Iraqis Start Over in Ithaca

Transcription

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE…
Volume 2, No. 11 • December 21-28, 2007
Iraqis Start Over in Ithaca
Couple recognized for
home renovations ....page 3
Supervisors leave on their
own terms ......................page 4
FDA cracks down on raw
milk producers ............page 5
Opinion and letters page 6
Chock fills open legislature seat ..........................page 7
Live in Ithaca long enough
and these homes become
familiar. Split into separate
apartments, names on the
mailbox scrawled out, and
the siding layered by salt,
one would expect students
to live there while on their
four-year sojourns. But
there is nothing temporary
to the new lives of Dhia
Abed Waheed and Haidar
Saeed Assad, former Iraqi
translators who came to
Ithaca because of activist
and
journalist
Maura
Stephens
Stephens and her husband, photographer and
playwright George Sapio,
first traveled to Iraq to see
the turmoil there for themselves. “It was December
2002. All I heard in the mass
U.S. media was, ‘Saddam
Hussein is a danger. We
have to get rid of him,’”
says Stephens of
the
buildup to the invasion.
While writing policy briefs
for the Education for Peace
in Iraq Center (EPIC), a
Washington,
D.C.-based
advocacy group working to
help the Iraqi people, and
returning to Iraq in a postinvasion summer 2003 trip,
Stephens chronicled her
experiences through online
essays and a book she coauthored
with
Sapio,
“Collateral Damage.”
“I believe we owe it to all
Iraqi people to do everything in our power to help
Photo provided
By Andres Perez-Charneco
School districts issue call
for bus drivers..............page 2
FREE
Haidar Assad, his wife Masar and their infant daughter Salwa visited
New York City earlier this month to see the sights and for Haidar to
interview with The Nation about his experiences and to speak at an
EPIC fundraiser.
them reclaim some semblance of a reasonable life,”
Stephens says, referring to
post-war Iraq as “a humanitarian nightmare, the likes
of which no country in history has perpetrated on
another.”
In a city like Ithaca, characterized by vociferous
activism, Stephens’ patient
and sincere approach is
refreshing. Aware of the
dangers of seeking glory,
she endured for the families, bridging the geograph-
ical
and
bureaucratic
divides via furtive online
conversations. Writing in
2005 from a hotel in
Amman, Jordan, Stephens
says in an open letter to her
friends in Iraq, “I want to
walk your children to
school in the morning…I
want to protect you, friend,
to give you back rubs and
listen to your stories.”
While both Waheed and
Assad considered cooperating with coalition forces
key to Iraq’s future, they
did it at great personal risk.
Translators are “soft targets,”
often
in
the
crosshairs of insurgents
eager to retaliate against
anyone working with U.S.
coalition forces. Assad
remembers having the back
window of his car shot out,
and Stephens writes that
Waheed “was hunted like
an animal…His fellow
interpreters are being
butchered again.”
Stephens and Sapio first
met Waheed at a Baghdad
café across from their hotel.
Waheed worked there as
waiter after having battled
unemployment. They began
a friendship, Stephens and
Sapio eager to learn and
Waheed eager to converse.
When the couple returned
to Baghdad in the summer,
they could not find Waheed.
He had gone home to the
holy city of Najaf, which is
also where Assad lived and
worked, moonlighting as a
taxi driver. U.S. forces captured the city in April 2003.
Familiar with English and
hoping to make a positive
impact, both men became
translators for U.S. forces,
receiving glowing reviews
from superiors and scorn
from insurgents.
Stephens tapped into the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2006 to bring Waheed to this
country. The act includes a
provision to allow asylee
status to 50 former Iraqi
Please turn to page 14
Sim Redmond sounds off
on his band ..................page 8
Local phone company
hits century mark ....page 9
Shedding new light on
life of plants................page 10
Alone together in the Big
Apple ................................page 11
By Glynis Hart
“The problem is we have so
many of them,” says
Assemblywoman Barbara
Lifton, discussing the 18wheelers
that
rumble
through Tompkins County
in increasing numbers.
“We’ve seen an enormous
increase in truck traffic in
recent years. Residents are
complaining that they see
100 to 150 trucks a day.
Their houses are shaking.”
Residents along state
routes 79, 89 and 96 have
been organizing to protest
the increase in truck traffic, and with the help of
Lifton and Sen. Charles
Schumer they may soon be
seeing results.
Pilar Parra lives close to
Mitchell Street, on Route
79/State Street. She and her
neighbors began meeting to
discuss the problem several
years ago, when the noise
and impact of the big
trucks suddenly changed.
Parra sees two main causes
of the increase in truck
traffic: the new bridges
where the Octopus used to
stand, and the opening of
Seneca Meadows landfill.
“The bridges have
changed,” says Parra. “Now
they can hold the weight of
the big trucks. That was not
foreseen. The truck drivers
realized they can cross
where
they
couldn’t
before.” Parra also points to
the landfill in Seneca Falls.
“Since we started to have
the opening of the landfill
we have these huge garbage
trucks.”
On a summer morning
Parra once counted 52
trucks on Route 79 between
10:30 a.m. and noon. The big
trucks shake her appliances and have caused
structural changes in her
neighbors’ walls and ceilings. “The worst part,” she
continues, “Is when they’re
coming through at 11:30 at
night, at 2 a.m., at 4 a.m.
You can imagine in the
silence of the night what
this sounds like. When the
trucks are leaving [the land-
Photo by Glynis Hart
Citizens Won’t Yield to Truck Traffic
Residents count as many as 150 large trucks a day traveling on State
Street.
fill] they’re empty and they
rattle more.”
Some of her neighbors
have given up and moved
away rather than fight the
problem, she reports, but
she says that won’t solve it.
“It’s not the problem solely
of Ithaca. It’s not that I am
really bothered by the
noise. It’s much larger than
my complaint of noise. We
need to work on reducing
our garbage products.”
“It’s like that old ‘Pogo’
cartoon,” says Lifton. “‘We
have met the enemy and he
is us.’” Along with the
increase in garbage trucks,
trucks bringing goods to
Ithaca’s new big box stores
have added their numbers
to the local roadways. “How
do all these products get
from New York City’s harbor to Upstate New York?”
Lifton asks rhetorically.
The assemblywoman is
working on getting an environmental impact study
School Districts Face Bus Driver Shortage
As the transportation supervisor
for Newfield Central School, Sigrid
Laine has to get up early. But if she
had the luxury of sleeping in, one
nightmare would most likely interrupt her slumber. “I have this
vision of the day when three of my
drivers call in sick and we just can’t
cover all the bus runs,” she says.
“The scary part is, it could actually
happen.”
Transportation supervisors at
school
districts
throughout
Tompkins County are facing a common plight: a shortage of qualified
drivers. Most districts report having fewer drivers on staff than they
would like, and for some, the
staffing shortfall is a daily mini-crisis.
The shortage causes serious
stress for supervisors like Laine —
in a job where not delivering is simply not an option, they report that
they often come dangerously close
to the line. It can also cost school
districts money in chartered trips
and overtime pay. It’s a growing
trend, and one that schools are having a hard time figuring out how to
reverse.
At Dryden Central Schools transportation supervisor Susan Rowe
manages a staff of 28 drivers, when
she says 35 would be more appropriate for the job. “I have all three
of my mechanics, my training coordinator and my transportation
assistant out driving right now,”
she says. “I’m in the office alone. If
a bus breaks down, I’m in trouble.
I’ll have to get another bus out
there, and that means there won’t
be anyone in the office if there’s
another problem.”
The Ithaca City School District
has struggled with driver shortages
for several years, although transportation manager Dave Bacharach
says applications are up the past
two years. “It gets very tricky,” he
says. “Every day is hand-to-mouth.
We’ve had occasions when we’ve
come very close to not being able to
get kids in or get them home on
time.”
Photo by Laura Ulrich
By Laura Ulrich
Newfield students board buses to head home for the day. A shortage of school bus drivers in the county has transportation departments scrambling to keep a driver behind
every wheel.
Laine, who began her career as a
bus driver for Newfield and has
been part of the transportation
staff for many years, believes the
difficulty finding drivers has its
roots in broader societal changes.
The bus driving staff in Newfield
used to be made up of farmers’
wives and stay-at-home moms for
whom working a part-time job at
both ends of the day worked out
perfectly, Laine says. In fact, that’s
how she got her start.
“We had a full-time dairy farm
and I wanted something of my own
to do, so I started driving,” she
recalls. “It fit really well into my
day. But now the farms are gone
and most women are working fulltime jobs.”
Rowe believes the hefty list of job
requirements discourages some job
seekers. “Beyond getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL),
there is a 30-hour class the first
year, several refresher courses each
year, Americans With Disabilities
Act training for handling wheelchairs — it’s a lot more than people
realize,” she says. “People think it’s
going to be a quick, easy job to get,
and when they realize everything
that’s involved, they don’t want to
go the rest of the way.”
As driver applications have
slowed, the number of bus runs has
increased, exacerbating the problem. A growing need for special
education transportation is part of
the reason, as is parental demand
for shorter bus rides, which means
more and shorter routes, according
to Bacharach.
The growing challenge of managing kids’ behavior could be
another reason fewer people are
eager to take the wheel. “People are
reluctant to be responsible for the
safety of so many kids while operating a large vehicle, because
today’s standards for behavior are
so widespread,” Bacharach says.
Districts are taking on the problem in several ways. First, they’re
combining bus driving jobs with
other jobs on campus to create a
full-time day for those who want it.
Drivers can be found working in
cafeterias, substitute teaching, or
serving as teacher aides or custodial staff, according to Laine, and putting two roles together often makes
them eligible for benefits.
In the Newfield district, administrators have also focused on
improving kids’ bus-time behavior.
In their classrooms during the day,
students collect “paws” for good
behavior, with the classroom that
collects the best receiving awards.
That program has been extended to
the bus, with drivers awarding
paws and buses competing for best
behaved. “It helps when kids know
that we see the bus as part of the
school day and expect the same
behavior as their teachers do,”
Laine says.
Transportation supervisors also
say parents can help. “The most
demoralizing part of the job for a
driver is when he or she corrects a
child for misbehaving on the bus
runs into parental opposition,”
Bacharach says. “It’s critically
important that parents support the
authority of the driver, even if they
have doubts, because misbehavior
on the bus can get people killed.”
Parents can also help by being
patient with new or substitute drivers until the drivers get their bearings, Laine says. “We get calls when
the bus is a few minutes late,” she
says. “If parents are tolerant, it
increases the odds these people will
stay and work for us.”
Laine is hopeful that the driver
shortage can be solved, because she
believes keeping transportation
services local for each district,
rather than contracting them out to
a larger company, is hugely valuable for kids.
“It brings such personal care to
the students,” she says. “The drivers become attached to their kids
and protective of them. If they see
that a car that’s usually home isn’t
there, they’ll put a call in to check it
out. If a child leaves their mitten on
the bus, it’s there the next morning.
Having people who live in our town
doing this work is really important.”
Become a Driver
The Greater Ithaca Activities
Center offers a commercial driver’s license training program
free of charge to qualifying participants. For more information contact Lillian Lightbourn at 272-3622.
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Tompkins Weekly
December 21
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By Ann Krajewski
Amy Snyder and Adam Morris
married last July, and like many
newlyweds they were excited and a
little nervous about the prospect of
purchasing their first home. With
the help of real estate agent Becky
Driscoll they found what they were
looking for on Flat Iron Road in
Caroline.
The Cape Cod style house needed
some work, particularly on its exterior, and the couple sought help
from Better Housing of Tompkins
County. Better Housing has programs that assist first-time homebuyers with information on the
buying process, holds classes and
offers grants.
“We’ve had more than 1,200 participants since we started the firsttime homebuyer program in 1993,”
says Better Housing development
manager Stacey Murphy. Snyder
and Morris were granted $30,000
toward the $120,000 purchase price
of their home, and are also the winners of Better Housing’s Libby
Long Memorial Homeownership
Award, which was presented for the
first time this year.
