Archive: Around Town

Ithaca, NY - United Way of Tompkins County has once again successfully completed all of the United Way of America membership requirements on time, reported James A. Brown, President, of the organization. For the past two years, United Way of Tompkins County has been among the first local United Ways to complete this extensive review process. The requirements include: MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION, MEMBERSHIP INVESTMENT, INCOME AND EXPENSE SURVEY and the DATABASE 2 SURVEY OF TOTAL RESOURCES GENERATED (a survey that captures the full extent of a community’s resource development efforts during the year).

“The membership standards must be certified annually in order for us to remain a member of the United Way system,” stated Brown. “It is important for us to maintain a high standard of accountability and this is part of the process to document that our operations are transparent and meet or exceed United Way membership criteria requirements.”

If you have been investing for even a little while, you have probably heard that it's a good idea to diversify your holdings.

By spreading your investment dollars among a range of securities, you can help defend yourself against downturns that may largely affect one type of asset. For example, if you own only stocks, and the stock market is slumping, your portfolio may be vulnerable to sizable losses. But if you own stocks, bonds and other investments that are appropriate for your needs and risk tolerance, you may give yourself more opportunities for success.

Lansing's Board Of Education (BOE) voted 4/0 to approve the appointment of James 'Jamie' Thomas as Lansing Middle School Principal.  This made it official after Thomas became the top candidate in a search this summer after John Gizzi left the position.  Interviews were conducted by administrators, teachers, parents and students, involving about 60 members of the Lansing community.

Ask IMOAsk IMO

 Lansing's Advice Column

Dear IMO,

For years, I have been telling myself that I need to quit smoking. I understand all the health concerns, yet I am afraid that if do quit, I will gain weight. For all of my adult life, I have struggled to keep my weight under control and have been successful. Do you know of any way I can quit smoking and keep from gaining weight?

Sincerely,
Tina

Dear Tina,

Like any decision, yours to quit smoking has its consequences. The most recent literature on smoking cessation states that those who quit smoking might gain 20 pounds within the first few years. Older studies indicated a 5 to 15 pound weight gain over the same time period. Having stated the bad news, I’ll now tell you the good news. Overall, the net benefit from “kicking the habit” far outweighs the extra pounds you will likely gain. Your chances of a heart attack, stroke, blindness, and various forms of cancer will decrease significantly as a result of your decision.

Micaela CookThis month we chose Micaela Cook as our Star of the Month.  Cook is the Lansing Youth Services Program Manager in Lansing Middle School.  She administers a wide variety of programs that have included art, a gingerbread house construction workshop, grape picking, film making, survival skills, foreign culture, crafts, cooking and ecology. 

On top of those she offers special events which last year included free family movie nights at the Town ball fields, an Indonesian music performance and the 3rd Annual Kids' Fishing Derby, which attracted 73 kids.  Janice Johnson of the Tompkins County Department of Youth Services calls her a "top notch program manager."

Barbara Barry, a long time member of the Lansing Youth Service Committee has this to say:

"Micaela has been a truly wonderful youth worker for the Lansing Youth Services Commission.  She has a low-key and engaging rapport with the young people in the  school.  It may be of interest that when we interviewed people for this position several of the candidates whom we thought were very good were interviewed by a group of kids from the Middle School who had participated in programs with the former youth worker (whom we thought was irreplaceable) and Micaela was their choice, hands down.

"Micaela has brought some interesting activities to the program.  Her own interest in environmental issues was a catalyst for a film program on GREEN HOUSES in which the young people filmed several families and the SPCA which have done remodeling of their homes to be more ecologically structured.  The movie they made was excellent and Micaela arranged a showing of it at the Science Center.  The kids were really high on this experience and were young people who would probably never have had this kind of opportunity in any other venue.

"Several members of the Commission have volunteered in various of her activities after school and they always give Micaela the highest praise after they have seen her in action. If young people get finished with a project, Micaela always has other activities around for them to do.  And she is always actively engaged with them. I see her as a great role model and, although I am sure the kids don't think of her that way, I do believe they are absorbing the benefits of having someone who really "sees" and "hears" them."

