Archive: Around Town

How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?  None, actually, since they can't chuck wood.  But according to enthusiasts in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania woodchucks, otherwise known as groundhogs, can predict the weather.  Today (February 2) is the 131st Groundhog Day, a day when Punxsutawney Phil peeks out of his burrow to see if he can see his shadow.  If yes, we're in for another six weeks of cold, cold winter.  If not, he predicts we'll get an early Spring.

That's the theory, but the Web site LiveScience.com reported last year that in reality Phil has only been right about 36% of the time.  Yet people have made much of the meteorological rodent's predictions since 1987, when newspaper editor Clymer Freas convinced members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club that it was a good idea.  They schlepped to Gobbler's Knob, where they observed the first official Groundhog Day groundhog see his shadow.  Bad news indeed, but  good predictor of the chilly news to come -- Phil has seen his shadow about 86% of the time since that fateful day.

Lansing Parks staff removed what was thought to be a dead boar from a silt deposit in Salmon Creek Monday.  The animal, which turned out to be a domestic hog, was discovered on a silt deposit just off of Salt Point. Recreation Supervisor Pat Tyrrell said it was impossible to tell whether the animal was dumped or washed down the creek.

"We couldn’t tell what it died from," Tyrrell said.  "I haven’t heard about any wild hogs in the area in four or five years.  It did have small tusks just barely visible outside it’s mouth."

Even fire fighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) deserve a night off, or especially emergency responders.  Lansing Volunteer Fire Department members got their night Saturday for its Officer Installation Banquet.  Fire Department members were joined by their families, representatives from neighboring departments and local dignitaries for the annual dinner-dance.

"I extend my best wishes to the officers as they move on in the year ahead," said Department of Emergency Response Director Lee Shurtleff. "They are offering an oath of service.  In recognition of the fact that they have made a commitment, not just to the Department, but to their community.  They share a deep love for the fire service.  Nothing happens without the leadership of the officers of these departments."

Dear Margaret: I'm planning my wedding and have hit a snag. One of my bridesmaids, Clarice, now tells me that she won't participate in my wedding in any way, shape or form if Claudia is invited. Since college days Clarice and Claudia have been enemies, while I have been able to maintain a friendship with both women. I'm terribly hurt that Clarice has put me in this position. No matter what I decide to do, I risk losing a friend. How can I resolve this without hurting someone?
In the Middle

Gerry and Caroline Cox have taken the adage, "Think globally, act locally," and put those words into practice by creating an environmental education fund at Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

The Coxes, who live in Ithaca, want the fund to support any organization that educates the public about ecological issues in the entire Cayuga Lake watershed. "This topic is not covered well in our educational system, but it's important to us," said Gerry, a former assistant dean at the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences. "Our concern is with the long-term health of this region's ecosystem and its inhabitants."

The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI), in Ithaca, New York, is taking the first steps in a national campaign to spread the best available scientific knowledge on the subject of climate change to every high school science teacher in the United States. This week, PRI started mailing out their widely-acclaimed book, The Teacher-Friendly Guide™ to Climate Change, to teachers and high schools across New York State.

Scientists around the globe agree that climate change is the greatest human challenge of the 21st century. In the United States, however, climate science is under attack, as the current Federal administration slashes funding and casts doubt on the validity or importance of human-caused climate change. Increasing access to peer-reviewed climate science is critical, and the best place to begin is in the school classroom where youth first learn to examine data and create informed opinions.

Tompkins County Sheriff's Office Deputy Makenzi Alling received the Officer of the Month Award Monday from Ithaca Kiwanis.

Deputy Alling was nominated by her supervisor, Sergeant Ryan Slocum, for her exemplary performance during an incident that occurred on February 7th, 2017, where Deputy Alling was assisting with a child custody complaint. The situation became increasingly chaotic and stressful; to the point of weapons being aimed at Deputy Alling. Throughout the situation, Deputy Alling maintained her composure, showed great restraint by not using physical force, maintained open communication with all parties involved, and upheld her professional demeanor; which resulted in safe retrieval of the child.

The Sophie Fund presented a donation check for $829.50 to the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service (SPCS) of Ithaca. Cornell University's Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Chapter and Active Minds at Ithaca College raised the funds in The Sophie Fund's "cupcake button" campaign last fall.

Both student organizations set up fundraising tables on their campuses as well as at GreenStar Natural Food Market's stores in the West End and Collegetown. The Sophie Fund selected SPCS to be the recipient of monies collected in the 2017 cupcake button campaign.

By Doug Scott

Hello, my name is Newt and I'm a beautiful black cat. I'm only 3 years old and I have extra toes that look like thumbs, how cool is that! I am sweet but can be a little shy when you first meet me.  I'm pretty afraid of dogs, so I would prefer a home without any, please and thank you.  I would love to lay in a window and watch birds at a bird feeder.  I also wouldn't mind laying on the couch or in my own kitty bed. Why don't you come say 'Hi' to me?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Two local raptors made unexpected recoveries this month following exposure to common and deadly man-made toxins: lead and rodenticide.

"These two cases represent extremely fortunate birds," said Sara Childs-Sanford, chief of service at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center. "Many, many more die in the wild without anyone knowing."

By Doug Scott

Hello, my name is Anakin. I'm a grey tiger-striped male cat with medium length fur. I'm only 2 years old and ready to find my forever home. I may be shy at first, so I would appreciate if you give me some time to get used to you. It just takes a little patience to meet my handsome self. If you have a calm home, we could be a purr-fect match!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Lansing Bobcats Robotics Team was part of a three-team coalition that received three of the top ten scores at the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) New York Excelsior Corning Excelsior Region meet January 7th.  This year the Lansing team made it to the regional (state) competition for the fourth time out of the five years the team has existed.  But this year's alliance win was the farthest the team has made it in league competition.  Juniors on the team hope to do even better next year.

"We usually end up in January or February" says team Secretary Brandon Rosenberg. "We haven't gone beyond States.  We made it to States every year except one, the second year.  There are multiple levels beyond: super-regionals and world.  25 countries have FIRST in them, and they all come together for the World competition.  I want to help guide the team in what I see as a better direction, and I want to help lead us to more successes like we had this year."