The honor was made possible
through the generosity of David
Long, who named the award for his
wife, who died in April 2006. Both
Libby and David had served on
Better Housing’s board of directors.
After submitting a list detailing
the work they had done on their
home, along with photos, Snyder
and Morris were chosen from 13
entries and won a $500 gift certificate at Lowe’s Home Improvement
stores.
“The award will help us complete
little jobs around the place, it will
really come in handy,” says
Virginia-born Snyder while giving
a tour of the house. As Christmas
music plays on a turntable in the
living room, the couple points out
the various changes and repairs
they have made.
The most visible cosmetic project
was painting each of the seven
rooms in a different, vibrant color,
including red. Snyder, an artist and
nursing student at TC3, used the
bright hues to as a background for
her paintings, along with Morris’
black and white photographs.
The couple’s talents are not limited to the visual arts. Snyder plays
electric guitar and Morris, a
Bainbridge native, is a drummer in
the local heavy metal band Chapel
Perilous.
The living room is dominated by
a stone fireplace with a large woodstove attached to the front, and the
warmth radiating from it helps the
oil-burning furnace heat the oneand-a-half story building.
“This was here when we bought
the house,” explains Morris, who
has been employed as a buyer at
GreenStar Co-op for the last three
years, “but we thought the existing
mantle was ugly, so we bought this
wooden mantle which was hand
crafted by a local artisan.”
Upstairs and down each has a full
bathroom, with the upper floor
boasting a whirlpool bath in which,
at the time of this interview, sat a
grey striped tabby cat, one of the
couple’s four pets.
While the inside was spruced up
Photo by Ann Krajewski
Caroline Couple Earns Housing Honor
Adam Morris and Amy Snyder with their cat, Oscar, at their home on Flat Iron Road in
Caroline. The couple are the winners of the first Libby Long Memorial Homeowner-ship
Award, offered by Better Housing of Tompkins County.
and creatively decorated, it was the
results of work done on the outside
that won the couple the Libby Long
award. Rotting siding and windows
were replaced, which prompts
Snyder to remark, “We probably
went through about a hundred
tubes of caulk.”
A fresh coat of paint was applied
to the exterior after removing the
old, cracked and peeling layer, and
the couple installed a high, custom
built wooden fence.
“I dug 73 holes and poured the
concrete. It was a lot of work, but
we’re really pleased with how it
came out.” says Morris.
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Tompkins Weekly
December 21
3
Town Supervisors Ready to Move On
By Anthony Hall
Photo by Kathy Morris
Always pleasant, always upbeat,
always fair, always folksy; it’s hard
to know which of the two departing
town supervisors who share the
same name those words might
describe. Both, however, are processing — in the modern vernacular — their times in office, putting
finishing touches on old projects
and signing last-minute papers,
before heading out the door.
And not just out the door. More
to the point, both are headed to the
golf courses of Florida, where
Stephen Farkas of Lansing and
Steven Trumbull of Dryden plan to
meet up, along with their wives
Alice Farkas and Eileen Trumbull,
for a few rounds in some hospitable, warmer climes.
They met, as it happens, on the
gridiron, decades ago, when
Trumbull was the quarterback of
the Dryden High School football
team and Farkas was a lineman for
the indomitable Lansing squad.
“They were the old salt miners and
they were tough as nails,”
Trumbull recalls of the football
games from the late 1950s. “We gave
them some good games, though.”
They didn’t meet again for over
40 years, running into each other as
town supervisors and renewing
their friendship. They are now
departing politics, Farkas having
led the Town of Lansing for eight
years, Trumbull having led Dryden
for the past four.
While “fair” might be a matter of
political opinion, both are known
as leaders who listened. And while
WITNESS TO WAR: Michael Blake of Binghamton, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the
War, was one of at some 10 featured speakers and performers at the “Witness to War”
gathering at the Unitarian Church Annex on Dec. 11. Blake discussed plans for a veterans retreat center in the Ithaca area, envisioning a place where veterans would “find a
community of people who care.” He spoke of connecting with other soldiers one-on-one
as “the best way I can see for us to light a candle and continue to heal ourselves.” The
event was co-sponsored by Ithaca Catholic Worker, Ithaca Unitarian-Universalist Social
Justice Council, Common Heart Interfaith Fellowship, Ithaca College Students for a Just
Peace and the National Lawyers Guild, Cornell chapter.
4
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
Farkas made it look easy with a
glad-handing sense of humor and a
bigger-than-life personality and
Trumbull was evidently losing
sleep when the big decisions came
around, both men feel they have
contributed well to their communities and leave their offices with
their heads held high.
“I think he’s been a quiet, but
effective leader, a good person to
have as a friend, fair in everything
he does,” says Lansing’s deputy
supervisor Bud Shattuck, speaking
of Farkas. Among Farkas’ accomplishments, Shattuck cites the consolidation of 43 water districts in
Lansing as one of the biggest.
It wasn’t a unanimously popular
idea. Among the 43 districts, several had all but paid out their loans
for water service and had only
small debts left. Some had just
begun paying and had hefty bills to
pay. But, with many systems aging
and breakdowns inevitable, the
town board moved toward consolidation so that bills for breakdowns
could be handled with less impact
on individual water districts. All
of them would share the costs.
The effort to make that happen
illustrates the decidedly non-dramatic points of local governance.
Somebody must consult with the
engineers and the attorneys on the
mundane details. That means
phone calls and meetings — sometimes a lot of them. Then that
same person has to sell the idea,
and that’s where the drama kicks
in. Which is to say there hasn’t
been a political idea yet created
that hasn’t gotten someone fighting against it somewhere along the
line.
Trumbull, reluctant to run for
office in the first place, had envisioned his retirement from 33
years teaching biology at Dryden
High School to include spending
time with his family, fishing,
walks, hunting and golf. It didn’t
include politics. But five years ago,
Dryden Town Clerk Bambi
Hollenbeck called out of the blue
and, before he knew it, Trumbull
was on the ticket and then in
office.
When he started the job, the
Dryden Fire Department contract
negotiations were practically in a
flammable state and the town
bookkeeper had just been accused
of embezzlement. Four years later,
the town has a new town hall and a
new renewable energy law. Three
town
properties
have
been
annexed to the Village of Dryden,
which opens them up for village
services, including sewer and
water, paving the way for new
development.
The Jim Schug Trail has been
extended. By luck, two town properties have been donated to
Dryden, which will make park
space available west of the village.
The Virgil Creek restoration project has been completed — and the
Virgil Creek aquifer study is done,
too. The town is now “civil service
compliant,” Trumbull says, adding
(it’s hard to see on a phone if he’s
smiling) “You can now pay your
town taxes with a credit card.”
Dryden’s deputy supervisor
Stephen Stellick Jr. says Trumbull,
“made informed decisions and he
did what he thought was best for
the town of Dryden.”
Trumbull’s first major test may
have been the first annexation
vote, which came down to a tiebreaking decision on ceding property to the village, which allowed
for the New York State Department
of Transportation to install a
water main under North Road. “He
maybe talked to three or four hundred people,” Stellick says.
In meetings, it was evident that
Trumbull had wrestled for weeks
with the issue and presumably lost
some sleep over it. He voted yes,
and the door to new development
was unlocked.
It remains to be seen which of
the two can reach the 18th hole in
the least amount of strokes. Years
after falling to Lansing on the football field, Trumbull says he is one
stroke up on Farkas in league play,
but couldn’t beat him in the couples league. “I don’t know,”
Trumbull says.
“We’re pretty
even.”
Even Stephens
Raw Milk Producers Feeling the Heat
By Karen Scott
A few months ago, Lodi dairy
Meadowsweet (www.meadowsweet
.com) made the news when the FDA
showed up at their door and seized
some of their yogurt. For years
Steve and Barbara Smith had made
raw milk yogurt and cheese for sale
in local stores, but a growing
demand for raw milk itself convinced them that concentrating on
that market could keep them
among the ever-shrinking population of viable small dairy farmers.
At first the transition was a success; then came the raid, followed
by another on Dec 14. While their
case works its way through the
judicial system they are still selling
raw milk to their corporation members and are even open to new customers. We supposedly live in a
society that worships the free market, so why is the government making it so hard for supply to meet
demand in this case?
For years it was possible for a
properly licensed dairy to sell raw
milk to customers who brought
their own containers to the farm.
This seemingly arbitrary rule was
devised to honor traditional relations among neighbors in farm
country. Many of the people buying
raw milk were farmers who had to
give up their cows but couldn’t
adjust to the taste of store milk.
Milk is a complex mixture of sugars, proteins, enzymes and vitamins, including a minute quantity
of Vitamin C. Heating changes
milk,
while
homogenization
changes it even more. The modern
demand for raw milk, however, is a
little less straightforward than a
matter of taste.
The primary sugar in milk, lactose, requires a particular enzyme,
lactase, to digest, and most mammals stop making lactase when
they are weaned. Without lactase,
the lactose passes into the bowel,
where our intestinal flora and
fauna go to town on it, causing the
symptoms of “lactose intolerance.”
An underground network of
sorts emerged, comprising people
who feel that raw milk is more
digestible than pasteurized and has
other health benefits because all
the enzymes and proteins are still
intact. Self styled as the “real milk
movement,” their perspective is
presented at www.realmilk.com.
Many individuals diagnosed with
lactose intolerance can consume
raw milk; why they can do so is
unknown and likely to remain so.
No one with an interest in the
result has the money to run the
sorts of modern tests that would
satisfy the FDA. Unfortunately,
most of the studies comparing pasteurized and raw milk were done in
the 1930s. It does stand to reason
that at least some of the substances
destroyed by pasteurization are for
the benefit of the calf, considering
that is the evolved function of milk.
The other possible benefit of raw
milk is in its lack of sterility.
Practically every surface in our
world is a teeming metropolis of
bacteria, which can be classed as
strong pathogens/weak saprophytes, or strong saprophytes/
weak pathogens. “Saprophyte”
means the organism consumes
non-living
materials,
while
“pathogens” consume living tissues. This community makes its
way inside us from a thousand
sources, day in and day out. Some
of them are now classed as “probiotics”. They aren’t here to consume
us, but rather they are the stuff in
and on us, digesting material we
can’t, out-competing pathogenic
organisms and generally providing
benefits we are only beginning to
grasp.
One clear benefit of the bacteria
is to train our immune systems
how to behave in our early years.
Studies show that children raised
on farms, or in houses with two or
more pets, are significantly less
likely to develop asthma or other
immune disorders.
Most “probiotics” are not coevolved symbionts and cannot survive long inside our systems, but
must be regularly imported. Many
“probiotics” known to science happen to digest lactose, because studies of yogurt spawned the entire
science of probiotics. Some of
these, like the lactobacilli, are
found in raw milk, and our ancestors seem to have caught on to their
preservative and health benefits
when they invented yogurt and
cheese.
Milk directly from the udder
should be sterile, but all the care in
the world can’t keep milk sterile
once it is removed from the cow.
Usually, these bacteria are saprophytes, but there is a risk that
something pathogenic can catch a
ride in the milk, too.
Rob Ralyea of the Cornell Milk
Quality Lab suspects that most of
the pathogens that make their way
into milk come from infected
udders. Meadowsweet keeps a
sharp lookout for udder sickness,
called “mastitis,” and tests their
cows at every milking using a
crude test called the California
Mastitis Test. In addition, they
send milk from each cow in to the
Dairy One lab at Cornell once a
month for analysis. Mastitis-causing bacteria tend to be Staph positive. Streptococcus often has bad
effects that range from sore throats
to diarrhea.
The second most common source
of contamination is the milking
equipment. These pathogens can be
just about anything from Giardia to
Salmonella or E. coli. It is this last
which has gotten the attention of
the FDA. There is a new strain, E.
coli 157, which can kill or destroy
all kidney function in people with
undeveloped or compromised
immune systems. The public health
community is of the opinion that
this risk outweighs any possible
benefits of raw milk, and their antiraw milk stance has hardened since
it’s appearance.
Steve Smith points out that the
digestive system of primarily
grass-fed herds like theirs are too
acidic for E. coli 157 to be happy,
reducing the risk of contamination. In addition, they regularly test
the bulk tank milk for bacteria
counts.
How does milk cause the most
human illness? Ironically, when
food is sterilized, it becomes the
vacuum that nature abhors and a
pathogen that happens to wander
in will be able to reproduce better
than usual without the competition
of saprophytes, reaching population densities that can cause infection. Pathogens are always present
in some numbers on living organisms. When we handle sterilized
(i.e., cooked or pasteurized or irradiated) food carelessly, inoculating
it with our personal effluvia, we
may give a pathogen its chance.
The mass of food poisonings still
happen this way, including illnesses caused by milk.
In the end, avoiding food-borne
illnesses involves personal choices
as much as government protection.
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
5
Energy Learning Circles
Provide Group Therapy
By Jan Quarles
This is the latest installment in our
Signs of Sustainability series.
Do you wish you could make your
home more energy efficient but
worry that it’s too costly? Are your
utility bills rising, but you can’t
afford to replace the furnace or buy
solar panels? You don’t know where
to begin and you’re not handy with
tools (like me)?
There is some good news —
EECO is a free program that can
jumpstart area residents on a path
to energy independence. It stands
for Energy Efficiency Community
Outreach, and it’s open to homeowners and tenants in Tompkins
County. The program provides nocost or low-cost measures that will
improve the comfort of a home,
reduce energy consumption and
lower utility bills — all of which
helps lower the total greenhouse
gas emissions of Tompkins County.
EECO is offered through
Sustainable
Tompkins.
Gay
Nicholson, the organization’s program coordinator, feels that learning about home energy management is easier and more fun when
tackled in small groups, rather than
alone or in classroom lecture halls.
She designed EECO learning circles to take place in the participants’ homes, with expert instructors and local contractors demonstrating hands-on, in-home, energysaving improvements. As a homeowner, Nicholson believes the
biggest benefit of EECO is getting
an understanding about how a
house functions so homeowners
can make confident and informed
choices.
Owners can learn how to make a
home cooler in summer and
warmer in winter, how to improve
indoor air quality, or how to begin
to solve ventilation or insulation
issues. The instructors can provide
advice on problems that are unique
to a home. Blower-door tests before
and after improvements can measure the leakiness of a house. At the
end of one circle the final blower
test showed a 10 percent decrease in
air infiltration just by weather
stripping an attic door and fireplace
that evening. This provided a
noticeable improvement in the com-
fort of the home and generated real
savings on heating fuel.
Are you better off replacing your
old refrigerator with a new energyefficient one? To help with that
decision, EECO can take a kilowatt
meter reading to measure an appliance’s electric load. EECO also
offers tips that don’t cost anything.
For example, refrigerators use less
power if the coils aren’t covered
with dust. Little things all add up to
make a big difference.
Awura-Abena Ansah, who participated in the EECO learning circles, says, “The blower test was
immensely useful. Before, my
house was intimidating. Now that I
understand much more, I have confidence in tackling home improvements. It was so good to learn more
about reading the meter, switching
to CFL light bulbs, insulating pipes
and resolving leakage problems. I
felt comfortable with the other participants because they’re people
like me — not all experts. But you
get expert help for free, without the
selling, and referrals to other contractors you can trust.” AwuraAbena and one of her circle mates
continued to help each other with
home improvements even after the
circle ended.
EECO learning circles will continue throughout 2008. Those who
complete all four sessions receive a
free weatherization kit containing
energy-saving materials (donated
by Home Depot this year) like
weather-stripping, caulk and caulk
gun, window kits, CFL lightbulbs
and door sweeps — all in a reusable
shopping bag donated by Wegmans.
To sign up contact Havana JorrinPeters at havana@sustainabletompkins.org or Jan Quarles at
JanQ@zoom-dsl.com.
Global warming, rather than
making winters more comfortable,
will only bring us more extreme
weather, harder economic times
and higher food prices. We can
minimize climate change by using
less energy, and at the same time
save money. By educating ourselves, taking action and sticking
together, we can help each other
cope with the turbulent times
ahead.
For more information visit
www.sustainabletompkins.org.Cho
Letters Policy
Tompkins Weekly welcomes letters to the editor. In order to run letters
in a timely fashion, they should be no longer than 300 words. Letters
should be e-mailed to wrols@twcny.rr.com, or mailed to P.O. Box 6404,
Ithaca, NY 14851. Please include name, address and the best way to reach
you for confirmation.
Published by Tompkins Weekly, Inc.
Publisher
Jim Graney
Managing Editor
Jay Wrolstad
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Heidi Lieb-Graney
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Kathy Morris
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Contributors:
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Tompkins Weekly publishes weekly on Mondays.
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Member Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.
For advertising information or editorial business, contact our offices at PO Box 6404, Ithaca, NY 14851,
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SASE. Contents © 2007 Tompkins Weekly, Inc. The opinions expressed in this piece are those of each
writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher. No parts of this newspaper may be
reprinted without the permission of the publisher.
6
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
Briefly...
City Planning Director Will Retire
Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson on Dec. 19 announced the retirement of
city Planning and Development Director H. Matthys “Thys” Van Cort after
35 years in the position.
In a statement, Van Cort said, “Nearly 35 years ago I sought the position
of Director of Planning for the City of Ithaca for the opportunity to shape
and build the Ithaca Commons. At that time sprawl had begun to draw population, businesses, and shopping outside of the city, weakening the core
and destroying adjacent farmlands and natural areas. Helping the city to
combat the forces that were hollowing out Ithaca’s center (and that of
other American cities) drew me to Ithaca and has helped keep me here.
My passion to strengthen Ithaca in the face of these forces has formed the
basis of my work.
“Many people have asked me how I have stayed in the job so long, since
so many of the department’s undertakings draw extensive and volatile
controversy. I have stayed because it has been a true labor of love for me.
Thus it was with mixed emotions that I met with the mayor in early summer to tell her that I will leave this job at the end of the year.”
Joseph Decides to Vacate Leadership Post
Tim Joseph, who has served seven years as chair of the County
Legislature, thanked his “legislative colleagues, past and present” for
their support and “all county staff who did their jobs efficiently and productively” as he gave his final report as head of the legislature.
Joseph, who has said he is stepping down from his leadership position
as of the end of this term, said that it is the work of county staff that has
earned Tompkins County its reputation as one of the best run municipalities, both in this area and throughout New York State.
Administrator Steve Whicher, speaking on behalf of the county’s
department heads, praised Joseph for his “fairness, insight and balance”
as chair, as well as the ability to be stern when it was needed.
.
Sciencenter Holds Cosmic Contest
The Sciencenter invites children in kindergarten through fifth grade to
participate in a science contest this winter. Cosmic Contest provides an
opportunity for kids to learn about earth and space sciences while completing an art or writing project.
To participate children in kindergarten through second grade can create an original artwork presenting a topic related to earth or space sciences, with a caption or short story explaining their work. Children in
grades three through five can submit a brief essay (a paragraph to a page
in length) about a topic of their choice in the earth or space sciences.
Students can explore NASA’s website for inspiration (www.nasa.gov).
All contest participants will receive free admission passes to the
Sciencenter. The Sciencenter will select three winning entries for each
grade level. Winning entries will be featured on the museum’s Web site
and each winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the Sciencenter Store.
Entries are due Feb. 1 and should be addressed to Sciencenter Cosmic
Contest, 601 First Street, Ithaca NY 14850. Include your name, title of your
entry, your home or school address, and your grade, teacher, and school.
For complete contest guidelines, visit www.sciencenter.org.
Tech Boosters to Meet at High School
Tech Boosters, a group of parents, teachers and community members who
are interested in supporting Ithaca City School District technology education and related extracurricular activities, will meet on Monday, Jan, 7, at
7 p.m. at Ithaca High School, room E4.
The group is planning a Tech Ed open house to be held in March. The
event will demonstrate what Ithaca offers in technology education and
raise awareness of the new Tech Boosters group. Topics will include the
curriculum, facilities, clubs, funding and unmet needs of the program.
Ithaca High’s room E4 is just off the smaller parking lot on the Lake
Street side of
the building. For more information visit
http://icsdtech.org/wiki/ or contact Paul Davis at 273-0030.
Holiday Blood Drive Scheduled
A special holiday blood drive will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27, from 11
a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ramada Inn on Triphammer Road in Ithaca. There
will be giveaways, free T-shirts, refreshments and raffles. Each presenting
donor can enter to win a Weekend Getaway Voucher worth $1000 with
their Points for Pints Card.
Needed are 125 pints of blood to ensure that no patient need goes unmet
this holiday season. To make an appointment call 1-800 GIVE LIFE. Donors
may also visit www.donatebloodnow.org.
Contact Us:
A dve r t i s i n g & B u s i n e s s :
6 0 7 - 3 2 7 - 1 2 2 6 o r j g r a n ey @ t wc ny. r r. c o m
Editorial:
6 0 7 - 5 3 9 - 7 1 0 0 o r w r o l s @ t wc ny. r r. c o m
Mail:
To m p k i n s We e k ly, P O B ox 6 4 0 4 , I t h a c a , N Y 1 4 8 5 1
O n t h e We b a t :
w w w. t o m p k i n sw e e k l y. c o m
Democrat Chock
Elected to Legislature
By Nate Dougherty
After years working to increase
tourism in Tompkins County,
Carol Chock realized her experience promoting the best aspects
the county has to offer could be
used for another purpose. So when
the resignation of Dick Booth left
an open seat in the Tompkins
County Legislature, Chock tossed
her hat into the ring.
With no challenger, Chock, a
Democrat, captured a special election held Dec. 18 to complete the
tee) will help her hit the ground
running once she’s sworn in.
“My experience gave me this
great breadth of experience to
know that the county government
is an important force that touches
across the limits of cities, towns
and villages,” Chock says. “So
when we drive a highway, cross a
bridge, request services for public
health or for our families, we
expect our county to be there.”
She also looks to bring a strong
sense of the value of the arts in
Tompkins County to the legisla-
Street Beat
The word on the street from around
Tompkins county.
By Kathy Morris
Question: What’s your favorite piece of
holiday music?
“‘Silent Night.’ Traditional and
classic — it’s soothing to my
heart.”
- Mari Sobus, Varna
“I think it’s important to have that voice on
the legislature, someone who is conscious of
the arts and culture and what it gives to our
community.”
- Carol Chock
formality of electing her to the legislature.
With tourism experience as a
member of the Tompkins County
Strategic Tourism Planning Board,
including chair of the board’s
Planning,
Development,
and
Evaluation Committee, Chock is
familiar with what qualities the
county should use to ensure a
strong future.
“I realized that when we think
about how we present ourselves to
the outside world, what tourism we
want to promote, we define ourselves as a community,” Chock
says. “I became even more aware
than I was already of what a special place we live in, with such a
unique mix of beauty, education,
arts and community involvement.
On the tourism board I was led to
what are the best things we want to
preserve and present, and what of
that can we build upon for the
future.”
The District 3 seat came open
when Booth accepted a position
with the Adirondack Parks Agency.
He was a professor at Cornell while
Chock was there completing her
master’s degree in strategic planning. “He was somewhat of an
advisor to me as a planning student, and I’m thrilled to be following in his footsteps in the district,”
she says.
Her knowledge of the functions
and nuances of the legislature (she
has made presentations to its
Planning,
Development,
and
Environmental Quality commit-
ture. “I come with the sense that
our community is a special place
with a great mix of education and
beauty and culture,” Chock says. “I
do think it’s important to have that
voice on the legislature, someone
who is conscious of the arts and
culture and what it gives our community.”
Despite running unopposed,
Chock has spent recent evenings
going door to door in the district
and making phone calls to connect
with residents there. She says this
is partly to remind those who
might not otherwise follow the legislature closely that they will have
new representation.
“My aim is to make sure residents don’t feel this was sprung on
them unannounced,” Chock says.
