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Upcoming Programs
Understanding Sleep Apnea Disorder
Friday, April 20th, 2018, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
ILR Conference Center, Room 225
Remote participation option available

Obstructive sleep apnea is common, affecting an estimated 3-7% of adult men and 2-5% of adult women in the general population. Prevalence rates are increasing and many people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed. Common symptoms include habitual loud snoring, poor quality sleep, and chronic daytime tiredness. Lecture attendees will leave with a better understanding of what sleep apnea is/is not, and treatment options that are currently available, including CPAP machines. If you or someone you care about has symptoms of or has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, this lecture is for you.

Sleep for Performance
How chronic tiredness reduces effectiveness and what to do about it
Friday, April 20th, 2018, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Lecture Hall #5
Light refreshments provided
Remote participation option available
Co-sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine

Increasing work/school/family life stressors and a culture of constant connection to mobile devices has led many Americans to a persistent state of sleep deprivation. Chronic sleep deprivation not only reduces productivity, it can impair mood, learning, memory, and physical performance. Medical disorders associated with lack of sleep or sleep disorders include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression. Lecture attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of the science of sleep and the implications of poor sleep. Strategies to improve sleep will be provided. This session is co-sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Presenter
Janet Hilbert MD ’82 is an attending physician at Yale University School of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine section) and serves as Medical Director for the Yale Noninvasive Ventilation Program.
Climate Change: A call to action

Friday, April 6, 2018, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
East Hill Office Building, Training Room #140
Virtual participation option available
 
Do you enjoy coffee, chocolate, vanilla, or wine? These favorite foods and many more are being impacted by human caused climate change. These changes are evident everywhere, including in our backyards. We are experiencing more extreme weather events, increasing temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns. These local to global changes are rapidly making the business of growing our food riskier.
 
Mike Hoffmann , Executive Director of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions, will help attendees understand the basics of climate change, the evidence around us, and how the changing climate is affecting our current abundant and diverse food supply, including what we grow locally.
 
Climate change is a food security issue, a national security issue, and a moral issue. Addressing this grand challenge requires “all hands on deck.” Cornell is making great strides in reducing our negative impact on the climate but the level of impact depends, in large part, on the knowledge and actions of employees at work and at home. We all have a role to play.
 
Bon Voyage to Kathee Shaff!
Kathes served as the Cornell Retirees Association coordinator during her time with the Division of Human Resources. We thank Kathee for her dedication and wish her well on her travels!

Oh, the Places I’ll Go!
by Kathee Shaff

"Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!"
- Dr. Seuss

This is my motto now! After almost 27 years, the time has come to say goodbye to Cornell and move on to the next phase of my life… retirement. Woo hoo! I worked in CIT for seven years, and the past 20 years I have been in HR, most recently as the Work/Life program coordinator. For the past 12 years, I have worked with retirees as the HR liaison to the Cornell Retirees Association (CRA). And now I’m one of you!

Cleaning out my office, I smiled as I took down the picture of me as the Cat in the Hat, fondly remembering when my team dressed up last fall and visited the Cornell Child Care Center for their Halloween Parade. At home I found Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and re-read it. The story is about succeeding in life, its message meant for graduations, however, its quirky rhymes are inspiring and seemed to resonate with me on my retirement. It encourages you to try new things. And that’s what I’m doing.

For the past few years, my husband and I have dreamed of going on adventures in our RV. Now we are doing just that! We have been camping for over 35 years, but only a week or two at a time. My last day of work was Wednesday, January 31, and by 5am Thursday, February 1, we were headed out of town—the first day of my retirement! We didn’t want to waste any time, so we grabbed the dogs, hopped in the truck with camper in tow, and headed south. Our first stop was Selma, NC, then on to Myrtle Beach, SC where we stayed at a campground right on the beach. It was pretty cold and windy! We had a breathtaking ocean view right from our camper…gorgeous sunrises every day! We connected with people from Canada that we met there five years earlier. What a way to start a vacation—seeing old friends and sitting on the beach! Wait—this isn’t a vacation—this is my life, my new everyday life. Today is my day!

Next stop was an overnight stay in Georgia, then on to northern Florida, where we’re staying in Mayo for a month, way down upon the Suwannee River, just like the song. The campground is wonderful and the weather is perfect—in the 70s-80s—working on my tan already! We will travel farther south to Okeechobee for a month to be closer to our daughter who lives in south Florida. The last leg of this adventure will be back up to Myrtle Beach to spend time with some friends from Ohio. Oh, the places I’ll go!

After three months in Florida we will come back to the Ithaca area for the summer, then head out west to Utah to visit some of the National Parks. We’re not sure what we’ll do for next winter—we want to enjoy our travels for now…no thinking, just relaxing!

