The Grassroots Approach

“You eat when you get the chance,” Mike Oot says over breakfast at a diner a short walk from his campaign office. When campaigning in a congressional district encompassing more than 14,000 square miles, food isn’t always your primary concern.

Oot, a Democrat from Madison County, is running for Congress in the 23rd Congressional District (seen on the nationalatlas.gov map above). A lawyer from the rural community of Stockbridge, New York, Oot is a newcomer to the realm of politics. His only previous political experience is as a school board member. His campaign website is located here.

Undertaking a political campaign of this scale is an incredible undertaking. Oot said he began seriously considering running in spring of 2007. He announced his intention to challenge 10-term incumbent John Mchugh approximately seven months ago.

The campaign is truly a grassroots effort. The 23rd District contains part or all of 11 counties and can take as long as four hours to traverse north to south. “I’ve been door-to-door in all 11,” Oot says. He believes for each door you knock on the word of mouth spreads to several others.

Without an established web of political supporters, networking is essential. The Madison County Democratic Party endorsed Oot very early on. Procuring the support of town and county committees is crucial to getting the petition signatures necessary to get on the ballot.

Campaign volunteers are critical to any successful campaign. When trying to get your name out over a massive region, the work of each volunteer becomes essential.

“More people are engaged the closer we get to the election,” Oot says of his fervent volunteer core. “There is only one paid staffer in the campaign.”

Even with volunteers helping every step of the way, running for congress is a taxing ordeal. Oot commented that “sleeping in” means not waking up by 6:00 a.m. Door-to-door campaigning, campaign events, and meetings with the press fill each day’s schedule.

The support from his family has been the driving force behind keeping Oot going on the campaign trail. “They have been supportive every step of the way,” Oot says. “They make it possible.”

With the election right around the corner, things won’t be slowing down until Election Day. Oot plans to watch the returns with supporters in Oneida. Despite the rigors of the campaign, he insists it has been a pleasure. “There have been more highs than lows.”

Below is a video of the Oot campaign in Plattsburgh courtesy of WPTZ, an NBC affiliate in Plattsburgh.



-Nate March
Politics Feature

Renowned journalist Tom Wolfe addresses campus

~ Samantha Allen


On Thursday evening, Tom Wolfe, distinguished writer and founder of “new journalism,” addressed the Ithaca College campus. In a filled Emerson Suites hall, Wolfe spoke about his life experiences and stories from his days as a reporter.

Dianne Lynch, dean of the Park School of Communications, began her presentation titling Mr. Wolfe as a “charming legend,” “a true hero in American journalism,” and a “signifier and chronicler of time.”

Mr. Wolfe spoke of his youthful days growing up in Richmond, Virginia, and a reporter who incorrectly quoted his sarcastic comment on the Blackstone IPO as “ I think it's the end of capitalism as we know it.” Rarely but surely, he slipped in his personal belief and comments about American journalism and provided advice for students who dreamed of becoming writers. He also said Roy H. Park provided the best program for such writers, to which Dean Lynch smiled and gave the thumbs-up to other faculty members.

A personal story:



Some personal advice:



Mr. Wolfe concluded his lecture by calling the blogosphere a “pack of rumors,” that marked a failure in modern journalism. I shortly afterwards during the Q&A asked him to elaborate on said-comment, citing nationally-renowned blogger Josh Marshall (Talking Points Memo, TPM) as an example of true and honest reporting.



[Sorry for the shaky camera work, I was so nervous approaching him! And I wasn't really paying attention to the feed.]

And another remark from this traditional “LEGACY” journalist:



Here are some student reactions:

Amy Born, Ithaca College sophomore
Rich Meisel, Cornell University employee
David Moore, Ithaca College junior



His address marked the 13th lecture at the college in the Park Distinguished Visitor Series, brought through the generosity of Dorothy Park, Adele Gomer, and Park Foundation. Last time Mr. Wolfe was on IC’s campus, he was addressing the class of 1986 at Commencement.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween

(Image courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk)

Halloween is a time for people of all ages to have fun and enjoy themselves. Children trick-or-treating and parents taking their children trick-or-treating will be out and about all over Tompkins County tonight.

 

I thought it might be proper to include some tips for safe and healthy trick-or-treating. As I am not an expert on the subject, I've provided a link to a list compiled by people who are (the Los Angeles Fire Department).

From all of us here at Tracking Tompkins County, have a happy Halloween.

-Nate March 

Getting on the Lake

Images courtesy of www.fingerlakes1.com and www.fingerlakes.com.





Lake Cayuga offers more than just majestic views. Tired of admiring the water from afar? Rent a kayak or a canoe and paddle around by yourself, or rent a tandem and go with a friend. With highs of around 60 degrees forecasted for this coming Tuesday here in Ithaca, next week may be your last chance to get out on the lake before the biting cold sets in.

For tips, check out some local paddling clubs, like the Ithaca Kayak Club. (Their blog is currently in hiatus for the winter, but there's lots of information anyway. Posting resumes mid-March.)

