At long last, the forecast for this evening finally looks perfect for amphibian migration!  This means that spotted salamanders will likely be migrating after sunset across certain roads to mate, and they welcome our help. :)

Backstory

Spotted salamanders live mostly underground and then migrate during the first warm rains of spring that carry through the day and into the night with the temperature staying above 40 degrees. Yes, it's been warm several times this month and it's rained several times too, but we haven't had a warm persistent rain continuing past sunset as is predicted for today.  

The mascot that graces our brand is indeed a spotted salamander.  I spotted my first spotted several years ago while helping friends install a fence in Brooktondale. We had just been brainstorming on the CommonSpot logo and suddenly there it was unearthed before us. 

Tips

Because this romantic weather is occurring so late in the season, breeding is likely well underway in some places.  So, you might see a belated mass migration, you might see salamanders returning from breeding, or you might see a combination of both. Given this mix, please heed the very first tip below...

• Salamanders know where they're going.  Some may be crossing to mate.  Some may be crossing back.  Your goal is to ensure safe passage.  Please wait to be sure which direction they're going before helping them cross.  If you instead, you carry them from whence they came, you will totally harsh their buzz.

• When to go...  Between 8pm and 10pm is the most critical time to protect them from cars.  If the rain persist through the night the salamanders will persist too, but people won't be driving as much and you should be sleeping.

• Where to go...   Various roads where you have a hill on one side and a lowland marsh area on the other.  My go-to spot is on Thomas Road for the mile or so North of Thomas Farm B&B.  If you would like to go with me or coordinate timing, feel free to txt or call me (607-592-2222).   See this map.  The salamanders migrate from the hillside on the west to the marsh around Cascadilla Creek on the east to mate and then cross back again.

• What to bring...  Bring a flashlight; you don't want to be holding your phone out in the rain.  Dress warmly and dress for rain — fleece plus rain layer, hood, appropriate footware, etc.  Reflective gear is helpful too.  Note, on Thomas Road you'll see the headlights of cars from a mile away; the cars don't sneak up on you.

• What to do...   Walk along the road. When you see a salamander, you can watch it cross safely, but that can be impractical if there are many salamanders or cars.  So, you can instead pick them up and carry them across.  It's completely safe to touch them. Ideally have wet hands. You don’t want to dry them off. Also, since we touch so many nasty things in our lives, you can wash your hands before heading out just to be safe.   When you see a car approaching in the distance, give a quick flash with your light so the drive knows that something's up.

• How many salamanders will I see?   It depends.  If you catch a big migration, you might see one every few minutes.

• How big are these salamanders?  They are quite big, actually... perhaps 6" to 9" long and often thicker than your thumbs—depending on your thumbs.

• Will I see them mate?  Most likely not unless you know an easy path to the side of a pond where they mate.  This is what it might look like.  Yeah.... they kinda go crazy.

Learn more about spotted salamanders from this wikipedia page.

Food Packaging & Foodware

Your Path to a Healthy Business

The CommonSpot is hosting an extended lunchtime discussion on the hidden hazards of chemicals in food packaging and foodware. This is a FREE event and healthy snacks will be provided by the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies

This discussion will begin with an in-depth webinar (12pm - 1pm) for food retailers, foodservice providers, producers, etc. on how to choose materials that reduce harm to public health and the environment and grow the integrity of your business. The CommonSpot will then continue this discussion in person as we explore the challenges and opportunities in applying the webinar material to our own businesses.   We will then video conference with the speaker Rich Schiafo to get answers to our most pressing questions.

Read below for more details about the NYSBC webinar

Wednesday, May 30th 12pm-1pm: Food Packaging & Foodware
While food is essential to our lives, how we process and package our food can endanger our health. Businesses must now adapt not only to protect their customers from these health hazards but also to navigate a changing marketplace and regulatory environment. Join us for an in-depth webinar on which materials to avoid, smart alternatives, and resources for growing your business.

Speakers

Rich Schiafo
Campaign Coordinator, Clean and Healthy New York
Rich Schiafo has three decades of experience as an environmental professional including more recently watershed protection, materials management with a focus on organics, and the Reducing Chemicals of Concern in Products in NY State policy campaign.

