March 4, 2020

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1. Census 2020

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ty’s funding un Co ins pk m To ine rm te de ll wi us ns The Ce de. This year it’s and representation for the next deca easier than ever. | Page 8

IPD

CHUCK

Lawsuit settled for $420K

Schumer wants post office to stay downtown

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opens on Green Street

Civic Ensemble’s newest show

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VOL.XL / NO. 28 / March 4, 2020 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

Census 2020 �������������������������������������� 8 Stand up and be counted

Agava Stabbing

Another chance �������������������������� 15 Civic Ensemble’s newwest show

Two stabbed during fight at Agava

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he Tompkins County Sheriffs are still investigating a stabbing that took place last week at Agava Restaurant that left two seriously injured and one suspect still on the loose.

Deputies arrived on scene just before midnight on Feb. 26 and found two people stabbed in an altercation. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 21-year-old bystander attempted to intervene in a dispute and was stabbed.

While the altercation continued, another subject, a 26-year-old man, was stabbed just before the suspect fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’8”- 5’10”, late 20s to early 30s, wearing a black leather jacket and a Chicago Bulls baseball hat.

The 21-year-old victim was transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and is in critical condition as of the last update from the sheriff ’s office.

The 26-year-old victim was taken to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA and is in critical, but stable condition, as of the last update.

On Thursday afternoon, Cornell University published a statement indicating that the 21-year-old victim was a student at Cornell.

“A Cornell student was stabbed while attempting to intervene during an altercation at a local restaurant last evening," Cornell spokesperson John Carberry said. "Our prayers go out to our student and to the second victim of the attack, and to their families and friends. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff ’s Office at (607) 257-1345 or the Sheriff ’s Office confidential tip line at (607) 266-5420.”

Staff R eports

ART S & E N T E RTAINME N T Dining ���������������������������������������������������������17 Stage ���������������������������������������������������������� 19 TimesTable ������������������������������������������22-25 Classifieds ������������������������������������������26-28 Cover: Photo: Casey Martin, Design: Marshall

Stacked

New bookstore opens on W. Green Street

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fter the loss of The Bookery late last year, Ithaca will be getting a new bookstore downtown.

Odyssey Books, owned by Laura Larson and located at 115 West Green Street, has been looking forward to owning a bookstore for a long time.

A native Ithacan, Larson left the area for Seattle and came back looking to start anew.

Being friends with Edward Crossmore, a local lawyer who owns the building, she was able to set up her shop in the building’s basement.

Construction has been going on for some time, with Larson eyeing a soft-open in March and a grand opening in mid-April. She is hoping to have a little something for everyone, though this has been quite a challenge for her. Being

a passionate reader, she has always dreamed of having a bookstore.

“I believe bookstores are an excellent place for people to come together and both find what they have in common and get to know each other,” Larson said. She wants the store to become a place where community events can connect people with shared interests, like readings or genre-specific events, etc.

Larson is hoping for this bookstore to be a more communal space, for people to get to know each other better.

However, there were a lot of hoops she had to jump through to get the store space done, particularly with zoning, permitting, and variances, though she credited the people at City Hall with helping her

T a k e ▶ Moetry and Fusic - a night of songs and jokes is coming up this weekend. The night is hosted by Singtrece and Kenneth McLaurin, featuring performances by Melanie Conroy-Goldman, Taili Mugambee and Jennifer Savran Kelly, as well as possibly others.

Hopkins

Laura Larson and Anne Clymer, owner and manager of Odyssey Books, outside the new space on West Green Street. (Photo by Casey Martin)

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000

navigate the process during the last several months.

People did question some of the changes being made to a historic space but Larson loves bringing people into the bookstore. She will be selling new books and plans on having a large section dedicated to plays. Larson came up with the name for her bookstore through some self-evaluation and the legendary novel by Homer.

“I didn’t want this to be a bookstore that was a bookstore you could find anywhere like ‘Joan’s Bookstore,’” Larson said. “That’s fine but I want this bookstore to be like ‘this is an Ithaca store, we celebrate Ithaca and all things Ithaca.’ I love that there is a boat and a lake. It’s about journeys and travels. And, honestly, I’m on my own little journey.”

M a t t B u t l e r , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 224

E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m J a i m e C o n e , E d i t o r , x 232

SouthReporter@flcn.org E d w i n J . V i e r a , S ta f f R e p o r t e r

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A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A n d r e w S u l l i v a n , S p o r t s E d i t o r , x 227

Sports@flcn.org Steve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumnist

St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m M a r s h a l l H o p k i n s , P r o d u c t i o n D i r ec t o r / D es i g n e r , x 216

P r o d u c t i o n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A u s t i n L a mb , C o p y E d i t o r E me r i t u s AL a m b @ i t h a c a t i m e s . c o m E r i n S t e w a r t , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 220

E r i n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L i s a B i n g a m a n , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 218

l i s a @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , x 211 A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Chris Eaton, Distribution J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 210

j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 214

l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r e e l a n c e r s : Barbara Adams, Rick Blaisell, Steve Burke, Deirdre Cunningham, Jane Dieckmann, Amber Donofrio, Karen Gadiel, Charley Githler, Linda B. Glaser, Warren Greenwood, Ross Haarstad, Peggy Haine, Gay Huddle, Austin Lamb, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Lori Sonken, Henry Stark, Dave Sit, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman

E dw i n J. Vi er a

N o t e

The event is being held at The Haunt on Sunday, March 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 until the show, $12 on March 8. ▶ GIAC’s Black History Month Talent Show is being held March 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Kulp Auditorium at

Ithaca High School. It’s a free event and performances are suitable for families. There are 13 performances planned, spanning spoken word, dancing, rapping, singing and more.

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It h ac a T im e s 3

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER

By C a se y Mar tin

HOW DID YOU SPEND LEAP DAY 2020?

N e w s l i n e

Miller Lawsuit

A decade later, City settles with former IPD officer for $420K

“Baby Shower Stuff!!!!”

-Mike D & Kayla P.

“Andrew went to the Cornell Hockey Game, then celebrated his buddies 30th , I went to see The Invisible Man. It was good!”

-Jeneva N, Andrew W & Winston

Ithaca Police Station (Photo: Casey Martin)

A

former Ithaca Police Department officer, who alleged he was fired as retaliation for complaints that he was discriminated against as a white man in the department, has settled with the City of Ithaca for $420,000.

The settlement comes after a decade of

“We both RETIRED on the 29th, and got wonderful haircuts!”

R enter Power

Newly-formed Ithaca Tenants' Union aims to "level the playing field" with landlords

-Mick & Gina M.

R “Had a delicious bunch at MIX. No bottomless mimosa’s for me though.”

-Eugene V.

“Uh. I spent it in the ER. No Comment.”

-Troy W.

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litigation between the City of Ithaca and the police officer, Chris Miller.

The settlement, confirmed by the City of Ithaca and A.J. Bosman, Miller’s attorney, satisfies Miller’s final claim that the city sought his termination from the police department after he lodged complaints with the Division of Human Rights (DHR) regarding his treatment in the department.

In January, the city had been ordered by the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals to pay Miller $20,000 in damages for IPD’s decision to assign him to the Commons patrol beat, perceived as a demotion, as well as to cover half of his attorney fees stemming from the decade-old lawsuit, which amounted to around $534,000.

In total, Miller is set to receive around $970,000 from the city.

“This settlement was a business decision in the best interests of the City and its taxpayers,” Mayor Svante Myrick said in a statement on the settlement. “After nearly a decade of litigation including three federal trials and two appeals, settlement simply became cheaper than continued litigation that showed no signs of letting up.”

Miller’s suit was controversial from the beginning, as he alleged that the City of Ithaca and Ithaca Police Department had retaliated against him for filing a complaint with DHR of workplace discrimination as a white man in 2005, and a

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enters in Ithaca may now have a coalition of those with shared interest: the Ithaca Tenants' Union announced its existence Monday afternoon.

Rumors of a tenants union have ebbed and flowed over the last several years, hand-in-hand with the city's push to develop more housing and the continued raising of rents, partially a result of the significant presence of Cornell University and Ithaca College students in the market.

"Following decades of rising rents and declining conditions in Ithaca rental properties, renters have united to form the Ithaca Tenants’ Union in defense of our shared interests," a press release from the organization said. "The presence of Cornell University and Ithaca College has driven up the cost of housing in Ithaca due to the necessity of short-term leases for students who rotate in and out of housing during 4–10,

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their time in college. This cycle and artificially inflated demand allow landlords to lower the standard of living and raise the cost of housing for students and local residents."

The union's release also highlighted the lack of living wage jobs and gentrification as contributing factors to what they feel is a worsening housing environment in the area. That, plus lackadaisical landlord response to maintenance requests fueled the union's founding, according to the release.

It is being organized with help from the Tompkins County Workers Center.

"Building maintenance issues have persisted in Ithaca for decades," the release said. "No Ithaca renter need look far to find a personal story of building maintenance failures ranging from collapsed ceilings to cockroach infestation and lack of a garbage receptacle. As the number of

subsequent complaint in 2008, according to court documents. The complaint itself— that Miller was passed over for promotion based on his race—was determined to be unfounded. But Miller’s allegation that he was served with a notice of termination as direct retaliation for the complaint was determined to be valid enough that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued him a “right to sue” notice in early 2010, which he then used as part of the basis for his suit later that year, resulting in the $420K settlement. According to Bosman, no side has admitted fault in the matter as part of the settlement. At the time of his termination, the city claimed he was being fired for lying about his work history as a police officer in Virginia on his job application to work at IPD, where he was hired in 2000.

The lawsuit and subsequent legal saga has been a 10 year rollercoaster for both the city and Miller; he was initially awarded $2 million in 2012, but a judge then ruled that award was unnecessarily high.

In 2015, Miller was awarded $480,000, a decision Myrick said at the time was “astonishingly inappropriate” and which he pledged to continue to fight.

"During the course of Plaintiff ’s employment with the City of Ithaca Police Department, as set forth in more detail below, Plaintiff has been subjected to a continuous series of illegal and discriminatory and retaliatory acts, unfair actions, policies, practices, and procedures because of Plaintiff ’s race and/or sex and because of his assertion of his contractual, civil and Constitutional rights," Miller's 2010 suit claims.

Miller’s suit experienced some renewed continued on page 18

these stories climbs in tandem with our already-outrageous rents, it is time to take action."

The group is taking the approach of organizing renters across the city instead of the arguably more conventional route of unionizing among renters in a specific building.

"The whole city of Ithaca faces very similar problems with renters across the board," one of the organizers, Elijah Fox, said. "There are specific landlords who own large properties, and there may be merits to organizing tenants in those properties, but because the entire city is facing the same issues and because Ithaca and this area really encounters significantly higher rents and costs of living than the surrounding area, it makes sense to get everybody together and use that strength in numbers to achieve the tenants' justice and dignity that we really need."

That will likely include targeted efforts to promote legislation at the local level that would expand tenants' rights, resources and recourses when negotiating with a landlord, as opposed to the powers more continued on page 18

N e w s l i n e

Enfield Pledge

Enfield Town Board compromises on Pledge of Allegiance

Enfield residents stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance during Wednesday's special meeting. (Photo by Matt Butler)

A

fter an emotional and tense special meeting the night of Feb. 26, the Enfield Town Board took the middle road on the inclusion of the Pledge of Allegiance at meetings, theoretically ending weeks of unrest at Town Board meetings.

The hubbub started in January when the board voted to remove the Pledge of Allegiance from its place at the beginning of each Town Board meeting, just after the call to order. Backlash from residents at the move during the subsequent few weeks led Town Supervisor Beth McGee to schedule a special meeting to discuss the issue.

Last night, she managed to bring a resolution to the issue as well: McGee wrote a bill that states that official Town Board agendas will include a note attached to the Privilege of the Floor section that will invite people of the public to say the Pledge of Allegiance "if they so choose."

The pledge will not have its own slot on the agenda as it did previously. The recitation of the pledge will not take time away from people's three minute speaking time during Privilege of the Floor, which will be held just after the call to order.

The board voted 4-1 in favor of the move, with member Bob Lynch dissenting.

Residents packed the Enfield Town Hall once again, with about 35 seated during the meeting.

A hallmark of a good compromise is

that everyone leaves at least a little angry, and this one did not disappoint. The move did not satisfy some members of the audience, who felt the language wasn't strong enough; some wanted the board to restore the Pledge of Allegiance to its own spot on the agenda and additionally include a tenet that would force meeting attendees to stand and face the flag while the pledge is recited. Lynch had introduced his own resolution that would have basically done this (requesting "respectful reverence" from attendees), though it did also provide people with the option to "decline participation." His resolution was read and received applause from the audience, but was promptly tabled after that and eventually was defeated in favor of McGee's action.

Those who wanted the pledge reinstated had largely the same arguments as they had previously: they felt blindsided by the initial vote, which was held in early January, and that the board was catering to a minority opinion while ignoring the will of the majority. Their suggestions ranged from the accommodating (Tammy Elling offered to come to every Town Board meeting so that a member of the public could lead those who wanted to say the pledge) to the comedic (one person argued that the Pledge of Allegiance should be placed above the Call to Order, the traditional start of the meeting, for maximum respect).