Puddledockers, located on W. Buffalo, rents single Kayaks and canoes for 30$ half day, or 40$ full day. Tandem kayaks go for $35 and $45. Life jackets are included, and reserving ahead of time is recommended.

If you'd rather sit back and let a motor do the work, try Cayuga Lake Cruises. Different cruise packages are offered, but reservations are always a must.



Want to enjoy the lake but don't want to get seasick? Eating at lakeside restaurant The Boatyard Grille can get you up close, and on weekday afternoons you can watch the collegiate rowing crews launching from the Ithaca College and Cornell boathouses from across the inlet.

A walking/biking trail along the west shore of the lake can also get you up close without getting you wet.

Happy boating!

--Eric Raue

First Official Halloween Event!

- Michelle Skowronek

Tonight, downtown in the Commons, Micawber's Pub is having a pre Halloween party!

The event especially caters to Ithaca College seniors, but it is open to all those over 21. There will be a costume contest with a $100 bar tab prize for the most creative and hilarious costume. Come in a large group or strut your stuff solo. The party begins at 9 p.m. and goes to 1 a.m.

This Halloween Bash costs $4 to enter and only $2 with a Senior Card. Also, to keep in theme with Halloween there are a number of drink specials:

THE IC DREAM includes pineapple juice for a tropical flavor, orange juice to celebrate Halloween, coconut rum, Grenadine, and a splash of cream --- only for $3.50

Orange Beer --- $2.50 special
Orange Shots --- $2.50 special
Orange Shoote*--- $2.50 special

*A shoote is a mixed drink typically served in a test tube and taken as a shot.

The Pub is expecting over 200 people to show, so this is one event you do not want to miss out on!

For more information check out the Senior Homepage.

(picture courtesy of FrugalLawStudent.com)

The Eddydale Farm Stand

Inside Eddydale, several honey varieties lay waiting




For a secluded alternative to the Ithaca Farmer's Market, check out the lesser-known Eddydale Farm Stand, just south of the Ithaca Beer Co. on Rte. 13. A huge, colorful ear of corn marking the driveway makes the market hard to miss:



The market has a variety of locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and other products. For items like candy bars, there are a few name brands thrown in. The candy, however, looked untouched. It's the rainbow of produce that captures your attention when you first wander inside.


Adjacent to the market is an area dedicated solely to pumpkins. Stop by if your other sources are dry and you're scrapping for a last-second Jack-O-Lantern.

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--Eric Raue

"Wild Party" at Ithaca College

By Kaitlyn Rich

There is a party that's set to start at Dillingham on November 4. Ithaca College's Theater Department's next production will be the musical The Wild Party, based on Joseph Moncure March's popular 1928 epic poem of the same name. Featuring Ithaca College theater students in the main roles, the plot centers around a party thrown in the midst of 1920 vaudeville. The musical features drug use and nudity, so it is intended for mature audiences only. Performances begin November 4 and run through November 15. Ticket prices range between $4 and $10. For all the show times and dates check out this site. 

Photo courtesy of the Ithaca College Theater Department.

Spooky Stories

-Ursula Fox-Koor

Ithaca College's Department of Modern Languages is taking spooky to a global level.

The Department will hold the event "Spookiness Without Borders: Scary Stories from Around the World" October 30 in the Handwerker Gallery at 6:30 pm. The spooky event features readings of modern stories of both suspense and terror, all told in various languages and just in time for Halloween, of course.

The event will honor the various rituals and traditions within the cultures, taking the classroom experience one step further.

"Spookiness Without Borders: Scary Stories from Around the World" is a free event and open to all. Join the Department of Modern Languages for a night of fright and get into the Halloween spirit. Light refreshments will be served.

The map below shows where the event will be held.


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Native American Celebration Month

By Kaitlyn Rich

November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, and Ithaca College will be doing there part to contribute to the celebration. On November 3 the college will present "Restoration and Reciprocity: Finding Common Ground Between Traditional and Scientific Ecological Knowledge" at 4 p.m. in the Klingenstein Lounge. The discussion will feature Robin Kimmerer, director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. Also on November 19 Ithaca will host "New York's Missing Link: The Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, Then and Now" in Williams 221 at 7pm. Check out this website for more information on the November 19 presentation and the map below to see where the presentations will be held on Ithaca College's campus. 

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Tom Wolfe to Speak at IC Thursday

              (Picture courtesy of www.achievement.org) 

Renowned journalist and author Tom Wolfe will speak at Ithaca College Thursday, October 30. Wolfe if the 2008-09 Park Distinguished Visitor. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. in Emerson Suites. It is free and open to the public.

Wolfe is often hailed as the "father of new journalism," and has authored 12 books. For more information about Wolfe, his upcoming visit to Ithaca, and the Park Distinguished Visitor Series, take a look at this article from Ithaca College's Intercom.

