By February 7, 2006
The city of Ithaca may create a car sharing program – a membership-based system in which participants have access to a fleet of cars – in an effort to reduce car crashes, congestion, energy-use and pollution by having fewer vehicles on the road.
The car sharing program would grant Ithaca households and businesses that joined the organization unlimited use to a number of shared-use vehicles, from cars to light trucks, on an as-needed basis. Program participants would pay a fee for each usage of the vehicle, including gas, insurance and maintenance expenses, while car sharing automobiles would be allowed free parking throughout Ithaca.
A car sharing proposal was first introduced in Ithaca nearly two years ago, and the program has continued to gain support. Last summer, Dan Roth grad, coordinator for the ad hoc committee for environmental sustainability and transportation, received a grant from Ithaca College and EcoVillage to look into car sharing options for Ithaca’s EcoVillage.
“I worked with Ithaca College business students to design a car sharing plan to begin at the EcoVillage
By February 7, 2006
Having already performed his monodrama in cities worldwide, international dramatist Michel El-Ashkar brought his two-act play about the inspiring life of the Lebanese writer, artist and philosopher Kahlil Gibran to Cornell yesterday.
The two-act play featured excerpts from The Prophet, Gibran’s masterpiece and most famous work, including readings about children, love and marriage, as well as explained the life of the remarkable artist behind the piece. The Prophet, published in 1923, has sold more copies in the 20th century than any other work except the Bible.
The play focused on the major events of Gibran’s life, such as his immigration to the United States at the age of 12, his return to Lebanon and subsequent education in Beirut and his study in Paris. More importantly, however, the play highlighted Gibran’s personal relationships and their accompanying joy and sorrow.
Specifically, the play concentrated on the inspiration that Gibran gained from his family members and close friend, Mary Haskell, an American teacher with whom Gibran formed a lasting and important friendship. Haskell not only became Gibran’s friend, but also his teacher, editor and source of intellectual stimulation.
Additionally, the poverty and political instability of Lebanon that occurred during Gibran’s life was discussed throughout the play. Gibran’s response to this strife in the form of articles and books were meant to stir people of Lebanon descent to help restore the country. Gibran lived from 1883 to 1931.
The play also emphasized the importance and eternal nature of human passion in which Gibran believed. “Be free and unafraid of expressing your passion in life