Take a look at a few short news summaries from the Ithaca community.

Sustainability Cafe speaker to explore sustainable food production
The Sustainability Cafe will host alumnus Miles Crettien ’09 at 4 p.m. Monday in room 112 in the Center for Natural Sciences.

Crettien, who has a background in horticultural design, propagation and research, will give a talk titled “Sustainable Food Production in NYC: A Focus on Aquaponics.” Crettien is currently the coordinator of healthy food and wellness at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, where he developed three rooftop gardens.

The Sustainability Cafe hosts speakers at 4 p.m. every Monday that are free and open to the public.

Politics faculty to screen Colombian documentary
The politics department and the faculty members of the Latin American studies minor will be sponsoring a screening of a film entitled “Impunity: What kind of war for Colombia?”

The movie, which debuted in 2010, focuses on documenting the efforts toward transitional justice in Colombia. The film will explore the trial against paramilitary and the connections with the political and economic elites.
John Laun, member of the Colombia Support Network, will speak at the event. He will provide context for the film and a question-and-answer period after the movie.

The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Textor 101.

Senior attorney to speak at Constitution celebration
Shayana Kadidal, senior managing attorney of the Guantánamo Global Justice initiative, will give a presentation Sept. 27 to honor Constitution Day.

Kadidal will address the influences of the First Amendment on political dynamics within cyberspace.

The event, co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost, politics department, Legal Studies Program and Park Center for Independent Media, is free and open to the public.

Professors will discuss education at conference
Linda Hanrahan, associate professor of education, and Elizabeth Bleicher, associate professor of English, will speak at the National Council of Teachers of English 2012 Annual Convention Nov. 15-18 in Las Vegas.

Hanrahan and Bleicher will give a presentation titled “Igniting Student Interest: Teaching Creatively in an Era of Standards,” about how teachers can continue to engage students within the classroom.

Hanrahan and Bleicher will be accompanied by Melissa Blitzstein ‘08 and Jennifer Bartlett ‘01, who will discuss the importance of encouraging student engagement.

Professor publishes book about European television
Kati Lustyik, assistant professor of media arts, studies and sciences at Ithaca College, has co-published a book about the growing interest in popular television programs in Eastern Europe with two other professors.

The book, “Popular Television in Eastern Europe During and Since Socialism,” was co-edited by Anikó Imre, associate professor and director of graduate studies at the University of Southern California, and Timothy Havens, associate professor of international television, critical theory and cultural studies at the University of Iowa.

This is the first book to gather perspectives on Eastern European television practices from outside the region.

SPCA to hold Annual Fundraiser

The The Tompkins County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold its largest fundraiser, March for the Animals 2012, at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cornell Plantations.

Hundreds of pets and owners will march to raise money for animals who need shelter and care. The SPCA hopes to raise $100,000 for animals in need.

Adult marchers need to raise a minimum of $100 to participate, and youth marchers need to raise a minimum of $50 to participate.

Drug disposal program launched in Tompkins
The Tompkins County Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal launched its new “Med Return” program Monday.

The program provides Ithaca residents with the opportunity to safely dispose of their unwanted household medication.

Drop-off boxes will be installed over the next few weeks and will be located at secure locations around the county. Medication can be dropped off anytime of day.

Cornell donates produce to local families in need
The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, sponsored by Cornell University, is tackling community hunger issues this fall by donating 40 bushels of produce to the food pantry at the Center of Concern in Geneva.
Cornell faculty members and students contributed donations.

SAGES has delivered 13 pickup truck loads of vegetables and melons.

More than 90 percent of the donations have been distributed to families. The leftovers were sent to the Seneca House of Concern.

Cornell professor to serve as World Bank economist
Kaushik Basu, professor of economics at Cornell University, was recently appointed as chief economist and senior vice president for development economics of the World Bank.

Basu is the first Indian to hold this position. As the chief economist, he will preside over a staff of 300 economists, researchers and statisticians. As the bank’s vice president, he will also provide his expertise and analytical services to the bank and development community.

Though he will be on temporary leave, Basu said he plans to maintain contact with his students.