willard library

Willard Library is pleased to offer a new series of Basic Internet trainings on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. beginning Thursday, September 20.

The Basic classes cover what you need to know in order to use your computer, connect to the Internet, and begin to search online resources. The training information from the computer is projected onto a large screen so everyone can easily see.

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As always, these library programs are FREE and open to the public. All programs will be held in the Willard Library Meeting Room. For more information, call Shawna Cooper at 968-8166, ext 524.

Willard Library is pleased to offer a brand new program called "Baby and You!" It will be held on Wednesday, September 19 from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. and repeated from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the Willard Library meeting room. No pre-registration needed.

This program is designed for babies who are newborn to 11 months of age and their parent or caregiver. Each session includes nursery rhymes, songs, action rhymes, resources ?and of course, books.

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The purpose of the "Baby and You" program will give babies a warm association with books and the libary. This program gives parents an opportunity to learn language-rich activities to do with their babies, exposes them to the resources the library has to offer, helps them learn how to choose books for their babies (yes, books for babies!) and also gives them an opportunity to sociazlize with other caregivers of babies.

For more information, call 968-8166, ext 517. It's all free at Willard Library, where it's never too young to begin learning!
Willard Library will present "Off the Lap Storytime" beginning Tuesday, September 11. It will be a series of four programs on September 11, 18, 25 and October 2. This series is designed for the very young ones ages 2 to 3 1/2 ― along with a parent or grandparent's lap.

"Cruising with Toddlers" is the theme with four weeks of stories, activities, and fun:

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September 11- A-B-Seas: Stories to promote reading.

September 18- Water Colors: Stories, arts and crafts.

September 25- Sea Notes: Stories and musical activities.

October 2- Ahoy to Potty Training! Helpful potty training hints to make potty training more fun.

These programs will be held in the downtown Willard Library Meeting Room from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. and repeated on the same dates from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.

It's a great opportunity for special one-on-one time together! Please call to pre-register so a name tag will be waiting for your child. Call 968-8166, ext 517.

At Willard Library, there's something for every age. Call today!

The Southworth Library Volunteers annual book sale is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 20 and 21, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Dryden Fire Hall, North Street, Dryden.
For more information, e-mail Marry Ellen Rumse


Lifelong, Office for the Aging organizing scenic fall walks
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Lifelong and Tompkins County Office for the Aging is sponsoring scenic walks this fall. All walks meet at 1 p.m. at Lifelong, 119 W. Court St. Gadabout will provide transportation to the walking site. Call at least 72 hours ahead of time to reserve a seat. Donations are accepted.

The walks are: Thursday, Sept. 20 at Stewart Park & Picnic, bring your own lunch (meet at noon at Lifelong or 12:30 p.m. at the Park); Monday, Sept 24 at Dryden Lake - Jim Schug Trail; Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Cayuga Waterfront Trail; Monday, Oct. 8 at the South Hill Recreation Way - Burns Road; Thursday, Oct. 18 at Upper Buttermilk; Monday, Oct. 22 at Game Farm Trail; Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Cornell Plantations Arboretum; Monday Nov. 5 at Taughannock Falls State Park. Newcomers and visitors are welcome.
For more information call Lifelong at 273-1511.


Palestinian peace advocate to talk at Cornell
Hanan Ashrawi, founder and executive committee chairwoman of the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy and an elected member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, will present a talk at Cornell University entitled "Peace in the Middle East: Who Needs It?" from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 in Bailey Hall.
Free and open to the public, Ashrawi's talk is part of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies Foreign Policy Distinguished Speaker Series.

Cornell President David Skorton will introduce Ashrawi and he will moderate a 30-minute question-and-answer session immediately following her talk.

Ashrawi is the recipient of many international democracy, human rights and peace awards, including the Olof Palme Award, Sydney Peace Prize, the Defender of Democracy Award and the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation. She also is the author of several books, including "This Side of Peace," published in 1995. From 1973 to 1995, Ashrawi was a faculty member of Birzeit University, where she held several positions, including dean of the Faculty of Arts.


