Briefs: Fab5, Ellis Hollow, Rheonix

Nominations open for next Fab5 awards

Tompkins Connect has announced it will extend the deadline for nominations for the seventh annual Fab5 Young Professional Awards to Dec. 14. The Fab5 Awards, which are sponsored by Tompkins Trust Company, celebrate the achievement of young professionals ages 21 to 40 in Tompkins County. This year, the Fab5 Committee is seeking young professionals who have been able to shine and excel despite the unprecedented challenges our community has faced over the last year and a half. This year’s theme is “5-Star Reviews” and encourages people to nominate young professionals in the community for whom they would give a glowing five-star review. The Fab5 Award categories are: Entrepreneur of the Year, Not-for-Profit Leader of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Katie Shaw, Tompkins Connect chair, shared, “We have received many quality nominations so far and decided to extend the deadline to give our community the opportunity to nominate additional young professionals who are excelling in their fields. We appreciate everyone who has already taken the time to nominate someone for a Fab5 Award and encourage others to do so. It only takes a couple of minutes and is an awesome way to recognize someone for their contributions to our community as well as providing great exposure for businesses and organizations.” To nominate an individual, visit tompkinsconnect.org/fab5. Nominations are due by Dec. 14, and the winners will be announced in early February. The Fab5 Committee hopes to return to an in-person event, scheduled for March 7 at Coltivare. The event’s media sponsor is the Ithaca Voice. In this photo: Fab5 2019 winners (from left to right) Austin Reid (Rookie of the Year), Abby Peterson (Business Leader of the Year), Harmony Malone (Volunteer of the Year), Dominick Recckio (Nonprofit Leader of the Year) and Elaan Greenfield (Entrepreneur of the Year) celebrate their win at the annual Fab5 awards ceremony, held at Coltivare on March 2.

 

Ellis Hollow Nature School’s 2021 Online Silent Auction

The Ellis Hollow Nature School, like many, has different fundraisers throughout the year, and starting about six years ago, it decided to try out an online auction. It proved to be a great way to connect with the community in so many ways. Local shops, businesses and entrepreneurs shared their generosity with the school by donating items to be auctioned off, and it also gave school staff and students the opportunity to learn more about their businesses, ideas and offerings. All the proceeds went straight back into the school, and it was a success. That was the beginning, and Ellis Hollow is now approaching its fifth annual auction after a fundraising hiatus last year. This year, staff decided to focus on the silent auction and put all their efforts there. Previous donors have continued to contribute and support the auction, and more shops and businesses, local and nationwide, who believe in the school have generously donated goods, services, products and more. There are over 55 donors this year, and there really is something for everyone! Looking for some respite? Check out the hotel stays. Dining out? Ellis Hollow has you covered with a plethora of options! Looking for something different? How about a tennis membership? Need holiday gifts for the kiddos, loved ones and friends? There’s plenty with a wide range of interests. Coffee for yourself? Find many options! And there is so much more! Ellis Hollow Nature School is a nonprofit, cooperative preschool located at the Ellis Hollow Community Center in Ithaca. Aside from two co-lead teachers, Kai Dickinson (standing, left) and Ellie Biddle (standing, right), who have been teaching together for over 10 years, the school is all volunteer-run by parents. Check out the auction at 32auctions.com/EHNSauctionbonanza21 or on Ellis Hollow’s Facebook page, facebook.com/EllisHollowNatureSchool. Learn more about the school at ellishollownatureschool.com or by email at ellishollowns@gmail.com.

 

Rheonix Assay detects newly emerging Omicron variant

Rheonix Inc. recently announced that the Rheonix COVID-19™ MDx Assay will detect the newly emerging omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, as well as other variants of public health concern. The company’s assessments indicate that its COVID-19 MDx Assay (shown above) detects all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC. The new B.1.1.529 variant of SARS-CoV-2, designated omicron by WHO, was first reported by South Africa on Nov. 24, 2021. Initial reports indicate it may spread more easily than other variants, and WHO has warned that it poses a very high global risk. Omicron has a large number of mutations across its viral genome; therefore, as with other strains of concern, analyses of commercial diagnostic assays must be performed to determine whether this novel strain will continue to be detected as reliably as the strains that were circulating when the assays were developed and validated. “Rheonix continually assesses the potential impact of variants on assay performance by conducting ‘in silico’ analysis of publicly available SARS-CoV-2 sequence data as well as laboratory testing of prevalent variants,” said Gwendolyn Spizz, Ph.D., chief scientist at Rheonix. “The robust design of the Rheonix COVID-19 MDx Assay has allowed for the detection of all designated variants of concern to date, including the delta variant. Based on our analysis, we are highly confident in our ability to detect the omicron variant, and we will continue to rigorously monitor the public genome databases.” Learn more about Rheonix at www.rheonix.com.