Archive: Around Town

The New York State Department of Health announced last Friday the next step in the statewide rollout of eWIC, an electronic benefits transfer card which eliminates paper checks and provides a more convenient way for families in the Women, Infants, and Children program to shop for WIC foods. Today's expansion brings WIC stores online in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Broome, Chenango, Tioga, Tompkins, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties.

"As this new technology is adopted in stores throughout New York State, eWIC participants will be able to enjoy a convenient shopping experience for the nutritious foods that help keep us healthy," said Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "We are excited to be able to bring this vital benefits program online for consumers and thank our provider and vendor partners for their enthusiasm for this initiative."

Both Tompkins County Director of Assessment Jay Franklin and Assistant Director Irene Kehoe were recognized this month by their fellow assessment professionals in New York State.

Director Franklin is the recipient of the Harry Dunks Memorial Award, presented at the New York State Association of County Directors of Real Property Tax Services annual fall conference on October 16th. This award comes in recognition of outstanding dedication and integrity in promoting the organization to make it a strong and successful association. The award is not given annually, but is awarded only when and to whom it is appropriate. The recipient is recognized as being active in the association and serving as a mentor to fellow directors.

The saying goes, 'There's no such thing as a free lunch'.  That's not strictly true, especially if you are a veteran, because the Lansing Food Pantry is distributing free Veteran's Day meals to veterans this year November 12th from 11 to noon.  The giveaway will take place right after the regular November Mobile Food Pantry hour in Lansing.  There is no eligibility requirement except that you have to be a veteran.

"After the Mobile Food Pantry, from 11 to 12 veterans can come in and we're providing them with a roasting chicken, potatoes, stuffing and vegetables to take home with them," says Lansing Food Pantry Director Nancy Myers.  "It's just for veterans."

There were just a few sprinkles as the Raymond C. Buckley Elementary School held their annual Fall Parade outdoors. Parents and friends watched from the sidewalk, many with cameras, as each class was lead by their teachers and walked around the circle. There were lots of colorful creative costumes, high fives, and smiles all around.

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In a gathering I recently attended, the speaker insisted that the opposite of love is not hate, but fear. A lot of heads shook yes at this statement. I'm feeling like there are people I dislike, and do not love, but to say that I fear them confuses me. The people in this group consider themselves to be 'enlightened', whatever that means. I don't know if I'm just not enlightened, or I will get it someday, or if this groups just isn't for me. What are your thoughts?
Confused, Not Fearful

By Chloe Winter

Ginger is a beautiful husky mix. She's 5 years old, calm, and looking for a quiet and relaxing home. She has arthritis, but that doesn't stop her from being sweet as pie. Ginger is also cat-friendly! Does she sound like your perfect match?

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On occasion, we get together with another couple in which the husband dominates the conversation and interrupts when someone else has the floor. We really do like them and don't want to shut them out of our lives, but this guy is getting to be hard to tolerate. Is there any way to resolve this and tactfully get him yield to others?
Tired of the Talker

The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office will be transitioning to plastic pistol permit cards from the original paper format. The plastic pistol permit card has become the standard in New York, and after a long process, the Tompkins COunty Sheriff Office says it is happy to announce that they are available.

The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced that $1 million is available to large real estate portfolio owners – such as real estate developers, colleges and universities, retailers, public sector agencies, and other private, public, or non-profit entities – for support with developing energy performance standards and institutional mechanisms to enable the design, construction and operation of net zero buildings across their statewide portfolios. Net zero energy buildings consume no more energy, on an annual basis, than they produce onsite through renewable energy technologies. Today's announcement supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.

NYSERDA President and CEO Alicia Bartonsaid, "As we move toward achieving Governor Cuomo's energy goals, encouraging large private, public and non-profit entities to pursue net zero energy performance early in the design process is critically important to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our building stock. Lowering harmful emissions through net zero energy performance buildings results in cleaner communities and helps protect the environment – a win-win for all."

The Lansing Town Board approved the construction of a permanent barbecue pavilion in the parking lot in front of the Town ball fields at their October meeting a week and a half ago.  The Pavilion is to be named for the late Dr. Robert C. Baker, who, in addition to inventing more than 40 chicken innovations is the creator of Cornell Sauce, which, as well as being used around the world to flavor barbecued chicken, has been used on countless thousands of chickens that have been barbecued in front of the Town Hall.  Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne proposed naming the 48 foot long pavilion for Baker.

"After all, we've been using his sauce forever," LaVigne said.  "Dale Baker mentioned lettering 'Robert C. Baker Memorial Pavilion' on one end and 'Home of the Chicken Barbecue' on the other end because he was so instrumental in developing ways to serve chicken."

Governor Andrew Cuomo was at the Ithaca-Tompkins Airport Tuesday for the groundbreaking of a $24.7 million renovation that will turn Tompkins County's regional facility into an international airport.  The terminal will be expanded by 50%, including a new customs facility, major security enhancements, expanded ticket counter space, food service enhancements, a canopy at the front of the terminal, and a solar power canopy above the parking lot, a new 5,000-square-foot Federal Customs facility, among other upgrades.  The groundbreaking included a first look at renderings showing what the airport will look like.  Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

By Chloe Winter

Hello! I'm Maxim. I came to the shelter as a friendly stray. I love to play and zip around with all my young cat energy! I've already been given some dental work I needed, but there's one more procedure that I'm going to need some wonderful and caring human to help me out with. I promise, I'm super friendly, playful, and worth it!

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