Collegetown council to discuss fake IDs
The Collegetown Neighborhood Council plans to meet from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 109 Oak Ave., to discuss the growing challenge of fake IDs in Collegetown and related problems, including impacts on area bar and restaurant owners.
Collegetown merchants, local law enforcement, students, health professionals and others are invited to attend this special session of the CNC.

All CNC meetings are open to the public.


Author to discuss 'Republican War on Science'
Chris Mooney, author of "The Republican War on Science," is scheduled to deliver a lecture entitled "The War on Science: What Have We Learned?" from 4-6 p.m. today in 700 Clark at Cornell University.
His lecture will be followed by an expert faculty panel and audience discussion. The forum is co-sponsored by the Ben and Rhoda Belnick Fund for Government Studies at Cornell.

Mooney's book documents increasingly intrusive partisan effects on the practice of science. Broader issues include relationships between science and state, government and scientists, real effects of distorted knowledge or ignorance, and the inevitability of the intertwining of science and politics.


Artist/black smith to speak at Ulysses library
The Ulysses Philomathic Library will host artist/blacksmith Durand Van Doren, proprietor of Durand's Forge, offering a slide presentation on beautiful pieces of iron work, at 7:30 tonight at the Library, 74 E. Main St., Trumansburg.
Van Doren's award-winning art and utilitarian pieces are displayed in homes and galleries here and abroad, and adorn the gates of the Globe Theatre, outside of London.

In addition to his work as an artist, Van Doren conducts several one-day workshops each year on the basics of blacksmithing at his Trumansburg forge.

Van Doren has donated to the Ulysses Philomathic Library, as a fund-raiser, a fanciful set of dragon-headed fire tools, whose retail value is $1,200. Prospective owners can purchase raffle tickets for $5 each, at the library.

His talk is part of the speaker series, "The Creative Muse: Our Local Artists and Artisans Speak Out." It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.


Historian to discuss Belle Sherman neighborhood
The Bryant Park Civic Association has scheduled a meeting at 7 tonight in the main gym of the Belle Sherman Elementary School.
The featured speaker will be Margaret Hobbie, former Tompkins County and Ithaca City historian, who will present a brief history of the Belle Sherman neighborhood. Her presentation will be followed by a BPCA business meeting. All residents of the Belle Sherman/Bryant Park neighborhood are encouraged to attend.


Advocacy training planned by disability group
Jo Fenton, training coordinator, Advocacy and Outreach Unit of the state Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, will conduct advocacy training from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Finger Lakes Independence Center, 215 Fifth St.
Training will explore the components of effective advocacy, and various types of strategies to empower all participants. Call 272-2433to register. For accommodation of a disability, call by Monday, Sept. 17.


City to pause Friday for employee picnic, honors
The City of Ithaca will be closing its facilities at 11 am Friday, Sept. 21, 2007 for the 17th annual City Employee Recognition Picnic at Stewart Park.
The picnic is held to show appreciation for the city's workforce.

Employees will be formally recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service to the City of Ithaca, and Mayor Carolyn Peterson will present the 2007 Employee / Team of the Year Award.

Essential services such as police, fire, public works and transportation will not be interrupted.

For more information, call Manager of Organizational Development Leslie Moskowitz at 274-6539.


Ithaca's 2007 Alternative Gift Fair accepting applications
Ithaca area not-for-profits are invited to apply for inclusion in the fourth annual Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair. The Fair will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the First Presbyterian Church, 315 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca.
Charities and not-for-profit service organizations based in Ithaca, Tompkins County, or with an organized presence in the community must submit applications by Sept. 21 to be considered. A total of 30 organizations will be accepted.

The fair provides an opportunity for holiday shoppers to buy meaningful gifts, while reducing the environmental impact of conventional shopping. Gifts start at $5 and range from items such as school supplies for disadvantaged kids to support for keeping lakes and streams pollution-free.

All donated money goes directly to the participating organizations according to what they earn at the Fair. Each year, the total donation has grown, and last year topped $20,000.

For more information and an application to participate, visit the fair's Web site at www.ithacaaltgiftfair.org.