“Residents deserve to know who’s
representing them and making
decisions for them, and I don’t
want to have people to say in a few
months, ‘Who is this person and
where did she come from.’ I want
them to know I’m out here and listening to their concerns.”
Aside from her work in tourism,
Chock is involved in several other
community advocacy programs.
She is a founding member of the
Ithaca Community Self-Reliance
Center, Ithaca Women Against
Rape, and Ecology Action of
Tompkins County. She works as
associate director of foundation
relations for Cornell, where she
helps raise money from private
foundations for faculty, college and
university.
“‘The Hallelujah Chorus.’”
- Kaaren Remley, Ithaca
“‘Nothing But A Child’ by
Steve Earl.
- Chris Broadwell, Hector
“Christmas carols, in general.”
- Katti Harale, Ithaca
Submit your question to Street Beat. If we choose your question, you’ll
receive gift certificates to GreenStar Cooperative Market and Ithaca
Flower Shop. Simply log onto www.tompkinsweekly.com and click on
Street Beat to enter.
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
7
Sim Redmond Finds Comfort Zone
At the core of the Ithaca music
scene is the Sim Redmond Band, a
band that sprung from the drive of
irs front man, along with a group of
friends and his older brother Asa
Redmond. Together they engineered a new wave of music in
Ithaca. Sim is the main songwriter,
responsible for such tunes as “Pink
Guitar” “Hurricane” and “Just
Right.”
The band’s next show is a New
Year’s Eve gig at Castaways with
Kevin Kinsella opening up, and it’s
going to rock. I had the chance to
meet up with Sim while he was
doing some Christmas shopping on
the Commons. He is the antithesis
of the obnoxious rock star. He’s
warm. He’s your favorite cousin.
He’s the friend you grew up with,
that has been volunteering in a
soup kitchen for five years and
never bothered to mention it to you.
We found warmth by the fire at
the Matte Factor and got down to
business after playing catch up. Sim
recalls the history of SRB, which In
the early 1990s was called Ginger
and later reformed as the Duck Tape
Band. After the Duck Tape Band fell
apart, Sim began working on his
own, developing his talents as a
songwriter.
“It seemed to happen pretty naturally, after I realized how much fun
it was to write my own material,” he
says. “I realized it was what I really
wanted to be doing.” Things took off
quickly for the band, with his brother Asa at his side. The two have
played together since Sim was 13.
“Playing with Asa feels so natural,
Photo provided
By Alexis E. Santi
The Sim Redmond Band will ring in the new year with a show at Castaways.
and he’s super easygoing and great
to work with... He’s such a rock to
me. He’s always been supportive of
whatever I’ve come up with.”
They transitioned into the Sim
Redmond Band and things fell into
place. Some of the old members of
Duck Tape Band stuck around and
began learning some of Sim’s new
songs. Sim took advantage of a
unique opportunity while studying
at Ithaca College; as his senior project he was able to put together the
band’s demo tracks using the studio
for free and earning credit at the
same time. Before long they had
their first album, “Things We Will
Keep,” which was a fusion of their
Ithaca College demos and new
tracks that laid down the following
year.
As the band developed its sound,
it fused folk with African roots and
blues into the Ithaca music scene.
“Basically if
you went to
GrassRoots and listened to all the
music you would get something that
sounds similar to us.” The band has
playing for almost eight years and
has released six albums. They are a
local favorite, consistently selling
out shows.
He cites as his inspiration the red
rose at his side, “Sheesh, I can’t even
count how many songs I’ve written
for her [his wife, Cheyenne]. The
entire album “Wishing Well” is love
songs for her. Beyond that I try to
write songs that connect to nature
and people connecting to one another.”
I had to ask Sim about some songs
that I listened to this summer while
I was swung in my hammock. On
“Hurricane:” “A lot of people hear
that song and think, ‘Wow that’s a
beautiful love song,’ but that song
was actually about a good friend
that passed away, it’s about coming
to terms with losing somebody.”
“Just Right:” “I think that song is
about appreciating what’s around
you, surrounding us, life’s a gift and
we should appreciate what’s around
us. A lot of my songs are about
what’s the point of life and I think
about that — what is the biggest reason for living is to love people and to
give back.”
So how did he come up with the
lyrics for “Pink Guitar,” a beautiful
melody that carries a message, turning around the adage of seize the
day. The lyrics say, “People say don’t
live in the past, live each day like it’s
your last. You should try it in
reverse, live each day like it’s your
first.”
“It was from hanging out with
Crow’s [Greenspun] son, and you
know that energy that kids have?
They have that energy that they
have when they wake up in the
morning to discover something fun
and new every day, that’s what
they’re like — that’s the energy that
we need to hold onto, that we can
lose when we become older.”
With plans for another album
sometime next year, Sim says that
the band is going back into the studio soon, recording about nine new
tracks that have already been written. For now, local listeners can
catch them playing at Castaways on
New Year’s. What better way to forget the past and ring in the New
Year than with one of Ithaca’s
favorite bands?
You may know that the U.S. space program is the leader in sophisticated microe
lectronics technology. But do you know which industry is second? Hearing aids!
Surprised? Most people are. Today there are hearing aids so compact you can
barely see them. Others contain microcomputers so advanced they can be programmed to match the wearer’s hearing loss. Still other hearing aids can zoom in
on sounds the wearer wants to hear better. Some can even be adjusted by a tiny
remote control! We’re excited about the new hearing-aid technologies and we’re
committed to having all the equipment, knowledge and experience necessary to
make sure our patients get the greatest benefit from them. So if you haven’t
looked into hearing aids lately, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Why not give us
a call? We’ll be happy to show you what’s new.
Joseph
Bialobreski,
(607) 266-0194
8
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
MA, CCC-A
NYS Licensed
Audiologist
2 Ascot Place, Ithaca, NY 14850
Telephone Firm Blows Out 100 Candles
This year the Trumansburg
Telephone Company marks a significant milestone by hitting the
century mark. The company,
begun in 1907 as the Trumansburg
Home Telephone Company, is
independent, meaning that it was
never part of the Bell system.
Instead, it’s been family-owned
since 1927 by four generations of
the
Griswold
family.
The
Griswolds also run the Ontario
Telephone Company, which serves
Phelps and Clifton Springs, and
the two companies share some
employees and resources.
The Trumansburg Telephone
Company was recently named
Business of the Year by the
Trumansburg Chamber of Commerce. From its beginnings in the
days of operators and party lines,
the company has evolved into a
state-of-the-art telecommunications firm, now providing services
like broadband Internet and
Web-based (VoIP) calling.
The company's early history
isn’t well known. Around the turn
of the century, independent phone
companies like this one started
popping up, giving the growing
Bell monopoly a run for its money.
The Independent companies often
started in rural areas or small
towns, at a time when Bell was
concentrating its efforts in major
cities.
Today there are only about 20
independent phone companies in
New York, but in 1920 there were
500. In many cases, if you had
Photo provided
By Beth Skwarecki
Pictured is four generations of Griswolds, the family that has owned the Trumansburg
Telephone company since 1927. They’re sitting around an old-fashioned switchboard. This
photo was taken during the 1980s.
service from an independent company you could call your neighbors but there was no long distance service connecting to other
networks.
Kim Stewart, director of corporate communications and marketing at the two companies,
describes early telephone service
on the party line system. “You
would share a line with four or
five other households that were on
your street or in your neighborhood,” she explains, and any subscriber on the line could listen to
others’ conversations. Author
Claude Fischer, writing about
rural phone companies, notes that
subscribers would complain if
their neighbors hogged the line
with “gossip and banjo-playing.”
In 1936 a sleet storm took down
1,200 telephone poles in and
around Trumansburg. Customers
kept paying their bills, keeping
the company afloat, even though it
took most of a year to fully restore
service.
For the first six decades of
Trumansburg Telephone’s existence, all calls went through operators, women whose job was to lit-
erally connect phone calls by plugging wires into a switchboard.
Phone service might be unavailable if there was no operator
working the night shift.
Switchboards were eventually
replaced by automated switches,
huge pieces of machinery that
were in turn replaced by smaller
machines over the years. Stewart
says that the Trumansburg and
Ontario companies are the first
independent telephone companies
in the state to operate their entire
network on next-generation soft
switches that will allow them to
provide more high-speed Internet
services.
“Traditional phone service is
definitely changing,” Stewart
says, noting competition from
mobile phones and cable Internet.
But she is excited about the company’s future. “We’re looking for
ways to be around for the next
hundred years,” she says, describing the companies’ new equipment
and their fiber-optic network,
which currently stretches between
Rochester and Ithaca, replacing
older copper wires.
The companies recently purchased part of the Seneca Army
depot to use as a colocation and
disaster
recovery
facility.
Colocation allows computers such
as Web servers to reside in a data
center where they have a highbandwidth Internet connection.
The two companies currently
serve some 10,000 customers,
including
about
4,500
in
Trumansburg,
Ovid
and
Interlaken.
Legislature Approves IDA Bonds For Heating Plant Project
The Tompkins County Legislature,
by unanimous vote, approved
issuance of up to $70 million in
Industrial Development Agency
Civic Revenue Bonds to support
expansion of Cornell’s central
heating plant and related system
improvements.
The
approval
authorizes the IDA to act as a conduit for University financing of
the project, enabling it to access
tax-free bonds under provision of
the federal internal revenue code,
and does not incur any County
financial obligation to the project.
In other business, county lawmakers approved two new sustainability policies for county government: one covering waste reduction and resource management in
county buildings; the other revising the County’s policy on surplus
equipment. Both policies were
developed by employee members of
the County’s cross-functional
Sustain-ability Team.
Legislators, also without dissent, set the billing unit charge for
the 2008 solid waste annual fee at
$54, up from the current $52, an
increase first discussed during the
2008 budget process.
The action also specifies separate fees for all tax-exempt parcels
owned by area colleges and
Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES.
Through the fee structure, these
institutions will contribute more
than a $250,000 in solid waste fees.
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Tompkins Weekly
December 21
9
Research Sheds New Light on Plant Life
Most plant life on Earth depends
on that distant yellow star called
the Sun for sustenance. Plants use
the process of photosynthesis to
convert sunlight into energy, a
system well understood by biologists. In addition to keeping the
plants alive, the oxygen produced
from photosynthesis is vital to
virtually every other organism on
our planet. What remains a mystery is how plants actually optimize their growth and development, contingent upon their ambient light conditions.
Scientists at the Boyce
Thompson Institute for Plant
Research at Cornell, headed by
Haiyang Wang, an adjunct assistant professor in plant biology,
report in the Nov. 23 issue of
Science magazine a new study
that “has significantly advanced
our understanding of how plant
responses to light are regulated,
and perhaps even how such
responses evolved,” says Michael
Mishkind, a program director at
the National Science Foundation
(NSF), the agency which funded
this research. Using the small
flowering plant called Arabidopsis
thaliana , the research team
focused on two proteins named
FHY3 and FAR1 to see how these
large organic compounds regulate
the plant’s response to light.
Plants use several classes of
proteins, called photoreceptors, to
perceive light signals. The far-red
light spectrum is perceived by the
protein phytochrome A, or phyA
for short. Following the photo-
Photo by Kathy Morris
By Larry Klaes
Boyce Thompson Institute scientists Haiyang Wang, front, and Rongcheng Lin examine
trays of Arabidopsis Thaliana growing in one of the many environmental control chambers
on the first first floor of the insitute on Tower Road at Cornell.
activation by far-red light, phyA is
transported from the cytoplasm
into the nucleus of the plant’s
cells, where it orchestrates the
plant’s response to light.
What the research team wanted
to know is how the activated phyA
gets into the cell nucleus to trigger the plant’s responses to light.
Wang notes that previous studies
have shown that the two proteins,
FHY3 and FAR1, are essential for
proper phyA responses, but scientists did not know how and what
kind of roles they play in the overall process.
