January 29, 2020

F R E E J a n u a r y 2 9, 2 0 2 0 / Vo lume X L , N umb e r 2 3 / O u r 47 t h Ye a r

Online @ ITH ACA .COM

Human Rights Champ

Dr. Kenneth Clarke takes over a department with something to prove.

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KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON

DIA says it will stick with Winter Festival PAGE 3

WHERE’S THE

A FAMILIAR

City wants to keep post office

Jimmy Boeheim lifts Cornell

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MAIL?

NAME

UP IN

THE AIR

Hilby juggled his way to our hearts PAGE 25

2 0 2 0 BUSI N ESS

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10 newspapers in print and online

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We are seeking candidates that have excellent verbal

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VOL.XL / NO. 23 / January 29, 2020 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

Changing Perceptions ����������������� 8 New OHR Director looks ahead

Crime Week

Hilby’s back ����������������������������������� 25

A distressing week downtown

The Skinny German Juggler Boy

NE W S & OPINION Newsline ��������������������������������������������������3-9 Sports �������������������������������������������������������� 10 Business ������������������������������������������������13-24

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thaca saw more violence than usual last week, with one stabbing and two different gunfire incidents. As far as has been announced, no suspects from the crimes have been arrested at this time.

A stabbing, which took place in a building on the 400 block of West State Street early Friday morning, sent one person to the hospital who was found at the scene wounded from the attack. Police haven’t released many other details about the incident, but are asking for help from the public for information. On Monday, police released an update that said the victim is receovering but has declined to cooperate with the investigation.

Beyond that, police are investigating two different shots fired incidents that happened in different parts of the City of Ithaca, but which police have now signaled might be related.

Police announced an investigation into multiple reports of shots fired in the 200 block of West Spencer Street around 11:30 p.m on Monday, Jan. 20.

That came after two incidents in the past several weeks of similar reports, and police told the Ithaca Voice that they now consider the reports related.

Later in the week, police announced that they were on the scene of another shots fired report in the West Village Apartment complex. Police then published a picture of the suspect in that report, captured on surveillance video, and indicated that they thought that occurrence was related to the aforementioned string of shots fired reports on West Spencer Street.

“A possible suspect has been identified and was seen fleeing the area,” a press release from IPD said. “The identity of the suspect is being withheld at this time pending further investigation. This incident appears to be a continuation of a previous dispute.”

M att Butler

ART S & E N T E RTAINME N T

The Prismatika light displays were protected on the Commons for over a week by fill-in security officers and police. (photo provided)

Winter Lights

DIA is sticking with the Winter Lights Festival

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fter an extensive review of 2019’s Winter Lights Festival, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) still believes that the festival, which was in its pilot year in 2019, is a better way to engage with the downtown business community and public around the holidays.

Gary Ferguson, executive director of the DIA, said that the new festival did draw an increased turnout over the past few years of its predecessor, the popular Ice Festival. While the Ice Festival had been largely based around the ice carving competition, followed by viewable ice sculptures around the Commons, the Winter Lights Festival was an extended series of mini-events, centered on the multi-color light towers positioned throughout the Commons.

While the DIA insists

the event was a success, it’s obvious that some parties had expressed concerns; after all, the DIA had to issue and vote on a resolution that expressly stated its support for the event and its intentions to hold it in the future. Ferguson noted that some of the finer points of the festival didn’t work out, like an absence of music to accompany the light displays, and that some changes would be made to the festival going forward.

“I think the idea for this year’s [2019] was to test out some ideas to see what worked and see what we wanted to double down on next year [2020],” Ferguson said. “We really liked the local stuff. I don’t know what we’ll do in terms of a national scale exhibit, again. We’re still open to that, but we’re thinking about that. I think we also knew that we would get a lot of positive

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▶ National Missing Persons Day - will be held this weekend to honor Nicole Marranca and others missing from the area by having a gathering on Sunday, February 2nd at the St. Johns Community Center in Ithaca. Come show your support, share memories, and exchange information; and join us from 11-2 p.m. Food and drink will be available. Those

Music ���������������������������������������������������������� 26 Movies ������������������������������������������������������� 27 Theatre ����������������������������������������������������� 28 Dining �������������������������������������������������������� 29 TimesTable ������������������������������������������30-33 Classifieds ������������������������������������������34-36

ON T HE WE B

vibes on the local pieces that were done, so I think we’d like to take that up a couple of notches.”

When assessing holiday festivals, Ferguson said the DIA is careful to avoid an event on the same scale as the Ithaca or Apple Harvest Festivals, where it can be difficult to maneuver around downtown. At the same time, though, he does want to ensure a holiday-based event would be organized in such a way that residents and businesses both enjoy it and benefit. He noted that the city had flirted with the thought of a Winter Lights Festival previously before opting for an ice-based event.

“We ended up going with ice at the time because no one else had done it,” Ferguson said. “It seemed kind of fun and interesting. I think we held back on the light because of a couple of things. One of them

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with questions can call (716) 948-8443 ▶ The Gem Roundtable -is a signature and unique event like no other; a chance to see and handle incredibly rare gems from all over the world while raising money for hospice and palliative care programs during an evening hosted by, and to benefit, the Hospicare and Palliative Care Services in Ithaca.

Cover: Photo: Casey Martin, Design: Marshall Hopkins

Master Goldsmith Micky Roof will present her exquisite collection of artisan gemstones along with her expertise in their folklore, rarity and history. The event takes place Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6 - 9 p.m. RSVP is required, and those interested should contact sworden@hospicare.org or call (607) 272-0212 for more information.

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INQUIRING

N e w s l i n e

PHOTOGRAPHER

By C a se y Mar tin

“WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WINTER TIME SOUP?

“White Bean, Kale & Sausage (…fake sausage!)”

-Leslie & Michael Miller

Peace in Iran

Commons rally calls for peace in Iran, end of sanctions

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“Bone-In Split Pea”

espite icy conditions on the Commons and a steady rain, over 30 people gathered at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on Saturday afternoon to call for improved relations with Iran and a cooling of tensions between the Middle Eastern power and the United States.

Several people spoke before a crowd huddled under the pavilion, with attendees toting a variety of signs ranging from the general (“Let’s Stop Killing One Another”) to the specific (“The World Says No To War”). The rally is the second of its kind held downtown, both in response to

-Ben J.

“Hot, Hearty & Spicy.”

-Eliot T.

the tense standoff between Iran and the United States, which were intensified after the US killed top Iranian military official Qassem Soleimani earlier this year.

The rally, organized by the local Code Pink and a host of other advocacy groups, was part of nine separate but similarly themed events held across New York State on Saturday. The parting mission statement was for attendees to contact their representatives about supporting legislation that would repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, which greatly expand-

granny flats

Planning Committee approves new infill guidelines without owner-occupancy requirement

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“Tuscan Chickpea” -Robert R.

“BEAN AND HAM!” -Bre L. & Alta L.

(Thanks Richie Shallcross for the brilliant question this week) 4 T

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fter extensive public comment and a lively discussion, the Planning and Economic Development Committee (PEDC) voted to approve the guidelines regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) without an owner-occupancy requirement. The vote was tenuous, though, as it passed 3-2 with committee members Cynthia Brock and Donna Fleming opposed.

Numerous residents came to the meeting to speak about the need for an owner-occupancy requirement in the new legislation. John Graves, a resident of South Hill in support of the owner-occupancy requirement, said the number of owner-occupied homes in Ithaca declined

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by 26.4% from 2014 to 2018, according to U.S. Census data. Others came to speak about how they felt the committee wasn’t listening to or incorporating public feedback into the guidelines.

Some of the other comments from residents and committee member Brock pertained to the perception that ADUs will be a tool in solving the Tompkins County affordable housing crisis. According to U.S. Census data, which many cited, rents in Tompkins County are some of the highest in the region. From 2014 to 2018, the median gross rent price of Tompkins County grew to $1,107. Many residents were quick to point out this may not be the case.

ed the President’s ability to use military force unilaterally, and an additional bill that would prohibit the use of funds for unauthorized military force against Iran in the future, designed to stem President Donald Trump’s aggression towards Iran.

Among those addressing the crowd were people calling for general peace in the Middle East, something they said would only be achieved by extricating United States forces from the region entirely and encouraging a reassessment of the country’s close alliance with Israel, in light of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

Beyond that, others spoke out against what they feel is the latest episode of America’s global imperialism and a needless escalation against Iran. Other sentiments included that the United States should reengage with Iran about the Iran Nuclear Deal, the famous Obama-era diplomatic agreement that allowed Iran to develop nuclear power while certain conditions and criteria were met, monitored by the global community. Trump reneged on the deal in May 2018, after having long criticized its allowances to Iran.

Local activist and former mayoral candidate Adam Levine, who was defeated after mounting a grassroots campaign to unseat Mayor Svante Myrick last year, delivered a rousing speech that concluded with chants of “Not in my name!” from the crowd, urging that any war taken on by the United States would not be in the interest, or with the support of, the American public. Plus, he said that interfering further in Iranian affairs would only exacerbate the problems America’s involvement decades ago began.

“How cruel is it to steal a democracy,” Levine said, referring to the United States’ influence over Iranian politics in the past.

M att Butler

During the December meeting, PEDC members were caught off-guard after receiving changes to the law from the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability. Those changes included eliminating the detached ADUs lot coverage requirement and removing language regarding a restriction of the number of primary structures. Since passing the changes would have required a super-majority vote.

The city had several options for how to go about getting residents to establish ADUs. One would have been a moratorium on any and all ADUs in the city.

Committee chair, Seph Murtagh, was worried that if a moratorium was passed, this could halt ADU developments for a longer period of time than anticipated. Another option, which is how the committee voted to establish them, was to require people to have people obtain a special permit for them through the city’s Planning Board.

E dw i n J. Vi er a

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e The US Postal Service might not be long for its current North Tioga Street location. (Photo by Casey Martin)

Downtown or Out of Town?

City officials mobilize to retain downtown Post Office

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n a recent meeting of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), it was announced that the post office in downtown Ithaca had decided to renew their lease for two years at the current location on N. Tioga Street. The brevity of the lease has brought up concerns that the downtown facility will be consolidated into one hub, which would be located at the Post Office on Warren Rd. in the Town of Ithaca.

Obviously, this would leave downtown Ithaca without a post office. Executive Director of the DIA, Gary Ferguson, would prefer that the post office stay downtown considering the number of residents and businesses that can easily utilize it there.

“It’s an important piece of community infrastructure that needs to be in the center city,” Ferguson said. “Twenty years ago, we went through the same conversations. When they signed to be there, there was talk that they didn’t need to be here.

There was talk they could serve the whole community from Warren Road. I and others just can’t accept that. That doesn’t make sense. Forty percent of the people who live

in our community walk to work. We’re a very pedestrian-oriented community and that holds true for things like the post office.”

Mayor Svante Myrick announced Saturday that his office had officially sent a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer containing a resolution passed by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance urging that the US Post Office on North Tioga Street be retained.

The letter is from the mayor’s office, but was approved unanimously by the DIA’s Board of Directors. It is addressed to Schumer but further requested that it be sent to other federal elected officials and the US Postal Service as well. It points out the growth that downtown Ithaca has undergone over the last several years, and how that intensifies the problem of the post office’s relocation.

In the letter, the city outlines what it believes would be the biggest problems attached to a potential move out of downtown: Cause harm and economic stress to hundreds of downtown area businesses, many who rely on the local post office for

their daily business needs.

Cause severe problems for the thousands of residents who live within walking distance of the post office. Pedestrian traffic is a key part of the Ithaca Post Office clientele. Census data shows that over 40 percent of Ithaca residents walk to work.

We contend that an even greater percent of these residents walk to their Post Office.

Many of the walking residents within the Ithaca Post Office catchment area are households with limited incomes.

For them, driving to a remote location for their postal needs would be a serious physical and economic challenge.

“For these reasons we are asking our elected officials for help and assistance in working with the USPS to ensure that this busy and active post facility remain where the community needs it — in the heart of growing downtown Ithaca,” the letter states.

In the tweet announcing the letter, Myrick said that he would share more information when he had it, and that the congressional delegation had signaled that they’d be “committed to working with us to figure it out.”

Ferguson added the Downtown Ithaca Post Office is usually quite busy so there shouldn’t be much concern regarding the stability of the branch. He holds the belief that the move could be a way to save money for USPS, though he has some skepticism regarding this theory as well.

Ferguson argued that the move would create an unnecessary inconvenience which would force residents to either drive to the facility on Warren Road or use Rte. 37 on the TCAT to get to the facility. Ferguson has heard about this before.

“Oftentimes, I’ve read about communities that have to fight to keep their post office because there’s not enough business,” Ferguson said. “Well, that’s not the issue here. I would wager this is one of the busier post offices around. The question then is, let’s keep it where it needs to be and figure out how to make that work. We are going to put together a working group in the community to help us with this.

We haven’t done that yet; we’re about to.

They’ll be working with me and folks from City Hall and Town Hall to make sure the post office remains where it needs to be.”

As talks between the DIA, City Hall and Ithaca Town Hall continue, there might be some consideration made to move them into a new facility somewhere else downtown. However, Ferguson said it would be easiest and most cost-efficient for them to remain where they are.

Thumbs Up - Mayor Svante Myrick took quick action this week, thankfully, by asking for support at the federal level, with hopes to retain the North Tioga Street post office location. This is the type of story where the public concern and anger might seem overblown, but it’s certainly not.

Losing a downtown post office, even with two years to prepare contingency plans, would be a significant blow to the city’s core.

Thumbs Down - Wizarding Weekend looks to be canceled for this year and possibly beyond, as a statement by founder Darlynne Overbaugh said that the event has become too financially and logistically burdensome.

Issues were compounded by the legal battle that mega-studio Warner Bros. has launched at different Wizarding Weekend events nationwide over the use of Harry Potter imagery. The event might return in a different form with a different focus.

Seen - Cornell men’s hockey came out of its crucial weekend relatively unscathed, defeating Dartmouth on Friday and tying Harvard on Saturday. They remain comfortably in the #1 spot, leading North Dakota by 32 first-place votes. The team will face Quinnipiac University and Princeton University on Friday and Saturday of this week, both away games.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What would you throw on the ice at Harvard-Cornell ice hockey games?