Cornell retiree programs and events will continue and a replacement for me will be hired soon. Over the past year a number of new events were offered such as Grandparents Day at Cornell Cinema and Retirees Rock Lynah Rink! The Work/Life team in Human Resources is committed to offering a variety of activities and educational opportunities to Cornell retirees. I am proud to have been a part of redesigning the Retirees Newsletter and coordinating new activities! Now, I look forward to enjoying them when I'm in town!

Kathee can be contacted at krs4@cornell.edu .
Campus Events & Activities
Caregiver Support & Education Network
You are invited to attend meetings of the Caregiver Support & Education Network, on- or off-campus. (See locations below.) Caregivers come together to share the challenges, joys and resources of caregiving as well as listen to occasional speakers presenting on topics of interest specifically to caregivers. Facilitators will share strategies, tools, and resources for coping with stress, caregiver guilt, and burnout as well as information on local/national resources that may assist you. 

Feel free to bring your lunch to any of these meetings. For questions or for more information, contact Diane Bradac,  sdb39@cornell.edu or 607-255-1917.
Group support meetings are held on campus in Weill Hall, Room 321 on Thursdays from 12:00-1:00pm on:
  • Mar 22, 2018
  • Apr 26, 2018
  • May 24, 2018
Group support meetings are held off-campus at East Hill in the EHOB building, 395 Pine Tree Rd, Conf Room 241 on Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00pm on: 
  • Mar 21, 2018
Alloy Orchestra at Cornell Cinema

STRIKE! (1925)
directed by Sergei Eisenstein
with original score performed live by the Alloy Orchestra
Friday, March 9 at 7:15pm
Willard Straight Theatre
$12 general/$10 seniors and students
 
THE GENERAL (1926)
directed by Buster Keaton & Clyde Bruckman
with original score performed live by the Alloy Orchestra
Saturday, March 10 at 1pm
Willard Straight Theatre
$7 adults/$5 kids 12 & under.
 
Advance tickets for both shows available at: CornellCinemaTickets.com
 
Cornell Cinema welcomes back the Cambridge-based Alloy Orchestra for a two-day engagement. Founded in 1991, the group has been composing and performing their original scores for an array of silent films ever since then, and Cornell Cinema has had the pleasure of hosting them, on a near annual basis, ever since the late ‘90s. The three-man ensemble, known to sound like a twelve-piece orchestra, is made-up of Roger C. Miller on synthesizer; Terry Donahue on junk percussion, accordion, saw and banjo; and Ken Winokur on junk percussion and clarinet. The group has played a major role in the resurgence of interest in silent films shown with live musical accompaniment during their over 25-year history, introducing new audiences to the wonders of silent film year after year, and inspiring other musicians to apply their talents to the unique task of composing for silent films.
During this return engagement, they’ll perform two of their most famous scores.The first will be with Russian master Sergei Eisenstein's feature debut, STRIKE! , a gripping account of a 1912 factory workers' strike and its violent suppression, which will be shown as part of Cornell Cinema’s Labor on Film series, and will serve as the kick-off for the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) Worker Institute’s “Union Days” events.

The Alloy will also reprise their popular and pulsating score for Buster Keaton’s and Clyde Bruckman’s THE GENERAL (1926) as part of the IthaKid Film Festival. THE GENERAL is “Keaton's best, and arguably the greatest screen comedy ever made. Against a meticulously evoked Civil War background, Buster risks life, limb, and love as he pursues his beloved railway engine, hijacked by Northern spies up to no good for the Southern cause. The result is everything one could wish for: witty, dramatic, visually stunning, and full of subtle, delightful human insights and constantly hilarious.” (Time Out Film Guide)
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Soil Series #1: Know Your Soil
Wednesday, March 14, 6:00-8:00pm
@ CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Knowing more about your soil can really improve your gardening practice. Participants will bring in soil samples from their own gardens and will learn to assess the texture, color, drainage, fertility, pH and type of soil. We also will cover how to read soil analysis results and how to use the online Web Soil Survey tool to see detailed information about soils on your property. Bring a soil sample from your home garden to assess, and a laptop (if possible) to access the online soil survey tool. A limited number of CCE laptops will be available for participants to use as well. with particular Cost: $7-$10/person self-determined sliding scale, pay what you can afford. Register and pay online at http://db.ccetompkins.org/programs/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1275 , or call CCE-Tompkins at 272-2292 and we will help you with online registration using your input. . Questions? Contact Chrys Gardener, Community Horticulture Educator, at cab69@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607) 272-2292 (Voicemail #241).
 
