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Happy Holidays!
Stay Safe This Holiday Season
Cornell Cooperative Extension has compiled a guide to Winter Weather Safety, including driving tips and pet safety, to help you stay safe this winter.

Winter Weather Safety
Cornell's Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)   website includes winter preparedness resources, safety tips for winter, dealing with extreme cold, snow loading on roofs of houses and barns, attic condensation problems and ice dams, tree damage and more.

Driving & Transportation
Checklist & Tips for Safe Winter Driving , from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covers what to check on your automobile before winter comes, items you should keep in your car, and what to do in an emergency situation. Call 511 to get the latest road conditions.

Winter Weather
Cold Weather Pet Safety   by the American Veterinary Medical Association, covers steps to take to keep a variety of different pets safe during winter weather.
 
Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety   from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is a 15-page PDF that covers planning ahead for cold weather, indoors and outdoor safety in cold weather, and cold weather health conditions. Topics include: creating a winter weather survival kit, understanding wind chill, and recognizing hypothermia and frostbite and what to do.
Retiree Reflections
Photo by Dennis Money
Retiree Reflections is dedicated to sharing retiree experiences within our community.

by Carol Doolittle, retiree
Manager, Sales, Media Services

When I retired from Media Services at Cornell in 2000 I had time to devote to other projects in addition to our vineyard and winery. 
 
Enter the mystical Seneca White Deer! By luck I found the organization Seneca White Deer. This is a group of seriously dedicated volunteers who came together about 20-years ago to call attention to and conserve this unique herd of animals.
 
The former Depot has been returned to private ownership and there is now a Welcome Center on Rte 96A with organized tours to take visitors on a 90-minute trip through otherwise forbidden – and now private - property.
 
While riding in small tour buses, visitors can see white deer, as well as other wildlife that comprise the healthy natural ecosystem. The beaver dam is amazing, the bald eagle’s nest is huge. Many structures from the weapons storage era are still standing, including the 519 igloos in which munitions and explosives were stored. You can see for yourself the history of what happened here from 1941 to 2000.
 
The Kendaia Baptist Cemetery is also an occasional tour stop. The cemetery holds more than 800 graves, including at least four Continental soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War.
 
You can go to the Seneca White Deer web site for tour information, history on the deer and an informative video. Special tours for photographers, birders, hikers, bikers and independent groups are also available. The tours are year-round so you can book yours today. Come see and enjoy the “ghost deer” of the former Seneca Army Depot!

(photo credit Dennis Money)
Happening on Campus
Winter Solstice Garden Tour
Friday, December 21, 2018 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm
124 Comstock Knoll Road, Ithaca, NY
As the sun reaches its lowest arc in the sky on the shortest day of the year, join us for a look at the plants of the Mullestein Family Winter Garden. Learn how plants cope with winter’s cold and enjoy some seasonal plant folklore. After the tour, savor some hot wassail in the warmth of the Nevin Welcome Center and do some seasonal shopping in our Gift Shop.
Fee:   $5 suggested donation
The WIRE Project at Cornell: A Crucible for Student Research in the Emerging Field of Computational Art History
December 13th – Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
(3pm, come ~2:30pm for refreshments)
Sparked by prior research into matching manufactured patterns in historic papers, and motivated by a desire to bring together engineering and humanities students to generate novel research useful in the prints and drawings field, the WIRE project has since 2015 worked toward the objective of developing an online identification tool for the watermarks on Rembrandt’s etching papers, based on the concept of the decision tree. WIRE has proceeded with important oversight from colleagues at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts, and engaged curators and paper conservators at over a dozen northeast institutions, assessing their Rembrandt watermarks with the aim of uniting them in an expanding database. Johnson and Weislogel will discuss the WIRE project’s motivation, background, and technical concept, describe its development through a succession of research seminars and its role in a recent traveling Rembrandt print exhibition, and share some of the project’s results and offshoots. 
Estate Planning Practicum
Cornell Law School is pleased to announce the return of our Estate Planning Practicum in the Spring of 2019. As in the past, the course will assist those who do not have access to an estate planning attorney and will provide clients with a basic estate plan that includes a last will and testament, a living will, a health care proxy and power of attorney, all tailored according to the client’s wishes. Law students will prepare and finalize these documents under the supervision of attorneys who specialize in trusts and estates.

