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Do you enjoy writing and feel like you have something to say? Why not become a contributor to the "Local Writers" section? Since this is an entirely out of pocket venture, our writers volunteer their time and talent and share their perspective with the community. While some columns are collaborative efforts with local organizations and other writers, many are neighbors from right here in the Twin Tiers. We are continually looking for fresh content and new voices on a wide variety of topics. If you have something you want to say and would like to be a part of our local writers group, send your ideas to me at twintiersliving@gmail.com

At the end of another state Covid briefing earlier today, Governor Andrew Cuomo offered an apology to the women who felt uncomfortable, saying it was never his intent. "I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this. First, I fully support a woman’s right to come forward. And I think it should be encouraged in every way. I understand that I acted in a a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful for it, and frankly, I feel embarrassed by it. I never touched anyone inappropriately…. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time that i was making anyone feel uncomfortable. And I certainly never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone, or cause any one any pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do." "I ask the people of this state to wait for the facts in the attorney general report before forming an opinion," Cuomo said. "I have learned form what has been an incredibly difficult situation… I’m sorry." When questioned whether the investigation is a distraction from other issues at hand, including the state budget he feels he should step aside, Cuomo told a reporter, “I'm going to cooperate with the AG investigation and do the budget. Addressing the picture that’s been circulating, “I understand the opinion and feelings of Ms. Ruch. You can find hundreds of pictures of me making the same gesture with hundreds of people.” Cuomo went on to explain that such gestures, hugging and kissing people, are not only his way of greeting people, it was also his father’s, former Governor Mario Cuomo. "What I also understand is, it doesn’t matter… if anybody was offended by it, then it was wrong. If they were hurt by it, I apologize. If they felt pain from it, I apologize. I did not intend it, I didn’t mean it that way. But if thats how they felt thats all that matters and I apologize." When asked again about calls for his resignation, Cuomo emphasized he has no intention of resigning. “Im going to do the job the people of the state elected me to do.”

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Barbie Parsons, aka "Barbie the Welder" is a world famous metal sculptor. According to her Wikipedia page, she was inspired to take up welding after seeing a character in the film Cast Away weld wings onto an angel sculpture. Parsons started her career in 2007, saving $1,200 to attend a local BOCES welding program. She was subsequently hired at Cameron Manufacturing and Design, where she worked as a sheet metal fabricator. After working for five years to learn the art of welding and fabrication and earning her Journeyman in sheet metal and iron plate, she quit in September 2014 to work as an independent artist. Barbie has created sculptures for various corporations such as Harley Davidson and has been featured on NBC's "The Today Show". She currently lives in Erin. Check out this interview from 2017:

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Interesting idea for a need vastly overlooked. Read more here.

The Vegetable Soup Collection contains episodes from the eponymous children’s educational television series produced by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) with support from a grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under the direction of the award-winning producer Yanna Kroyt Brandt. Produced over two seasons and distributed by PBS and NBC from September 22, 1975 to December 14, 1978, the series aimed to oppose racial and cultural stereotypes by exposing children to characters of various backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and cultures. Brandt and her production team geared Vegetable Soup toward children of elementary-school age. Episodes are made up of a mix of live action, cartoon, puppetry, and mixed-media segments. Among the voice actors included in the series are James Earl Jones, who played Long John Spoilsport, and Bette Midler, who played Woody the Spoon. Episodes in the collection are from seasons 1 and 2, and include segments featuring Puerto Rican music and history; “The Big Job Hunt,” a segment in game-show format where two teams of students from schools around the U.S. answer trivia; a puppetry performance of an African folktale; a cartoon rendition of “Kasa-Jizo,” a traditional Japanese folktale; a live-action lesson about girls in sports; and a story about a Hupa girl who educates her non-Indigenous friends about the hurt behind stereotypes. Among the many subjects featured in the collection are race, gender, history, education, folktales, art, music, sports, nature, crafts, and childhood. Locally, the show was shown on WETm weekday mornings through the early 1980's. Collection Background Vegetable Soup was created by the New York State Education Department and distributed by PBS and NBC from 1975 to 1978. Episodes of Vegetable Soupare held by the New York State Archives. Materials were digitized in 2019 and submitted to the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. You can find the collection here, or view the sample below.

