Archive: Around Town

Last Friday bus loads of second graders descended on Lansing Central Fire Station to learn what fire fighters do, and to learn what they should do  when there is a fire.  About 15 volunteer fire fighters took the day off of work to show the kids their trucks and equipment, and to talk about what's involved in fighting and preventing fires.  "They live the life of a fire fighter for a couple of hours," said Deputy Chief Brad George.  "It's to instill fire safety at a young age.  Hopefully it will carry on through."

The Triphammer Road project is nearly complete.  The final paving has been done, lanes painted, and traffic lights are in operation.  Village of Lansing Engineer Dave Putnam reported that the primary contractor, Suit-Cote, is finished.  "The second left turn lane onto Pyramid Drive opened today," he said in Monday's Board of Trustees meeting.  "I just came over the bridge and there were two left turn arrows."

Even with a brand new enlarged parking lot, cars were parked up and down Auburn Road in front of Lansing Fire Station 4 for the North Lansing Auxiliary's October breakfast.  Around fifteen volunteers were cooking and serving pancakes, French toast, sausage, eggs and potatoes to keep up with the crowd.  "It's repeat performances all the time," said Irene Tyrrell.  "But today we've got people who have never been here before.  It's word of mouth.  We don't advertise that much.  We've got a lot of new people."

Pet of the WeekHi I’m Taylor! I am a brown Tabby with a white tummy and I am also a spayed female. I am o so cute so do you think you could come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Healing WellCommunication is the most essential element in a relationship. Whether one considers the home, the workplace, being among friends or enemies, in any situation where people are involved, effective communication provides the means to achieve a positive outcome. Individuals who possess basic communication skills are more likely to overcome obstacles in their life both at home and outside the home. With the right skills, relationships are mended, arguments are worked out, and issues of conflict are peacefully resolved.

Yet, with this in mind, why is there so much unresolved conflict in life? Why do relationships between individuals often break down and end in separation or divorce? Why are companies at odds with one another in the market place? Most importantly of all, why are nations constantly at war with one another with many conflicts pitting brother against brother? The answer often comes down to the effectiveness of communication.

A new fire station in the village of Lansing is slowly grinding to being realized as the Lansing Fire District continues negotiating with the Village for a location.  With about half of all emergency calls coming from the Village and a woefully inadequate Station 5 on Oakcrest Road, the Fire District has been seeking to build a new $2+ million station that is large enough to handle modern fire trucks and equipment.  The District owns land across the street from the current station, but Village Officials don't want them to build in what they view as a potential residential development zone.

Everyone knows that if you are in business you are competing against your rivals.  But local businesses that go against that conventional wisdom have found ways to increase business for everybody by teaming up to create events that bring more business for everybody.  Last weekend's Fun Family Weekend is a case in point.  The event brought hundreds of customers and tourists to Baker's Acres, Indian Chimney Farm, King Ferry Winery, and The Plantsmen Nursery.  ""We're all promoting together, instead of against of each other," says Reenie Baker Sandsted, who runs Baker's Acres.  "'Cayuga's East Shore,' is what we say."

Lansing Central Schools hosted Dr. James Gabarino, author and child development expert Thursday at the Middle School Auditorium. Dr. Garbarino’s presentation entitled “Aggression in Boys and Girls and What We Can Do About It” is based on his books Lost Boys (NY: Free Press, 1999) and See Jane Hit (NY: Penguin Press, 2006).

According to Dr. Garbarino, one of the important developmental starting points in understanding violence is that physical aggression is essentially universal in infants (and equally so for males and females). The keys to the socialization of early aggression are "cognitive structuring" (the ideas about aggression) and "behavioral rehearsal" (practice with aggressive behavior).

Twice a year the shopping event of the Spring and Fall are right here in Lansing when the Lansing United Methodist Church opens its doors for its annual rummage sales.  The Fall sale was last Friday and Saturday, and items filled the church and burst into the parking lot as shoppers streamed in to get bargains.  "Everything is wonderful this year.  We have great weather, great people, and hopefully the next one, which will be in the second weekend in May, will be even better," said Ed LaVigne, who chairs the sales.

If you didn't know last weekend was "I Love New York Alpaca Weekend," the hint was that many alpaca farms across the state were open with signs on street corners pointing  visitors in the right direction.  That included Lansing's Angel Tree Farm on Schofield Road, where the Engels family welcomed guests Saturday and Sunday.  "We've had very good attendance," Carol Engels said.  "I think people are becoming more aware of alpacas.  And it's I Love New york Alpaca weekend.  I think it's a big draw for people.  They're out visiting farms and it's a great Fall weekend."