Archive: Around Town

Lansing Market met its goal Tuesday to provide $1,000 worth of food to the Lansing Food Pantry.  The brain child of Grocery Manager Shannon Canino, the store raised the goal to $1,200.  Canino said there was a good chance the store would exceed that goal as well.  She is thrilled that it is exceeding her expectations.

"We wanted to do something for the food pantry," she says.  "We also adopted three families from the food pantry.  We bought them Christmas presents and donated dinner.  We wanted to do more.  I saw other stores doing something like this and it gave me the idea to do it for our food pantry."

Four local nonprofit organizations are helping families during the holidays at The Shops at Ithaca Mall.  The Salvation Army, Cops, Kids and Toys and Camp Good Days are working to provide clothing, toys and recreational opportunities to those in need, and the SPCA Annex is caring for animals in need of a good home.

The Salvation Army is continuing their annual Kettle and Angel Tree programs.   Kettles are located in the hallway next to Target, next to Regal Cinemas and the Old Navy Mall Entrance.  The Angel Tree program offers angel tags on its Christmas tree next to Customer Service, located by American Eagle.  Those wishing to help children in need are invited to take an angel tag, purchase the clothing and toys listed, and bring donations to the silver box next to the Christmas tree.

Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca (F&CS) presented its 18th annual FesTOYval benefit at the Country Club of Ithaca on December 6th.  The event raised more than $15,000 for children’s mental heath programming.  At FesTOYval guests bid on over 50 baskets at the live and silent auctions and enjoyed food, music, and family activities.

At the “Toy Shoppe”, families picked out toys to be donated back to Family & Children’s Service.  These toys are used in play therapy or are given to a young person who otherwise may not receive a toy for the holidays.

My name is Sparky, and I sure live up to my name. I LOVE people and I LOVE to PLAY! I tend to get a little too wound up when I play actually, so it would be best if I don't live with young children until 12 years of age. I also tend to guard my food bowl and treats just a little, so my new owners will need to teach me good behavior around food and my other stuff. If you are looking for an energetic dog to take for walks and play with, I'm your guy! Adopt me today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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NASA graphicDan Piraro's 2009 cartoon has been reposted on endless Web sites and Facebook feeds.  One Mayan creates a calendar and says, "I only had enough room to go up to 2012."  "Ha!," says his companion.  "That'll freak somebody out some day!"

The last 2012 issue of the Lansing Star is scheduled to be published December 21, next Friday.  Some people say there won't be any readers for that issue, because that is the day the world is supposed to end according to the Mayan calendar.  NASA has been getting an increasing number of questions from people worried that the world will end.  The volume of questions has become so inflated that NASA has posted a disclaimer on their 'Ask An Astrobiologist' Web page.

Lansing has not escaped the struggling economy.  This week a school board member remarked that she was shocked when she learned how many Lansing families are in dire need.  On Tuesday one such family received an early Christmas present: a Mercury Villager.

Lansing High School Principal Eric Hartz says the family has been especially struggling because cancer struck two family members over the past year.  The husband is battling cancer this year, and the son had cancer last year.  On top of that the family car was failing.

A marriage between new technology and old fashioned customer service will ensure that Tompkins County Public Library patrons have access to their favorite books, music, DVDs and online resources this holiday season.

Library Director Susan Currie announced this week that the Library will double borrowing limits on books, cds, dvds and audio books between December 17 and December 29 and that no items will be scheduled for return between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

I’m continually amazed to learn how much confusion there is about organic food. Almost everyone I talk with has a different opinion, consequently I’ve decided to devote my next two or three columns to this subject in the hope of shedding some light. Loyal readers may remember that I wrote a piece about this a few months ago however I would now like to deal with the subject from a very different point of view.

It’s important to recognize that there is strong growth in the purchasing patterns of organic foods among American consumers.  About ten percent of fruits and vegetables purchased in the United States are now organic and that number is increasing about 10-20% each year.

Tis the season of giving and the owners of the Triphammer Marketplace are generously giving back to the community.  HolidayFest, a free community  family event occurred on December 8th. Also, this month  space was donated for the storing and sorting of toys for the charity Cops, Kids & Toys, plus on Saturday December 15th  space is being donated for 42 local artists, crafters and famers market vendors to sell their wares.

“We are carrying on the tradition of my father, who built the Triphammer Marketplace.  He believed in the community and always wanted The Marketplace to be where local people gathered.  It’s important to my family to continue this tradition and it’s our pleasure to offer the community our free events this holiday season,” said Richard Thaler, co-owner of Triphammer Marketplace.

West Lancashire, UK – ‘A Guy's Secret Guide to Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Other Not-So-Secret Essays about Everything Else’ pokes lighthearted fun at the ‘real’ 50 shades and tries to make sense of it for the men who really don’t ‘get it’. Also included it’s 196 pages are 50 of Paolangeli’s best commentaries from his award-winning column in the Ithaca Times. Some humorous, some thought provoking but always from the heart.

NYS Senator Mike NozzolioIn May of 2012 Stephen Hilyer, son of Donna and Stephen Sr. of Waterloo was tragically killed in a hit and run accident by a drunk driver as he walked home along Routes 5-and-20.  Compounding this tragedy were the incredible facts that the drunk driver who took Stephen's life had 7 previous alcohol related arrests, and was convicted of felony Driving While Intoxicated four separate times! My first reaction, probably like yours, was how could this happen?

Unfortunately, this tragic incident is all too common.  On New York State highways an incredible 17,500 licensed drivers, who already have been convicted of  numerous multiple alcohol-related offenses, have somehow continued to drive and been involved in at least one crash that seriously injured or killed someone.  These repeat offenders have been involved in over 22,000 crashes, resulting in over 500 deaths.

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has awarded $64,000 in grants as of Dec. 7 for 2012-13 school year activities, announced President Terry Byrnes. “We are very grateful to our generous donors who support IPEI’s efforts to enhance learning in our district,” she said.

Included are 31 Teacher Grants totaling $39,840.  “These grants feature excellent teacher-initiated projects that give Ithaca City School District (ICSD) students exciting chances to expand their imaginations and knowledge while strengthening their engagement with school and community,” said Teacher Grants Review Committee Chair Sandy True after presenting the grants at the IPEI board’s monthly meeting.