Hilary Baum
Program Director, New York Sustainable Business Council
Hilary has produced educational programs and public awareness campaigns focused on food, farming, and sustainability. Her background includes artisan food production, restaurant procurement, farmers’ market operations, and community supported agriculture.

More details at the NYSBC website.

On Sunday, it will be exactly 3 YEARS since Governor Cuomo announced the NYS ban on fracking! Let’s celebrate this important victory and check in with each other on the continued fight for a new regenerative economy.

This will be an informal gathering. No presentations or agenda. The CommonSpot will be open for you to hang out and explore. We will have wine, tea, lemonade, soda, and light snacks. 

Come as you are. For those in the movement, feel free to bring related petitions, updates, info about upcoming events and actions to share with others. Bring stories too. I like stories! :)

Expect friends and fun. I'm looking forward to seeing you all.

Spotted salamanders come out of hiding during the first warm spring rains and migrate after sunset to nearby ponds to mate, but they do have to cross certain roads and they welcome your help.

Here's what you need to know:  

When do they migrate?   During the first warm rains that carry through the day and into the night with the temperature staying above 40 degrees. The salamanders migrate through the night. 

When should I go?  Between 8pm and 10pm is the most critical time to protect them from cars.

Where to go?   Various places where there's a road alongside an ephemeral pond. My go-to spot is on Thomas road for the couple hundred yards North of Thomas Farm B&B.  You can see in this map that there's a stretch of marsh on the right side of the road there.  That's where they go to breed.

What should I do?   Stay safe and dry.  Bring flashlights.  Walk along the road. When you see a salamander, you can watch it cross safely, but that can be impractical if there are many salamanders or cars.  So, you can pick them up and carry them across, BUT it's important to carry them in the direction they are going. Some may be going to the marsh to mate and some may be returning from the marsh.  It should be obvious.  If not, just wait a minute... it'll become obvious.

How many will I see?   It depends.  If you catch a big migration, you might see one every few minutes.  Migrations can be more sporadic or dispersed over days.

Why is this a CommonSpot thing?
Well, that's a bigger question.  There really are so many reasons.  The CommonSpot strives to bring people together for the common good, but this isn't simply another way that we are building community.  The spotted salamander has a special place at the CommonSpot.  It's all over our branding.  It's our mascot.  It's symbolic of our values... especially tonight as they get together to be productive. ;)

I spotted my first spotted while helping friends install a fence in Brooktondale. We had just been brainstorming on the CommonSpot logo, and suddenly there it was unearthed before us.  Turns out, they are super cool! (wikipedia page)

Fun facts: They are native here, can live into their 30s, and are fossorial! (that means they live underground) ...and they're always smiling for some reason. Hm... Perhaps that's because we usually see them during mating season.

Purpose: To strengthen business ties among people of color

If you are a business owner/manager, non-profit leader/director, or aspiring entrepreneur of color please join us for this special event at the CommonSpot. We will share what we have been up to and how we can support each other. Expect to discover opportunities and strengthen your support networks.

This will be our first anniversary meetup! Come ready to celebrate! 
We just launched our website! businessleadersofcolors.org

February 28th will also be Fat Tuesday, a.k.a. Mardi Gras. 
Need any more reasons to celebrate?! 

If you have a product or service that you would like to offer as a prize, please contact us soon so we can market your business and share your offering. Thank you!

Free Admission. Food for purchase.
Menu: Chicken Curry, Vegetable Curry, Beans and Rice, Salad, Rum Cake and Fruit Cups. Suggested donation $5 - $7 per plate.

For any questions or concerns, please simply post here or contact The CommonSpot. BLoC Team is also reachable at 607-414-BLOC and at businessleadersofcolors@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support of BLoC!

Our partners include:
The CommonSpot
Integrity Communication
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) 
New York State Sustainable Business Council
Nielsen-Palacios International
Brzee Labs

Have you heard of time banking?
Tompkins Time Traders has transformed how we can help each other in our community by creating a local time bank. Time Banking enables us to get what we need by giving what and when we can instead of exchanging scarce dollars. Thousands of hours have already been exchanged for all sorts of goods and services. It’s free to join and everyone can be a member.

