This newsletter is brought to you by Human Resources.
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Cornell Annual Service of Remembrance | |
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The Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making, in collaboration with campus partners, will host Cornell University’s Annual Service of Remembrance on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 3:30 PM in Sage Chapel, with music beginning at 3:20 PM. The lives of students, faculty, staff, and retirees lost from our campus community between April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024, will be honored.
This non-sectarian service offers our campus community a time to pause and reflect, and honor departed friends and colleagues. The service is intended to nurture the spirit and soul of our campus community and beyond. All are welcome to attend and honor the important contributions of respected members of the university community.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided. The service will also be recorded with closed captioning for those unable to attend in person. Please register for the recording here.
Please contact the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making if you have any questions or need additional accommodations. Call the office at 607-255-4214 or email them here.
Resources are available to Cornell community members experiencing grief and loss.
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Twilight Amphibian Adventure
Friday, April 26, 2024, 7:15 PM
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Register
Join this evening adventure in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary - listen to an evening amphibian chorus, explore vernal pools, and scan and the forest floor for frogs and salamanders. Led by herpetologist Stephen Bredin, learn why temporary spring pools are an important habitat for breeding amphibians.
Dress for the weather, wear shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy, and bring a flashlight. The free tour will be on the trail for roughly 90 minutes and will travel about one mile. The Cornell Lab’s Visitor Center is closed for renovation, but a porta potty is available.
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Song Sparrow Mate Choice Research Demo and Beginner Bird Walk
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8:30-10:00 AM
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Register
Join the weekly Beginner Bird Walk at the entrance to the Visitor Center and Cayuga Bird Club walk leaders will guide you to the research site at the Lab’s Luisa Duemling Meadows. Once there, you’ll hear from Dr. Leanne Grieves, a Rose Postdoctoral Fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, see a banding demonstration, participate in acoustic monitoring, and more as she untangles the intricacies of mate choice and reproductive success. After the program, continue the bird walk looking and listening for the birds of spring.
Please dress for the weather, wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy (some parts of the trail are soggy!), and be prepared to be outside for 1.5-2 hours. You’ll travel around two miles. Binoculars are available to loan.
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Spring Wildflower Walks
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 10:00 AM
Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center
Tour the woodland pathways and plant habitats of the Mundy Wildflower Garden, a 25-acre natural area and naturalistic garden managed by Cornell Botanic Gardens, with Garden Guide Lois Levitan. The Garden is an ideal place to learn about the geology and natural history of this area and to see native woodland plants as they appear throughout the year.
This free walk will be held rain or shine and includes some stairs.
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Spring Fling with Radio London at Lifelong
Friday, May 3, 2024, 6:00 PM
119 West Court Street, Ithaca
Register
Radio London has been entertaining crowds for nearly thirty years and is carrying on as a lean and tight quartet featuring frontman John Simon on guitar and vocals, bassman Jon Hilton, drummer and vocalist Danny Lashkoff and a rotating lead guitarist now and then. Come enjoy music by the Beatles, Byrds, and more. It will be infectious and irresistible fun for all ages.
Tickets are $8 if you register by May 1, and $10 after that at the door.
Come dance, enjoy light refreshments, and have fun with friends - Lifelong membership is not required!
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The Evolution of Trees – A Walk Through Time
Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2:00 PM
Register
How did the trees we know and love today come to be? Join this walk through 380 million years of tree evolution, using representative trees in the F.R. Newman Arboretum to explore the major stages in the development of modern trees. Visit trees that have barely changed in over 200 million years and learn about what changes are happening right now. You will also gain insights into the importance of certain trees to various cultures.
The guides will be David Weinstein, Forest Ecologist and Senior Research Associate Emeritus from Cornell’s Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, and Christina Stark, Senior Extension Associate Emerita, Division of Nutritional Sciences.
The fee is $12 for general admission and free for Botanic Gardens members. Walks will be held rain or shine; please dress appropriately for the weather.
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Spring into the Gardens!
Friday, May 10, 2024 from 3:00-6:00 PM
Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center
Come to the Cornell Botanic Gardens and celebrate spring and National Public Gardens Day with nature-inspired activities, a scavenger hunt, a limited plant sale (first come, first served), face painting, magic, and much more! Family-friendly and fun for all ages!
Note: Parking before 5:00 PM is $1.50 per hour but the first hour is free. We recommend carpooling as parking can be limited.
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Dryden Rail Trail Hike
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 11:00 AM
Register
Join Cornell retiree Susan Ashdown from the Dryden Rail Trail Task Force and explore a portion of the Dryden Rail Trail with fellow retirees.
We will take an approximately 1.5-mile trip to the F.H. Fox Bridge on an easy, flat, stone dust trail. Interesting sights along the trail are the Game Farm, the compost fields, the solar farm, and a view across to West Hill. Susan will discuss some Rail Trail history, as well as how Cornell used the railway. Hopefully, we will enjoy some spring flowers along the way!
Please dress appropriately for the weather, bring water, and wear comfortable shoes. Park on the compost road off Stevenson Road. To visit other sections of the trail and parking options, please visit the trail map.
Please contact worklife@cornell.edu with any questions.
