Archive: Around Town

Throughout my life I've experienced the feeling of being controlled by other people, including siblings, my parents, my partner, friends and employers. I feel like I'm putting an energy out there that encourages this behavior in others, and I don't know how to break free from it. A recent example is a decision to buy a new car. I know what I wanted, but I acquiesced to my partner and her preferences. I now own a car that is perfect – for her. How can I get others to stop their propensity for dominance over me?
Tired of Subservience

By Chloe Winter

Hello, my name is Wooster! I'm a senior cat looking for a home where I can relax and get comfortable. I arrived at the SPCA because my previous owner was moving out of the country. They wanted you to know that my best qualities are cuddles and loyalty! I love to be pet and I might even sit on your lap. Won't you consider a special older gentleman like me?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Cornell University scientists will explore turning trash into treasure as Cornell's new pyrolysis kiln – the largest research kiln of its kind at a U.S. university – will help scientists explore the potential for carbon-negative energy production, producing new biomaterials and creating Earth-friendly biochar.

Biochar is a solid, charcoal-like material formed by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen in a process known as pyrolysis.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday the official grand opening of the new Finger Lakes Welcome Center on the shore of Seneca Lake in Geneva, Ontario County. Cuomo also announced in 2017 New York welcomed 243.8 million visitors, who generated $67.7 billion in direct spending, breaking previous tourism records. The Finger Lakes Welcome Center promotes local attractions and regional food and beverage producers, including the Finger Lakes' award-winning wines. New York Kitchen, formerly the New York Wine and Culinary Center, will operate the Welcome Center.

"The Finger Lakes are one of New York's greatest treasures, and the new welcome center in Geneva celebrates the region's rich culture and heritage and encourages visitors to explore the world-class attractions," Cuomo said. "Tourism is vital to regional economies across the state, and our new visitor and spending records are proof positive of the success of our investments."

You show up early and claim your piece of Myers Park for the evening.  You sit back and enjoy the band, maybe visiting with friends, maybe getting some food or something to drink, maybe even dancing.  That's the easy part of the summer Myers Park concert series.  Putting it all together is a different matter.  That takes a combination of persistence, experience, good timing, good connections, good luck, and good weather.  But Lansing Park Superintendent Steve Colt says the series' success has made booking the shows more a matter of culling than struggling to book bands.

"Back in the beginning when we ran it out of a pavilion and 40 or 50 people would come and watch, you had to call around and see if somebody would give you the time to come out and play," he says. "Now it's taken on a life of its own.  I've got a drawer full of CDs that performers send, and now, of course, they send you links to online performances.  Now we get a lot of requests to play there.  The hard part is to balance and try to rotate people through.  To try to keep favorites there , but not too long because you don't want to get boring."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo deployed the first installation of recycled materials thursday from the former Tappan Zee Bridge, as well as former Canal vessels, in the Shinnecock Reef, launching the Governor's initiative to significantly expand New York's network of artificial reefs. Announced in April, the program is poised to bolster 12 artificial reefs off the shores of Long Island—the largest expansion of artificial reefs in state history. The materials for the reef expansion will be strategically placed to improve New York's diverse marine life and boost Long Island's recreational, and sport fishing and diving industries. In addition to the inaugural expansion of the Shinnecock Reef announced today, five additional reef sites will be enhanced this year at sites off the shores of Smithtown, Moriches, Fire Island, Hempstead, and Rockaway.

"Long Island's economy thrives when there are fish for anglers to catch and recreational opportunities to explore marine life along the coast," Governor Cuomo said. "These artificial reefs are an investment in a stronger, more diverse marine ecosystem that will bolster the economy and bring a new purpose to the former Tappan Zee Bridge that will continue to serve New Yorkers for generations to come.

 I'm feeling like I know what it is to be the victim of an energy vampire. I have a new-ish friend with whom I have much in common. We enjoy many of the same activities, and at first I really enjoyed her company. She was fun, intelligent and interesting. She also has many health issues. Little by little she seems to have gotten my husband and me to help her out quite often. (She lives alone). At first it was small things, like cleaning her gutters, taking her to doctor appointments, feeding her animals when she went away. I now feel like she has become very dependent on us, and we feel like substitute parents. It feels like a physical drain being around her. Her depression is now apparent and conversation is always about her problems. She contacts me in one way or another every day. I don't want to make matters worse for her or be cruel, but I'm not equipped to deal with her problems and her level of neediness. My stomach turns when I get her texts or phone calls. How can I get out of this situation without being the cause of her possible emotional breakdown?
Vampire Victim

June 1st through June 3rd Cayuga Radio Group will be at the Ithaca Festival with their canned food drive. Last year, almost 2,000 pounds of food was collected by area schools prior to the festival and during festival weekend. All the cans collected are presented to the United Way of Tompkins County for various food pantries in the area.

Caroline, Belle Sherman, Cayuga Heights, Northeast, Enfield, South Hill and Trumansburg Elementary Schools along with Ithaca High School are running 'Kids Helping Kids' can collection campaigns prior to the parade.

Alyson Murphy is the newest component to the leadership team at the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County. Well known in the aquatics department as a former weekend swim lesson coordinator, Murphy has made connections with the Tompkins County community through teaching and promoting quality, life-saving swim lessons for all ages.

Murphy grew up around swimming pools swam recreationally for most of her life, and also participated in synchronized swimming, and short-term, competitively as a child. College, grad school and being a parent took her away from swimming for quite a few years. She returned to the aquatic life in 2011 when her daughter was old enough to participate in the Y SKIP (infant/parent) classes as a means to meet socialize with other parents of young children as a new resident of the area

By Doug Scott

My name is Peaches! I'm friendly, affectionate, and playful. I lived with an older cat; we got along well, we slept in the same bed together! I'm a bit more picky about my dog friends (big dogs scare me!) Wanna know some of my favorite things? Toys! Especially balls. And walks, of course! I'm ready to be your new BFF!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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