Employment Opportunity:

The New York State 4-H Foundation is currently seeking applicants for the position of Director of Development. The Director of Development provides fund development leadership and strategy, and is responsible for the successful implementation of the Foundation’s strategic plan in order to achieve fund development goals. The mission of the Foundation is to secure funds that enhance the 4-H Youth Development Program in NYS. Read on for complete position description and application details.

Like the canary in a coal mine, the timber rattlesnake may be telling us something about the environment we share. Roads -- even small, low-traffic roads -- can fragment wildlife populations genetically, reports a new Cornell study.

Such fragmentation can make populations less genetically diverse, which can make them more susceptible to illness or environmental changes that threaten their survival.

Cornell researchers -- using cutting-edge tools, including fine-scale molecular genetics and microsatellite markers -- tracked rattlesnakes in four regions of upstate New York to understand how wildlife habitats are affected by even modest human encroachment.

Do you transport children in your vehicle? The child car seats you use should be checked for safety features and accurate installation to provide the greatest safety for the children you transport.

The New York State Police and St. Mary's Hospital have partnered to provide a special child car seat safety check on Saturday, May 22nd, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Nationally certified car seat safety techinicians will be on hand to make sure yoru car seat is installed properly. Bring your vehicle with the child car seat to the St. Mary's Memorial Campus Parking Lot, 4988 State Highway 30, Amsterdam. Health infomration will also be available. For more informaiton or to answer any quesitons, please contact Julie Pierce, St. Mary's Community Outreach at 518-841-7448.

Graduating seniors in Cornell's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) about to enter military service received warm, personal congratulations from one of the U.S. Army's highest-ranking officials, Gen. David Petraeus, for their accomplishments at Cornell.

The head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the overseer of both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Petraeus paused in his high-level duties to visit campus April 23 to speak at ROTC's tri-service brigade ceremony for senior awards.

G10 Biotech was filled to capacity with uniformed cadets and midshipmen, alongside their families. The de facto formality of a military ceremony was punctuated by a lighthearted Petraeus, who handed the sabers and plaques to the awardees, posed for pictures and urged each student to point out their parents in the audience.

New York sources of biofuel made from wood, grass and other forms of biomass could reduce New York’s gasoline consumption by as much as 16 percent of projected use in 2020 and play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report issued today by Pace Law School’s Energy and Climate Center.

Produced at the recommendation of Governor David Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force, the “Renewable Fuels Roadmap and Sustainable Biomass Feedstock Supply for New York State was developed to evaluate the positive and negative impacts associated with increased use and production of this renewable fuel, and to help guide state policy on renewable fuels for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. 

Francis J. Murray, president and CEO of NYSERDA, said:  “Diversifying our energy sources is essential for New York to strengthen our energy security and improve our business climate in the future, and biomass has the potential to play a significant role in these efforts. We look forward to working with our partners in government and the private sector to maximize the potential of biofuel in ways that create jobs and produce a cleaner, stronger future for New York.”

Engines are revving all over the world, as about 40 cutting-edge cars, including one built by the Cornell 100+ MPG team, prepare to go racing.

On March 12, New York State gave Cornell's plug-in hybrid car the green light to hit the road. The team passed its Department of Motor Vehicles salvage vehicles inspection to be eligible for registration in New York -- a requirement to compete and to test in real driving situations. In other words, the car is now roadworthy. The salvage test is mandatory for handmade cars to ensure that no stolen parts were used in the vehicle.

The 100+ MPG Team is the lone university team competing in the mainstream class of vehicles in the Progressive Automotive X Prize Competition, which starts later this spring. Cornell will face off against about 20 other cars at Michigan International Speedway to vie for a $5 million prize (another $5 million will go to the alternative vehicles class winner). The competition's purpose is to inspire next-generation technologies for fuel efficiency by requiring participants to build cars that get the equivalent of 100 miles to the gallon.

The theme for National Volunteer Week, commemorated April 18-24 is “Celebrating People in Action.” The theme captures the meaning behind this signature week – honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.

National Volunteer Week is a call to action for Americans to volunteer and a week to inspire by example. Created by executive order of President Richard Nixon in 1974, this week signaled a recommitment to creating a culture of service in America. Millions of Americans volunteer this week and demonstrate the positive community impact that engaged individuals, families, businesses and organizations create year-round. National Volunteer Week presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government entities alike to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service.

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties recognizes and celebrates all of our dedicated volunteers.

According to its Web site, the U.S. Apple Association has praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announced intended purchases of apples and apple products. The $18.6 million overall apples/apple products buy was first announced by the Obama Administration in November 2009, but amounts tentatively allotted for each category were revealed recently.

“This is good news for both consumers and apple growers,” said Mark Seetin, US Apple Director of Regulatory and Industry Affairs. "The American apple industry vigorously supports USDA’s plans to purchase a wide variety of apples and apple products. This significant buy means plenty of tasty and nutritious apples and apple products for consumers in federal feeding programs, such as the National School Lunch Program.”

The amount of apples and apple products identified so far has an estimated value of 11.26 million dollars.

U.S. Apple and apple industry leaders worked extensively over the past year to encourage USDA to make apple purchases. The specific apples and apple products selected for purchase were requested by individual schools from across the country. Seetin added that research on apples and health suggests that regular apple consumption may aid in preventing cancer, heart disease, memory impairment and other health complications.

Some children are a joy to be around. They are pleasant and polite and treat others with respect. Other hcildren are very different. They may be noisy, rude, and defiant. Does one of these describe your child (children) or are they somewhere in between? Most parents want well-behaved children and the best way to achieve that goal is to teach good manners from the beginning. Parents can teach manners through direct teaching, reminding, and setting a good example.

What are manners?

Manners are skills for showing respect to others and to yourself.  They are based on kindness and common sense.  Good manners help social situations run more smoothly.  Teaching your children to use good manners at home and away from home makes life more pleasant for everyone.

And knowing how to be polite will give children self-confidence and help them avoid embarrassment.  All of us have had that shrinking feeling when we do something rude or unkind in public.  Children feel the same way.  Teaching good manners by correcting a child won’t harm his/her self-esteem.  In fact, it will improve self-esteem because others will respond positively to their good manners.

Cornell University's Western Equestrian Team Club has announced the schedule and classes for its Open Horse Show to be held on May 2, 2010 at the Trumansburg Farigrounds. Divisions include adult, youth 18 and under and novice. There will be two stake classes paying $100 each and ribbons will be awarded for first through fifth places. Fees are $5 per class and $10 per stake class. Download class list. For more information contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer at 315-783-3984 or arj37@cornell.edu.