Regional blood service reports acute shortage, Red Cross says
The New York-Penn Blood Service, the blood collection headquarters for Tompkins County, reports an acute blood shortage in our region.
As of Oct. 24, the Tompkins County Red Cross was put on medical alert and told that it would have to collect an additional 400 units of blood by January to increase our local blood supply.
There are major shortages of the following blood types: O-, O+, B+ and B-. There is only a one day supply of Type O-. This means that people needing Type O- will have to be in critical condition to receive it.
The following is a listing of upcoming Blood Drive locations and times. Call (800) GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) to schedule an appointment.
* 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
* 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing.
SPCA seeks owner of lost parrot
A stray banded Quaker Parrot has been found in the City of Ithaca and brought to the SPCA of Tompkins County, who is seeking to reunite this sweet bird with her owner. She is homesick, but appears to be in good health, according to the SPCA. The SPCA asks that the bird's owner or anyone with information please call 257-1822.
Lab of Ornithology offers weekend bird walks
As part of its free “Weekend FeederWatch” the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is offering a guided bird walk at 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through April 3. All are invited to come learn about winter birds and how to contribute sightings to Project FeederWatch. Staff will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help with bird identification. Some binoculars will also be available for loan. The Lab is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and is located at 59 Sapsucker Woods Road.
Music club sponsors evening of song
The Ithaca Music Club invites the community to an evening of song at 7:30 p.m. today at the Women's Community Building, 100 W. Seneca St.
Music by American and British Composers will be performed by David Parks and Loralyn Light accompanied by pianist Blaise Bryski. This event is free and open to all.
Campus Road partial closure scheduled to end today
Due to the construction of an addition to Statler Hall, the short section of Campus Road between East Avenue and Hoy Road (between the two all-way stop signs) is closed to vehicular traffic through today.
The sidewalks adjacent to the Statler Hall project are closed. Pedestrians on Campus Road between East Avenue and Hoy Road are guided to the south sidewalk in front of Phillips and Duffield halls. Sidewalk traffic on the east side of East Avenue has been redirected to the west sidewalk at the Statler-Sage crosswalk.
Detour information: For the safety of those working and walking in the area, and to avoid congestion at these intersections, especially during weekdays, please use posted detours.
TCAT routes 31, 32, 81, 82, 83 and 85 will be modified to use bus stops on Tower Road. Please refer to www.tcatbus.com.
Meeting examines FLLT protection, enhancement
The Finger Lakes Land Trust will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. today at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, to discuss the future of the Finger Lakes Trail as well as other open space and recreational resources within the Emerald Necklace Greenbelt — a swath of forested land stretching across the southern half of Tompkins County.
With support from Tompkins County and New York State, FLLT is preparing a Finger Lakes Trail Corridor Protection and Enhancement Plan to ensure continued public access to the trail, and the protection of natural and scenic resources along the trail corridor. Consultants Mark Whitmore and Rick Manning will discuss the project and how the Land Trust is using conservation easements s on private lands to secure open-space lands. Attendees will also be invited to provide their input on how best to ensure the future of these resources in both Danby and Tompkins County.
The Finger Lakes Trail runs 563 miles from the Alleghany to the Catskill Mountains. The Emerald Necklace Greenbelt is a network of more than 50,000 acres of public open space lands from Finger Lakes National Forest in the west to Hammond Hill State Forest in the east. The Necklace features dozens of county-designated Unique Natural Areas as well as a 78-mile section of the Finger Lakes Trail. Concern has been raised recently about the effects of development on the long-term viability of the trail due to increasing development pressures and fragmentation of land ownership, according to the Land Trust, and encroachment into natural areas threatens to impair water quality and degrade habitat for fish and wildlife. The Corridor Protection and Enhancement Project will identify issues and opportunities for the conservation and enhancement of the Finger Lakes Trail and other open space resources in Tompkins County.
More information is available from the Finger Lakes Land Trust at 275-9487 or www.fllt.org.
Installation of bike lane, striping to delay traffic starting today
New pavement striping will be installed on the 100 block of East Green Street and the 400-800 blocks of East State Street beginning today.
Work is expected to last two days, depending on the weather. Extensive traffic delays are expected today due to a slow-moving vehicle that will grind off the old centerline pavement markings on East State Street.
Additionally, the Tuning Fork — where East State Street, East Green Street and Seneca Way come together — will receive new striping to better organize traffic movements. The yield sign on the wraparound will be removed, and drivers in the two lanes merging on Seneca Way will be expected to stay in their respective lane for a longer distance. A second downhill lane on East State Street will be striped for the right turn only movement onto Seneca Way. This should improve pedestrian and traffic safety.
Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes. If traveling in the vicinity, be patient and careful.
Merchants launch buy-local holiday campaign
A newly formed group of locally owned businesses plan a seven-week promotion to encourage local shopping during the holiday season.
The Local First Ithaca Holiday Campaign's first event will be the Ithaca premiere of “Independent America: the Two-Lane Search for Mom and Pop” at 5 and 7 p.m. today at Cinemapolis, the locally owned theater in Center Ithaca. It follows two filmmakers traveling back roads seeking small, independent businesses resisting the growth of big-box mass retailing.
Other events include a month-long “Local Lover Challenge” contest, a local music and food event, a festive “Shop Local Night,” and events hosted by individual participating businesses. Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson will make a proclamation during National Buy Local Week, the first week of December. A calendar and details of events will be available by Nov. 20 at www.localfirstithaca.org.
Participating businesses include 3-D Light, 15 Steps, Autumn Leaves, Avanti, Benjamin Peters, Bishops Home Pro Center, Bookery 1 and Bookery 2, The Cat's Pajamas, Daria's Boutique, Diaspora, Evolution 102, Finger Lakes Running Company, Gimme Coffee, Greenstar, Habitat of Ithaca, Handwork, The Holiday Store, Home Green Home, Homegrown, Homespun Boutique, Ithaca Feed and Grain, Ithaca Guitar Works, Ithaca Paint & Decorating, Ithaca's Glass, The Jewelbox, Jillian's Drawers, Kitschen Sink, Loose Threads, Lynda Myers Design, Mama Goose, Mansour Jewelers, Morris' Too, Now You're Cooking, No Radio Records, Pastimes, Petrune, Quilters' Corner, Red Feet Wines, Shalimar, Silk Oak, Sparrow's Fine Wines, T-Shirt Express, Tuff Soul, Unique World and Volume Records.
The effort follows 2007 Shop Green Holiday Passport, in which customers could get a special card to win prizes donated by the 15 participating businesses, mostly downtown, and register for a Christmas Eve drawing.
Open forum on school district budget slated for Tuesday
All members of the Trumansburg community are invited to an open forum from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Room 313 of the High School to discuss the impact of the current economic crisis on the Trumansburg Central School budget. The District has begun designing the budget for next year and are seeking advice and creative ideas from the community. With over 50 percent of Trumansburg's funding coming from the NYS, a freeze or cut, could have a significant impact on the program the District provides to students.
The Trumansburg Central School District's Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is sponsoring and will moderate the forum. Superintendent Paula Hurley will make a brief presentation and other members of the Administration and School Board will be in attendance. This is a unique opportunity for the community to be involved early in the school budget process.
Children's choir presents fall concert
The Ithaca Children's Choir Fall 2008 Concert will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 401 N. Aurora St. Admission is $5 for all, with tickets available at the door and at the CSMA office, 330 E. State St.
“At Your Side” will be the message as over 125 children and youth, ages 7 to 19, take to the stage.
There will be music from West Africa, music based on Native American poetry, Hebrew songs, music from Zimbabwe, Gospel music, Sámi Yoik (a music of the Sami people of Scandinavia), music by Franck, jazz, and more.
All five of ICC's ensembles are featured: the Chorale, under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Janet Galván; the Young Men's Chorus and the Choraliers, directed by Jennifer Haywood; the Senior Choir, directed by Ana Withiam; and the Training Choir, directed by Lisa Winans.
Seminar covers tankless and solar water heaters
The Green Resource Hub of the Finger Lakes will offer a seminar on tankless and solar hot water heaters from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Human Service Building at 320 W. State St. Special guest Paul Myers from Upstate Energy Solutions, LLC will discuss the technologies of on-demand and solar water heaters to inform consumers about ways to heat their water with sustainable technologies.
There is a $5 suggested donation for this event. This is the second event in a series of sustainability-related seminars. For more information, see www.greenresourcehub.org.
County administrator to speak at local foods breakfast
The 2008 Annual Meeting and Local Foods Breakfast of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County will be held from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Congregation Tikkun v'Or, 2550 N. Triphammer Road, Lansing.
A breakfast buffet featuring seasonal local foods, prepared by Chef Hans Butler of watercress restaurant, will be served.
Guest speaker Joe Mareane, Tompkins County Administrator, will discuss the role not-for-profits can play to help the county meet its goals and implement its strategic plan. A brief business meeting will follow.
