Via Metafilter this morning, I found that Worldweb.com has several flash-based interactive maps of Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and USA, including detailed maps of states, provinces, regions and several cities.

The maps pinpoint hotels, attractions, stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.

There’s even one of Ithaca, though it has a very limited number of pinpointed ‘hotspots’. The Vancouver map has much more to offer, for example, though I suppose it’s relatively equal based on the size of the city.

I was interested in the map of Dublin considering we are likely traveling there in June, but that map has less hotspots on it than the Ithaca map…

Two days ago Fortune magazine announced its Top 100 Best Companies to Work For (subscriber only for full story) and Wegman’s was picked number one! As I have mentioned previously this has been my favorite grocery store in Ithaca, but I was still surprised to hear this news.

The 89-year-old Rochester-based chain is that rare breed: a grocer beloved by its employees—and one that is also trouncing its competitors in a very tough industry.

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“What self-respecting doll would decorate its house like that?” he said.

Take a look at this AP slideshow entitled “Dogs At Work And Play”.
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We’ve been in Ithaca for nearly five months, and have photographic evidence to prove it!
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This morning we woke to see about 3-4 inches of snow had fallen here, not bad considering yesterday’s prediction. The house next door, which shares our driveway, had a plow come to do the driveway and their parking lot. There’s now a plow line separating our lot, which is still filled with snow, from theirs.

Sidewalk & parking lot shoveling is supposed to be a ’shared reponsibility’ of our housemates. The shovel, however, is stored on our porch that we share with one neighbour (while there are 6 units in the house). Last snowfall Matt & I shoveled the parking lot & sidewalk, which took about an hour and a half to do. We didn’t mind since we haven’t really seen snow at all in several years and it’s good exercise.
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If Fox didn’t have Bill O’Reilly, I suspect they would jump at this opportunity and create a show with Tucker Carlson. It might still happen, ya never know, but it’s apparent that screaming right-wing jerks are no longer welcome on CNN.
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Right now it’s safe to say anyone in Ithaca who can do so has tucked themselves inside to avoid the current snowfall. There’s an official storm warning, with 7-12 inches of snow expected to fall before tomorrow when freezing rain will take over. Perfect driving conditions! Also a perfect excuse not to do much of anything, which nicely compliments my overall mood so far this year!

This being a college town, the momentum here is heavily directed by the flow of students. Considering instruction doesn’t begin at Cornell until Jan. 24, in contrast to Canadian schools where students are already back to the grind as I write this, activity is fairly quiet. And though I am not a student, I feel somewhat tied to the town schedule. A voice in my head tells me the world is on hold until the third week of January so relax, be lazy.
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