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Special Virtual Retiree Event:
Plants in Space
Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 1:00 PM

Join us for a special presentation for Cornell retirees featuring Dr. Gioia Massa, CALS '96, Project Scientist at NASA Kennedy Space Center.
 
As astronauts venture farther from Earth, and for longer periods, the space food system will increase in importance. Crop production can supplement a packaged diet to provide additional nutrients and dietary variety for astronauts. Several unique challenges exist for the growth of plants in microgravity and on other planetary surfaces. Testing within the Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat chambers on the International Space Station is allowing us to understand the impacts of gravity and spaceflight on crop growth, nutritional content, and food acceptability, and the importance of plants to astronauts living and working away from our blue home planet.
 
Dr. Massa is a NASA scientist at Kennedy Space Center working on space crop production for the International Space Station and future exploration endeavors. She led the science team for the Veggie validation and she heads an interdisciplinary team to study the nutrition and flavor of space-grown crops. She has a BS in Plant Science from Cornell, a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Penn State, and postdoctoral research from Purdue and Kennedy Space Center. She has worked in the areas of plant space biology and bioregenerative life support.

Stay tuned for more special presentations for Cornell retirees in the coming months!
Local and Virtual Activities
Events at Southworth Library
Check out these two upcoming, in-person events at the Southworth Library:

  • January 25, 2023, 12:00 PM -Lunch and Learn with Chuck D’Imperio from Monumental New York: This presentation will take you on a fascinating journey around beautiful Upstate New York and to the many small cities and towns within, which hold some of the most remarkable pieces of public art in all of the Empire State. Register 

  • Starting January 26, 2023, 6:00 PM - War of 1812: An Monthly Adult Discussion Series: Join an adult discussion series on the War of 1812: The War that Time Forgot. In a four-month series of historical discussions based on texts, articles, and film, participants will reflect on history, much of it occurring in our backyard and its implications for those involved. Register

Call 607-844-4782 or email [email protected] with any questions. Southworth Library is located at 24 West Main Street, Dryden NY.
Winter Tree ID Walk
Saturday, January 28, 2022, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Cayuga Nature Center, 1420 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY
 
Come to the Cayuga Nature Center to learn about identifying trees in different seasons, and about the signs of climate change in the life cycles of trees. You’ll gain practical knowledge about tree identification that you can use at home and when you’re out and about!
 
For more information, please visit the Cayuga Nature Center web page.
Chats in the Stacks Book Talk: The Queerness of Home with Stephen Vider
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 4:30 PM
107 Olin Library and Zoom

Assistant Professor of History Stephen Vider explores the complex histories of LGBTQ+ challenges to conventions of marriage and domesticity and argues that LGBTQ+ people not only realized new forms of community and culture for themselves but that in so doing they also redefined the possibilities of homelife for everyone. 
February virtual BINGO with the Cornell Recreation Connection! Invite your colleagues or team for an hour of laughs and friendly competition. 
Lifelong Film Screening: Beah: A Black Woman Speaks
Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 4:30 PM
119 W. Court St., Ithaca
 
Beah Richards (1920-2000), actress-poet-activist, shares her wit and wisdom about her life as a Black woman in America. One of her most famous roles was playing Sidney Poitier’s mother in the movie Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Africana Library Director Kofi Acree will guide the talkback.

For more information, please email Teri Reinemann at Lifelong.
CAPE Lecture: Research on Tipping with Michael Lynn, Cornell Hotel School
Thursday, February 16, 2023, 2:00 PM
Kendal Auditorium

This presentation will briefly summarize 40 years of Lynn's research on tipping. Come 1/2 hour prior to lecture for refreshments and great company!

Topics covered will include:
  • the relationship between tips and service
  • ways to increase servers' tips
  • race differences in tipping
  • National differences in tipping
  • occupational differences in tipping, and
  • the effects of tipping (vs alternative) policies.

For more information, please visit the CAPE lecture events page.
Connect to Birds, to Nature, and with Each Other
Birds are everywhere, all the time, doing fascinating things. Join the Cornell Lab of Ornithology February 17-20, 2023, when the world comes together for the love of birds in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
 
Participating is easy, fun to do alone, or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
 
Step 1 – Decide where you will watch birds.
 
Step 2 – Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 17-20, 2023.
 
Step 3 – Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:
  • If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to the count, try using the Merlin Bird ID app.
  • If you have participated in the count before, try eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (desktop/laptop).
  • If you are participating as a group, see instructions for Group Counting
Let's Meditate With Cornell Wellness
Fridays, 9:00-9:30 AM, through May 19, 2023

Join these virtual, 30-minute weekly guided mindfulness meditation sessions facilitated by Kerry Howell, Cornell Wellness staff, and Ruth Merle-Doyle, Cornell Work/Life staff. Sit with your eyes closed or gaze lowered in a comfortable space while you are led through a meditation designed to enhance your mindfulness by focusing on the breath and bringing calmness to the distracted mind.

People with varying levels of experience are welcome to these sessions, even those without experience! They are a fantastic way to start to decompress and unwind from the week as you head into the weekend.
Resources and Programs
6 Weeks Of Meatless Mondays
Looking to improve your diet but unsure of where to start? Research shows that Monday is the day people are most open to making positive changes. These small changes can build powerful new habits over time. Starting your week by going meatless for an entire day can improve your overall health, decrease your grocery bill, and help take action against climate change. You will also increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, allowing you to ease into long-term healthier eating habits without being required to take an “all or nothing” approach.

Check out new meatless recipes with nutrition information and interesting facts posted on Cornell Wellness’ Facebook and Instagram pages starting January 23rd.

Please contact Derek, Cornell Wellness’ registered dietitian with any questions.
Lifelong Membership Drive
There are so many reasons to become a member of Lifelong, the community center for adults 50 years and older -  fitness, friendship, games, information, travel, support, creativity, exploration, and more.

Membership benefits include but aren't limited to:
  • Eligibility to participate in Lifelong Activities and Learning (may require additional fees)
  • Eligibility for $30/month unlimited Health and Wellness OR Creative Arts Activities
  • $50 discount on Lifelong travel registrations
  • 20% discount for Mary Durham Boutique
  • 25% discount on Cornell Concert series 
  • 25% discount on Ithaca YMCA membership for Lifelong members 60 years and older
  • Discounted TCAT bus tickets for members 65+
  • Individual support for computer and cell phone questions

New members, returning members who have not been members for five years or more, and existing members who bring in a new member will receive a $10 credit to be applied to any Lifelong offering, if the membership is processed before February 10. 
 
For more information visit their web page or call Teri at 607-273-1511.
Make a GENuine Connection
GENuine Connections is an online program for adults 65+ and teens to build intergenerational community and find common ground. Teens and older adults meet weekly over Zoom in small groups to talk and participate in activities ranging from creative writing, chess, art, current events and so much more, leading to the discovery of new and shared perspectives.
Upcoming Program Dates:
  • January 30 - March 17, 2023
  • March 20 - May 18, 2023
For more information about this DOROT program, please visit their web page, FAQ page, or email them at [email protected].
Miscellaneous Articles
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