Music department to sell fruit, cheesecake, pies
The Lansing High School Music Department students will be selling fresh Florida grapefruit, naval oranges, cheesecake and pies.
Orders will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 21. To order, contact a student who particiaptes in classes in the music department or call Bobbi Wasenko at 256-1241.Delivery will be made by Thanksgiving.

Funds will be used for an educational musical/theatrical trip to New York City in March.


Vietnam veterans to hold Watch Fire for POW/MIA
About 88,000 U.S. servicemen remain unaccounted for from the nation's 20th-century wars, according to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. This includes 78,000 from World War II, 8,100 from the Korean War, 1,779 from the Vietnam War and 120 from The Cold War, one from Desert Storm, and now two missing in Iraq.
To commemorate National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day, The Finger Lakes Chapter #377, Vietnam Veterans of America will hold their 16th annual Watch Fire beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Meyers Point Park in Lansing.

The large fire is a symbolic fire in the hopes that servicemen still reported as Missing in Action will be able to find their way home. There will be a short ceremony followed by the lighting of the fire. The event is open to the public. Those with wood to burn are welcome to bring it to the fire.


End of life planning seminar scheduled at library
A full day of seminars is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at Tompkins County Public Library, offering insight and guidance into end of life planning, estate planning and getting personal finances in order.
The seminars will take place in the library's Borg Warner Room and are free and open to the public.

David Penepent, funeral director with Herson Funeral Home, will discuss end of life planning from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A free lunch will be provided for all participants.

Following lunch, Michael May from the Law office of Adams, Theisen, May, Miller and Yehl will discuss critical concepts in Estate Planning from 1-2 p.m.

The event concludes with a talk, "Seven Biblical Principles for Financial Freedom," conducted by Christopher Royce and Grant Wilder of Primerica Financial Services from 2-3:30 p.m.

Individuals interested in attending must register by calling Grant Wilder at 227-7622by Friday, Sept. 21.


Fire Company plans open house Sept. 22
The Enfield Volunteer Fire Company is holding an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Enfield Fire Station, 172 Enfield Main Road.
There will be live demonstrations including CPR and defibrillation, Jaws of Life, smoke and CO detector awareness, thermal imaging and more.

There will be free hot dogs and soda. There will also be an opportunity to learn about fire safety in the home. The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office will also conduct a child safety seat clinic.


Breast Cancer Alliance plans vigil, film
The Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance has organized a candle vigil to remember and memorialize loved ones lost to cancer at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 in DeWitt Park in downtown Ithaca.
Cancer survivors and their families and friends are invited to offer hope and inspiration to those newly faced with cancer. The candles will illuminate the memorial park to remind participants of the importance of supporting individuals and families whose lives are touched by cancer.

Inspirational music, survivor and family testimonies will also take place.

The IBCA has other events coming. The 14th annual Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance walkathon and a new 5-kilometer run are scheduled for Oct. 13. This fundraising event raises money to ensure that the organization's services are available free of charge to anyone who needs support.

For information, call the IBCA at 277-0960or (866) 905-7 or see www.ibca.net. The IBCA helpline is 277-9410.


DEC plans tour of Shindagin Hollow forest
The New York State Department of Environmental conservation will host a forest ecosystem management field tour from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, rain or shine, in the Shindagin Hollow State Forest.
Led by DEC foresters John Clancy and Mark Zubal, the tour is part of the development of the Rapid Waters United Management Plan. Shindagin and Danby State Forest comprise the Rapid Waters Unit.

Participants are asked to meet in the Caroline Town Hall parking lot at 2670 Slaterville Road (Route 79) at 9 a.m. and bring field gear. Parking space along the tour route is limited, so participants are encouraged to car-pool.

Three stops are planned, each emphasizing particular aspects of forest ecosystem management and designed to present an opportunity to learn and share information on the management of the unit's state forests. A public information meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6:30-8:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 in the Candor High School auditorium, 1 Academy St.

For more information, contact Senior Forester John Clancy, NYS DEC, Division of Lands and Foresters, 1285 Fisher Ave., Cortland, NY 13045-1090; 753-3095 or

Weekend festival to celebrate Tutelo people
Cornell Cooperative Extension will help celebrate the return of native Tutelos to their geographic home Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23 at Tutelo Park, 151 Bostwick Road in the Town of Ithaca during the "Tutelo Homecoming Festival: Welcoming Cayuga, Tutelo, Saponi and Kindred Indian Nations."
The Tutelo once made their home in an area that later became the Town of Ithaca.

