Archive: Around Town

New Roots Charter School students participate in 'expeditions' that are multidisciplinary courses that provide local perspectives on global issues.  Students in David Streib’s science and math course recently went on a 'Food, Water and Energy' expedition as part of a New Roots program designed to expose students to life-cycle analyses of commonly used products and foods. 

Regional Gimme Coffee Manager Liz Clark led New Roots students on a tour of the firm’s coffee grading, roasting and packaging facilities.  Students learned the science behind the growing and processing of coffee, and examined sustainability within the context of the global supply chain for coffee and how profits are distributed along that supply chain.

Put a bag of food in your cart with your other groceries, pay when you check out, and you have donated to the Lansing Food Pantry.  It's that simple.  You pick a pre-packed bag worth the amount you want to donate, and it's all there for you.  Lansing Market's food pantry campaign was so successful last year that the store is repeating it this season.

"For customers who want to do something, but really don't have the time to donate and shop, this is a great resource for them to do what they want to do," says manager Sandro Mironti.  It allows us to help them.  We had such great success last year because of all the customers that graciously donated by purchasing the bags and having them available for the food pantry."

On December 2, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service determined that Ithaca Carshare provides educational and charitable benefits, lessens the burden of government, and therefore qualifies for the federal 501(c)3 tax exemption. The organization filed for exemption in August 2007, over six years ago. With this recent decision, Ithaca Carshare is eligible to apply for funding from private foundations, and able to accept tax-deductible donations from the public.

Since 2008, Ithaca Carshare has offered local community members self-serve access to vehicles when needed, without the high cost of vehicle ownership. Their transit-oriented model makes independent transportation affordable to more people, supports bus riding, bicycling and walking, and is also a reliable back-up for carpoolers and single car families. “Being a part of Ithaca Carshare and not owning a car has simplified my life more than I had ever imagined it would,” said member LeBron Rankins.

Click to PurchaseHave you ever thought about what you would do if your spouse came back to you after having an affair with a vampire?  On the one hand you love her.  On the other hand, what will happen to you when... well, you know.  How far would you go for love?  How loyal could you be?  That's the question Lansing author Michelle Montague Mogil tackles in 'The Loyal Man', the second novel in the Love Eternal series.

'The Loyal Man' continues the story of Ana and Ethan Trent, whose marriage was in a bloody shambles in the first book.  In 'The Gentle Man' Ana, suffering a midlife crisis, allows herself to be seduced by an older man who tells her he is an 800 year old vampire.  The story takes place in a fictional town in Tompkins County that is very much like Lansing.  Ana thinks Trent has lost interest in her, and certainly their communication has shut down.  So when an older man takes an interest she is receptive, even though he claims to be a vampire.

Hi! My name is Jelly and I came to the SPCA when my owner couldn't take care of me because of medical problems. My owner reported that I can be quite affectionate, but can be quite shy around new people. I've lived with another cat, and a cat in my new home might help me adjust and become more comfortable in a new situation. I have NEVER been outside, which is what the staff here want, in any case. Do you have the right home and patience to help me come out of my shell? I promise you won't regret it! How about being the peanut butter for this Jelly, making a perfect match?

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The annual Cornell Town-Gown (TOGO) Awards were handed out Saturday on the Cornell campus. The informal, celebratory event included remarks from CU President David Skorton, and recognition of this year's five town-gown collaborators: the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, the Public Service Center POST Program, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Dump & Run, and Tompkins County Area Development.

In addition, local leaders who have left or are leaving elected or high-profile appointed positions will be recognized, and this year includes Maryanne Banks, Ann Colt, Jennifer Dotson, Joanne Farbman, Richard Driscoll, Frank Proto, Chris Proulx, Pat Pryor,  Lenore Schwager and David Squires.

The United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) Board of Directors recently unanimously approved funding recommendations totaling $72,500 to support local health and human services and programs.  Elaine Quaroni, UWTC Community Investment Chair and Board Member, presented funding recommendations to the Board of Directors for the Fall Hunger & Food Security Fund, with funding recommendations totaling $44,000. The 2013 Youth and Philanthropy Council presented $25,000 in funding recommendations and the Ithaca College Student United Way presented grant recommendations totaling $3,500.

UWTC is committed to the success of our community by advocating and supporting individuals and families so that everyone has the opportunity to live self-sufficient lives and fulfill their potential. UWTC works to support programming that is making an impact to improve the quality of life of area residents.

Diva Shrivastava, a 5th grade student at Lansing Middle School, has won 2nd place for her grade level in Mathnasium’s 2013 National TriMathlon math contest.

Shrivastava placed first, with a perfect score, among all 5th graders in the Mathnasium of Ithaca local TriMathlon, held last month, to qualify for the national competition.  Over 3,000 students from across the country participated in this year’s TriMathlon competition and Diva was one of 773 students at the 5th grade level to move onto the National tie-breaker competition.

Almost $20,000 has been awarded to ten projects through the first ever Women Building Community (WBC) Grants cycle, announced Julia Gorman, vice president of the City Federation of Women’s Organizations (CFWO) board.  WBC Grant recipients were recognized at an event December 9 celebrating the ways they will help to improve the lives of Tompkins County women and girls.

Grants were awarded on the merit of the program, quality of the application, and available funds for the cycle, explained Diane Shafer, chair of the Grants Committee.  “We hope to have more funds available to allocate as WBC Grants in 2014.”

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has awarded 23 Teacher Grants totaling $32,500 to be carried out during the 2013-14 school year to enhance learning for approximately 1600 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) students.

Teacher Grants fund classroom projects that are linked with grade level standards and enrich the curricular opportunities for students and their teachers. Proposals for a maximum grant amount of $1500 are made by teachers. In keeping with IPEI’s mission of “connecting school and community,” they always include a community partner.

My name is Thunder and I am a 1 year old Newfoundland/Shepherd mix, looking for my forever home. Are you looking for a HUGE dog who wants nothing to do but love on you? If so, look no further! I'm a HUGE lovebug, but I don't always realize quite how big and strong I am. For this reason, I'm recommended to a home with children over 10 years. At the shelter, I've been tolerant of other dogs, but haven't been that interested in playing with them. A carefully matched canine companion could definitely work out well! Unfortunately it was reported that, in my previous home, I did not do well with cats so, if you're interested in adopting me, you would need to have a home that is feline free. If you want a large dog to be your absolute best friend and one to go for long walks in the snow with, I could be the dog for you! Come visit me today!

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