Bomber Nation

The Bomber Nation Podcast, presented by The Ithacan Online, is a podcast to keep you up to date on results and upcoming events for Ithaca College athletics. It is a one stop shop for all you need to know about the week in IC sports.

The first five episodes of the season are online now, with up to three more coming up next week. To find the newest episodes before they are released on the Bomber Nation page, check in the bottom left-hand corner of The Ithacan Online's multimedia page.

--Nate March

Rain, Sleet, Snow Pummel Central New York

OK, maybe not pummel, but it was still a nasty day all around here in Tompkins County.

High winds, which reached upwards of 25 miles per hour, along with rain and even some sleet and snow all caused problems around the area. According to officials, 10 or so downed trees have been responded to around the area and some even involved power lines.

Because of the downed trees and wires, power outages have been reported around the area. It has been said that approximately 430 are without power as of Tuesday afternoon. Officials from NYSEG have said they expect all to be fixed late Wednesday night.

Below is a map featuring NYSEG's headquarters in Tompkins County and some of the cities which have reported power outages and downed trees. For more information, please see this article from the Ithaca Journal and visit the NYSEG Website.


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--Michael Polak

Ithaca Resident Turns 100

By Kaitlyn Rich

Another Ithaca resident celebrated her 100th birthday today. Carmela Petito celebrated the event with five generations of her family at Beechtree Care Center. Her son, Tony Petito, who is 81, told the Ithaca Journal that "I hope I got some of her genes." Petito is a rarity in the college town of Ithaca where, according to the 2000 census, only 6.3 percent of its almost 30,000 year round residents are over the age of 65. 

Above, Carmela celebrates her birthday with her son and family. Photo courtesy of the Ithaca Journal.

Investigative Journalism Exposed

- Michelle Skowronek

Tonight in the Park Auditorium of the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, The Park School Program will be screening Expose: America's Investigative Reports. This documentary, called "In a Small Town," follows the story of a young reporter who discovers a pedophile in his hometown.

Executive producer Tom Casiato and senior producer Scott Davis will be at the viewing and follow up with a Q&A session once the documentary is done. Both men are Emmy-award winning producers who have laundry lists of awards and accomplishments.

The screening is expected to have a large turnout and provoke much discussion. All are welcome and admission is free. Don't miss out on your opportunity to experience a one-on-one chat with the producers!

For any more information on the documentary, Park School Program, or the producers check out the All Things Park blog.

Halloween Spirit in Dryden

By: Maura Gladys

In the spirit of the upcoming Halloween holiday, check out this festive Halloween house I found on Route 13 in Dryden.

Lots of Laughs

-Ursula Fox-Koor

Comedian Aziz Ansari performed at Ithaca College on Sunday night as part of his “Glow in the Dark” tour.

The stand-up comedian is most famous for his work on MTV’s comedy show Human Giant as well as his appearances on Comedy Central's Premium Blend” and HBO’s "Flight of the Conchords.”

The Student Activities Board sponsored the free event and was held in Emerson Suites. Ansari’s wit and quick tongue were well received by the audience as he told jokes about everything from encounters outside Jamba Juice to Facebook pranks.

Ansari's hilarity comes as no surprise, however. He was recently included in Rolling Stone's "Hot List" as the choice for "Hot Standup" and has also won the Jury Award for Best Standup at the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, CO.

You can catch Ansari in the new Seth Rogen comedy "Observe and Report” and check out his blog here for some good laughs.

Cornell's Insectapalooza

- Kaitlyn Rich

This Saturday Cornell University's Comstock Hall was filled with five million visitors. However, most had wings, multiple legs, and four or five eyeballs. Cornell's Insectapalooza brought hundreds of visitors to the campus to check out millions of different bug specimens. The gathering offered cockroach races, a butterfly room (as featured above), and a zoo room full of live specimens. As reported by The Cornell Chronicle Online, "Entomology professor John Losey hopes that such programs as Insectapalooza will engage families and community members into scientific research at Cornell."

photo courtesy of the The Cornell Chronicle.

 

Tompkins County Book Sale!

The final day of the Friends of Tompkins County Public Library Book sale is TOMORROW!

This Tuesday, October 28, 2008 marks the last day of the semi-annual sale. Visitors can walk into the sale and fill a plastic bag for a single dollar. The selection includes all genres of books, records, CDs, DVDs, games and puzzles.

Sales help support libraries in Tompkins County, encouraging reading for all ages. Local organizations have been volunteering at the sale over the past three weekends.

There are two days open to special groups after the book sale is officially closed:

The first is for Senior Citizens/People with Disabilities. Anyone over the age of 60 and disabled can enter the sale from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The final day is for Not-for-Profit groups only. To enter the sale, you must bring a photo I.D. and a letter of official documentation with the organizations name. Teachers need only bring their school photo I.D. and homeschoolers must bring documentation of their registration as a homeschooler in Tompkins County with an I.D.

