Ithaca YMCA Holds Annual Healthy Days for Kids and Seniors

Ithaca YMCA celebrates healthy living for all ages with two events designed to help keep health in the forefront of everyone’s minds. Thursday, April 9, 2009 will be Healthy Senior Day with free admission for seniors [60 and over] from 6:00 a.m. till 3:00p.m. Seniors can take classes and participate in a health assessment in the gym by our health and wellness director, Laurie Cuomo. From 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Laurie has planned a variety of functional training activities and will have fitness stations throughout the gym that will assess your balance, strength, posture, flexibility, and more. YMCA professional instructors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your health, and help you improve the quality of your everyday life. If you are a health seeker looking to do what’s right for your spirit , mind, and body this is the event for you!

The Ithaca and Tompkins County YMCA in cooperation with other children’s health facilities, organizations, and businesses are joining in celebrating Healthy Kids Day. The annual Healthy Kids Day is on Saturday, April 4, 2009 with free admission for children up to age 17 all day from 7:30 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Children and families are encouraged to participate in the facility activities all day for free and are invited to the Healthy activity and nutrition extravaganza. All kids up to 17 years will have a chance to interact with the children’s health organizations, and business representatives at different activity and healthy snack stations in the gym. Activities, projects, and snacks will take place from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Activities may include something as simple as decorating a water cup for your daily water consumption to shooting hoops with your friends, brother, sister, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, or grandma! All activities will be fun and easy to do. In addition the first 50 kids in the gym receive a Healthy Kids T-shirt.

Children’s organizations and business that would like to participate please call Frank Towner at the Ithaca YMCA 257-0101

Join your friends and family at the YMCA:

Healthy Senior Day: Thursday, April 9 2009…free admission 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with functional training activities from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Healthy snacks and beverages will be provided at 1:00 p.m.

Healthy Kids Day Saturday, April 4 2009…free admission for children up to age 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Extravaganza for all children from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. healthy snacks, beverages, and activities

Frank S. Towner
Associate Executive Director
YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County
607-257-0101
www.ithacaymca.com

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Olive Oil and Vinegar tasting at Ludgate Farms: extra virgin olive oils at Ludgate’s all weekend. March 28th and 29th. We line up a dozen or so of exotic and ordinary Extra Virgin Olive Oils from all around the globe and sample them with Central New York’s Heidelberg Bread. MORE INFO HERE http://www.ludgatefarms.com/

Don Fitterer just added a dedicated ‘off-road’ page for mountain biking to the Finger Lakes Cycling Club (FLCC) web site http://flcycling.org/?page_id=20

This includes info on the new women’s off road group that Brenda is organizing …

Cornell Plantations Offers OrienTREEing in the ARBORetum - Saturday, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day at this outdoor, family-friendly event. You’ll learn the basics of orienteering (navigating over land using map and compass) as you find your way to different locations along a pre-designated route. At each stop you’ll learn something about trees and the natural world. Members of Central New York Orienteering will be on hand to get you started and give you all the tools you’ll need to complete the course. An advanced course will be available for more experienced orienteers. Maps, compasses, and clue sheets will be provided. Each route will take approximately one hour to complete; you may start any time between 1 and 4 p.m. Free parking is available. Please wear comfortable, waterproof footwear and dress for the unpredictable April weather! Pre-registration is encouraged, but you may register on site on the day of the event.

Instructors: Members of Central New York Orienteering
Fee: $5 per family or groups of up to four in advance, or $8 on the day of the event.
Location: The event will take place rain or shine, near the ponds in the F.R. Newman Arboretum, off Caldwell Road.

Raylene Ludgate, Education Coordinator
Voice: 607.255.2407 Fax: 607.255.0187
Email: RGL3@cornell.edu

Cornell Plantations:The Arboretum,
Botanical Garden and Natural Areas
of Cornell University
http://www.plantations.cornell.edu

I wanted the ‘bikeski gang’ to know about this! The full article is on the music blog. See links below :-)

The O’Shanigans are playing American and Celtic fiddle tunes tomorrow, Wednesday March 25th at a benefit for Habitat for Humanity to be held in the new ballroom at The Rogue’s Harbor Inn. Come on out for dinner and support this local fundraising effort. FULL STORY http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusicblog/?p=901 The O’Shanigans is: Phil Robinson on guitar, Tim Carnes on Irish whistle, TBA on fiddle and Michael Ludgate on mandolin. FACEBOOK EVENT http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58448872794

Northeast Ithaca Neighborhood Association

Please join us at the inaugural gathering of Northeast Ithaca Neighborhood Association (NEINA) featuring a talk by Rick Allmendinger Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University WHEN ITHACA EMERGED FROM UNDER A MILE OF ICE followed by a brief presentation of NEINA. Laboratory of Ornithology March 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM

FORUM THREAD http://canaaninstitute.org/bikeski/viewtopic.php?p=1273#1273

It’s late January and the collective we are getting ready for the next snow storm.  Six to nine inches of fresh fluff is on its way.  It is at once peaceful and quiet, falling softly from the sky laying blankets of white everywhere, and noisy with its accompanying school closing announcements, event cancellations and the various plowing machines it sets in motion.  For some it is a time to run in and hibernate.  But for the snow bunny genus, it brings a gleam to our eyes signaling it’s finally playtime! One way to enjoy this weather is to get out and cross country ski.  Believed to be developed in Sweden, which boasts ownership of a 4500 year old fossilized ski,  cross country skiing was once a form of transportation.  It is more of a recreation sport now and if you are an Ithaca snow bunny, you are blessed with a wide variety of habitats and many playmates.  A great place to connect with other bunnies is through the Cayuga Nordic Ski Group.

