4-H Public Presentations Kickoff Workshop
Wednesday, January 7, 5:30-7:30 -- RESCHEDULED
See Tuesday, January 20 (below) for details.

Local Foods Preservation Workshop
Thursday, January 8, 6:00-8:30 pm
Join experienced IthaCan food preservers for a mini-workshop featuring five different food saving techniques. 6:00: DINNER provided and dishes-to-pass encouraged; 6:30: SLIDESHOW about how and why to preserve food; 7:00: WORKSHOPS on canning, cellaring, drying, pickling and freezing. The event is sponsored by CCE and the Healthy Food for All program, IthaCan, Prepared Tompkins and Sustainable Tompkins. Free and open to the public.

Parents Apart: Helping Children Cope With Separation and Divorce
Saturday, January 10, 9:00 am- 4:00 pm (with a 1-hour break)
Location in Ithaca area: please call for information
Openings now are available for Parents Apart®, a six-hour workshop for parents who want to learn how to help their child(ren) cope during their separation and divorce. The workshop is taught by therapists and attorneys and focuses on how children react emotionally to their parents' divorce and/or separation, and what parents can do to help them adjust. Participants select either two 3-hour weeknight sessions (from 6-9 pm), or one Saturday session (from 9 am-4pm with a 1 hour break). Registration is confidential and parents of the same child(ren) are placed in different workshops. Visit http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/ParentsApart/index.htm for a registration form and for more about workshop topics. Cost: $40. For information, to pay by credit card, to request a reduced fee, or to discuss concerns about safety or other special circumstances, please call the Parents Apart® Program Coordinator, 607-272-2292 ext 243 or email amandaspaulding@verizon.net. Additional 2009 workshop dates: 2 Mondays February 2 & 9, 6-9 pm.

Ithaca Earth Day Planning Meeting
Monday, January 12, 6:00 pm
Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division, 122 Commercial Ave, Ithaca
Each year the Ithaca community gets together to celebrate Earth Day (Sunday, April 26, 2009). The event includes nearly 70 exhibitors, the Compost Fair, a solar powered stage, and guest speakers. Come to the first planning meeting of the year to join a committee or share your ideas. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Joey Gates at 351-0664 or earthdayithaca@yahoo.com.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Wednesday, January 14, 6:30-8:30 pm
Learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce your home energy usage and programs that can help you afford energy-efficiency improvements to your home. Each participating household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth $15. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 272-2292 to reserve a seat and an energy kit, or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu. Offered again on: Tuesday 1/27 at 12 Noon, Wednesday 2/4 at 6:30 pm, Thursday 2/12 at 12 Noon, and Thursday 2/26 at 6:30 pm.

Garden Travel Slide Show: Alcatraz–Historic Garden Restoration
Saturday, January 17, 2:00-3:30 pm
Alcatraz, the famous island prison in San Francisco Bay, also had gardens maintained by soldiers, prisoners, and prison staff until it was closed in 1963. In 2003, the Garden Conservancy undertook a long-term project to restore the historic gardens. Dan Klein, Tompkins County Beautification Coordinator, has volunteered several times to help with the restoration and will share his experiences and photos. Suggested donation of $3 helps support the Horticulture Program.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration
Monday, January 19, 9:30-11:30 am at GIAC; 11:30 am-1:30 pm at BJM
The annual celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will begin at 9:30 am with activities for children and adults from local organizations including the Ithaca Children’s Garden. Activities will be held at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, 318 N. Albany Street. From 11:30 am-1:30 pm will be the luncheon featuring keynote speaker Locksley Edmondson, Professor of African & Caribbean Politics and International Relations at Cornell University, with music provided by local musicians and choirs. The luncheon is held at Beverly J. Martin, 302 W. Buffalo St. Free and open to the public.

Making Ends Meet
Tuesday, January 20, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
This workshop provides an overview of the process for developing and using a household spending plan. We also explore ways to maximize resources and reduce energy use. Free and open to the public, with refreshments and door prizes. All attendees also receive a money management tool kit. Information also will be provided about the One-on-One Program for households that would like individualized instruction. Class size is limited; advance registration is required. Call 272-2292 to reserve a seat, or ask for Helen Ranck or email hkr24@cornell.edu for more information. Offered again on: Wednesday, 1/21 at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, 2/19 at 10 a.m., and Monday 2/23 at 6:30 p.m.