The final official day is tomorrow Tompkins County! Doors open for the last time to the public beginning at noon sharp. The sale is at 509 Esty Street-- see a
map created for your convenience.

(Photo Courtesy of: htpp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://146.74.224.231/archives/friends%2520booksale)


by Joy Kucinkas

Strength in Numbers 5K Run and Walk

-Kaitlyn Rich

This saturday dozens of runners raced around Cornell University, but this wasn't your average race. This was the annual Strength in Numbers 5K run and walk, sponsored by the Cancer Resource Center. The run and walk is organized to raise awareness and funds for those struggling with all stages of breast cancer. The walk brought together many Ithaca College students, Cornell students, and area residents. The race started at the Cornell Plantations and followed a route around Cornell's campus. The race is annual so check this site for information for other upcoming fundraising and awareness raising events.

Below check out these photos courtesy of the Cancer Resource Center.

A Bittersweet Return

Another weekend, another easy win for the Bombers.

Ithaca College football won its third straight game as the Bombers rolled over the Utica Pioneers 42-7. While Thomas Bergerstock was the story during the game with 138 rushing yards and a school-record tying five touchdowns, the real story was Blaise Faggiano’s return to Ithaca College.

Faggiano, now the head coach of the Pioneers, spent a lot of time with Ithaca College football. He played with the team in the early 1990’s and was a member of the 1991 team which won the National Championship. In addition, he served as an assistant coach under current Bombers Head Coach Mike Welch. Over the last 9 years, Faggiano served as an assistant coach for the Empire 8 rival St. John Fisher Cardinals. His biggest role, however, was as a recruiter for the team, which helped lead the Cardinals to supremacy in the Empire 8.

Faggiano’s return to IC obviously ended bittersweet as his team was upended and could not match up with the Bombers. But despite the loss, the former Bomber was able to relive the proud moments he experienced while with Ithaca College football.

Below, I have added a map of the three colleges in which Faggiano has coached at. For more on the game, you can visit this article on the Bombers' website. For more on Blaise Faggiano’s thoughts on his return to Ithaca College, you can read this article in the Ithaca Journal.


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--Michael Polak

Followup: "Combined Efforts for Sustainability"

I thought everyone might want to visit the sustainable places of Ithaca since I talked them up so much.

An addition to the three sustainable places of GreenStar Coop Market, GreenStar Oasis, and the Women's Community Building, the sustainable living community also visited Home Green Home.

Home Green Home is a showroom store that provides sustainable products for the kitchen, bath, living area and much more.

Check out this map to see where to go to visit one of these sustainable stores:


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-Jillian Rubin

The Goblin Games

The 11th annual Goblin Games were held this weekend at Ithaca High School and Cass Park. The 8 v 8 girls lacrosse tournament featured more than 100 teams from 3rd grade all the way up to high school varsity level. The tournament is meant to be a transition between the end of the fall season and the beginning of the winter season.

Bomber Blitz

I was back on the trail for another 5K run this weekend. This time around it was the Bomber Blitz to promote physical therapy research and awareness by supporting the Physical Therapy Foundation. The event was put on by the Ithaca College Student PT Club. More than 100 walkers and runners turned out for the race. Below is some video I managed to shoot while gasping for air after my 19th place finish.



--Nate March

Passenger Parking Problems

Parking is always a problem at airports around the country. Now, the problem has reached Ithaca.

The Ithaca Tompkins Regional airport advised travelers this weekend that parking lots were very close to capacity at the airport. According to a report, the long-term parking lot was completely full by Friday morning and things weren’ t much better in the short-term lot.

Despite the problems caused by an increase in travelers, the airport has found ways to cope with the issue of limited parking. Some alternative spaces have been made available and passengers can be directed to those spots by consulting a parking lot attendant upon arrival.

Below, I have included a map of the Ithaca Tompkins regional airport and where parking is permitted. In addition, you can visit the airport website’s parking page, which includes a list of prices to park your car in both the short and long-term lots.



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For more information you can also read this article from the Ithaca Journal.

--Michael Polak

Playoff Soccer At Its Best

One of the best things about late October is high school soccer playoffs. A great game was played this afternoon at Dryden High School, where the Dryden boys varsity soccer team, the third seed in Section 4 Class B, hosted sixth-seeded Chenango Valley. The game was extremely rough and physical, and was scoreless at the end of regulation. Then, with only 1:55 left in the second overtime, Steve Yurenda of Chenango Valley crossed the ball into Collin Bigart who poked the ball into the back of the net to give the Warriors the sudden death victory. The real star of the game however was Chenango Valley goalkeeper Brian Wagstaff who preserved the shutout for the Warriors. He made some key saves during overtime controlled the penalty area very well. The Warriors will now host Chenango Forks on Tuesday, October 28th at 3 p.m. The winner of that game will move on to the sectional finals which will be played on November 1st at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta.

Below are some photos from the game as well as a video from when Chenango Valley scored the winning goal There's also a map detailing where the Dryden and Chenango Valley high schools and the National Soccer Hall of Fame are located.









