Archive: Around Town

Kevin Cole and Conor Stokes have been passionate about playing hockey since they were young, and skating competitively in the prestigious 44th annual International Silver Stick Tournament in Port Huron, Michigan this past weekend was a unique challenge the Lansing freshmen couldn’t pass up.

The spate of New Years Resolutions appearing in cartoons, articles and columns when it is time to turn the calendar page from December of one year over to January of the next always cover a wide range of subjects. One that is sure to be in the top ten, however, is weight loss!

On the other hand, when a congregation is asked about its resolutions, or goals, for the upcoming year, growth and expansion is more likely to be discussed than is getting smaller.

Ask IMOAsk IMO

 Lansing's Advice Column


Dear IMO,

I can't get my work turned in on time what should I do?

Sincerely,

D

Dear D,

Deadlines can be a royal pain, but they also keep us focused and on task, two things that are very foreign to many of us. Like so much in life, it takes practice and patience. The rewards can be very satisfying, but the finish line may seem unreachable. Have no fear, there are three basic rules to keep if you truly want to be complete your work on time and have fun in the process.

Ithaca … To celebrate the Doris Day Animal Foundation’s Spay Day USA campaign, the Tompkins County SPCA will be offering free female cat spays during the month of February. You must make an appointment to participate so call (607) 257-1822 extension 233 right away. TC SPCA Spay Day USA free cat spays are offered on a first-come, first served basis and are limited to residents of Tompkins County.

Led by the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF), Spay Day USA is America’s premier national day of action to promote the spaying or neutering of companion animals. During Spay Day USA, veterinarians and their staff, animal protection workers, business owners, and concerned citizens all across the country join forces to promote spay/neuter as a responsible, humane, and essential component of good pet health care. During Spay Day USA’s first ten years, participants spayed or neutered over one million animals.

The Lansing Town Board implemented a longevity bonus policy for town employees at their regular Wednesday meeting this week. The idea was raised by Councilman Bud Shattuck, who also sits on the personnel committee. "We have a log-term, dedicated staff here, and I think it is good to reward that."

The policy will mean that after 10 years of service an employee will get a special bonus of $200 on the anniversary of their hire date. After 15 years that will go up to $350 and after 20 years $500. This year the policy will cost a total of $4,800, and will go up to $5,400 next year. Town Supervisor Steve Farkas said that while it isn't a lot of money, it is a way of honoring employee loyalty to the town.

According to your story of Jan 15, "Dan Konowalow asked whether the BOE had considered adding periods to the school day to reduce costs. He said that when he was in school this was done to stretch physical resources by staggering student use. This has not been considered, though many complications to implementing it were raised by administrators."

I went to high school in New York City, 1963-65. We were on 3 shifts in our high school, with 40 students per class, and I still feel that my education was superior to the education currently being received by Lansing students.

I'd certainly like to hear more about the problems of our extremely well paid Lansing administrators before I authorize any significant tax increase to fund a massive building project.

From: David Dubin

Pet of the WeekHi my name is Sukie! I was brought to the S.P.C.A. because my last family couldn’t take care for me. I am fun loving, energetic, and playful. So please if you’re in the mood for a female fur ball of fun loving dog I’m your gal! So please come and visit me at the S.P.C.A.!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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v2i3

Ask IMOAsk IMO

 Lansing's Advice Column


Dear IMO,

A few months ago, I purchased a unique table from a friend at her garage sale for $75.00. Although she did not know its value, I jokingly told her she could be selling a priceless antique worth thousands of dollars. She chuckled and said “Just give me the money, and the table is yours.”

At the time, I had a hunch it was a very valuable piece of furniture. After careful examination and a second opinion from an antique dealer, my suspicions were confirmed. The dealer was eager to purchase the table as he had a customer looking for this exact piece. He offered me a large sum of money for the table, and I accepted his offer.

Ithaca … Tompkins County continues to be the safest community in the United States to be a homeless pet. For the fifth year in a row, the Tompkins County SPCA (TC SPCA) saved each and every healthy animal that came into the shelter.

What makes this such an achievement is that the TC SPCA is the only shelter in the nation that’s No Kill and Open Admission, so it doesn’t save only “cute and cuddly” animals, but also finds loving new homes for old and blind animals, and even pets missing limbs. And as the animal control authority for the county and all townships, the TC SPCA ensures that the entire community is No Kill, making Tompkins County statistically the most humane place in America.

Audrey Hummel's Home & Careers class hosted a luncheon at Lansing Middle School on Wednesday that used all the skills her students had learned. Students planned and cooked the meal, set the tables, made place cards and hosted the event. Each table had a student greeter, and the students came up with questions to ask their guests to keep the conversation going. More luncheons are scheduled during the week so that each of her classes will get to host one.

Only 4 in 100 boy scouts reach Eagle rank. It is the ultimate achievement of a boy scout, and to earn the rank a boy must demonstrate exceptional leadership, service and outdoor skills. These attributes see them well into adulthood. President Gerald Ford was an Eagle as well as former US Senator Bill Bradley, current Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Olympics world record holder Willie Banks.

Some scout troops may have no Eagles at a given time, so it it was all the more remarkable that Lansing's Troop 48 inducted two of their boys as Eagles last Saturday. The Lansing Community Center was jammed as fellow scouts, including Eagles, leaders, families and friends honored Frank Massi (17) and David Jones (16).

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A lament heard around Lansing has been, "Will Joe's ever reopen?" This week the answer is yes, as new owners Jamie and Heather Ciaschi reopen the Ithaca landmark Monday, January 16th. They have been renovating the restaurant since November, and it is ready to reopen its doors on Monday.