Breakfast/annual meeting tickets are $10 per person. A printable registration form with the menu and full event details is online at: www.ccetompkins.org.Attendees are encouraged to reserve by today to ensure a space.
For more information, or to reserve a seat, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County at 272-2292.
Ithaca's city forester speaks this week at Ulysses library
Ithaca City Forester Andy Hillman will talk on “Urban Forestry in the First Urban Century” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 in the Ulysses Philomathic Library Melvin Room as the next speaker in the library's Thursday evening speaker series. The talk is free and open to the public. The library is at 74 E. Main St, Trumansburg.
Hillman is the past president of the Society of Municipal Arborists and has been involved in developing national standards for tree care performance. He received the organization's Award of Merit, the society's highest award, given for his dedication in developing practical applications for bare-root tree planting and structural soil.
City forester since 1995, Andy is proud of Ithaca's urban forestry program. In 2007 the City received the America in Bloom J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. Urban Forestry Award. Ithaca has received more consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Awards than any city in New York. The Parks and Forestry Section has received an unprecedented three New York Conference of Mayors Local Government Achievement Awards. The City of Ithaca works closely with New York State Electric and Gas on issues related to trees and utilities, and Hillman works with researchers at Cornell University's Urban Forestry Research Group and the U.S. Department of Agriculture among others, to develop trees suitable for the urban environment, and techniques for planting and maintaining them.
Workshop examines Alzheimer's behavior
A free workshop, Alzheimer's: Managing Challenging Behaviors, is planned for noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Ave.. It is intended for persons caring for a relative or friend who has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. However, all are welcome.
Michael Massurin, of the CNY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, will discuss what causes dementia-related behaviors like suspicion, repetition, sundowning, agitation and aggression and how to respond to these behaviors.
Participants may bring a brown bag lunch; beverages will be provided. To register, call the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, 274-5492.
New York Farm Bureau sponsors scholarships
The New York Farm Bureau is encouraging high school seniors who have been involved with agriculture and plan on continuing studies in this field to apply for the New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship sponsored by the New York Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee. Scholarship awards are $1,500 for first place $1,200 for second and $1,000 for third place. The first place winner will be invited to present their essay at the annual Spring Conference.
Students applying must have a family Farm Bureau membership or a Student Farm Bureau membership (a membership application may be included with scholarship enclosures). Students are required to submit a brief essay answering the question, “If you had the power to change something in your community or on your farm, what would you change and why?”
The application submission deadline is Friday, Nov. 21. To nominate someone for the scholarship or to request an application, call (800) 342-4143 dmCQ or visit www.nyfb.org.
Sciencenter puts on final clearance at Babbage's Basement
Babbage's Basement and Einstein's Attic, the Sciencenter's computer and scientific equipment rescue, restoration and resale programs will hold a final two-day clearance sale on the weekend of Nov. 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, at Building 24 of Emerson Power Transmission Corp, at 620 South Aurora St. in Ithaca. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Sciencenter.
Customers will find deep discounts on tested and untested PC and Macintosh desktop computers, monitors, printers, scanners, disk drives, cables and other peripherals. Other items for sale will include DVD players, VCRs, photographic gear, desks, filing cabinets, office chairs, assorted scientific and laboratory equipment, and much more. Limited arrangements can be made to tag larger items for pick-up after the sale. After 1 p.m. on November 23, all remaining items will be offered at $3 per armload or $15 per vehicle load.
Babbage's Basement and Einstein's Attic will close permanently following this two-day clearance sale. The Sciencenter gratefully acknowledges the donation of free space from Emerson Power Transmission that was used for Babbage's Basement's processing and retail operations. The Emerson building that housed Babbage's Basement and Einstein's Attic is being repurposed.
Red Cross hosts babysitter training
The Tompkins County American Red Cross will hold a weekend Babysitter's Training class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. The course is ideal for current and future babysitters, and teaches decision-making skills and solutions for real-life problems, as well as first aid and basic care skills.
Registration is required. For more information, call 274-1900 ext. 14.
Free support group for grandparents raising children
The Family & Children's Service of Ithaca is offering a free educational support group for grandparents who are raising their preschool & school-aged grandchildren. Facilitated by Family & Children's Service mental health professionals, the group addresses challenges, issues, and solutions for grandparents. The group meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Family & Children Service's new State Street location, 127 W. State St. The remaining 2008 meetings are: Nov. 24 and Dec. 22.