38.9% The traditional dead fish 16.7% Some other small dead animal 16.7% Equipment for hand-to-hand combat 5.6% Different Costumes for players 8.3% Warm water to make skating harder 13.9% Other (do not specify)

E dw i n J. Vi er a a n d M att Butler N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Would you be happy with a consolidated post office on Warren Road?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

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GUEST OPINION

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

Arguing for Nagee Green

New In Town

L e on M i l l e r- O u t Dear Honorable the incredible dearth Judge Rowley, of material evidence in I am writing today the case. to request that you As I understand vacate the 2017 secondit, the police did not degree murder judgebring forth any DNA ment against Nagee evidence, fingerprints, Green, on the basis or video footage of the that he did not receive actual altercation. In a fair trial. Insuffifact, it appears that cient evidence, police their case was based misconduct, jury bias, almost entirely on a and inadequate legal coerced confession, defense have all comduring which the bined in Nagee’s case to police lied repeatedly produce a deep perverto Nagee (about having sion of justice.

DNA evidence, about I recently learned having drugged him about Nagee’s case, with “truth serum”, and the shocking etc). The Fourteenth Nagee Green irregularities and Amendment prohibits improprieties of both coercive questioning by the trial and pre-trial police officers, and the events. Perhaps the most shocking fact is confession that they forced out of a scared that an eyewitness, whose description of young man should not have been admitthe assailant did not match Mr. Green’s ted as evidence. I believe that the police appearance, was not put on the stand to and the district attorney were desperate to testify during the trial. This testimony solve this shocking and brutal crime, and would have gone a long way towards exonerating Nagee, especially in light of continued on page 7

By C h a r l ey G i t h l e r

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ew York State legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January. There’s a steep learning curve for the newcomers…

Ranck Newbie, newly-minted New York State senator, perched uneasily on an upholstered chair in the vast and sumptuous antechamber of the Albany offices of veteran senator Dubbel Dipper. A receptionist answered the phone in hushed tones, while a string quartet quietly played the andante movement from Schubert’s Rosamunde Quartet in the corner furthest from the entrance. It was only Newbie’s fifth day in office, yet he had received a summons to see Senator Dipper via personal messenger dressed, curiously, in powdered wig and knee-britches. Dipper was one of the longest-serving state senators in Albany, with seats on a dozen committees or more, and Newbie had been advised by the messenger, off the record, not to ignore the invitation.

He had hurried to Dipper’s office at once.

The young state senator tapped his foot nervously and studied his hands until, as if from nowhere, a tall man in an evening tailcoat, formal striped pants and white gloves appeared at his side, and, with an almost imperceptible bow, murmured, “The senator will receive you now.” The man turned and strode away. Newbie lurched to his feet and hurried after him, knocking over an accent table and an antique umbrella stand, leaving a trail of expensive debris.

Trotting to keep up, Newbie was led through a succession of rooms, each more opulent than the last: a conference hall, a library of first editions sheathed in calfskin, what appeared to be a formal ballroom... He tried hard not to stare. At last, they arrived at a pair of colossal and intricately-carved walnut doors, opened silently by twin footmen in cream-colored uniforms.

“Come in, my boy, come in,” boomed a voice, as Newbie entered the cavernous office. A shaft of sunlight descending majestically from the floor-to-ceiling window illuminated Senator Dipper sitting at his desk. A fire crackled softly in a fireplace over which hung an outsized oil Hudson Valley landscape by Frederic Edwin Church.

Dipper stood up and motioned his visitor to one of the leather-bound chairs in front of his desk. “Newbie, my young friend,” he said, “I’ll come right to the point.” Dipper offered Newbie a cigar, which the younger man wordlessly accepted. “It has come to my attention that you were seen buying your own lunch, and at the capitol cafeteria, no less!”

“Well… I… that is… ,” stammered Newbie.

“Tut, tut, young man. Relax. I am here to instruct you. There are certain unwritten rules, now that you’re a state senator, and paying your own way is strictly verboten.”

Dipper fished an antique cigar cutter from

his vest pocket and handed it to the freshman senator. The cutter had belonged to President Grant.

Without warning, a side door swished open, and a well-dressed toady pushed a gold-plated wheelbarrow full of cash into the office. “More pension money, sir.”

“Just put it over there, between the salary pile and my per diem pile,” said Dipper, gesturing to a far corner of the room. Newbie noticed for the first time the mounds of bundled currency that lined the far wall of the office.

“Consider this, Newbie,” chuckled Dipper, “I retired last week, and the very next day I started my new term. Now I’m getting a pension and a salary! Plus, the saps… pardon me, ‘taxpayers’... give me a car and a per diem of $174 a day when I don’t ‘do my job,’” he said, using elaborate air quotes.

“And I have to come back and finish our business here in Albany.” He finished with a hearty guffaw and sat back down.

“Senator Dipper, sir? How do you afford all these people? I was told state senators have a modest allowance for their staff. Do you pay for them out of your own pocket?”

Dipper, who had paused to sip from a glass of Pol Roger Brut, did a violent spit take. “Bite your tongue! Those are all ‘volunteers.’” He paused to wipe champagne off his tie. “Take Sisk, who showed you in...”

“Your butler?” said Newbie.

“My ‘unpaid intern’ and legislative assistant. Of course, he receives a handsome stipend from the downstate garbage and trucking lobbies. Their way of acknowledging my help in turning the Finger Lakes into a mountain range of landfill piles, I suppose.” Dipper leaned back in his chair and hooked his thumbs under his suspenders. “I like you, son, and as long as you play ball with me, I’ll help you out.” He pressed a button on his desk and a cadaverous minion wearing a green visor came drifting in.

“This is Larson E. “Loopholes” Whipsnade.

He’s at your disposal. Show him what you’ve got, Loopholes...”

“Well,” coughed Whipsnade, “the senator doesn’t like the car the taxpayers provide, so he hitchhikes.” He paused for effect. “Of course, by coincidence there just happens to be a limousine paid for by the gaming lobby driving by every time he puts his thumb out!”

“Gee willikers! That’s brilliant! Senator Dipper, I don’t know what to say,” Newbie gushed.

“Call me Dubbel, son.” Dipper leaned forward and lit Newbie’s cigar. “My boy, you have been blessed with the greatest gift of them all… incumbency! Welcome to Albany!”

At this, the footmen slowly closed the office doors, all but drowning out the sound of choking taxpayers outside the palace gates...

GUEST OPINION Contin u ed From Page 6

pinned the crime on Mr. Green, despite the lack of evidence, in order to close the case and make themselves look good.

Finally, I must raise the point of jury bias. The jury foreman, Jack Myers, stated that DA Van Houten had been his own attorney and his family’s attorney for a long time. I cannot understand how such a close relationship between juror and DA did not result in that juror’s exclusion from the trial. Impartiality was simply not possible for Mr. Myers.

I was not present at the tragic stabbing that resulted in the death of Anthony

THE TALK AT

YOUR LETTERS

Cries of The Mind ~ “UNHEARD”

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he need of connection to one another rears itself as a constantpursuit for most of us and a therapeutic social serum for many. We bulldoze our pathways in life creating an individuality persona, but realistically the need of another is an innate force that nature has prescribed. Undoubtedly, there is merit to self-astuteness and personal accolades in life, but challenges and the inevitable head winds of life can often render us susceptible to uncertainties and uncontrollable variables. Too often these glitches in life are acute challenges that go unnoticed by others and can unfortunately become a repetitive stress on a person’s life causing wear-and-tear mentally, physically and socially.

Daily we deal with mental challenges induced by external forces, family dysfunction, the effects of mental and physical abuse, chemical imbalances and societal influences. Individually these factors are dealt with in varying ways and many times are bottled up in a person’s psyche, because surrounding personal influences like family and friends do not seem to care or desire to listen, which appears to be a common theme.

We operate in a busy society, which would lend reason or justification why warning signs of mental challenges in our citizens are overlooked and missed and somehow we only seem to hear about it at threshold! Saturated negativism in the media, television programs, music and in society as a whole could be major factors!

Have we as a society been so busy that we are missing all of the warning signs? Are

Nazaire, and I cannot tell you for certain whether Nagee was involved in the altercation. However, I can clearly see that this young man was treated unfairly by the justice system, that his civil rights were violated, and that he has now suffered for nearly four years in prison, away from his family and his young daughter, all because of a deeply flawed and unfair trial.

You alone have the opportunity to correct this injustice. You are holding Nagee Green’s future in your hands and I strongly hope that you will do the right thing and free this young man until a retrial can take place. Thank you for your time.

parents too busy to listen to their sons and daughters? Are teachers too busy to listen to students or feel their need to talk? Are Pastors compelled to just quote scriptures to the needy and are not really listening to what is going on? People are hurting-in-this-world and it is time for all of us to take a moment to hear their cries.

Dr. Dennis Walter Smith Sr., D.C. Seneca Falls, NY

In response to “County legislature trying again to choose a new leader” Maybe there should be an odd number of legislators to prevent this debacle. One more or one less won’t matter.

Judy Bristol, via Facebook

In response to “More details emerge about man killed during attack at IPD headquarters” “Tragic that this man never got the help he needed.So sad. Seems as if bureaucracy prevented it.”

Sadie Benson, via Facebook “We can tell you that caring for behavioral health patients involves a lot of complexity that is coordinated by our highly skilled team in behavioral services and various community partners. Every behavioral patient entrusted in our care receives a medical screening exam, and if appropriate, a referral is made for a comprehensive mental health evaluation.”

Can you name one person, such as this man, who has gotten the care you describe in this quote? I feel the key point missed here was “and if appropriate”.

It seems to me that THAT evaluation can be subjective based on the exact time the patient is seen as apposed to the overall picture.

Agnes Beck, via Facebook Agnes Beck that is true. But our laws are currently constructed to protect individuals’ rights to not be locked up in a mental health institution unless they are truly a danger. This prevents [insert name of person who really dislikes you] from just claiming you are a danger, to get you out of the picture. There is history behind

these laws, which have evolved because of maltreatment and abuse in the past.

It’s no less tragic that this person could not or would not (I don’t know which) get the help that is so readily available in this community. Many people are and have been quietly helped by the treatment providers here. You don’t hear about them because they were successful at getting support and went on with their lives, not harming anyone or themselves and not making headlines.

Abi Gayle, via FacebookYour Letters

In response to “Planning Committee approves new infill guidelines without owner occupancy requirement” And sure to please people seeking housing options that can’t afford to buy! We need more housing options in this city, I’m hopeful Council can keep addressing this city with such a lack of affordable housing.

It’s good to look at things from the perspective of those other than the landlords, Ithaca Times.”

Daniel Keough, via Facebook

L

ike most on Common Council, I believe that parts of R-1 and R-2 zoning districts that can comfortably handle more housing density should be “up-zoned” but it would be a serious mistake do it through the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) legislation.

If Common Council eliminates the owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs, the City will be in effect “up-zoning” every part of all the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts in the City of Ithaca. Single family homes in R-1 districts would be allowed to become functional duplexes and duplexes in R-2 districts would be allowed to become functional triplexes.

If the City want to “up-zone” our neighborhoods, it should use a transparent and deliberative process like Ithaca’s new comprehensive plan suggests: through individual neighborhood plans, I would support that approach but I do not support doing it through the back door with ADU legislation.

ADUs without an owner-occupancy requirement will open the door to an increasing number of property speculator, LLCs and absentee landlords which will buy owner-occupied homes in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts and turn them into rental units, further lowing Ithaca’s already anemic owner-occupied housing unit rate.

I’m asking Common Council to retain the owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs because to do anything less will negatively impact our R-1 and R-2 neighborhoods.

I’m also asking Common Council to table the Multiple Primary Dwelling legislation until a guidebook for Pocket Neighborhoods has been written by the City’s Planning Department. This guidebook should include a definition for green space, guidance for stormwater runoff Ja n ua ry

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and suggestions for reaching Ithaca’s Green New Deal.

John Graves, Ithaca, NY

Ithaca Chill Challenge

I

t is with so much gratitude that we’d like to thank everyone who helped make our 5th annual Ithaca Chill Challenge a chilly, wild and crazy success on New Year’s Day. We are delighted to have raised over $48,000! —money which will go directly to maintaining and improving our wonderful building at 518 West Seneca Street as a place where anyone dealing with addiction of any type can come for support and fellowship.

Thank you to all our participants and all our donors; you can still find them on our website at ithacachillchallenge.org. Thank you to the fabulous Ithaca Yacht Club for providing the perfect venue (and a top fund-raising team). We especially want to thank our top two corporate sponsors— Maguire Automotive and CSP Management—for providing the funds for us to institute “Match Day,” which was wildly successful! Thanks to all these corporate sponsors as well: Beck Equipment, Civil Advocacy Project, Feirman Builders, The Alcohol & Drug Council, TMann Painting, Foster Custom Kitchens, and Tompkins Trust Company.

In addition, so many wonderful local businesses supported us with donations of prizes and services: La Tourelle/August Moon Spa, Heights Restaurant, 15 Steps, Rasa Spa, Pasta Vitto, Cinemapolis, ZaZa’s, Mercato, Agava, Le Café Cent Dix, Gimme!, The Antlers, Monks on the Commons, Rulloff’s, Cat’s Pajamas, Viva Taqueria, Press Café, Moosewood, Green Star, Brookton Market, GrassRoots Festival, Wegmans, NYS Police Dive Team, Bangs Ambulance, The Drain Brain, Bruce Vanek Snowplowing, Ithaca Bakery, Shortstop Deli, and remarc solutions, who created and oversees our awesome website. This is an astonishing list!

We live in an astonishing community!

Time and again, businesses come through when we ask for their support. Let’s support them back! Shop local! Go out to eat!

Happy New Year to all, Judy Epstein & Carol Miller, Co-Chairs for the Ithaca Chill Challenge

Write to us!

Say something or respond to an article by writing editor@ithacatimes.com. Letters must be signed and include an address and phone number. We do not publish unsigned letters. Letters may be edited for length and readability.

To the Editor, Ithaca Times, 109 N Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850

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Retaking the Narrative Kenneth Clarke looks to balance the Office of Human Rights after a rocky era

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By M att Bu tler he purpose of a human rights advocacy office is to foster a healthier relationship between vulnerable communities and the more

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Ithac a Times

powerful local entities that surround them.