"I expect the board to be forthcoming and honest, and I believe that you acted on terms that weren't really voted for," Herb Messer said. He also lamented the "arrogance" of the board and said several times that the decision would be "remembered next election."

Throughout the meeting, the Messers and other members of the public called on certain members of the board to resign if they didn't want to say the pledge.

"It's my opinion that anyone who can't say the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America should not be in a leadership position in a town, a state, or this country," Barb Messer said.

"If I don't get re-elected, it's not going to break my heart over this issue," McGee said at one point during the discourse.

Another sentiment that was repeated, although not quite based in reality, was that members of the public felt that their right to say the pledge was being revoked.

This was never actually true, as the Pledge of Allegiance had been frequently said during the interim meetings of the Town Board since the first vote in January, but it certainly provoked some of the most passionate comments from the public during the meeting. At the invitation of McGee, the crowd and board all stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance after the hour or so of public comment had concluded and before the board began its discussion.

The meeting threatened to spin out of control during a few moments. There were plenty of accusations directed at the board that they were being unpatriotic or disrespectful by removing the pledge.

McGee handled most of the back-andforths with audience members, though the discussion likely would have carried on for hours more had she not stopped so the board could move to the voting procedure.

During one of the meeting's more contentious moments, McGee accused Lynch of a misinformation campaign around the pledge issue, saying he had been stoking the flames of those who wanted the pledge restored. Lynch did not respond.

The board remained largely unswayed, though, despite the flood of comments.

McGee and board member Stephanie Redmond, who first broached the topic in January due to her religious beliefs, were steadfast throughout the meeting.

Mimi Mehaffey and Virginia Bryant were similarly unchanged, though Mehaffey was more vocal during the meeting and reiterated several times that she felt including the pledge on the agenda was a form of coercion by the board to make attendees say the pledge, which she found uncomfortable. She also said that under the new rules, the pledge would be said at the behest of the public during each meeting instead of being built into the agenda, which would make it more meaningful because it would be an active choice every time instead of a passive routine. Lynch's position also stayed steadily in favor of reinstating the pledge.

M att Butler Ma r ch

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UPS&DOWNS

Thumbs Up - Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on the United States Postal Service to negotiate in good faith with local parties to, hopefully, maintain Ithaca’s downtown post office location. There’s still some question as to why the USPS signed a short two-year lease, but it at least seems like Ithaca has some powerful people in its corner for this effort.

Thumbs Up - According to this week’s Common Council agenda, the City of Ithaca could be receiving a new intercity bus service: FlixBus. If approved, the company would use the East Green Street stop.

FlixBus is German-based and touts the sustainability of its buses and trips.

Seen - Mayor Svante Myrick called a press conference on Thursday to announce his endorsement of Ithaca Common Council member Seph Murtagh in the race for the Democratic nomination to replace Barbara Lifton as the representative of the 125th District in the State Assembly. Murtagh, who works as Lifton’s communications manager, has been working with Myrick at the city level since 2012.

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47.5% Yes 52.5% No

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It h ac a T im e s 5

GUEST OPINION

ITHACA NOTES

A dose of caution for the conference center

Sound Spending at WRFI R

By St e ph e n P. Bu r k e

By A n dr e Ga r di n e r Guest Contributor and Downtown Ithaca Alliance board member a ramp period, resulting in an additional n March, the City is scheduled to vote 22,085 new hotel room nights sold. This on building a conference center in would account for less than 5 percent of downtown Ithaca. The proposed confer- annual Tompkins County visitor days and ence center is projected to cost $36 million hotel room nights. The resulting ecoto build and the City of Ithaca would be nomic activity would generate direct net co-signing the lease*. The 49,000 square new earnings of $2.6 million per year. The foot conference center has been endorsed final study assumes a ramp period after by city officials over the alternative plan of which operating losses would stabilize at 55 units of affordable housing and a 9,000 $220,000 per year. By comparison, this square foot grocery store, which would operating loss would be more than double have excluded the conference center. the city’s 2020 Budget for the Green New (*Author’s Note: This article is a proDeal. forma review of the Ithaca Conference On the whole, there are three technical Center proposal. It assumes, as does the challenges that make it difficult to interHunden Strategic Partners study, that the pret the accuracy of the Hunden Study. proposal is financed through a one time First, it does not have a methodology expenditure of $36M.) section and does not include confidence A conference center was added to intervals with the projections. Therefore, the Green Street Ithaca Urban Renewal it is impossible to replicate study results Agency’s Request for Proposals based on or build scenario projections for financial studies from 2017 and 2019 conducted planning. The 2017 study was based on

by Hunden Strategic Partners. The study only 31 association interviews, so we can found that a conference center in downtown Ithaca would increase visitor days to continued on page 7 Tompkins County by 50,201 per year after

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ecently I spoke with Felix Teitelbaum, general manager of WRFI, Ithaca’s community radio station.

(Not online, as perhaps is most common in communication today, but on line: coincidentally, in terms of proprietorship, at Ithaca’s community food store.)

I thanked him for the coffee cup I’d received (hand-delivered to my house by a station volunteer) for my donation to WRFI’s annual pledge drive.

“Also, I’m glad to see you because there’s something I want to mention about the pledge drive,” I said, and Felix smiled pleasantly, although perhaps as if bracing himself slightly, politely.

“I think the pledge drive is too limited,” I said. “I think the station should hit it a lot harder.”

His smile suddenly turned to one of surprise, and he laughed.

“That’s the opposite of what I expected to hear,” he said.

It’s true that pledge drives on most stations are a drag. The requests are unspecific and sound scripted and all the same: “If you enjoy our programming, and rely on it, you need to know we rely on you, too - without you, there is no us, so please pledge today.”

WRFI’s drives strike me differently.

The pitches are voiced by volunteers, not professionals, and sound personal and real.

My suggestion to Felix was to augment the authenticity of the voices with details or descriptions of actual needs.

The reality is that no single $60 donation is going to make or break a station.

A station’s survival is not an issue for any average individual. So, what are the issues? What good is one person doing by giving?

This week I visited Felix at WRFI in downtown Ithaca for a discussion of the station’s needs.

Felix said, perhaps most fundamentally, that simple survival can indeed be an issue. He cited a community radio station in Illinois that recently shut. With insufficient funding for equipment, office, and other needs, it could not keep a signal on the air.

Even popular and historic stalwarts can falter. WBAI is a non-commercial, listener-supported station serving New York City since 1960. Its continued existence has been tenuous in recent years, however, not just for basic financial needs, but because of resulting contentiousness among staff and supporters.

Felix noted that WRFI is in no such peril, despite what he called a “laughably small” budget. His immediate concern

is not for continued existence, but for continued improvement in serving the public. He repeatedly referenced WRFI’s mission of devotion to community interests, not commercial ones.

He said, however, that with a bigger budget, WRFI could reach more of the community. Since its start, the station’s signal has failed to reach major segments of the area; for car commuters (a major part of any radio audience, he said), it can go in and out.

Improvement might involve transmission from a new tower, which of course would cost money. It might mean a new frequency on the dial, which would require regulatory filings and other paperwork taking countless hours of administrative time. Currently Felix is the sole paid employee for as many as 30 hours weekly.

Good programming also costs money, especially programming the station creates. WRFI features extensive local programming every day. It produces a local news show on weeknights, hosted by news director Michayla Savitt and a number of volunteers, and recently began a morning show for news and current affairs three days a week, with plans to expand to five. Both the range and quality of the programming depend on resources and volunteers.

Even unpaid volunteers cost money, for recruitment and training.

Felix cited the value of volunteers, who truly run WRFI. He is pleased with the station’s outreach and assignment efforts, while hoping to do more.

“We’re doing more and more,” he said of every aspect of station operations. “But there are so many projects,” both present and potential, he mused.

With more money and staffing, he said, the station could have more help for its technicians; research new programming; develop current programs and talent; and look (and apply) for new grants and other sources of support.

When I spoke to Felix of the example of my own interest in WRFI, and how it could possibly be addressed more strongly at pledge time, he seemed interested (as always) in development and growth: in doing more and doing better.

“We don’t want to have an air of desperation,” he said, especially as it does not pertain. Instead he returned to the notion of service, of the desire “to be here for everybody in the community,” as creatively and completely as possible, with goals that are aspirational but achievable.

“Help us get there,” Felix said, is the message.

GUEST OPINION Contin u ed From Page 6

expect a high degree of variance. Second, the study does not provide a breakdown of how past study projections stack up against actual performance. Therefore, it is impossible to assess whether Hunden has been historically under or over bias on projections. Finally, the study does not provide a historic view of conference center supply and demand. Historically, cities have built conference centers at a much higher pace than actual demand.

Hunden Strategic Partners is one of a small number of consulting firms that specializes in conference center/ stadium development. With the exception of one book published in 2014, there aren’t any meta-studies that do an ex-post analysis of consultant forecasts relative to actual results. The book, “Conference Center Follies” by Professor Heywood Sanders of University of Texas at San Antonio, provides a city by city analysis comparing conference center attendance and room nights against consultant forecasts. Based on his analysis of roughly 20 cities dating back to the 1980s, consultant studies were typically off forecast by about 50 percent, with none coming in over forecast. A few cities, including Indianapolis, New York, Atlanta and Baltimore, missed forecasts by over 60 percent. The book also highlights that conference centers aren’t a one time expense. When these centers don’t hit their attendance and hotel room targets, municipalities double down by funding upgrades and expansions to remain competitive. In larger cities, municipalities have built publicly owned hotels and stadiums to draw visitors.

Even if we assume that the Hunden projections are 100 percent accurate, the study results do not justify a conference center. In exchange for a $36 million investment, Tompkins County residents can expect direct net new earnings of $58 million over a 20 year period. By comparison, if we did nothing and invested the $36 million at a 3 percent rate of return, we would have $63 million after 20 years, $5 million more in direct earnings than a conference center. Not only would we save $36 million if the City rejects the conference center proposal, we would realize the direct new earnings from the 55 apartments and 9,000 square foot

commercial space that would be built in its place.

The Hunden study assumes that the Ithaca conference center will lose a projected $220,000 a year. Given the issues with the study itself and the accuracy of industry studies in the area, the Hunden study represents an optimistic estimate of conference center attendance. Let's assume the Hunden study performs well and that post ramp conference center attendance will be 75 percent of projected. Under this scenario, net visitor days would be 37,650 per year, resulting in 16,564 new hotel room nights sold.

This would put annual operating revenue for the center at $0.82 million, resulting in annual losses of $329,000 per year. If we make a more realistic assumption that actual attendance will be 50 percent of projected, operating losses would be roughly $455,000 per year. This does not account for future outlays associated with capital improvements or renovations to the space. If we see these types of losses, the proposed increase in hotel occupancy taxes won’t be enough to cover the operating deficit.

As a closing note, let's assume as taxpayers that we have $36 million to spend and our goal is to increase tourism to Ithaca by 50,000 per year. We could make Ithaca Times Managing Editor Matt Butler happy and build a minor league stadium. In 2018 just over 220,000 people went to see the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. We could also finance dozens of projects related to hiking, biking, and swimming that could boost visitorship.

There are numerous ways the city and county can grow tourism without indebting our community for decades to come.

Correction Last week, in several parts of the paper, we said that Tig Notaro was playing at the Hangar Theater on March 14.

She’s not, she’s playing at the State Theatre on March 14. We regret the error, and will be making the mistake clear in our social media postings of the article. Tickets are still available for the performance.

downtown!!!! People are leaving Tompkins specifically because of the housing costs and difficulties and that is a shame.

Something HAS to change.”

JENNIFER VEIT, via Facebook

THE TALK AT

In response to “Enfield Town Board compromises on Pledge of Allegiance”

In response to last week’s poll: Should the Pledge of Allegiance be included in the official agenda at the beginning of government meetings?

1923: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

1954 in some kind of red-scare proreligion movement "under god" was added.

Bring back the 1923 version!

Screen-name DANIEL ITHACA, via Ithaca.com

In response to “After a decade of litigation, city settles with former IPD officer for $420K” “I would love to see the data on how much we taxpayers pay out in lawsuits every year for the last 20 years or so.”

Debra Martens, via Facebook “This is obscene! ‘In total, Miller is set to receive around $970,000 from the city.’

How much of that money could have been spent fixing roads and creating programs for our youth?”

ARYEAL JACKSON, via Facebook

In response to “Newly-formed Ithaca Tenants’ Union aims to ‘level the playing field’ with landlords” “Landlords are NOT getting screwed; the people who are from here and work here and raise their families here are getting screwed. I just had to find a new home and was shocked and disgusted with the OUTRAGEOUS rents for low quality, small apartments. I went and viewed at least a dozen apartments that ranged in price from $1000/month to $1750/month. Plus utilities, plus parking, plus pet rent (if you are lucky enough to find a place that actually allows pets).

Regular working people need homes too. I understand that this is a college town and certain areas are for them. But I was looking almost exclusively outside of Ithaca (Dryden, Etna, Newfield and Enfield) which are not traditionally student housing. How can we be good enough to cook and serve you, drive you around, clean up after you, do your hair or teach your children but we aren't what landlords want to rent to? I love Ithaca so much. I was born and raised here and I moved back after a decade elsewhere to raise my daughter here, because I loved it so much. It shouldn't be so impossible to attain a home in the county, much less Ma r ch

4 – 1 0,

“The sad part is, Supervisor McGee did NOT bring this resolution originally & yet, since her term is up first, she may be the one harmed.