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Big Convenience on a Big Hill

- Michelle Skowronek

For those on South Hill or past it, getting to town can sometimes be a hassle.  Big Al's convenience store, gas station, and pizzeria located just past the Ithaca College Circle Apartments can satisfy anyone's urgent needs.

Why is Big Al's significant?  Well, for those traveling down 96B, the gas is the same price as the stations in town or along RT 13.  Unlike Rogan's Corner, which will charge about $3.36 for gas, Big Al's $3.24 per gallon leaves a little extra change in your pocket.  Also, when its late at night and you need a quick bite to eat, Big Al's Pizzeria has a complete menu filled with hot, Italian goodies.  Aside from regular convenience stores with the essential cereal, soda, and Advil, Big Al's has a variety of beer for those over 21.  When you don't feel like going all the way to a beer distributor on a Friday night, go to Big Al's right down the road.

Most people take Big Al's for granted, but without having a superplex gas station-convenience store-pizza place, South Hill would be making a 10-15 minute car ride just to get the bare essentials.

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Located at:  1103 Danby Road

                      Ithaca, NY 14850

Phone:         607-272-3448

Landowners Warned Against Gas Leases

By Kaitlyn Rich

Recent discoveries of large natural gas deposits in the Southern Tier of the Finger Lakes and into Pennsylvania have now caused major drilling companies to pressure residents into signing leases.

These leases, being sought after by representatives from companies such as Fortuna Energy Inc. and Chesapeake Corp., would allow drillers to utilize local residents' properties to harvest the gas. However, officials from the New York State Attorney General's office have warned residents to be weary of these leases.

While there are environmental concerns with the drilling, many residents expressed consumer worries at a recent meeting with the representatives from the attorney general's office. Many residents who have signed leases, revealed that they received royalty agreements of only 12.5 percent. The state average, on the other hand, is 15 percent. 

For more information check out this link to the Ithaca Journal article.

Also some tips for landowners from the Ithaca Journal:

- Consult an attorney

- Ask all necessary questions in order to understand all the terms of the lease

- Get all the promises ad conditions made by the land agents in writing

- Negotiate the best deal you can

- Seek more than one gas company to negotiate the best possible lease

- Team up with neighbors or other interested parties to negotiate a lease as a group

- Obtain copies of the lease you sign on the day you sign it

- The right to cancel is the landowners' for three business days after signing the lease.

Pod Transport.

In the future, getting over to The Commons for a bite to eat might put you right in the middle of something only the likes of Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke could have ever imagined: a Podcar, zipping you to your destination swiftly and without burning any precious unsustainable energy sources.


Pods would be computer-guided and completely electronic. Also, in a place like Ithaca where the population swells significantly during the school year, a Podcar system could do wonders for traffic on battered Ithaca city streets.

But how much would a Podcar system cost, and how close are we to living in a real-world Futurama? The concept has made national news, and an AP article on Podcars puts the price of the system at anywhere from $25 to $40 million dollars per mile. Proponents of the plan say the biggest obstacle is overcoming cultural resistance to the idea, comparing it to the shift from horse and buggy to automobile in the early 20th century.



Concept photos courtesy of www.inhabitat.com.

--Eric Raue

Grocery Variety

For most of their food shopping needs, Ithaca and Cornell students make a bee-line for Wegman’s. Some might pop over to the Farmer’s Market for some fresh produce, but few seem to take notice of Aldi’s while they’re there. It’s right before the farmer’s market, on Third St. off of Rte. 13.


It’s a smaller supermarket, stocked mostly with rough equivalent alternatives to leading brands. Selection is limited, but all the staples are there. There are even some non-food items: jackets, work pants, and some electronics.
You can take a look at some of the food aisles in the store I visited:




To load up at Wegman’s without breaking the bank, try buying store brands, making a shopping list and sticking to it, and most importantly, never go shopping hungry.

--Eric Raue

Special Education in the Ithaca City School District

In the Ithaca City School District’s Special Education programs, “inclusive” is the word of the day. To the greatest extent possible, students with special needs work alongside Gen-Ed students in traditional classrooms. Sheila McEnery, Special Education Director at the Ithaca City School District, said that not only is inclusion best for the students, but it’s required by the State.

“By law, students have to access the general education curriculum…all students have to take the state exams,” said McEnery.

Special Education students are provided with several layers of support by the District. Appropriate materials are provided depending on each student’s individual needs.

The Ithaca City School District, in conjunction with TST Boces, houses a Deaf Education program. In the case of hearing-impaired students, supports could include interpreters, note-takers, and other services. All students in New York State must pass the Regents Exams to graduate high school, and the services they receive guide Deaf Education students to earning the same diploma as every other student.

“Children in the Deaf-Ed program are Regents-bound. They all work toward a Regents diploma,” McEnery said. “They are in general education classrooms, they’re acquiring credits like their non Deaf Ed peers.”

Inclusion for Special Education students has been achieved to a much greater degree now than it had been in the past, and this is a trend that goes beyond Tompkins County.

“So there is more integration of students with disabilities certainly than there has been in the past, certainly since I’ve been in the profession, which is, you know, well over twenty years ago. But we need to continue our efforts,” McEnery said.

          

Cheryl Button is an administrator at TST-Boces'

Exceptional Education program. In an e-mail interview, I asked her what are

some of the biggest challenges faced by hearing-impaired students while job

hunting or applying to colleges after they graduate.



"Becoming advocates for themselves," Button said.



Hearing-impaired students also face the challenge of finding their own

interpreters after graduation.

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--Eric Raue

Upcoming Flu Vaccinations

-Aly Dixon

To battle the cold and flu season, The Tompkins County Health Department as well as the Hammond Health Center have scheduled a variety of flu clinics through the end of October and early November.

The flu vaccinations dates at the Hammond Health Center at Ithaca College are open to all Ithaca College student, faculty, and staff. No appointment is needed and it is a first come first serve basis. The cost for the shot is $15.00. Payment method includes Check (made payable to Ithaca College), cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, ID Express or Student Account.

The following are the dates for flu vaccinations at Hammond Health Center:
Wednesday, 10/26/05 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, 11/3/05 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 11/4/05 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 11/15/05 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Flu vaccinations scheduled by The Tompkins County Health Department are $35 and are by appointment. To make an appointment you can visit www.tompkins-co.org/flu. The upcoming vaccination dates are as follows:


Oct. 28 — 9 a.m. to noon, Lifelong, 119 W. Court St., Ithaca
Oct. 28 — 2-3:30 p.m., Bethel Grove Family Center, Slaterville Road, Ithaca
Oct. 30 — 9-11 a.m., Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing
Oct. 30 — 2-3:30 p.m., Groton Center Village Court, 100 W. South St., Groton
Nov. 4 — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m., Women’s Community Building, 100 W. Seneca St., Ithaca
Nov. 6 — 9 a.m. to noon, Dryden United Methodist Church, 2 North St., Dryden
Nov. 6 — 2-3:30 p.m., Danby Federated Church, 1859 Danby Road, Ithaca


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For more information on the Flu clinics click here

ID Access on the IC Campus

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            It has been a long time in coming, but Ithaca College is almost ready to demo their new Identification Access to residence halls. Three buildings on campus have been selected to begin using the new locking system on November 3. They are East Tower, Rowland Hall, and Garden 25 (see map above).

            The goal is to implement ID Access on all residence halls for the start of the Spring 2009 semester. ID Access is part of the initiative to continue to make residence halls safer.

            As a resident of Garden 25, I will provide updates on how the new system works once it is implemented.

 

--Nate March

Sustainable Fueling

- Michelle Skowronek

Biodiesel fuel has made its way onto the green scene.  Ithaca's very own Jeff's Towing service has gassed up with this new fuel to help save a piece of the environment. 

The fuel is made from used vegetable oil.  The vegetable oil is donated by local restaurants and then converted into biodiesel fuel.  

The best part is that prices run for about $2.50 a gallon!  That's closer to the price of regular gas than diesel fuel!

Biodiesel fuel can be used to replace any type of gas.  It works in cars, trains, airplanes and as heating oil.

If you are interested in learning how to make your own biodiesel fuel check out this link.

Also, for more information on this particular story, you can check out The Ithaca Journal.

Updates on Fire, So. Aurora St.

~ Samantha Allen

Here's a map I assembled with pictures to tell a more detailed story about the tragic fire that destroyed 12 residents' home at 313 So. Aurora St on Friday Oct. 10.


View Larger Map

The map also elaborates on the displacement of the fire's victims: 10 of the students were from IC. The college's ResLife and Public Safety worked to place nine of the students in Emerson Hall for the rest of the semester. The other student was placed into Hood.

IN OTHER NEWS, a student living in the back of the apartment reported stolen goods to the Ithaca Police Department after returning the following day to move out. Deputy chief John Barber said an Xbox 360, a Nintendo and several video games were missing. An investigation by IPD is pending.

Barber said a window was left unlocked but senior Isaac Hattem who lives on 311 South Aurora St. and is now living in Emerson, said the building was not boarded up properly. Hattem said he and the other living mates had remained fairly optimistic about the situation but one of the most disheartening events was this reported burglary.

“I think everyone made the best out of a horrible situation,” Hattem said. “… The worst part was the house wasn’t boarded up right, it was left open. You couldn’t lock the door because hoses were in the way.”

He said although very few of his belongings were destroyed, he heard some other residents may be placing claims against NISEG, the local electrical company.

“We’ll have to wait to hear back on that,” he said. “We were told that it was NISEG’s fault, and the electrical charge had culminated at our house.”

***

To watch a video I assembled on the tragedy, check out the previous post here.

The breaking news entry I am updating on the Ithacan newspaper's website can be found here.