Clients must meet income eligibility guidelines as this service is free of charge. The income limits are as follows:     Single - less than $25k annually, Family - less than $50k annually

Clients should be aware that this service requires at least two visits to meet with students at the Law School (on the Ithaca campus). In addition, once chosen to participate, clients will be expected to sign a written commitment to follow through with appointments, giving at least 24 hour notice if an appointment will be missed. 

Spots are limited so if you are interested and meet the income guidelines, please email Joey Gates at jdg43@cornell.edu and you will be placed on a list. Notification of client selection will begin in January of 2019.
Looking for Ways to Reduce Your Pain?
If you are a woman aged 60 or older who experiences chronic pain, you may qualify for a new research study in Ithaca. The Restorative-Flow Yoga Study
is an important research project that is looking at restorative-flow yoga to help reduce pain and inflammation in women 60 and older who experience chronic pain and is offered through Cornell University.

Study participants will be randomly selected to participate in one of two groups
Classes and in-class supplies are FREE and you could earn up to $50 for your participation!

Contact Judy to see if you qualify! yogastudy@cornell.edu or (607) 254-5115
*Please note the downtown yoga studio is accessed via a 14-step staircase.
Caregiver Support & Education Network
Caregivers come together to share the challenges, joys and resources of caregiving as well as listen to occasional speakers presenting on topics of interest. Facilitators 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. 

Regular group support meetings are held on campus in Weill Hall,
Room 221 on Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 pm on:
December 13, 2018
January 17, 2019

For questions or for more information, contact Diane Bradac,  sdb39@cornell.edu or 607-255-1917.
Fresh Holiday Pies
Love pie, but don't want to bake this holiday? Cornell Orchards to the rescue! They have the following pies available for pre-order:

  • Cornell Classic Apple Pie
  • Cornell Apple Crumble Pie
  • Pear Almond Pie
  • Grape Pie
  • Cranberry Grape Pie
  • Peanut Butter Grape Pie

Pre-orders are due by 11 am on Thursday, December 20, 2018. Pick up at the Cornell Orchards Store on pick up Sunday Dec 23rd after 10am.

Pies are limited, so email Orchards-store@cornell.edu or call 607-255-4542 to order yours today!
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Need a Tree For the Holidays?
Let Cornell Cooperative Extension help! They have compiled a list of all the local growers - whether you want to cut it yourself or buy pre-cut, or bring home a potted tree - they have taken the guess work out of it!

Also check out their helpful tree tips on the side of the page to keep your tree fresh!
Avoiding Consumer Problems on the Internet
Thursday, December 13, 2018,
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
615 Willow Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14850-3555

In this free Consumer Issues program, Mike Danaher, NYS Assistant Attorney General, will explore ways for consumers to protect their identity, financial accounts, and personal information, and what they can do to resolve problems should they occur.

Following the presentation, members of the public have the opportunity to consult individually with Attorney Danaher regarding any consumer issue they have been unsuccessful resolving locally. Individuals should arrive by 12:30pm for a consultation.

For more information call the Consumer HelpLine at 272-2292 weekdays from 11AM to 3PM or visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension website .
Press Bay Holiday Market
Thursday, December 20, 2018
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Come on down to Press Bay Alley to beat the crowds at the grocery stores and stock up on all of the supplies you'll need for a delicious, seasonal, and locally-sourced holiday feast.
 
This market will feature local farmers and food producers selling everything you need for a celebration including: vegetables, pastries, apples, herbs, mushrooms, pork, maple syrup, chicken, sausages, apple cider, hard cider, pickles, and more! Complete vendors list will be announced soon.
 