But if that office, through its own fault or not, isn’t able to serve those communities, does it deserve to exist?

Dr. Kenneth Clarke, recently confirmed as the newest permanent leader of the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights

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(OHR), thinks he can prove that not only is the office he now helms important and necessary, but that it can also be effective and helpful to those who need it most.

Tompkins County OHR, one of just 13 offices of its kind in New York State, has a stated mission of work towards the

“elimination and prevention of unlawful discrimination and to develop and facilitate County-wide programs that increase awareness of human rights and social justice ideals,” goals that it has been working towards over since its establishment in 1963. But it’s been increasingly difficult to

accomplish those goals over the last several years.

Setting the stage, in 2008, New York State rescinded the Memorandum of Understanding it had with Tompkins County OHR, choosing instead to focus on MOUs that it retained with human rights offices downstate in more densely populated counties. This neutered some of the county office’s power, as its ability to investigate human rights complaints on its own, and make recommendations before the state office’s final determination, was revoked when the MOU lapsed, leaving the office only able to submit discrimination complaints to the New York State Division of Human Rights and wait for their investigation and determination.

The office was further marginalized in 2017, with turbulence from the top down inhibiting the office and staff. Clarke has already been through the gauntlet at OHR, having worked with OHR starting in Nov. 2017, overlapping that period of turmoil that very nearly threatened the office’s existence. Clarke began serving in an advisory role at that time, while then-Director Karen Baer’s status was in limbo. Baer was placed on administrative leave in Oct. 2017 for “misconduct and/or incompetence.” That saga turned into a protracted battle that revealed a rash of tension and in-fighting that had surrounded the office and inhibited its ability to function properly.

Even before that situation played out so publicly, the effectiveness of the office and whether or not it should be funded was questioned by some Tompkins County Legislature members, led by Republican Mike Sigler of Lansing (though he has since expressed cautious support for funding the office). Baer’s ousting, and what followed, could have potentially shuttered the office permanently; the possibility was quietly rumored at the time, though how close that actually came to happening is unclear. Eventually, the legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee undertook a review of the efficacy of OHR, determining how to alter the office’s policies to make it most effective , though members of the public became loudly apprehensive that the review was a means to the end of eliminating the office entirely, despite the denials of legislators.

Yet, more than a year later, the office still exists and Clarke said he is eager to reclaim its mission, as he deems it, and apparently has the backing of the Tompkins County administration to do so.

“Dr. Clarke’s human and civil rights

F r o m l e f t t o r i g h t : To m p k i n s C o u n t y At t o r n e y, J o n at h a n Wo o d , A d m i n i s t r at o r J a s o n M o l i n o , a n d C l a r k e ( P h o t o : M at t B u t l e r) background along with community history and engagement over the past 20 years will continue to serve the community well in the future,” County Administrator Jason Molino said after Clarke was unanimously confirmed by the legislature last week.

Clarke said he realizes that OHR’s public perception might not be very high right now, due to the aforementioned events.

“It certainly had its impact on the office, it was a very difficult time,” Clarke said. “I think we have a chance now to be able to establish a narrative about what the office offers, what the office can and cannot do.[...] Just because we do not have an MOU, does not mean that the office is ineffective or a paper tiger. What emerges from the situation from several years ago is an opportunity to clarify our narrative.”

Clarke brings a more religious background to the job than might be expected in government work, though it fits well in the context of a job that deals with human rights struggles. He has a doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary and a Masters of Divinity from the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and previously worked at Penn State University as the director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs before serving as the director of Cornell United Religious Work for 16 years until June 2017. He got

his start in San Francisco, working with Ethiopian refugees “When you look at the works of Jesus, you’re really talking about an emphasis on personal and social transformation,” Clarke said, noting that he takes inspiration from the work of Jesus and the prophets in the Bible for speaking out to, and in defense of, those being oppressed.

“For me, my work over the last 30 years has been in secular institutions, unaffiliated with any particular religious tradition, but I have sought to bring the values of my own tradition into that space, but do that in a way that points toward a more inclusive society, a society where people of different races, religions, genders, sexual orientations and such, can feel a part of the community. I think that working in this office gives me an opportunity to work out those same commitments.”

Specifically, Clarke named his primary priority as housing and his desire to work on the myriad problems associated with that by strengthening connections to other governmental bodies and community groups that are working on similar issues from their own unique angles. Last year, for example, OHR held training sessions on housing to spread awareness of resident’s rights, particularly as tenants, and deepened its relationship with the Office Ja n ua ry

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for the Aging, the Department of Social Services and the county’s Youth Services.

There’s also, obviously, the common practices of a human rights office, like to serve as a conduit between citizens and the state when it comes to human rights complaints. Even though the county lost its ability to investigate and recommend, consultation with other New York counties (which also lost or never had their own MOU) has given Clarke and his team more insight to navigating how to serve the community regardless of that reduction in power. Conversely, Clarke has organized events to educate local citizens on changes in state law, such as last year’s tenant reforms that banned housing discrimination based on source of income (in the most common form, it outlawed refusing to rent to a tenant because they were using Section 8 housing vouchers).

Clarke named education and outreach as more broad perspective priorities, though ones that are still just as important as his more specific policy goals. Acting on those education and outreach aspirations, Clarke said the office is nearly finished planning a documentary screening at Southside Community Center on Feb. 28 about the infamous voter suppression efforts in North Carolina during the 2016 election, which overwhelmingly targeted minority voters. The event is the first of Clarke’s planned dinner-film-discussion events that will take place quarterly throughout the year.

A week into his official, permanent tenure, Clarke speaks about OHR in the way one would hope its director would, as if it’s striving for some higher purpose beyond garden variety government work, even if actually getting there will be a struggle.

He also knows, from the last few years, that OHR is facing plenty of doubts, having grabbed vastly more headlines for its troubles than its triumphs recently.

“The community, broadly, needs an office that is committed to principles that have been outlined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we need to be able to make those manifest in our community,” Clarke said. “To be able to frame certain issues in the context of human rights, issues like employment, housing, voting [...] It’s important to have an office that upholds that type of standard, for people from any walk of life, any socioeconomic reality, of any political persuasion, any ethnicity, or any other characteristic, should be able to come here and to, if not get a resolution, to be able to be heard and tell their stories.”

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sports

The Two Sides

For a day, Kobe’s demise overshadows local triumph

By Ste ve L aw re nc e

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t was, like so many winter weekends, jampacked with kids, basketball and road time. As usual, the pendulum swung a bit from happiness to disappointmen, but no one in the gym on Sunday was prepared for the terrible news that swept over the basketball world.

On Friday night, we took the long and winding road from Spencer to Marathon to watch the S-VE Panthers take on the Olympians on the hardwood.

My daughter’s JV team won and the varsity lost, but it was, as always, great to spend time with the loyal parents that shift schedules and do what they can to make the games. Some of them have two or three kids with different schedules, but they try to make it all fit together.

On Saturday, I had a chat with another parent with a busy schedule. Jim Boeheim was a little busy on Saturday at noon, as his Syracuse team hosted Pitt. The Orange would be going for their 5th consecutive win, having righted the ship after some disappointing play earlier in the season.

The coach would be smiling two hours later, as Syracuse dispatched of Pitt 69-61, led by sophomore Buddy (the coach’s son) Boeheim’s 21 points.

After the game, the coach would take care of the obligatory post-game interviews and pleasantries, but he didn’t have a lot of time to schmooze with fans, players and supporters. Jim and his wife, Juli, would hop in their SUV, point it south and make the 60-mile trip to watch their oldest son—Jimmy—suit up for Cornell to take on the visiting Columbia Lions. The Lions beat the Big Red the previous weekend in NYC, but Cornell had been playing well at home and was determined to avoid starting off the league schedule in an 0-2 hole.

Jimmy Boeheim closed out a successful weekend for the regional basketball family. (Photos from Dave Burbank/Cornell Athletics)

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Once again, the name “Boeheim” echoed off the rafters throughout the game, as Jimmy lit it up for 18 points to lead the Big Red to a convincing 62-50 win. It was CU’s third straight home victory. Boeheim had but five points in the first half, but found his stroke in the second half. Fellow co-captain Terrance McBride stepped up as well, going for 13 points and 8 boards, Josh Warren went for 11 and 6, and junior guard Bryan Knapp played a big role on both sides. Knapp had 10 points and 5 rebounds, but it was his tenacious defense that was most notable.

The Lions’ Mike Smith came into the game as the conference’s leading scored, but Knap shut him down, limiting Smith to 5 for 23 shooting. The rest of the Lions could not make up the difference, and Cornell won its 14th game in its last 27 Ivy League contests.

It was a good day for the Boeheim family, for sure. (Their daughter, Jamie, is part of the University of Rochester’s basketball program, so their travel schedule can get even crazier.)

Sunday saw more gym time, as I roadtripped to Broome Community College with my daughter to watch a college friend’s grandson play. We sat with a cluster of other families, enjoying yet another day of father-daughter sports time, and the weekend was winding down. We were a little road-weary, as is often the case on Sundays, but it was a good day.

Then, in this world of instantaneous news updates, a pall fell over the gym when we learned that Kobe Bryant and his daughter had died. He was doing what we were all doing—taking his child to a basketball game—and the fact that we all got the news while sitting with our own kids at a basketball game put a finer point on the heartbreaking news.

Of course, Kobe’s death is not a local sports story, and while his is a somewhat complicated legacy, it is one worth celebrating. He brought such passion to everything he did, and he was determined to use his celebrity and his resources to continue to inspire and lead. He was one of those athletes that burned hot from the opening tip to the final buzzer, and I loved showing my daughters his highlight films and saying to them, “Look at that man’s eyes. Look at his expression. I don’t care if you keep playing sports—that’s up to you—but look at his passion, and commit to bringing that level of desire to whatever you do. You will be better for it.”

County Legislature

County Legislature remains without a permanent leader

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nother round of voting did not resolve the Tompkins County Legislature’s leadership stalemate, as the 14-member group cannot come to a consensus on who should serve as chair.

Democrats Mike Lane and Anna Kelles have both been nominated for the leadership position during the last two meetings, but both have only garnered seven votes each time. At this point, five votes have been taken on the matter. Currently, Republican Mike Sigler of Lansing is serving as the chair, running meetings and carrying out the normal duties except for appointing people to commissions or boards, a condition that he accepted during the last meeting to continue serving as temporary chair. He’s been commended for his work so far by other members of the legislature, and has vocally made it a point not to “exacerbate any strife.”

The vote has been split along the same lines each time it has been taken: Kelles has received votes from Republicans Glenn Morey, Dave McKenna and Mike Sigler and Democrats Martha Robertson, Kelles voting for herself, Rich John and

Tompkins County Legislature Building

Leslyn McBean-Clairborne. Lane has gathered the support of Democrats Shawna Black, Amanda Champion, Deborah Dawson, Henry Granison, Dan Klein, Anne Koreman and Lane voting for himself.

Robertson, the former chair, and Black, the former vice chair, are both stepping down from their positions voluntarily.

One more meeting can take place before, according to county statutes, Tomp-

kins County Clerk Maureen Reynolds will pick a temporary chair to serve until the legislature can decide on a chair to serve through 2020. A vice chair has yet to be voted on as well, and a choice for that seat will likely be made directly following a successful chair vote.

This type of prolonged chair debate isn’t exactly unprecedented, as a similar situation unfolded in 2013. But some legislators, like Dan Klein, have argued this is symptomatic of a larger problem of tension among legislators, while Kelles has cautioned that the disagreement is just a natural part of the democratic process.

Meanwhile, since the vote wasn’t taken until the end of the meeting, other business was conducted and finished. As seen in this week’s cover story, Kenneth Clarke was confirmed as the permanent leader of the Office of Human Rights, and the legislature approved a letter of support for New York State’s ban on takeout containers, coffee cups and loose packing materials containing “expanded polystyrene foam.”

The legislature also received an update on the conference center project in downtown Ithaca, which was given a boost by state funding but still hasn’t been officially given the green light. That official approval could come soon, as the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency is scheduled to make a final determination soon. The plan has gathered momentum with local officials after initially facing some hesitation.

WINTER LIGHTS Contin u ed From Page 3

was, for light to work, it has got to be dark.

So, there’s a bunch of times over the course of the day where you don’t necessarily see anything. This was one of the things that attracted us to this Prismatica exhibit; it was something you could, at one level, deal with day or night.”

Having the Prismatica exhibit allowed people coming downtown to not only interact with the lights of the festival, but the lights also worked any time of the day.

This festival paired well with the annual Chowder Cook-off. There were different events that worked well and there were numerous events, such as the Silent Disco, that had larger crowds this year than were expected. For 2020, there will be another light festival with more emphasis on local displays and local artists getting involved.

Ferguson added there will be more thought placed on the types of events that will be scattered throughout the Winter Lights Festival.

“Right now, we’re doing research,” Ferguson said. “We’re looking around at what other cities have done. We’re looking at what types of artists and organizations there are in our region. And over the next 30 to 60 days, we’re going to be putting together a pretty substantial game plan for how this is going to happen.”

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I t h a c a T i m e s 11

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BusinessTimes Hotel Hits TOMPKINS COUNTY HOTEL INDUSTRY FACES SLIGHT DECLINE

By Edwin J. Viera

Business Index p.14 Cayuga Ridge Improvements p. 15

sharing services or actual bed-and-breakfasts, indicating that they are cutting into the market. Over the same time period, collections from three-percent establishments rose from $312,890 to $357,782.

For 2019, according to the Smith Travel Research Report, the room tax revenue

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o keep up with downtown’s expansion, the past five years have seen three major hotels projects built in the City of Ithaca.

The downtown Marriott, and the Holiday Inn Express have opened to increase the number of hotel rooms by 138. They were joined last year by the Canopy by Hilton, which added an additional 131 rooms to bring that total to 269 rooms.

Combined with the existing 170 rooms from Hotel Ithaca and 104 from the Hilton Garden, there are a total of 543 hotel rooms in downtown Ithaca.

Even so, as companies like Airbnb have grown in popularity, the local hotel industry has taken a hit. Some local hotel owners have called the growing number of non-traditional hotels the “largest hotel in Tompkins County.” Peggy Coleman, executive director of Visit Ithaca, said there has been a decline in the average daily rate of lodging. She said the same pie is being spread across more plates.

