Writing New York

                              

     They shred curtains and rip the upholstery on chairs.  They shoot to and fro like lightning bolts, knocking plant stands over and tripping up unsuspecting pedestrians.  And when actual lightning strikes, they painfully cling to their owners’ lower legs and shoulders with vehemence. Cats, otherwise known as felinus catus, are the #1 pet in the US.  Despite cat habits and quirks, many cat owners say they love their furry friends too much to ever let them go; but there are times when they must.  “I was moving and I just couldn’t take my cat Sam with me, so I took her to my local shelter,” said James Cassermere, an Ossining resident.

     Shelters like the SPCA take in unwanted cats and dogs as well as provide low cost spaying and neutering.  Ossining and Briarcliff residents like having the SPCA in the neighborhood.  “Lots of people I know got their pets from the SPCA,” said Sarah Rijos, a dog owner, “And I know of people who have rescued dogs and cats and taken them there.” 

     Cassermere’s local SPCA accepted Sam, despite the fact that she was not “fixed.”  However, about a week later, Sam was spotted near Cassermere’s former residence.  “People mentioned that they had seen Sam outside my house,” he said, “So I watched out for her for a few days, but I never saw her, just some other ones that hang out in the neighborhood.”

     Some is an understatement.  Upwards of six furry little friends had joined up and created a feral cat colony. A major issue in cities like Atlantic City and San Diego, even NYC and its suburbs have a problem. 

     The Briarcliff SPCA started a Feral Cat Task Force last year to address the situation in the suburbs, offering rental cages to catch the cats to be brought back to the SPCA for treatment and evaluation.  According to Westchester.com, following treatment, some cats are put up for adoption and others are spayed or neutered and returned to their colonies.  So if you happen upon a pride of cats in your neighborhood, seek out a local shelter or organization offering humane feral cat services. 

Pictures: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/, illustratedlibrarian.blogspot.com, falafelsex.blogspot.com

To children, snow days are gift from above. Where exactly? Clouds. When fat, frosty flakes fall at warp speed covering everything uncovered, what was supposed to be a day of education quickly turns into a day of recreation.

However, many in the “real” world have an altogether different experience. “Snow days are actually broke days for me,” said Allison Brown, music teacher and teaching assistant, “because I work two part-time jobs and get paid by the hour.” Similarly, many working parents are forced to take personal days because their children are home, babysitters can’t get to them, and day care centers are closed. And even those who find childcare are faced with extremely dangerous road conditions and extended commuting times.

Unfortunately, residents also pay a considerable price due to the cost of snow removal. In the Village of Ossining, taxes increased 10% this year. According to the budget, $361,440 was budgeted for snow removal this year, up almost 12% from last year.

With that said, there are some working adults sharing in the kids’ merriment over snow days. Village workers, snow plow operators, and yard shovelers wake up extra early to greet the day and earn some pay. Michael James, freelance plower and yard maintenance worker, welcomes snow days with open arms. “When the snow stops, it’s easy money. If you work for the Village, it’s easy money too because you’ll be working even beyond when it stops, and you’re getting paid time and a half.”

*Snowflake template