Archive: Around Town

In recognition of her extraordinary commitment to the fields of agriculture and science, and especially in the field of agriculture genetics, Dr. Susan Brown was among the outstanding women from across New York State who were honored at the 2014 "Women of Distinction" ceremony yesterday at the State Capitol. Dr. Brown, who is the co-inventor of four new apple varieties and ten different sweet cherry varieties, was nominated for this honor by State Senator Mike Nozzolio.

"It was a privilege to recognize Dr. Susan Brown for her knowledge, skills and expertise as a scientist, as well as her extraordinary work at Cornell University’s Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY.  Dr. Brown's research has led to creation of new apple varieties as well as other fruit varieties that have had a positive impact on the agriculture industry throughout the world," said Senator Nozzolio. “Dr. Brown's research has centered on the production of apples and ways to extend the shelf life of the product.  As a result, the apple industry has been growing and expanding in ways that benefit the industry and consumers.

A new collaboration between the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (SLPWA) and the Community Science Institute (CSI) to monitor streams flowing into Seneca Lake has kicked off with volunteer training workshops, which are now completed.  Monitoring will begin in late May. The goal of the pilot Stream Analysis Project is to monitor three streams that flow into Seneca Lake in order to begin to characterize water quality and identify major sources of nutrient and chemical pollution that enters Seneca Lake.

The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, whose mission is to enhance and preserve the quality of Seneca Lake, is concerned about the future water quality of Seneca Lake and its tributary streams. Recent studies by the Finger Lakes Institute indicate that phosphate and nitrogen levels are increasing in the lake.  Although several scientific research studies have been done on the water quality of the lake itself, little data exists for many of Seneca Lake's tributary streams, which affect the water quality of Seneca Lake as a whole.

Thom Hartmann will be returning to afternoons on Progressive Talk 1470AM/97.7 FM radio in Ithaca, NY starting Monday, May 19th.

“The Thom Hartmann Program is our most popular show on WNYY.  His program is intelligent, insightful, and offers critical thinking and debate on the most talked about subjects in America,” said Chet Osadchey, VP/GM of the Cayuga Radio Group.

With the frigid winter weather finally past us, now is the time to take action to prevent those high heating bills from coming back next winter. Fortunately, a program from the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) can help people increase the energy efficiency of their houses and save money on their utility bills.

The Home Performance Energy Efficiency Program offers free energy assessments of homes by accredited contractors. After the assessment, the program helps homeowners through the process of financing their home improvements with grants (Up to $5,000 for a single-family dwelling and up to $10,000 for a 2-4 family building that eligible homeowners do not have to pay back), or low-interest loans. Small businesses and not-for-profits can qualify for incentives worth up to $30,000 and financing at about half the market rate for up to $100,000.

How do you get children excited to read when the days are finally warmer, the ball fields are open and the school year is winding down?  You start talking ball.  You tell them that quite a few years back, a kid just like them, played ball down in Myers Park using a broom stick and worn out tennis balls! That kid loved sports, went to Lansing Central schools and decided to be a writer at a very young age.   

Through a joint effort of R.C. Buckley Elementary, Lansing LOVES to read! and Lansing Community Library a reading incentive was recently given to Lansing children ages 5-12.  Read one or more books written by Matt Christopher,  individually or with a parent, and fill out a reading log for a chance to win one of his books (with a personalized note from his son, Marty).  According to R.C. Buckley Elementary School Literacy Specialist Sandy Rapp, many children read Christopher’s books without knowing of the local connection.

SPCA of Tompkins County is hoping to find homes for 10,000 pets in two days.  Well, maybe not all in Tompkins County.  The local SPCA is one of 200 groups across the U.S. participating in the 5th annual Maddie’s ® Pet Adoption Days on May 31 and June 1.