And don't worry - all the wonderful stores in the Alley will also remain open during the market, so be sure to grab a coffee or hot chocolate from Press Cafe , and check out Amuse: Modern Cottage Industry and Bramble .
 
Please contact Matt at CCE-Tompkins (607) 272-2292 with any questions.
Community Events
2018 HeatSmart Enrollment Extended
We are approaching the end of another HeatSmart Campaign , and if you or any of your friends could benefit from the program, please  enroll before it’s too late. There are good reasons to do it now!
  • There is no charge or obligation associated with your enrollment
  • You get a free assessment of your home’s heating needs
  • We have vetted installers waiting to help you if take the first step
  • There are some fantastic incentives right now, and not all of them will be available next year

Our posted enrollment deadline has been December 1st, but we are extending enrollment until December 15th to give folks who just heard about the program a chance to jump in.
12th Annual Ice Fest in Downtown Ithaca
Come to Downtown Ithaca to enjoy the annual Ice Fest, presented by  Elmira Savings Bank City Centre Apartments , and  Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca ! The festivities start on Thursday, December 6th at 5:00 pm. and run until Saturday, December 8th.
 
Witness the nation’s finest ice carvers as they compete for $9,000 in prizes during two rounds of breathtaking competition in Downtown Ithaca. The festival features impressive display sculptures, fire demonstrations, the ever-popular Ice Bar: an outdoor bar made entirely of ice, serving beer, wine, and hot cocoa, and a tasty Chowder Cook-off. Ithaca Ice Festival ice carving competition is a National Ice Carving Association sanctioned event. 

Attendees can park in the Green, Seneca, and Cayuga Street garages and walk to the Ice Festival. The garages are equipped with accessible parking and elevators. Street parking is also available.
First Friday Gallery Night
Friday, December 7, 5:30 to 8:00 PM
The History Center
401 E State St #100, Ithaca

The History Center is proud to host the book launch for Shaping a City, Ithaca, New York: A Developer's Perspective by Mack Travis, a new release from Cornell Publishing, an imprint of Cornell University Press.

Please join us at 5:30 PM for a reception, followed at 6:00 PM by a brief presentation and book signing with the author. The book is published by Cornell Publishing, an imprint of Cornell University Press. It seems fitting that the final event in this space is a CUP Talk collaborating with our neighbors across the street as well as part of Gallery Night Ithaca organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.
Hometown Music Makers' Revue: Celebrating Tompkins County's Extraordinary Musical History
Saturday, December 8, 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 pm)
State Theatre of Ithaca
107 West State/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Ithaca

The History Center in Tompkins County is proud to announce the full line-up for the upcoming concert, presented in cooperation with the State Theatre of Ithaca and DSP Shows, and sponsored by CFCU Community Credit Union.

This lively, informative concert is meant for all ages - families and friends of all generations and backgrounds are encouraged to buy tickets now for this not-to-be-missed evening. For a listing of all the musical performers, see the event page.
This concert is part of a three-day celebration of the State Theatre of Ithaca's 90th birthday as well as the kick-off for The History Center's move to its new location at 110 North Tioga Street in Spring 2019.

To purchase tickets, including discounted tickets for children, students, and seniors, go to www.stateofithaca.org/events , call (607) 277-8283, or visit the ticket office at 107 West State Street/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street either Wednesday through Friday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM or Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
8th Annual Downtown Ithaca Chowder Cook-Off
Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 12:00pm to 5:00pm
202 East State Street, Ithaca

Happening on the Commons and surrounding streets including Aurora, Cayuga and Dewitt Mall from 12-5pm, Ice Festival goers can stay warm by sample over 20 different traditional, exotic, and gourmet chowders from local restaurants competing to be crowned our next Chowder Cup Champion! Sampling tickets are for sale in advance and on the day-of downtown.

Tickets - 10 Tickets for $10 
Advance Sale Tickets will be available December 5 at Noon the Downtown Ithaca Visitor Center (CASH ONLY).

