Archive: Around Town

Saturday august 19, 2017 marks the start of one of the biggest back to school events of the year with the return of the 'Build Your Backpack' campaign. for the 7th year, Z95.5 Radio and Fidelis care will team up to provide free backpacks and school supplies to area students and families. This year, z95.5 will give the community five opportunities to get stocked up on supplies beginning august 19th at the walmart in ithaca.

"This campaign has become a landmark event in the Ithaca area," says Z95.5 Brand Manager and host of The Morning Buzz, Gabe Carrillo, "Year after year it's been rewarding to see the hard work of our stations and community sponsors. We are proud to be able to help families with the rising costs during back to school time." Promotion Director of the Cayuga Radio Group, Jake Davis added, "It speak volumes about sponsors like Fidelis Care. They continue to show tremendous commitment to our youth, and I cannot thank them enough for their involvement."

A community-wide effort to raise funds needed to fully enclose the Cass Park Arena is in its second year under the auspices of the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (FIYB), the nonprofit organization that exists to facilitate support for the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), announced FIYB President Jeff Love and IYB Director Liz Klohmann.

Two fundraising events are planned for this fall; committee members, event volunteers, event sponsors, and prize donors are needed as well as event participants. On Saturday, September 30, Celebrate Cass!, a festive 45th anniversary party for adults is planned at the Country Club of Ithaca. On Saturday, November 4, the second annual Enclose Cass Extravaganza will feature activities for participants of all ages.

After receiving many qualified applicants, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services' (INHS) Board of Directors completed its search for a new Executive Director and selected Johanna Anderson. Paul Mazzarella retires at the end of the year after leading INHS for 27 years. INHS is a 40 year-old not-for-profit corporation that is engaged in real estate development, property management, education, and lending. It seeks to expand housing opportunities for people with modest incomes.

INHS Board President Michael Cannon states: "Johanna Anderson brings a wealth of experience and energy to INHS. She has a strong background in both housing and with CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions). The Board looks forward to working with Johanna going forward."

Graduates from the Lansing High School Class of '77 were in town last weekend to celebrate their 40 year reunion, and to donate an oak tree in remembrance of their classmates who have passed.  The tree is near two pavilions close to Cayuga Lake.  Around 50 people attended the reunion.  The tree and a check for $250 to be used for Recreation Department scholarships was accepted in behalf of the Town by Supervisor Ed LaVigne.

"This is another example of why Lansing is so great -- because you give," LaVigne said.  "This park was built because of people's hard work and generosity.  The same with our playground, the log cabin, and our ball fields.  These scholarships are for people who may not have all the advantages now, but because of this they may be able to give later because they will have all the advantages that they need."

Dear Margaret: I have an issue that I know many of my friends have, and can't seem to find a solution.  My son was married a few months ago, and my daughter-in-law has yet to send out thank you notes. I know a hand written note is a lost art, but many wedding guests traveled a long distance and spent a good deal of money on gifts for the couple and have yet to receive any kind of acknowledgement. Four or five guests have contacted me to see if they did, in fact, receive their gift. I'm embarrassed by the lack of manners and don't know what to do or how to respond. Should I say something to my new daughter-in-law?
Embarrassed

A few years ago, my lovely wife and I had the pleasure of doing the Halloween Party at Americana. We sat and chatted with a number of people, enjoyed coffee in the attached Crystal Lake Café, showed off our costumes and admired everyone else's. In all, a delightful time. But for some reason, I never got to fully taste and appreciate their wines.

That major oversight has now been corrected. 
Why did I take so long? 
Why am I asking you? …never mind.

United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) Board of Directors recently awarded over $900,000 to support the health, education and financial stability of people throughout Tompkins County and beyond. Grants were made through the Community Care Fund, the Focus on Community Understanding and Service (FOCUS) Fund from the Dryden Middle School, and the Hunger & Food Security Fund.

The United Way’s funded partners help people meet immediate basic needs while creating lasting change by strengthening the building blocks for a good life. The Community Care Fund awards of $877,052 support 90 programs. Hunger and Food Security Fund awards totaling $36,400 were invested in nine programs projected to assist 18,648 local residents gain access to an adequate supply of nutritious food.

Just over a dozen Lansing Lions were at Ludlowville Park last Friday, dishing out ice cream at the Lions Club's 7th annual Ice Cream Social.  The event dovetails with the last Ludlowville Concert in the Park each summer.  Since the first Ice Cream Social in 2011, the club has donated several benches, playground equipment, and a new pavilion, all of which were installed at Ludlowville Park.

"It's a community appreciation event," said Lansing Lions president Rick Hayes.  "We have ice cream here, and hope to meet people and have a good time."

By Doug Scott

Hello! My name is Roberta and I'm a lovable tuxedo lady. I was found as a stray in Ithaca, but everyone thinks I came from a kind person at some point since I'm as sweet as can be! I dream of a furr-ever home with a sunny window, feather wand toys, and loving humans to call my very own. A home without a lot of commotion would be best for me, as I can get overwhelmed. Thankfully in quieter environment, I am an amazing companion and will lounge next to you for hours while you study or watch tv. Does this sound like your home? If so, come in and say hello today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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As neuroscientists examine challenging questions about the complexities of the central nervous system, new tools to be developed at Cornell University will provide them with an unprecedented glimpse into the inner workings of the brain thanks to a five-year, $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

The grant will establish the Cornell Neurotechnology NeuroNex Hub, which will focus on researching, developing and disseminating new optical imaging tools for noninvasive recording of neural activity in animals. It will also establish the Laboratory for Innovative Neurotechnology at Cornell, where engineers and biologists will collaborate on developing and testing the tools.

Blue-green algae blooms, also known as HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms), have been visually identified in the southern end of Cayuga Lake. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed blooms on each side of the lake. The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) and the DEC are regularly monitoring the situation. We appreciate the information and photographs reported to date by members of the public.

If you are planning to host a water event, please contact Environmental Health for guidance: 607-274-6688.

The Town Board of Dryden is celebrating an important addition of land to its recreational 'Rail Trail' project. The trail will now fully connect the Village of Dryden to the Village of Freeville, thanks to William George Agency's agreement to contribute land by granting an easement. This brings the Town one big step closer to fulfilling the trail project. The multi-use Rail Trail is being pieced together along old rail beds and is designed to connect the Town of Dryden from one side to the other.

“At this point, we only need to connect sections of the Rail Trail between Varna and Freeville, and conclude negotiations underway regarding trail access on state owned property near Cornell. Completing the project will be a 20-year dream that some residents have had for a trail that links our Dryden communities. The plan is also to draw new people in to Dryden to enjoy recreation and to visit our businesses,” said Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer. “The Town appreciates the efforts of the Task Force and William George Agency Director of Facilities Services, Pat Foote, for all of their hard work for the community. We thank all the landowners who have or are planning to contribute land easements to the trail project.”