That would be a loss for Enfield in terms of professionalism in governance.

The public memory is not 4 years long.

Whatever you believe about Supervisor McGee, having worked with her as the Clerk & as a FF/EMT, her broad vision for Town Governance & her *professionalism* and her understanding & respect for the law FAR surpasses *anyone* who has ever served as Supervisor in Enfield before.

I’d take that one to the mat.”

ELLEN WOODS, via Facebook “A reasonable compromise. Virtue signaling aside, knowing the history behind the initiation of the pledge as a marketing ploy and its modification as an anti-Communist tactic, I believe the town's leaders are capable of serving as community leaders with patriotism in their hearts as indicated in their oaths of office. I don't need to have elected officials perform comforting rituals to placate my love of this country and my belief in America. Hell, we have a bunch of flag-wearing representatives who pay lip service in Washington already, and we see how much the ideals of this country and the religion they supposedly follow ACTUALLY impact their behavior. Titus 1:16, New King James Bible: ‘They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.’”

NANCY KANE, via Facebook

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 2 0 2 0

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It h ac a T im e s 7

Everybody Counts

Members of the Census C o m p l e t e c o u n t c o m m i t t e e at a r e c e n t p r e pa r at o ry m e e t i n g ( P h o t o : C a s e y M a r t i n)

The Census will determine Tompkins County’s funding and representation for the next decade. This year it’s easier than ever.

I

By M att Bu tler n the coming weeks, organizations around the county will start pouring resources, time and effort into promoting and marketing participation in the 2020 Census count, hoping to get as many people as possible counted.

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At face value, the Census might seem like a fairly mundane process, and arguably it is. The process and form aren’t particularly involved: once the letter appears in your mailbox, which it will over the next few weeks, check for the code inside, which will be unique for someone’s address. Once they’ve received the code, a person can go online to the Census web4–10,

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site and use that to fill out the questions; this is the Census’ first time providing a full online questionnaire and its preferred method now. Reminder letters will show up every week if the code or letter gets misplaced, or people can help the Census Bureau geo-locate them using their street address. If someone still hasn’t answered the Census by mid-April, paper forms will

be sent out.

Importantly, there will not be a question that asks about citizenship status on the Census, despite the attempts of President Donald Trump’s administration to include one. The first wave of forms will be mailed between March 12-20, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and on March 12 people can also start filling out the brief

questionnaire online.

But what the Census lacks in excitement it does make up for in importance.

Billions of dollars for communities around the country hang in the balance, not to mention representation in government and informing the designs of social programs designed to help homeowners, families, etc.

“Those counts are what help us determine our representation in government, school district lines in your community, voting district lines in your community, as well as the way that we distribute over $675 billion nationally for all kinds of community programs and resources,” said Amy Brombos, the Supervisory Partnership Specialist at the New York Regional Census Center.

Brombos also noted that the census form online comes in 12 languages, and the form can also be completed via phone in the same list of languages and English. Participating in the Census is legally required, but the Census bureau doesn’t police participation with the hopes of punishing anyone who doesn’t, Brombos said.

Of course, there are people who won’t trust the government with even that level of information. Marginalized communities like minorities or the impoverished especially have historical reasons for not wanting to forfeit even the slightest bit of their privacy to the government, and that includes through the Census. That’s an obstacle to attracting people in those communities to participate, which is an even more impactful issue when considering that Census data is used to inform the distribution of funding for programs that could be specifically intended to help people in those marginalized communities.

Mahmud Burton, president of the AlHuda Islamic Center in Ithaca spoke to some of those concerns among his community members.

“I think there are some members that would have those fears, yes,” Burton said of the local Islamic population’s reaction to the Census, regardless that religious affiliation is not included on the questionnaire.

There isn’t a cure-all for those types of sentiments, particularly with the Trump administration facing constant accusations of racism, xenophobia, etc. Burton said he’d be feeling out the best way to progress with his community, but to start he said they would try to bring the topic up before and after the regularly scheduled prayers at the Al-Huda facility.

“We’re hoping to do outreach in some of our normal community gatherings,”

Burton said. “We’ll take advantage of some of those opportunities that we have and create others. We’re also interfacing with the Islamic community at Cornell and the small number at Ithaca College.”

While the exclusion of the citizenship question should remove one large barrier to participation, it doesn’t quell all concerns.

The county-wide marketing push for participation has begun in earnest recently. Lane said there are advertisements on buses, flyers being sent out, awareness and eduaction events being held at places like local libraries throughout Tompkins County and more. The county’s grandest gesture, he said, is planning a press conference in a central location that would

Pat r i c i a F e r n a n d e z d e C a s t r o M a r t i n e z ( P h o t o : C a s e y M a r t i n) “We need to try and reassure the Latino population and all immigrant populations that yes, it applies to them, this is a count of human beings,” Latino Civic Association Executive Director Patricia Fernandez de Castro Martinez said. “It is for statistical purposes and for the purposes outlined in the Constitution and your information is safe. That is one big important task before not only the LCA but the state and county and city authorities.”

There are efforts going on at the county level, and from the Census Bureau itself, to hopefully allay such fears.

“People are definitely nervous about participating in the Census, and I think part of that is that there’s a lot of mistrust in the government and of course, the Census Bureau is a federal agency,” Brombos said. “But what people don’t understand is that we work as a sort of a silo [...] We can’t share information with any person, any government agency, any other agency in the community, we are strictly regulated

by Title 13, which states that no piece of personally identifiable information can ever be shared outside of the Census walls for anyone, for any reason, at any time.”

include a litany of local officials (Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick, Ithaca City School District Superintendent Luvelle Brown, the presidents from all three colleges in the immediate area, were all mentioned among others) who could encourage people from their communities to participate in the census.

There are other, organizational-specific efforts going on as well. At a meeting on Monday of the Complete County Committee, many of the ongoing pushes around the county were detailed, including a plan from Tompkins Community Action to host an event at their Spencer Road location on April 14 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., which they hope will attract the homeless population, in addition to ongoing efforts like banners, signs, etc. to increase awareness among the community that uses them. The colleges will obviously be a challenge as well; students living on Cornell University’s campus will have to use the paper count instead of online, as will students at Ithaca College, but an important note is that even if a student at those schools is from out of the area, they are still supposed to participate in the Ma r ch

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Census here in Tompkins County. Greek life organizations, faculty groups, grad and undergrad student councils and others are also being contacted for partnerships to help spread the word about participation more directly. At the meeting, Cornell officials said they only received eight percent of participation on the paper forms in 2010.

“We want to count the hard to count people,” Lane said. “They are folks like the elderly, little children, students are hard to count, anad we know we have homeless and folks that are here with different kinds of residential status, maybe people that don’t have legal papers, but they are still here and they are still entitled to be counted. We want them to understand that they aren’t going to be deported, for example.”

That apprehension has also factored into the county’s months-long push to recruit census workers from the community. Having a local face to go door to door reminding people of the Census or helping them with how to fill it out or turn it in could go a long way to calm some of the hesitation that people feel, Lane said.

“It’s very vital,” Lane said. “To have a neighbor come visit you is a lot different than having someone from the government come and say ‘I’m here to do you a favor.’ A lot of the people hired could pick their own neighborhood to follow-up on and do home visits, whatever might be necessary. You’re always going to be more comfortable with someone that you know, even if you don’t know them personally.”

The latest official update came in January, which stated that Tompkins County had just 32 percent of the needed amount of census workers. The problem is worse in Tompkins County than it is in surrounding counties, according to Lane and Census Bureau officials, but it’s part of a national issue. The last time the Census was held, in 2010, the American economy was so bad that people were delighted for a short-term job with flexible hours and some money on the side. Now, though, with the economy doing well (coronavirus fears aside) and unemployment low, there’s comparatively far fewer people in the market for part-time employment.

People can still apply to be census workers at 2020census.gov/en/jobs.

“We want to make sure every person is fairly represented,” said Mike Lane, who leads the committee, which has been meeting since late summer. “And we want to have all the political muscle that we’re entitled too. So we want everybody counted so that we have our number accurate.”

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It h ac a T im e s 9

Snail Mail

Schumer joins effort to keep post office in downtown Ithaca

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ith some uncertainty surrounding whether or not the Post Office on N. Tioga Street will consolidate with the post office on Warren Road, Senator Chuck Schumer is asking the U.S. Postal Service to address local concerns. He is urging the U.S. Postal Service to talk with local leaders and stakeholders to reach a mutual agreement about the post office’s future.

Recently, the Post Office signed a short-term lease after being next to Ithaca Town Hall for the last 20 years. Schumer has found that the post office has a great economic impact on the numerous residents and businesses that comprise downtown Ithaca. If the post office consolidated with the facility on Warren Road, residents and businesses would either have to drive or use Rte. 37 on TCAT. “Ithaca’s historic downtown post office is a pillar of the city’s business district, with countless residents and commercial institutions dependent on its central location and easy accessibility for their postal needs,” said Senator Schumer.

“USPS needs to deliver on local concerns and negotiate in good faith to ensure a long-term solution for the post office that boosts Ithaca.”

Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) Gary Ferguson, has cited the growth that has occurred within downtown Ithaca as the primary factor for keeping the post office where it is. Mayor Svante Myrick sent Schumer a letter several weeks ago addressing this problem and demanding there be action taken.

“Ithaca’s downtown post office location is critical to the operations and health of many downtown businesses as well as over 10,000 residents who live within walking distance of the office,” Myrick said in a press release with Schumer's letter. “I am grateful for Senator Schumer’s help in communicating the importance of maintaining the post office location downtown and we look forward to continuing to work with the USPS and the Town of Ithaca to ensure that we can maintain this busy and active facility where the community needs it – in the heart of growing and bustling Downtown Ithaca.”

Schumer’s whole letter follows: "Dear Postmaster General Brennan, I write on behalf of the businesses, organizations and residents of Ithaca, New York, regarding the potential relocation of their post office in downtown Ithaca. Moving the post office to outside the down-

Sen. Chuck Schumer lent his voice to the effort to keep the post office downtown (Photo by Casey Martin)

town would have a negative economic impact on the hundreds of businesses and community members, which depend on the facility for their postal needs. I strongly urge the USPS to quickly meet with local officials and stakeholders, and begin working with them to establish a mutually acceptable long-term solution.

For years, Ithaca has greatly benefited from the convenience and centrality of its historic downtown post office. Ithaca is a pedestrian-oriented community, and the post office is in the heart of its central business district, with many businesses dependent on the ease of the downtown post office for their operations. The location also services many residents who are reliant on the post office’s accessibility and would be greatly hindered should it move to a more remote location. The City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca, and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance have all expressed

both overwhelming support to preserve the post office’s downtown location and their willingness to work with the USPS in resolving this matter. This vast coalition demonstrates the great significance of this post office to the community and highlights the need for the USPS to come to the table and hear from local leaders.

Given the importance of this post office, and the potential long-lasting impacts on the Ithaca community, I encourage the USPS to quickly address this issue and begin work to create a permanent solution in conjunction with local leaders, which preserves the accessibility of postal services to the residents and businesses of downtown Ithaca. Thank you for your attention to this important request."

E dw i n J. Vi er a a n d M att Butler

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125th District

Myrick endorses Seph Murtagh to replace Lifton in State Assembly

I

thaca Mayor Svante Myrick officially announced his endorsement of Ithaca Common Council member Seph Murtagh, who's running for the Democratic nomination to replace New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.

Murtagh currently works as Lifton's communications manager, but has also served as the representative for the Second Ward on Common Council since 2012 and is the chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee for the city. The field for the seat is quite crowded, and Myrick's endorsement seems likely to carry significant weight considering he is the mayor of one of the two primary cities in the 125th District (the other being Cortland; Cortland Mayor Brian Tobin has not announced an endorsement).

"He's a native son of this community, he's extraordinarily smart, he's worked in the assembly office so he knows what affects this community and how New York State government works," Myrick said. "I believe in Seph because of his relentless work ethic, he's the hardest working Common Council member I've ever worked with. He takes his constituent's concerns very seriously, and I think if he takes those concerns to Albany it would lead to a better quality of life in Ithaca."

Murtagh emphasized rolling back property taxes and fighting for equity in schools statewide through education reforms in his campaign announcement Feb. 3.

Lifton announced she wouldn't seek a 10th term at an emotional press conference earlier this year. The Democratic field to replace her has quickly swelled in the subsequent weeks, and now includes Murtagh along with Tompkins County Legislator Anna Kelles, Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer, Lifton's General Counsel Jordan Lesser, local attorney Sujata Gibson, Cortland County Legislator Beau Harbin and Family & Children's Counseling Services CEO Lisa Hoeschele. Matthew McIntyre, a Libertarian from Cortland, has also announced he's running as a Libertarian. The Democratic primary will be held June 23.

With so many other prominent local political figures in the race, Myrick was asked if he was hesitant to endorse one candidate over the others, but reiterated his certainty in Murtagh's ability to do the job.

"We've served together for eight years.

I've seen up close and personal the kind of asset he'd be, so I didn't have to think twice." Myrick said.