Festival activities will take place between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and will feature demonstrations of traditional Tutelo music, dancing, crafts and art; technology, food and displays by Cornell's American Indian Program; Cornell and Ithaca College Human Resources departments; the Ithaca College archaeology department and the Cayuga SHARE Farm, which is operated by the non-profit, Native American group, "Strengthening Haudenosaunee-American Relations through Education."

Festival activities will take place between noon and 3 p.m. Sunday and will feature the annual re-lighting of the ceremonial fire of the Tutelo and kindred nations.

The festival is sponsored by the Multicultural Resource Center at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell's American Indian Program, Ithaca College, Wells College and Tompkins County. For more information about the Tutelo festival and other multicultural events, visit www.multicultural-resource.org.

Music to help open library fundraising campaign
The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation will open its 2007 annual Appeal Fundraising Campaign Sunday, Sept. 23, with a musical performance by the duo Mandin Foli.
Mandin Foli, comprised of Yacouba Diarra and London McDaniel, explores the bridge between traditional West African and American music through the kora, hand drums, lap steel and nylon-stringed guitars. The performance is being held in conjunction with the 2007 Community Read of "The Pickup" by Nadine Gordimer.

The Foundation's annual appeal will be chaired by Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings. She is an active community volunteer and an expert in literary translation from French. She is a member of the Tompkins County Public Library Advisory Council.

The theme of this year's campaign, which aims to raise $60,000, is "Nourish Your Mind and Spirit."

The event will begin at 1 p.m. with light refreshments. Rawlings will make remarks regarding the campaign at 1:45 p.m. and Mandin Foli will perform from 2-3 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Library's Ezra Cornell Reading Room.


Concert at Ithaca College to benefit MS group
On Sunday, Sept. 23,
A group of Ithaca community members whose lives have been touched by Multiple Sclerosis will host an MS Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at Ithaca College to support the efforts of the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis on Sunday, Sept. 23.

The concert is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. in the student union building in the "IC Square" in Phillips Hall, featuring music of various genres performed by Ithaca College students and local community members and volunteers.

The event is open to the public and admission is free.

There will be refreshments, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. For more information, call Patricia Phelps, 539-6477. To preview auction items, see www.doanythingnice.org/benefitconcert. For more information about Accelerated Cure, see www.acceleratedcure.org.

WSKG seeks stories, memories of World War II
WSKG Public Broadcasting will be premiering a seven-part series "The War" at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23 on WSKG Public Television. "The War" explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of ordinary men and women who become caught up in one of the greatest cataclysms in human history. As part of this important American event, WSKG will be broadcasting interviews with local veterans of World War II. Visitors are welcome to share their World War II stories whether a veteran or someone who was otherwise affected by war by visiting www.wskg.org.

Landlords Association to meet Sept. 24
The Landlords Association of Tompkins County will hold its monthly meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at the Ramada Inn on N. Triphammer Road.
This month's presentation will be by Jim Alo of Tompkins Insurance. All area landlords and property managers are invited to attend. For more information write PO Box 337, Ithaca, NY 14851 or call 273-5091.


Early life on Gallagher Hill explored Sept. 25
The Dryden Town Historical Society will present an evening on an area of the town near Irish Settlement Road known as Gallagher Hill at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25 in the Dryden Village Hall, at the corner of South and George streets.
The guest speaker will be Patti Kiefer. She and John Kiefer purchased the house at 260 Irish Settlement Road on Lot 57 in the Town of Dryden in 1982. In early 2006, to mark their 25th year in the house, Patti decided to put together a short history of the property as a gift to John. She explored the records in the town clerk's office, searched the archives of the Dryden Town Historical Society and spoke with the older residents of the area known as Gallagher Hill. She came up with a wealth of information not only on her own home but also on the men and women who brought the area to life in the mid-19th century and the families who still reside on the Hill, including tales of bobsledding all the way down the hill to Route 13, winter storms that would leave them stranded for weeks on end, berry picking, picnicking, walking up the hill to the signal tower from Willow Glen School, and enjoying the scenic views in the days before the area became overgrown with trees

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. to view photos and other items of interest.