“FHY3 and FAR1 proteins act in
the nucleus as transcription fac-
Wishing you
a very
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year
from all of us at
10
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
tors. They bind to DNA directly
and regulate gene expression
themselves,” says Wang. “They
act to increase the production of
two other proteins named FHY1
and FHL. These proteins then
help to bring phyA into the cell
nucleus. Without FHY3 and FAR1,
there will be no FHY1 and FHL,
and phyA cannot go to the nucleus, and thus no response to far-red
light.
“Once the light response is initiated, there is a mechanism to
shut down the production of
FHY3 and FAR1, so that production of FHY1 and FHL will drop,”
Wang explains. “This serves as a
Sandie Sharp
Teresa Sharp
Home • Auto • Business
273-4732
401 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
brake to limit the import of phyA
to the nucleus, and therefore the
light response will not go unlimited….FHY3 and FAR1 are essential
parts of a regulatory mechanism
to keep the light signaling pathway balanced.”
Wang and his team chose farred light for their experiments to
simplify their tests and avoid
potential interference by light
from other wavelengths on the
electromagnetic spectrum.
“It is hoped that by understanding these separate light responses,
we will be able to assemble a complete picture of how plants
respond to light in a natural environmental condition,” Wang says.
Arabidopsis thaliana is a member of the mustard (Brassicaceae)
family that includes cultivated
species such as cabbage and
radish. It was selected by the BTI
team for its wide use as a model
organism in plant biology.
“Although not of major agronomic significance, Arabidopsis
offers important advantages for
basic research in genetics and
molecular biology,” says Wang.
“The plant has a small genome, a
small size (it takes less space to
grow), short generation times
(about two months) and they produce lots of seeds. Importantly,
what we learned from Arabidopsis
can be largely translated into crop
plants.”
As for practical applications
from the team’s research, Wang
notes that studies from his group
and others will enhance the ability to modify the light responses of
Welcome to the World Without Us
By Nicholas Nicastro
It’s one of those egghead culture
critics — Slavoj Zizek, perhaps —
who has talked about how popular
culture (and its audiences) has an
easy time conjuring the End of the
World, but can’t imagine a small
change in our nation’s politics.
Want to see the eastern seaboard
scoured flat by a 300-foot tsunami?
No problem! Contemplate getting
rid of the Electoral College,
though, and we worry that the audience would never buy it. Need to
visualize New York City as a ghost
town infested by hairless, flesh-eating albino zombies? Certainly!
Imagine our system reformed so
corporations aren’t considered
legal “persons,” or a universal, single-payer health care system, or a
clean-running electric car in every
garage? Well, let’s not get ahead of
ourselves.
Our puzzling taste for self-defeating, apocalyptic visions accepted,
we can at least hope for good ones.
Francis Lawrence’s I Am Legend is
yet another in what seems like an
endless supply of zombie-pandemic
flicks (e.g., 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks
Later and, going further back, The
Omega Man [1971] and George
Romero’s Night of the Living Dead
[1968], along with its legion of
remakes and spoofs). Yet it also
packs surprising intensity and
Photo provided
★ ★ ★ I Am Legend. Written by
Mark
Protosevich,
Akiva
Goldsman, et al., based on a novel
by Richard Matheson. Directed by
Francis Lawrence. At Regal
Cinemas.
The last man of Earth (Will Smith) and friend go on the town in I Am Legend.
humanity.
Even more than Tom Hanks in
Cast Away, this is a piece for a solo
instrument. Will Smith is Robert
Neville, an army pathologist who,
after Manhattan is abandoned to a
man-made epidemic, chooses to
stay behind alone to find a cure.
And alone he is through most of
the story — when he isn’t experimenting on rats in his basement
laboratory, he’s out hunting for
antelope in Central Park, shopping
for DVDs in abandoned video
stores, or driving golf balls off the
deck of the USS Intrepid. He and
his only company, Samantha the
German shepherd, squat in the
kind of roomy, elegant luxury most
Manhattanites only dream of, in an
historic row house on Washington
Square. The dream goes sour at
night, though, when legions of
infected zombies come out of hiding in search of live flesh. “Wait, I
can still fix this,” the ever-buoyant
Neville declares.
His optimism is tested when he
and Samantha aren’t able to retreat
to their apartment before nightfall.
In this role Smith proves himself to
be more than a box office rainmaker — his performance as an
increasingly crazed soul who has
lost almost everything, who has
given up on life but not the cause, is
his strongest yet.
Anybody who’s lived in New York
can relish the double-sided irony of
all this, as Manhattan is reduced to
a reverse variant of a gated community. If I Am Legend falls short
of poetry, it’s due more to a script
and a director (a former maker of
music videos) that sometimes go
more for spectacle than consistency. Is it really plausible that the
mere 1 percent of humans immune
from the virus would include one of
the top pathologists in the world?
And sure, it’s spectacular to watch
the Brooklyn Bridge blown up to
keep the undesirables confined to
Manhattan — and perhaps ironic
from a race/class point of view. But
did nobody think the infected
might swim or float over, at a spot
where the East River is just a few
hundred yards wide? Indeed, what
self-respecting uptown zombie
would ever go south of Houston,
even to eat somebody’s flesh?
Quibbles aside, I Am Legend is a
rare holiday gift from Hollywood: a
cineplex spectacle that lingers
longer in the mind than the butterflavored topping on your popcorn.
Movie Ratings
★
★
★
★
★
★★★★
★★★
★★
★
Classic
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
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Tompkins Weekly
December 21
11
Tompkins County Community Calendar...
December 2007
21 Friday
9 Parts of Desire, Kitchen Theatre,
Main Stage, 8pm. A timely meditation
on ancient culture, modern life and
being a woman in a country overshadowed by war. The lives of Iraqi women
are explained in this extraordinary solo
performance. Adult content. Tix & info
273-4497 or www.kitchenthaetre.org
Chair Yoga with Roz Lopinto ,
Lifelong, 10-11am. Info Lifelong 2731511.119 W. Court St.
Community Cinema, Henry St. John
Bldg, Ste 103. This months feature film
Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra
Incongnita. Community discussion with
organic refreshments follow screening.
Presented by S.T.A.M.P.’s Guerrilla Griots
Human Rights Media Arts Center. Info
info@stamp-cny.org. Clinton & Geneva
Sts.
Family Fun Night, Cortland YMCA.
Bring the family and enjoy the gym, climbing
wall,
&
pool.
Info
www.cortlandymca.org or 756-2893. 22
Tompkins St.
Lifelong, Enhance Fitenss-Lifelong
8:30-9:30am; Coffee Time 9:30-11:30am;
Strength Training-St. Catherine 9:3010:30am; Holiday Gift Shop 10am-4pm;
Chair Yoga-Lifelong 10-11am; Enhance
Fitness-Enfield Community Center
10:15-11:15am; Enhance Fitness-Titus
Towers
10:30-11:30am;
Enhance
Fitness-Ellis Hollow Rd. Apts. 11amNoon; Tai Chi Class 11:30am-12:30pm;
Line Dancing 1-2pm; Enhance FitnessJuniper Manor 1-2pm; Open Computer
Lab 1-3pm; Mahjong Group 1-3pm;
Enhance Fitness-McGraw House Annex
2-3pm; Square Dancing 2-4pm;
Intergenerational Game Time 3-4:40pm.
Info 273-1511. 119 W. Court St
Movie Night, Borders Books in
Pyramid Mall, 6:30-8pm. We’ll show
movies that appeal to kids age 5-10.
257-0444
Pajamarama Storytime, Barnes &
Noble, 7pm. Join us for stories for preschool & elementary age children. Juice
& snacks provided, pj’s welcome. Info
273-6784 or www.BN.com
Preschool
Story
Hour
at
Southworth Library, Dryden, 10am.
No sign-up required - just come and
enjoy stories, activities and refreshments. We are also looking for volunteer
readers for this program. 844-4782
Retail Training Center, 110 W.
Court St., 11am-5pm. Help us to help
others, come support our shop and give
our students the opportunity to practice
their customer service skills. New
extended hours. Info 256-9957 or 2721520 x108
Rookie Reader Storytime, Barnes
& Noble, 10:30am. Join us for stories
perfect for infants & toddlers. Activities
will
follow.
Info
273-6784
or
www.BN.com
SPCA Home for the Holidays
Adoptions, Ithaca Mall. Info 2575338. 40 Catherwood Rd
22 Saturday
2007 Rutabaga Curl, Ithaca
Farmer’s Market, Registration 10:3011:45am, Games begin Noon. This
years Curl benefits Ithaca Community
Radio. Registration limited to the first
120 athletes so come early. There will
be a Turnip Toss for athletes 8 and
under. Info info@acorndesigns.org or
387-3424
3-6 Year Old Yoga, Namaste
Montessori School, 2-2:45pm. Info 2731673 or littlebuddhasyoga@gmail.om.
1608 Trumansburg Rd
1608 Trumansburg Rd
Community Dish-to-Pass Dinner,
Enfield Valley Grange, 6pm. Music,
12
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
Santa and decoration prizes to be
awarded after dinner. Bring your own
table service, beverages provided.
Cross Country Skiing, Water Works
Cross Country Ski trails, Cortland,
10am-3pm. Trails are open to the public
on weekends beginning in December
thru early March when snow cover is
adequate. Prior to skiing everyone must
sign in and out at the pump house registration desk. Info 753-3021 or 7534961
Explorers Storytime 11am at
Borders Books in Pyramid Mall, 2570444.
Family Storytime Tompkins County
Public Library. 11:30am-12pm. Free.
www.tcpl.org, 272-4557 x275
“It’s A Wonderful Life” A RadioPlay, Center for the Arts, 8pm.
Professional actors perform this
American holiday standard in a radioplay format with all the trappings. It is
the story of the life of common man
George Bailey, as told to his guardian
angel Clarence Odbody, who has been
recruited to save him in his moment of
need. Tix & info www.center4art.org or
749-4900. 72 S. Main St., Homer
Jazz Dance Classes with Nancy
Gaspar, Finger Lakes Fitness Center,
11am. Beginners. Nonmembers &
drop-ins welcome. Info 256-3532. 171
E. State St., Center Ithaca, lower level
Jazzercise, 3100 N. Triphammer
Rd., 8:30/9:30am. Get fit to Top 40,
Jazz, Blues, Country and R&B. Ages
16+. Info 288-4040 or www.jazzercise.com
Lifelong, Men’s Group 9am-Noon;
Community Writing Group 1:30-3:30pm.
Morning Story Time 10am. Caroline
Community Library 2670 Slaterville Rd.
Slaterville Springs. www.tcpl.org.
Open Family Swim Tompkins
Cortland Community College, Dryden.
11am-1pm. Fee. 844-8222.
Public
Skating,
Community
Recreation Center, Ithaca, 8:30-10pm.
277-7465
Seidaiko
“Taiko”
Japanese
Drum Classes, World Seishi Karate,
4pm. For ongoing students. Info
www.seishihonbu@verizon.net or 2771047. 989 Dryden Rd. (in Varna)
Special Presentation “Orchids”,
Sciencenter, 2pm. Discover orchids with
John Alvarez Castillo. Visitors will take
home an orchid plant and learn how to
care for it. Included with admission. Info
www.sciencenter.org or 272-0600. 601
First St.
‘The Goose That Laid The
Golden Drum’ A Winter Solstice
Drumming
Feast-RitualCelebration, Lehman Alternative
Community School, 5-10pm. Dinner at
6pm, celebration follows. An open feast,
One Heart will provide a couple Geese
and trimmings, potluck dish to pass
optional, drumming, dance at your
pleasure, and ritual reconciliation of our
shared sentience. 111 Chestnut Ave.,
West Hill Ithaca
Toddlers Yoga, Namasts Montessori
School, 1-1:45pm. Walkers-3. Info 2731673 or littlebuddhasyoga@gmail.om.
1608 Trumansburg Rd
Tot Spot, Ithaca Youth Bureau, 9:3011:30am. Late Oct thru Mid-Late April.
Indoor stay and play for children 5
months to 5 years & their caregivers.