“I’m very honored to be endorsed today by Mayor Svante Myrick, someone I’ve worked with closely over the years,” Murtagh wrote in an announcement after the press conference. “We are blessed to live in a very beautiful part of the world, but we have immense challenges across the 125th Assembly District, including crumbling BUSINESS PATRONS INCLUDE:

roads and bridges, the growing threat of climate change, and a lack of quality childcare, affordable housing, and good-paying jobs. Local governments are at the front lines of trying to solve these problems, and I’ve been so impressed by Svante’s inspiring and innovative leadership. But the truth is that local communities cannot solve these problems on their own, and we need the help of New York State."

M att Bu tler

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Personal Health

A peaceful exercise

By Edwin J. Viera

T

Maryam Lopes of Ashira Tantra in Ithaca (photo: Casey Martin)

oday’s fast-paced, stress heavy world has produced a counter-focus on relaxation, as more and more people are looking for a break from feeling a constant push toward productivity.

One way locals have sought that out is through tantrahypnosis and its local purveyors. Maryam Lopes, one of those purveyors, practices out of a location at 615 N. Cayuga Street.

“It’s fair to say that people today are really stressed out,” she said, emphasizing that getting people to relax is paramount to the experience.

“The massage, the body work, it’s almost like a gateway. The practice itself is not a massage, but it helps people to relax.”

Though tantra does normally have a sexual connotation, Lopes said that’s a result of a gradual bastardization of the term over the years. As she describes it, it’s more of an exercise in empowerment, which has made it rewarding for her to watch her long-term clients reap their rewards

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from her sessions. Massage serves as an initiation of sorts into the more full experience. Lopes is pursuing her tantra license and secured an apprenticeship in hypnotherapy, which she also wants to practice. As explained on her website, tantra is “an ancient technology to awaken our power and bring the fruits of your awakening to the greater service of humanity,” taking the form of a type of yoga and meditation blend as she teaches it.

“It’s been really fulfilling for me to see the transformation that’s happening,” Lopes said. “I’ve had a bunch of people who have been coming every week since I opened this practice a couple years ago. To witness their growth and transformation has been amazing. It’s able to address physical issues, but also emotional situations that people are facing.”

At first, Lopes said, she was uncomfortable with handling some of the more emotional issues that would arise during sessions with her patients, but she has gradually grown more confident in her abilities to properly help them through her work. Like most practicers of alternative medicine, Lopes has personal experiences that inform her adherence to tantra: her troubles sleeping in college deeply impacted her life then, after which she turned to meditation and tantra to help her cope; Lopes also watched her mother suffer through debilitating circumstances as well. Plus, after moving to Ithaca, she had a near-death experience after stumbling upon a wasp’s hive and getting stung (Lopes is allergic to wasps).

More than anything, Lopes emphasizes to her patients that it is possible to concentrate on oneself while not taking focus away from life or daily activities. While the practice might seem strange at first, which Lopes acknowledges, there could be advantages in the end if the fit is right.

“You don’t need to renounce life in order to grow on your spiritual path,” Lopes said.

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

March 7, 2020 6pm Benefit Auction / 7:30pm Concert Ford Hall, Ithaca College

Scott Leger

Mendelssohn: The Fair Melusine overture Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1 (Scott Leger, horn) BrownPaperTickets.com / 800.838.3006 / Tickets also available at the door

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Live music provided by Ithaca Talent Education. Come see why this is our most popular fundraising event!

GOLDEN BATON: Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport: Two $500 flight vouchers Cornelia Laemmli Orth: Traditional Swiss bread, freshly baked by our Music Director Keith & Marty Bryant: Michael & Misato Mortara Handcrafted Glass Vase (2008) and Josh Simpson Handcrafted Glass Vase (2000) LaTourelle Resort & August Moon Spa: One overnight Stay, Breakfast for Two, and $100 gift certificate for August Moon Spa PRINCIPAL PLAYERS: Dave K’s Wine Court: We Judge Cases! Personalized Wine Tasting for up to 12 guests, Mansour Jewelers: Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings, White Gold Sheila & Kevin Ossit: Italian Dinner Party Toni Murdough & Kirsten Marshall: My Big Fat Greek CCO Dinner Party Infinity Athletics: One Month of Personal Training & Nutrition Victoria Miskolczy (CCO Principal Viola): Viola Recital in your home Paul Acosta: Two hours of AV services ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Garden Inn: Overnight stay with breakfast for two, Hampton Inn: Overnight stay ART & FRAMING: Corner’s Gallery: Matted photograph with discounted framing offer, SchoPhoto: Hostas, Klondike, & Lower Taughannock Artwork, Annie Campbell: Print, tbd, George Dillmann: Framed original painting, John Vineyard: framed photograph, Enduring Images by James Burlitch: "Bridalveil Falls and Rainbow" framed photograph, Phyllis Rappaport: Artwork, Irina Kassabova: The Luthier, framed, Nancy V. Ridenour, Photography: Framed photo.

GIFTS & HOME: Toni Murdough & Kirsten Marshall: Japanese espresso server and set, Maury Tinger: temple bells, Tenmoku Pottery: Malaysian decorative bowl w/lid, Japanese scarf, CCO Friend: InnoGear aroma diffuser w/6 bottles of Pure Essential Oils, Benjamin Peters: Gift certificate, Bool's Flower Shop: $25 gift certificate, Cayuga Landscape: $60 gift certificate, Home Green Home: $20 gift certificate, Ithacamade: Silk Oak bag, MacKenzie-Childs: Vase, Mama Goose: $50 gift certificate, Petrune: $20 gift certificate, Quilters Corner: Gift basket, Michaleen’s: Gift Card, Cummings Family: Downton Abbey, 6-DVD set, complete series, silk scarf from Vienna, CCO Friend: set of 3 martini glasses, brandy snifter with warming stand, soup tureen w/ladle and 6 matching bowls, CCO friend: red floral scarf from Japan, antique ship paperweight, decorative dragon dish, Handwork - Ithaca's Artisan Co-op: Glass Mosaic picture frame by Andrea Eschler, CCO Friends: set of 4 crystal aperitif glasses, set of 6 cut crystal champagne glasses, set of Fitz & Floyd candlesticks, Winnie Kostroun: Hand-beaded Kenyan boxes, glass vase, candy dish, terra cotta set, Jeanne Peck: glass decanter, hand-carved Russian bowl, Swedish plate JEWELRY: The Vintage Industry: jewelry, CCO Friend: Tommy Bahama Watch, The Jewel Box: $25 gift certificate MUSIC & ARTS: Albright-Knox Art Gallery: One family membership, Cayuga Vocal Ensemble (CVE): Two tickets to May 10 concert, Cornell Concert Series: Two pairs of tickets, Geneva Music Festival: Two pairs of tickets, Glimmerglass Opera: Two tickets to a 2020 production, Hangar Theatre: Two VIP vouchers for any 2020 summer mainstage show, Kitchen Theater: Tickets to 2020 season, Know Theatre: 2 VIP tickets for each of the remaining KNOW Theatre season, Mayfest - Cornell International Chamber Music Festival: Two festival passes, Memorial Art Gallery: Two admission passes, The Rev Theatre Company (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse/Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival): Gift certificates, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: Two tickets, Symphoria: Two tickets, Tri-Cities Opera: Two tickets, Opera Ithaca: Two tickets to Hansel and Gretel, Tamara Acosta: One private voice lesson (14 y/o and up), Triphammer Arts: (4) tickets to summer 2020 production, 'Atmospheres: Song and Dance of the Cosmos’ RECREATION & MEMBERSHIPS: Cinemapolis: Book of Ten tickets, Circus Culture: $50 gift certificate, Cornell Cinema: Two tickets, Cornell Outdoor Education: Two “learn the ropes” certificates for rock climbing, Corning Museum of Glass: Two pairs of Adult VIP one day passes, CSMA: $75 credit towards classes/camp, Betsy Darlington: Guided nature walk at a Finger Lakes Land Trust nature preserve, Mighty Yoga: Three free class passes, MOST - Museum of Science & Technology: Four tickets, Sciencenter: One year membership, Coddington Road Community Center: Certificate for 1 Week at Camp Coddington, Eastern Mountain Sports: Two gift certificates for rentals SERVICES: Kynan Horton-Thomas: One training session with certified personal trainer and kettlebell instructor DINING OUT: Applebees: Two $10 gift certificates, The Boatyard/Ciao: $50 gift certificate, Coal Yard Cafe: Three $20 gift certificates, Coltivare: Gift certificate, Dano's Heuriger on Seneca: Gift certificate, Glenwood Pines: Gift certificate, Maxie’s Supper Club: $30 gift certificate, Northstar Pub: $25 gift certificate, Rio Tomatlan: Gift certificates, Taste of Thai Express: $20 gift certificate, Dinosaur BBQ: Gift card and assorted sauces FOOD & BEVERAGE: Myer Farm Distillers: Assortment of gin, vodka and spirits Allechant: Gift certificate, Anthony Road Wine Company: assorted wines, CCO Friend: Gourmet vinegar, Chinggis Gold Vodka, Amarula, Bickering Twins: $25 gift certificate, Boundary Breaks Vineyard: Gift baskets, Buttonwood Grove Winery: Gift certificate, Copper Horse Coffee: Coffee, David Sit: Various wine, Edible Arrangements: Two $30 gift certificates, Finger Lakes Distilling: TBD, Forge Cellars: Tasting for two, one bottle of 2018 Dry Riesling Classique, Fox Run Vineyards: Gift certificate, Full Plate Farm Collective: One week of veggies, Gimme Coffee: $25 gift certificate, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars: One case of wine, Northside Wine & Spirits: Two bottles of Bixby Creek wine, Pete's Wine and Liquor: Selection of wine, Ports of New York Winery: Two bottles of wine, Purity Ice Cream: Voucher for two lunch entrees & six muffins, Six Mile Creek Vineyard: $20 gift certificate, Thirsty Owl Wine Co: giftpack of 3 wines, Treleaven Wine/King Ferry Winery: Six bottles of wine, Two Goats Brewing: One growler & $10 gift certificate, Wide Awake Bakery: Two breadshares, CCO Friend: Tessellae wine with curved bottle stand, Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Souverain Merlot, Ian Woods: Wines of Oregon, Wines of Tuscany

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Civic Ensemble’s newest show hits close to home for some

“

By Ross H a arstad

It saved my life. It gave me a purpose. It made me want to get up and actually go to Day Reporting on Monday mornings because I knew I had these people here.”

Casandra Ponton is overjoyed that Civic Ensemble’s ReEntry Theatre Program, which provides people who were formerly incarcerated with a chance to perform on stage, is remounting their acclaimed 2018 production of “Streets Like This.”

Civic began the ReEntry Theatre Program in 2015, as “an opportunity for members of the community who have experienced incarceration—prison, jail, or drug rehabilitation—to learn storytelling skills, create theatre work, and build community together, regardless of arts experience, criminal record, or income.”

Ponton was supposed to play Abby, a young woman going through rehab and trying to regain custody of her child, in 2018, “but I couldn’t keep it together.… but even when I got sent away, I had the script still in my purse and I had the [cast’s] contact sheet, and they were the people who answered the phone and wrote me letters and I developed this strong sense of connection. When I came home, I felt I had betrayed everybody, … but they understood and took me back in. I never had a connection like that before, these people are my family.”

This time she’ll be playing Abby during the play’s 10 performances Thursdays through

Sundays, March 12–15 and 19–22 at the Cherry Art Space. Tickets are $15, $10 for groups of 10 and free community tickets are available.

Tickets and more info at civicensemble.org/ streetslikethis2020.

Casandra had been part of the script’s development. As Tony Sidle, who plays Dennis and co-authored the play with Thom Dunn, explains, “The script itself was developed over a few months. Over 100 people came to Day Reporting and one of the things we did was have people create characters and little scenes and stuff. And we took notes.”

As actor and Re-Entry member Terrell Dickson puts it “As a kid I worked with a dance group, I taught people to dance …It was a lot like this, in that the way you made up a dance step, he’ll make up a part, and she’ll make up a part and we’ll put it all together and it will be a dance step. And this is how we do the plays…I thought it was a great way to unite people, because the play is a little bit of everybody.”

The 2018 production had an immense impact. Deb Dietrich, executive director at advocacy organization Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources, states “it really helped re-shape the dialogue about re-entry, and it did so in a powerful way. We’ve been talking for years about, you know, change and moving things forward and getting people re-integrated into the community and we’ve made some progress, but I think ‘Streets Like This’ put a human face on the problems and the barriers facing people coming home, as well as those who have been incarcerated in the past [...]

I invited the whole Re-Entry Task Force, so there were a lot of policy makers, representatives from the various county departments, I think that with any issue it’s really easy to do ‘us and them’ and this kind of venue broke

that down. It was a community event, so we were all part of the same community.”

ReEntry meets every Monday 9–11 a.m. at Day Reporting. “I think it was Brian’s idea to move it to Day Reporting [at Department of Social Services],” Sidle said. Brian Briggs plays Johnny, Abby’s son, and Narcan Man. Sidle said he used Narcan in 2007, and that’s how Narcan Man was invented—”because I’d slip in and give them Narcan and try to get out before the police or anyone else showed up.”

