Archive: Around Town

It was a battle of the delivery companies as FedEx and UPS duked it out on the Lansing softball field last Sunday.  The two teams staged the game to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  "What really prompted it was that FedEx became part of the Relay For Life this year," says FedEx's Shelley Jackson.  "UPS's Rob Moravic came in.  We had talked about doing a softball game for years."

Ask IMOAsk IMO

 Lansing's Advice Column

Dear IMO,
My family and I attend a lot of summer cookouts and picnics. We really enjoy these outings as it offers us an opportunity to visit with family and friends. Although we come from hearty stock, at least one of us gets sick after eating at one of these events, whether its Aunt Marge’s potato salad or Uncle Bill’s twice backed chili-sour cream-guacamole casserole. How can we avoid such unpleasant after affects, eat well, and enjoy the fun of family and friends?

Pat, Rick and the kids

Dear hearty stock,

Let’s face it; food poisoning is no picnic. Those little microbes responsible for the nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and other painful side affects, love to attend picnics, cookouts, and other outdoor events where food is left unprotected. While we bask in the sun, swim, boat, throw horseshoes, and complain how hot it is, bacteria are at work multiplying by the millions thanks to unintentional negligence.

Pet of the WeekHi there my name is Quentin! I am a young pit bull mix. I’m very energetic so I need a family that can run me around and play with me. I am trained in the basic doggy manners and I am very smart. Please come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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It's summertime and the fish are biting.  That means it was time for the annual Youth Fishing Derby in Myers Park Saturday, and about 25 kids came out to try their luck with rods and reels.  The derby is open to youth 15 and under, and while the turnout wasn't as high as some years, it didn't stop kids from catching plenty of fish.  "We have youth between the ages of 3 and 12," said Lansing Youth Services Program Manager Isabel Bazaldua.  "It's a broad range of ages.  The fish are biting."

The fishing derby is for fun, and that even extends to the fish who were placed in a small pool to be counted, and then thrown back into the lake.  Most kids opted to fish along the shore of Salmon Creek, while two boys picked their spot on Cayuga Lake.

If you only got one haircut per year you would want it to count for something.  And that's exactly what the Engels family does each spring when it it time to shear their alpaca at Angel Tree Farm in Lansing.  With a growing herd, the haircuts add up -- this spring they sheared 19 of their 21 alpacas, and 4 more for people they have sold animals to.  "People drive by now and think we are raising a different kind of animal!" says Angel Tree's Ellie Hunter.  "It went well but we now have some pretty funny looking animals."

Shearing an alpaca herd is a big production.  "To get ready for shearing, you have to start at least two days ahead of time," Hunter says.  "You have to make sure they don't get wet.  Then you start to hand-pick the major stuff like hay out of them because that will jam the razor that he's using.  Then the next thing you do is you vacuum them with a vacuum cleaner."

Photo by Gary HodgesITHACA, NY — The Sciencenter will host the celebration of a new blockbuster summer exhibition, “Too Small to See,” that was developed and built right here in Ithaca. The event on Saturday, June 30, signals the kick-off of a summer long exploration of things at the atomic scale.

Charlie Trautmann, Sciencenter executive director, said, “We envision that advances in nanotechnology are likely to change the way we design and fabricate almost everything – from faster computers with greater storage capacity to stain repellent clothes to things that are still beyond our imagination.”

Lansing Central School bus driver A. J. Walrad was honored by the Board of Education last night for saving a child's life last March, when he pulled a student from certain death.  The bus was stopped with its lights flashing when a van sped by it, passing on the right.  Walrad grabbed the student by the collar, pulled him back into the bus and slammed the doors shut.  "He saw that the car was going past.  He immediately grabbed the student by the collar, pulled the student back, slammed the door shut," Superintendent Mark Lewis told the Board.  "That car was so close to the bus that had those doors been opened the van would have clipped them.  We can only imagine what would have happened."

Lewis said that when he was a young teacher a child was killed in a similar accident that ruined many lives and left a mark on the community that still exists 30 years later.  "So when I was apprised of what happened on March 7th," Lewis said, "it was apparent to me and apparent to this board of education that we could not let it go unheralded.  The gentleman to my right performed a feat of heroism that we all owe him a debt of gratitude for."

Ithaca … June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat month! In honor of the millions of homeless cats throughout our country that are in need of a good home, the Tompkins County SPCA is giving away fabulous prizes to pet lovers all through the month of June! Once a week, we’ll be giving away a copy of Wanda Gag’s Newbery Award winning children’s book, Millions of Cats. You can get a free entry to the drawing by adopting a furry new friend at our Pet Adoption Center, or donate $5.00 per chance. All entries will be entered into a grand drawing on June 30th for a basket full of fabulous kitty stuff from the TCSPCA’s own store, PawMart!

Ask IMOAsk IMO

 Lansing's Advice Column

Dear IMO,

I have been a social worker for nearly twenty years.  I have job security and am making good money.  There’s just one problem:  I feel stuck and unfulfilled.  My job no longer poses the challenges nor offers the excitement that it once did.  I have always enjoyed interior design and have spent a lot of time decorating our home and cottage.  Over the years, family and friends have asked me for advice about decorating their own homes.  Some of them say that I should quit my current job and become a full-time interior decorator.  Do you think that is wise?  Should I just dive into a new career?  Part of me wants to do just that, but I need some advice.

Carol

Dear Carol,

The idea of starting a new career is an excellent one. However, ask yourself this question: Am I running toward the dream or running away from the nightmare? You need to examine why the need for a change. The career path you hope to pursue is a 180 degree change from your current job. It has financial and professional risks. Depending on your situation, it might be worth taking a few risks.

Construction has begun on a new band stand in Myers Park, the latest building donation to the Town by the Lansing Lions Club.  Lions Club volunteers are hoping to complete the structure in time for the first "Concert in the Park" on June 28th.  "All the work is donated from people in the community," says Char Wilson, who is coordinating the volunteer effort.  "Our contractor John Moravic has been wonderful.  He is a Lion and he's donating some of his employees to help build this project.  The Town has pitched in -- they've brought in the fill and the stone.  Bill Kirk dug the holes for the posts."

Lansing's Raymond C. Buckley Elementary School is sporting a new look with a 9 by 12 foot vinyl banner that promotes reading.  The banners are produced by Ithaca's Family Reading Partnership, based on illustrations from children's books that are included on their annual calendar.  "I happen to be on the board of the Family Reading Partnership," says Principal Earlene Carr.  "There are many schools in the area that are sporting these banners.  They are also downtown on prominent buildings.  I thought they look wonderful and make the buildings look so much more inviting."

Carr approached Lansing PTSO President Kay Thomas to see if the organization would be interested in sponsoring the banner.  "We would like to have a banner at our school," Carr told her. " We want to encourage kids to read.  We think that this banner supports family reading, which is what we endorse, and it really ties into our program.  Would PTSO sponsor it?"

Pet of the WeekHey there my name is Star! I am a female tortoiseshell cat. I am looking for a great home with a wonderful family! Please come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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