Fee. Info 273-8364
23 Sunday
Bound For Glory: Holiday
Special Show, 8-11pm. Info 2732121 or email pds10@cornell.edu.
Listen to the broadcast on WVBR 93.5
Cortland Teen Center Closed, Info
753-3021 or www.cortland.org/youth
Cross Country Skiing, Water
Works Cross Country Ski trails,
Cortland, 10am-3pm. Trails are open to
the public on weekends beginning in
December thru early March when snow
cover is adequate. Prior to skiing everyone must sign in and out at the pump
house registration desk. Info 753-3021
or 753-4961
Food Addicts in Recovery
Anonymous, Cayuga Addiction
Recovery Services Building. 9am.
There are no dues, fees, or weigh-ins.
Everyone is welcome including those
who think they may have a problem
with overeating, bulimia, or anorexia, or
are concerned about someone else.
Info 387-8329 or www. foodaddicts.org.
Crn. State & Plain Sts., Ithaca
Full Moon Circle-Winter Solstice
Celebration-Christmas Joy, Web
Of Life Healing Center, 6pm. Come celebrate the Solsitce, the Full Moon, and
Christmas. Donation. Info www.theworlddrum.com or www.shamaniccircles.org or www.hawksway.com or 4234722
Rd., 9:30am. Get fit to Top 40, Jazz,
Blues, Country and R&B. Ages 16+.
Info 288-4040 or www.jazzercise.com
Tot Spot, Ithaca Youth Bureau, 3:305:30pm. Late Oct thru Mid-Late April.
Fee. Info 273-8364
24 Monday
Department of Motor Vehicles
Ithaca-Closed, The Office will be
closed for the day. It will reopen Wed
Dec 26th. Info 274-5431
Hatha Yoga w/Dr. Kasia, World
Seishi
Karate,
6-7:20pm.
Info
7:15pm. Nonmembers & drop-ins welcome. Info 256-3532. 171 E. State St.,
Center Ithaca, lower level
Rd., 4:45-6pm. Get fit to Top 40, Jazz,
Lifelong, Handicraft Holiday Gift Shop
10am-4pm. Info 273-1511. 119 W. Court
St
Personal Defense, World Seishi
Karate, 7:30-8:30pm. Info www.seishihonbu@verizon.net or 277-1047. 989
Dryden Rd. (in Varna)
Raising Grandchildren, Family
and Children’s Services, (Seneca
Street location) Fourth Monday of the
month 6:30-8:30pm. the group
addresses unique challenges, issues,
and solutions for grandparents.2737494
Shakuhachi Flute w/Senpai Kim,
World Seishi Karate, 6:30-7:30pm. Info
TGHA Initiatin Program, The
Rink, 6pm. Grils in the Initiation progam
receive lessons in skating and hockey
skills and play games at the beginner
level on Mondays. For girls ages 4 yrs
and
up.
Info
539-6920
or
TGHA0708@yahoo.com
or
www.ithacagirlshockey.com. 1767 East
Shore Dr., north of Ithaca
The Icarus Theatre Ensemble
Play Reading Series, Community
School of Music and Arts, 8pm. Every
Monday. Playwrigthts, Directors, Actors
and anyone else interested in reading
and discussing plays are encouraged to
attend. Free & open to all. Info 917-6978886. 330 E. State St
Tompkins County Clerk’s OfficeClosed, The Office will be closed for
the day. It will reopen Wed Dec 26th.
Info 274-5431
Yoga for Women in Midlife, Soma
Living Arts, 7-8:30pm. Explore the possiblities for renewed strength and aliveness,
calm and alert mind, with acceptance and
compassionate awareness. Info 3194138 or nishkala@twcny.rr.com 409 W.
State St., Groundfloor (back of bldg)
25 Tuesday Christmas Day
Department of Motor Vehicles
Ithaca-Closed, The Office will be
closed for the day. It will reopen Wed
Dec 26th. Info 274-5431
Lifelong-Closed, Info 273-1511. 119
W. Court St
Sciencenter Closed, Info www.sciencenter.org or 272-0600. 601 First St.
“The Hobo’s Lullaby” broadcast,
WICB-FM
Tompkins County Clerk’s OfficeClosed, The Office will be closed for
the day. It will reopen Wed Dec 26th.
Info 274-5431
26 Wednesday Kwanza Begins
3 on 3 Basketball Registration
Deadline for Tournament For
Teens, Ithaca YMCA, 1pm. There will
be two divisions: ages 12-14yrs and
ages 15-18yrs. The tournament will be a
two game elimination format. Free and
open to all youth. Info 257-0101
Bereavement
Coffee
Hour,
Hospicare Center, 10-11:30am. Group
focuses on the loss of a spouse or significant other; adult children welcome to
accompany. Info email dgeorge@hospicare.org or 272-0212. 172 East King
Rd., Itahca
Beyond
the
First
Year
Bereavement Group, Hospicare
Center, 5:30-7:30pm. Support group
focuses on issues and concerns that
impact life after loss beyond the first
year. Free. Info email dgeorge@hospicare.org or 272-0212. 172 East King
Rd., Itahca
Chair Yoga with Roz Lopinto, St.
Catherine of Siena, 10:30-11:30am. Info
Lifelong 273-1511.
Finger Lakes Fencing Society,
Varna Community Center, 5-7:30pm.
Meets every Wed. Beginners and
Fencers of all levels and skills are welcome. First practice is free. Info 518231-1091. 943 Dryden Rd.
Anonymous,
Cayuga Addiction
Recovery Services Building. 7-8:30pm.
Crn. State & Plain Sts., Ithaca.
Holiday on Ice, SUNY Cortland Ice
Arena, 1-5pm. Children under 8 must be
accompanied by someone over 15yrs of
age. Skate rental available. Info 7533021 or 753-4961
Holiday Vacation Gym Program,
Cotland
County
Gym,
1-3pm.
Elementary and Junior High School students looking for some phyical activities
during their vacation are invited to come
for supervised activites such as basketball and volleyball. No cost. Info 7533021 or 753-4961
Center Ithaca, lower level.
Lifelong,
Enhance Fitness-Ellis
Hollow Rd. Apts 11am-Noon; Enhance
Fitness-Juniper Manor 1-2pm. Info 2731511. 119 W. Court St
Little Explorers Storytime 11am.
Borders Books in Pyramid Mall, 2570444
Seidaiko
“Taiko”
Japanese
7-8:30pm. For beginning students.Info
Swing Dance, City Health Club, 811pm. Every Wed night the Ithaca
Swing Dance Network hosts an
evening of swing dance. Fee. Info
www.ithacaswing.org
Wednesday Breakfast Club,
Friendly’s Restaurant, 323 Elmira Rd.,
8am. An informal breakfast get-together
for bereaved adults. Participants pay for
their own breakfast. Info Hospicare and
Palliative Care Services email dgeorge@hospicare.org or 272-0212
Wednesday Night Drumming and
Dancing,
Moonlight
Dancer
Studio,6:30-8:30pm. Exploring rythms
and expressive dance, come with your
drums and desire to move, bring your
friends and families. Info email
jml11us@juno.com. 407 Taughannock
Blvd
27 Thursday
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
For Teens, Ithaca YMCA, 1pm.
Register by 12/26. There will be two divisions: ages 12-14yrs and ages 1518yrs. The tournament will be a two
game elimination format. Free and open
to all youth. Info 257-0101
AL-ANON Hope for Today, Meeting
open to anyone affected by another person’s drinking. 7:30pm 844-4210. 518
West Seneca St., Ithaca, main floor.
Communities that Care Holiday
Blood Drive, Ramada Inn Ithaca,
11am-6pm. Free t-shirts, refreshments,
raffles and ful. Info & appointment 1800-GIVE LIFE
Seishi Karate, 12-1:20pm. Info
Holiday Hours at the Teen
Center, The Teen Center, Cortland.
The Teen Center will extend its hours to
12-9pm. Info 753-3021 or www.cortland.org/youth
Cotland County Gym, 1-3pm. Elementary
and Junior High School students looking
for some phyical activities during their
vacation are invited to come for supervised activites such as basketball and volleyball. No cost. Info 753-3021 or 7534961
Kripalu DansKinetics, Tiamat
Studio 139, The Commons, 7:258:30pm. Every Thursday. Info Sigrid
Kulkowitz 272-0407 or www.flyingleaps.com
Kundalini Yoga Class, YogAnahata,
10:30am. Every Thursday. Info satnam12@hotmail.com. 101 Linn St
Lifelong, Poetry Writing Class 1011:30am;
Holiday
Party-Couples
Pattern Dance Lessons 6-7:30pm; Line
Dancing Lessons 7:30-9pm. Info 2731511. 119 W. Court St
Lynn Wiles , Watercress Bistro,
Noon-2pm. Performing solo guitar every
Thurs. Info www.watercressithaca.com
or 257-0823. 2 Hickory Hollow Lane,
Ithaca
Music, The Watercress Restaurant,
8pm. Every Thurs evening great music
of all styles will be showcased with two
40 minute performances. Info 257-0823
Open Computer Lab, Lifelong, 1-3pm
Drop in for free internet access, one-onone tutoring or computer help. Beginning
and advanced learners are welcome. Info
273-1511. 119 W. Court St.
Out of Bounds, WEOS-FM 88.1,
7pm. This weekly interview program will
feature host Tish Pearlman in conversation with Award-Winning Storyteller and
Educator, Regi Carpenter. Info www.outofboundsradioshow.com or 277-4128
Prenatal Yoga Classes 5:30-7pm.
Diane Fine. Info fineyoga@yahoo.com
564-3690 or dianefineyoga.com
TGHA
Beginner
Women’s
Hockey, Cass Park Rink 6:457:45pm. Women are introduced to the
fundamentals of the game by a female
coach/hockey player in a fun and supportive environment. Drop-in basis but
please RSVP by noon each Thursday
(email TGHA0708@yahoo.com or call
Mary at 280-4380). Fee. Info 539-6920
or
TGHA0708@yahoo.com
or
www.ithacagirlshockey.com.
TGHA Initiation Program, Cass Park
Rink, 5:15pm. Girls in the Initiation progam
skills and play games at the beginner level
on Thursdays. For girls ages 4 yrs and up.
Info 539-6920 or TGHA0708@yahoo.com
or www.ithacagirlshockey.com.
TGHA Recreation Hockey, Cass
Park Rink, 6:45-7:45pm. This is for middle
school and high school girls who have
some experience with hockey. Girls can
enjoy skills sessions and scrimages in a
fun, non-competitive atmosphere. Info
539-6920 or TGHA0708@yahoo.com or
www.ithacagirlshockey.com.
Toastmaster’s Club, Lifelong,
7:15-9pm. Meets the Fisrt, Third &
Fourth Thurs of every month. This club
provides a mutually supportive and
positive learning environment for members to develop communication and
leadership skills. Info 273-1511. 119 W.
Court St
Fee. Info 273-8364
28 Friday
Chair Yoga with Roz Lopinto ,
Lifelong, 10-11am. Info Lifelong 2731511.119 W. Court St.
Free
Medicare
Part
D
Prescription Drug Clinic, Lifelong,
10am-Noon. Three services are available at this first-come-first-serve clinic:
Assistance with questions about
Medicare Prescription Drug coverage;
Learn how to access Medicare web
sites; and Long Term Care Insurance
Counselors will be available to answer
questions. Info 273-1511. 119 W. Court St
Holiday Hours at the Teen
Center, The Teen Center, Cortland.
The Teen Center will extend its hours to
1-10pm. Info 753-3021 or www.cortland.org/youth
Indoor
Youth
Lacrosse
Registration
Deadline,
JM
McDonaald Sports Complex. HomerCortland Youth Lacrosse Associatioan will
conduct a nine-week indoor lacrosse program for girls and boys in grades 1-6 on
Wed evenings from Jan 9 thru March 5.