“To me one of the most important lines in the play is when Narcan Man says, ‘There are so many people dying, I’m not a super-hero, I’m just trying to keep people above ground.

I’m just trying to give people the best quality life possible, everybody deserves at least that much, right?’” Sidle continued.

Jo-Louis Hallback plays Brian, an addict trying to stay clean, close to his mother (Sherron Brown.) Originally from Florida, in 2012 Jo-Louis decided to make a change. “I’d say something that really inspired me back in 2012, was like in my community, there was a lot going on in there, like there were a lot of drug situations, a lot of crime, but even though that’s happening, when I decided to make a change it was the people that were around me that actually supported me. So it was the prostitutes, they helped me out, they would get me money to get on the bus, to get my GED.” “I ended up here Ithaca, NY and in my mind I kinda wasn’t thinking I would be able to go to college, but I stumbled on this one back here, Suzanne, and she got me into the CIU [College Initiative Upstate, a local alternative to incarceration initiative] program and that was where I met Sarah and—I’ll never continued on page 21

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Arts&Entertainment

Re-Entry Theater

Two members of the Re-Entry Theatre program embrace during a recent rehearsal. (Photo by Casey Martin)

I t h a c a T i m e s 15

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John J. Steger

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Dining

Taverna Banfi C or ne l l ’s ow n dining je we l

By He nr y Stark Taverna Banfi is the signature restaurant of the Statler Hotel located in the heart of the Cornell University campus.

The word “Taverna” was officially added to its name in February 2007 after an extensive and expensive six-week remodeling that created an interior space that resembles restaurants in the Tuscany area of Italy. That’s where three Castello Banfi vineyards are located, owned by John Mariani Jr., a graduate of Cornell in 1954, and his family. You may be familiar with Banfi wines, many of which are served in the Ithaca restaurant. The Mariani family, consisting of several Cornell alumni, has contributed generously including during the refurbishment.

I attribute much of the success of Taverna Banfi to the stewardship of Swiss born Thomas Gisler. He was appointed Executive Chef in May 2005 and is currently the Director of Food and Beverages.

Lunch buffets are served, along with the regular menu, Mondays through Friday and cost $21. You can also opt for a Soup

and Salad Buffet which includes a choice of desserts ($17) or just a dessert buffet ($9). A popular Sunday brunch buffet ($25) includes breakfast and lunch items as well as scrumptious desserts.

The lunch buffet is a better value than ordering from the menu. If we opt to utilize the printed menu we’ll have a choice of four salads ($10-$11, add $4-$10 to include a protein), a half dozen sandwiches, three of which are burgers ($14-$16), or a half dozen entrees ($16-$23).

The buffet which includes appetizers, soup, salads, entrees, vegetables and desserts, offers a creative choice of more than two dozen items which we can see before making a selection, and we’re able to help ourselves as many times as we like.

The food selections at the buffets are outstanding. Don’t expect a serving dish of carrots, that’s too mundane for Banfi’s.

Rather, you can anticipate an offering of root vegetables which might combine carrots, parsnips and beets sprinkled with parsley and herbs. The meat at a recent

Taverna Banfi’s well-known buffet (Photo by Casey Martin

carvery was roast beef with a rich creamy horseradish. If you weren’t excited by the roast beef, you could have chosen crushed pecan chicken with an apple bourbon sauce. On the same table was butternut squash mixed with Brussels sprouts, escarole gratin and pasta with creamy fennel and sundried tomatoes. I returned on a recent Friday to find a beautifully seasoned Cedar Planked Salmon adjacent to a tureen of Whole Grain Mustard Vin Blanc.

Other recent carvery offerings include: Cider Brined Pork Loin with Whole Grain Mustard Demi-Glace and Balsamic Marinated Grilled Flank Steak with Rioja Aioli.

Since the buffet is not offered at dinner, I recently chose their signature Peking duck breast ($31) served atop a sweet potato hash with a white bean puree and Brussels sprouts. The potatoes were finely diced, the sprouts were halved and tender, and the pepper sauce was rich, but mild.

Another evening I ordered a tasty short rib ragout, called on the menu Handkerchief Pasta ($27). I’m used to ordering short ribs on the bone; however, I enjoyed the tender pieces of beef mixed with a rich, tasty sauce for a change of pace. Sides cost an additional $6 and are imaginative and healthy. You’ll always find a chicken dish, steak, pasta, salmon and house made Mozzarella. I don’t normally order desserts, however, I couldn’t resist the generous sundae with sour cherries served with homemade whipped cream in a large bowl ($8).

A very complete wine menu is offered on a tablet which requires some scrolling, however, it’s useful for sorting by grape variety, vintage, country of origin and price.

Totally there are 140 wines by the bottle from $34 to $2450. Twenty wines by the glass are served mostly between $10-$12.

Here’s an amazing offer I have arranged for the readers of the Ithaca Times: Mention you read this in the Ithaca Times and management will knock off $430 from the $2450 bottle making it $2020 and throw in a free entree as well. This is serious, per a conversation after this review was conducted, and they do have the 2009 Chateau Lafite Rothschild bottles in stock.

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IPD DISCRIMINATION Contin u ed From Page 4

prominence in the last several weeks, as part of his initial set of allegations related to IPD officer Christine Barksdale.

Miller accused the department of ignoring malfeasance by Barksdale because she is a black woman, part of a larger pattern of dismissing other misconduct by black officers while holding white male officers to a different standard. In January of this year, the City of Ithaca announced that it would be moving to terminate an IPD detective, later confirmed to be Barksdale, for inadequately investigating dozens of cases over the last 10 years. Barksdale’s attorney,

Ed Kopko, has indicated they are fighting the firing on the basis of gender and race discrimination and have filed a report with the EEOC. Barksdale had previously filed a report of discrimination against the department with the Division of Human Rights, but her claim was rejected.

Originally, Miller named a litany of other parties in his suit, including former IPD chiefs Pete Tyler, John Barber and Ed Vallely, the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association, IPD, Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca. Gradually, defendants were dismissed from the suit until only the City of Ithaca remained.

M att Butler

TENANTS RIGHTS Contin u ed From Page 4

traditionally associated with unions, like workers collectively bargaining for rights.

More specifically, Fox said short-term they want something to require landlords to hand out a tenant's bill of rights as the lease is signed, while long-term he said they'd like to pursue the right to counsel for tenants in eviction court (though Fox acknowledged that was a costly proposition).

Fox said that while the union is young, they have been able to get a "few dozen" tenants to sign on so far, and have started this media push to recruit more people.

They also hope to soon open a call center

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"The hope is that as the organization grows both in age and membership, its strengths will grow with it," Fox said.

"Right now we're looking at an information campaign to extend knowledge of tenants' rights to renters in the city of Ithaca, as well as pushing for certain important legislation at the city or county level. Also, our existence as a message to landlords in the city that we are organizing and aren't going to be pushed around on an individual level."

The release, which serves as a mission statement of sorts, states an overarching theme that all people have a right to housing that is affordable and suitable for them, and that the union's desire is to level the playing field between landlord and tenant.

They say the union will "act as a check" on repeated abuses by landlords who neglect local and state standards, while saying that landlords who do follow the rules and tend to tenant needs should not be worried.

Kayla Lane, a representative of the Landlords Association of Tompkins County, said their organization disagrees with the formation of a tenants' union, arguing that it will make the relationship between the two sides more adversarial.

"Creating a Tenants Union only adds fuel to the fire and in our opinion, makes the relationship between tenant and landlord less amicable right from the start," Clark wrote. "The laws in place already greatly protect the tenant and a tenant’s union would not be adding any additional protection or voice, frankly. Speaking on behalf of the Tompkins Landlords Association, I can say that we do not wish to have that confrontational, you versus me, type of relationship with our tenants.

Everyone wants to feel satisfied with the product they are receiving; whether it be a tenant feeling satisfied with their apartment or the landlord feeling proud of the units they own and the tenant(s) that occupy them."

Lane said she believes the tenants' real target should be lowering the tax rate in Tompkins County, which would reduce the burden on landlords and theoretically reduce rent. She also downplayed concerns about building maintenance being a severe issue for local tenants.

The union's announcement does not contain any information about how many people, if any, have joined so far outside of the organizers listed on the masthead, who are Fox, Liel Sterling and Kataryna Restrepo (all Cornell students), along with Workers Center leader Pete Meyers, who is advising. The union's formation comes at a time when the City of Ithaca has publicly acknowledged that it is trying to step up its enforcement against problematic landlords, while New York State also approved laws last year that strengthened tenants' rights.

The union goes on to say that they want to collaborate with "movements fighting for racial, gender, LGBTQ+, environmental and immigrant liberation," and intends to support those movements via housing rights while the efforts for equality in those areas continue.

M att Butler

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Stage

Asking Hari

Cozy Two-Bedrooms Available!

Hari Kondabolu plays his first show in Ithaca

By Br yan VanC ampe n

C

Hannah Gadsby is incredibly personal, omedian Hari Kondabolu has and kind of playing with the lines of “How performed on “Jimmy Kimmel serious and deep and thoughtful can comLive,� “Conan� and “The Late edy be?� It deconstructs comedy by talking Show With David Letterman.� He is also about the very nature of what comedy is a regular contributor to NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,� “Morning Edition� and “All and what we’re supposed to do. She talks about it from a very personal, painful Things Considered,� and he has a special place. It kind of inspires me to push myself on Netflix, “Warn Your Relatives.� He’s further and further, just because I wonder performed at Cornell University, but his show at the Hangar on March 19 is his first what I could do, if that’s what people are willing to do. show for, as he puts it, IT: I think all the “Ithaca proper.� Kondgreat comedy comes abolu’s documentary film from truth, and some“The Problem with Apu,� times the truth can be in which he examined painful. “The Simpsons� characHK: All my heroes, ter of Apu’s modern-day the people that inspire presence and East Indian me the most, were the representation in culture, people that were willing became a national talking to put themselves out point in 2017 when it was there. I mean, [Richard] released.

Pryor set himself on fire, Hari Kondabolu talkand he’s onstage talking ed to the Ithaca Times about it afterwards. That about making comedy Hari Kondabolu to me is the ultimate personal, and how “Wait example of that.

Wait� got him to book a IT: Ithaca’s big into NPR, so we have show in Ithaca. to talk about “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.�

IT: Where are you these days with Before seeing your Netflix special, that’s your comedy? where I first heard you.

HK: l I feel like I dig a little deeper in HK: Yeah, it’s been pretty great, the last this one. Historically, when I’ve talked two years of being on “Wait Wait.� That’s about big issues, I feel like I don’t perone of the reasons I wanted to play Ithaca, sonalize it enough. I feel like I talk about actually: [nationally syndicated columnist] them sometimes in the abstract. And so I Amy Dickinson, who lives in Ithaca, has wanted to make it more personal this next been telling me to play Ithaca for a while, hour. So, whether I’m talking about dehow I’d have a lot of fun playing Ithaca. pression, relationships, children or whatI’ve been increasingly getting emails from ever, it’s definitely a lot more personal and close to the heart. I’m willing to take a risk. Ithaca and messages online saying I should play there. Ithaca, outside of Cornell, or There’s something about failing when you maybe Ithaca College, wasn’t a place that have material that isn’t about you. Like, it I thought about performing in. But the hurts a little bit, of course, but it doesn’t constant [messages saying] “You should hurt as much because it’s like “Yeah, they play Ithaca, you should play Ithaca,� the don’t agree with me. They don’t think idea that I’m getting as many messages I’m funny. I did the best I could.� And it’s about Ithaca as I am about Buffalo, it’s like, something that actually has stakes in your “Okay. Let’s play Ithaca.� identity and sense of self. That’s a bigIT: One minute you’re listening to ger risk. It’s scarier, but it makes it more “Wait Wait� and the next minute you’re rewarding when people connect with it. on it.

IT: As a comedy fan, it’s just been HK: It’s such an institution. The first so great to see all these different voices time I did it, there was that thing of, “Will emerge. they let me do it again?� And to hear Paula HK: It’s a great era. I think this is the Poundstone’s voice all those years and then new golden era. Just how media is right now, in terms of how many different places to be sitting next to her during a taping is certainly a little surreal. What people hear you can see things. It also means that there’s less gatekeeping, and there are more on the radio, it doesn’t even touch how funny the show actually is. A lot of stuff voices that get to be heard. I just think it has to get edited out, the language and all makes for better comics in the long run. that. The shows get pretty fun; they get There’s a younger generation coming up pretty wild. [laughs] There are stories that that’s seen more comedy and seen all the don’t get told outside the room. little tricks and different ways of doing things. There are comics like Julio Torres, that are rewriting what comedy can be.

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sports

All things being Equal IHS lax coach aims to remove money barriers to his passion

By Ste ve L aw re nc e

A

lthough this is Patrick Hovey’s fifth year of involvement with Ithaca High’s lacrosse team, my first real interaction with him took place when we connected for this article.

After playing lacrosse at Auburn High School and Fairfield University (in Connecticut), Patrick was an assistant coach for a year in Newark, New York. He then spent three years as Frank Welch’s assistant at Ithaca High and took over as the top dog when Welch retired after a long and very successful coaching career. When I asked him if he felt pretty well settled in as the program’s head coach, Hovey replied, “Yeah… I have seen an entire class go through the program. I know these guys well.”

