Archive: Around Town

Most Tompkins County parents are familiar with their local youth services, or Ithaca Youth Bureau.  For the most part those parents aren't aware of an umbrella organization that provides programs and support to local organizations such as Lansing Youth Services.  Tompkins County Youth Services Department has been supporting local youth agencies for 40 years.  To celebrate they asked the public to nominate 'caring adults' who have also supported local youth, often without recognition, across the county.

"When we began our celebration journey we discussed ways to celebrate the past 40 years," said Youth Services Director Amie Hendrix at an event at the Ithaca Marriott on the Commons on October 18th. "As we drilled down to what this celebration meant for us there were several considerations – it had to be something that showcased our values, we wanted it to have meaning, and it needed to be more than an event. Using our mission as a foundation, we spoke with key stakeholders about what makes youth services so special. It was then that we realized that we heard the same thing time and time again – we are the behind the scenes department that is the constant, consistent advocate for young people in Tompkins County. We invest in each community in Tompkins county providing our time, talent, resources and funding. For these communities and organizations – we are often the caring adults that are behind the curtain."

A long-time Ithaca resident has pledged $100,000 to Community Foundation of Tompkins County to create a new endowment that will support a wide range of local nonprofit organizations. The gift is the first made to the endowment for the Tompkins Today Tomorrow Fund, administered by Community Foundation's board of directors. Since it was created in 2003, the fund has supported more than 30 organizations, including the Friendship Donations Network, the SPCA of Tompkins County and the Discovery Trail.

"This pledge represents a great beginning of our effort to build an endowed grantmaking program and put it on a solid footing," said George Ferrari, chief executive officer of Community Foundation. The anonymous donor said she wanted to make the pledge to show her commitment to the community and to set an example she hopes others will follow. "Community Foundation has reached a level of maturity where it can be more proactive in its grantmaking," she said. "They know the local issues, challenges and needs."

A community-wide effort to raise the funds needed to fully enclose the Cass Park Arena continues under the auspices of the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (FIYB), the nonprofit organization that facilitates support for the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), announced FIYB President Jeff Love and Cass Campaign Chair Mary Grainger.

More than $25,000 was raised through the campaign's two fall events, Celebrate Cass! 45th Anniversary Party and the Enclose Cass Extravaganza. In addition, over $30,000 was contributed by event sponsors. A campaign grand total will be announced in early 2018 after Giving Tuesday on November 28 and end-of-calendar-year support is received.

I have been watching the 2017 World Series and it has been exciting! I love playing Volley and Softball.

To do this I must eat right so I can be the best athlete for my team. I drink a lot of Cholate milk!!

Dear Margaret: I've been dating a man for 2 years. We live together in an apartment and a home came on the market that we feel is a good investment. We are thinking mortgage rates will start to go up. It seems to make sense to own a home rather than rent. At this point, we have not talked about marriage. My friends and family have expressed concern over making such a large investment without a commitment of marriage. I'm not even sure I want to be married, and purchasing a home seems to make good financial sense. Can you give some advice?
Rent or Buy

Fiery supernovae, delicate rings of ice, planet-hopping comets – visitors to Fuertes Observatory have seen them all. For 100 years, Fuertes Observatory has opened a window to the cosmos for the Cornell and Ithaca communities.

On Nov. 17, the Cornell Astronomical Society and Department of Astronomy will celebrate Fuertes' centennial. 'A Century of Observing at Fuertes' will feature Phil Nicholson, professor of astronomy, and Mike Roman, reflecting on the observatory's history and long-term impact.

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH) will host its second annual customer appreciation event beginning Monday, November 20th through Wednesday, November 22nd to thank the community that travels in and out of the Ithaca Airport.

The purpose of the event is to recognize the importance of giving back to the people who ensure the airport's success and to celebrate ITH passengers. As part of the event, there will be a contest with a chance to win the grand prize of a $500 travel voucher. Community members and people traveling through the airport will also have the opportunity to receive various ITH-branded merchandise, including water bottles, t-shirts, sunglasses, and more!

Can YOUR teddy bear fly? Give it a chance, and you'll help make a local child's Christmas just a little happier! All it takes is a little Syracuse Crunch!

Stanley Steemer, in cooperation with the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club, are poised to fly teddy bears into the excited, waiting arms of thousands of local children! The game, December 2, 2017 against the Belleville Senators will be the 7th annual Stanley Steemer Tired Teddy Toss at the War Memorial Arena. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, a teddy bear toss is a popular Christmas season promotion at many professional and junior hockey arenas throughout North America.

By Doug Scott

My name is Sheba and I am 4 year old girl. I was brought to the SPCA by some great people who saw me outside and knew I needed to find a furr-ever home. I am a beautiful grey cat who has soft, short fur.  I would love to find a home where I can sit in the window and maybe watch some birds at a bird feeder. If you would be interested in visiting with a cute cat why don't you come in and say "Hi" to me! I promise you won't regret it!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v13i45

On October 1st the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County began serving meals each week day thanks to three grants received from the Y of the USA and the Walmart Foundation.  The $25,000 grant will provide full, healthy meals for children, as well as equipment and staff to prepare the meals.

"They're excited about trying vegetables," says the Y's Associate Executive Director Teresa Moorehouse.  "They will come home having had something in their lunch at school, and they will ask 'is this HEPA compliant?'  They ask that question.  It's the coolest thing.  The food  involves the elements of dairy with non-fat milk, vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains.  Considerable research has been done to ensure the food procured has no added sugars or fats, only health for our kids."

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. Yep, I'm just that sweet! Snuggles, cuddles, naps- these are all things I love to do after a nice play session. Playtime is one of my favorite times. I can be a little bit shy at first, but give me a little time and I will warm up quickly. I think I’d like to be the only dog in the home. Think we could be great friends? Come on down to the SPCA of Tompkins County and ask to be introduced to me!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v13i42

If it's Election Day it's the North Lansing Auxiliary Election Dinner and Supper.  The tradition has been going on for more than 90 years in North Lansing, 53 of them under the auspices of the North Lansing Auxiliary.  Before they were held at North Lansing Fire Station # 4, they were at the North Lansing grange Hall, now long gone.

The Auxiliary was formed when the North Lansing community decided to have their own fire company. Originally it was separate from the Lansing Fire District, but has since merged. The Auxiliary still raises money on their own to help maintain it, as well as supporting a number of charities including Hospicare, Loaves and Fishes, the Salvation Army, the Lansing Food Pantry, the local juvenile incarceration center, and providing scholarships to Lansing.  The annual Dinner and Supper is a major fundraising effort.