Tickets will also be available the day of Chowder Cook-Off at the Ticket Booth on the Commons. Will Call Pickup on the day of the event will be located in the Downtown Ithaca Visitor Center.
woman-painting-bowl.jpg
Caroline Winter Market
Saturday, December 15, 10:00am-2:00pm
Caroline Elementary School Gym
2439 Slaterville Road, Slaterville Springs

Looking for a unique gift this season? Find it at the Caroline Winter Market! This market features crafts and handmade goods for sale from community vendors and student entrepreneurs, cookie exchange, raffle, concession stand and poinsettia plants and wreaths for sale. This event is a fundraiser for the Caroline Elementary PTA. Questions? Contact Sarah, Caroline PTA Co-President, at sarahfeldt324@gmail.com .

SEEKING VENDORS: Want to sell your handmade crafts? To be a vendor at the market, the fee is $15, which includes an 8 foot table space with the use of a folding table. Please contact Jordan Johnson at ​ jtolley88@​yahoo.com  to sign up.  Deadline for registration is December 10th . Space is limited! 
Gourdlandia Singing Sale!
Share some amazing gourd art with your friends and family this holiday! Visitors to Gourdlandia between December 17th and December 23rd who burst through the door singing a Christmas carol (or festive song from a holiday tradition of your choosing) will receive 20% off the price of gourd goods.

So tune up those vocal chords and sing your way to a discount!
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
Cornell School of Engineering - Undergraduate Coordinator
Within the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), the Undergraduate Coordinator plays a key role in the success and well-being of the undergraduate population and in particular to the “affiliated” majors to the degree program. This role is often a first point of contact for prospective/current students and their families and also represents the public face of the department to those populations. As a critical part of a college/university-wide system to support student success, the incumbent coordinates a significant portion of the departmental administrative and operational functions related to the undergraduate degree program, collaborates with Engineering Student Services to develop and implement services to support undergraduate students, and is part of the team that addresses students of concern or at risk. This role may be exposed to highly confidential and sensitive information.       
 
This position is required to work graduation and other occasional departmental functions that are core to the academic program. For more information and job responsibilities, please contact Renee Lobdell for more information.
Cornell Dining Now Hiring
Cornell Dining is a Top 10 Nationally Ranked Dining program, which prides itself on serving safe,high quality and ethnically diverse cuisine. They are looking for customer focused, high energy, inspired, and ready-to-learn individuals who have a passion for food!

All immediate positions are part-time casual, non-benefits eligible. Hours and schedules are flexible and can include nights and weekends.

For more information, email cudiningjobs@cornell.edu or call 607-255-1401
Cancer Resource Center
Volunteers are the heart and soul of our agency. They are involved in supporting not only our clients, but the CRC staff too. We greatly appreciate the time and energy they give to our community. 
Ride Provider
Volunteers are needed to give occasional rides to medical appointments for clients who don’t have reliable transportation or are too weak to drive. They may also be requested to accompany the client into their doctor’s office to provide support during the appointment.
For people who are looking to volunteer in a meaningful way, but are very limited with their time, an option is to maintain regular correspondence with clients via letters/cards, phone calls or e-mails.
Cancer Resource Center Office
Volunteers staff our reception area during regular business hours. They answer phones, greet visitors, meet with clients, and do projects as needed.
Cancer Support at Cayuga Medical Center
Volunteers are a regular presence in the waiting room of Radiation Medicine and the chemotherapy suite. They greet patients as they arrive for appointments, talk with family members, serve coffee and treats, and sometimes accompany a patient during a consultation with the doctor.

Apply online or call Sharon Kaplan at 607-277-0960.
Lifelong's Free Tax Program – Volunteers Needed
Tax Preparers   - Lifelong’s Tax Preparers are a diverse, skilled and fun
group of volunteers who enjoy the challenge and the camaraderie of being
part of the program and of giving back to the community. 

Preparers use materials provided by the IRS plus a week- long training
session delivered by experienced volunteers to pass the on-line exam
required by the IRS. Tax clinics are held at Lifelong Thursday/Friday/Saturday from late January until the tax deadline in April. Tax Preparers generally work one to two 4 ½ hour sessions per week.
 
