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Acclaimed Activist Dr. Temple Grandin to Speak at SUNY Cobleskill November 20 – SUNY Cobleskill

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Acclaimed Activist Dr. Temple Grandin to Speak at SUNY Cobleskill November 20 – SUNY Cobleskill

World-renowned activist, advocate, speaker, and author Dr. Temple Grandin will deliver a lecture at SUNY Cobleskill on Wednesday, November 20, sharing her thoughts and experiences about working with peers who are on the autism spectrum, and discussing methods she has used to be successful in her career. The lecture will begin at 1 pm in Bouck Theater, with a book signing to follow. The visit is part of a multi-campus partnership which includes the presentation “Connecting Animal Science and Autism” at SUNY Oneonta. The appearance at SUNY Cobleskill is limited to SUNY Cobleskill students, faculty, and staff.

When Residents Say ‘No’ to Aerial Mosquito Spraying

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When Residents Say ‘No’ to Aerial Mosquito Spraying

On a Friday afternoon in late September, Kalamazoo County Health Officer Jim Rutherford announced that aircraft would mist much of the county with an insecticidal spray. Intended to kill mosquitoes, the emergency plan quickly turned into a public relations battle. Hundreds of calls and emails — and even some threats — streamed into Rutherford’s office in southwest Michigan, many expressing concern about the spray.

In the United States, an average of seven human cases of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) are reported annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But 2019 has been an especially bad year for the mosquito-borne virus, with at least 35 cases and 13 deaths reported nationwide. In Kalamazoo County, when Rutherford made his decision, EEE had killed a 64-year-old man and sent a 14-year-old girl into intensive care. Faced with the prospect of several more weeks of mosquito-friendly weather, Michigan state officials had offered 15 counties the option of spraying. All of them accepted.

Long commutes in cars suck

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I like spending time out in the country but a daily commute out to Rural America would really be a drag I have to say. Having driven out to my parents house after work for a week house sitting, I really miss the ease of just being able to catch the bus to and from work, not having to worry about the traffic or the weather. When I’m home and can take the bus, I can be tired, I can be distracted or drunk but I don’t have to worry about getting to my destination safely.

Eventually when I own my own land, automobile commuting will be an inevitable part of the trip. Maybe I can car pool part of the time or use a bus to access the center city. Maybe I won’t live near such a big city where traffic is such a problem or choose a more sothernly climate were icy roads aren’t such a problem. Or maybe I’ll find work in the small town I choose to live in and I won’t have to drive far away to the city. Or develop a business that lets me work from home. There are many options.

I just don’t want to spend my days, every day stuck in traffic going back and forth to work with long drives out to the country. But it seems like I have options.