When we heard that my father-in-law Carl was going on an honor flight, my wife contacted the organization to see if we could meet the flight and spend the day with the 80 Minnesota veterans who were participating.  To our joy, Carl's Guardian (a person who accompanies and takes care of a veteran the day of the flight) was enthusiastic about family members sharing this incredible experience with veterans, so on Friday (November 1) we hopped in our car and headed for Washington, DC.

"Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices," the Honor Flight Network Web site explains. "We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.  Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out."

As people gear up for the holiday season, picking the perfect Christmas tree is high on many families’ to-do lists. But as awareness of climate change and its impacts has increased, some may be wondering about how to honor a beloved tradition while still reducing its overall carbon footprint. Cornell University experts offer tips on how to strike a balance by picking and planting, the right tree.

“Americans love to bring a freshly cut evergreen tree into their homes for decoration at Christmastime," says Cornell Botanic Gardens arborist Daniel Weitoish. "So many family traditions revolve around this custom of introducing one of nature’s outdoor beauties into the indoor setting. Now, in the era of climate change, we all know that cutting down trees—even to honor a beloved tradition—counters the positive impact of trees in reducing atmospheric carbon.

Photo by Open Doors student Amaranta DelgadoLosing a child in a big city airport is frightening enough, but even more so if you don't know the words to ask for help.  Fortunately for Erika Colquehuanca of Peru, she was reunited with her child within minutes. Nonetheless, that experience she suffered a few years ago in Chicago reinforced her desire and drive to learn English, a skill she continues to refine in her new hometown of Ithaca at Open Doors English: the Julie Rudd Program, in downtown Ithaca. 

Not only is Erika well on her journey to English fluency but she is so much a part of Open Doors that "I feel that this is my second home," she told about 200 people, including state and local officials, who gathered Tues., Nov. 19 to celebrate the school's grand opening and ribbon cutting at First Presbyterian Church, 315 N. Cayuga St. 

The Board of Trustees of the Sciencenter announced that after several months of careful deliberation, Dean Briere has decided not to renew his contract to serve as Executive Director of the Sciencenter. The Board selected Michelle Kortenaar, who has served the Sciencenter in various capacities since 2010, including, most recently, as Vice President of Strategic Development, to succeed Mr. Briere as Executive Director.

"We are very grateful to Dean for his many contributions to the growth and success of the Sciencenter during his tenure," said Melinda Oakes, the Sciencenter Board Chair. "Under his leadership, the Sciencenter strengthened partnerships with key members of the community, significantly increased outreach to and access for rural communities, and created interactive programming for adults. Dean also played a critical leadership role in, among other things, the design and development of a number of new exhibits, the revitalization of the Sciencenter's strategic plan, the renovation of the early-childhood space, and in overseeing the steady growth of the Sciencenter's endowment. We would like to thank him for his dedication and wish him the best in his future endeavors."