For more information call Patti Kiefer 844-9343.


Democrats to hold workshop for potential delegates
The New York State Democratic Party is holding a workshop in Tompkins County on how to become a delegate at the 2008 national convention that will nominate the party's next presidential candidate.
The workshop, hosted by Cathy Calhoun, Upstate field/political director for the New York State Democratic Party, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 26 in the Beverly Livesay Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 320 W. State St. It's free and open to all interested Democrats.

The 2008 convention is in Denver. For more information, go t

The 2008 Republican national convention is in Saint Paul, Minn. For more information, go to: www.gopconvention.com.

Cornell sets sessions to show master plan work so far
Cornell University plans two open-house sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 26 to provide an update to area residents on the status of its Comprehensive Master Plan, which is being developed to provide a context for physical changes on the campus over the next 25 years.
One session is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Willard Straight Hall, and the other for 5-9 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Seneca at Tioga streets in downtown Ithaca.

Both open houses will be similar in format and content, including a PowerPoint presentation and a series of illustrated panels. The university's consultant team will make scheduled presentations during each session, although participants may drop-in at any time to either open house. At Willard Straight Hall, the 45-minute overview presentation will occur at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m., and at the downtown session, at 5 and 7 p.m. Members of the Comprehensive Master Plan Working Committee and the consultant team will be available to answer questions and receive feedback.

For more information about Cornell's Comprehensive Master Plan and additional opportunities for feedback, visit this Web site: www.masterplan.cornell.edu/.

SPCA seeks sponsors for celebration of pets
The SPCA is seeking sponsors for PETFEST 2007, a day celebrating the joy pets bring to their owners' lives held on Saturday Sept. 29 at Cass Park in Ithaca.
The event will feature food, crafts, SPCA adoptable animals, agility demonstrations, and the 20th Annual Dog Walk-a-thon, held this year on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Sponsors will receive a variety of publicity and exposure based on the level of sponsorship.

For more information, call 257-1822 ext. 232 or


Voting integrity group to meet in Ithaca
Ion Sancho, supervisor of elections for Leon County, Fla., and a national critic of electronic voting systems, will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of New Yorkers for Verified Voting in Ithaca Sept. 29 and 30, the group announced Friday.
Sancho will speak at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in Room 404 of the Plant Sciences Building on Tower Road at Cornell University. It will be Sancho's first appearance in New York, according to the organization. The event is open to the public. More information is at www.nyvv.org/am07.shtml.

In 2005, Sancho allowed a test which successfully demonstrated that Diebold election equipment could be easily hacked. The test which demonstrated dramatic security problems can be seen in the documentary film "Hacking Democracy.


Voter group to meet Sept. 29 at Cornell
The New Yorkers for Verified Voting have scheduled their annual meeting in Ithaca on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 29 and 30.
Anyone interested in voting integrity is invited to attend. See www.nyvv.org/am07.shtmlfor program and registration details.

The keynote address will be given by Ion Sancho, supervisor of elections in Leon Country, Fla. It is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 in Room 404 Plant Science, Tower Road, on Cornell campus.

Sancho will speak about voting integrity and the future of democracy. No registration is required, and the public is invited. For more information about NYVV, visit www.nyvv.org.

Longview to offer driver safety course
Longview is cosponsoring an AARP Driver Safety Course to be held from 1-5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 and Wednesday, Oct. 3 at Longview, 1 Bella Vista Drive.
The course is designed for older drivers and includes information on age-related physical changes. All drivers are welcome to take the course. There is a fee of $10, with checks payable to AARP.

Registration is required and class size is limited. Call Longview at 375-6300.


Workshops offered for arts program grant applicants
The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County has posted guidelines and applications for three 2008 Tompkins County grant programs at www.ArtsPartner.org.

* The decentralization grant for nonprofit organizations doing professional arts programs is due Oct. 5.

* The Cap II grant for artists wishing to create new work in a community setting is due on Oct. 12.