Combined Efforts for Sustainability

Any regular of Ithaca College might see a student trying to eat on of the "plastic" spoons available on campus...okay, maybe that's just my friends. These spoons were just another part of Ithaca College's sustainability initiative. The spoons are made out of corn thus why us clever college students see if we can eat it.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22nd, Ithaca College will be celebrating Campus Sustainability Day in and around the campus center. There will be food, fun and Earth-saving information for all!

Along with the celebration is the new sustainability initiative by Ithaca College's dining services called PLANit. Tomorrow, dining services will promote their motto, "The future is in our hands" through the trayless dining pilot which promises to produce less food waste, conserve water and energy and lower the college's green house gas emissions.

The sustainability initiative is not only a campus-wide incentive but a combination of efforts throughout the city of Ithaca, Tompkins County and Ithaca College. The Sustainable Ithaca City Blog offers an outlet for the city, town and both Ithaca College and Cornell University to blog about the sustainable happenings around the area.

The Tompkins County Website for sustainability is an active site that promotes local community efforts; provides a list of community events related to sustainability; and gives an in-depth overview about accomplishments, expectations and suggestions for Ithaca's desire to be as sustainable as possible.


One of the biggest proponents of sustainability at Ithaca College is the sustainability living community of Terrace 2. This year is the first year that the whole dorm has gone sustainable. The first week of the semester the students, Resident Assistants and Resident Director of Terrace 2 went on a tour of all the sustainable places around Ithaca. They visited such places as Green Star, the SewGreen organization at the Women's Community Building and the Ithaca Farmer's Market.

The students of this community have joined into building, marketing and recruiting subcommittees - to name a few - in order to promote sustainability throughout the campus as well as to suggest ways in which Ithaca College can become more sustainable. They hold community dinners every other Sunday of the month at which six students cook sustainable dinners, and they have a community meeting every month where they discuss new options for the future of sustainability at Ithaca.

Below, students of Terrace 2 engage in discussion about sustainable action:


Some important topics that were brought up at the meetings were heating in the dorms, lights in the hallways that are always on and alternative transportaion such as carpooling, taking the bus, riding a bike or the Ithaca Carshare program.

So come join us tomorrow to be one step closer to a sustainable future! And I promise you won't have to eat a spoon.

-Jillian Rubin

First-Time Friendzy

It’s always interesting when two teams face each other for the first time.

That was the case this past weekend when the Ithaca Bombers played host to the Frostburg State Bobcats on the gridiron. The two squads had never faced before and met on the field at Butterfield Stadium to claim the first bragging rights in the series between the two schools.

Frostburg State is located way down in Maryland, a long trip from IC, and certainly features a warmer climate than was the case on Saturday. Despite the sun, it was a brisk and windy afternoon on the South Hill, and it appeared to affect the Bobcats.

The Bombers, though falling behind early, took over the game midway through the first quarter and didn’t allow Frostburg any real shot at a comeback. The Bobcats struggled on the ground, especially after runningback Anton Wade was tossed from the game on an unnecessary roughness penalty. Through the air, they weren’t much better.

However, credit must be given where it’s due. The Bombers played one of their most crisp games of the year. They controlled the tempo both offensively and defensively. When they had the ball, Thomas Bergerstock put on a show on the ground, rushing for 4 scores and close to 200 yards. The offensive line was a big part of that, creating gaping holes to run through and protecting QB Dan Juvan.

Because of their efforts, the five-man squad earned the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week Award, the first time an entire line has won the award.

On the other side, Ithaca’s D made the stops when needed to and ignited some of the physical play with bone-crunching hits and contact.

All-in-all, Ithaca’s 51-24 win over the Bobcats is nothing tremendous, but it was a statement made by IC that even against a more formidable opponent than say…Norwich, the Bombers are a force to be reckoned with. Below, here’s a video I took of Ithaca running out onto the field at Butterfield Stadium. ENJOY!




--Michael Polak

Environmental Studies Program receives $500,000 grant

The HSBC in the Community (USA) Inc. Corporation awarded the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) at Ithaca College a three-year $500,000 grant at the beginning of the 2008 school year. Ithaca College was chosen to receive the grant because the Environmental Studies Program has a national reputation for results in the areas of the environment and sustainability,

The grant is going to be put towards scholarships for incoming students, expansion of local, regional and national outreach efforts, a scholar-in-residence program to bring in influential speakers, an outreach program towards local K-12 schools involving the Ithaca College natural lands, an internship and research fund, as well as the development of a new sustainability major and minor. 

In order to make the decision of what the money is being put towards, there is a Steering Committee of seven people that choose.  Though there is no main priority, the grant is on a budget to be equally distributed to accomplish all of the aforementioned goals.

Susan Allen-Gil, the Environmental Studies Department Head, said that the grant “is going to elevate our academic profile nationally by attracting role model students and giving them access to a variety of excellent experiences regardless of their income.”