When Patrick started telling me about the youth clinics he is involved with, I thought, “Man, this guy really loves coaching kids.” Then, when he got on a roll talking about what efforts he is putting forth to build the Little Red, I thought, “Man, this guy really loves coaching high school lacrosse.” As our interview drew to a close, I realized, “Man, this guy just loves lacrosse.”

Let’s start with the seeds being planted… The Ithaca Lacrosse Club is a non-profit organization that works with players from kindergarten through 12th grade – mostly boys – and the organizers have been working hard to create as many

opportunities as possible. Hovey said, “The sooner you get a stick in their hands, the more they’ll enjoy it.” He went on to say, “We were fortunate to get two grants from U.S. Lacrosse, a monetary grant and an equipment and clinic grant.” He added, “We worked hard to get the grants as a part of our goal to reduce financial barriers” (for kids wanting to learn the game).

When asked how expensive it is to get geared up for lacrosse, the coach answered, “Well, a good helmet can run $200, gloves are $75 and up and the sticks used by most high school players are at least $100. I don’t want any kid not to play because it’s not affordable.”

Hovey has done his homework regarding the psyches of youngsters, and he said, “Any player that registers for the upcoming clinic (more on that later) will get a free stick and a shirt.” He plans to use some of his funding to outfit players equally so that, in his words, “All kids fit in on Day 1.

No odd men out, so to speak.”

About that upcoming event… In Coach Hovey’s words, “The club has partnered with GIAC, and we have been holding weekly clinics at BJM Elementary. Our culminating event will be held on March 24, and U.S. Lacrosse will be sending clinicians to offer a two-hour clinic.”

I shifted our conversation toward the Little Red varsity team, and I asked Hovey if he always had the “recruiting pipeline”

THE

Patrick Hovey patrols the sidelines during a recent IHS men’s lacross game. (Photo by Matt Prokosch)

in mind when working with the young players. “I am the varsity coach, and I do have a long game,” he offered. “I do want to build on a tradition of great coaches. I am always actively promoting and recruiting.”

As for the 2020 version of Ithaca High lacrosse, the coach said, “We have a relatively small senior class, but we’ll get good leadership from Payton Waight – who is a 3-year starter – and from our goalie, Tristen Hyde.” He added, “We have a good balance of fifteen or sixteen returning players, and we have several juniors who made

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That will help us a lot.”

The Little Red open up on March 30 against Binghamton, and then play Auburn the next day. I asked Patrick if those Auburn games held any extra significance, and he stated, “Of course, I always want to beat any team we play, but I’ll be honest, winning against Auburn is extra special.

Their program is much like ours – great players, great families and most of the coaching staff coached me.”

For more information on the upcoming clinic, which will be held at Esty Street Field from 4-6 p.m. on March 24, go to www.ithacalacrosseclub.org. Pre-registration is required.

Two Ithaca College basketball teams in the Liberty League finals, two thrilling games, two conference championships!

For the Bomber men, the excitement came to a peak at the end of regulation, as Ithaca and R.P.I. were tied at 66. The drama didn’t last long, as the Bombers poured it on, outscoring the Engineers 14-3 in OT to win their 13th consecutive game. With the postseason now upon us, the men will play at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6 versus Babson at Swarthmore.

The women were also tied near the end of regulation, but Juliana Gamboa found Grace Cannon, who hit a corner jumper with three seconds left to seal the win over Vassar. With the victories, both teams earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

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Civic Ensemble’s newest production runs from March 1215 to 19-22. (Photo by Casey Martin)

CIVIC ENSEMBLE Contin u ed From Page 15

forget that day—we had to do some little weird thing, it was pretty dope, but you know how she is as a person, that got my attention, that really inspired me.”

Sarah K. Chalmers is co-artistic director of Civic Ensemble and the show’s director. While it is her last big project with Civic before she and her son Sam join husband Godfrey Simmons at his new job in Hartford, CT, she emphasizes that Civic is continuing with new leadership and big plans already in place.

Suzanne Burnham is College Initiative Upstate’s [CIU] Academic Counselor and has stepped into the role of Abby’s sister Annabelle, suddenly forced to parent little Johnny, in place of Amy Heffron, who just gave birth. (Another actor stepping is Leroy Barrett, taking over the part of street sage Deon from Khalil Bey.) “I’m a threetime DWI felon, and I lost my license in 2012 because of it for 10 years,” Suzanne starts. While she was working at Walmart, “one of the girls from OAR [...] came into Walmart and said ‘Oh dear lord, will you come meet this woman, Benay Rubenstein and explain to her how you are riding your bike every day to Walmart while wearing an ankle bracelet for felony drug court and going to school online,’ and I said ‘Okay.’

The next thing I know, I’m offered a job to help people with a criminal background… to engage or re-engage with higher education.”

Benay Rubenstein runs CIU, modeled on a program she founded in NYC. Benay remembers going to the first show “with a young man, 22 years old who had just come home after being incarcerated from age 15, and he was totally riveted, there were tears in his eyes several times, that was my litmus test that they had got things right.” There are four CIU members in the current show.

The actors also play the faces of the system they navigate, such as attorneys,

judges, social services, and the police with abundant humor, heart and passion.

Civic followed the original show with a community meeting in January 2019 cohosted by Ultimate ReEntry Opportunity (URO) involving a broad range of human service, social justice and local government stakeholders. URO will again partner for this production. “My hope is that those with the power to push for—and implement—policy change will attend this powerful production, stay for the discussion, and continue the conversations long after the production has ended,” says URO Director Taili Mugambe.

When Tony left prison the last time “I was down at the shelter, I was pretty traumatized, re-entering society and not knowing what to do, then I met Sarah and joined Civic and it helped me turn my life around, and through Civic I managed to do a lot of things I don’t think I would have been invited to do along the way.” Or as Re-Entry member Edwin Santiago puts it “bring the people that are really impacted to the table.”

One of those things is to participate in meetings with people in positions in “the system.” Dave Sanders, Criminal Justice Coordinator for Tompkins County, helps oversee the County’s recent initiatives around reducing incarceration and supporting re-entry. Peers who have experienced incarceration or rehab are an important component. At least “50 percent” of the peers he works with are in Civic Ensemble.

Civic’s work reverberates around the community.

“It’s different when there is something made for you,” Casandra said. “When you are part of the process and when you are telling your story and other peoples’ stories that you care about and want to support and let them know that they are not overlooked. We’re listening …We’re going to help them try to change things and we’re going to make other people aware of

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

formance by musicians of the Cornell Electroacoustic Music Center directed

by Kevin Ernste.

Music Bars/Bands/Clubs

3/4 Wednesday Canaan Jam Session | 7:00 PM, | Canaan Institute, Brooktondale Geoff Tate (Official) Empire 30th Anniversary Tour | 8:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca

3/6 Friday The 86ers | 5:30 PM, | South Hill Cider Tasting Room, Ithaca

When Machines Rock Concert: Suzi Analogue | 9:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca | $10-15

Radio London Quartet | 7:00 PM, | Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space, Ithaca

3/8 Sunday

Bound for Glory: Bill Destler & Rebecca Johnson | 8:00 PM, | Anabel Taylor Hall, Ithaca

Lynn Wiles | 1:00 PM, | Red Newt Cellars Inc, Hector

3/10 Tuesday

Doolin O’ Dey | 2:00 PM, | Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Ithaca

Irish Session with members of Traonach | 7:00 PM, | Argos Inn, Ithaca

Ithaca Jazz and Blues Jam | 4:00 PM, | Mix Kitchen and Bar, Ithaca Songwriter Showcase | 4:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett

3/11 Wednesday Canaan Jam Session | 7:00 PM, | Canaan Institute, Brooktondale

Concerts/Recitals Midday Music in Lincoln: 3/5 | 12:30 PM, 3/5 Thursday | Lincoln Hall Rm B20, Cornell, Ithaca | Roger Moseley discusses the upcoming festival “When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music” The Jayhawks | 8:00 PM, 3/5 Thursday | Center For the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St, Homer | When Machines Rock Concert: Cornell Electroacoustic Music Center | 8:00 PM, 3/5 Thursday | Sage Chapel, Cornell University, 147 Ho Plaza, Ithaca | Experience a per-

Austin MacRae | 6:00 PM, | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, Freeville

When Machines Rock Concert: ADULT | 9:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca | $10-$15

3/7 Saturday Lil Anne and Hot Cayenne CD Release and Zydeco Dance Party | 7:00 PM, | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, Freeville

An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash | 8:00 PM, 3/7 Saturday | State Theatre Of Ithaca, 107 W State St, Ithaca |

Uncle Uku & The Guise | 7:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett

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When Machines Rock Lecture and Concert: Suzanne Ciani | 5:30 PM, 3/7 Saturday | Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium, G70 Klarman Hall, Cornell University, 232 East Ave., Ithaca | Hear a talk and performance by Suzanne Ciani, five-time Grammy Awardnominated electronic music composer and inductee into the first class of Keyboard Magazine’s Hall of Fame, alongside synthesizer pioneers Robert Moog and Don Buchla.

Symphoria Masterworks VI: All Italian | 7:30 PM, 3/7 Saturday | Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery Street, Syracuse | | $90$20, College $5, 18 & under $0

A Very Special Evening With Steptune! | 5:30 PM, | South Hill Cider Tasting Room, Ithaca | $10

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House Concert - Kurt Lichtmann Sings Italian Love Songs | 4:00 PM, 3/7 Saturday | North Star Art Gallery, 743 Snyder Hill Road, Ithaca | Suggested: $5-10.

Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Presents: Pivotal Pieces | 7:30 PM, 3/7 Saturday | Ford Hall, Ithaca College, Danby Rd, Ithaca | MENDELSSOHN: The Fair Melusine Overture;R. STRAUSS: Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op 11; Scott† Leger, horn; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7 i n A Major, Op 92. | $30 Adults / $10 Students

The Gabe Stillman Band | 7:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett

Brooktondale Fire Hall Barn Dance! OíShanigans & Katy Heine | 8:00 PM, | Brooktondale Fire Station, Brooktondale | 10

Eric Gales | 8:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Center For the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St, Homer | Through the years, it would not be unusual to look out in the audience and see artists like Carlos Santana, Eric Johnson, B. B. King, and Eric Clapton, looking on with interest as Eric took his guitar and worked crowd after crowd into a frenzy.

LIL ANNE AND HOT CAYENNE CD RELEASE AND Z YDECO DANCE PART Y Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 PM | Hopshire Farm and Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road, Freeville | Sure to be a dance party you won’t soon forget! Celebrating the release of their CD, From Boudin to Cayenne - Live (photo: Facebook)

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Hall, Cornell, Ithaca | Katherine Kilburn, conductor.

Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble | 4:00 PM, 3/8 Sunday | First Unitarian Church Ithaca, 306 N Aurora St, Ithaca | Janet Sung & Susan Waterbury, violins, Roberta Crawford, viola, Stefan Reuss, cello, Michael Salmirs, piano, and Steven Nanni, tenor | 25 general;20 seniors, free all students Jim Messina | 8:00 PM, 3/10 Tuesday | Center For the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St, Homer | From Buffalo Springfield to Loggins & Messina, Jim Messina is an undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music.

Midday Music for Organ: Jeffrey Snedeker | 12:30 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell University, Ithaca | ìBach to the 20th†Century.î Music by Distler, Walcha, Pepping, Schroeder and J. S. Bach.

Ithaca Concert Band Spring Concert | 7:00 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | Ford Hall, Ithaca College, Danby Rd, Ithaca | The Ithaca Concert Band and the Ithaca High School Wind Ensemble will present a shared concert in Ford Hall at Ithaca College in celebration of spring.

SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir Spring Tour Preview Concert | 7:15 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | St. Mary’s Church, 46 N. Main St., Cortland | Free-Will Offering to support the Gospel Choir’s Scholarship and Programming Funds.

O.A.R.: Spring Fling Tour | 8:00 PM, 3/12 Thursday | State Theatre Of Ithaca, 107 W State St, Ithaca | A band whose twenty year-career spans soldout stands at both Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheater. | $28.50 - $48.50

Macy Gray | 8:00 PM, 3/7 Saturday | Center For the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St, Homer | This show is sold out.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers | 8:00 PM, 3/12 Thursday | Smith Center for the Arts, 82 Seneca St, Geneva | Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning! | $29-$39

Cornell Chamber Orchestra: CU Music | 3:00 PM, 3/8 Sunday | Barnes

Howard Jones | 8:00 PM, 3/13 Friday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock

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Blvd, Ithaca | Howard Jones Acoustic Trio is an intimate stripped-down trip through Howardís 30-year music career. | $39.50 L˙nasa | 8:00 PM, 3/13 Friday | Bailey Hall, Cornell, Ithaca | L˙nasa, one of the most influential bands in the history of Irish traditional music, gets Ithaca into the spirit of St. Patrickís Day, 2020. L˙nasa has remained at the forefront of Irish music for over 20 years, a leading voice of the living tradition of Irish music, and the standard against which others are compared. | $19-$36 NYS Baroque presents The Panther and the Rose | 7:30 AM, 3/14 Saturday | First Unitarian Society, 306 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca | A concert of medieval Italian music from the 14th century, with voices, lute, harp, vielle, bagpipes, and more. Quirky, virtuosic, and expressive, this music challenges the ears with its rhythmic complexity at the same time that it soothes and amazes the heart with its melodic elegance and beauty. Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm. | $35 general; $30 senior; $10 students; free grades 3-12 The Horszowski Trio: CU Music | 3:00 PM, 3/14 Saturday | Barnes Hall, Cornell, Ithaca | The Horszowski Trio

performs ìCelebrated Women,î featuring the music of our time, including a set of bird-themed pieces from three living women composers, and the characterful and refined piano trio by a great romantic, Clara Schumann.

