Local Foods Culinary Passport
September 1-30
Pick-up a free culinary passport and get a stamp each time you enjoy local foods at participating restaurants during September for a chance to win fabulous prizes. The grand prize package includes an overnight stay at La Tourelle Resort & Spa, dinner for two at Taverna Banfi, a bottle of Finger Lakes wine and more. Passports available at Cooperative Extension, Tompkins County Visitor's Center, and participating restaurants: ABC Cafe, Greenstar Coop Deli, Hazelnut Kitchen, Heights Cafe, John Thomas Steakhouse, Just a Taste, Le Petit Cafe at La Tourelle, Lost Dog Cafe, Manndible, Mate Factor, Maxie's Supper Club, Moosewood, Pourhouse, Red Newt Bistro, Rogue's Harbor, Simply Red Lakeside Bistro, Smart Monkey Cafe, Taste of Thai Express, Taverna Banfi, Watercress, Willow, and Za Za's Cucina. For more information, call 272-2292.or email Liz Karabinakis at evk4@cornell.edu.

Ithaca Children's Garden "Turtle Time"
Tuesdays, September 2, 9 & 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.

Summer Sprouts
Wednesdays, September 3, 10 & 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.

Weatherizing and Repairing Older Windows
Wednesday, September 10, 7:00-9:00 PM
Energy loss through air leaks around your windows can be significant. By learning simple methods for repairing and weatherizing your older windows, you can save money on your energy bills and increase your comfort without the expense of replacement windows. This workshop is presented by Mark Pierce, Cornell Cooperative Extension Associate. The workshop is free, but space is limited. Please call Carole Fisher at 272-2292 for more information or to reserve a seat.

ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification Class
Tuesday, September 16 AND Tuesday, September 23, 8:30am - 5:30pm (both days)
This 15-hour 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. The fee of $150 per person includes the textbook ServSafe Essentials (5th ed.), all written materials, certification exam, and light refreshments. Registration and payment are due by Sept. 2nd. (Late fee will apply after this date.) Call Carole Fisher at 272-2292 or email crf11@cornell.edu to register or for more information.

Ithaca Children's Garden "Turtle Time"
Tuesday, 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.

Summer Sprouts
Wednesday, 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.

Consumer Issues Programs: Consumer's Rights & Responsibilities in the Market Place
Wednesday, September 17, 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.

Spring Bulbs: Three Months of Bloom
Wednesday, September 17, 6:30-8:30 pm
Plan for spring bulb bloom now, in time for fall planting. Pat Curran, Horticulture Educator, will explain how to enjoy 3 months of bulb bloom. The class will cover different bulb varieties, planting and growing tips, and suggestions for using bulbs in the landscape, too. Fee: $5. Pre-registration preferred. Please call 272-2292 or email Pat Curran at pc21@cornell.edu.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Wednesday, September 17, 6:30-8:30pm
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 CCE to reserve a seat and energy kit at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu. Offered again on: Thursday, 9/25 at 12 Noon; Thursday, 10/2 at 6:30 pm; Thursday, 10/16 at 12 Noon; Wednesday, 10/29 at 6:30 pm; Wednesday, 11/5 at 6:30 pm; and Thursday, 11/13 at 6:30 pm.

Making Ends Meet
Thursday, September 18, 1:00 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: Tuesday 9/30 at 6:30 pm.

Native American Homecoming Festival
Saturday, September 20, 11:00 am- 6:00 pm
Tutelo Park, 151 Bostwick Road in the Town of Ithaca
The Homecoming Festival is a celebration of Tutelo, Cayuga, and kindred Native American peoples, and a commemoration of their historic presence in Ithaca and Tompkins County. The festival includes traditional performances by the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers, storytelling by Perry Ground, an interactive Seneca Cornhusk Doll Workshop, flute music by Dan Hill, Native foods, books and information on Native American history and culture, and many more renowned artists and interactive performances. Free and fun for all ages! For information, contact Audrey Cooper, at the Multicultural Resource Center, 272-2292 ext 136.

Harvest Dinners on the Farm
Sunday, September 21, 6:00 pm
Early Morning Organic Farm, 9658 State Route 90, Genoa
Experience an elegant 4-course dinner hosted by an area CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm featuring foods from the farm prepared by outstanding local chefs. Each course is paired with Finger Lakes wines. Limited to 75 seats. $60/ ticket or a party of four (4 tickets for the same dinner) for $200; Children under 12 dine free. Dinner will be prepared by Sean O'Brien of Willow and paired with wines from Bet the Farm Winery. 100% of proceeds support CSA shares for low income families. Upcoming dinners in the series include:

Sunday, Oct. 5 at Stick & Stone Farm, Ithaca. Menu by Watercress with Wines from Silver Thread Vineyard
Sunday, Nov. 9 at Westhaven Farm, EcoVillage/Ithaca. Menu by Just a Taste with Wines from King Ferry Winery

For reservations/payment, contact Edible Finger Lakes at 607-272-2510 or info@ediblefingerlakes.com. For all other inquiries, contact Liz Karabinakis at 607-272-2292 or evk4@cornell.edu.

Introduction to Home Winemaking
Monday, September 22, 6:30-8:30 pm
This class by winemaker Martha Giomousis will cover the basics of making wine from grapes or grape juice and is intended for the novice home winemaker. Topics will include: grape varieties, sources of wine grapes or juice, pre-fermentation procedures, starting and completing fermentation, post-fermentation procedures, and winemaking equipment and supplies. Fee: $5. Limited to 20 participants; pre-registration and prepayment required. Please call 272-2292.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00-9:00pm
Dryden Community Cafe, 1 W. Main Street, Dryden
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. The program is free, but pre-registration is required. Call CCE to reserve a seat and energy kit at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu. This event is co-sponsored by the Dryden Renewable Energy Workgroup.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Thursday, September 25, 12:00-2:00 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 CCE to reserve a seat and energy kit at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu. Offered again on: Thursday, 10/2 at 6:30 pm; Thursday, 10/16 at 12 Noon; Wednesday, 10/29 at 6:30 pm; Wednesday, 11/5 at 6:30 pm; and Thursday, 11/13 at 6:30 pm.

Exploring Credit/Debt Management Issues
Thursday, September 25, 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.

100 Years of Dairy Farming, Town of Dryden, New York
Thursday, September 25, 7:00 pm
Fire Hall, North Street, Dryden, NY
The Dryden Historical Society, Dryden Grange and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County co-sponsor the presentation of this updated study chronicling the state of agriculture in the Town of Dryden over the past 100 years.

Wetlands and Wildflowers
Saturday, September 27, 10:00 am-12 Noon
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
National Take a Child Outside Week is September 24-30. Children of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to have fun exploring with us. Hunt for insects in the Wildflower Meadow and search for macroinvertebrates in the Wetland Swale. Pull up cattails and see what they look like underground. Use their leaves to make paint brushes and weave mats. Press flowers, catch frogs, and see what's ready to harvest. Free. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo, 272-2292 x186 or LAM26@cornell.edu.

Cold Frames for Extended Season Gardening
Saturday, September 27, 12:30-2:30 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Rt. 89 - Cass Park
Learn about cold frames and crops you can grow in them during late fall and winter. This class will be divided into two parts: 1) cold frame types and construction of a small frame 2) how to grow crops in them for season extension. The workshop will be designed to be part lecture, part hands-on. Dress for the outdoors. $10/person. NOTE: in case of inclement weather, the class will move to Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca.

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:

Making Ends Meet
Tueday, September 30, 6:30 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.