Archive: Around Town

The severe weather over the last six months has left millions of people in the dark. In many areas, particularly along the east coast, there have been multiple extended power outages. For some people these drops in power are an inconvenience but for others the consequences are much more severe.

For those who have power operated in-home medical equipment such as oxygen generators, monitors, and devices with rechargeable batteries, a power outage could mean life or death. Additionally, a security system that runs off power to the house won’t work very well while the power is out. Battery backups generally last only a day. And, of course, not many of us can afford to have an entire refrigerator or freezer of food go to waste.

Inspired by the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the students of New Roots Charter School drafted a welcome letter to the new City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick and walked as a group over to City Hall to hand deliver it on Friday.

In preparation for the “March to the Mayor,” a group of four students asked all New Roots students who wished to contribute their ideas, then drafted a letter on behalf of the entire student body.

As temperatures plummet, it is time to take special precautions to keep your pets safe and warm.

The SPCA of Tompkins County strongly urges that all pet guardians allow their animals to reside inside, particularly during extreme weather. However, if you leave your pet outside for any length of time, please remember the following: New York State law requires that dogs be provided with adequate food, water and shelter at all times. The shelter should be well built and insulated, with enough room for your dog to stand and lie down comfortably.

Marty ChristopherAfter ten years at the helm of the Lansing Athletic Hall of Fame, Marty Christopher is stepping down.  Christopher, who, along with his father and nearly 50 other former Lansing High School athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors, has chaired the Hall of Fame Selection Committee for a decade.  Saturday Christopher was honored during the Hall Of Fame 'Class of 2011' induction ceremony.

"Marty, your leadership and involvement with our school district contributes greatly to our wonderful school culture, and to the lives of our community's children," said School Superintendent Stephen Grimm in a surprise tribute to Christopher.

Hey there, my name is Junior. I am a three-year-old chocolate lab/ retriever mix. I'm a handsome fellow who is looking for a loving home so please come and visit me at the SPCA to see if I'm the right dog for you!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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I recently served oatmeal for breakfast to an overnight guest. She questioned why I used steel-cut oats which seemed to her to be more difficult to chew, and took longer to cook, than the commercial brands she was used to buying. We got into a bit of an argument about it since I claimed that the steel-cut oats that I used were healthier than the more commonly used rolled oats or packaged brands.

This prompted me to do some research on oats. Turns out that I was right. What follows is a condensed version of what I learned about oats and oatmeal. By the way: Can you define groats? Would you like to know how to cut down on cholesterol? Well then, read on.

Code Red Robotics, FIRST® team #639 from Ithaca High School, will be one of 900 high school teams sponsored by jcpenney this season. Code Red Robotics is a veteran team of students that will design and build an original robot in just six intense weeks for FIRST Regional Competitions scheduled on March 9 in Rochester, NY and on March 30 in Washington, DC.

“Having our students involved in FIRST is not just about increasing educational opportunities in science and technology; but instilling well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication and leadership,” said Ian Krywe. Krywe, who is a technology education teacher at Ithaca High School, is one of the robotics team’s dedicated mentors. “jcpenney’s sponsorship represents a commitment to building the future leaders of tomorrow by making youth participation in FIRST possible.”

When Frank Towner became CEO of the Ithaca Y last November he hit the ground running.  Towner had been the Y's Associate Director since 1995, so he was well acquainted with the Ithaca community and its particular needs.  At the same time the national Y is revitalizing its brand, Towner is bringing that with a local focus to his new job. 

"It's a brand new day," he says.  "The Y is going to be in the community and collaborate with organizations and individuals to reach more people with our mission."

Hey there my name is Ollie. I am a one-year-old domestic shorthaired/ mix. I'm a handsome fellow who is looking for a loving home. So please come and visit me at the SPCA to see if I'm the right cat for you.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission held a lake-side service to bless Cayuga Lake Saturday.  Led by Fr James Worthington, a procession wove its way from the entrance to Myers Park to the waterfront, where members of the congregation assembled to participate in the blessing.  Worthington, choir members and alter servers processed in full liturgical vestments.  A highlight of the service featured Worthing tossing a cross made of ice and flowers into the lake.  About 25 people participated in the service.

John Schafer, of Lansing High School, has been awarded the HOBY Youth Leadership Award for 2012. One sophomore student is selected each year based an essay written to the topic of: "What is the most rewarding and challenging aspect of being a leader in your school and community?"

John will attend a conference held at SUNY Oswego the first weekend in June; the purpose of the conference is to provide students who have demonstrated leadership ability with the opportunity to interact with and learn from groups of distinguished leaders in business, government, education, and the professions.

Three students representing Lansing Middle School recently won highest honors in this year's WordMasters Challenge-a national language arts competition entered by approximately 220,000 students annually, which consists of three separate meets held at intervals during the school year.

Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the Challenge, sixth grader Mikaela Garcia, and seventh graders Nico Streb and Lisa Yoo all earned perfect scores in the year's first meet, held in December. In the entire country, only 120 sixth graders and 57 seventh graders earned perfect scores.