* The Arts in Education-Local Capacity Building grants for partnerships between teachers and teaching artists and cultural organizations is due Nov. 9.

Mandatory workshops for first-time applicants are occurring this month.

For more information,or call 273-5072 ext. 2.


Safe driving classes for seniors offered by Lifelong
Lifelong co-sponsors AARP safe driving courses that teach defensive driving techniques and include information on age-related cognitive and physical changes that affect driving, and how to adjust driving response to these changes.
Participants who complete the class get a discount on their automobile insurance and increase driving safety skills. Classes are offered in two 4-hour sessions over two Saturdays. The cost of the course is $10.

The next classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 13 and 20. Registration is required.

Call Lifelong at 273-1511 for more information or to register.


Fire company prepares for 100th anniversary
On April 7, 2008, the W.B. Strong Fire Co. of Freeville will be 100 years old. Those with pictures, memorabilia, or stories to share should contact Richard Blackman at 844-8651, Joan Manning at 844-9334, or the Fire Station at 844-9662.
The Fire Company is especially looking for pictures of the Firemen's Auxiliary and parades from the 1950's and 60's.


Girls State compiling alumni directory
The American Legion Auxiliary is looking for women who have attended the Girls State from any state.
The Auxiliary is compiling a list of alumni to celebrate their success and create an alumni Web site Elude the following information: first, last and maiden name; Girls State name and state; dates attended; note whether attend Girls Nation; contact information, address, phone number, e-mail.


County seeks T-shirts for reuse
The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division needs clean, wearable T-shirts of all sizes for reuse projects at community events.
T-shirts can be brought to the Solid Waste Management Division's main office at 122 Commercial Ave. For questions, call Stephanie Egan at 273-6632.


'The Pickup' selected as Community Read
The Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cornell University's New Student Reading Project, announced the selection of Nadine Gordimer's "The Pickup" as the subject of its sixth annual Community Read.
Nominated for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, "The Pickup" chronicles the complex relationship of a wealthy South African woman and an illegal Muslim immigrant, dealing with themes of home and belonging, class structure, ethnicity and morality.

The Community Read began in 2002, and past years featured works such as "Frankenstein," "The Trial" and "The Great Gatsby." The library and Cornell University work cooperatively to offer an assortment of programs related to each Community Read.

TCPL has 350 copies of "The Pickup" in circulation, and free copies are available for book groups by contacting Glogowski at 272-4557, ext. 255.


Maps at library add context to 'The Pickup'
An exhibit of maps related to the 2007 Community read, "The Pickup," by Nadine Gordimer, is on exhibit at the Tompkins County Public Library.
The exhibit will help readers to visualize the places in the novel and to understand some of the political history behind the novel. The exhibit, which runs concurrently at the county library and at the Cornell University's Olin Library, will be on display through the month of September.

The exhibit was made possible by a partnership between the Tompkins County Public Library and the Map and Geospatial Information Collection of Olin Library.


Leadership Tompkins applications available
Applications are being accepted for the 2007-08 Leadership Tompkins program. The program, in its 21st year, is co-sponsored by Tompkins Cortland Community College and the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.
Many local business and community leaders are among the more than 300 graduates of the past 20 Leadership programs. There are more than 600 Community Leadership Programs nationwide.

Leadership Tompkins is an experiential program that assembles a diverse group of local citizens who share an interest in developing their leadership skills and improving their communities. In collaboration with community leaders in the private and public sectors, the program serves three critical functions for community leadership development in Tompkins County. Leadership Tompkins:

* Trains future leaders in skills critical to their success in the community;

* Educates future leaders about the civic issues facing the county, and;

* Provides a forum for networking between current and future leaders.

Each program features a variety of seminars and training sessions with key people in the community. The $800 tuition, which may be paid by the participant or a sponsoring business or organization, covers all costs including a September retreat, instructional sessions, supplies, materials, a graduation dinner and other meals. A limited number of partial scholarships are available based on financial need.

More information and applications are available by calling 272-3025 or by visiting www.leadershiptompkins.org. Applications are also available at TC3 Tioga Place, 118 N. Tioga Street or the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce at 904 East Shore Drive.


