Turtle Hatchday Celebration
Saturday, August 2
Ithaca Children's Garden, Rt. 89, Cass Park, Ithaca
The Hatchday Celebration is a big, fun, birthday party for Gaia the Turtle -- the Ithaca Children's Garden signature feature. Celebrate Gaia the Turtle's 3rd birthday with a party filled with hands-on activities for the whole family. Face painting, cake and ice cream, live reptiles and amphibians with the Cornell Herp Club and a performance by storyteller Perry Ground. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or lam26@cornell.edu.

Ithaca Children's Garden "Turtle Time"
Tuesdays, August 5-September 16, 6:00-7:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Families are invited to spend the evening with Gaia the Turtle in her Wetland Habitat. Explorations and hands-on activities about water, wetlands, plants, insects, and turtles. All ages welcome. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or lam26@cornell.edu.

Dividing Bearded Irises and Other Perennials
Tuesday, August 5, 6:00-8:00 pm
August is the right time to divide bearded and dwarf irises and some other perennials. Come prepared to work at this hands-on workshop. We will tackle donated clumps, but participants can also bring clumps from home to divide. Rain or shine (indoors if wet). Fee: $5. Limited to 15 participants; prepayment required. For information, call 272-2292 or email Pat Curran at pc21@cornell.edu.

Summer Sprouts
Wednesdays, August 6-September 17, 10:00-11:00 am
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89, Ithaca
Experience the wonders or gardening through stories and hands-on activities. Especially for young children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Each session includes a story, hands-on activity, and gardening in the Growing Gardens. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Garden Discoveries
Thursdays, August 7-28, 10:00-11:00 am
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89, Ithaca
There are tons of discoveries to be made at the Ithaca Children's Garden. Drop by every Thursday morning to explore the Garden through science experiments, art projects, scavenger hunts, and gardening activities. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email lam26@cornell.edu
August 7: Wacky Weather
August 14: Paper Making
August 21: A Buzz About Bugs
August 28: Cattail Creations

Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty Harvest Dinner
Thursday, August 7, 6:30-9:30 pm
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Geneva, NY
A locally sourced five course gourmet dinner paired with Finger Lakes Wines and stories of the farmers, producers, winemakers and the chefs themselves. Geneva on the Lake, 6:30pm - 9:30pm. Tickets required. For information, call Liz Karabinakis at 272-2292 or email evk4@cornell.edu. For reservations call 315-789-7190.

Farm City Day
Saturday, August 9, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Angel Tree Farm Alpacas, 554 Scofield Road on the border of Lansing & Groton
Spend the day on a working farm learning about agriculture. Hands-on, interactive exhibits, scheduled activities throughout the day - fun for the whole family! Debbie Teeter, 272-2292 for more information. Free.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Thursday, August 14, 6:30-8:30 pm
Participants will learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce their energy usage and about programs that can help them afford energy-efficiency improvements. Each participating household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth $15. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call CCE to reserve a seat at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu.

Kids Gardening Club
Saturdays, August 16-30, 10:00-11:00 am
Young gardeners welcome! Learn basic gardening skills while helping out in the Growing Gardens. Adopt a plot and choose what to grow. Projects and plants to take home. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email lam26@cornell.edu.
August 16: What Weed Where
August 23: Wacky Weather
August 30: Harvest and Salsa Making

Midsummer Fairy Gardens: A Family Fun Workshop
Saturday August 16, 1:00-2:30 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Summer is a magical time when fairies often visit the human world. Learn how to invite fairies to your garden. Build fairy houses, mix-up fairy dust, weave a wand, and experience fairy magic at the Ithaca Children's Garden. For all ages. $5 per child or $10 per family. Please register by noon, Friday August 15. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Farm Trail Open House
Saturday & Sunday, August 16 & 17, 12:00-5:00 pm
Gather up friends and family and hit the Farm Trail! This is a great opportunity to Visit with local farmers, enjoy the scenery, taste the harvest and support local organic and sustainable farms. Bring a cooler and buy farm fresh products along the way. Buy your Farm Trail Tour Button at Cooperative Extension. $2/person or $5 for 4 buttons. A button is your entry to the farm for one or both days. For a tour brochure and more information, call Appollonya Porcelli at 607-272-2292!

Consumer Issues Programs: Landlord/Tenant Rights & Responsibilities
Wednesday, August 20, 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.

Dinners on the Farm
Sunday, August 24
Sweetland Farm, 9732 Route 96, Trumansburg
Experience an elegant dinner hosted by area CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms featuring foods from the farm prepared by some our outstanding chefs and paired wines from the Finger Lakes. A series of 4 dinners is being planned, the first is on August 24 at Sweetland Farm just north of Trumansburg. Dinner will be prepared by Hazelnut Kitchen paired with Atwater Vineyard wines. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards funding CSA shares for low income families. For more information, contact Liz Karabinakis at 607-272-2292 or evk4@cornell.edu.

Basil Festival
Sunday August 24, 1:00-3:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89, Ithaca
Celebrate the wonders of this amazing herb with activities for the whole family including taste-tests, pesto-making, basil art, basil, science, and more!
$1 per person. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Ithaca Children's Garden Volunteer Days
Saturday, August 30, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Get your hands dirty helping the Ithaca Children's Garden grow. Volunteer to help maintain and build new gardens. All ages welcome.
For more information contact Meghan Pressley Cerveny 272-2292 x122 or mep245@cornell.edu.

Recycle the Harvest: A Family Fun Workshop
Saturday, August 30, 1:00-2:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Reuse and transform "trash" into gardening essentials. Create a harvest tote bage, a watering can, and your own pots. Help with the harvest and sowing a Fall crop. For ages 5 and up. $5 per child or $10 per family. Please register by noon, Friday August 29. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 272-2292 x186 or email lam26@cornell.edu.

Compost with Confidence
Last Saturday of every month (June through October), 12:00 noon-1:00 pm
Compost Demonstration Site, Ithaca Community Gardens (near the Farmers’ Market)
Master Composter volunteers will provide information and give hands-on demonstrations to help you set up and manage a composting system in any setting. Each class will cover the basics of composting to teach you how to manage a successful system with minimal effort. Visit the workshop(s) of your choice to also learn about: