Archive: Around Town

February is STEAM Month at the Lansing schools.The Lansing PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization) has partnered with the Lansing Tech Boosters and the Lansing Community Library to focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in a series of fun workshops and activities. 

"We're kicking off STEAM month February 1st with a family fun night that will combine lasers and a dance party," said PTSO President Kristin Hopkins at a Board Of Education meeting Monday.  "It's a way for kids to enjoy STEAM in a relaxing environment."

Dear Margaret: As a fairly new Realtor, I’ve been showing houses for 6 or more months to long-time family friends my parents referred to me. Last week another Realtor called to let me know that she would now be working with this couple. I’m hurt and furious on many levels. I spent my own time and gas money for nothing, the couple didn’t have the decency to call me to let me know personally they have another agent, and these people were supposed to be friends! I want to confront them, but at the same time I don’t want to cause a rift between my parents and their 'friends'. What is the best way to handle this?
No Longer a Property Virgin

Aurora, NY - Wells College has been recognized with a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) based on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). The STARS rubric tracks a range of sustainability-related campus activities and practices on campus; Wells Center for Sustainability and the Environment Director Marian Brown collected data in each category over a period of several months in order to determine the scoring.

In the time since Wells' 2016 STARS evaluation—which earned a rating of silver—the College has developed a number of new processes and programs, including the Finger Lakes Project curriculum development workshop, a sustainable procurement policy and participation in the Solarize CNY aggregated municipal solar power purchase project. The campus community increased its amount of community-service hours and sustainability-themed courses, reduced emissions and energy consumption and integrated better cleaning supplies and more local foods.

By Doug Scott

Hey! Did ya notice my absolutely-super-duper-adorable ears? Pretty cute! And, I've got the personality to match! I love going on walks, how about you? I've been told I walk very nicely on leash, and I hope we get to go on plenty of walks together, and maybe even some hiking adventures! Exploring is just so much fun! I love sniffing around and seeing all the sights when I'm out and about. I’m also a bit of a lap dog. Please come visit me at the SPCA, we could be friends for life.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The new, beautiful camera you found under the tree is still in its box. You’re a little frightened because of all the controls and hieroglyphics placed all over the thing. You know in your heart that it has the capability of taking photos worthy of National Geographic, but in its box, at least it’s safe.

It’s time to leave your comfort zone. The camera too. You see, if you don’t PLAY with it, you will never get GOOD at it. So it’s now play time.

Sixty-two students from Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) are getting ready to arrive at Cornell University by mid-January. They're choosing classes and – almost as importantly – buying winter coats and long underwear online.

"I'm always refreshing the Ithaca page and I'm like, 'Oh my God, it's so cold!'" said sophomore José De Jesús Szendrey, who's been checking the weather app on his phone.

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has awarded its third Connecting Classrooms Grant this year, which will give 150 DeWitt Middle School seventh-graders the opportunity to engage in a mock archeological dig this spring. Boynton Middle School seventh-graders will join the project in fall 2018.

Connecting Classrooms Grants fund large-scale projects that enhance student engagement and support learning consistent with school and district goals. The grants support collaborative partnerships between teachers and staff within a school, across grade levels and/or between schools.

Lifelong and Foodnet are partnering to bring Foodnet's congregate meal program to Lifelong on Tuesdays starting January 23rd from 11:30am-1:00pm. Foodnet provides meal delivery, comprehensive nutrition services, and social dining programs that promote dignity, well-being, and independence for older adults and others in-need. Foodnet and Lifelong are committed to providing services that enrich the lives of older adults in the community. Lifelong has been a vibrant hub for older adults by providing ongoing supportive learning, wellness, and volunteer programs.

Lucia Sacco, executive director of Lifelong said, "Opening our doors to include a Foodnet congregate meal site aligns perfectly with Lifelong's commitment to create a community where growing older well is a vital part of life." According to Jessica Gosa, executive director of Foodnet Meals on Wheels, "A collaboration to offer nutritious meals at Lifelong just makes sense. This effort complements both organizations' missions to promote health and wellbeing for older adults and others in our community."

Dear Margaret: I know others are dealing with this right now, but I'm finding in this particularly hostile political climate I'm losing some close friends and family, particularly my sister. We can barely get together without a bitter, partisan discussion ensuing. Do I really have to lose friends and family over politics? How can I be true to my values and still engage in meaningful discussion with those I care about?
Politically Exhausted

The Lansing School District is projecting it will under-spend its budget by $337,833 this school year.  District Business Administrator Kathryn Heath told the Board Of Education last week that updated state aid figures and monthly spending predictions show a rosier picture than earlier projections.

"I looked at what was budgeted in the year to date from 12/31, and projected numbers from January to June," she said. "I looked at our trend for the current year, and also looked at last year to make a best estimate of where we might fall.  We will under-spend our budget by about $337,000 if these projected numbers are accurate."

By Doug Scott

Greetings, my name is Ramsey!  I'm pretty sure you're going to fall in love with me on account of how awesome and handsome I am! I'm not a fan of other cats so I think I'd do very well as the king of the house, and I'd do better with adults or children 12 and up. I was a bit of a mess when I got dropped off here, but I'm getting better and better every day. I got my teeth professionally cleaned, and the nice vets here have helped my skin heal up after having fleas and lice - you wouldn't believe my patchy fur when I arrived! But after some treatment and time, my fur has grown back and now I'm looking GOOD! I'm neutered, up to date on my vaccines, microchipped and ready to find my fur-ever human right meow!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Radio veteran John Summers joins Cayuga Radio Group (Saga Broadcasting) and WHCU AM/FM as their Brand Manager and News Director.

Summers was most recently the Regional Program Director and News Director for the Northwest News Radio Network and the Washington Ag Network.

"All of us at Cayuga Radio Group are ecstatic to have John join our team. He is a gifted radio news talent, and will continue to elevate WHCU to new heights," said Chet Osadchey, Cayuga Radio Group President/General Manager. "He has a quality career in news programming and broadcasting and is a superior fit for the role in guiding WHCU."