County library publishing new-release newsletter
The Tompkins County Public Library announces BookLetters, a new reading list newsletter designed to keep patrons up to date on new and noteworthy books, including sections on bestsellers, mystery, audio, new fiction, romance and science fiction.
To subscribe, visit www.tcpl.org. For more information, contact Sarah Glogowski at 272-4557 ext. 255, or call the Adult Reference Desk at 272-4556.


Youth available for yard work, odd jobs
Anyone in need of help with yard work or other jobs may call Youth Employment Service (YES).
A program of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, YES is a free referral network which can be useful for business or local residents with part time work or one time projects. All Teen Members have turned in references and have gone through an interview with the YES Staff.

Call 273- 8364 and ask for YES for any odd job.


Volunteers needed for dispute resolution
The Community Dispute Resolution Center is recruiting volunteers to be trained and certified as mediators for Tompkins County.
Volunteers will use specific skills including active and reflective listening, conversation summaries, and check-ins. Those interested may call the CDRC at 273-9347 or visit www.cdrc.org.

Office for the Aging needs volunteers for Project CARE
The Tompkins County Office for the Aging needs volunteers to assist homebound senior citizens through the Project CARE Program.
Volunteers typically visit an individual once a week for one to two hours, depending upon need. Seniors may have one or more of the following types of needs" companionship, assistance with laundry or light housekeeping, errands, grocery shopping, light yard work or respite for a caregiver. Respite might involve staying with the senior in order that the caregiver might go out or have some time off.

Volunteers should be good listeners and enjoy the company of seniors. For more information about Project CARE, please contact Trina Schickel at the Office for the Aging, 274-5491. .


Town planning board seeking 2 alternate members
The Danby Town Board is seeking two new members after a law was recently amended to add two alternate members to the Planning Board.
The alternate members will serve on the Planning Board on an alternating basis when a regular member cannot participate due to absence, conflict of interest or illness. Those interested should submit a letter of interest to the Town.

For more information, call the Town Clerk at 227-4788.


Community center seeks board members
The Board of Directors of the Southside Community Center is seeking volunteers for the board.
The Southside Board of Directors works to ensure the continued success, integrity and mission of the center, which serves the Ithaca community. Board members attend monthly meetings and participate in ongoing committee work.

The board is seeking members with backgrounds in fundraising, law and/or human services; however, all experiences are valuable.

Those interested in joining the board may contact President Nicole Eversley Bradwell by phone at 273-6587 or by e-ma


Women's singing circle to be held monthly on first Mondays
Women Singin' at Hospicare, a singing circle, will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month in the Great Room at the Nina K. Miller Hospicare Center, 172 E. King Road.
All women who enjoy singing are welcome. The circle will be led by Jayne Demakos, director of Hospicare's music program. A suggested donation is $3.

Contact Saoirse McClory call 272-0212 for more information.


Volunteer help sought for AIDS Ride for Life
The AIDS RIDE for Life, an event sponsored by the Southern Tier AIDS Program, is looking for two or three upbeat, organized, people-oriented people to join the Event Committee.
Meetings are held monthly throughout the year, with increased frequency during August. Join a great group of people in planning one of the most exciting and successful events in the Finger Lakes.

This year's AIDS Ride for Life will be held Saturday, Sept. 15. For more information on the ride, visit www.aidsrideforlife.org/.

Call Ann Carter at 272-4098 or e-mo learn more about volunteer opportunities.


Informal cancer group to meet monthly at Cayuga Medical
Get-togethers for people affected by cancer will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Cayuga Medical Center.
People with any type of cancer and at any stage of treatment or recovery are welcome as are their family and friends.

Most sessions will include informal conversation from 4:30-5 p.m. and a presentation beginning at 5. Speakers will be arranged based on the interests of participants, with a particular focus on health and well-being. Possible topics include nutrition, exercise, humor, and spirituality. Although not designed as formal support groups, these get-togethers will provide an opportunity to connect with others in similar situations.

Registration is not required. For more information, contact Bob Riter at


Mother looks to form autism support group
A Lansing mother of a 3-year-old with Atypical Autism is looking to develop a support group for parents with autistic children in the Ithaca and surrounding area.