Sessions do not require a mental health diagnosis for participation, nor do participants have to be clients at the agency. Childcare can be arranged upon request and is offered at no charge. Refreshments are provided. To register, call Family & Children's Services at 273-7494.
Lakeside hosts annual Holiday Bazaar
Lakeside Nursing & Rehabilitation Center will host their annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, at Lakeside, 1229 Trumansburg Road.
Crafts, decorations, candles, jewelry, baked goods, floral arrangements, gift baskets, quilting, painted glass, woodworking, handmade soap and much more will be available for purchase. Lunch will also be available.
More vendors are wanted. Contact Kathy at 279-9452 or kmslodi@yahoo.com for more information.
Resource center offers insight into long term care insurance
New York state has established “Long Term Care Insurance Resource Centers” in every county to help consumers get impartial help in understanding the complex topic of long-term care financing and long-term care insurance.
Monthly group seminars and individual counseling are offered free of charge to help people decide whether to purchase insurance during their working years (typically ages 45-65). Lifelong and the Tompkins County Office for the Aging are cooperating to offer this service in Tompkins County.
The schedule of workshops is as follows:
* 8-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Lifelong, 119 W. Court St. (includes free continental breakfast starting at 7:45 a.m.)
To register for any of the seminars or to schedule an individual counseling session, call Lifelong at 273-1511 or the Office for the Aging at 274-5492.
Cops, Kids & Toys accepts donations through Dec. 9
Cops, Kids & Toys is a program that began in the early 1980s to help families who were unable to provide holiday gifts for their children. The first year the program helped four families. The program continues with that same goal and has been able to help more families in Tompkins County over the years.
Cops, Kids & Toys volunteers work throughout the year raising funds.
Monetary donations are accepted anytime at any county law enforcement agency and checks should be made out to Cops, Kids and Toys Inc. Monetary donations may also be mailed to George Sutfin, Cornell Police, G-2 Barton Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Toy collection boxes are distributed throughout the county and one will be located at The Journal. All are welcome to bring in new, unwrapped toys for the children in the community who are in need.
Donation boxes will be collected Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Empire State College has final information session
The final information session on programs at the Ithaca branch of Empire State College is planned during the coming weeks.
The college offers individualized degrees and programs designed by students and the faculty mentors. The college also gives college credits for life and work experience. The session will be held at noon Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Room 501 in the Tompkins Cortland Community College Extension Building, 118 N. Tioga St., on The Commons.
For more information, contact Christiane Warren at 273-4536 or Christiane.Warren@esc.edu.
Applications for Small Comforts accepted through December
The Small Comforts Foundation is accepting applications for the Fall 2008 Gifts and Assistance Program.
Any resident of Tompkins County or their families may apply to Small Comforts for an item that would raise the morale and quality of life for a person living with chronic illness. The value of the item should not exceed $250. Examples of previous gifts awarded to recipients are Rollator walkers, hearing devices, air conditioners, mattresses, washing machines, wheelchairs and various personal care items.
Applications may be downloaded at www.smallcomforts.org or obtained by calling Candy Cima at 257-6059. All applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31 and recipients will be notified by Feb. 1, 2009.
Youth Bureau plans 60th anniversary celebration
The Ithaca Youth Bureau will celebrate 60 years of service to the Ithaca community on Jan. 28 by hosting an evening at the Historic State Theatre in Downtown Ithaca featuring internationally acclaimed musician Samite of Uganda and the Honorable Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, N.J.
A community-wide celebration of the past and future work of the Youth Bureau, the evening's theme will be Bridging Racial and Cultural Divides and the Role that Youth Play. The event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets went on sale Friday and cost $10. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit stateofithaca.com or call 277-8283.
Nominations sought for volunteer awards
Nominations are now being accepted for Tompkins Trust Company's 2009 Award for Excellence, an annual program that recognizes outstanding individuals and volunteer-based not-for-profit organizations for their contributions in Tompkins County. Nominees may be a group of individuals presenting a key volunteer element of a local not-for-profit organization or local individuals performing humanitarian community service. Candidates for the award should be those who generously volunteer time and effort on an ongoing basis to activities that help others in Tompkins County. They should make a significant contribution towards improving the quality of life for others either as a major component of a non-profit organization or through individual efforts. For more information about this award or to obtain a nomination form, contact Sue Lason of the bank's Sales and Marketing Department at 274-2052, or send an email to: slason@tompkinstrust.com. Nominations must be received by Jan. 31.
Contact: dsmiller@ithacajournal.com