Info CYB 753-3021
Lifelong, Medicare, Part D Rx Plan,
Long Term Care Insurance Counseling
Clinic 10am-Noon; Chair Yoga-Lifelong
10-11am; Enhance Fitness-Ellis Hollow
Rd. Apts 11am-Noon; Line Dancing 12pm; Enhance Fitness-Juniper Manor 12pm; Open Computer Lab 1-3pm;
Mahjong Group 1-3pm; Square Dancing
2-4pm; Intergenerational Game Time 34:30pm; Square Dancing Dish-to-Pass 45:30pm. Info 273-1511. 119 W. Court St
Movie Night, Borders Books in Pyramid
Mall, 6:30-8pm. We’ll show movies that
appeal to kids age 5-10. 257-0444
Pajamarama Storytime, Barnes &
Noble, 7pm. Join us for stories for preschool & elementary age children. Juice
& snacks provided, pj’s welcome. Info
273-6784 or www.BN.com
Preschool
Story
Hour
at
Southworth Library, Dryden, 10am.
No sign-up required - just come and
enjoy stories, activities and refreshments. We are also looking for volunteer
readers for this program. 844-4782
Rookie Reader Storytime, Barnes
& Noble, 10:30am. Join us for stories
perfect for infants & toddlers. Activities
will
follow.
Info
273-6784
or
www.BN.com
29 Saturday
1608 Trumansburg Rd
1608 Trumansburg Rd
Compost
with
Confidence,
Compost Demonstration Site, Ithaca
Community Gardens, Noon-1pm. Last
Saturday every month. Master Composter
volunteers will provide info and give
hands-on demos to help you set up and
manage a composting system any setting.
Info
272-2292
or
w w w. c c e t o m p k i n s . o r g . C o r n e l l
Cooperative Extension
Crossing Borders , Broadcasting from
the Homer Center for the Performing Arts,
8-10pm. Featuring Arlo Guthrie in concert.
Aired on WVBR 93.5 FM. Info 275-0021
or crossingborderslive.org. 602 W. State
St.
Explorers Storytime 11am at Borders
Books in Pyramid Mall, 257-0444.
Family Storytime Tompkins County
Public Library. 11:30am-12pm. Free.
www.tcpl.org, 272-4557 x275.
11am. Beginners. Nonmembers &
drop-ins welcome. Info 256-3532. 171
E. State St., Center Ithaca, lower level
Rd., 8:30/9:30am. Get fit to Top 40,
Jazz, Blues, Country and R&B. Ages
16+. Info 288-4040 or www.jazzercise.com
Lifelong, Men’s Group 9am-Noon.
Morning Story Time 10am. Caroline
Community Library 2670 Slaterville Rd.
Slaterville Springs. www.tcpl.org.
Open Community Drum Circle,
Stewart Park NW corner (warm weather
permitting) or inside at the Alternative
Community School, 111 Chestnut St.,
Ithaca, 6pm. Bring your family and
friends, lots of extra drums availlable.
Potluck optional. Info ecstacy2@earthlink.net
Open Family Swim Tompkins
Cortland Community College, Dryden.
11am-1pm. Fee. 844-8222.
Public Skating, Community Recreation
Center, Ithaca, 8:30-10pm. 277-7465
Seidaiko
“Taiko”
Japanese
4pm. For ongoing students. Info
Special Presentation “Holiday
Plants”, Sciencenter, 2pm. John
Alvarez Castillo will explain how to care
for plants that brighten your home during the holidays. Visitors can plant a
paperwhite bulb to take home. Info
www.sciencenter.org or 272-0600. 601
First St.
Toddlers Yoga, Namasts Montessori
School, 1-1:45pm. Walkers-3. Info 2731673 or littlebuddhasyoga@gmail.om.
1608 Trumansburg Rd
Fee. Info 273-8364
Vegan Parents Group, Meet the
last Saturday of the month. Join us for
monthly potlucks, playgroups, resource
sharing, holiday activities, & more. Info
539-7373 or email siki@frontiernet.net
Anonymous, Cayuga Addiction
Recovery Services Building. 9am.
Everyone is welcome including those
who think they may have a problem
with overeating, bulimia, or anorexia, or
are concerned about someone else.
Crn. State & Plain Sts., Ithaca
Rd., 9:30am. Get fit to Top 40, Jazz,
Tot Spot, Ithaca Youth Bureau, 3:305:30pm. Late Oct thru Mid-Late April.
Fee. Info 273-8364
31 Monday New Year’s Eve
Downtown
Cortland’s
First
Night, Downtown Cortland. Enjoy
food, fun and fireworks. Info www.cortland.org
Seishi
Karate,
6-7:20pm.
Info
Center Ithaca, lower level
Personal Defense, World Seishi
Karate, 7:30-8:30pm. Info www.seishihonbu@verizon.net or 277-1047. 989
Dryden Rd. (in Varna)
Revision, Lost Dog Cafe, 10pm. Local
funk rock band will bring in the New Year.
Ages 21yrs and over. $5 cover. Info 2779143 or www.revisionmusic.com. 106 S.
Cayuga St.
Shakuhachi Flute w/Senpai Kim,
World Seishi Karate, 6:30-7:30pm. Info
TGHA Initiation Program, The
Rink, 6pm. Girls in the Initiation progam
skills and play games at the beginner
level on Mondays. For girls ages 4 yrs
and
up.
Info
539-6920
or
TGHA0708@yahoo.com
or
www.ithacagirlshockey.com. 1767 East
Shore Dr., north of Ithaca
The Icarus Theatre Ensemble
Play Reading Series, Community
School of Music and Arts, 8pm. Every
Monday. Playwrigthts, Directors, Actors
and anyone else interested in reading
and discussing plays are encouraged to
attend. Free & open to all. Info 917-6978886. 330 E. State St
Yoga for Women in Midlife, Soma
Living Arts, 7-8:30pm. Explore the possiblities for renewed strength and aliveness,
calm and alert mind, with acceptance and
compassionate awareness. Info 3194138 or nishkala@twcny.rr.com 409 W.
State St., Groundfloor (back of bldg)
Due to the Holidays some programs
may be canceled. Please call the event
that you are interested in to be sure that
it is still happening. Have a safe and
wonderful New Year!
30 Sunday
Bound For Glory: New Year’s
Special Show, 8-11pm. Info 2732121 or email pds10@cornell.edu.
Listen to the broadcast on WVBR 93.5
“The Hobo’s Lullaby” broadcast,
WICB-FM, 2-4pm
Submit Your
Calendar Listing:
• visit tompkinsweekly.com
and click on submissions
• email: jgraney@twcny.rr.com
• fax 607-347-4302
• write: Tompkins Weekly
PO Box 6404,
Ithaca, NY 14851
Deadline: is each Wednesday for
the following Monday's paper.
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
13
Iraqis Learning to Live in New Home
Continued from page 1
translators, overseen by the federal
Citizenship
and
Immigration
Service
(USCIS).
Stephens
describes the saga as “Kafkaesque.”
She and Sapio encountered nearinfinite red tape. Documents were
returned because they needed to be
signed in the presence of a notary
public — an American institution
with no parallel in Iraq.
Waheed’s letters of recommendation from his former supervising
lieutenant were deemed inadmissible. He needed a letter from a general, but the closest generals resided
in Baghdad, behind the fortified
Green Zone, 99 miles to the north.
Packages languished in diplomatic
networks. Stephens received no help
from local elected officials, except
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-22nd
District) and his aide, Lisa Newman,
who tried to expedite the process
within the USCIS. Waheed finally
arrived in Ithaca on Sept. 22 after he
and his wife, Aseel, had spent all
their savings and had their possessions stolen in transit.
Assad followed Waheed, capitalizing on the pathways Stephens
helped carve. His family arrived
here on Halloween night and the
journey was no easier. “The bureaucrats do not respect Iraqis,” says
Assad of the USCIS run-around he
encountered. Between travel and
expenses, he spent the equivalent of
$8,000 to get out of Iraq. He urges
Americans to pressure officials in
Washington and the military, particularly commissioned officers, to
help translators escape. “If they
need names, we will give them
names,” says Assad, referring to colleagues back home.
Stephens, Assad and Waheed
planned to help two additional
translator families before the end of
the year. After obtaining their U.S.
visas from the embassy in Syria, the
men returned to Iraq to gather their
nuclear families and say goodbye to
their other relatives.
“When they arrived back in Iraq,
the U.S. Department of State told
them they would have to wait until
January at the earliest…the entire
families are in acute danger, as in
Iraq they are still sitting targets,”
Stephens says. She hoped to have
more information about these new
families by the New Year; until then,
their identities remain anonymous.
“It’s been quite the culture
shock,” says Stephens. “Especially
arriving at this time of the year.”
The first snow had just fallen, and
such weather was unfamiliar to
both Iraqi families. “We came from
too much heat to too much cold,”
Assad says with a smile. In the U.S.
for just over a month, he was adapting to winter, but knew it was harder for his wife and daughter —
Masar and Salwa, respectively. “We
used to only see this on television,”
Waheed says while looking out his
apartment windows at the melting
slush.
Aside from conflicting climates,
the families face a cultural barrier.
“There isn’t much of a Muslim community here,” says Stephens, adding
that the area also lacks a true
mosque. Locally, the only Muslim
prayer services offered are at
Cornell’s Anabel Taylor Hall, a
multi-faith center shared by all of
the campus community’s religions.
Still, both families are settling
into their new surroundings.
Volunteers bring traditional Iraqi
food and drink from larger cities,
also helping the families do their
shopping. Waheed met another Iraqi
family that has lived in Ithaca for a
decade and struck up a friendship
with the Muslim chaplain at
Cornell. Both men consider themselves cultural ambassadors, eager
to share their interest in languages
and education.
They have spoken to students in
the Newfield and Trumansburg
school districts and, when interviewed, hoped to be invited for further talks within the Ithaca City
School District. “It was very shocking to them,” says Waheed of the
students’ responses. “It was the first
time a lot of people heard about Iraq
from our perspective.”
“The biggest worry is finding jobs
for the men, especially jobs with
health care benefits and maybe education benefits,” says Stephens.
Both men speak English well and
have degrees in English literature
aside from their experience working
alongside U.S. forces. The local job
market can prove cruel to natives,
much less new immigrants restarting their lives.
Waheed enjoys a part-time position at the Cornell Near Eastern
Studies department, grading papers
and offering lectures. Assad continues to search for a position. In a
phone interview, he spoke to this
reporter with a candor and energy
that most reserve for job interviews.
Unafraid of office work and manual
labor, he is familiar with computers,
the military, supervising employees
and classrooms. Because of his
interpreting experience he considers himself one who can “bridge
cultures.”
In a Nov. 10 e-mail to local volun-
teers, Stephens lists further ways to
help the family. Kitchen items,
lamps, winter coats, snow shovels,
slippers, garbage cans, rugs and diapers are just a few of the things
needed to establish their homes.
Stephens would love to have a volunteer assistant who could work some
of the 30 to 40 hours a week she
spends coordinating things with the
families. Cash donations are just as
useful. “At this stage, however, the
situation
remains
pretty
critical…our savings account has
been drained, we have both families
on our cell phone plan…and are paying for Dhia’s car,” Stephens writes
in her message.
Everyone involved remains hopeful. Stephens is scheduling skiing
and skating outings and, with better
weather, trips to the Ithaca Farmer’s
Market. Aseel and Masar continue
to take English tutoring, while the
men look for work and soccer
leagues. The families’ apartments
were donated by philanthropic landlords and Stephens hopes people
consider the families in their holiday charity. “I am very grateful to
the people here; they have been very
friendly,” says Waheed.
Cash and gift card donations may
be made by contacting TompkinsTioga Catholic Charities at 324 W.
Buffalo St. in Ithaca. For tax breaks
on such gifts, include a memo specifying the gift is for the Iraqi translator families. Individuals interested
in helping the families may contact
Stephens
at
maurastephens1
@yahoo.com or 351-3766. She
encourages those hoping to make
policy-level changes in Iraq to visit
EPIC’s Web site (www.epic-usa.org)
and donate to the organization.
Prices So Good KMart, Walmart, Target & Best Buy Employees Shops Here!