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Are you like many other people and thinking about getting some chickens for the backyard? We recommend learning as much as possible before you hear the first peep out of the little balls of fluff. Here's a good video to learn the basics:

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Earlier this week Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that given the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York, closing times for restaurants and bars will be extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide beginning Sunday, February 14. "Our decisions are based on science and data and we adjust as the virus adjusts. The infection rate and hospitalizations have continued to significantly decline," Governor Cuomo said. "Accordingly, we have adjusted with arena and catering hall openings with rigorous testing and limited capacity indoor dining openings in New York City. We will also move the restaurant and bar closing hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide on Sunday. We will continue to follow the science and react accordingly. If we keep the infections down and vaccinations up, we will continue to stay ahead in the footrace against this invisible enemy."

Twin Tiers Living is happy to announce we’re teaming up with Rich Lavere at Nutmeg Upcycling to draw attention to some of the area’s small businesses. Rich has been producing short video segments spotlighting some of the locally owned businesses for YouTube. We’d like to help spread the word and as such we’ve added a section on the site’s sidebar for the videos. Take a few minutes to check them out and more importantly, consider spending a few bucks at their place next time you’re out shopping!

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In downtown Kokomo, Indiana is a block affectionately known locally and beyond that's known as "Geek Street". Photo courtesy "Geek Street" Facebook page It's several businesses dedicated to pop and "nerd" culture that draws tourists from all over the country. The businesses you'll find on "Geek Street" are: Kokomo Toys & Collectibles Largest selection of vintage and modern action figures in the Midwest from the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s to all the new releases! Established in 2008, Kokomo Toys & Collectibles is a family owned and operated brick & mortar toy store specializing in buying, selling and trading. Comics Cubed Comic book specialty shop that has a wide selection of new comics, back issues, all ages books, trades, artist editions, mini-figures, supplies, and more. This unique shop buys, sells, and trades comic books. New comics every Wednesday! Also hosts Kokomo-Con every October at the Kokomo Event & Conference Center. American Dream Hi-Fi Great selection of vinyl records and live music on Saturday nights. They also have a selection of movies, books and buy records. Kingdom Cards & Games They buy, sell, and trade cards and board games. Special themed events are held throughout the year, including Star Wars, Magic: The Gathering, and Pokemon. Do you think "themed shopping districts" like that could work here in Elmira or in any of our other small towns throughout the Twin Tiers? What do you think would work best? What would draw you there on a regular basis?

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that, building off of the successful Buffalo Bills pilot program, sports and entertainment events in major stadiums and arenas with a capacity of 10,000 or more people can re-open with limited spectators beginning February 23. Following the model established as part of the successful Buffalo Bills pilot program, venues and events must follow similar guidelines, including Department of Health approval for venues and events, capacity limitations, testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, temperature checks, and assigned, socially distanced seating. The Department of Health's work to inspect eligible venues statewide is already underway, and thanks to that work, the Barclays Center has been approved to re-open on February 23 for the Brooklyn Nets home game against the Sacramento Kings. The success of this, and similar events in approved venues over the coming weeks will help inform the re-opening process for smaller venues in the future. "While we continue to fight COVID on multiple fronts, we must also get this economy re-opened intelligently and in a balanced way," Governor Cuomo said. "Live sports and entertainment have long been engrained in the fabric of New York and the inability to hold events has only added to the isolation we have all felt at the hands of this virus. Thankfully, our pilot program to reopen Buffalo Bills games to fans was an unparalleled success and now we are taking that model and expanding it to other large venues across the state to not only reinvigorate local economies, but also help bring some fun and joy back into people's lives as safely as possible." Specifically, in order to re-open venues to professional sports, sites must: Obtain DOH approval for both venues and events Institute a 10 percent capacity limit in arenas and stadiums Ensure all staff and spectators receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event Mandate face coverings, social distancing and temperature checks for all those in attendance Mandate assigned, socially distanced seating Collect contact information from all those in attendance to help inform contact tracing efforts Meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards Ensure retail, food services and athletic activities abide by all state-issued guidance

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