“We’re seeing an impact on the traditional bed and breakfasts and innkeepers, where some of the B and Bs have closed,” Coleman said. “They’re definitely not selling out for graduation weekends and at other times throughout the year. That is one of the impacts. One of the other impacts on the larger properties, relating to room tax is, in this county, at two levels. For properties with 11 rooms or more, they collect a 5 percent occupancy tax from the guests. For properties with 10 rooms or less they collect 3 percent. [There is] a voluntary agreement, with AirBnB only, to collect the 3 percent occupancy tax.”

As more Airbnb hosts come into the market, more visitors are starting to use those platforms, according to Coleman.

With more people using those platforms, there has been a decrease in the room

Lobby of the the new Hilton Canopy hotel on Seneca Way

tax revenue for the hotels at the 5 percent level, which consists of a large inventory of rooms in the county. Specifically, according to the Smith Travel Research Report, hotels at the 5 percent level (11 rooms or more) paid $2,567,747 in 2018 to Tompkins County. In 2019, though, the county saw a decline in revenue from hotels of $76,785 to $2,490,962.

Despite this, there has been a growth in the 3 percent collections, however, which normally impact Airbnb’s, other home-

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has slowed despite the addition of the new Canopy by Hilton. In 2018, the total room tax revenue, from both hotels and Airbnbs, was $2,924,581. In 2019, growth slowed to only $2,929,333. That’s a 0.2% increase as compared to a 4 percent jump from 2017-2018.

“One of the things we’re always looking at is ways to drive new business here,” Coleman said. “Weekends are very popular but there are only 52 weekends in a year. Most of those are already full

because of big events like graduation. That Sunday through Thursday business is an opportunity for us to focus on. [...] One really big opportunity is for the shared lodging platforms to form an alliance with the traditional bed and breakfasts. There are some people who are looking for that experience and then there are some who want the more anonymous way of staying.

I think they can help each other in that the traditional innkeepers need to go through quite a bit of traditional training, as far as raising the hospitality level that the guests experience. [...] There are referral methods they could refer to each other so that if there are Airbnb hosts in a community and they are full, and it’s a busy weekend, it makes more sense to keep them here in Ithaca/Tompkins County than have those very important visitors and their very important visitor dollars leave to Cortland.”

One hope is for the planned new conference center to provide a significant boon for the larger hotels in the area. The center, part of the Green Street Garage redevelopment project, would be 49,000 sq ft. of ballroom space, significantly larger than other venues in the immediate area.

With conferences potentially taking place during the week, the center could provide a venue for the Sunday-Thursday boost Coleman referenced. In the past, Coleman said, there has been interest in coming to Ithaca for a conference it dissipates since there is not an appropriate meeting space to hold them.

In Coleman’s mind, a conference center would have a resounding effect in the local economy as it would boost business at restaurants, retailers, rental car companies, banquet staff and would increase use at the airport. Coleman said people should consider the employees of those hotels who could face layoffs if hotel business dries up around the county. If the conference center doesn’t go through, the decline in hotel room tax revenue could continue.

“We’re not seeing new corporate business increasing demand,” Coleman said.

“We could—with the new opportunities at the airport with direct flights into Washington, D.C—we’d have the potential to try to look for small meetings. But, again, that challenge if it’s a small meeting, do they need to fly to Ithaca, New York. We are always looking to find those affinity

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I t h a c a T i m e s 13

B usiness T imes

2018 sales volume was down 4.9 percent.

Employment in Ithaca’s retail sector held steady at 4,800.

The average work week in Ithaca lengthened to 33.2 hours in November from 33.0 hours in October. This figure is indeed an average that includes both full

change for this volatile indicator. Comparing November 2019 to November 2018, home sales were down 16.7 percent. The median home’s price remained virtually unchanged over the course of the year at $197,500.

Help-wanted advertising climbed 13.8 percent in November. Compared to November 2018, help-wanted advertising was up 16.9 percent. Changes in help wanted advertising often precede changes in employment.

After climbing nicely for the first half of 2019, the Ithaca Business Index has merely held steady the past five months. It will be interesting to see how the regional economy breaks out of this holding pattern. Even a flat finish to 2019 would make it a very good year for the local business

and part- time employees in the private sector. Compared to November 2018, the average work week was about an hour and 12 minutes longer. A longer work week is a sign of increased economic activity.

Home sales in Ithaca slipped 4.0 percent in November. This is a minor

sector.

In 2017 Ithaca’s economy expanded by 3.8 percent. 2018 was not good, coming in at 0.4 percent growth. 2019 is looking a whole lot more like 2017 than 2018. A flat finish to 2019 would put economic growth at 3.5 percent. Aside from 2017, the last year to show more than 3.0 percent growth

ITHACA BUSINESS INDEX

Growth stays stagnant to close 2019

By E l i a K ac a py r

T

he Ithaca Business Index remained virtually unchanged at a level of 177.3 in November. The number of jobs in Tompkins County fell by 100 to 66,800. Retail sales were down and home sales fell moderately. The size of the labor force and the hours worked inched slightly higher, as did hours worked and help wanted advertising. Compared to November 2018 the index was up 2.6 percent.

The number of jobs in the Ithaca metropolitan area fell by 100 to a level of 66,800 in November. All the figures in this report are seasonally adjusted so that any month can be compared with any other without regard to seasonal factors. Ithaca’s unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from a month earlier. The comparable unemployment rates for New York State and the nation were 4.0 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.

The size of Ithaca’s labor force increased by less than 100 persons to persons to a level of 51,400. Anyone residing in Ithaca with a parttime or full-time job is in the labor force. In addition, anyone residing in Ithaca without a job, but actively seeking employment, is also included in the labor force. A larger labor force means more economic potential.

Ithaca’s retail sector sagged in November. Sales volume fell 2.3 percent to $158 million. Compared to November

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IOUS GIVE DELIC

THEY

WILL

was 1999.

Next month’s reading will tell if 2019 is going to be a good year or a great year for the regional economy.

In January 1985 the Ithaca Business Index stood at 100.00. In November 2019 the Index reads 177.20. This means that the Tompkins County economy has grown 77.20 percent in those 419 months.

From 1985 until 1988, the Ithaca metro region grew at a rapid clip. The average annual growth rate was 5.4 percent. The Ithaca Business Index reached a peak of 130.34 in March 1989. A recession brought the Index down to a level of 110.98 in May 1992. This 36-month slide was much longer and more severe than the national recession which lasted only 8 months. Since then, the County economy has recovered, but annual growth rates of 1.5 percent are more typical these days.

There was a less severe version of the Great Recession here in Ithaca that started in May 2008 and ended in July 2009. The most recent recession began in March 2014 and ended in March 2015.

There was no national recession during this time, but economic activity in Ithaca fell 0.2 percent in 2014 and 1.4 percent in 2015.

The Ithaca economy has been expanding since the summer of 2015.

The Ithaca economy grew 2.2 percent in 2016, 3.8 percent in 2017, and 0.3 percent in 2018. The all-time high for the Ithaca Business Index is 179.57, its reading in May 2019.

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$25M in upgrades for Cayuga Ridge

F

ollowing $25 million in renovations, Cayuga Ridge, now called Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, has undergone significant updates to its interior with work on the exterior to come in the coming months. Once winter is over, the courtyards will be redone and a new sign will be installed.

The response from patients has been resoundingly positive, Director of Market-

Newspaper:

Client:

Ithaca Times/Fingerlakes News

Kendal at Ithaca

Edwin J. Viera

Vital for Life

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company

Director, Marketing and Admissions

Singing is as old as breathing. It can remind you of happy times spent with others over the years, singing in the car on road trips, in church, at baseball games, and at concerts. Seniors benefit greatly from joining singing clubs or local choirs in their community. They have fun, get out of the house, share their musical knowledge or skills, and reap the mental benefits of learning new songs.

Sometimes, groups travel to other venues to compete or to entertain at town or school functions. It might be that you have a certain ability that lends itself to a barbershop quartet, or that you can play the group’s piano. The possibilities are endless.

A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve

A recent study found that singing was instrumental in improving the brain functionality of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and aphasia. Singing can have positive health benefits, even if you’re not a professional. Join a choir or sing with loved ones to experience the increased positive feelings, improved quality of life, and overall improved brain function. Call the marketing team at (607) 266-5300 to schedule a tour to see our facilities and learn more about lifecare at Kendal at Ithaca. Find us on the web at http://kai.kendal.org/

P.S. Singing can improve your quality of life, and you can be tone deaf to do it.

It’s really about the joy and the willingness to share your spirit and your personality.

2230 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850-6513

Website: www.kai.kendal.org Email: admissions@kai.kendal.org

continued on page 19

DENTAL Insurance

by Betsy Schermerhorn RAISE UP YOUR VOICE

ing and Residential Relations Kevin Dean said. One thing people have pointed out as an improvement of the new building is how it’s much brighter than before. He said prior to the renovation, the hallways seemed longer because they were darker.

Adding natural light in the hallways and using brighter paints were two of the keys to giving the building a friendlier feel to it.

“The building, before it was renovated, was

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1865 Est. 1865 Est. 1870 Est. 1815 Est. 1836 Est. 1860 Est. 1865 Home town news at it’s best since 1815

Because if there is one thing eveyone needs, it’s a local, mobile, remarkable community bank.

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Est. 1888 Est. 1894 Est. 1902 Est. 1914 Est. 1923 Est. 1924 ITHACA A G WAY T R U E VA L U E

Home town news at it’s best since 1888

Exquisite flowers Creative designs Exceptional service

209 N Aurora St, Ithaca

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Celebrating 117 Years of Service • 7 West Main St. • 120 North St. • 853 Rte 13, Cortland

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Celebrating 100 YEARS 105 YEARS of Delightful Smiles!

412 N. Tioga St.. Ithaca (607) 272-3921 18 Church St., Cortland (607) 753-3371 www.delightfulsmiles.com

For 977 Years!

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Est. 1927 Est. 1927 Est. 1937 Est. 1947 Est. 1948 Est. 1948 72 Years of Serving Ithaca

Personal.

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Protection.

Your local appliance experts for 92 years

121 E. Buffalo St.

272-3484

LGTlegal.com 16 T

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Ithaca’s only fine purveyor of jewelry

152 The Commons

419 W. Seneca St. Ithaca, NY

Johnson ApArtments

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MANY CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 138 Linn Street Ithaca, NY 14850 221 N. Aurora St. at theCorner of Buffalo

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70We Years of Building envision a world where a World Where all kow Allpeople People Know they belong.

They Belong

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Alison Weaver

S 1950 Est. Est. 1950 Est. 1956 Est. 1959 Est. 1963 Est. 1964

ince being established in 1950, the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home has worked Alison Weaver to preserve a tradition of trust, respect, and dignity for the families we serve. In March of 2013, Alison and Michael Weaver purchased Nessg established in 1950, theSibley Ness-Sibley Funeral has worked Funeral HomeHome and continue to offer care and compassionate services for ve a tradition of trust, respect, and dignity for the families the families of Trumansburg and the we surrounding communities. We offer a variMarch of 2013, Alison ety andofMichael purchased servicesWeaver including traditionalNessfuneral services, calling hours, memorial serHome and continue to offer carecremation and compassionate services vices, services, and green for burials. Free pre-arrangement consultations Trumansburg and the surrounding communities. a varican be scheduled for at We the offer funeral home or in the comfort of your own home. ncluding traditional funeral services, calling hours, memorial sern services, and green burials. Free pre-arrangement consultations ed for at the funeral home or in the comfort of your own home.

Swarthout N ESS -S IBLEY F UNERAL H OMEinC. CoaCheS, 23 South St., Trumansburg ❖ 387-8151 -S IBLEY F UNERAL w w w.H n OME e s s - s i b l e y. o m Rd. 115cGraham

uth St., Trumansburg ❖ 387-8151

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257-2277 Tours: 257-2660 Rob Swarthout, Owner Ithaca’s only locally owned & operated bus company www.goswarthout.com

Experience the art of Picture Framing www.theframshopithaca.com

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Over 600 Finger Lakes Wines in Stock Ithaca Shopping Plaza

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Est. 1967 Est. 1968 Est. 1968 Est. 1972 Est. 1972 Est. 1973 L Creative N Vegetarian Covert a Now Cooking in our Funeral th 47 Home GIAC year! ee ewhart geNcy

“Lee Newhart State Farm Agency since 1968”

Child Development Council Cortland & Tompkins Counties Supporting Families for over 50 years

ChildDevelopmentCouncil.org

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MAIN ST. OVID

869-3411

Proudly serving the Ithaca community since 1973

1011 W. State St. Ithaca

A Place To Be Me

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The Dewitt Mall Downtown Ithaca

301 W. Court St.

MOOSEWOOD www.moosewoodcooks.com

Est. 1973 Est. 1975 Est. 1976 Est. 1978 Est. 1978 Est. 1978 Visit our delightfully diverse nursery!

2712 N. Triphammer Rd. (607) 257-3000

Hometown News at its Best

Now Enrolling

410 East Upland Road Ithaca, NY 14850

Pre-K - 8th Grade IthacaWaldorf.org

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Celebrating 42 Beautifying Ithaca years in business for over 35 years!

Shortstop Deli

Open 24 Hours A Day 7 Day A Week

Center Visit Garden our diverse nursery.

Opens March

2712 N. Triphammer Rd.

200 W. Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 14850

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Est. 1980 Est. 1981 Est. 1982 Est. 1983 Est. 1983 Est. 1983

Celebrating 39 years of service

Lansing Chiropractic Lightning Fast

140 The Commons

607-272-1810 The area’s finest showcase of fine jewelry

“Good wood. Good friends.

The Carpenters’ place.”

Bakery•Deli•Gas 2085 Rt. 96

INTERNET Speeds up to 100 Mbps!

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Open Daily 7am-10pm

387-3701

Providing gentle andProviding effectivegentle care of neck and back for and effective care over 35 years! of neck and back forMon. over&30 years!

Fri. 9-6 Tues. & Thurs 1-7 Wed. 9-12

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607-273-0245

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Est. 1983 Est. 1984 Est. 1984 Est. 1987 Est. 1988 Est. 1988 Pleasant Valley Electric

Ithaca’s Only Home Town Electrical Supplier.

Electrical Contracting & Fire Alarm systems

Serving the Community for 35 Years.

405 Third Street, Ithaca

QUALITY (607) TAX 272-6922 PREPARATIONS pleasantvalleyelectric.com

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272-1711

Stearns & Cleek CPAs

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411 West Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 14850

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Little’s Lawn Equipment, Inc. Sales, service, and parts. Lawn and garden equipment 1113 Elmira Rd, Rt. 13 Newfield, NY 14867

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ChristmasSpri and Est.Celebrate 1993 Est. 1988 Est. 1989 Est. 1990 Est. 1990 Est. 1991 Merry

OSKAR SCHMIDT massage therapy

“Like a good neighbor State Farm is there.”

DAVID MOONEY INSURANCE 1111 Triphammer Rd. Community Corners Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8900

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Klein’s Archery Leading the way in the archery industry

• Full Service Pro Shop Across From Dryden HS • Bow Line: Hoyt Celebrating 30 Years in Elite Ithaca Parker OskarSchmidtMassagetherapy.com Joe Guernsey P.S.E.

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The Purple House at the bottom of Buffalo St.

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Diamond’s

D

Beer & Wine • Catering • 106 W. Gre

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B usiness T imes CAYUGA RIDGE Contin u ed From Page 15

so old that it was literally ugly,” Dean said. “The fixtures were old and falling apart. Now, we’re new, we’re brighter. It’s more of a resort feel than just your average run of the mill nursing facility. When you walk into the building it’s like walking into a five-star hotel.

The rooms themselves are bigger than they used to be.

At one point in time, this was a 260-bed facility. We are now down to 144 beds, using the same amount of space.”

For now, the roofing and gutters have been replaced.

Dean said there is some minor work that remains to be done.

Another addition to the new Cayuga Nursing is fitness equipment in their gym designed to accommodate people who have recently had hip replacements. One of Dean’s favorite parts of the renovation is the creation of four satellite kitchens spread throughout

put in place when we did the remodel is that we have a main kitchen in the building and we are now using satellite kitchens in the dining rooms,” Dean said. “Instead of a food line where the trays come down in the kitchen and you’re putting food on the tray. Then, the tray gets taken off the food line. It gets put onto a cart, the cart gets brought down to the floors. Then, the food is passed out from that cart. With the satellite kitchens, we bring the food straight to the kitchens.

It’s already been cooked, it’s on steam tables, but at that point in time, you’re putting food on the trays right there and you’re Kevin Dean, Director of Marketing at Cayuga delivering it within a minute.”

Ridge (Photo: Casey Martin) Within the new building, there are now more private rooms than there were prior to the renovation, though some the building. This will cut down on the waiting time residents have for meals. This people still prefer the semi-private rooms for the social aspect. More family-oriented will also keep meals at their appropriate things have been added as well. Now there temperatures and improve freshness for are semi-private areas where families can residents. gather for an intimate birthday celebration “One of the biggest things that we

or have a friendly game of cards. Plus, the creation of a sensory room to be used for dementia patients, employing different textures, sigts, sounds and smells to help patients.

Cayuga Nursing was given tax relief by the Tompkins County IDA and sales tax relief as well. Dean said in the future Cayuga Nursing will be looking for a statefunded grant to turn its currently unused fourth floor into a special wing for assisted living. He added the changes to this building are going to create a better atmosphere for patients and members of the community coming to visit family members.

“One of the things that we’re doing in this building is we’re not just changing the look of the building,” Dean said. “We want to change the way we do business and the way we interact with our residents overall. I think we’re accomplishing that.

We’ve rebuilt our management team. We are putting more into training, in fact, we are going to start offering C.N.A. [Certified Nursing Assistant] training to the community. If they want to learn how to be a C.N.A, they don’t have to stay here.

They can go to other places and get a job, it’s free training. We’re trying to be the premier facility in Central New York.”

Est. 1994 Est. 1995 Est. 1995 Est. 1996

Est. 1994 Celebrating our 26th Anniversary

DANCE HARD Life is short.

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bodyworksithaca.com 277/2593

Est. 1997 Est. 1998 Est. 1998 Est. 1998 Est. 1999 Est. 2000 Friendly, family owned business Open 6 Days a week 1273 W. Danby Rd. Newfield, NY

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us

bl

o

FOUND

Phoenix Auto of Ithaca

in e s s is

b

Est. 2001 Est. 2001 Est. 2001 Est. 2003 Est. 2010 Est. 2010

antiques • vintage • unusual object

We repair all makes and models of automobiles.

g

o m i n ALL FRAMES IN HOUSE Sustainably ALL FRAMES HOUSE $100 ORINLESS Focused Florist $100 OR LESS WITH PURCHASE Ithaca’s Sustainable Florist

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Est. 2010 Est. 2011 Est. 2013 Est. 2014 Est. 2015 Est. 2016 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Joshua Hunter Hailey Smith RC Buckley RC7am-9pm Buckley Open 7 days a week Grade 3 Grade 3 15 N. Main St. Spencer 227607-589-4999 Cherry Street Ithaca

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Est. 2016 Est. 2019 Est. 2019 Est. 2019 Est. 2019 Est. 2018 xxxx Relaxed contemporary outpost offering hearty American standards alongside beer, wine & cocktails.

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Yoga Teacher Training Yoga & Meditation Classes

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B usiness T imes

Biz Briefs Tompkins Trust Company Promotes Brad Totman to Commercial Lending Relationship Manager

George Agency. He is responsible for maintaining accuracy and integrity of the general ledger system, as well as related subsystems. He also assists with the preparation of financial, regulatory and external reporting. He reports to Joe Wallitt, Vice President, Assistant Controller with Tompkins Financial.

“We are thrilled for Chris’ officer appointment to the Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties,” said Wallitt. “Chris continues to demonstrate his commitment to the core values of Tompkins Financial and to his community.”

Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global, nonprofit housing organization working in nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and in approximately 70 countries around the world.

Wagner Vineyards Rings in New Year Following Historic 2019

Brad Totman

Tompkins Trust Company has promoted Brad Totman to Commercial Lending RelationshipManager.

Totman started with Tompkins Trust Company in 2012 as a Business Development Officer for the Cortland-Dryden region. He was promoted to Small Business Lending Manager in 2017 and now to Commercial Relationship Manager in 2019. He has over 20 years of experience providing outstanding service to commercial customers. Totman is a Cortland County native. He will report to Karen Parkes, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking.

“Brad continues to provide our customers and community with excellent commercial banking services,” said Karen Parkes. “We are thrilled to have him continue on our lending team and as an integral part of our Tompkins and Cortland communities.”

Chris Pace Elected to County Board of Habitat for Humanity Chris Pace, Staff Accountant with Tompkins Financial, was recently elected to Board Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties.

Pace started with Tompkins Financial in 2017, after working with the William

Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery turned the page on four decades of producing world-renowned Finger Lakes wines with its most accomplished year to date. In total, Wagner Vineyards garnered more than 80 awards in 2019, from scores of 90+ points in premier publications to the Winery of the Year distinction from the prestigious New York Wine Classic.

“Our team has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence from our vineyards to the winery, and we are extremely honored with the accolades that we received this year,” co-owner and General Manager John Wagner said.

Seven estate-grown wines contributed to the New York Wine Classic award, including the 2017 Riesling Dry, which took home a Double Gold medal and was named Best Riesling on its way to Best White Wine in a competition that featured 113 wineries from across the state.

Wagner Vineyards achieved international recognition as well, with 10 wines earning scores of 90 points or above across esteemed entities such as Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate (full list below).

Wagner Vineyards won 78 medals – 36 Gold or higher – across 16 international competitions. The 2017 Riesling Semi Dry led the way with 10 accolades of Gold or higher, including Best in Show Riesling at the Great American International Wine Competition, Platinum at the San Diego International Wine Challenge, and Double Gold at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.

The success culminated closer to home in December, when the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce endowed Wagner Vineyards with its Business of the Year award. The Chamber honored Wagner Vineyards at its annual dinner and awards banquet at Del Lago Resort and Casino on Jan. 16, 2020.

“The cool, wet spring of 2019 made for a later-than-average harvest for us

The exterior of Wagner Vineyards, which is celebrating a notable 2019. (Photo: Provided)

this year. Fortunately we had beautiful ripening weather this fall, and the fruit from our vineyards was able to fully ripen and develop great varietal character,” John Wagner said. “Most of our fermentations have now wrapped up, and we are very optimistic that the 2019 wines will carry on the tradition of quality for Wagner Vineyards.”

Hangar Theatre announces Managing Director MaryBeth Bunge’s retirement

Bunge has served in her current role since October 2017. During this time, Bunge led efforts to expand and diversify the Board, develop staff and strengthen partnerships with community organizations. “Returning to the Hangar in this new role has been a real joy—we have all learned so much together,” says Bunge.

“The Hangar’s staff, Board, company members and supporters are its greatest asset, and great theatre comes from the strength of these people. I will remain a steadfast fan and supporter!”

Hangar Theatre Company Managing Director MaryBeth Bunge will be retiring in Spring 2020. The search for the next Managing Director is underway.

Under the joint leadership of Bunge and Artistic Director Michael Barakiva, the Hangar has grown its audience, secured new sponsors, attracted new and returning donors, and created a positive presence locally, regionally and nationally.

Earlier, Bunge played a crucial role in the Hangar’s success as the development director throughout the Hangar for All Season’s Campaign from 2007 to 2011, which resulted in the Hangar Theatre opening as a year-round venue.

Prior to her current role, Bunge served in a variety of leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, including service as: director of the NYS CDFI Coalition; development director for Alternatives Impact; and director of communications at Cornell University Libraries. She also taught fundraising in the performing arts for seven years in Ithaca College’s Theatre Arts Management program and has served as a fundraising consultant for numerous local nonprofits.

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MaryBeth Bunge / Th e

I t h a c a T i m e s 21

B usiness T imes “MaryBeth was an incredible force, and truly made the Hangar Theatre Company staff a family,” said Barakiva. “We are truly fortunate to have had her knowledge and experience, and to have her represent us in the Ithaca community.”

through NYSERDA to advance the design, construction and operation of low- and zero-carbon emitting building projects that also provide comfortable, healthy and affordable living and working spaces. The program supports Governor Cuomo’s Green New Deal, the most aggressive climate change program in the nation.

“Reducing harmful emissions from buildings is critically important to our carbon neutral future and a vital part of New York’s aggressive strategy to curb the impacts of climate change and stimulate green economic development,” Governor Cuomo said.

Awarded projects demonstrate low carbon performance, profitability and the ability to be adopted broadly to bring the buildings to scale throughout the state. New Yorkers alone pay about $35 billion annually for electricity and heating fuels, and buildings account for 59 percent of state-wide greenhouse gas emissions.

“INHS is committed to high quality building standards, and this funding will allow us to continue on our path of building sustainable affordable housing that improves the quality of life for our residents, and the community as a whole,” said INHS Executive Director Johanna Anderson.

INHS Receives Nearly $1 Million to Advance NY’s Carbon Neutral Future Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that INHS was awarded one of 28 prizes under the first round of the Buildings of Excellence Competition for its highly energy efficient affordable housing development in the Village of Trumansburg, Village Grove Apartments. The proposed project will receive $932,280 for its fortyunit multi-family rental building that is a component of the larger proposed Crescent Way subdivision.

Village Grove is expected to be INHS’ greenest project to date, which will contribute to New York’s carbon neutral future. The building will be one of the first affordable housing developments in upstate New York to attain Passive House certification and utilize ground source heat pumps, and plans to achieve NetZero through the purchase of off-site community solar.

In March 2019, Governor Cuomo announced the launch of the $40 million Buildings of Excellence Competition

Local officials and Johanna Anderson of INHS celebrate Village Grove. (Photo: Provided)

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B usiness T imes who indicates that the fee is a barrier to participation.

Love Living at Home’s press release said the organization is greatly appreciative to the grantors that they now have designated revenue to help accelerate our inclusion of

sponsored members.

“Each of us has personally come to realize that life, at this stage, is fluid. It is a time of need, but also a time to give back.

I am proud that the support of dignity and independence for seniors is the very core of LLH’s charitable mission,” wrote Jim Quest, the organization’s co-founder.

Bishops Carpet One Relocating after 97 Years of Serving the West End Community Since 1923, Bishops has gone through many changes, grown and adapted with Ithaca and surrounding communities. The

current owner of the store, David Pirko, has been there since 1967. After 97 years of being located on West State Street, Bishops is excited to announce that they will be relocating to 363 Elmira Road.

“We are excited to move to a new location that provides great possibilities for growth, excellent access for our customers,” the company wrote in an announcement.

Bishops Carpet One is currently running a moving sale to help clean out some of the long-accumulated items from the last 97 years. The new location is expected to be open in March, with a grand opening to follow in late Spring.

The Love Living at Home team.

(Photo: Jim Darnieder)

Love Living at Home’s scholarship funding gets a boost The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has awarded Love Living at Home (LLH) a grant to help support its scholarship fund.

In addition, LLH has received grants from The Helen T. Howland Foundation as administered by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County and the ‘Jane Foundation’ of Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

From the very beginning, the Love Living at Home Board of Directors has been deeply committed to having an inclusive membership which represents the diversity of Tompkins County. LLH has developed a Sponsored Membership Policy to help with the cost of membership or to waive the membership fee for anyone

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Property sales in December 2019

▶ Schickel Construction Company sold 27 Farm Pond Circle in the Town of Lansing for $265,000 to Emma Jobson, processed on Dec. 13. ▶ Jagat Sharma sold 19 Beckett Way in the Town of Lansing for $123,500 to Christina Sheley, processed on Dec. 13. ▶ Joseph Carzano sold 219 West Cortland Street in the Town of Groton for $124,000 to Briana Cochran, processed on Dec. 13.

▶ Jeffrey Carman sold 122 Christopher Circle in the Town of Ithaca to Patrick and Kimberly Schweiger for $215,000, processed on Dec. 3.

▶ Christine Allen sold 310 West Main Street in the Town of Groton for $159,174 to Shalyn Watson, procesed on Dec. 13.

▶ John Boles sold a property on Salmon Creek Road in the Town of Lansing to Brian Abbondanelo for $25,000, processed on Dec. 3.

▶ Michael Cardinale sold 40 Valley View Road in the Town of Danby for $34,000 to Mauro Marinelli, processed on Dec. 13.

▶ Alex Garcia sold 17 Conlon Road in the Town of Lansing to Mark Theisinger for $160,000, processed on Dec. 3.

▶ David Winkler sold 125 North Sunset Drive in the Town of Ithaca for $225,420 to Neil Adams, processed on Dec. 13.

▶ Macye Caroline Fitzpatrick sold 7 Briarwood Lane in the Town of Newfield to Peter M. Holm, Jr. for $118,000, processed on Dec. 3.

▶ Erica Heim sold 6 Deer Run Road in the Town of Newfield for $175,500 to Stephanie Oplinger, processed on Dec. 16.

▶ Jocelyn and Joel Blizzard sold 272 Hayts Road in the Town of Ithaca to Wichittra Kammee for $305,280, prcoessed on Dec. 3.

▶ Corinna Davies sold 53 Lee Road in the Town of Dryden for $178,000 to Michael Pinnisi, processed on Dec. 17.

▶ Allan B. and Sheila Casciotti sold 134 Van Buskirk Road in the Town of Newfield to Georgia and Sean Cosgrove for $210,000, processed on Dec. 3.

▶ James Papapietro sold 209 Pleasant Street in the City of Ithaca for $215,000 to Karli Hornick, processed on Dec. 17.

▶ David and Patricia Flaccus sold a portion of Military Lot 88 in the Town of Ithaca to Robert DiStasio and Laura Rutherford for $367,500, processed on Dec. 3.

▶ Catherine Boland sold 53 Buck Road in the Town of Lansing for $380,000 to Camila Diel, processed on Dec. 18.

▶ Anne Aldridge sold 128 Burleigh Road in the Town of Ithaca to Xinqi Xiao for $425,000, processed on Dec. 3. ▶ Bankers Trust Company of California sold 25 Hilton Road in the Town of Dryden to Bernard Cornelius for $68,500, processed on Dec. 3. ▶ Travis Pierce sold a property in the Town of Groton for $135,000 to Lisa and James Proper, processed on Dec. 3. ▶ Larry Roe sold a property in the Town of Newfield for $72,059.76 to Matthew Quinlivan, processed on Dec. 4. ▶ Diana Cristofferson sold a property in the Town of Groton for $60,000 to Nathan Allen, processed on Dec. 4. ▶ Douglas Thayer sold a property in the Town of Ithaca for $254,000 to Christy Bianconi and Mark Scholl, processed on Dec. 4. ▶ Howaida El-Said sold a property in the Town of Dryden for $170,000 to Emily Vorstadt, processed on Dec. 5. ▶ Joan and Ricky Gonzalez sold 760 Van Ostrand Road in the Town of Lansing for $235,000 to Alaric and Madison Saufley, processed on Dec. 5. ▶ Nancy Baker sold a property in the Town of Ithaca for $575,000 to Gabriel French, processed on Dec. 5.

▶ Southpaw Ventures sold 1329 Danby Road in the Village of Danby for $327,500 to Eliud Nieves, processed on Dec. 18. ▶ Amanda Beebe sold 3416 Slaterville Road in the Town of Caroline for $156,000 to Kelli Monce, processed on Dec. 5.

▶ Jorge and Silvina Macho sold 55 Old Peruville Road in the Town of Groton for $155,000 to Julia Marie Gillis, processed on Dec. 12.

▶ CFCU Community Credit Union sold 33 Main Street in the Town of Dryden for $115,000 to Michael Pichel, processed on Dec. 5.

▶ James C. Davis and Katherine Selby sold 14 Eagles Head Road in the Town of Dryden for $375,000 to Roy and Susan Flacco, processed on Dec. 12.

▶ Joan Swenson sold 2600 N. Triphammer Road in the Town of Lansing for $228,900 to Susan A. Herson, processed on Dec. 5. ▶ Gail Ryan sold 224 Asbury Road in the Town of Lansing for $214,000 to Ashley Yocono, processed on Dec. 9. ▶ Theodore Black sold 105 Crescent Place in the City of Ithaca for $270,000 to Jeffrey Bowen, processed on Dec. 9. ▶ Jeffrey Kane sold 201 Dewey Ave. in the Town of Groton for $136,700 to Leo Carter, processed on Dec. 9. ▶ H B T Properties sold 408 Upland Road in the Town of Ithaca for $555,000 to 408 Upland Road, LLC, processed on Dec. 11. ▶ Caren Rubin sold 212 Tudor Road in the Town of Ithaca for $215,000 to David and Katherine Williams, processed on Dec. 11.

▶ Billie Jean Isbell sold 534 Valley Road in the Town of Caroline for $238,500 to James Millar, processed on Dec. 12. ▶ Kathleen Beauregard sold 28 McLallen Street in the Village of Ulysses for $277,000 to Arthur C. Steven, processed on Dec. 12. ▶ Four Thirty LLC sold 430-444 West State Street in the City of Ithaca for $2.075 million to Arnot Ithaca 2, LLC, processed on Dec. 12. ▶ Kathleen Edbaugh sold 1027 Elmira Road in the Town of Ithaca for $300,000 to Edpo, LLC, processed on Dec. 12. ▶ George Patte Jr. sold 1167 Taughannock Boulevard in the Village of Ulysses for $95,000 to Lindsay Anderson, processed on Dec. 12.

▶ Sachiko Funaba sold 130 Woolf Lane in the Town of Ithaca for $326,500 to Michael Costello, processed on Dec. 19. ▶ Joe Wetmore sold 128 Glenside Road in the Town of Ithaca for $275,000 to Lindsay Hahnes, processed on Dec. 19. ▶ Harold Schultz sold 7 Hickory Trail in the Town of Caroline for $270,000 to Emily Riddle, processed on Dec. 19. ▶ Robert Rose sold 306 South Street in the Town of Groton for $140,000 to James Berry, processed on Dec. 19. ▶ Deborah Gordon sold 540 Snyder Hill Road in the Town of Dryden for $142,500 to Ian Craig, processed on Dec. 19. ▶ Annette Heverly sold 266 McLean-Cortland Road in the Town of Groton for $126,583.43 to the Freedom Mortgage Corporation, processed on Dec. 19. ▶ Jay Bramhandkar sold 25 Saunders Road in the Town of Ithaca for $425,000 to Lingli Gao, processed on Dec. 20. ▶ Kristy Richards sold 108 Walnut Street in the Town of Ithaca for $435,000 to Peter McMahon, processed on Dec. 20.

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Ithaca Times is interested in hearing from freelance movie, music, restaurant and visual & performing arts reviewers with strong opinions and fresh views.

Please send clips to: editor@ithacatimes.com

Almost three decades in, Hilby is still a crowd-pleaser

I

By M att Bu tler

t might be goofy. It might be absurd. It might look nutty. But it’s Hilby the Skinny German Juggler Boy, who’s been entertaining crowds across the globe for decades, returning to the stage in his adopted hometown of Ithaca this week.

The show is being held at the State Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online for $6 or 4 for $20. They can also be purchased at the door. Hilby will be joined by guest performers from Syracuse who will do acrobatics and gymnastics.

“It’s very interactive, family friendly for all ages, juggling comedy-show,” Hilby said, boiling it down. “When I say juggling, I mean it really spans all variety of things that can be juggled. Paddle balls, bowling balls, cue sticks, balloons that are bigger than VW Beetles, etc.”

Hilby came to juggling unconventionally, having worked as a social worker in Germany before taking time off to travel and running out of money. He had to get resourceful, so he took what he knew how to do, which was

juggling, and went to the streets to try to build a career. Somehow, it worked.

“It was really fun, on top of everything,” Hilby said. “I decided this was going to be my new life, and 27 years later it still is.”

The quick change was nerve-racking, like almost any risk that significant would be, but Hilby said his lack of other options propelled him forward. When the need to survive kicked in, he said, it gave him an extra boost he used to keep himself motivated and focused. His age at the time helped as well, as he was more willing to assume the level of risk it would take to make juggling an actual career. Yet he’s still happy he took the chance, considering how it has worked out. Now, he’s performed in 63 countries and been able to entertain people in tons of different cultures and venues, everywhere from arts festivals to cruise ships, something he prides himself on. But there’s still something special about performing here.

“I live here in Ithaca, I call it my hometown now,” he said. “It’s beautiful, it’s where I live. It matters to me now [...] It’s always a bit more nerve-racking to be at home, but it’s also more exciting. And you, perhaps, put a little bit more time and effort into preparing for it as well.”

Especially with a few new tricks, and some featured guests backing him up, Hilby said he’s very excited to get back on the State Theatre’s stage, with a crowd of people he’s comfortable

with, cheering him on.

“Most of what they can really expect is just a jolly good time,” Hilby said. “Ninety minutes of switching up, seeing your fellow citizens having a good time, slapping their knees and having belly laughs. [...] It’s a unifier.”

Being on stage gives Hilby the chance to connect with people, he said, and to receive gratification so instantly when he’s done well via the applause and joy of the audience. It also lets him bring people together, he said, something that he focuses on as one of the subtler benefits of his profession. Like many entertainers, he believes his primary function is to give people an escape, no matter how brief, from whatever their usual routines are.

“That keeps me going,” he said. “My show, it somewhat stays the same, it has new tricks and elements to it, but I get motivated by entertaining people, having people have a good time. We concentrate and focus on our differences, but when I do a show I see people having a good time about the same thing.”

State Theatre Saturday, Feb. 1 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online for $6 or 4 for $20.

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Arts&Entertainment

Hilby!

Hilby will be showing off his many skills in Ithaca this weekend. (Photo provided)

I t h a c a T i m e s 25

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Finger Lakes Thaw announces first two waves of artists

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he Finger Lakes Thaw Festival is returning for a third year in a row, serving as the kick-off to the annual run of festivals that delight a wide swath of music fans around the area.

Tickets are available now for the popular downtown festival, which holds concerts at a variety of different venues around Ithaca featuring a multitude of artists both from the local music scene in the county as well as regional artists as well.

The event is being held from March 19 (a pre-party at The Range featuring Driftwood with Shag Horns) and continuing for most of the day on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and March 21.

The first wave of artists, announced early this month, contained prominent bands from around the area like the Comb Down, TATTAT, Lazy Bones, Kyra Skye and plenty of others, including wellknown Ithaca acts Kurt Riley+Praxis and Cozmic Theo. Additionally, RootsCollider,

Rye Makepeace and Straw Hat, The Long Now Trio, W I N G N U T were all announced, among others. The second wave, recently released, includes Mstr. McBean, Matthew Cornwell, The Saplings, Aaron Lipp & the Sack Tones, Max Childs and a slew more.

“The THAW is all about seeing new music, meeting new people and giving yourselves and the performers a good time,” the event’s page says. “No matter which act you bump in to, they will be good.”

To introduce you to any acts you might not know prior to the festival, the organizers have created a Spotify playlist consisting of songs from the confirmed artists.

The festival has maintained its low ticket price/high value mentality, selling two-day passes for $35 which are available up until March 20 online.

Movies

Cornell Concert Series Presents

OSCAR, OSCAR!

This year’s Oscar-nominated shorts, reviewed

By Br yan VanC ampe n

Sunday, February 9 • 4pm

A screenshot from Kitbull, BVC’s pick for best Animated Short this year. (Photo online)

W

hen the Academy Award nominations are announced each year, the various shorts entries are perhaps the least well known, even to the most dedicated cinephile, unless you happen to live in a city where those entries are being screened. Thanks to Cornell Cinema, Ithaca is one of those cities. Cornell Cinema’s tradition of showing the year’s nominees in animated, live action and documentary shorts continues.

Here are my thoughts and picks for the year’s animated and live-action shorts.

(The nominees for documentary short will be shown on Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m., but space prohibits their inclusion here.) Good luck in the office Oscar pool!

Oscar shorts: Animation (Jan. 31, 6:45 p.m., Feb. 1, 9:15 p.m., Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m.)

In “Daughter (Dcera)” (Czech Republic, 2019, 15 min.), directed by Daria Kashcheeva, a daughter sits by her dying father in the hospital, and the memory of a childhood moment involving an injured bird leads to a moment of clarity. Most stop-motion puppet films are done with static, locked-off shots, but Kashcheeva experiments with camera motion to make everything rough and hand-held.

“Hair Love” (USA, 2019, 7 min.), directed by Matthew A. Cherry, Everett Downing Jr. and Bruce W. Smith, is a short and sweet story of a young girl’s obsession with trying new hair styles, and her baffled dad’s attempts to help. Stray cat meets stray dog in “Kitbull” (USA, 2019, 9 min.), directed by Rosana Sullivan. Sullivan’s short is a nice update of the Chuck Jones classic “Feed the Kitty”, and in the space of

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nine minutes made me cry.

There’s some very nice Claymation pixilation going on in Bruno Collet’s “Memorable” (France, 2019, 12 min.): an elderly painter finds his family and surroundings beginning to shift and dissolve in abstract, dream-like ways. And in “Sister” (China/ USA, 2018, 8 min.), director Siqi Song fashions a memory from a man remembering growing up with a little sister, and then imagining what his life would have been like if she had never been born.

BVC’s Pick: “Kitbull” Oscar shorts: Live Action (Jan. 31, 9 p.m., Feb. 1, 1:45 p.m.)

A tough and unforgiving Tunisian farmer is rocked when his eldest son comes home with a new bride and a shady past in “Brotherhood” (Canada-TunisiaQatar-Sweden, 2018, 25 min.), directed

by Meryam Joobeur. Joobeur gets much contrast from cutting from the farmer’s dusty hut to the roar and expanse of the ocean nearby. Yves Piat ‘s “Nefta Football Club” (France-Tunisia, 2018, 17 min.) is the closest to a comic bagatelle in this batch of shorts: two boys discover a drug donkey wearing headphones in the desert.

The story ends on a great punchline.

In Marshall Curry ‘s “The Neighbors’ Window” (USA, 2019, 20 min.), a surprising update on Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, a NYC couple struggling with work and three young children are driven to distraction when a free-spirited couple moves in across the way. “Saria” (USA, 2019, 22 min.), directed by Bryan Buckley, is a dark,

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fter three years of dedicated leadership, M. Bevin O’Gara, the producing artistic director for the Kitchen Theatre Company will not be extending her contract when her current term expires towards the end of June.

In a press release, Kitchen’s staff and board expressed that they are sad to lose her but understand O’Gara’s decision. She said this is a hard decision to make but knows it’s all for the best.

“Coming to this conclusion has been heart-wrenching and was only made after significant self-reflection,” O’Gara said.

“But in the end, I know it is the right decision for me and for my husband. As Thom and I move onto this next chapter— focusing on family, friends, and personal goals—we will always look back on our OSCAR Contin u ed From Page 27

sobering tragedy based on a true unsolved murder case: two desperate young women trapped in a corrupt orphanage dream of escape and freedom. In “A Sister” (Belgium, 2018, 16 min.), a real nail-biter from Delphine Girard, an abducted woman makes a desperate 911 call. The story plays out in near-real time.

BVC’s Pick: “Saria” ● ● ●

Joan Lunden, journalist, best-selling author, former host of Good Morning America and senior living advocate.

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In the span of two days, I saw two horror films based on iconic stories and both featuring Joely Richardson, who’s new to the genre. Yes, I have seen “The Turning,” based on Henry James’ “The Turning of the Screw,” so that you don’t have to. A ghost story that—spoiler alert—literally falls apart in the last 30 seconds, “The Turning” doesn’t play fair.

time in Ithaca and at the Kitchen with affection and pride. What the KTC staff and the board have achieved together in such a short period of time is nothing short of astonishing. From our innovative Green Initiative to our record-breaking subscriber numbers, the substantial increase in foundational support, and, of course, our numerous unforgettable productions, there is so much to look back on and to celebrate.”

The Kitchen Theatre’s board said they were grateful to O’Gara for her “profound artistic talent and fierce dedication to the boundless energy that she brought to the theatre.” She will be leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Because of her efforts and those of the Kitchen’s team, the theatre is in a strong position, the press release stated, both artistically and financially.

O’Gara will remain in her position for the rest of the 2019-2020 season as the Kitchen’s board will search for an interim artistic director to be established on July 1. The board will be launching a national search for a new artistic director in the fall for a three-year term, starting in July 2021.

“All members of the Kitchen Theatre are committed to working together to make the current season a success and that the upcoming transition will build on the extraordinary successes of the last few years,” they finished.

“Color Out of Space,” Richard Stanley’s adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space,” is much more funnyscary, trippy and interesting. Shades of “Creepshow:” an alien meteorite crashes on Earth, insinuates itself into the water and fauna, and a normally dysfunctional family, headed by Nicolas Cage, becomes seriously dysfunctional, and each family member succumbs to outer space body horror in their own way.

Stanley’s direction is theatrical and colorful, and the whole thing feels like an ’80s throwback, replete with practical effects, rubber creatures and a typically reserved and subtle turn from Cage (ahem), who may be channeling his “Valley Girl” costar, Deborah Foreman.

“Color Out Of Space” is playing at Cinemapolis through Feb. 6.

dining

The Strand Cafe

A perfectly acceptable dining option in the Hilton

By He nr y Stark

T

he first thing you’ll notice when arriving at The Strand Café is that you’re really not in a restaurant. Rather, you have entered the spacious lobby of a new downtown Ithaca hotel, The Canopy by Hilton.

The lobby includes the registration desk, an attractive backlit bar, a lounge and a restaurant, all virtually adjacent to each other. The entire area is attractively illuminated by a combination of pendant lamps and recessed bulbs.

As you look about, you’ll need to decide if you want to situate yourself in the lounge with comfy chairs and couches placed around a central fireplace or proceed directly to the dining area and select a table with chairs and divans.

I have friends who shun hotel restaurants, believing they don’t serve appetizing food. I don’t agree with this broad generalization as many restaurants in hotels do, indeed, offer well prepared, quality food.

The Ithaca Canopy Hotel is one of them.

Although I like The Strand overall, I do have some reservations.

The menus are quite limited, though in fairness the restaurant is relatively young.

Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch offerings are each confined to one side of an 8 1/2”X 11” size paper. There is only one burger available and it’s repeated on all three menus. “Burger” is a sandwich at lunch, a “main” at dinner, and listed in a

general category at brunch.

Speaking of that burger, I didn’t like it very much as it’s neither original nor especially tasty. It’s topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onions, though I wasn’t permitted to order it rare—and not for health reasons. On different occasions, separate servers informed me that, no matter how I ordered it, it was going to be served medium to well-done.

The burger is not the only item that’s repeated from menu to menu. The same four salads ($10-$13): Simple Greens, Farro, Baby Beets, and Tuscan Kale are offered at lunch and dinner, all with the same description. And the same six pizzas ($12-$15) appear on both the lunch and dinner menus.

Although this repetition limits the choices of diners, it enables the cooks to concentrate on and perfect each item. And I’m happy to note that the prices of the repeated items are not elevated at dinnertime.

At dinner, a half dozen main courses are added. I’ve tried Scallops and Local Half Chicken and thoroughly enjoyed them both. With the scallop entrée you’ll receive four large sea scallops served with crunchy chickpeas in a roasted pepper sauce. The scallops, which are easy to overcook, were prepared perfectly… the word succulent came to mind. The chicken was a half chicken, beautifully seasoned and

The new Strand Cafe at the Canopy by Hilton hotel serves lunch, brunch and dinner options. (Photo by Casey Martin)

removed from the oven at precisely the right moment. The presentation on both entrées was very attractive; however, I thought the prices were a bit high, $32 for the scallops and $28 for the chicken.

I was surprised by the limited nature of the wine offerings. The lunch wine menu included only about a dozen total wines and the reds and whites were not clearly separated. Further, I usually choose a dry white and there were no Sauvignon Blancs or Pinot Grigios listed. Diners who prefer reds and were looking for a Merlot, a Cabernet Franc or a Syrah would have also been disappointed.

There are only a few bottles under $40, with most from $40 to $70. Prices by the glass range from $9-$11.

There are 10 interesting cocktails and more than a dozen beers by the can and bottle.

A server will find you in either area and you can order a drink from the bar and/ or food from the kitchen in both locations.

It’s a most congenial scene.

Because of its lovely open and comfortable atmosphere and the careful preparation and attractive presentation of many of the dishes, The Strand Café is a welcome addition to Ithaca’s downtown dining scene.

110 North Cayuga St., Ithaca repstudio.com • 607-272-4292

A COMEDY ABOUT PARENTHOOD

*FREE CHILDCARE AVAIL. FEB. 9

Tidbits:

FEBRUARY 2-22

The hotel is not really on the Commons - it’s tucked into a short alley just off the Commons opposite of Gateway Center.

Valet parking is available - ask at the reception desk.

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2019/20 SEASON

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TICKETS: 607.272.0570 WWW.KITCHENTHEATRE.ORG 417 W. STATE / MLK JR. STREET

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Music Bars/Bands/Clubs

1/29 Wednesday Canaan Jam Session | 7:00 PM, | Canaan Institute, Brooktondale Jesse Collins Quartet & Diana Leigh Quintet | 7:00 PM, | Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space, Ithaca | $10/$15 Too Many Zooz w/ Birocratic | 8:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca | $20/$22

1/31 Friday Vee Da Bee | 5:30 PM, | South Hill Cider Tasting Room, Ithaca Bendher: Free Music Happy Hour | 6:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca The Radio London Quartet | 7:00 PM, | The Westy, Ithaca Dapper Dan & Baked Shrimp | 9:00 PM, | The Range, Ithaca

2/2 Sunday Immortal Jellyfish | 2:00 PM, | Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Ithaca Ithaca Jazz and Blues Jam | 4:00 PM, | Mix Kitchen and Bar, Ithaca Bound for Glory: Joe Jencks | 8:00 PM, | Anabel Taylor Hall, Ithaca

2/5 Wednesday Canaan Jam Session | 7:00 PM, | Canaan Institute, Brooktondale

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Titlebaum, Paul Merrill, and Michael Treat.

Stage

Midday Music for Organ: David Yearsley and Annette Richards | 12:30 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | Sage Chapel, Cornell, Ithaca | “Sounding Mean c. 1600,” music in meantone, including works by Sweelinck and Byrd on the Vicedomini organ.

ComedyFLOPs Presents: All You Can Eat Improv To Benefit Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) | 7:00 PM, 1/30 Thursday | The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave., Ithaca, | Each month we support a different community based charity and our January

Concerts/Recitals Ithaca Sounding 2020 | All Day 1/30 Thursday thru 2/2 Saturday | A multiday, multi-venue festival and symposium celebrating, exploring, and questioning the traditions of modernist and experimental concert music

by Ithacans past and present. Times and locations vary. Visit http://music. cornell.edu/ithaca-sounding-2020 for the complete schedule.

NYS Baroque presents Nevertheless, She Persisted | 7:30 PM, 2/1 Saturday | First Unitarian Society, 306 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca | Music by and about strong women, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Music of Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Julie Pinel, Georg Frideric Handel, and others. Laura Heimes, soprano; Adriane Post, violin; Boel Gidholm, violin; Lisa Terry, viola da gamba & cello; Naomi Gregory, harpsichord; Deborah Fox, theorbo. Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm | $35 general; $30 senior; $10 students; free grades 3-12 Symphoria Pops III: James Bond | 7:30 PM, 2/1 Saturday | Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery Street, Syracuse | $90-$20, College $5, 18 & under $0 Ithaca Big Band Summit | 2:00 PM, 2/2 Sunday | Ford Hall, Whalen Center, IC, Ithaca | Fourth Annual Ithaca Big Band Summit with the jazz ensembles of Ithaca College, Cornell, and Ithaca High School. Directors Mike

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ITHACA BIG BAND SUMMIT Sunday, February 2 at 2:00 PM | Ford Hall, Ithaca College | Fourth Annual w/ the Jazz Ensembles of IC, Cornell, and Ithaca High School. Directors Mike Titlebaum, Paul Merrill, and Michael Treat. (photo: Facebook )

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Cornell Cinema

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Your support enables us to support local nonprofits and to make loans to local businesses. Not to mention, our employees volunteer thousands of hours of their time each year.

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But most of all, we hope it makes our community a little better.

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charity is the Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services | $5.00/suggested Running to Places - Winter Showcase | 7:00 PM, 1/31 Friday & 2:00 PM, 2/1 Saturday | Kulp Auditorium, Ithaca High School, 1401 N Cayuga St, Ithaca | Many of the songs are from shows that R2P hasn’t put on because the cast would be too small for the growing number of youth who audition for R2P, now that participation is entirely free. | $17/$13 La Cerise Noire | 8:00 PM, 1/31 Friday thru 2/2 Sunday | Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca | A scripted neo-vaudeville show peppered with a tantalizing variety of delectable delights including burlesque, drag, comedy, circus arts, bellydancing, grown-up puppetry, music, and much more to tickle your fancy.

Hilby:The Skinny German Juggle Boy | 6:00 PM, 2/1 Saturday | State Theatre Of Ithaca, 107 W State St, Ithaca | Hilby creates unforgettable moments for his audiences with such death-defying feats as The New Schrubber Schrubb Schrubb of Doom, in which he juggles an electric powered hedge trimmer, a bowling ball and a flaming beanie baby. Working

in the tradition of the legendary silent vaudeville-inspired comedians such as Buster Keaton as well as the great mimes Marcel Marceau and Lecoq, Hilby presents a show without boundaries in which artistry and anarchy are blended into utter hilarity.

Art Philipson and Stevens-Gupta: HORIZONS and ABSTRACT REALITIES | Ongoing | Collegetown Bagels, East Hill Plaza, 329 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca | Urban Arts Crawl | 5:00 PM, 1/31 Friday | Downtown Corning, Corning | UpstART Gallery | All Day 2/1 Saturday | UpstART Gallery @ Buffalo Books, Dewitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca | Features four local artists with four different approaches to creating some of the most innovative and contemporary art in Ithaca. Exhibit open Feb. 1-29, 2020.

The Artworks Gallery Offers Scherenschnitte Valentine Workshop | 10:00 AM, 2/1 Saturday | Seneca County Arts Council Gallery, 109 Fall Street, Seneca Falls | Scherenschnitte

means scissor cuts in German, is the art of paper cutting design. | $20

Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes. New films listed first*.

First Saturday Open Studios on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail | 11:00 PM, 2/1 Saturday | Various artist studios around Tompkins County, Ithaca | Visit the website to find a list of Saturday open artists, plus artist profiles, and downloadable maps. The artists will be thrilled to see you.

Weathering With You* | A highschool boy who has run away to Tokyo befriends a girl who appears to be able to manipulate the weather. | 112 mins PG-13

“For the Love of Art” | 12:00 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W Martin Luther King, Jr./ State Street, Ithaca | Thru 3/1. Nine member/artists will show digital art, drawing, fiber art, mixed media, multi-media, painting, photography, print-making, sculpture, and prints.

Showing will be: Jane Dennis, Frances Fawcett, Saundra Goodman, Patricia Hunsinger, Jan Kather, Susan Larkin, Alicia Sanguiliano, David Watkins, Jr., and Connie Zehr.

Film Cinemapolis Week of Friday, January 31 through Thursday, February 6, 2020.

Becoming Nobody* | Using a mix of interviews and archival recordings of his presentations, the American spiritual teacher Ram Dass, born Richard Alpert, tells the story of his life, while summarizing his primary teachings. | 81 mins NR Color Out of Space | A town is struck by a meteorite and the fallout is catastrophic. | 111 mins NR Uncut Gems | |A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score, makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime.

Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides, in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win. | 135 mins R Little Women | 135 mins PG-13 Jojo Rabbit | 108 mins PG-13 Parasite | |132 mins R

All films are shown at Willard Straight Hall on Cornell campus.

Aquarela | 1/29, 6:45 PM | A cinematic journey through the transformative beauty and raw power of water. From the precarious frozen waters of Russia’s Lake Baikal to Miami in the throes of Hurricane Irma to Venezuela’s mighty Angel Falls, the film captures water’s many personalities in startling cinematic clarity.

Knives Out | 1/29, 8:45 PM; 2/1 & 2/2, 6:45 PM; | When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate.

Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf | 1/30, 6:45 PM| An immersive and meditative documentary that reveals how the revolutionary landscape designer, Piet Oudolf, upends our conventional notions of nature, public space, and, ultimately, beauty itself.

Subtitled.