Come learn about time banking, discover opportunities, and meet others in the local time banking community!

4:30-5:30pm Orientation
5:30-6:30pm Meet & Eat – bring a dish to pass, your own plate & utensils, an appetite for conversation.

More info is available at tompkinstimetraders.net. 

This event will be held at the CommonSpot, a vibrant, inclusive workspace shared by local mission-driven businesses and like-minded people — a place where you can work, network, and collaborate on projects that are profitable and beneficial to the community. Like the CommonSpot's facebook page for updates on this event and other events that enrich our community. For more information, visit commonspot.org or stop by in person at 126¾ The Commons.

Note: This location is not handicap accessible. Visit the Tompkins Time Traders website or facebook page for more location options.

Join us for an open gathering filled with yummy food and an inward look at our own culture and domestic policies. We will begin with a screen of Michael Moore's recently released movie: "Where to Invade Next." 

No, it's *not* about war. In this film, Moore visits various countries in Europe to examine how Europeans view work, education, health care, sex, equality, and other issues. Let's take a step outside our culture, our policies, our social norms. What can we learn about ourselves by understanding our friends across the Atlantic? What might we want to do differently?

We are located on the Commons in downtown Ithaca. Look for the red door between Petrune and Sheldon Hill. The CommonSpot is up the stairs on the 2nd floor. See you there!

This is an informal gathering for building connections, discovering opportunities, and strengthening your support network. From this event we also hope to better understand what the women's business community needs, so that we can build those services and opportunities locally.

WHAT: The CommonSpot's first "Women's Business Meetup"
WHEN: Tuesday, May 17th, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: The CommonSpot ◉ 126¾ The Commons, Ithaca

Please join us for this FREE event open to all women interested in business — whether you're a business owner, manager, entrepreneur, non-profit leader, change-maker, or dreamer.

ENJOY...
◉ Food and dessert for sale by Ba-Li Cravings
◉ Wine for sale by the glass by Standing Stone Vineyards
◉ Natural networking with other women in your community
◉ Raffle for prizes that enrich your life

Big THANK YOU to our sponsors! 
☻ Experience! The Finger Lakes, LLC
☻ Multicultural Resource Center 
______________________

The CommonSpot is a vibrant, inclusive workspace shared by local mission-driven businesses and like-minded people — a place where you can work, network, and collaborate on projects that are profitable and beneficial to the community. Like The CommonSpot facebook page for updates on this and related events.

A day of food, fun, learning, and action celebrating the Earth and People of Color in Sustainability

Sunday May 15
1-3pm @ Ithaca Community Gardens (Carpenter Circle off Route 13, near the Ithaca Farmers Market) for Gardening Activities (see below) & Free Food from BiciCocina Bicycle Food Cart and pig roast by Van Noble Farm

4-7pm @ The CommonSpot (126 ¾ The Commons) for the After-Party! Music, art show, open mic, conversation and a special Hip Hop performance by Daygot Leeyos!

Activities @ The Garden:
* Seed Bomb Making
* Natural Dyeing
* Seed Exchange
* Compost Making
* Herb Talks
* Vendors

For more details contact us at brownsandgreens@gmail.com or call 607-227-2334
-------
CAFES + VERDES: JUSTICIA RACIAL + SOSTENIBILIDAD RADICAL

Un día de comida diversión, aprendizaje, y acción celebrando la Tierra y Personas de Color en sostenibilidad.

domingo 15 de mayo
1-3pm @ el Ithaca Community Gardens (Carpenter Circle saliendo de la Ruta 13 cerca al Ithaca Farmers Market y Aldis) para actividades en el jardin (ver abajo) y comida gratis de BiciCocina Bicycle Food Cart y cerdo asado de Van Noble Farm
4-7pm @ The CommonSpot (126 ¾ The Commons) para la fiesta después con música, baile, exposición de arte y más!

Actividades en el Jardín:
* Taller de hacer bombas de semillas
Taller de tinturar con materiales naturales
* Intercambio de semillas
* Taller de hacer composte
* Charlas sobre hierbas
* ¡Futból!