"This is America’s biggest free pet adoption event and being invited to be a part of it is wonderful!," says SPCA of Tompkins County Executive Director Jim Bouderau.  “We are thrilled to be one of nearly 200 groups across the U.S. participating in Maddie’s ® Pet Adoption Days.  We hope to find homes for as many as 100 animals during this special weekend. We will be open extended hours and will help adopters complete applications and visit with adoptable pets leading up to the event so that they are ready to complete their adoptions on May 31 and June 1. The goal is to open up rooms at the shelter before kitten and puppy season is in full swing – let’s clear it out!”

Boynton Middle School Social Studies teacher Kristin Herman couldn’t take her sixth grade students to University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, so she brought the museum to them. 

With the help of an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Red and Gold Grant, Herman’s classes took a virtual field trip to the Penn Museum where they learned about the daily life and culture of ancient Romans. IPEI Red and Gold Grants are awarded to teachers, administrators, students and community members for projects that strengthen and enrich Ithaca schools.

The Ithaca Board of REALTORS® released figures Monday showing that residential home sales increased by 4 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared to a year ago, and inventory declined by 1 percent. Cold weather and decreased inventory typically contribute to a decrease in market activity. However, Realtors® are optimistic that the market activity will rise along with the temperatures. This is a good time for sellers to list their homes while the interest rates are low and buyer demand is high.

There were 150 closed sales in the first quarter of 2014, up 4 percent from the first quarter of 2013. March 2014 closed sales were the same compared to a year ago. In the first quarter of 2014 median sales price was $148,500, a decrease of 13 percent compared to the first quarter 2013 median of $170,500. The March 2014 median sales price of $148,750 represents a decrease of 9 percent compared to the March 2013 median of $164,000.

When Ithaca City School District (ICSD) English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers Michelle Kirchgraber-Newton and Jennifer Heise asked Karen refugee student Clay Poe what she wanted to accomplish before graduating from Ithaca High School (I.H.S.), she replied, “a way to share my culture and people with my school.”

That response inspired Kirchgraber-Newton to apply for an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Red and Gold Grant to help make this happen. Red and Gold Grants are awards of up to $500 for one-time projects that strengthen and enrich Ithaca schools. Over the next year, Poe and fellow students planned and organized an event to celebrate their Karen culture. This May, more than 60 ESOL students and dozens of other I.H.S. community members participated in a cultural exchange program that brought a Karen refugee dance troupe from Utica to Ithaca for a luncheon, performance and workshop.

Wilkes University third-year pharmacy student Bethany Sharpless of Lansing, N.Y., recently received the United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award. The national award is given annually to a pharmacy student enrolled in an accredited doctoral program who promotes the objectives of the Public Health Service’s 'Healthy People 2020' initiative, serves the community and demonstrates leadership qualities that foster a team approach in patient care.

Sharpless, the daughter of Robin and Kathy Sharpless, received the award from Lt. Cmdr. James Mason, a 2006 Wilkes alumnus and Food and Drug Administration inspector of the U.S. Public Health Service.

Hi, my name is Juniper, and I’m a bouncy, beautiful, 1 ½ year old female pup looking for my fur-ever home. I'm incredibly sweet and already house trained, good when left alone, and great with children! Being a young girl, I would enjoy a home where my family can take me out on lots of walks to get out all of this extra energy. Give me some love and I promise to return it tenfold! I get along fine with other dogs, and would love to have a well-matched canine companion to hang out with. Cats sometimes scare me, so if I went to a home with a cat it would need to be one who isn't too intimidating. Come in and meet me today!

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Aurora, New York—The Wells College Board of Trustees announces the appointment of a new College Trustee. Joining the Board for a three-year term is Lisa Mazzola Cania ’79 from Canton, N.Y. Wells President Thomas E. J. de Witt notes that Ms. Cania brings critical expertise to the Board as he “look(s) forward to the insights and valuable experiences, particularly in the areas of board development and higher education, which Lisa will bring to the Board.”

Ms. Cania received her B.A. in English at Wells, her M.Ed. from St. Lawrence University and has a certificate from Harvard’s Management Development Program. Joining the St. Lawrence University staff 27 years ago, Ms. Cania became the Vice President for Community and Employee Relations and Secretary of the Corporation in 2010.