Archive: Around Town

$994,675.38 is being invested in 107 essential services through United Way of Tompkins County’s (UWTC) Community Care Fund and Hunger & Food Security Fund.  These investments are helping people meet immediate, basic needs while empowering lasting change.

The 2014-15 Community Care Fund (CCF) awards total $955,000 and support 95 education, income, and health programs at 41 local nonprofits. These dollars will help children and youth succeed in school, work, and life; individuals and families improve their financial stability and self-sufficiency; and people of all ages will have improved physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

The Corporate Development Committee(CDC) of Lansing presented a $22,000 donation to the Lansing Central School District (LCSD) at last week’s Board Of Education meeting. The donation was made possible by the proceeds from the annual CDC fundraiser. The most recent fundraiser included a fun 80’s dance party, silent auction and corporate donations. The sole purpose of the CDC and it’s donations to the LCSD, are to support and further the educational opportunities of Lansing students by providing equipment and technology to the school district.

“We are thrilled with the growing partnership between the CDC and the LCSD,” said CDC President and Lansing parent, Stephanie Perine. “We continue to look into the future for additional opportunities to make contributions that can benefit all Lansing students.”

Myers Park is not only popular with people.  It is also popular with geese.  The major difference is that when people have to go to the bathroom, they... well, they go to the bathroom.  Park Superintendent Steve Colt told the Lansing Town Board Wednesday that goose excrement is getting out of control, making parts of the park un-walkable and possibly creating a health hazard.

"The biggest problem we have in the park right now is Canadian Geese," he said. "It's a real strange situation.  These are birds that stay here year 'round.  They hatch young that imprint on the area.  They're not leaving and they like the park as much as the people do."

Aurora, New York— Wells College named Marian Brown as the director of the College's new Center for Sustainability and the Environment. Founded as a place for students and faculty to come together and address the growing need for a more ecologically-conscious and sustainable approach to living, the Center is sure to become one of the community's most important features under her leadership.

"Sustainability is an educational and an operational imperative—something that we all need to be learning about and doing," said Brown. "It's also an ongoing, long-term process. I hope that my office can be an open door for ideas, for suggestions, for anything. The level of interactivity and receptivity that I've already found on campus is amazing, and the potential here is to really get all the right things right."

No green jackets. No whispering announcers. No pressure. Just a fun day of golf.  August 30th the Lansing Fire Department will hold its 18th annual Joe 'Diddy' Joseph golf tournament.  The tournament is the department's primary fundraising event to fund the Joe Joseph Award, a scholarship given to a graduating Lansing senior each year to encourage volunteerism.

"The proceeds go to support a Lansing High School senior who has exhibited outstanding volunteerism in our community, preferably in the areas of rescue or fire service," says organizer Frank Towner.  "It's a $1,000 scholarship to college.  The money from the golf tournament goes into a pot and we give that money out every year."

Meet Sophie! This one-eyed beauty has come so far since her arrival at the shelter. She came in with a ruptured eye, injured paw, and was very scared. After some TLC from our medical team, Sophie started to feel better and with that, started showing staff her sweet, affectionate side. We're confident that with patient owners, Sophie will blossom in her new home. She seems to get along fine with other calm cats here at the shelter and should do well in a home too. Give this special girl the home she deserves - she'll be forever grateful!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The smartest card in Tompkins County Public Library cardholders’ wallets just got a little smarter--access to virtual library cards is now available on smartphones.

Easy-to-use apps like CardStar and Key Ring now make it possible for patrons to scan their library card barcodes into their phones.  During check-out, patrons can present their phones to a Circulation and Access Services staff member for scanning. 

New York, NY – Environment New York Research & Policy Center released a new report: "Lighting the Way” Tuesday showing strong solar growth across the nation including a 30% increase in New York State in 2013. The report emphasizes that it is not availability of sunlight that makes states solar leaders, but the degree to which state and local governments have created effective public policy to help capture the virtually unlimited and pollution-free energy from the sun.

New York's progress on solar has helped fuel a tripling of solar energy nationwide between 2011 and 2013. In 2013, solar capacity in New York grew from 175 MW to 250 MW.

The F. R. Newman Arboretum at Cornell Plantations is among the 33 arboretums featured in 'Trees Live Here: the Arboretums of America', the first book to be devoted to these very special public gardens. These are beautiful places, often jewels of their communities. Each year, they are visited by millions of people, from parents with strollers to photographers, and from school children to scientists.

Written by a committed lover of trees, life-long Seattle resident Susan McDougall has traveled, mostly by train, with her camera, taken far too many photographs, and combined them with a readable and informative text. One chapter is devoted to each of the 33, ranging from Boston to Honolulu and Seattle to Miami, discussing its individual history, collections, and special trees, along with information for visitors. The book is illustrated with more than 800 photographs by the author and includes an index of plant names.

The Ithaca Y wants a safe playground for 3 to 5 year old kids.  They don't have one now.  But thanks to crowd funding and corporate and private donations the new playground will be ready for play at the end of the day on August 15th.  That's in plenty of time for the grand opening on August 23rd.

"It's happening.  We're going to have a community fun fair and open house here," Ithaca Y CEO Frank Towner says.  "We're going to have the grand opening of the playground.  And we're going to have a recognition ceremony for our new branding.  Our new logo will go in front of the building."

Jim Bouderau, SPCA of Tompkins County executive director, announced Thursday that Leslie Danks Burke and family will serve as Chairs of the shelter's biggest annual fundraising event, the March for the Animals.

The March for the Animals is scheduled for Sunday, October 5. Like other local 'friend raising' events, the majority of fundraising for the $100,000 goal will take place in the weeks leading up to the event.

Hartley is a handsome, happy, and active 6 year old, labrador retriever mix, who would love a home where he can play fetch with his favorite tennis balls, go swimming, or hike with his new family. After his outdoor adventures, all he wants to do is relax by your side! His previous owner absolutely adored him, but had to give him up because he did not get along with small animals. For this reason, he should go home to a cat-free and dog-free home. Hartley is housebroken and crate-trained and should adjust to your home quickly. He’s bound to be your new best friend if you just give him a chance! Come meet him today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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