The Ithaca Journal (New York), December 17, 2005, Saturday

Copyright 2005 The Ithaca Journal (Ithaca, NY)
All Rights Reserved
The Ithaca Journal (New York)

December 17, 2005 Saturday 1 Edition

SECTION: OPINION; Pg. 10A

HEADLINE: Darts and Laurels

BODY:
Ithaca College concert:
Mozart, Beethoven rarely had it better
LAUREL: From Jack and Kathy Kramer to all of the performers in the Ithaca College concert on Monday, Dec. 5. The Chamber Orchestra did splendidly by Mozart and Beethoven. The Symphony Orchestra did likewise by Brahms and Stravinsky. The soloists, violinist Susan Waterbury and cellist Elizabeth Simkin, gave sterling solo interpretations of Brahms final orchestral work, his Double Concerto. Simply beautiful playing and surely an inspiration to their students. The conductor, Jeffrey Grogan, is a treasure. His love of and respect for both the music and his students is delightfully evident. We hope that he and the soloists continue their outstanding work at IC for many years to come.
LAUREL: A big thank you from Joanne Farbman, executive director of the Advocacy Center, to all of the organizers and volunteers of the Cornell Dump and Run event for all of your efforts. The event provided our agency, Cops, Kids and Toys and the Dream Factory very generous donations for 2005.
LAUREL: From Peter Davies to Congressman Sherwood Boehlert for his courage in voting (on Dec. 8) against continuing President Bush's tax cut on stock dividends. The tax cut benefits only the rich, who need to pay their fair share, rather than putting the tax burden on the poor and middle class. President Bush says that the tax cut benefits the middle class because they own stocks. Not so. Yes, many middle class persons own stock, but almost all are in 401K/403B plans, which are taxed at the full rate and not the capital gains rate when the stocks are sold. Bush needs to be called on this false statement by the media.
LAUREL: From Bob Riter to Carol Kammen and others who contribute to the "Pieces of the Past" column in the Ithaca Journal. I appreciate that the column brings local history into my home on a regular basis.
LAUREL: From Ithaca Public Education Initiative to the following community members, businesses and organizations that supported this year's IPEI Adult Spelling Bee. The Bee is a lot of fun, and it raises the funds for the IPEI Teacher Grants Program. We appreciate the event sponsor, True Insurance, and the coordinators, Carolyn McDaniel and Maureen Russell, as well as the team sponsors: Robert Abrams, Audrey Edelman and Associates Realty/USA, Bank of America, Boatyard Grill. Carey McKinney Group. Carson Design and Remodeling, Cayuga Radio Group, Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, Chemung Canal Trust, Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson and Co., Community Foundation of Tompkins Co., School of ILR of Cornell University, CSP Management, Cornell University, Frank Hagen, Garrity Communications Inc., Susan Gauthier, The Guthrie Medical Group at Ithaca, The Ithaca Cardiology Group, ICSD Executive Team, Integrated Properties, Ithaca College, Ithaca Journal, ICSD Board of Education, NYSEG, OB GYN Associates, Tompkins Trust Co., True, Walsh and Miller, Wood Insurance/P.W. Wood and Son. Also thanks to the prize donors: Buzz Coffee, Ithaca Bakery, Ithaca Ballet, Kitchen Theater, Light in Winter Festival and Wegmans. The event raised $11,000 so that IPEI could award 18 teacher grants this year.
LAUREL: The Beverly J. Martin Elementary School PTA thanks the following parents for volunteering during the recent book fair: Donna Bodenstein, Rebecca Couillard, Ray Craib, Anthony Dolson-Fazio, Jennifer Sposito, Michelle Eells, Naomi Erkan, Ruth Mahr, Deborah McIntyre, Dawne Peacock, Dan Robinson, John Skawski, Kristina Wight. Go BJM!
LAUREL: From the Wagenet family to all who helped make Hospicare's Light the Landscape event so memorable. Thanks to Roz Feinstein, Margaret Wakely, Cornell's Hangovers, and the Finger Lakes Women's Chorale for wonderful music; to Word of Mouth, Ithaca Coffee Co., Six Mile Creek Winery, Simeons on the Commons and Bagels and Appetizers for delicious food; to Hickeys for their donation of a sound system; and, most importantly, to the amazing volunteers who contributed food and time. Thanks so much!
LAUREL: A heartfelt thanks from the residents of Longview, an Ithacare Community, is extended to all who visited the Longview Holiday Bazaar on Saturday. The event was lots of fun thanks to the talents of the Ithaca College Cello Choir, Cornell University's Phi Delta fraternity and Kappa Delta sorority choir, The Ithaca Talent Education School string ensemble with director, Christine Lowe-Diemecke, The Ben Hogben Trio and the Mirage Belly Dancers led by director, Katharyn Howd Machan. We offer our sincere appreciation to the wonderful local businesses who donated prizes to the Bazaar: 15 Steps, A New Leaf, Agway, Bool's Flower Shop, Borders Books and Music, Dynamic Patterns, Easy Street, Flower Fashions by Haring, Gratitude, Greystone Glass Studio, Homespun Boutique, Ithaca Books, the Ithaca Flower Shop, Michelle Mekos for Avon, the Longview Greenhouse, Michaleens and the Sheldrake Point Winery. And thanks to the student groups who assisted, the On-site Volunteers, the Ithaca College's Aging and Gerontology Education Society, and the Ithaca College's Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow. We couldn't have done it without you.
LAUREL: From Kimberly Olsen, coordinator of the Ithaca Youth Bureau's Outing Program. I would like to thank Cornell Outdoor Education for their generous donation of climbing equipment. Through COE's generosity, the Outing Program will be able to continue to provide our community's children with opportunities to participate safely in activities such as rock climbing, caving and tree climbing. We would also like to thank Todd Miner, Jim Volckhausen and Mark Holton for helping to facilitate COE's on-going support of the Ithaca Youth Bureau's Outing Program. COE and the Outing Program have had a longstanding relationship; COE has regularly made the Lindseth Climbing Wall and Hoffman Challenge Course available for Outing Program groups, and have provided volunteer staff to assist with instruction. The Ithaca Youth Bureau appreciates COE's commitment to safety and the community.
LAUREL: From Kathy Leinthall, president of the Finger Lakes Kennel Club. Kudos to the Ithaca PetSmart Store for their support of the Finger Lakes Kennel Club, especially in offering a special discount for our annual holiday celebration and awards banquet. We realize that we are some of your most avid customers, but understand that you are not compelled to help us out financially. Nonetheless, we really appreciate your consideration of our club treasury. Thanks again.