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Beautiful Bonsai
Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 7:00 PM
Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center
Register
Bonsai is the ancient art of growing and grooming trees in pots for the appreciation of their beauty. This art form, a wonderful merging of art, horticulture, and nature, began at least 1,500 years ago when it captivated the passion of many in Asian countries. Today, bonsai is appreciated throughout the world. In this presentation, John Wiessinger, president of the Finger Lakes Bonsai Society, will provide an overview of the history, culture, and practice of bonsai, as well as a closeup look at some of his own bonsai creations. Participants will also receive a free bald cypress seedling to take home and care for.
After the talk, enjoy the bonsai trees on display in the Nevin Welcome Center as part of the Bonsai Society’s exhibition (running from May 25 through June 9).
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Exploring the Benefits of Music Therapy for Seniors
Friday,May 3, 2024, 1:30 PM
Register
Longview’s Wellness Series offers a monthly topic on all things mind, body and spirit. You’re invited to join us on the first Friday of each month where we’ll be hosting a different program on various topics related to brain health, bone health, holistic care, diet and nutrition, massage and music therapy and much more.
This is a free program that will be held on the Longview campus at 1 Bella Vista Drive. There is ample and accessible parking.
Registration is required. For more information please contact Kylie Morse at 607-375-6360.
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Caregiver Burnout: Mental and Emotional Health Help
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 1:00 PM
Register
May is National Mental Health Month, and research shows that caregivers experience more burnout and stress compared to the general population. This session by Care.com aims to address the challenges to mental and emotional health and provide guidance on finding more happiness, joy, and balance in life. You'll learn how to recognize emotional vibrations, utilize daydreaming to build resilience, let go of grief and guilt, establish boundaries that negatively impact your health and wellness, and differentiate situational from clinical depression. The session will also cover the Social Convoy model, which is a tool for creating a care team for emotional support and taking a respite break.
By registering for this webinar, you will receive a follow-up communication with the playback link of the live session.
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Free Optometry and Optician Services
The Ithaca Free Clinic has partnered with the Ithaca Lions Club and Essilor Vision to provide free Optometry and Optician services to all Tompkins County residents and children over age 5.
Eye exams, glaucoma screenings, and prescription eyeglasses are available at no cost to those in need. Schedule an appointment by calling 607-330-1254 or by emailing clinic@ithacahealth.org.
Upcoming dates for the clinic are on Fridays: May 10 and May 24.
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Commencement Volunteers Needed
Commencement weekend is just over a month away, and we are excited to once again hold two university Commencement ceremonies for our graduates, their families, friends, and supporters!
As with past Commencement weekends, these events are only possible with help from volunteers like you!
The university will hold the Ph.D. Recognition event on Friday, May 24, and two Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 25. There are a variety of volunteer roles to choose from, including welcoming and directing families, greeting guests at the stadium, helping to coordinate the student procession, and seating the students on the field.
Volunteers may choose to participate in one, two, or all three ceremonies. If you would like to volunteer, please visit the Commencement website today to sign up to help. Your colleagues, family, and friends may sign up to volunteer with you, if 18 or older.
For those who volunteer, including our retirees, we so appreciate your support at these most important events. You will receive two movie tickets for every event you volunteer at.
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I Love My Park Day 2024
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM
Join Friends of Stewart Park for I Love My Park Day! Help prepare the park for summer by cleaning up garden beds, planting new landscaping, raking the playground, mulching, trimming lakeside vegetation and more.
Dress for the weather and bring your gloves, rakes, clippers and other gardening tools.
Meet by the Garage Doors of the DPW/ Wharton Building.
Registration with Parks and Trails New York (PTNY) for I Love My Park Day is not required but it greatly appreciated. Registering as a participant helps PTNY with tracking for grants and services.
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SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 6:30 PM
Tompkins County Dept. of Emergency Response
92 Brown Road, Ithaca
Register
This class aims to educate storm spotters about severe weather and what they need to report to the National Weather Service (NWS) and Emergency Management regarding severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, lightning, and flooding.
The course covers the structure, formation, and hazards associated with different types of severe weather and the information the NWS uses to issue warnings. Additionally, students will learn how to assist their community and the NWS in tracking severe weather and how to prepare and stay safe when severe weather or flooding occurs.
The class is free and open to everyone. No age requirements or previous training is required.
Email questions to Mitchell.Gaines@noaa.gov or call 607-798-6620.
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Disaster and Response Drill Volunteers Needed
Saturday, June 15, 2024, 6:00 AM
72 Brown Road, Ithaca
The Ithaca-Tompkins International Airport is preparing to conduct its FAA-required tri-annual disaster and response drill on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
The drill will simulate the crash of a commercial airliner at the airport. 70 community volunteers are needed to role-play as 'victims.' This is a controlled, safe scenario-based training exercise.
Families, co-workers, and community service clubs/organizations are encouraged to participate. Lunch will be provided after the exercise.
If you are interested in assisting with this training, please get in touch with Geoff Dunn at the Department of Emergency Response at gdunn@tompkins-co.org.
Questions related to the drill itself should be directed to Deputy Airport Fire Chief Jeremy Puterbaugh at jputerbaugh@tompkins-co.org.
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