Dear missing friend,

You and your friend must have had a very special relationship.  You can trust that the bond you had is strong enough to weather the storms of separation.  Have you heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder?  That is because you develop a deeper connection to the one who is far away, and you realize that you can still be close without regular contact.  What that means is that now you both can explore new parts of your selves and your lives and develop healthy individuality. You'll have exciting things to share when you do talk and get together again.

The physical pains of separation are the symptoms of stress, and will ease up as you adjust to your own new support systems. Let up on strict expectation of yourself as your grieve his loss, and then gradually do new things and see new people to get involved again. Pick up a new book or piece of music, or try a new sport or craft.

The Ithaca Festival this year featured the creation of personal shrines.  You can use this same technique to remember your friend.  Create a small container with things that remind you of him, and keep it in a place where you can access it when you want to remember him. When you close it, also make closure with your need to be with him all of the time, and let the ritual remind you of life's seasons.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear bored-no-longer,

I hope you've enjoyed Ithaca Festival, and your appetite has been whetted for what there is.  Did you like the swing dancers or contra dancers or belly dancers?  The contras are on the Commons on Monday nights, and you'll see the swingers at the Concerts in the parks, or take any of many lessons offered.  Rather learn a craft, take an art lesson, or sing with a choral group?   There are concerts and plays (the Hangar Theatre is a summer favorite) and ...

Then there is hiking in any of the many parks or on the extensive trail systems around - contact Cayuga Trails Club or others.  Swim in a waterfall to cool off, or in the lake at Taughannock or more northern parks. Or would you rather rent a kayak? Tennis, anyone, cycling, golf or frisbee?

Summer's a great time to catch up on reading, or find new reading interests.  Better yet, write, and join a writer's group for support. Photography?

Perhaps you'd like to volunteer your time to help with home repair for the elderly or feeding the hungry in a soup kitchen or giving a child from the inner city a week in Upstate New York. Check out http://www.volunteertompkins.org.

Check Ezra's links, the Ithaca Times, the Cornell events calendar, or the Ithaca Journal Ticket on Thursdays, for lists of groups or happenings.  Many free concerts and events abound!  Best of all, call a good friend and explore to discover something new!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear spidey,

Yes, it is through Cornell Outdoor Education, http://www.coe.cornell.edu/index.jsp.  Enjoy!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Shavar,

According to some of the greatest CU Athletics institutional knowledge around, it may not have happened, even once!  It certainly hasn't happened in Cornell hockey recent time - since 1958, when Lynah Rink opened.  The closest date we found was November 1963 back when Penn still had a hockey team: football played Penn on November 28 and hockey played them on the 30th.  Our cursory review of the possible schedule overlaps from the first half of the 20th century doesn't look likely either.  Thanks Bill and Elli for dusting off all those old media guides, and for your CU athletics know-how! 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Burning,

You should make an appointment at Gannett to get checked out. Anytime the genital area feels infected or irritated, it is best not to ignore it, but rather to consult a healthcare provider. Gannett is open 8:30am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday this summer.

While there is some small possibility that you picked something up while swimming, it is more likely that you have some form of vaginitis, a yeast infection or possibly an STI .  You may realize that if you were sexually active  without a condom, there is the possibility of an STI or vaginal irritation due to friction from sexual activity.

I hope you have a healthy and fun summer.

Uncle Ezra   

Querido,

Have you tested it out?  What did you discover?

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

Lindy Costello, AOD coordinator at CAPS, says that "if a student needs a urine drug screen without counseling, they might be able to get it done at the Alcohol and Drug Council of TC (without being in counseling there), but it would be more of an exception than the rule.  They could speak to me about it, or could talk directly to the Council.  At ADCTC, patients are observed and the samples evaluated there and then.  Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) will do a urine drug screen only (for people not in counseling); it's $40 and people should call to set up a time.  Often someone can be accommodated the same day or next.  Patients are observed, and the samples are sent out to a lab."

Uncle Ezra   

Dear ginger,

Alas, they are no longer brewing their own beers, but they continue to have an amazing variety of beers on tap including many fine local brews.  To learn more, why not stop in and inquire? 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear My Concerned Niece,

I asked Dr. Hughes at Gannett and he offered this reply: Any time someone takes antibiotics long-term there are risks involved. These include the development of resistant bacteria -  and since antibiotics taken by mouth do not know they are supposed to go just "to the skin", they kill off what they can - including beneficial intestinal bacteria, which can lead to diarrhea and/or overgrowth of normal organisms (like yeast) which can become problematic. You should discuss the recurrent yeast infection problem with the clinician who prescribes the long-term oral antibiotic  (or another clinician if you choose), and see if there is an alternative that is less likely to predispose you to yeast infections. Recurrent infections - of any sort - are worth talking about with a clinician in order to explore possible reasons and treatment/prevention options.

As far as this protective mucus plug at the opening of the cervix is concerned, while this may be somewhat true in pregnancy and perhaps at times in a woman's menstrual cycle, there are certainly infections that can travel from the vagina into the uterus and even into the tissue covering your intestines - a manifestation of this sort of travelling infection by chlamydia can be pelvic inflammatory disease.

Respect your feelings - when you worry, there is cause for concern, and it is best that you address the problem to deal with your worry.  A discussion with your clinican is the best thing.  Prescribing doctors owe it to their patients to explain the effects of the medications. It is your right to ask and to recieve infomration to help you.  I hope your doctor will help you out here.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Parent,

Not only your 6-year-old, but many of our 18-21 year-olds love sidewalk chalking, but here it is in lieu of postering to advertise events. Most products made for children must pass safety tests, and may say so on the package.  You can often write to a company if you are concerned.  Some people do have allergies to chalk dust and react by sneezing, watery eyes or coughing.  Healthy cilia in the nose and lungs will filter out dust.  However, if your child is exposed to second hand cigarette smoke, her healthy cilia and lungs may not work so well to clean the air she breathes.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear hearing you loud and clear,

Yes, a Nextel tower was installed on a building on Maple Avenue on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 4:30 pm.  I hope you are enjoying the improved service.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear nephew,

Thanks for that resource.  The web has created many exciting new opportunities for genealogy.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Gean,

Genealogy is a fascinating pursuit.  You will undoubtedly find some interesting family stories.  You can contact our archivist at the library (ee11) and see what resources they have.  Many families have listserves so you can pose questions and take advantage of extensive research done by others. You can do research in Historical Societies or libraries or courthouses of the towns in which your relatives made their homes. I hope you meet some relatives who can share family lore with you.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Carol,

You can contact the Alumni Affairs Office at 607-255-2390 or the Office of the University Registrar 607-255-4232.  They can give you further direction.  Good luck with your search.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Closet,

Thank you for your feedback. Keep your eyes on the job postings. If not this, there are other writing and research jobs that may benefit from your talents. I hope you find some outlets.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear B,

In Rebecca Cofer's book The Straight Story she reports on page 55 in talking about the Information desk in the Willard Straight Hall lobby:

For forty-five years (1925-1970) the barbershop occupied the room [information desk]; Jerry Fiddler was the Straight's first barber.  The shop moved to the old coatroom on the main floor in 1970 (the present bank location).

This entry doesn't clarify if the barber shop was a private entity or university-run.  If you'd like to inquire about starting a new barbershop in Willard Straight Hall, contact the Student Assembly.  Currently they have a committee entitled 'Reinventing the Straight Task Force', which is examining ways to update student services in the student union.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear looking,

There are a number of places that you can look for automobile classifieds.  Paw Print, the employee newspaper has a classified section on the back page and there are always cars listed for sale.  Visit http://www.pawprint.cornell.edu to download the latest issue. 

Many students, faculty and staff, and other local Ithacans also advertise in the local papers.  The Ithaca Journal had a very large classified section every Saturday.  There is also a car journal that is published every other week (I can't remember if it's by the Journal or someone else) that you can pick up for free at the grocery store entrance, or other places where you'll find the Ithaca Times and other free resources. 

Word of mouth is another good way to find a vehicle.  If you already own a car, ask a trusted mechanic, or a friend's trusted mechanic if they know of anything.  Good luck.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear acronym-buster,

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Uncle Ezra   

Here are some good websites to read for more stats --http://www.tulane.edu/~bfleury/envirobio/envirolectures/trash.rtf or http://www.green-networld.com/facts/waste.htm.

Styrofoam accounts for 1% of landfill volume, whereas plastics make up about a quarter of all garbage, while using up about 16% of landfill space by volume. Paper is the big offender, using 40% of landfill space.  Remember that next time you need paper, and reuse a piece of scrap paper. Don't use what you don't need, and recycle all your paper at home and at the office or school. Thank you for caring.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear morally conflicted,

There are many vegetarians of various types, so you are in good company. This farm worker was not good company, and I suggest you ignore him and have no further contact.  Don't let people bully and tease you like that for your beliefs. Don't let them back you into a position of pleading against their threats. You are not responsible for the death of animals, nor are you responsible for the behavior of this person.

It is very unfortunate that vegetarians are often subject to ridicule and scorn, even by co-workers and neighbors. People may feel threatened by the moral stance. You may be able to find a support group or a vegetarian dinner group, so you can feel stronger against these kinds of attacks. Good luck.

Uncle Ezra