Para mayor información: brownsandgreens@gmail.com o llame a 607-227-2334

Patrocinado Por / Sponsored by:
Rocky Acres Community Farm, BiciCocina Bicycle Food Cart, Van Noble Farm, Earth Grown Shades, Phenomenom Food for Thought, Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI), CULTURA Ithaca, Latina/o Studies Program: Enhancing Resources, Supporting Student Success,Rainbow Healing Center of America, Rootwork Herbals, Ithaca Community Gardens, and Multicultural Resource Center

Ithaca has loads of possibilities for business networking, but not many that are women-specific. Even rarer are opportunities for women business owners to gather for discussion and mutual support in a welcoming environment. Now we’re going to create it!

Our aim is to form a regular discussion group, lightly facilitated, where women business owners can bring their challenges and issues to the table and share their knowledge and experience with each other. We invite you to join us for first discussion to share your interests and ideas!

If you're interested but unable to make this date, let us know and we'll keep you in the loop about outcomes and plans that follow this meeting.

Hope you can join us!

WHAT: Special Meetup for Business Leaders of Color
WHEN: Thursday, March 10th, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: The CommonSpot ◉ 126¾ The Commons, Ithaca
WHY: To foster greater connectedness among local business leaders of color

Cosponsored by
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) 
Integrity Communication Group LLC

If you are a business owner/manager, non-profit leader/director, or aspiring entrepreneur of color please join us for this special event at the CommonSpot. The purpose of this event is to foster greater connectedness among local business leaders of color so that we can discover opportunities and strengthen our support networks. This event is free, but please RSVP. Please contact Gladys Brangman at ithacapeacemaker@gmail.com

Enjoy food for purchase served by Bici-Cocina and drink for purchase served by Bandwagon Brewpub. Bring business cards to share and expect a casual gathering with natural networking and opportunities to win prizes that support your work. 

If you have a product or service that you would like to offer as a prize, please contact us soon so we can market your business and share your offering. Thank you!

It's been one year since Governor Cuomo announced the NYS ban on fracking. What's happened since? What hasn't happened since?? Join us this Friday to get the scoop from these key players:

◉ Global update by Colleen Boland ◉ 
Colleen will be returning from the COP21 climate conference in Paris where she has spent the past two weeks meeting fractivists from around the world. Colleen is a We Are Seneca Lake steering member, Chemung County Jail alumn (Cellblock C Grad, Class of 2014), and recent COP21 survivor.

◉ New York State update by Lindsay Speer ◉ 
Lindsay will be returning from Albany where she has been meeting with grassroots groups fighting fossil fuel infrastructure: pipelines, gas storage, fracking waste, bomb trains. Lindsay is the Finger Lakes Regional Coordinator for New Yorkers Against Fracking and Director of Creating Change Consulting.

◉ Millennial Action update by Gabriel Shapiro ◉ 
Gabriel will be returning from an eventful semester at Hampshire College where he has been organizing with students for the climate justice movement and the resistance campaigns opposing the Spectra AIM and Kinder Morgan NED pipeline expansions.

There will be ample time for Q&A and mingling. 

This event is FREE. Expect a casual and informative community gathering. Bring friends. Food/drink contributions are always appreciated, though not required.

Time trading is a system through which you can earn credits for the time you spend helping others in our community. An hour of everyone’s time is equal. As a member of Tompkins Time Traders you will be rewarded for doing what you love. By helping a neighbor you receive a time credit (TC) for each hour of your service or skill. In exchange, you can use the TCs you’ve accrued in the time bank for services offered by other members.

You may know that despite New York’s fracking ban, our communities and local economies are still being threatened by the practice’s by-products and infrastructure. Join the NYS Sustainable Business Council & Riverkeeper for a webinar addressing the current disposal methods of fracking waste in New York, the implications for New York businesses, and what you can do to protect your community.

Come join us for this the moment we've been waiting for!  We will be joined by local leaders including Mayor Svante Myrick, who is passionate about "building an ecosystem that supports [entrepreneurs] as they start their businesses."