Archive: Around Town

Only one human-touched object has ever entered interstellar space: NASA's Voyager 1, bearing with it greetings to extraterrestrials in the form of a Golden Record. A special exhibit at Cornell University Library's Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections will feature one of the handful of Golden Record covers that remain on Earth, courtesy of Ann Druyan, never before on public display.

The exhibit is part of the "40 Years of Cosmic Discovery: Celebrating the Voyager Missions and Humanity's Message to Space" at Cornell, which features a panel of luminaries on Oct. 19 at 8 pm in Cornell's Bailey Hall, introduced by Cornell Provost Michael Kotlikoff and featuring people who worked on the mission:

It's not too late to catch Lansing High School presentation 'She Kills Monsters' this weekend at the Lansing Middle School Auditorium. The play is a comic look at the fantasy role-playing world as Agnes Evans explores her late sister's 'Dungeons & Dragons' passion. The production opened last night and continues tonight and tomorrow from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.

By Doug Scott

Hi everyone, my name is Ashes and I'm a very pretty tan-colored tabby cat! I was part of a transfer of several cats from another shelter. I'm a sweet cat and would love to find my furr-ever home! I am a little shy, so a calmer home without children, would probably be best for me. I have already been spayed, vaccinated up to date, and microchipped, so I'm ready to go home with you. Won't you come visit me today?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Ithaca Rotary Club is pleased to announce the awardees for its 2017 round of community grants. Eight grant requests were funded at a total of $6,015. The agencies will be honored at a check presentation on Wednesday, October 11 during Rotary’s noon lunch meeting at Coltivare. Funds for these grants are raised through Rotary’s annual Little Apple Fall Follies (LAFF) event, to be held this coming Saturday, October 7 during Ithaca Apple Festival Week.

Dear Margaret: I work for a young company that has recently hired a large base of Millennials. We used to joke about their idiosyncrasies, but working with them is really a great challenge, and I'm at my wits end. They seem to want accolades for every task they perform, even minor duties that anyone would expect of an employee. They complain about the number of hours they are expected to work, even though they are highly paid, especially just coming out of college. My wife says to fire them, but their replacements would most likely be Millennials as well. They don't seem to understand the corporate environment and are perpetually dissatisfied. I'd like to get along with this new breed of worker. Any suggestions?
Problems with Millennials

11 Lansing students will sing in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Honor Choir next Spring.  The students will travel to Pittsburgh to be part of two of four March 10th honor choir performances at next year's ACDA Eastern Division Conference.  Lansing Middle School music teacher Lucas Hibbard says 11 is a lot of students to be accepted from one school.

"They represent the school, which is awesome," he says.  "Especially the fact that we have 11 kids involved.  In most cases a school will have one or two or three kids accepted.  The fewest I've taken was four, and the most was 13.   I love doing it."

My daughter, when attending school in Massachusetts, attended a workshop in the Berkshires. The rest of the class and the instructors were marveling at the beauty but my girl was unimpressed.

She spoke to the instructor "I don't get it. What's so special here?"

"Where are you from?"

"The Finger Lakes of New York."

The instructor replied "You need to understand. Most people aren't blessed enough to come from a place of real beauty."

Some of the services provided by the professional staff at the Dryden Town Hall are the review of building plans and inspection of construction projects to make sure that they meet New York State safety and energy efficiency standards.  This work has been faithfully carried out for 19 years in the Town of Dryden by Kevin Ezell.

Dear Margaret: A few weeks ago my daughter borrowed my car as hers was in for repair. When I got it back, the cruise control lever on the steering column was broken. I don't mean the cruise didn't work, I mean the lever on the steering column was loose like she yanked it too hard. She returned it without a word. I noticed it the next time I drove it. I'm so angry that she knows she returned it in that condition, probably hoping I wouldn't notice. I'm in my senior years and on a fixed income and insurance won't pay for this repair. I don't want to pick a fight with her and make an accusation I can't prove, but I'm having a hard time letting go of her lack of consideration for her elderly mother. Should I mention this to her so I can let it go and risk the possibility of her being angry with an accusation?
Angry with Daughter

Dryden's Eight Square Schoolhouse celebrated its 190th birthday Saturday with ice cream, cake and live 19th century music.  A steady stream of people toured the building and grounds to get a taste of what going to school in the late 1800s was like.  Schoolmarm Wendy Bacon was at the front door, school bell in hand, to welcome visitors on this special weekend school day.

"Here in the school house it's 1892," explains Bacon. "The 4th graders come here on a field trip.  The bus pulls up I am standing on the steps ringing the dickens out of my school bell.  I'm usually wearing leather boots with a full length black skirt, white blouse with a high neck and long sleeves, and, of course, a little gray bun."

By Doug Scott

My name is Grayson! I am a handsome  5-year-old boy. I am a little shy at first. Once I get to know you all I want to do is play. If you are willing to spend some time, gently introducing me to new things, I will be the perfect canine partner!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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I don't know how this place escaped my attention for so long.

The last time I was here, it had a big sign "Video Ithaca", and the walls were lined with VHS video tapes. I'm setting the Way-Back machine again.

My business donates portrait sessions to worthy organizations including schools, fairs, some student organizations, alumni associations – you get the idea. Some of the very coolest people find their way in front of my camera this way, including Jamie Jensen the events coordinator and partner of Zaza's Cucina. She wondered why I hadn't experienced their restaurant and, well, it hadn't crossed my mind. I know it's a lousy excuse.