Archive: Around Town

Dear Margaret: I'm the mother of two small children under the age of five, and I've been home since the day my first one was born. When I get the opportunity to go out and socialize with my husband and his associates, I feel like I'm boring. I've lost touch with current music, fashion, and the only topic of conversation I'm comfortable with has to do with childcare. I do read books to keep my mind active, but I am still losing my conversational skills. I love staying home with my children, and I want to contribute to adult conversation when I get the opportunity. How can I strike a balance?
Mums the Word for Mom

I always wondered if Hazlitt Winery and their wines 'Red Cat' and 'White Cat' and the Stone Cat were related. It was a thought. Hazlitt wine does appear on their menu, but that's the extent of the connection.

It doesn't matter in any case. The Stone Cat Café is quite the destination with locally grown produce at the center of its mission. You can even see, on the menu, which farms grow the food appearing on your plate.

The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management (TCRMM) is pleased to announce the opening of its newest Food Scraps Recycling Drop Spot in the City of Ithaca.

Beginning August 9th, the drop spot will operate every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm in the parking lot of the Ithaca Coffee Company's roasting facility at the corner of Fifth and Hancock Streets on Ithaca's Northside.

Human-caused habitat loss looms as the greatest threat to some North American breeding birds over the next few decades. The problem will be most severe on their wintering grounds, according to a new study published in the journal Global Change Biology.

By the end of this century, the study's authors say, predicted changes in rainfall and temperature will compound the problem for birds that breed in eastern North America and winter in Central America.

After a 15-month and extensive nationwide search, the TCAT Board of Directors in a special board meeting today announced that it has selected Scot Vanderpool as TCAT's general manager, effective Fri. Aug. 11.

Vanderpool, who was hired in January as TCAT's operations manager, came to TCAT with 34 years of transportation experience at both the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CENTRO) in Syracuse and Syracuse University. In his new position, Vanderpool replaces the late Joe Turcotte, who served as TCAT's general manager since 2005. Turcotte passed away in May of 2016 after a long and brave battle with cancer.

"I've heard so many great things about Joe Turcotte; I'm honored, I know Joe will be a tough act to follow," Vanderpool said.

Dear Margaret: I've been encountering a reoccurring theme in my life. That is, I keep getting passed over for promotions. I play by the book, get to work on time, play well with coworkers, and get good reviews. I've approached supervisors about this, and am always told, "so and so has the same qualities as you have, but they take chances or think outside the box." It is true, I don't like to ruffle feathers and I do play it safe. But isn't there something to be said for a steady, dependable employee? Will promotions always be just out of reach?
Can't Advance

If I was to say the word 'Cooperstown', most would immediately think of the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s cool, until recently, I would have said the same thing – but I’ll bet that a few of you would say the word 'Glimmerglass', the word James Fenimore Cooper called Otsego Lake in his Leatherstocking Tales.

Cooperstown, named after the author, is the capital city of nowhere (referring to a lack of cell service), requiring hours of travel to get there from anywhere – yet the streets are full of vacationers and baseball fanatics. But there is something else here, something world class and exciting to music lovers, the Glimmerglass Festival.

By Doug Scott

Hi friends, I’m handsome Quincy! Isn’t my silver fur striking? I’m an adorable year five year-old guy who loves being petted, watching the birds outside, and playing with my toys. I love high places and do a wonderful imitation of the sphinx statue. I would be happiest as the only cat in the home, but thankfully I have so much personality you won’t need another! I’m already neutered,  vaccinated, microchipped, and can’t wait to go home. Will you be the lucky one to take me?!?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Step into your local supermarket and chances are the cheese section looks vastly different than it did just a few years ago. Artisan cheesemakers experimenting with intricate flavors and bold styles are reshaping the contours of the cheese market in New York, providing consumers with expanded choices of tastes, textures and aromas.Step into your local supermarket and chances are the cheese section looks vastly different than it did just a few years ago. Artisan cheesemakers experimenting with intricate flavors and bold styles are reshaping the contours of the cheese market in New York, providing consumers with expanded choices of tastes, textures and aromas.

And at the center of it all has been Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Cheesemakers large and small from across the Northeast have turned to CALS' Food Processing and Development Laboratory (FPDL) for small-batch production and dairy expertise as they develop new recipes.
In 2014, Murray's Cheese in New York City had an idea for a clothbound cheddar modeled on classic British versions. But developing the unique flavor profile posed a challenge for the team from Murray's and their partner, Old Chatham Sheepherding Creamery.

The Rotary Club of Ithaca welcomed its new president for the 2017-2018 year. June Losurdo, director of development at Cornell Engineering, stepped into the leadership role on July 1. Losurdo observed her 15th year in Rotary this year.The Rotary Club of Ithaca is pleased to welcome its new president for the 2017-2018 year. June Losurdo, director of development at Cornell Engineering, stepped into the leadership role on July 1. Losurdo observed her 15th year in Rotary this year.

Losurdo grew up in King Ferry, New York and graduated from Michigan State University.  She is married to Frank Losurdo and they live in Ithaca, NY.  Their son John is a junior at Michigan State.

Children whose parents have spent time behind bars have worse social, economic, cognitive, behavior and health outcomes than kids whose parents haven't.

But researchers know less about why that is.

A Cornell University sociologist and former elementary school teacher recently identified a mechanism that may explain why these kids have worse educational outcomes – and strong, lasting, negative consequences that often span generations.

Tompkins County has been recognized as one of the nation's top digital counties by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo). The award identifies best technology practices among U.S. counties nationwide, recognizing leading examples of counties that use technology to improve services and boost efficiencies.

The top-ten ranking for 2017 is the fourth straight year that the County has achieved the Top Digital County status.