That being said, this grant will hopefully be able to solve the problems within the Environmental Studies Program.  Susan Allen-Gil states that, “without faculty positions dedicated to the Program, we are very limited in the contact time we can have with students, the electives we can offer, and the breadth of material we can cover, and the effort we can put into any activity.”

Allen-Gil provided information about the outreach programs that are going into effect.  The outreach efforts include expanding the Finger Lakes Project Workshop to accommodate more participants and prolong the workshop from a half-day to two days.  The ESP is in the process of setting up the outreach programs by setting dates and choosing guest speakers, in addition to recruiting international attendees.  Allen-Gil noted that the Sustainability Certificate Program is also in development.

Look out for more updates on how the grant is being put to use and the improvements that have been made within the Program as well as with the outreach efforts.

Caitlin Noerenberg

Breast Cancer Awareness Week

-Michelle Skowronek

Starting this week Ithaca College celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness month. Today on the quad Ithaca College students set up an interesting exhibit to grab the campus' attention.

Bras, donated by female students,  were linked together on a laundry line. Posters displayed shocking facts in between each bra.  

Across from this scene was a strategically-placed life-size pink ribbon to represent breast cancer.  The symbol was set up with a domino effect of pink ribbons attached to sticks placed in the ground.

These surprising and carefully placed displays grabbed the attention of anyone who passed them.

The next event in the line up is the First Annual Knock Out Breast Cancer Tournament. The tourney is going on tomorrow, Oct. 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fitness Center.  All are welcome, even amateurs.  For registration, email cacithaca@gmail.com, sign up at the CAC table in Campus Center, or just show up before 5:30.  The event is free and expecting to have a big turnout.

Put up your dukes!

Book Sale Held To Benefit Literacy in Tompkins County

The Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library are currently holding their semi-annual book sale. The book sale benefits organizations working for literacy in Tompkins County, and features over 250,000 books, audio books, CDs, puzzles, games, and more. The sale has been going on for the past two weekends, and will continue this upcoming weekend, with the prices dropping every day. On Saturday October 25th, all books will be $0.50 or less. The sale is located at Friends of the Library’s own building at 509 Esty Street. For more info, go to http://www.booksale.org/sale/sale.php

-Maura Gladys

Local College Radio Station a Finalist for National Recognition

Ithaca College's FM radio Station, 92 WICB is a finalist for the first ever MTV Woodie Award for best college radio station. 

The student run station, heard on 91.7FM in Tompkins County and beyond is one of four national finalists selected from a preliminary round of voting earlier this month. The winner will be selected by whichever station receives the most votes on the Woodie Award Web site. Voting is unlimited.

Joining WICB on the ballot are KSSU of Sacramento University, WEGL of Auburn University, and WGRE of DePauw University.

Nate March

MambObama!

- Michelle Skowronek

Tonight at 8 o'clock El Rumbon will be hosting an Obama fundraiser at Castaways.  

El Rumbon is Ithaca's latest salsa band.  They perform upbeat Latino music for all people.  Their music demands dancing, and their rhythm is infectious.  Tonight is their first gig, and it is expected to be a true crowd pleaser.

Come enjoy great music while watching the final presidential debate at Castaways in Ithaca!  You must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink.

For more information on El Rumbon, check out my article on the Ithacan website.

Refugee Students Adjust to Life in Ithaca

--Maura Gladys
(In Depth Education Story)

Karla* is a typical second grader. She likes to draw, play on the playground, and have fun with her friends. But unlike most second graders, Karla is adjusting to living in a new country with a new language and unfamiliar customs. That’s because she’s one of l8 students at Belle Sherman elementary school that are Karen refugees.

Karen refugees are natives of Myanmar that have been living in refugee camps along Myanmar’s border with Thailand. To learn more about their lives in a refugee camp, check out this article from CNN and this video from the Washington Post.

Most of the Burmese that live in Ithaca are part of an extended family that has been here for almost two years.

At Belle Sherman, the refugees qualify for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) instruction and because they are refugees, the school deemed them “Students with Interrupted Formal Education” and said that they needed more help than the typical ESOL student.

“Most ESL kids that we get are very academic and have been exposed to the best education. [The refugees] have been in refugee camps, where their school is just a teacher and a few kids with a blackboard. It has required a lot of different teaching because there isn’t a base of experiential knowledge to teach from, so you have to create the experiences,” Peggy Robinson, the bilingual family liaison at Belle Sherman, said.

Kip Wilson, an ESL teacher at Belle Sherman agrees. “There are a lot of adjustments these kids have to make. They’re coming from schools that weren’t very structured. There weren’t a lot of materials, they didn’t meet everyday for six hours a week.”

Like most refugees, Karla is progressing slowly but surely.

“Karla is a very serious and hard working student. She reads quite fluently and has good comprehension. She’s eager to participate in whole group instruction,” Nancy Thompson, Karla’s teacher said.

*Names were changed to protect the source's safety

To meet Karla and hear a group of Karen children sing in their native language, check out this video.