Micaela's supervisor, Rural Youth Services Coordinator Linda Schoffel, says:

"Former Lansing Middle School Principal John Gizzi wrote an unsolicited letter of support for Micaela's work about a year ago.  He wanted to relay to me 'how important she is to the children'.  Here's a quote from his letter:  'When a student needs additional support, my staff frequently brings up her name as a go to person.  The projects she does with the children will impact them positively for years to come.  The extra time, effort and care she gives children fills in the gaps in their lives.'

"During the middle school years, youth need to stretch their wings and practice positive risk taking.  Micaela offers Lansing youth exciting new activities to try as well as offering the support and encouragement they need to feel successful, which then builds their confidence and feelings of empowerment."


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Dan SegalDan SegalIn many summers, we'd be nearing the hottest stretch run of the year, heading into August with a gardenful of seared plants.  Soils would be drying out and cracking, or just blowing in the wind as dust.  Those precious shade plants would be heading for the mountains about now if they could head anywhere.  And you, local gardener, would be thinking about the sound of leaves underfoot and the taste of a fall apple.  Maybe.

But this summer is different, and enjoy it while you're living it.  This summer is the perfect summer for a garden, for plants, and for the gardener. We've had heat but not too much of it; we've had rains both timely and significant enough to keep things just about perfectly moist; and it's just been really nice out most of the time.

Pet of the WeekHi there I’m Maggie a spayed female sharpie mix. I am a lively girl and love to play. I get along with other dogs but I was kept outside by my previous owners and need a home where I can be indoors. Please come and see me at the S.P.C.A.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Ithaca, NY - As PRI and the Museum of the Earth head into another summer of treasure hunting for fossils and exploring the beauty of upstate New York, they also remember the anniversary of the September 11th attacks with their interpretive gorge walk series this August, now in its third year.

The walks were officially renamed in 2004 to the "James Potorti Museum of the Earth/State Parks Gorge Walks" in memory of Ithaca native James E. Potorti, who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Last week the Lansing Town Board was presented with the Lansing Youth Service Committee's annual report.  This year the program served 153 kids, 116 at the Middle School level and 37 in the High School with programs ranging from High School Helpers to Stilt Walking.  "I want to let you know what great folks you have that live in the Town of Lansing and what a good job they are doing," Janice Johnson of the Tompkins County Department of Youth Services told the Board.  "I've got to tell you, you have one of the best committees that I've worked with in the County."


Lansing Youth Service offers a series of programs to young people who are not typically involved in traditional youth programs.  The committee directs program managers Micaela Cook and Dawn Kleeschulte, who are responsible for administering the programs.  Some, like Primitive Pursuits, are shared with other municipalities' programs, while others, like Young Filmmakers, are taught directly by the program managers.  Beth Bement Martin was on hand at the Town Board meeting to represent the Lansing committee.

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 Lansing's Advice Column

Dear IMO,

I am a director of non-for-profit corporation. Our reception desk is staffed by volunteers. One of our volunteers always helps herself to the copier for her personal needs. The office has a policy of charging 10¢ for each personal copy made. I don’t want to offend or upset the volunteers, but do I have the right to ask the volunteers to follow the same policy as the staff?

In need of advice,
TJK

Dear TJK,

Yes, you do have the right to ask volunteers to follow office policy regarding the copy machine. Your office policies ought to apply to the volunteers. For some non-for-profits, federal and state guidelines mandate that volunteers are considered staff and must adhere to all guidelines and policies.

The search for a Middle School Principal concluded when James Thomas was chosen from among over 30 applicants.  Lansing Superintendent Mark Lewis will recommend Thomas to the Board Of Education (BOE) in their regular meeting Monday, and if they vote to accept the appointment he will take the helm early in August.  Thomas will replace John Gizzi, who had the post for three years.

"Mr. Thomas is currently the associate principal of Dewitt Middle School in the Ithaca City School District," says Lewis.  "His recommendation for appointment follows a comprehensive screening and interview process involving teachers, parents, support staff, students, administrators, and members of the board of education."