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VISIONS FINANCING on everything we sell!
WANTED
t o BUY:
Gift Cards, DVDs/Boxed Sets,
We have it or can get it for you
Now paying up to $30 per game and
up to $400 per system
Media Max - HO/RC
mediamaxstore.com • www.buyselltradeitnow.com
14
Tompkins Weekly
December 21
M - Fr 12-8pm
Sat. 12-5
Closed Sun
607-785-4380
Classifieds
Antiques
Ithaca Antique
Center
Antiques make
unique Holiday gifts!
1607 Trumansburg Rd • 607272-3611
PONZI'S
18th & 19th Century
Country & Formal
Furniture & Accessories
RESTORATION
AVAILABLE
• Refinishings
• Repair Work
• New & Old
Paul and Connie Polce
9838 Congress St., Ext.
Trumansburg, NY 14886
607-387-5248 Open Daily 9-5
www.ponzisantiques.com
Automotive
'97 Honda CR-V EX AWD & ABS, MP3
CD Player w/ Remote, Roof Rack, Clean
History, Dealer Serviced, Very Well
Maintained, Great Winter Vehicle! Carfax
& maintenance reports available. 170K,
Asking Price $4,900 607-216-2346
www.livinbouge.com/blue.html for pics
Two Convenient Locations Same
Great Service Autoworks 277-9989 at
1278 Dryden Rd., and Autoworks
Express 277-FAST 987 Dryden Rd.,
M-F 7:30am-5:30pm
Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota,
Volvo, Volkswagen/Audi + GM/
Chrysler/Ford (Used) Large Selection.
Apply on-line Special Financing
SelectEuroCars.com Nearly 30 Years, 7
Days a Week (315) 789-9368.
For Sale
Insurance
PS2 $99 / X Box $149 / Game Cube
$69.95 with 3 Free Games or DVD's
and 90 Day Warranty. Media Max 607341-3636 buyselltradeitnow.com
Always There, State Farm Insurance,
1111 Triphammer Rd. Call 257-8900
Larkin Insurance Home, Auto,
Business 401 N Aurora St., 273-4732
Health
Instruction
Full Service Eye Care- Trumansburg
Optical. Neil Henninger, O.D. 79 E.
Main St. Appointments 387-7327
Provides Positive Adult Role
Models For Students- Ten good reasons to have a 100% Tobacco-Free
policy. Learn more at STOPP, T-S-T
BOCES, 555 Warren Road, Ithaca
Help Wanted
Now in Our New
Permanent Location
MediaMax - HO-RC
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buyselltradeitnow.com
BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
Wiles Guitar Studio
Suzuki Guitar Lessons
Children thru Adults
Community Corners Ithaca
592-2591
see store for details - one coupon per customer
GOLF • FISHING • LACROSSE • PAINTBALL
• SKATEBOARDS • BIKES • KNIVES •
SWORDS • RC HOBBIES • COMPUTERS
Hard-To-Find VINTAGE CDs, DVDs, & VHS, etc.
“EBAY SELLERS & BUYERS • Noboby Beats Our Price”
Pets
Your Yard, Garden & Pet Place,
Ithaca Agway, 213 S. Meadow St.
272-1848
Bus Route 35 or 47 outbound in front of the
Salvation Army Store
Mon. Wed. Thurs. Fri 12-8pm • Saturday 12-5pm
607-785-4380
Salons
Donna’s Styling Salon. Family Hair
Care,
Cuts,
Straightening,
Highlighting. Manicures, Pedicures,
Sculptured Nails, Facial Waxing. City
Quality, Country Prices. Main St.,
Spencer 589-4344
Wanted to Buy
Gift Cards - We pay cash for your gift
cards. Call 761-2278
Now paying up to $30 per game, up to
$400 per game system. Call 761-2278
Games & Electronics. Broken or not
video games & systems, I-Pods, Cell
Phones, Zunes, Laptops, Media Max
317 Harrison Ave., Endicott, NY next
to Valvoline Oil Change off Main St.,
17-C Open M, W 10-6, Th, Fri noon-8
Sat 12-5 buyselltradeitnow.com 607785-4380
Building Materials
Architectural Salvage For Sale: Doors,
Hardware, Lighting, Clawfoot Tubs and
more! Good Quality, Great Value. Porcelain
Refinishing, too! Building Preservation
Works, LLC - 45 James St., Homer, NY 607749-8889. www.preservationworks.com.
Food & Drink
Your Hometown Grocery T-Burg
Shur Save Rt 96, T-Burg 387-3701
Joe's Restaurant- 19 signature pizzas
and 7 signature wing sauces, among
other delicious italian entrees. 602 W.
Buffalo St. 256-3463
Shortstop Deli Open 24/7 at 204 W.
Seneca St., Ithaca 273-1030________
Two Locations to Serve You Best
GreenStar 701 W. Buffalo St. 2739392 & 215 N. Cayuga St 273-8210
Sell It Fast!
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Mail to: Tompkins Weekly Classifieds, PO Box 6404 Ithaca NY 14851,
fax this form to: 607-347-4302, (Questions? Call 607-327-1226)
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Tompkins Weekly
December 21
15
Trucks
done by SUNY. Another study by
Cornell will, she hopes, provide
reliable data on quality of life and
safety issues.
In a recent victory for citizens
organizing against the increased
truck traffic on local highways,
Schumer secured an agreement
with the City of New York to keep
its garbage trucks on the
Interstate. That means that residents along Route 90, in particular,
should see a decrease in truck traffic in the near future.
But New York City cautions that
while it can control its contractors
and subcontractors, drivers from
other places, like Brooklyn, are on
a different contract. Further,
garbage trucks coming from
Pennsylvania have a legal right to
use the state roads. “I’d like to see
all of them go on four-lane highways,” says Lifton, “but the
experts at the DOT say requiring
that is unconstitutional. Cars and
trucks are free to use state roads.
We can’t say no as long as they
meet our standards.” As the cost of
gas rises, trucking companies look
to save money by taking the shortest route.
“It saves them tolls, it helps
them avoid additional safety
inspections, and the drivers get
bored on the Thruway. Who wouldn’t rather drive along one of these
scenic routes than on the
Thruway?” says Don Smith, who
lives along Rote 89. He, too, has
been campaigning to reduce local
truck traffic. “It’s a safety and
quality of life issue,” says Smith,
current chairperson of
the
Garbage Truck Committee of the
West
Shore
Homeowners
Association.
Smith is especially worried
about the pedestrian crossings at
Cass Park and Taughannock Park.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” he says. “There are very very
few shoulders for bicyclists, there
are thousands of children playing
ball near the road and there are
park-goers in the crosswalks.”
Currently, the Garbage Truck
Committee of the WSHA (a.k.a. the
task force) is seeking participants
for a focus group to quantify the
problem. Members of groups
affected by the truck traffic on
Route 89 between Cass Park and
Taughannock Falls State Park,
such as parents of children on
sports teams, bicyclists, dog walkers, school bus and ambulance
drivers, or any other appropriate
group, are asked to contact the
task force if they would like to participate. Interested parties can email cipa-psx@cornell.edu.
“We’re not against trucks,”
Smith emphasizes “It’s just not
appropriate to have huge garbage
trucks coming through here in this
volume. You don’t risk children’s
lives to save a penny.”
Caroline
The house was built in 1920 and
is situated on 1.22 acres. Before
winter set in, Snyder and Morris
planted an orchard that will produce pears and cherries, as well as
berry bushes, fir trees and other
plants, many of which were purchased from the 4-H soil conservation program. “Their prices were
so inexpensive,” Snyder says. They
plan on remodeling the garage in
the spring.
All of this work was accomplished with the aid of neighbor
Matt Mix and Snyder’s father,
Woody. “They’ve been a really big
help,” Morris says.
For more information on Better
Housing of Tompkins County and
the Libby Long award call 273-2187.
Raw Milk
Both sides in the debate accuse the
other of exaggerated claims. The
pro-raw milk forces don’t have the
resources to do large scale testing,
while the CDC doesn’t have statistics to prove some of its claims
about the numbers of contamination incidents (http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/todaysquiz-how-many-raw-milk-and-pasteurized-milk-listeria-.html).
What can’t be argued is that
small farms are turning to raw
milk as an economically viable
alternative to mainstream dairying.
Plant Life
plants to make them more fit for
specific light environments.
“Using biotechnology, this
knowledge can be used to alter
plant architecture, change flowering time and plating density, and
increase yield or biomass. It will
also be possible to enhance the
phytonutritional value of [crop]
plants,” Wang says.
Other members of the research
team include Rongcheng Lin and
Lei Ding, who performed most of
the experimental work; Cédric
Feschotte and Dr. Claudio Casola,
collaborators from the University
of Texas at Arlington, who played
an essential role in data mining
and the phylogenetic analysis of
the relationship between the proteins FHY3 and FAR1 with transposases and Daniel Ripoll, a
research scientist in Cornell's
Computational Biology Service
Unit and a co-author on the
Science paper, who played a key
role in building computational
models of the proteins.
A bonus find in learning how
plants respond to light was the
discovery of how flowering plants
evolved this ability from their distant ancestors. “What is making
this study more interesting is that
FHY3 and FAR1 proteins share
sequence and structural similarity to transposases — enzyme products of transposable elements,
commonly called ‘jumping genes’
— that mediate transposition or
jumping of the DNA elements in
the genome,” says Wang.
“In this study we showed that
the FHY3 and FAR1 proteins no
longer act as transposases; they
‘morphed’
or
‘transformed,’
acquiring a new molecular function, although they still look like
transposases,” he says. “That
resemblance has puzzled us for a
long time. Eventually, we built up
strong evidence to show that this
transformation in their function
may have happened in their ancestral plants during evolution to
help plants gain the capacity to
respond to light properly and
increase their chance of survival
and reproduction.”
Family Medicine Associates of Ithaca LLP
Flu Vaccine now available for our Established Patients.
Family Medicine welcomes Wallace A. Baker, MD
Now accepting new patients
Physicians:
Robert J. Breiman, MD; Neil F. Shallish, MD; Alan T. Midura, MD;
Lloyd A. Darlow, MD; Elizabeth von Felten, MD; Wallace A. Baker, MD
Nurse Practitioners:
Tina Hilsdorf, RN, NP-C; Debra LaVigne, RN, NP-C; Judy Scherer, RN, FNP
We Welcome: Excellus Blue Shield, Cornell Program for Healthy Living,
Aetna, HealthNow, The Empire Plan, GHI, RMSCO
❏ Board Certified American Academy of Family Physicians
❏ Minor surgeries performed in office ❏ FMA Physician always on call
❏ Accredited diagnostic laboratory
Mon.-Thurs. 8 am - 9 pm • Fri. 8 am - 5 pm • Sat. 9 am - 2 pm
mail@fma-ithaca.com or visit www.fma-ithaca.com
Call 277-4341 for Two locations:
2 Great Locations!
Downtown: 209 W. State St., Ithaca & Northeast: 8 Brentwood Dr., Ithaca
"At Tburg Shur Save we would like to
take this opportunity to wish you and
your family a very Merry Christmas.
Please note that if you need milk and
cookies for Santa, we will be open
Christmas Eve from 7am to 7pm, and
we will be closed on Christmas Day to
celebrate the holiday with our families."
~ From everyone at the
Trumansburg Shur Save and from the
entire Seafuse family.
Servicing All Makes & Models
1278 Dryden Rd. M-F 7:30am-5:30pm
277-9989
No appointment needed
Come in & get out FAST!
987 Dryden Rd. M-F 7:30am-5:30pm
277-FAST
Complete
Automotive
Care
And enjoy these
services especially at
Autoworks Express:
Oil Changes
Tires • Brakes
Tune Ups
NYS Inspections
Radiators
FREE Shuttle Service
for all our customers
AAA approved repair facility &
AAA roadside contractor
Plus 1/2 price towing even if you're not with AAA
16
Tompkins Weekly
December 21

Iraqis Start Over in Ithaca

Transcription

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