Archive: Around Town

Art lovers filled the Ithaca Farmer's Market last Friday for Community Arts Partnership (CAP) Artists Market, where local art work of every description on sale.  Artists, plus arts organizations and food vendors filled the booths for the 24th anniversary event.  Program Director Robin Schwartz says that the twice yearly event grows each year, featuring local  artists in Tompkins County.

"This is a true showcase for the arts," Schwartz says.  "The Community Arts Partnership's goal is to cultivate, nourish and grow the arts in Tompkins County.  This is our showcase event."

Happy anniversary to us!  This is the ninth anniversary issue of the Lansing Star Online.  This week is our 439th issue.  We are close to a total of 10920 articles, and millions of hits on our Web site.  We produce 48 issues per year (some years we have done 41, but we only produced 24 in 2005 because we started in July), and we archive all past articles live on our Web site.

Our first issue featured the Rogue's Harbor Inn, with four articles and many pictures that chronicled the inn's history and present.  The top story on the front page was about the Lansing Town Board debating whether the Town would grant benefits for same-sex spouses of town employees.  There was an interview with the Lansing Schools Athletic Director, and a school board report.  The most controversial story that week was about the approval of a 190 foot tall cell tower that Cingular wanted to build on the corner of Conlon and Searles Roads.

Little Mocha is a wonderful girl with beautiful tortie markings and a sweet-as-can-be personality to match! She came to us because she was very scared of the toddler in the home, but Mocha is now in good spirits and we're confident we can find a more suitable match quickly! Her previous guardian reports that Mocha is a lap cat, enjoys the company of other cats, and loves a laser pointer. At only five years young, Mocha has a full lifetime to share with her new person. Could that lucky person be you? Come in and visit with this beautiful girl today!

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When a unique mosaic sign disappeared from the playground at Myers Park people noticed.  The Lansing Parks and Recreation Department was alerted by phone.  Park Superintendent Steve Colt said that whether it was a prank or vandalism, he hoped that the hand-made, irreplaceable sign would be returned.  He posted an alert on the department's Facebook page that was only established less than two weeks ago.  Early Wednesday afternoon Colt said that he hoped it was just a good samaritan who had removed it to clean or repair it.

"That was the first thing I was hoping I would hear," he said.  "That wouldn't surprise me because of the way and the park and the playground have been adopted by the people who use it and the people who built it.  If somebody saw that the mosaic was getting a little grimy or anything to do with the sign, it wouldn't surprise me if someone had taken it down and repaired, cleaned and reinstalled it.  That's the type of great people that we have here, that would do that."

On July 12, 2014, Lansing High School student Dominic Tarallo successfully completed the two-week Norwich University Future Leader Camp (FLC) at the nations’ first senior military college in Northfield, Vermont.  FLC is designed to develop the leadership skills of current high school students by providing a challenging and meaningful adventure camp experience.

Physical fitness training was part of the first week as were Paintball, Rappelling, Climbing Wall, Basic First Aid training, Crisis Preparedness, Water Survival Skills, Orienteering and Leadership Classes. After qualifying, participants went for a day of rappelling on the 80’ cliffs of Deer Leap Mountain in Killington, Vermont, and the following day participated in survival skills training.

Did you know swimming across Cayuga Lake can get you to Guatamala?  The combined youth mission of All Saints Catholic Church and Lansing United Methodist Church has been doing it for at least a dozen years.  Tomorrow at 7am they will be swimming again.  Organizers Ed Pasto and Patty Osika say they hope to raise between $1,500 and $2,000 to help send Lansing youth and adults to Guatemala next year to build safe, stone cook stoves for families in need.

"For my kids going on these mission trips is kind of a life changing experience," Pasto says.  He has gone to Guatemala each year since the mission began going tthere.  "They get to experience something that they don't see very often or ever here in Lansing.  There are a lot of things we take for granted like turning on a tap and putting our toothbrush under the water.  If you do that in Guatemala, then brush your teeth you're going to get really sick.  They spend a week without all their electronic devices.  They see how these people live and experience a bit of what it's like for struggling poor people."

Little Randy is an adorable Jack Russell mix who came to us as a stray. We can't believe no one claimed this pup, as he's one of the sweetest around! At only a year old, Randy still acts like a bouncy, happy puppy and would benefit from a manners class or another dog in the home to show him the ropes. What he loves most in life is playing with toys and peanut butter... an easy one to please! Randy would be fine with school aged children who are tolerant of a bouncy puppy. If this wonderful little guy sounds like the right fit for you, come in and meet him today!

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An a reception with photographer Martin R. Miller highlighted an exhibition of his landscapes Tuesday at the Lansing Community Library.  The show, 'Why Go Out?', seeks to answer that question with a series of stunning photos of the Finger Lakes, New York City, Viet Nam and Thailand, among other locations.  Miller says that is what pulls him away from the addictive lure of the computer.

"Photography gets me away from the computer and that distraction," Miller says.  "Being outside is, to me, much more calming, much more peaceful.  Even if it is in New York City or a busy urban scene I still feel like there is a singular focus and I can isolate what I want to see.  That's what the camera does for me."

Congressman Tom Reed's bill to care for families in need across the country and encourage charitable giving passed the House Thursday in a strong bipartisan vote of 277-130. Reed's 'America Gives More Act' combines five bipartisan bills that originated in the Ways and Means Committee to promote charitable giving through the tax code. The overwhelming bipartisan vote sends a strong message to the Senate that the chamber should join the House and pass the charitable giving package.

"Thousands of individuals and charitable organizations across the country do great work day in and day out to make our communities better," Reed said. "We have an opportunity with these initiatives to make their important jobs a little bit easier, care for Americans in need and really have a positive impact as we invest in the communities we live and work in."

Lucy is a beautiful 3 year old, Siamese mix in search of a loving and devoted cat-savvy owner who will treat her like the queen she thinks she is. Lucy loves bird watching, sunbathing, talking about her day, and being doted on. Her ideal palace would be one where she doesn't have to share her person with other pets. If you're interested in meeting or learning more about this lovely girl, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (607)257-1822 ext. 221!

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It didn't look good. Thursday was fraught with thunderstorms and lots and lots of rain. But after soaking patriotic park-goers determined to see the fireworks, the skies cleared and a spectacular display was enjoyed by all.

The rain didn't put everyone off.

Kai Haskins, son of Stephanie Haskins from Enfield and Lisa Marsella from Freeville, graduated with honors from New Roots Charter School on June 27th.  Accepted to the University of Michigan and the University of Massachusetts, Kai’s college of choice is Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, ranked #1 for entrepreneurialism by The U.S. News & World Report.

Kai, who received awards for 100% of his college costs, will pursue a bachelor in science in business and entrepreneurship with a concentration in environmental sustainability. Forging new territory in college, Kai is a role model for New Roots students involved in the school’s new entrepreneurialism program.