4-H Public Presentations Kickoff Workshop
Tuesday, January 20, 5:30-7:30
4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Rd off Rt. 13 North, Ithaca
New and experienced public speakers are invited to this fun, hands-on workshop. Open to any youth age 5-18. A light dinner will be served. Experienced presenters may choose from two skills workshops. Beginners may attend an introductory workshop that provides an overview of this nationally recognized 4-H public speaking program. Members of the 4-H Consumer & Family Sciences Committee will conduct a workshop on the Produced in NY Contest, a new presentation opportunity in which participants learn how to give a silent foods presentation, gain confidence and skills in presenting to the public, and develop knowledge and skills in food prep and presentation. To reserve a space, please contact Megan Tifft by 1/4/09 at 272-2292 or met38@cornell.edu.

Making Ends Meet
Wednesday, January 21, 6:30-8:30 pm
This workshop provides an overview of the process for developing and using a household spending plan. We also explore ways to maximize resources and reduce energy use. Free and open to the public, with refreshments and door prizes. All attendees also receive a money management tool kit. Information also will be provided about the One-on-One Program for households that would like individualized instruction. Class size is limited; advance registration is required. Call 272-2292 to reserve a seat, or ask for Helen Ranck or email hkr24@cornell.edu for more information. Offered again on: Thursday, 2/19 at 10 a.m., and Monday 2/23 at 6:30 p.m.

Consumer Issues Programs: Consumer Credit Issues
Wednesday, January 21, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
A NY State Attorney General's Office representative will make a brief presentation, then consult with individuals on unresolved consumer problems until 1 pm. Free and open to the public. No appointment is needed. Presentations are taped and broadcast on Cable Access Channel 15 on Mondays at 7 am, 1 pm & 7 pm.

Talking Circle on Race and Racism
Wednesdays, January 21-February 18, 6:30-8:30 pm
Location to be determined.
The talking circle is a frank, respectful dialog to provide people with an opportunity for self-reflection, sharing experiences, and influencing each other's perspectives and attitudes. The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) brings together a diverse group of people who make a commitment to meet together for five weekly sessions to deepen the level of our community-wide conversations on race, and to provide a safe space for each of us to consider taking our next steps. Free. Please register with Liz Field at 272-2292 x191 or lizfield@cornell.edu. Registration deadline: January 14. Two additional series of Talking Circles will be offered on: Tuesday evenings, January 27-February 24 (register by January 20) and Mondays, February 9-March 9 (Register by February 2).

ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course
Thursdays, January 22 & January 29, 2009, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (both days)
(Snow date is Feb.5th in case of cancellation due to snow/blizzard.)
This 2-day course provides nationally-recognized certification in food safety and fulfills the new NYS mandatory food handler certification requirement. The ServSafe curriculum uses the most recent FDA Food Code updates/standards. Fee: $150 per person includes the textbook, all written materials, certification exam, and light refreshments. Call Carole Fisher at 272-2292 or email <crf11@cornell.edu> to register or for more information.

Primitive Pursuits Winter Homeschool Sessions
6 Thursdays, January 22 & 29, February 5, 12 & 26, and March 5, 9:00 am-1:30 pm
Firekeepers meet at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road; Winter Exporers meet at various sites.
Fire Keepers (ages 6-9) will live the winter camp life, making crafts, playing games and learning to care for themselves in the real world as they explore the concentric rings of nature. Indoor crafts and games will also be an option. Cost: $150-$200 (self-determined sliding scale). Winter Explorers (ages 10-14) will explore a different winter habitat each week. Hop on the Primitive Pursuits Express as we travel to practice the skills of the tracker, the botanist, the navigator, the storyteller, and the survivalist. Participants meet at Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue for transportation by van) Cost: $165-$225 sliding scale. Call 272.2292 x 195 for information or to register.

Exploring Credit/Debt Management Issues
Monday, January 26 , 6:30 pm
Information on selecting and using credit wisely are shared at this workshop. Also strategies for paying down debt, obtaining and reviewing a credit report, and understanding a credit score are presented. Participants receive free credit management tools. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. Call 272-2292 for more information or to reserve a seat. Offered again on:Wednesday, 2/25 at 6:30 pm.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Tuesday, January 27, 12 Noon-2:00 pm
Learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce your home energy usage and programs that can help you afford energy-efficiency improvements to your home. Each participating household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth $15. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 272-2292 to reserve a seat and an energy kit, or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu. Offered again on: Wednesday 2/4 at 6:30 pm, Thursday 2/12 at 12 Noon, and Thursday 2/26 at 6:30 pm.

