Archive: Around Town

Carter is a friendly, outgoing boy, who always seems to have a smile on his face. He was adopted into a great home, but unfortunately his owner had to move and could not take him along. He is a young, sweet, professional cuddler who will make an incredible companion for someone. He's also a star at obedience training, so if you're looking for a smart dog who you can teach fun tricks to, Carter's your guy! His previous owner said that Carter is a nice, quiet companion and would be happiest as the only pet in the home. Fortunately, he's so wonderful you won't need anyone else. Carter has a lot of love to give and is sure to make his new owner a proud and happy adopter!

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Chris Allinger told his 'The Wake Up Q' audience Tuesday that the money that went into his backpack hit an even $30,000.00.  For the third year, Q Country morning host, Chris Allinger strapped on his backpack to walk for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier's BackPack Program™.  From September 8th-12th Chris Allinger walked to every town in Tompkins County raising funds for the program that helps feed children at risk of hunger on weekends and holidays during the school year.

"We were actually a little shy of thirty", Allinger says, "but when I sent the total to our partners, Andy Noel at Cornell stepped up and said he'd throw in the amount it took to bring it even.  I'm thrilled with the total, but I'm more satisfied that people are getting the message that kids are going without food and we need to step up and rectify that."

Tompkins County Public Library is seeking approximately 15 individuals with personal stories of discrimination, social stigma and prejudice to serve as 'Human Books' during the Library’s inaugural Human Library project October 8.

The Human Library concept was developed in Denmark in 2000 and is now used in more than 60 countries as a tool for challenging societal prejudices and promoting community conversations.

Aurora, New York— The acclaimed Aquila Theatre Company will perform an all-new production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Wells College. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 25, in Phipps Auditorium of Macmillan Hall.

Believed to be Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest is imbued with magic, the supernatural and a heightened sense of theatricality perfectly suited to Aquila’s own dynamic physical style. The New York Times has described Aquila’s productions as “Gleefully engaging...almost unbearable fun...directed with inspiration” while The New Yorker has raved “Beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect.” With an ensemble of superb performers and Aquila’s exhilarating execution, this new production of The Tempest is sure to delight.

Throughout the summer, Ithaca High School's FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Team 639 Code Red Robotics has been active in countless ways in the community.  Code Red Robotics members display their commitment over the summer as well as during the school year, taking action by volunteering in events such as the Cayuga Lake Triathlon, Dump and Run Sale, and Taughannock Falls State Park Clean-up; as well as by doing demonstrations at locations such as the Sciencenter, the Tompkins County Public Library, and the New York State Fair.

"Unwavering commitment shines through the actions of these young individuals as they give up their time in order to give back to the community and inspire the young engineers and scientists of the future." says Katie Henderson, Code Red Robotics Public Relations Officer.

Running to Places, the Ithaca area’s premier youth theatre company, has announced that effective immediately participation in the company is entirely free. Company members will no longer be required to pay to participate in shows.

“This is a reaffirmation of R2P’s core principles: no financial barriers to entry and open to any interested kid,” explains Joey Steinhagen, artistic director. “As an organization, we have rededicated ourselves to our founding principle of universal accessibility.”

TCAT continues to seek community feedback in a series of public sessions to create its first‑ever Title VI Service Standards and Policy Plan – a big‑picture document that will guide TCAT in its service planning decisions in the future.

The public will weigh in at the Tompkins County Public Library’s Borg Warner Room (East) 5:30pm Wednesday, Sept. 24.  They will be asked to tell TCAT how many hours a day and how frequently each type of transit service should run.

Fossil Hunters will be excited to know that PRI Publications has released the Field Guide to the Devonian Fossils of New York, by Karl A. Wilson. The book, which includes 408 species, from sponges to fish, is small and wire bound, making it ideal for taking into the gorges and ravines of New York State. The official release and book signing will take place at the Museum of the Earth Fossil ID Day, during which visitors are invited to bring fossils for identification, on Saturday, September 13th from 10:00 am until noon.

The fossils in the Devonian rocks of New York have attracted the attention of serious and casual collectors for nearly 200 years. Although a large body of literature has been devoted to these fossils, most of this is not readily accessible to the non-professional fossil enthusiast. This volume, combining the best of modern paleontology with the classic illustrations of James Hall, John Clarke, Amadeus Grabau, and Winifred Goldring, fills that need. In all, 408 taxa are covered, spanning the rich taxonomic breadth of New York's Devonian strata. The author, Karl Wilson, is Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University (a biochemist by profession) and a life-long enthusiast of natural history, especially the Devonian fossils of New York.

Lansing's Central Fire Station was the halfway point Wednesday for 1037 Q-Country's Chris Allinger, who was 'Walkin' The Country' all week to raise money for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier's Backpack Program™.  Allinger is walking over 100 miles all around Tompkins County getting people to contribute by putting checks and cash into his backpack.

"We've had such a wonderful reception here and they've been putting money into the backpack," Wake Up Q host Allinger said.  "Some of them explained that they did a bottle and can drive to collect that money, and they placed it in my backpack because they wanted it to go to the children to make sure they have something to eat over the weekends.  Beautiful, beautiful kids helping other kids.  We love that."

Often after the pageantry of the Lansing High School Commencement a quieter graduation takes place in August for students who have taken longer to earn their degrees.  Four students were honored Monday for their persistance in earning their high school diplomas even when it took a little longer to do so.  Sierra Boles, Christopher Emley, Andrew Reakes and Zairien Weeks joined the Class of 2014 in August and were celebrated at Monday's Board of Education Meeting.

"We want to make sure that we celebrate our graduates," said Superintendent Chris Pettograsso.  "Sierra completed earning her Regent's Diploma this summer.  She is currently attending college at TC3 where she is playing softball.  Superintendent Chris Pettograsso said that some of the other students are joining the workforce, while others are also attending TC3."

The 2014 Fall Bridal Show attracted 28 local and not-so-local vendors to The Shops at Ithaca Mall in the Village of Lansing Saturday, to help prospective brides and grooms plan their weddings.  Visitors visited al manner of vendors in a rare opportunity to check out businesses that could provide every aspect of a wedding in one place.  Mall Marketing Director Rafael Larramendi says the mall has hosted bridal shows for at least a decade, but this was his first since he came to work here.

"I enjoyed meeting some of the vendors who have bene coming here year after year," he says.  "I like knowing that we can be a venue for connecting people in the community with experts in their respective industries to help people with that special day they are planning or are going to plan, and knowing they are going to get some answers here."

Angola is a stunning four year old who would be delighted to meet you! Although she knows this is a terrific place if one has to be given up for adoption, she misses the amenities of a home, like the sofas, beds to snooze on, toys, and - most important - people to converse with, play with, and purr to.  Windows looking out on the passing scene would be delightful for Angola - especially if you have birds and perhaps chipmunks living on your property. If she’s won your heart, please visit her today! She would prefer to be your only kitty, but she has such a big heart and personality you won't need any more four-legged friends! If you have other critters at home - dog or cat - you must be prepared to do a very slow introduction with Angola. She is a recent mom and still feeling protective.

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