Per the group treasurer, Joan Jedele, “The ski club was founded in the mid 80’s and one of the founding members is Tob deBoer. He was the president of the club until 2003 and still is an active member in the club.” From the by-laws, the club promotes “Nordic ski events suitable for skiers of all abilities. These may include tours, races, ski technique clinics, racing clinics, waxing clinics etc.”  Having been a member for two months now, I can attest to the wonderful community the group is and the fun to be had.  Group outings happen as regularly as the weather allows, which this year has been pretty much since Thanksgiving.

Community members host weekly night skis, such as that out at Hammond Hill led by Mike and Raylene Ludgate, of Ludgate Farms.  Breaking trail with the local store owners comes with the added benefit of enjoying gourmet chocolates at frozen forest intersections.  The CNSG also has a presence at area races and organizes trips for those interested in going further north for winter fun.  In February there is a fun trip to BREIA, the Black River Environmental Improvement Area up in the Tugg Hill plateau region, for two days of groomed trails and camaraderie.

At a recent group ski out at Yellow Barn State Forest in Dryden approximately a dozen of us, ranging in age from 3 to 77 skied a 4 mile loop of gorgeous (Ithaca is!) terrain.  The group divided into fast and medium skiers with the former racing circles around the latter as we made our way out and back.  With check-ins at every intersection and a designated sweep to bring up the caboose, no one was left out for slowness or lack of ability.

So, what do you do upon finishing a good ski? Aprés-ski, but of course! Similar to the 9th hole celebration at a golf game, aprés-ski offers a chance to unwind, enjoy some heart and body warming treats and get to know your fellow bunnies.  An essential part of all events, group members contribute goodies such as trail mix, hot cocoa and oranges.  When there is nowhere to drive après après-ski, glögg, or mulled wine, makes a fine drink with a salute back to the Swedes.

Other bennies for the ski group bunnies includes discounts at businesses throughout the area such as Cayuga Ski and Cyclery, Podunk Ski Shop and Eastern Mountain Sports.

For more information go to:  http://www.cayuganordicski.org/site/.
See you on the trails!

Glögg

1 bottle of red wine
½ a liter of brandy or vodka
2 cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
2-3 dried figs (optional)
Sugar to taste
Raisins
Sliced Almonds

Throw the first 5 ingredients in a non-reactive soup kettle and place on the woodstove.  Bring to a simmer, but do not boil. Place a trivet under the pot and allow to cook slowly for about an hour.  Taste the glögg and sweeten to your liking.  When ready to serve, place a teaspoon or two of the raisins and almonds in the bottom of a teacup.  Ladle glögg over and serve with a spoon for scooping.

Adventures of an Upstate NY Snow Bunny
Joey Diana Gates
POB 441, Ithaca, NY 14851
joeydianag@gmail.com (607) 351-0664

Sunday morning March 15th 2009. Click on the photo for a larger image. This was up on porcupine ridge. That is the north south running ridge east of and parallel to Hammond Hill ridge … there is very little snow left in the open areas where the sun hits, however.

From BikeSki Outings

The O’Shanigans perform old-time, bluegrass, and Celtic-flavored tunes for parties, special events, contra and square dances. We have our own sound gear and a huge publicity network to help gain attention for your event if needed. The O’Shanigans are: Phil Robinson on guitar, TBA on fiddle, and Michael Ludgate on mandolin and fiddle. Mike and Phil have been playing together for a few years now in various combination at local dances, benefits and folk music jams as participants and professional leaders. Mike and Phil also perform under this band name with various talented guest musicians. Our email address is oshanigans@canaaninstitute.org

See http://canaaninstitute.org/bikeski/viewtopic.php?p=1295#1295

Announcing an open, educational forum on Natural Gas Drilling- Health Effects, Economics and the Watershed Ithaca High School Cafeteria 1401 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca THURSDAY, MARCH 26 7:00 - 9:15 pm DETAILS http://canaaninstitute.org/bikeski/viewtopic.php?p=1256#1256

The last few outings we have been hiking on top of the frozen snow pack with yak trax. If you live in town it is hard to believe that there is still snow “in dem dar hills”. But it is still here! I would not recommend skiing on it, but it is here. Below is a pic from last night; up on porcupine ridge. The temp now as I write Friday morning is +12 F

From BikeSki Outings

Mar 10th 2009 — Letter from David Makar, Deputy Town of Dryden Supervisor is here http://canaaninstitute.org/bikeski/viewtopic.php?p=1264#1264

The Town of Dryden takes your comments very seriously. At this time the public hearing regarding the tower is still open. The Town of Dryden Conservation Board, as well as the Town Supervisor has developed a list of questions for Verizon. The response to these questions will determine how the Town Board moves forward in making a decision on the tower. These inquiries include: A written response from Cornell to Verizon with denial for each of the parcels in the area; a response that addresses the effects on wildlife; a list of direct advantages to the people of Dryden for this tower; a written comment on the tower from the Lab of Ornithology to Verizon; and a list of other locations that Verizon is willing to discuss in the Sapsucker area.

I invite you to continue the dialog with the Town Board at the March 11th, 2009 Town Board meeting. We will begin at 7pm.

ALSO: Please go to http://backinthecaragain.blogspot.com to read “Where the Woods Meet.”