Katie Sadoff, senior clarinet recital: CU Music | 6:00 PM, 3/14 Saturday | Lincoln Hall Rm B20, Cornell, Ithaca | A lecture-recital exploring the impact of jazz on 20th-century clarinet repertoire and performance practice. Features the works of Aaron Copland and Artie Shaw.

Stage

March 6-8, witness Gwendolyn BrileyStrand’s one-woman show. | $10 Lansing High School Musical Theater Club - “Once Upon a Mattress” | 6:30 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | Lansing Middle School Auditorium, 6 Ludlowville Rd., Lansing | Continues thru Saturday, 3/14. | $5 The Nether by Jennifer Haley | 7:30 PM, 3/12 Thursday | Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca | Part crime drama and part sci-fi thriller, Jennifer Haley’s haunting play The Nether investigates the boundaries of ethics and human desire in a world of ever-changing technology. Continues thruSaturday, 3/14 | 7

Locally Grown Dance (LGD) | 7:30 PM, 3/5 Thursday thru 3/7 Saturday | Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca | The politics of expression in the dancerís body, from the exquisite to the damned and offering both pleasure and provocation, is this year’s LGD. | $7

Blue Man Group Speechless | 7:30 PM, 3/12 Thursday thru 3/14 Saturday | Landmark Theatre, 362 S Salina St, Syracuse | | $25-$69

Harriet Tubman: The Chosen One | 7:00 PM, 3/7 Saturday | The Carriage House Theater, 203 Genesee St, Auburn | As part of the city-wide celebration of Harriet Tubman from

Amadeus | 7:30 PM, 3/13 Friday | Syracuse Stage/Drama Complex, 820 E Genesee St, Syracuse | Mar 11 - Mar 29. Contact theater for additional showtimes.†A contemporary classic

Kyle Kinane: The Spring Break Tour | 8:00 PM, 3/12 Thursday | The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave, Ithaca | Internationally touring comedian.

First Friday Gallery Night | 5:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Downtown Ithaca, Center Ithaca, Ithaca | Downtown Ithaca explodes with talent in different shops, restaurants and hotels. Nearly 20 businesses downtown become the home to different local artists and sometimes global ones, as well.

Justin Greenwald | Clarity through Chaos | 5:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Ink Shop Studio Gallery , 330 E.State / MLK Street Ithaca, NY 14850 , ITHACA | Clarity through Chaos is an exhibit† of solarplate etchings and monotypes concerned with repetitive mark making. Justin uses numbers and equations and occasionally words in his prints. Through March 2020.

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Italy and Exotic Lands Exhibition | 12:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | North Star Art Gallery, 743 Snyder Hill Road, Ithaca | Artist Brian Keeler exhibits paintings of both classical and contemporary Italian and exotic lands bringing his masterful touch of light and figure to these subjects.?

about artistic rivalry and suspected murder. On the eve of his own death, Antonio Salieri reveals his final composition: “The Death of Mozart or, Did I Do It?” Dead Silent, or Florence of Moravia - Mystery Dinner Theatre | 6:30 PM, 3/14 Saturday | Cortland Repertory Theatre, 24 Port Watson St., Cortland | $50 Tig Notaro | 8:00 PM, 3/14 Saturday | State Theatre Of Ithaca, 107 W State St, Ithaca | Groundbreaking stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director originally from Mississippi. | $30.00 - $40.00

Art 31st Annual Juried Photography Show - Reception & Awards | 5:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W Martin Luther King, Jr./State Street, Ithaca | Thru 3/29.

Eighty-five photographsólandscapes, portraits, street photography, photos made by digital and traditional processes, and photos on canvas and metal will be exhibited.

March Gallery Night at the CAP ArtSpace (Ithaca) | 5:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | CAP ArtSpace, 110 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca | Local artists Marie Sanderson, Johanna Husband, Jennifer Giibson and Annie Zygarowicz are the “Night and Day Collective”. This group exhibit features Annie’s mysterious night landscapes, Jennifer’s fresh, luminous plein-air work, Johanna’s graceful and exquisite paintings, and Marie’s richly detailed watercolors.

The exhibit title, “Be Still in Haste.”

Creative Sanctuary Club | 5:45 PM, 3/6 Friday | The Art Therapy Studio, 408 West State Street, Ithaca | Connect more deeply with your creativity through Art-Therapist-developed† art prompts and/or techniques in an inspiring & relaxing atmosphere.† All supplies & Tea provided. | 15 “Everybody’s Got a Right to Live: The Poor People’s Campaign of 1968 and Today” | 6:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Tompkins County Public Library invites the public to view its new exhibit curated by Tim Shenk, focuses on the art and imagery of the Poor People’s Campaign of 1968.

Film Cinemapolis Week of Friday, March 6 through Thursday, March 12, 2020. Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes.

New films listed first*.

Emma* | In 1800s England, a well meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.| 121 mins PG Greed* | Satire about the world of the super-rich. | 104 mins R Ordinary Love* | An extraordinary look at the lives of a middle-aged couple in the midst of the wife’s breast cancer diagnosis..| 92 mins R Portrait of a Lady on Fire*| On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman. | 121 mins R Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band | A confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robbie Robertson’s young life and the creation of The Band.| 100 mins R Oscar Shorts: Animation | 2020 Oscar Nominees for Animated Short Subject | 84 mins NR Parasite | 132 mins R Jojo Rabbit | 108 mins PG-13 Cornell Cinema All films are shown at Willard Straight Hall on Cornell campus.

The Golem | 3/4, 7:15 PM | Based on the legend of the Golem, a creature made from clay by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague to defend the Jews in the ghetto against pogroms, this particular version was made with the resources of Germany’s Ufa studio.

Varda by Agnes | 3/5, 6:45 PM; 3/6, 6:45PM | The final film from the late, beloved Agnès Varda is a characteristically playful, profound, and personal summation of the director’s own brilliant career.

Uncut Gems | 3/5, 9:15 PM; 3/6, 9:15 PM; 3/7, 9:00 PM |A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 AT 5:30 PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 AT 8:00 PM

Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, Carl A. Kroch Library, Cornell |Enjoy the opening of this exhibit that draws from Cornell’s rich archive of materials tracing Moog’s lifelong fascination with electricity and its musical possibilities. Viewers will have an opportunity to play a theremin and Minimoog. (photo: provided)

State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 W. State Street | Legendary artist Graham Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee - with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and with the Hollies. (photo: provided)

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ThisWeek

ELECTRIFYING MUSIC: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROBERT MOOG

AN INTIMATE EVENING OF SONGS AND STORIES WITH GRAHAM NASH

I t h a c a T i m e s 23

can expect to see animals such as a baby cheetah, a joey (baby kangaroo), a baby tiger, and much more. | $24.50 - $47.00

Heads UP Pa n c a k e s a n d M o r e

C

ome to the Cayuga Nature Center on Sunday, March 15th for a wonderful pancake breakfast, a variety of live local music, vendors, and a chance to learn about maple trees and maple syrup production during this year’s Maple Fest. For the second year, Luna Catering will be creating their wonderful pancake breakfasts. Breakfast will be served from 9 am-2 pm, and there will be live music in the Lodge. The Cayuga Nature Center is located at 1420 Taughannock Blvd in Ithaca, NY, three miles south of Taughannock Falls State Park on Route 89.

Activities scheduled for this year’s Maple Fest include a guided hike along our Sugarbush Trail led by Dr. Brian Chabot, Ecology Professor at

Cornell University, where you can learn more about maple trees and climate. The maple trees have been tapped and the sap buckets have been filling up in preparation for the ongoing sugaring demonstration at our sugar shack.

As in previous years, there are informative presentations available along with displays and your chance to visit with the many live Animal Ambassadors that make their home at the Cayuga Nature Center.

General admission: Adults: $12, Seniors: $10, Children: $7, Age 3 and under: Free, Family (up to 5 people): $35. Cayuga Nature Center Member’s admission: Adults: $10, Seniors: $7, Children: $5, Age 3 and under: Free, Family (up to 5 people): $25. PRI’s

Finger Lakes Crossword Competition | 1:00 PM, 3/14 Saturday | Boynton Middle School, 1601 N Cayuga St., Ithaca | This event is an important fundraiser for Tompkins Learning Partners.

Books

Young Naturalist Access Program (YNAP) member families receive free admission.

The Cayuga Nature Center is a public educational venue of the Paleontological Research Institution.

Sunday, March 15th - The Nature Center is located just north of Ithaca New York on Route 89, at 1420 Taughannock Blvd.

For more information, visithttps://CayugaNatureCenter.org/maplefest

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.

Frozen II | 3/7, 2:00 PM 4:30 PM | Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven must embark on a journey away from the kingdom of Arendelle in order to find the origin of the voice, Elsa’s powers, and to save Arendelle from danger.

Seberg | 3/7, 6:45 PM; 3/8, 6:45PM; | This sleek thriller chronicles the FBI’s sustained efforts to neutralize actress Jean Seberg, immortalized in Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, as she became a supporter of the Black Panther Party and other civil rights groups.

Charlie Says | 3/9, 6:45 PM | The Manson Family women recount the crimes and murders they committed in service of their cult leader in Mary Harron’s provocative take on one of the most infamous crimes of the 20th century. Screenwriter Guinevere Turner will appear in person on Tuesday, 3/10 following a screening of American Psycho, for a Q&A..

American Psycho | 3/10, 6:45 PM | A brilliant adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ infamous novel about a yuppie serial killer in 80’s New York.

All Night Long | 3/11, 6:45 PM | Recounts Hollywood actress Ava Gardner’s love affair with the country of Spain.

Regal Ithaca Wednesday, 3/4 through Tuesday, 3/10. Contact Regal Ithaca for showtimes. New films listed first* The Way Back* |A former HS basketball phenom, struggling with

ThisWeek

Heimat is a Space in Time |3/8, 2:30 PM | Master documentary filmmaker Thomas Heise shares the stories of three generations of his family, in their own words, in this understated

epic recounting the past century of German history.

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alcoholism, is offered a coaching job at his alma mater. As the team starts to win, he may have a reason to confront his old demons. | 108 mins R Onward* |Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on a quest to discover if there is still magic out there. | 102 mins PG The Invisible Man | When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see. | 124 mins R The Call of the Wild | A sled dog struggles for survival in the wilds of the Yukon. w/Harrison Ford | 100 mins PG Brahms: The Boy II | After a family moves into the Heelshire Mansion, their young son soon makes friends with a life-like doll called Brahms. | 86 mins PG-13 Impractical Jokers: The Movie | The story of a humiliating high school mishap from 1992 that sends the

Impractical Jokers on the road competing in hidden-camera challenges for the chance to turn back the clock and redeem three of the four Jokers. | 93 mins PG-13 The Photograph | A series of intertwining love stories set in the past and in the present.| 106 mins PG-13 Fantasy Island | A horror adaptation of the popular ‘70s TV show about a magical island resort.| 110 mins PG-13 Sonic the Hedgehog | 99 mins PG Harley Quinn:Birds of Prey | 109 mins R Bad Boys for Life | 123 mins R Dolittle | 106 mins PG 1917 | 119 mins R Jumanji: The Next Level || 123 mins PG-13 Knives Out | 130 mins PG-13

WHEN MACHINES ROCK CONCERT: ADULT

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 AT 9:00 PM

The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave., Ithaca | This concert is part of When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music, March 5 to 7, featuring panels and performances by a wide array of electronic music artists. (photo: provided)

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Special Events Electrifying Music: The Life and Legacy of Robert Moog | 5:30 PM, 3/6 Friday | Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, Level 2B, Carl A. Kroch Library, 161 Ho Plaza, Ithaca | Join us for the opening of this exhibit that draws from Cornell’s rich archive of materials tracing Moogís lifelong fascination with electricity and its musical possibilities. The exhibit features instrument prototypes, design schematics, photographs, correspondences, and audio recordings. It also provides viewers with an opportunity to play a theremin and Minimoog supplied by Moog Music Inc. Finger Lakes Kennel Club, Inc. Annual AKC Sanctioned B Match | 8:30 AM, 3/7 Saturday | Smith School Gym, T-S-T BOCES, 555 Warren Road, Ithaca | | free to spectators Jack Hanna’s Into The Wild LIVE! | 7:00 PM, 3/13 Friday | State Theatre Of Ithaca, 107 W State St, Ithaca | Fans

Chats in the Stacks: Tom Seeley on The Lives of Bees: The Untold Story of the Honey Bee in the Wild | 4:00 PM, 3/5 Thursday | 160 Mann Library, 237 Mann Drive, Cornell University, Ithaca | Seeley, a world authority on honey bees, will discuss a new approach to beekeepingóìDarwinian Beekeepingîó whereby beekeepers can revise their practices to make the lives of their six-legged partners less stressful and therefore more healthful.