Castle in the Sky | 1/30, 8:30 PM | In this steampunk-style adventure (that prefigures Howl’s Moving Castle), Sheeta and Pazu struggle to safeguard the sanctity of the legendary floating castle of Laputa, that is being pursued by aeronautical pirates and nefarious foreign agents. Cosponsored with the Dept of Asian Studies. Subtitled.

Oscar Shorts: Animation | 1/31, 6:45 PM; 2/2, 4:30 PM | Oscar Shorts: Live Action | 1/31, 9:00 PM; 2/2, 1:45 PM | Oscar Shorts: Documentary | 2/4, 6:30 PM | Synonyms | 2/5, 6:45 PM | The story of Yoav and his struggle to reinvent himself as French after moving to Paris from Israel. The film won the top prize at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. Subtitled.

a dark wood in desperate search of food and work, only to stumble upon a nexus of terrifying evil. | 87 mins PG-13 The Rhythm Section* | A woman seeks revenge against those who orchestrated a plane crash that killed her family.| 109 mins R The Turning | A young governess is hired by a man who has become responsible for his young nephew and niece after the deaths of their parents.

A modern take on Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw.”| 94 mins PG-13 The Gentlemen | A British drug lord tries to sell off his highly profitable empire to a dynasty of Oklahoma billionaires.| 113 mins R Bad Boys for Life | The Bad Boys Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are back together for one last ride in the highly anticipated Bad Boys for Life.| 123 mins R Dolittle | A physician discovers that he can talk to animals. w/ Robert Downey Jr.| 106 mins PG 1917 | Two young British soldiers during the First World War are given an impossible mission: deliver a message deep in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, and one of the soldiers’ brothers, from walking straight into a deadly trap.| 119 mins R Like A Boss | Two friends with very different ideals start a beauty company together. One is more practical while the other wants to earn her fortune and live a lavish lifestyle. | 83 mins R Just Mercy | World-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson works to free a wrongly condemned death row prisoner. | 136 mins PG-13 Underwater | 95 mins PG-13 Spies in Disguise | 101 mins PG

Regal Ithaca

Star Wars:The Rise of Skywalker | 141 mins PG-13

Wednesday, 1/29 through Tuesday, 2/5. Contact Regal Ithaca for showtimes. New films listed first*

Jumanji: The Next Level || 123 mins PG-13

Gretel & Hansel* | A long time ago in a distant fairy tale countryside, a young girl leads her little brother into

Ford vs Ferrari | 152 mins PG-13 Frozen II | 103 mins PG

VEE DA BEE

RUNS FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 1/31-2/2 AT 8:00 PM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 AT 5:30 PM

South Hill Cider Tasting Room, 550 Sandbank Road, Ithaca | Alternative Pop/Rock with eclectic influences; you might cry or laugh or both, but you’ll definitely have a blast, whether she’s solo or backed by her talented band. (photo: provided)

Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca | A scripted neo-vaudeville show peppered with a tantalizing variety of delectable delights including burlesque, drag, comedy, circus arts, bellydancing, grown-up puppetry, music, and much more to tickle your fancy. (photo: Facebook)

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LA CERISE NOIR

Knives Out | 130 mins PG-13

I t h a c a T i m e s 31

Saturday | Bartels Hall, 521 Campus Rd, Ithaca |

Wine of the Month

Books When it is Hard to be Human: Lessons from the Rescuers in the Holocaust | 3:00 PM, 2/2 Sunday | Ithaca College Whalen Hall Presser Room, 952 Danby Rd., Ithaca | Will be followed by a reception and book signing. Authors Eva Fogelman and Roald Hoffmann will guide this panel discussion, moderated by author Dan Schwarz.

Kids Preschool Storytime at Southworth Library | 10:00 AM, 1/31 Friday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | A different theme every week!

Ja n ua ry 2020

Chardonnay ($16) – The term “barrel fermented” in Chardonnays used to mean excessively buttery and oaky. But like some of the best Finger Lakes Chardonnays, this bottling sports a creamy body gripped by bright acidity, rich and zingy at the same time, clean and limey, with good tension in the mouth; Hunt’s new winemaker Craig Hosbach is pushing the winery’s output to new heights.

Score: 92

A Persistent Obsession with Identity” – lecture by composer/ percussionist Sarah Hennies | 5:00 PM, 1/31 Friday | Whalen Center, 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca | To be held in Iger Lecture Hall (room 2105), Whalen Center for Music, Ithaca College.

Internationally renowned composer and percussionist Sarah Hennies will discuss her music, which explores a persistent obsession with transfeminine identity, and how she uses a vast

spectrum of “queerness” as a frequent point of departure for her work.

Cornell Women’s Basketball vs Brown University | 6:00 PM, 1/31 Friday | Bartels Hall, 521 Campus Rd, Ithaca | Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey vs Clarkson University | 6:00 PM, 1/31 Friday | Lynah Rink, 536 Campus Rd, Ithaca | Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey vs St. Lawrence | 3:00 PM, 2/1 Saturday | Lynah Rink, Cornell Univ., Ithaca | Cornell Women’s Basketball vs Yale University | 5:00 PM, 2/1

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Sew Amazing | 6:00 PM, 2/3 Monday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Here’s a sewing class just for kids and teens in 4th

Aunt Irene’s Variety Show | 10:30 AM, 2/1 Saturday | The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca | Performed by LilySilly Puppets. See a singing sloth, the mysterious Linked Lizard, Rosita the flamenco dancer and Wanda the Wizard. Things seem to go awry as a needy witch casts spells to compete with Aunt Irene’s cast. Live music by Matthew Ocone. See the backstage after the show. | $8 -$12 Hearts and Crafts | 3:30 PM, 2/3 Monday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Bring the whole family for a fun-filled afternoon of Valentine “hearts and crafts” at the library! Must preregister.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 AT 7:00 PM AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 2:00 PM

Kulp Auditorium, Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca | Just when winter blues have settled in, R2P offers a joyful Winter Showcase to lift the spirits. Featuring “...a wide range of exuberant songs from some of our favorite musicals,” says Joey Steinhagen, R2P artistic director. (photo: provided)

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/January

Family Story Time | 10:30 AM, 2/4 Tuesday | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs and fun.

There is a different theme each week.

Cuddle-up Infant & Toddler Library Time | 10:00 AM, 2/5 Wednesday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden |

Notices Ithaca Sociable Singles | 6:00 PM, 1/29 Wednesday | 1/29, 6:00 PM Dinner: Pasta Vitto. Host: Nadine L., RSVP: nlem1155@gmail.com. Next week: 2/5 -6:00 PM Dinner: Taste

of Thai ExpressHost: Mavash, RSVP: mavashgaldjie@yahoo.com January Science on Tap: “Filling in Missing Data: Politics, ____, Healthcare” presented by Prof.

Madeleine Udell. | 7:00 PM, 1/29 Wednesday | Casita Del Polaris , 1201 N Tioga St, Ithaca | Resume Review Workshop | 1:00 PM, 1/30 Thursday | Tompkins County Workforce Center, Center Ithaca, Suite 241, | Bring a paper copy of your finished resume to be reviewed by your peers and staff. You’ll be amazed at all the positive suggestions you’ll leave with.

Teen Writing Workshops | 4:30 PM, 1/30 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Teens may attend a couple of sessions or all of them; each week will offer something different, and attendance

Bedtime Stories with Miss Martha | 6:00 PM, 1/31 Friday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Come dressed in your jammies for a special family story time to get you ready for bed. Stuffed animals welcome!

RUNNING TO PLACES WINTER SHOWCASE

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Maker Mondays for Teens | 4:00 PM, 2/3 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Provides people aged 12 to 17 the opportunity to express their creativity while becoming familiar with the equipment in the Library’s Makerspace. Each session will include a tutorial on 3D printing, laser cutting, or Arduino programming. No prior experience is required, and materials will be provided.

grade and up. Learn basic hand-sewing techniques and create your own stuffed animal. All materials provided.

Preregistration is required.

Early Communication Strategies for Babies and Families | 10:30 AM, 1/31 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | A program exploring ways caregivers can help children up to 18 months improve communication skills.No registration is required for this free program.

2017 Hunt Country Vineyards Barrel Fermented

Special Events

Tween Board Game Club | 3:30 PM, 2/3 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | At this program, tweens ages 8 to 12 will explore and learn new board games each week with Mike Timonin, local board game aficionado.

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ITHACA SOUNDING 2020 January 30 – February 2, 2020 | Cornell University: Johnson Museum, Barnes Hall, Lincoln Hall; Ithaca College: Hockett Hall & Buffalo Street Books | Ithaca Sounding 2020 is a multi-day, multi-venue festival and symposium celebrating, exploring, and questioning the traditions of modernist and experimental concert music by Ithacans past and present. For more information and the complete schedule, please visit https://music.cornell.edu/ithaca-sounding-2020. (photo: provided)

HILBY:THE SKINNY GERMAN JUGGLE BOY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 6:00 PM

State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 W. State St., Ithaca | w/ special guests! Hilby presents a show without boundaries in which artistry and anarchy are blended into utter hilarity. (photo: provided)

every week is not required. These one-hour workshops will be led by volunteers from Ithaca College, and they will involve a variety of prompts, exercises, and opportunities to workshop pieces. (no mtg 3/12) Beginner Bird Walks | 8:30 AM, 2/1 Saturday | Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca | Guided bird walks every Saturday and Sunday morning, sponsored by the Cayuga Bird Club. For more information, go to the club’s website, http://www. cayugabirdclub.org/calendar Saddle Up for Jesus Horse Riding Club | 7:00 PM, 2/1 Saturday | Brooktondale Baptist Church, 2311 Slaterville Road, Ithaca | A Christian, family-oriented riding club. We have club meetings, trail rides, horsemanship clinics for a variety of disciplines, cowboy devotionals and youth programs. Contact Lawrence Canfield at 607-539-6440.

Trumansburg Community Chorus Spring Session | 7:00 PM, 2/3 Monday | Jacksonville Community United

Methodist Church, 1869 Trumansburg Rd, Jacksonville | $40 adults/$25 students. Donations are available CBCI -- New Year’s Pop-Culture Resolutions! | 7:00 PM, 2/4 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Will 2020 be the year when you finally binge-watch the first five seasons of Doctor Who? When you read the first five years of Groo the Wanderer? When you finally read The Iliad, or, at least, the Classics Illustrated version of The Iliad?

Whatever your dreams, enlist the help of fellow fans at the Comic Book Club of Ithaca.

Facebook Social Media Setup | 1:00 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Join us to learn about social media and to set up your own Facebook account. Ages 13 and up are welcome.

Please preregister.

Senior Snowshoeing at the Ithaca YMCA | 1:00 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | Y Outdoor Education Center, 1349 Mecklenburg Road (Route 79), 14850

| The Outdoor Education staff will show you the benefits of snowshoeing and guide you on a walk through the trails of the property. All participants should come wearing boots and proper layers of clothing. Please register. | $5.00/free for members Blood Drive | 2:30 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Help your community by donating blood to the American Red Cross.

ESL Talk Time, | 3:45 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | In these classes, interested people will meet others who are practicing English, watch and discuss YouTube videos, and talk with Library volunteers about current events, Ithaca, family life, culture, food, and holidays.

Open Hearts Dinner | 5:00 PM, 2/5 Wednesday | McKendree UMC, 224 Owego St., Candor | Come and join in the fun. Whether you are looking for fellowship or a free meal this one’s

for you. Contact: Denice Peckins denicepeckins@hotmail.com

Health Beginning Taoist Tai Chi | 5:00 PM, Mondays & Wednesdays | Newfield Masonic Temple, 186 Main Street, Newfield | Taoist Tai Chi internal arts promote health and well-being in people of all ages and in all health conditions. Regular practice increases strength, flexibility, balance, and mental focus.

Radon Action Event | 6:00 PM, 1/29 Wednesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca | Exercise Class for Seniors | 8:30 AM, Tuesdays & Thursdays | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Take off Pounds Sensibly | 6:00 PM, 1/30 Thursday | Candor Town Hall, 101 Owego Road, Candor | Contact Jean Dewey 659-9969 or jmdewey@ frontiernet.net

SENIOR SNOWSHOEING AT THE ITHACA YMCA OUTDOOR ED CENTER Wednesday, February 5 at 1:00 PM | Y Outdoor Education Center, 1349 Mecklenburg Rd., Ithaca | The Outdoor Education staff will show you the benefits of snowshoeing and guide you on a walk through the trails of the property. All participants should come wearing boots and proper layers of clothing. Please register. (photo: Facebook)

Inner Wisdom Meditation Series | 7:00 PM, 1/30 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | At these sessions, led by Lisa Margaret, guided meditation and deep relaxation techniques will be used to help participants obtain this deeper super-conscious state in order to access inner wisdom. In accessing this wisdom, participants can gain a higher understanding of life and their purpose in the world.

Sacred Sunday Community at Yoga Farm | 9:00 AM, 2/2 Sunday | Yoga Farm, 404 Conlon Rd, Lansing | Open Meditation | 10:30 AM, 2/2 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca |

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous | 4:00 PM, 2/2 Sunday | Community Recovery Center, 518 W Seneca St, Ithaca | FA is a free 12-Step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating, or bulimia. foodaddicts.org.

Additional meetings held Mondays @ 7pm and Saturdays at 8am.

Qigong for Women’s Wellness | 6:00 PM, 2/4 Tuesday | Mosaic Studio Collective, 27 W. Main St., Trumansburg | Learn how to build your own healing energy for relief from PMS & menopausal symptoms, breast cancer healing & support , increased energy and emotional balance.

NYS BAROQUE PRESENTS NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 AT 3:00 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 7:30 PM

Ithaca College’s James J. Whalen Center for Music -Presser Rehearsal Room| Authors Eva Fogelman and Roald Hoffmann will guide this panel discussion, moderated by author Dan Schwarz. They will explore why some bystanders and perpetrators in the midst of totalitarian genocide were compelled to risk their lives and resist. (photo:provided)

First Unitarian Society, 306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca | Music by and about strong women, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm (photo:provided)

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WHEN IT IS HARD TO BE HUMAN: LESSONS FROM THE RESCUERS IN THE HOLOCAUST

I t h a c a T i m e s 33

Town & Country

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HOUSES/520

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