Scavenger hunt

Some of you may be searching for ideas to blog about. So, I'm offering a scavenger hunt to help spark your curiosity about the news and issues in Ithaca. Try to do at least one of each of these for a blog posting this semester.

ATTEND an Ithaca City Council meeting, school board meeting, county government meeting or Town of Ithaca meeting. Write a short blog about an item on the agenda that interested you. Discuss the issues and the outcome. You may do a variety of these throughout the semester. You might get the first ideas for your final project here.

VISIT a store or shopping center you have not visited before.

RIDE the TCAT or a taxi cab or some other form of conveyance. Here's a tip that may turn out helpful later on -- if you are trying to find out about a city quickly, ride in a taxi. A good conversation with a knowledgeable taxi driver can fill you in on most of the big issues and news stories of a city.

GO TO a landmark or tourist attraction. Be open about learning about the history or a fact you didn't know about.

NOTICE historical plaques and signs. Ask yourself what effect this little piece of history may have on the city we have today.

STRIKE UP a conversation with a stranger. Find out about what they are concerned about with Ithaca. You don't have to identify yourself as a student or as a journalist (unless what they tell you could be a news story.) But I would recommend you do this in a public place. Be wary of anyone who may take advantage of you. Listen to your instincts about whether someone is leading you to danger. However, be curious about the other person as you learn about this city.


PAY ATTENTION when someone tries to sell you something or does sell you something. Ask yourself how did they make the approach and get you to be interested in what they had to offer. Think about their body language, their choice of words, their mannerisms. What turned you off or made you interested? This may help you when you have to approach strangers to get comments on stories.

FIND a new way to get to a familiar place. Don't be afraid to get a little lost. Notice the new landmarks, the businesses, ask yourself what purpose they serve, what possible news stories may be inside.

WALK when your destination is close enough. Pay attention to buildings and landmarks you may have passed too quickly because you were in a car or a bus. Think about possible news stories.

SIT IN on a court action in either Ithaca City Court or Tompkins County Superior Court. Notice not only the action going on in front of the judge, but also the drama stories of human nature that may be happening around you.

ASK the Ithaca City Police a question about a recent crime, accident or arrest. See how much information you can get.