Archive: Around Town

By Chloe Winter

Well hi there, my name is Omega! I'm your typical friendly tiger cat. I'm a boy, by the way, and yes, I am neutered! I was brought to the SPCA after being found as a friendly stray. I'm only 2 years old, so I'm young and full of energy. My favorite thing is rubbing up against your leg or your hand. I'm nice and healthy, and I'm ready to find my forever home!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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By Chloe Winter

Meet Molly! Only 3 years old and sweet as pie. She is a little shy at first but if you sit down and let her take her time sniffing you, she will be in your lap in no time! Her blonde hair is a low-maintenance wire coat so she won't need excessive brushing or grooming. With regular baths and consistent tooth brushing, she's good to go! Won't you come and meet Molly? She can't wait to find a forever home!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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 I work for a small company that has become a family run business. The owner's wife, her sister, and sister's husband are all employed by the company. It feels very much like a dysfunctional family here. Those unrelated to the boss are like children caught in the crossfire between family members. If the boss and his wife have had an argument prior to coming to work, it's pretty apparent and all the employees need to walk on egg shells. If the wife's sister is angry or jealous of an employee, she puts a bug in her sister's ear and that employee pays dearly. The problem is, we are all highly paid and it's hard to come by another job paying as well. How can I survive the stress of this position until I find other employment?
Caught in Crossfire

This is a collection of recent images from around my home and surrounding areas. There is such beauty and tranquility to be found, as well as a few surprises!

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For the past two years, the Hydrilla Task Force of Cayuga Lake has been monitoring a line of small but thriving hydrilla plants anchored in shallow water just offshore of Ithaca's Stewart Park in Cayuga Lake. On August 13 (rain date August 14), the US Army Corps of Engineers hydrilla team for Cayuga Lake will oversee the targeted treatment of these plants using the aquatic herbicide Komeen Crystal.

Led by Regional Technical Specialist Michael Greer of the US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District, the team will work with Solitude Lake Management to apply the herbicide directly to the the plants, in a water depth of about three feet with a surface area of 4 acres. This action is expected to take approximately 2 hours to complete. Please see accompanying map.

Anna M. Sannes has joined the First Congregational Church of Ithaca (FCCI) as full time Director of Children and Youth Ministries. A member church of the United Church of Christ denomination, FCCI is located at 309 Highland Road, near the Cornell campus.

Rev. Dr. David Kaden, senior minister, expressed, "We are delighted to have Anna join our staff! In addition to her excellent qualifications, she brings energetic passion for the spiritual development of children and youth. She has a spark. And we are confident that under Anna's leadership, this vital ministry will grow and flourish for years to come."

Over the past few months, you may have noticed a new boat plying the waters of Cayuga Lake.  In fact, this new boat is the Teal, run by the not-for-profit organization Discover Cayuga Lake.  The 63-foot Teal is distinctive with teal awnings and details, and is the new home of the Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom, as well as a burgeoning boat tour business.  The beautiful MV Teal can accommodate over 60 passengers.

Discover Cayuga Lake was created to continue the vision of the original Floating Classroom, to provide educational programs and lake access for young people throughout the region.   With the recent purchase of the commercial vessel Teal—a big step for a small organization—Discover Cayuga Lake has also introduced a public tour business to support the continuing educational mission.  They are hoping to work with local supporters and lake communities to create a successful model for the future. In fact, starting with a 3-PM open-house and ribbon cutting ceremony at Allan Treman Marine State Park on Wednesday, August 29, the Discover Cayuga Lake board and staff will be reaching out to thank their supporters and offer several community-visioning cruises during the fall.

Z95.5 and Fidelis Care Launches 8th annual 'Build Your Backpack' community school supply program ITHACA, NY — Saturday August 18, 2018 Marks the start of one of the biggest events of the year for Z95.5, the Build Your Backpack campaign. Every August, Z95.5 teams up with local sponsors to provide free backpacks and school supplies to area students. This year, Z95.5 will give the community five opportunities to get stocked up on supplies beginning August 18TH at the Walmart in Ithaca.

Senator Pam Helming announced Wednesday that $5 million is available through the New York State Companion Animal Fund to support critical improvement projects at animal shelters around our state. The fund allows eligible organizations to make significant updates to their facilities to enhance animal care and health. Funding is available to non-profit and municipal animal shelters, humane societies, and societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The program aims to help these organizations continue to provide sheltering services to local communities and promote better care for the animals.

"As an animal lover, I am a strong supporter of assisting the animal shelters that care for our shelter pets until they find a home with a loving family. Earlier this year, I joined my State Senate colleagues to pass a package of legislation aimed at keeping our pets and owners safe and holding accountable those who harm and abuse them. We also fought to secure an additional $5 million in the state budget for the Companion Animal Fund, which provides humane societies and shelters with grants for capital projects, so they can take care of our shelter pets until they await their forever home. I am glad that this funding opportunity is available to municipal and nonprofit organizations around the Wayne-Finger Lakes region and New York State, and I encourage eligible groups to take advantage of these grants," Senator Helming said.

Lansing Central School District officials welcomed the idea of exploring the viability of converting school HVAC from natural gas to electric-sourced heating.  Energy engineer and Lansing resident Burt Bland told the Board Of Education Tuesday that he would like to consult with them on a possible conversion to heat pumps or some other alternative that would remove the schools from sketchy gas service in the wake of NYSEG's latest determination that the level of gas pressure provided to the school campus is safe, despite being below the pressure they previously deemed unsafe.

"There are a number of incentives now, because of this particular situation in Lansing," Bland said.  "The Public Service commission and NYSEG are interested in solving this problem, allowing economic development to proceed, making sure there is reliable natural gas service.  It's a developing situation.  They were about to spend $18 million on the West Dryden pipeline, so theoretically that's freed up for incentivizing other purposes."

I have a friend with whom I generally get along very well. She seems to have an innate sense of "fair play." That is, if I invite her to my house for dinner, it's her turn next to have me for dinner. If she does me a favor, she expects that I repay her in kind. I can deal with this for the most part, except that every once in a while she changes the rules and I no longer know what's expected of me. If I pick her son up from school, I should know that she is going through a difficult time and am expected to continue this transportation arrangement for a few weeks. It's getting exhausting playing this game. I sincerely enjoy her company for the most part, and don't want to discontinue our relationship. How can I make this a win/win?
Friend of a Rule Changer

In Tompkins County, the fight against drunk drivers is a prevalent issue we are always working to combat. Combined with other local communities across New York, the battle will always persist and requires the conscious efforts of citizens within an area to overcome. Regardless of your age or gender, an impaired driving accident can affect you without any control. The effects can have a tremendous impact on families from the decision of one person- related or not.

Tompkins County places a proactive approach to combating impaired driving and the police force closely monitors drivers who might be under the influence. However, it's not a topic that just one agency can tackle, and requires community members to come together. Education, proactive approaches such as demonstrations, media attention, and learned behavior are key factors that can help prevent this statewide issue.

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