Archive: Around Town

'Tis  the season for high school juniors to begin preparing to take the ACT with writing and/or the SAT.  There are many ACT and SAT prep books complete with CDs that can help you study.  Melissa (not her real name), a local student can tell you the problem with the test prep books.  “It's hard to find the time to study on top of homework and track practice after school.  It's just so boring.  I fall asleep at the computer sometimes or start checking my Facebook ”.  It takes a lot of discipline to study this with test prep books but students have improved their scores this way.

For those who need an extra nudge, there are SAT prep courses like Kaplan and Princeton Review available. These courses provide structure and test taking strategies.  Princeton Review or Kaplan courses work for students who need review and practice.  They don't work for students who need help understanding content or who need to learn new material.  Adam  and others I have counseled complain that half of the time in the course is spent on things they already know.  These courses are not tailored to the individual.

Hey there my name is Dale. I am an adult black cat. At seven Months I am an awesome cat who needs a loving family to take me in and make me a part of their 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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Hey there my name is Stargazer. I am a female black cat. I love being petted (especially scratched behind the ears). I am an adult and have lived here since June3, 2008. I would prefer a home without dogs or young children (they scare me a little). 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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The Lansing Gimme! Coffee became the newest drop off center for the Family Reading Partnership's Bright Red Bookshelf last week.  A bright red collection box has been installed where coffee lovers can donate 'gently used' children's books that are distributed to area children for free. 

"Most of the bookshelves are at sites where families that have limited resources would have the most access," says Family Reading Partnership Program Coordinator Lisa Berry.  "The food pantries were a very easy partner to tap into.  We know families that are visiting there have the most limited resources.  We feel it's very important to give the nicest books possible."

A new directory of smoke-free rental housing in Tompkins County has been posted online by Tobacco Free Tompkins as part of the T-Free Zone program. Currently over 40 properties are listed from 5 landlords.

Properties listed are rented as 100% smoke-free, with smoking not permitted anywhere in the building, including all residences and living areas. A property is added to the list based on the landlord’s or property manager’s assertion that each unit in a building is leased or rented as “smoking not allowed” at any time by residents or guests. In many cases balconies, doorways or the entire property is smoke-free.

The Tompkins County Chapter of the American Red Cross has appointed Brian L. McConnell as Interim Executive Director while the chapter begins the Executive Director search process. He will formally begin the position on March 2, 2009.

Currently, McConnell is the Executive Director of the Greater Steuben Chapter of the American Red Cross, a position he accepted in July 2003. He and his staff are responsible for delivering American Red Cross humanitarian services to 98,000 Steuben County residents including 9000 presenting blood donors, 6000 health and safety participants, and 30,000 meals from the chapter’s food pantry.

Sixteen years ago former Senator Bill Bradley (D, New Jersey) started a program to teach young people from former Soviet Union countries about democracy.  He said that the best way to teach about democracy was to start with the young.  The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) offered competitive scholarships through the U.S. State Department to bring young people here to study and participate in American communities for a school year, to learn about our culture and teach about their own.

"What better way than to bring youths from Russia and former USSR countries to the United States, have them be in our schools, participate in our communities," says Lori Sonken, who plans to bring at least three students to the Ithaca area later this year.  "Kids that come over have to contribute a certain number of volunteer hours in the community.  They're supposed to give presentations at their school and teach Americans about life where they live and also learn about life here."

Hey there my name is Buddhas. I am a Terrier, American Staffordshire mix and I am 9 months old. I am a bundle of energy and joy I get along with other dogs and love to play I soak up all the attention I can get. I'm looking for a good home with no children under the age of 5. With a little training and a lot of love I'll settle in to family life. So please come and visit me at the SPCA!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Hangar Theatre held its Annual Meeting Monday evening to celebrate its many achievements of 2008, give a preview of the 2009 season, and honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Hangar Theatre.

Peter Flynn, Artistic Director, announced a few of the artists that will be joining the Hangar this summer.

 

The role of Mae West/Joe in the first show of the season, Dirty Blonde, will be performed by actress Emily Skinner who received a Tony Award nomination for her role in Side Show. On Broadway, Skinner has performed in The Full Monty, Jekyll & Hyde, and James Joyce's The Dead.

 

The weak economy failed to slow Ithaca’s Winter Recess teachers fest which grew by 70% this year to attract a record 4,300 attendees.

The weeklong event, Feb. 13-22, honored preK-12 educators and district employees with special events throughout the community and discount deals at dozens of area businesses. The 2009 program included 102 events, with activities and deals at 190 Ithaca-area locations.

Roughly 55 percent of attendees are Tompkins County residents. Out-of-county attendees came from all parts of New York, 13 outlying states and Canada.

Hey there my name is Grizzly. I am a seal girl cat. I have been living at the SPCA since January 2,2009. I am a great girl who needs a home with someone to take good care of me so come and visit me at the SPCA to see if I'm the right companion for you.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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