TompkinsWeekly for the week of March 30th

Download the newspaper in Acrobat Format Here State Budget Plan Draws Ire This week Upstate New York residents will watch as state legislators vote on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s highly controversial take-it-orleave- it budget proposal, which has created a firestorm in defense of public education and has unified angry communities across the state. Full Story »   Recycling Efforts Get High Marks Tompkins County’s recycling efforts received high marks in a recently released audit from the New York State Comptroller’s Office. Full Story »   Strategic plan focuses on the county’s older residents page 2 The Tompkins County Office for the Aging has compiled its 2015 Strategic Plan for Aging in Tompkins County, offering information about local aging-related issues. The data will be used to inform decision making on aging services, not only by the Office for the Aging, but by public and private entities, and community groups. Full Story »   New zoning regulations would benefit town’s farmers page 3 Spot Hollow Farm, in the Town of Ulysses, boasts about 70 sheep and several goats and calves. Prior to receiving a variance, the farm was in violation of the town’s zoning laws, which permit only one animal or 50 chickens per half-acre in a rural residence district. Full Story »   Ithaca, Cornell and Tompkins County to extend affordable Housing program page 5 Cornell University, Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca have committed to continue the Tompkins County Housing Fund, a successful joint initiative to assist in the development of local housing units that will remain affordable for low- to moderate-income households. The program, established in 2009, will continue for another six years, through 2021. Full Story »   Solo play festival kicks off with an inspired look at motherhood page 8 Kitchen Theatre Solo Play Festival: “Mami Confessions” written and performed by Lorraine Rodriguez-Reyes; “Black Sheep” by Darian Dauchan (April 1-5); “Mother Land” by Michelle Courtney Berry and “June 16” by Ryan Hope Travis (April 8-12). Kitchen Theatre, 272- 0403, www.kitchentheatre.org. Full Story »   These vampires live all too ordinary lives page 9 The undeniably clever “What We Do in the Shadows,” a vampire comedy currently playing at Cinemapolis, has received high praise from most critics. Yet something’s lacking in its bite. Full Story »   Cancer Resource Center plays a pivotal role in our community’s resiliency page 10 The Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes (CRC) is a local nonprofit serving people living with or affected by cancer in Tompkins and surrounding counties. We provide a number of services to help preserve the energy and resources of individuals going through and following cancer treatment and those who care for them including one to one assistance at our offices on State Street in Ithaca and at Cayuga Medical Center. Other programs include support groups, wellness activities such as gentle yoga, caregiver support, and a free boutique offering wigs, head scarfs, hats, prostheses, bras, etc. Full Story »