TompkinsWeekly for the week of June 8th

Download the newspaper in Acrobat Format Here Home Energy Ratings Planned Many people improve the energy performance of their homes to save money, or out of concern for the environment, but this investment is not always easy to recoup when it comes time to resell a home. An initiative being developed by five Tompkins County municipalities will hopefully make it easier in the future. Full Story »   Decision Near on Old Library Site The special Tompkins County Legislative committee charged with recommending a preferred developer for the Old Tompkins County Library site last week began a careful analysis of the three proposals before it to redevelop the site, but decided to wait a few more days before a scheduled decision. Full Story »   It’s time for pollinator appreciation page 2 Last month the Obama Administration released a plan aimed at reversing the declining populations of honeybees and monarch butterflies. The Pollinator Health Strategy calls on everyone, from federal agencies to children, to do what they can to save bees—insects that, according to scientists, contribute more than $15 billion to the national economy. Full Story »   Celtic Festival is coming to Stewart Park page 3 Bagpipe competitions, sheep sheering, Irish step dancing and a flaming caber toss are coming to Stewart Park on Saturday, June 13. The eighth annual Celtic Festival promises to showcase those and a variety of musical performances, demonstrations and games that celebrate Celtic culture and tradition. Full Story »   Conservation easement announced page 5 The Finger Lakes Land Trust has accepted a donation of a conservation easement on 116 acres of fields and woodlands bordering Finger Lakes National Forest. The conserved land is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, just outside of Watkins Glen in the Town of Hector, Schuyler County. Full Story »   Sharing surplus produce with food hubs page 8 If you have a backyard garden or share in a CSA, you’ve probably grown more fresh produce than you can use and have ended up throwing some of it away. What if there was a place nearby where you could take your surplus fresh fruits and veggies that would then redirect it to community members in need who can’t afford to buy it? Full Story »   Science fiction, then and now page 9 Brad Bird, the genius behind three glorious Pixar animations (“The Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille”) serves up a liveaction phantasmagoria in “Tomorrowland,” the latest Disney attraction to become a movie (move over “Pirates of the Caribbean”), now at Regal Cinemas. Full Story »