Archive: Around Town

When school board members took a tour of Lansing High School in mid August wires were hanging everywhere, ceilings and floors hadn't been installed, piles of insulation and other building materials were everywhere.  A week ago they toured the building a second time, and it was like viewing an entirely different building.  Not everything was working as it should, but Principal Eric Hartz said that every day a little more was coming online and he was pleased with the progress.

"I think we're doing a great job," he said. "Everybody has phone, everybody has at least one computer (connected to ethernet cable for network and internet access) that is working, and if not we have the wireless working.  We knew we were going to be into October before we finished.  We knew that in the beginning."

Lorrene Adams was looking for a new way to engage her music students at Lansing High School.  This summer she was able to procure Ghanian drums and last week Ghanese dummer and teacher Sulley Imoro came to teach her students how to play them.  After only a very short session they were sounding pretty good.

"It's my dream, hope and goal to instill in my students a life long yearning and need for music in their lives," Adams says.  "If opportunities like this can contribute to them being life long participants, performers, supporters and audience members as well as passing that love on to their children then I believe I have done my job."

Sulley (pronounced “So'-lay”) Imoro with Lansing high School students last week

Hey there my name is Belvedere. I am a three-year-old domestic shorthair/ 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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United Way of Tompkins County announced its 2011/12 Campaign goal at the Annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring on Tuesday, September 20th at Stewart Park.  Celebratory events started this past weekend with the 5th Annual A Cappella United concert held on Friday at Cornell. Community members, homecoming participants, and students enjoyed performances by Cornell A Cappella groups including special guest Cornelian Dylan.

United Way of Tompkins County Community Campaign Chairs, John & Mary Gutenberger and Nancy Fuhr Bonn & Fred Bonn announced a goal of $2,151,000. Campaign gifts support local health and human services and programs.  Community Care Fund gifts support seven issue areas: Basic Needs, Child Care/Early Learning, Crisis Services, Financial Stability/Building Self-Sufficiency, Health/Environment, Seniors, and Youth. The campaign concludes in the first quarter of next year.

Aurora, New York—Wells College will introduce a new major, Film and Media Studies, into the College’s curriculum. The New York State Board of Education granted final approval to the program on Wednesday, September 14, clearing the way for Wells to add it as the 21st current major. While Film and Media Studies will be under the directions of Wells’ Humanities Division, the course offerings come from a variety of disciplines.

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Lansing-Ithaca Rotary Club members presented a check for $875 to the Lansing Community Library Saturday. The money will be used to purchase a laptop computer for planning and teaching computer literacy programs at the library. Pictured from left to right: Jase Baese, AnnMarie Hautaniemi, Librarian Susie Gutenberger, Ed Siemon and Vickey Beaver

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SPCA of Tompkins County Executive Director Jim Bouderau announced a local private family foundation has challenged the SPCA to raise $20,000 before October 15 to receive a $20,000 matching gift.

Bouderau says "While the economy is showing small signs of recovery, we have seen a decrease in critically important grant funding. That's why this challenge is especially exciting and important."

Aurora, N.Y. – Wells College has been ranked as a Best National Liberal Arts College in the U.S. News Best Colleges 2012 rankings. According to the U.S. News, the College ranked 127th, an increase from last year’s 144th ranking in the same category. According to the U.S. News, the Best National Liberal Arts category is defined as a liberal arts college emphasizing undergraduate education while awarding at least half of their degrees in the arts and sciences.
 
“Wells College being named a Best National Liberal Arts College recognizes the quality of a Wells education, as well as recognizing the College as a leader in equipping students with the skills and appreciation for a lifetime of learning,” said Wells College President, Lisa Marsh Ryerson. “This ranking also acknowledges the highly qualified faculty at Wells College.”

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) may be best known for its grants for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers and for the Kids Discover the Trail! collaboration with the ICSD and Discovery Trail. Yet, IPEI also manages numerous Awards funds including seven presented each June to students, a teacher, a student organization, and district activities.

Ann Caren, IPEI’s Awards Committee Chair presented the Raymond C. Loehr Innovative Science Teaching Award for 2011 to Wayne Gottlieb. She made the announcement at the Opening Day Convocation for ICSD employees on September 6 in Kulp Auditorium.

Hey there my name is Mamasita. I am a three-year-old domestic shorthaired mix. I'm a gorgeous girl who is looking for a loving home, so please come and visit me at the SPCA!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Naysayers said that Simon Cowell's departure from American Idol this year would tank the ratings and make the show less fun.  But the new incarnation turned out to be more about the music, with three performers acting as judges and music producers working with the contestants each week.  The show was more than ever one about young rough-edged singers learning to perform music rather than just singing it.

That must have resonated with viewers.  There was a decided dip in ratings for season 9 last year, but while season 10 didn't garner the highest ratings ever, the finale in which it was revealed that Scotty McCreery had won the competition attracted 29.3 million viewers, about five million more than last year's finale.  Tuesday's concert confirmed that American Idol is still alive and well.  There were some empty seats at the War Memorial Auditorium, but most of them were full.