sweet loving companion. If you'd like more information about Garfield or would like to arrange a time to meet him please contact his foster mom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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posticon Rotary Club Introduces New Members

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The Rotary Club of Ithaca is pleased to introduce four individuals who have recently joined the service club. These community members bring professional experience from the business and not-for-profit sectors and volunteer in Tompkins County. Ithaca Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self." Membership is open to all who share in this belief; new members are accepted year-round.

"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."

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posticon Parent Guide to Curb School Bullying

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bully120The motto "encourage, enable, expect excellence" is written into the Groton Central School District vision statement and indicates a major focus of the District to encourage students towards personal excellence while simultaneously helping others. The two often do go hand-in-hand. As part of an ongoing effort to enable this focus, the District has been involved in providing training opportunities for staff and the community.

One of such offerings has been the Stand Up, Speak Out event held last month. Andrew Tocheny of the NYS State Police, Lyn Stack of The Advocacy Center, Jennifer Astles of TST BOCES and Nick Flanigan of Tompkins County Probation were presenters for this well-received community event. Some of the information shared that night about curbing harassment and bullying is also outlined in the handbook "Bullying and Cyberbullying K-12 Parent Guide" The following points and helpful tips were discussed.

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posticon Home Made Cheese Adds Unique Offerings to Local Restaurant

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nep 120In 2008 Steve Fazzary expanded Northeast Pizza in the Small Mall in the Village of Lansing to include the Scale House Brew Pub, where he began brewing beer behind the bar.  Last year he expanded his beer making operation, which enabled him to expand the number of pub-brewed beers.  At the beginning of March Fazzary will expand the unique experience by making his own fresh mozzarella cheese, and offering ten new dishes featuring it, including five Margherita Pizzas.

"Margherita Pizza was invented in Italy in the late 1800s," Fazzary explains.  "When Queen consort of Italy Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, Chef Raffaele Esposito and his wife created this pizza to celebrate her visit.  It's fresh mozzarella, the dough, the sauce and basil leaves.  With the basil leaves, the red sauce and the creamy white fresh mozzarella you get the colors of the Italian flag."

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posticon Natural Lifestyle -- Melting the Heart

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suzana naturallifestyle 120A few weeks ago I was writing about how challenging it is to pledge allegiance to winter. And it sure has been. For weeks now, Nature has gifted us with snowy and icy sceneries, harsh winds, and dangerously cold temperatures. A glimpse of Daoist philosophy, Chinese medicine energetics and few practical tips might lead you to a different awareness when gazing in despair at the piles of snow and piercing icicles.

In ancient Chinese philosophy and medicine winter represents the Element of Water. 'Water is Mother of All Life' was written in Dao De Jing. Yielding by its form, Water has primordial potential for most powerful creations and most grave destructions. Pure potential (Jing-Essence) is always chaotic, but let's concentrate on the creative forces for now. So Jing-Essence represents our genetic code, constitutional energy, that defines us as a human beings.
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posticon Wells College Names 19th President

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wells Gibralter120(Aurora, New York) -- The Wells College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Jonathan C. Gibralter the 19th President of Wells College. Dr. Gibralter's appointment follows an extensive national search, recommendation by the 12-person search committee, and unanimous vote of the College's Board of Trustees, Board Chair Carrie A. Bolton '92 announced today. "Dr. Gibralter brings strong leadership that includes a deep understanding of the current climate for higher education and the undergraduate experience, a demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability, the creativity and courage to pursue innovative solutions, and financial acumen. As we look at the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, Wells College will benefit tremendously from his leadership," said Ms. Bolton.

"Jonathan Gibralter is well suited to the task of fully restoring Wells' greatness. His education and wide-ranging experience make him an ideal president to complete the transformation of this wonderful College," said interim President Thomas E. J. de Witt. "I look forward to helping ensure a smooth transition in leadership and offering him my insights into Wells' strengths."
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posticon College Prep Course Expands

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cornell1Cornell's 'Let's Get Ready', a program of the Public Service Center, helps expand access to college for local high school students by mobilizing, equipping, and empowering Cornell undergraduates as tutors.  Let's Get Ready volunteers provide students with intensive SAT preparation, and college advising as well as serving as a powerful role model for college success. Let's Get Ready is a National Program and Cornell serves as a Chapter.

This year, for the first time, The Public Service Center is partnering with TST BOCES to expand access to a broader community.  With access to TST BOCES classrooms and equipment, the Public Service Center will now be able to open up the program to all high school students in the Tompkins, Seneca, and Tioga BOCES region. Most importantly, TST BOCES is providing a Professional Staff Developer to train, guide and mentor our students as they coach high school students on how to better prepare for the SAT test.
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posticon Wells Celebrates Black History Month

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mlkAurora, New York—Wells College's student organizations, faculty, and staff are proud to present a variety of events at the College in honor of Black History Month. The events, taking place throughout the month of February, consist of performances, a march and die-in, film screenings and discussions, campus displays, a trip to Auburn's Harriet Tubman Home, and more.

Black History Month—also known as African-American History Month—begun in 1926 as "Negro History Week", but it slowly expanded into a full month of events and celebrations, and in 1976 it was officially recognized by the U.S. federal government. Wells College has, over the years, offered students, staff, faculty and the neighboring community an opportunity to celebrate and engage in a healthy discussion about Black History Month.
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posticon Legacy Foundation Announces Director Of Development

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mcpheeters120The Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County has contracted with Jean McPheeters, of Jean McPheeters Consulting LLC, to serve as its new Director of Development.

James Brown, the president of the Legacy Foundation, said “I am so pleased that Jean McPheeters will be providing assistance to the board of directors as we seek to increase our stewardship of donors and expand our ability to support programs and projects throughout the Tompkins County communities.”
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posticon San Francisco Ranks #1 For Valentine's Day

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valentine1Going on a romantic Valentines's day trip?  According to a study on WalletHub your best bet is San Francisco, which ranked #1 out of 100 U.S. cities.  The study ranked each city on 'Valentine's Budget', activities, gift accessibility and weather forecast.  San Francisco ranked #1 on activities and gifts, 12 on weather, and 25 on budget.

"On Valentine’s Day, many couples will be faced with the decision of whether to splurge and indulge themselves with candlelight dinners, romantic trips, and spa vacations," says Boston College Carroll School of Management Assistant Professor of Marketing Hristina D. Nikolova.  "However, couples should be careful when they decide together how much to spend on the luxurious getaway vacation or the upscale dinner they are planning for Valentine’s Day."
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