Chats in the Stacks: Caitlin Barrett on Domesticating Empire: Egyptian Landscapes in Pompeian Gardens | 4:30 PM, 3/10 Tuesday | 107 Olin Library, 161 Ho Plaza, Ithaca | Barrett will discuss case studies from Pompeii featured in her illustrated book, the first contextually oriented monograph on Egyptian imagery in Roman homes.

TCPL Tween Book Club | 3:45 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library Borg/Warner Room, Green Street, Ithaca | Children ages 9 to 12 are welcome to join the Tween Book Club on the second Wednesday of each month. In March, the club will be reading Masterminds, by Gordon Korman. Registration is required.

Reading: Peter Fortunato - Carnevale | 6:30 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library Borg/Warner Room, Green Street, Ithaca | The painter Guido Diamante is plunged into the mystery surrounding the apparent suicide of his rascal mentor at the Hudson River College.

31ST ANNUAL JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW - RECEPTION AND AWARDS PRESENTATION FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 5:00 PM

State of the Art Gallery, 120 W State Street, Ithaca | Eighty-five photographs—landscapes, portraits, street photography, photos made by digital and traditional processes, and photos on canvas and metal will be exhibited. Prizes will be awarded at the reception.(photo: provided)

Kids Family Concert with Cayuga Chamber Orchestra | 4:00 PM, 3/5 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | At this fun-filled musical storytime, children and families will be treated to a musical performance of a 2020 Caldecott Honor Book, ìDouble Bass Blues,î by Andrea J. Loney. The performance will conclude with an ìinstrument petting zoo,î an opportunity for young audience members to try out an assortment of instruments.

Preschool Storytime at Southworth Library | 10:00 AM, 3/6 Friday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | A different theme every week!

Baby Storytime | 10:30 AM, 3/6 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | The Little Red Hen Puppet Show | 10:30 AM, 3/7 Saturday | The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca | The little red hen wants a little help making bread but all the other animals are just too busy. Can she do it all herself?

Rod puppets, songs and lots of lively stuff! Stay for a free workshop for all after the show. Make a puppet to take home! | $8 -$12 Family Storytime | 11:00 AM, 3/7 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Purim Concert by Rick Recht | 3:00 PM, 3/8 Sunday | Community School Of Music And Arts, 330 E State St, Ithaca | National touring musician and Jewish educator, Rick Recht will perform a Purim concert. Come in Purim costumes! Enjoy Rick’s unique blend of pop, radio-friendly music, with Hebrew, Jewish text and social responsibility. | $5 for ages 12 and up.

Children free Maker Mondays for Teens | 4:00 PM, 3/9 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 Libraryís 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.

Family Story Time | 10:30 AM, 3/10 Tuesday | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs and fun.

There is a different theme each week.

Toddler & PreSchool Storytime | 11:00 AM, 3/10 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Cuddle-up Infant & Toddler Library Time | 10:00 AM, 3/11 Wednesday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | Maker Kids | 3:30 PM, 3/11 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Drop-In Crafts at TCPL for Children Ages 5 to 12. No registration is required for this free, drop-in program. First come, first served, as supplies last.

Advanced ESL Classes | 1:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | This Advanced English as a Second Language course comes from Lifelong Learning and will be led by Dolina Millar. Students will develop skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. No textbook is required. **Class will not meet on March 27 or April 3** Writing Workshop Celebrating International Women’s Day | 2:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Led by local writer and poet Zee Zahava who will encourage women

Pancake Breakfast at the Grange | 8:00 AM, 3/7 Saturday | Enfield Valley Grange Hall, 178 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca | Bring your friends and family to the BEST pancake breakfast around!

Lots of choices, generous servings, all prepared from scratch by Grange volunteers. | Adults $8, Kids $5 Beginner Bird Walks | 8:30 AM, 3/7 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, 3/7 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.

Enfield Volunteer Fire Comapny Chicken Barbecue | 11:00 AM, 3/8 Sunday | Enfield Fire Hall, 172 Enfield Main Rd, Ithaca | Until all is gone. The Ladies Auxiliary holds a Bake Sale at each BBQ† | $10; $7

Notices

Knitters and Crocheters | 3:00 PM, 3/8 Sunday | Varna United Methodist Church, 965 Dryden Rd, Ithaca | Come meet other fiber artists and share skills with one another.

Open Hearts Dinner | 5:00 PM, 3/4 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

Dryden Senior Citizens Luncheon | 11:45 AM, 3/9 Monday | Dryden VFW, 2272 Dryden Rd, Dryden | Our entertainment will be Mr. Aaron Karpalla who will sing a variety of songs including love, gospel and standard songs. | $7/$8

Teen Writing Workshops | 4:30 PM, 3/5 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 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) French Tutoring Sessions | 5:00 PM, 3/5 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Designed primarily for middle school, high school, and university students of French, as well as adults enrolled in a course or studying French on their own. Through extra, personalized assistance, this program can help participants deepen their understanding of the French language and improve their ability to complete homework on their own.

Newfield Lioness St. Patty’s Dinner & Silent Auction | 5:00 PM, 3/7 Saturday | Newfield Fire Hall, 77 Main Street, Newfield | Dinner:† Corned beef, ham, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, rolls, beverages & desserts. Silent Auction also. | Adults - $11, Seniors - $10, kids 10 and under $6

Community Wellness Day at Newfield Public Library | 8:30 AM, 3/10 Tuesday | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St, Newfield | Cooking demos, information and resources on housing, health & wellness, job training programs, and more!

COMMUNIT Y DAY Tuesday, March 10 beginning at 8:30 AM | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main Street, Newfield| Cooking demos, information and resources on housing, health & wellness, job training programs, and more! Highlights: Senior Exercise 8:30; Special Edition Storytime 9:30; The Mobile Food Pantry will be set up in the Tioga State Bank parking lot 10:00 - 11:00 am; Wellness Fair 9:00 am; Lunch 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. (photo: Facebook )

and men to write and share stories about the special women in their lives: friends, family members, historical and cultural figuresóeven literary characters. Please register.

Cheese and Thank You | 12:00 PM, 3/7 Saturday | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road, Freeville | Free cheese tasting and sale including Jakes Gouda, Lively Run, Crosswinds Farm, and Sunset View Creamery.†

experience is required. Come join us!

Enter the church via Aurora Street; for more information, send an email to LeemingJay@gmail.com.

Open Hearts Dinner | 5:00 PM, 3/11 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 | Exercise Class for Seniors | 8:30 AM, Tuesdays & Thursdays | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Take off Pounds Sensibly | 6:00 PM, 3/5 Thursday | Candor Town Hall, 101 Owego Road, Candor | Contact Jean Dewey 659-9969 or jmdewey@ frontiernet.net Square Dance and Other Dancing | 2:00 PM, 3/6 Friday | Lifelong, 119 W Court St, Ithaca | Everyone Welcome (members and non-members). No experience or partner needed. For more information call 273-1511 Sacred Sunday Community at Yoga Farm | 9:00 AM, 3/8 Sunday | Yoga Farm, 404 Conlon Rd, Lansing | Open Meditation | 10:30 AM, 3/8 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca |

DIY No-Sew Tote | 7:30 PM, 3/10 Tuesday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | Bring an old t-shirt to repurpose, a limited supply will also be on hand. Please register.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous | 4:00 PM, 3/8 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.

Roots and Wings Kirtan | 7:30 PM, 3/10 Tuesday | First Unitarian Church, Second Floor, 306 North Aurora Street, Ithaca | Come join us as we plunge into songs and chants from Sufi, Hindu, European , African and American traditions in a simple and meditative way. Led by poet and musician Jay Leeming; no previous singing

TCPL to Offer Eight Week Series on Accessing Inner Wisdom | 7:00 PM, 3/10 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library Borg/Warner Room, Green Street, Ithaca | ìCreating a Fulfilling Life Using Your Inner Wisdom as a Guide.î In this eight-week series led by Lisa Margaret, participants will learn how the process of accessingóand

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 AT 10:30 AM

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 THRU SATURDAY, MARCH 7 AT 7:30 PM EACH EVENING

The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca |The little red hen wants a little help making bread but all the other animals are just too busy. Can she do it all herself?

Rod puppets, songs and lots of lively stuff! Stay for a free workshop for all after the show. Make a puppet to take home!

Kiplinger Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Cornell | The politics of expression in the dancer’s body, from the exquisite to the damned and offering both pleasure and provocation, is this year’s LGD. (photo: provided)

(photo: Facebook )

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THE LITTLE RED HEN PUPPET SHOW

LOCALLY GROWN DANCE

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

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OCM BOCES has the need for the following summer school staff from July 6, 2020 – August 14, 2020: · Special Education Teachers · Teachers of the Deaf · Music Teachers · Speech Therapists · Teaching Assistants · Teaching Assistants/Interpreters · Physical Therapists · Occupational Therapists · Occupational Therapy Assistants · Physical Therapy Assistants · School Nurses Sites are at various locations through Onondaga and Cortland County.

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Ithaca Community Childcare Center’s 18th Annual Benefit Auction All proceeds will benefit our Building Expansion Project

Saturday, March 7, 2020 6:00-9:30 PM Emerson Suites at Phillips Hall, Ithaca College 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Special thank you to our event sponsors, Cayuga Medical Center, CFCU Community Credit Union, Holt Architects, Borg Warner, McDonald’s, TG Miller, PC Engineers and Surveyors, & Tompkins Insurance Agency; to our media sponsors, Ithaca Times and Ithaca Child ; and IC3 Board of Directors, Auction Committee, Classrooms & Parents of IC3.

Thank you to all of our donors below!

Donations as of 2/27/2020 Ace Security Locksmith

Community School of Music & Arts Glenwood Pines

JULIA e. DEAN

New York Giants

SPCA

Agava

Cornell Athletics

Green Star

Just a Taste Wine and Tapas Bar

Next Jennaration Dance Studio

State Theatre

Agway

Cortland Repertory Theatre

Green Tree Garden Supply

Kangaroo Classroom

One World Market

Sunset Grill

Alphabet Soup

Country Inn & Suites Ithaca

Guppy Classroom

Kendal Classroom

Opus Ithaca School of Music

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Aiello’s Italian Restaurant

Creative Touch

Hampton Inn Ithaca

Kitchen Theatre Company

Oskar Schmidt Massage Therapy

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Argos Inn

Cross Roads the Clown

Hangar Theatre

Koala Classroom

Osmote Winery

Taste of Thai Express

Auburn Double Days

Cup O’ Jo Café

Head Over Heels Gymnastics

La Tourelle

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Daisy Maid

Hedgehog Class

Le Café Cent-Dix

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Helena Cooper

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Bed, Bath and Beyond

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Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca

Lotus Studios

Pilates Room and Antigravity Studio

The Country Club of Ithaca

Best Auto Repair

Dolce Delight

Home Green Home

Lucas Winery

Plenty of Posies

The FASNY Museum of Firefighting

Binghamton Rumble Ponies

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Hopshire Farm & Brewery

Mackenzie Child’s

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The Frame Shop

Binghamton Zoo (Ross Park) Dragon Classroom

If Only Farm Equestrian Center

Maguire Family of Dealerships

Purity Ice Cream

The History Center

Black Bird Studios

DSP Shows

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Rasa Spa

The Mall Dry Cleaners

Buffalo Street Books

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Ithaca Ale House Grill & Taproom Mama Goose/Mimi's Attic

Red Feet Wine Market & Spirit Provisions

The Relaxation Point

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Emmy's Organics

Ithaca Carshare

Maple Hill Golf Course

Red’s Place

The Shoe Inn

Buttonwood Grove Winery

Experience! The Finger Lakes

Ithaca Coffee Company

Mary Lou Larsen

Rockwell Museum of Western Art

The W!ld Center

Cayuga Landscape

Finger Lakes Cider House

Ithaca Community Childcare Center

Maxi's Supper Club

Rose's Home Dish

The Watershed

Center for The Arts, Homer

Finger Lakes Curling (Dan Hazlitt)

Ithaca Family Chiropractic

Medieval Times

Satori Salon & Day Spa

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Chipmunk Classroom

Finger Lakes Running Company

Ithaca Guitar Works

Mercato Bar & Kitchen

Schooley’s

Trumansburg Golf Club

Christopher Kourkoutis

Flower Fashions

Ithaca Handwork’s

Michaleen's Florist & Garden Center

Sciencenter

T-Shirt Express

Chuckster’s Family Fun Park

Forty Weight Coffee Roasters

Ithaca Swim Club

Model Citizen Tattoo

Serviente Glass Studios

WalMart

Cinemapolis

Frank & Mary’s Diner

Jane Morgan's Little House Ltd

Moosewood

Sheldrake Point Winery

Water to Wine Tours

Circus Culture Ithaca

Funny Bone Comedy Club

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Morey’s Piers & Beach Front Waterpark. Wildwood , NJ

Sherri Koski

We Be Tillin’ Studios

Coffee Mania!

Gabriel G. Hoff LMT

Jeffrey Foote Photography

Nancy Cheri Arif

Simeon’s

Wild Birds Unlimited

Coltivare

Gimme! Coffee

Jillian's Drawers

New Delhi Diamond’s Restaurant Soccer Shots

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