Archive: Around Town

The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is pleased to announce publication of a graphic-novel style book for children (target ages 8-12) titled 'Daring to Dig: Adventures of Women in American Paleontology', authored by Beth Stricker and illustrated by Alana McGillis.

Women have played a critical role in the development of the science of paleontology in America, but for many years their accomplishments have been overshadowed by those of men. Daring to Dig highlights the adventures and research achievements of a dozen women paleontologists, both from the past century and active today.

The Lansing Town Board considered a permanent barbecue pavilion to be located at the town ball fields parking lot at a working meeting last week.  Chicken barbecues have been a staple of Lansing at the site, raising money for a plethora of local causes, including school athletic teams, scouts, community organizations and local political committees.  Lansing Supervisor Ed LaVigne said the idea isn't new, but said it has been raised again because barbecuing at the site has made a comeback.

"(Town Recreation Supervisor) Patrick Tyrrell and I did an analysis of the number of chicken barbecues in the last five years," he said.  "It had steadily declined.  There were only nine last year.  But they seem to be making a comeback."

'Black Willow' is the name of our farm. We raise a few goats and make a little cheese. The farm is named for the huge, ancient black willow trees that grow behind our house. It's a very peaceful 'natural' area.

Imagine our surprise, on leaving the Renaissance Faire, to see a booth advertising 'Black Willow Winery', and offering tastings. Our first thought was that with the name 'Black Willow', there folks must be ok, so we introduced ourselves. We were greeted warmly by John Little and chatted while tasting their wines and their excellent meads.

The Discovery Trail honored Susan Currie October 13th with the Explorer Award during her retirement celebration as Director of the Tompkins County Public Library. The purpose of the Discovery Trail Explorer Award is to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Discovery Trail through their service. Currie, was honored for her extraordinary leadership in education during her eight years of service to the Discovery Trail board. Previous Discovery Trail Explorer Award recipients include: Terry Byrnes, Roy Park, Kim Fontana, Don Rakow, Jennifer Engel, Frank Robinson and Charlie Trautmann.

Dear Margaret: I have an employee that hoards his work. He completes it, but the problem is that he won't distribute it or train anyone else to do it. When he goes on vacation or is out sick no one can complete the work for him. I've discussed this with him many times and he ignores my requests. He is a good employee otherwise, and I don't want to let him go. How can I make this a win/win?
Workplace Hoarder

By Doug Scott

Hey you! You can call me Pepper Ann. You should know I'm just about the cutest and sweetest hound mix here in Ithaca, and probably the world. I came in as a stray, but I'm happy that now I'm in a safe place where I get lots of care and love while await to get adopted by my furr-ever person! I can be a bit shy at first, and sometimes I get a little nervous in new situations. So, I'll need someone who has a bit of patience and a whole lot of love. My favorite hobbies include sniffing (I just love sticking my nose into everything,) playing and getting excited to meet just about anyone. I think I'd make an excellent adventure partner, and after a long day of play I can't wait to go home and rest/snuggle with you. Sound like a match? Come on down to the SPCA of Tompkins county to meet me. I promise you won't be disappointed!!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Senator Pam Helming is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and helping to raise awareness of this devastating disease. This year, Helming led an effort with the support of several of her Senate colleagues to secure $200,000 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. This important funding allows BCCR to continue its outreach to those impacted by breast cancer and provide expanded cancer services throughout Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne counties.

"The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is an outstanding organization that provides a wide array of services to individuals touched by a diagnosis of breast cancer. Executive Director Holly Anderson and her team are tremendous partners for our community and tireless advocates for breast cancer patients and their families. I was so proud that my Senate colleagues joined me in supporting this fantastic organization, and I am confident that this money will help the Coalition serve those who need it most," Helming said.

Efforts to battle an invasive forest pest just got a boost from a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation grant that enables Cornell Botanic Gardens to continue – and expand – its work to conserve hemlock trees that are foundational to the university's campus and natural areas.

Ecologists refer to hemlocks as a "foundation species" for the plant communities in which they grow because the trees have a profound influence on the survival of other organisms. This state Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control grant will be used over three years to control hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like insect wiping out hemlock populations across eastern forests.

The History Center in Tompkins County and Cornell University Press announced Tuesday the start of a new partnership. The two Ithaca-based organizations will actively cooperate to bring the best local and regional history and authors to Ithaca.

This collaboration will primarily take the shape of talks and events from authors published by Cornell University Press held at The History Center on E. State / E. MLK Street. There will also be opportunities to highlight new themes in documenting history. The series of events, 'CUP Talks', will be open to the public and are intended to generate interest in local history.

Do you own or rent a home built before 1978? Does it have peeling or chipping paint? This Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is the time to Get Your Home Tested, Get Your Child Tested, and Get the Facts about lead in your environment. There are many sources of lead, but most often, children under six years old get lead poisoning from breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint that gets on floors and windowsills, hands and toys. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is preventable.

The theme of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week this year is Lead Free Kids for a Healthy Future. It underscores the importance of testing your home, testing your children, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning's serious health effects. These may include a lower IQ, hearing loss, kidney disease, and growth problems.

At 9:36am Saturday Tompkins County officials were notified that American Airline flight #4250 crashed on arrival at the Ithaca Tompkins County Regional Airport around 9am.  Emergency crews from the airport fire department were joined by firefighters and EMTs from surrounding fire departments that rushed to the scene to put out fires and rescue survivors.  The alert noted the airport was closed, and motorists should avoid the area.

The airport, in fact, was not closed, and flights continued to land as emergency crews worked -- the disaster was an FAA-mandated drill that involved about 200 dispatchers, first responders, airport personnel, evaluators and volunteers playing the roles of crash victims.

"Air transportation is far safer than driving a car," says Airport Manager Mike Hall.  "We don't like to be reminded -- it's bad enough on the evening news every day -- that bad things happen to good people in the pursuit of their activities.  The flip side is we would be derelict if we didn't prepare for the fact that every now and then it does happen.  And when it does, whether it's a car wreck on 13 and Brown or an airplane on the air field, we can help people survive and put their lives back together."

Dear Margaret: I'm in high school and am having trouble. My friends are now interested in doing things with older kids that we all said we'd never do, like lying about where they are to their parents, meaning going to parties where kids are drinking, etc. I've always been pretty popular, and don't want my friends to leave me behind. I also don't want to not be popular. How can I manage this problem?
Afraid of Losing Friends