Talking Circle on Race and Racism
Tuesdays, January 27-February 24, 6:30-8:30 pm
Unitarian Church, 208 E. Buffalo Street, Ithaca
The talking circle is a frank, respectful dialog to provide people with an opportunity for self-reflection, sharing experiences, and influencing each other's perspectives and attitudes. The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) brings together a diverse group of people who make a commitment to meet together for five weekly sessions to deepen the level of our community-wide conversations on race, and to provide a safe space for each of us to consider taking our next steps. Free. Please register with Liz Field at 272-2292 x191 or lizfield@cornell.edu. Registration deadline: January 14. An additional series of Talking Circles will be offered on: Mondays, February 9-March 9 (Register by February 2).

Beginner Maple Producer Workshop
Wednesday, January 28, 6:30-8:30 pm
Ontario County Cooperative Extension Center, 480 N. Main Street, Canandaigua NY
Stephen Childs, NYS Maple Extension Specialist at Cornell University; will present a workshop covering a variety of aspects of maple syrup production including: why make maple syrup, tree identification, tree health, tapping, sap collection and handling, boiling, energy efficiency, finishing and grading syrup, canning, marketing and regulations. This workshop is aimed at the small or beginning maple producer and would be useful to the homeowner looking to tap a few trees in the backyard. Fee: $10.00 per family. To register or for additional information, contact Ontario County Cooperative Extension at 585-394-3977 x 427 or x436 or email: nea8@cornell.edu. This workshop also will be offered on February 28 at Hamley's Maple, 1242 Oak Hill Rd, Barton, NY. Contact: Brett Chedzoy at Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension, bjc226@cornell.edu, or 607-535-7161 for more information.

2009 Master Composter Volunteer Training
Application Deadline: Friday, January 30
Wednesday evenings, February 11 - April 29 (no class Mar. 18), 6:30-8:30 pm
Master Composters are an enthusiastic group committed to promoting responsible composting in Tompkins County. Training involves 20-hours of class-time covering composting in depth, and 20-hours of learning-through-doing (a “practical internship”). Following completion of the training program, Master Composters give time back to the community in a wide variety of outreach activities. Consider joining in our efforts to reduce waste, protect the environment and improve gardens! For more information or an application, call the “Rotline” (272-2292 x 124) or visit us on the web at www.ccetompkins.org/compost

Natural Leaders Initiative
Friday, January 30-Nomination Deadline
Do you know someone who has ideas about how to make things better in the community? Who can get things done? Who people go to for help? The Natural Leaders Initiative supports talented people (particularly those from low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color) to grow as community leaders. NLI participants take part in a supportive leadership development group (8 sessions), meet established community leaders, and work on a community action project they choose. The group will meet on 8 Tuesday evenings, from late February through mid-June.Child care, dinner and (if needed) help with transportation are provided for each session; the program is FREE. Nomination forms are available at www.ccetompkins.org/nli, by calling 272-2292 ext. 167, or by emailing Margo Hittleman at mjh17@cornell.edu.

Getting the Most From Grazing
Saturday, January 31, 10:00 am
Whether you have sheep, goats, horses, cows, or any other ruminant, if you want to increase the benefit your animals receive from grazing, this meeting is for you. Fay Benson, Grazing Educator with Graze NY will cover the basics of Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) and the soil and plant information to raise healthy animals. He also will provide research results that participants can share with their customers on the health benefits of pastured raised products. Representatives of Tompkins Soil and Water Conservation District will be on hand to go over the services they provide to grazers and the basic design of a MIG system.To register: Call 272-2292 to register.

Garden Travel Slide Show: Gardens and Landscapes of the Pacific Northwest
Saturday, January 31, 2:00-3:30 pm
Irene Lekstutis, Landscape Architect at Cornell Plantations, will show garden pictures from her recent trip to Bainbridge Island (Washington state), eastern Washington, and Vancouver, Canada. Suggested donation of $3 helps support the Horticulture Program.