Tax Greeters   - TCE Greeters are the first point of contact with the
several hundred taxpayers who come to Lifelong for this free and valued
service.  They welcome taxpayers at the Thursday/Friday/Saturday clinics,
generally working one 4 ½ hours shift per week. Tax Greeters are also key
to the clinics running smoothly as they respond to on-tax questions from
taxpayers, monitor wait times and insuring taxpayers are matched with the
right volunteer preparer for their particular return.  A minor amount of
reading preparation from IRS supplied materials and passing a short
certification exam is required.

Interested??  Please contact Liza Burger or Mary Pat Dolan @ 273-1511
Paleontological Research Institution
The Paleontological Research Institution is in search of volunteers to help us increase and disseminate knowledge of the history of life on earth. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Patrick Branigan at  volunteer@priweb.org to schedule an orientation session for these or other potential opportunities:
 
Volunteer Research Assistant (Ongoing through May 2019):
Description:   Our research staff seek volunteers to assist with preparing, sorting, and measuring oyster samples. This project will help to monitor changes in populations of oysters from the Florida coastline, as part of our developing research in conservation paleobiology.
 
Availability:  Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Volunteers should be prepared for approximately one five-hour shift per week. This project will conclude in May of 2019, at which point new volunteer opportunities may be available for those interested in continuing to be engaged in our Collections department.
 
KDT Education Docent (Ongoing):
Description:  Our Museum Education Staff seeks volunteers to assist with our Kids Discover the Trail programming at the Museum of the Earth. Volunteers should have an interest in facilitating programs for first grade students visiting the Museum from throughout Tompkins County. Specialized knowledge of geology or paleontology is appreciated, but not required. Our staff will provide all necessary training for planned activities.
 
Availability:  KDT Volunteers should be available on a weekday morning for an approximately 4 hour shift between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. These programs will be offered to first grade students beginning early 2019. Training sessions will occur the second Wednesday of every month until programs begin, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
 
Teacher Friendly Guide to Climate Change Volunteers (Ongoing):
Description:  There is an urgent need to strengthen Climate Change education, and our staff are doing all we can! We are currently distributing our Teacher Friendly Guide to Climate Change  to every public school in the country (and for free!), and seek volunteers to assist with the distribution process. We will need help coordinating contents, packing envelopes, and distributing packages.
 
Availability:  Shifts are flexible, but are preferred Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Volunteers should plan for an approximately 2 hour shift. 
Free Science Workshop Volunteers Needed
At the Free Science Workshop (FSW), we provide a supportive and interest-driven space for low-income, underserved, and minority youth and their families to explore their world through science and making. At FSW, youth discover the wonders of STEM through free engaging hands-on programming and mentorship.
 
We are currently seeking volunteers to help mentor and guide youth as they explore STEM-related fields at the workshop. Applicants should enjoy working with kids age 6 to 12, feel comfortable facilitating open-ended informal science exploration, and be able to make a weekly commitment to help us. Could you or someone you know be our next great mentor? 

Our science workshop at 210 Hancock Street currently needs volunteers on Mondays from 3:00 – 6:00PM and Tuesdays from 3:00 – 5:00PM.
 
We would also be happy to discuss other ways to get involved, including guest scientist visits, administrative tasks or community building.

Here is the link to the volunteer application: https://goo.gl/forms/ZBe8oGLahQ33RSJJ2
Volunteer with the Advocacy Center of Tompkins
Want to make a difference in someone's life? Become a Hotline Volunteer!
 
Hotline Volunteers  help staff our 24-hour hotline and provide crisis counseling advocacy, support, and referrals to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. Advocates are required to make a minimum one-year commitment that includes four hotline shifts per month. Comprehensive training is provided; the next training will run from late January through early March 2019. Click here to fill out our Hotline Volunteer Application.
Cornell University | 607-255-0388 | hr.cornell.edu/retirees | cornellretirees@cornell.edu