Soil Series #2: The Soil Microbiome
Wednesday, March 21, 6:00-8:00pm
@ CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Join Professor Peter Hobbs of Cornell University for an exploration of the hardest workers in your garden--the soil microbiota. Explore the fascinating world of the soil bacteria and fungi that do the work of creating fertile soil. A better understanding of the life in the soil help us to understand how to facilitate the growth and resilience of our gardens and orchards. We’ll talk about practical techniques for facilitating a healthy microflora in your garden for maximum garden sustainability and productivity. Cost: $7-10/person self-determined sliding scale (pay what you can afford). Pre-registration is required; visit http://db.ccetompkins.org/programs/civicrm/event/info?id=1317&reset=1 , or call (607) 272-2292 and we will register you online with your input. Pre-registration is highly recommended so participants can be contacted if the class is postponed due to weather. Questions? Contact Jennie Cramer, Horticulture Program Manager, at jrc10@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607) 272-2292 Ext. 146.
 
Spring Worm Composting Class
Saturday, March 24, 10:00am-12:00pm
@ CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Learn how worms can make fast, rich compost for your garden while disposing of your food scraps. $10/household fee includes a starter bin and worms to take home! Space is limited. Register and pay online at http://db.ccetompkins.org/programs/civicrm/event/info?id=1330&reset=1 . Questions? Contact Adam Michaelides, Compost Educator, at acm1@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607) 272-2292 ext. 124.
 
Community Seed Swap
Sunday, March 25, 11:00am-2:00pm
@ CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Bring your extra seeds (home-saved or purchased) to share with others and go home with lots of seeds for your spring and summer planting! Learn about seed saving from some of our region’s avid seed savers, and take home seed varieties that you won’t find anywhere else and that are well-adapted to our growing conditions. Free hands-on demonstrations will be held throughout the day on starting seeds, seed saving, seed cleaning and more! $5 suggested donation, or free if you bring seeds to share! Questions? Contact Chrys Gardener, Community Horticulture Educator at cab69@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607) 272-2292 (Voicemail #241).
 
Community Beautification Trainings
Monday, March 26, 6:30-8:30pm
AND Thursday, March 29, 6:00-8:00pm
@ CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
FREE TRAINING. Join the Beautification Brigade and take care of public flower plantings in Ithaca. Have fun, learn gardening techniques, and help keep Ithaca gorgeous. No experience required. Free dinner provided at the trainings. FREE and open to anyone who wishes to volunteer with the program. Contact Martha Gioumousis, Community Beautification Program Manager, at mg10@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607) 272-2292 ext. 123 for more information. Download an application and learn more about the program at: http://ccetompkins.org/events/2015/03/18/community-beautification-trainings
 
Soil Series #3: Improving Your Garden Soil
Wednesday, March 28, 6:00-8:00pm
@ CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Learn how to improve your soils from the Master Gardener and Master Composter teams. Learn tips for working in tricky clay soils, and techniques for improving your soil fertility, tilth, microbial and fungal diversity with tools such as sheet mulching, compost and vermicompost, cover crops, compost teas and juices, biochar, broad forking, double digging, and more. If the snow has melted, we’ll head outside and demonstrate some of these techniques hands-on and explore the compost demonstration site. Cost: $7-10/person self-determined sliding-scale (pay what you can afford). Pre-registration is required to hold your place in the class; visit http://db.ccetompkins.org/programs/civicrm/event/info?id=1318&reset=1 to register and pay online.
Community News
Enjoy Night Out at Cancer Resource Center Fundraiser
One Funny Ithaca Story IV- Special edition*
Sunday March 11, 2-3:30pm
The Space at Greenstar , 700 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca
Tickets can be purchased at   gvgb.co/funnyithaca18   for $25/each. The list of hysterical performers will be announced in January! Keep up to date by joining our   Facebook Event ,   and help us spread the word. *Well, really they are all special
Aging Well In Community Series, Supporting Choice
The Tompkins County Office for the Aging, Love Living at Home and Lifelong are collaborating to provide a three-part series of community dialogues, which will take place on the third Tuesday in January, February and March. At each one, panel members will offer brief reflections from their perspectives followed by a moderated community dialogue. You're welcome to attend any or all sessions. Registration is encouraged for the remaining sessions.  

How Can I Stay in My Home As I Age? 
Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 6:00-7:00 PM 
Location: Lifelong, 119 West Court Street, Ithaca, NY
Registration: Call Lifelong at (607) 273-1511. Program details
Are you worried about what happens if you age at home as your body changes? Do you wonder what can be done in a home to make the built environment age friendly? Join the conversation with some experts and to share information with others who are facing similar issues. 
Cornell University | 607-255-0388 | hr.cornell.edu/retirees | cornellretirees@cornell.edu