November 24, 2021

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Online @ ITH ACA .COM

e v Gi Local Five local non-profits in need PAGE 8

TO STREAT

OR NOT TO STREAT

COUNTY

LYNAH

LEG

FAITHFUL

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Future of Aurora County budget passes Fans are back for Streatery up in the air with library funds Cornell hockey PAGE 3

THE STORY OF VILMA

A local author dives into her grandmother’s past PAGE 15

GIVING THANKS

Charley Githler finds gratefulness PAGE 6

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Newsline

VOL.XLII / NO. 14 / November 24, 2021 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

F E AT URE S

Election

Give Local ���������������������������������������8

Lane keeps legislature seat with 8-vote win

Learn about five non-profits that could use your support this Giving Tuesday.

‘The Story of Vilma’ �������������������� 15 A local author dives into her grandmother’s past in her book ‘The Story of Vilma,’ which combines fiction with authentic research.

Newsline ��������������������������������������������������3-5 Opinion �������������������������������������������������������� 6 Letters �������������������������������������������������������� 7

M

ike Lane will officially remain in office after a tight race for his County Legislature District 14 seat against cha l lenger Tom Corey.

Lane ultimately won by eight votes, 873865. Corey led Lane by 20 votes after election night, but after counting the absentee and affidavit ballots a couple weeks later Lane had taken the lead by two.

Democratic Commission for the Tompkins County Board of Elections Stephen Dewitt said there were nine absentee or affidavit ballots that were disputed by attorneys for either campaign when the Board of Elections were counting the votes. The attorneys had until the end of Nov. 18 to decide whether or not to pursue court action to uphold their arguments. Dewitt added that for three of them the attorneys took issue with the dating of the signature, one of the affidavit ballots the Board of Elections was not planning to count but the attorneys disagreed, and the others had perceived flaws in the way the ballots were marked. However, the campaigns ultimately did not seek court action and the ballots were dealt with under the direction of the Board of Elections.

Additionally, because the race was so close, there was an automatic manual recount of the ballots. State law mandates that if a race is separated by 20 or fewer votes, a manual recount is required. This was the first time the Tompkins County Board of Elections ever had to do it.

-Ta n n e r H a r d i n g

ART S &E N T E RTAINME N T Dining �������������������������������������������������������� 16 Film ������������������������������������������������������������� 18 Film ������������������������������������������������������������� 19 Times Table ���������������������������������������������� 20 Classifieds ����������������������������������������������� 22

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 T a n n e r H a r d i n g , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 1224

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SouthReporter@flcn.org C a s e y M a r t i n , S ta f f P h o t o g r a p h e r

P h o t o g r a p h e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , C a l e n d a r E d i t o r , x 1217

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 1227

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 1216

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Traffic

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What’s next for the Aurora Streatery?

he city of Ithaca is looking to evaluate the Aurora Streatery. Set up in a haste as a response to the pandemic, the Streatery closes the block of Aurora Street home to Restaurant Row. This creates a pedestrian way that allows for more outdoor dining on the sidewalks so that people

inside due to COVID-19 can still support local restaurants.

However, as noted by city planner Jennifer Kusznir at the Nov. 17 City Administration Committee meeting, the Streatery was not studied or evaluated beforehand.

“We were trying to help businesses, but because of the

T a k e

Sharon Davis, Distribution F r o n t @ I t h a c a T i mes . c o m

might continue to do it, we feel it’s important to look at doing it the right way,” she said.

The city’s transportation engineer Erin Cuddihy called the Streatery a “really wonderful thing for the community,” but noted that even though it’s

J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 1210

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 ch b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 1214

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

THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2021, BY NEWSKI INC.

continued on page 12

N o t e

▶ TCAT holiday schedule - On Wednesday, Nov. 24, routes 90 and 92 will not be operating.

Routes adjusted are as follows: 11: Last outbound trip departs 9:45 p.m. from Green St. Station.

Last inbound trip departs 9:59 p.m. from IC/College Circle Apartments, ending 10:17 p.m.

at Green St. Station; 51: Last trip departs 9:32 p.m. from Green St. Station. Last trip departs 9:59 p.m. from Honness @ 79 at 9:59 p.m. and ending at 10:24 p.m. at Green St. Station.

There is no service on Thanksgiving Day and TCAT offices will be closed.

On Friday, Nov. 26, routes

10, 81, 83, 90 and 92 are not operating. Routes 13S, 14, 14S, 20, 21, 30, 37, 40, 43, 52, 53, 65 and 67 are operating as usual. All other routes are adjusted. Visit https:// tcatbus.com/tcat-thanksgivingholiday-1-24-21-throughfri-11-26-21/ for all adjustments and any other information.

who are uncomfortable eating

popularity and the idea that we

good for business and people No ve m b e r

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Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $89 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851.

ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication.

The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607-277-1012, MAILING ADDRESS is PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. The Ithaca Times was preceded by the Ithaca New Times (1972-1978) and The Good Times Gazette (1973-1978), combined in 1978. F o u n d e r G o o d T i m e s G a z e tt e : Tom Newton

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INQUIRING

N e w s l i n e

COVID

PHOTOGRAPHER Health Dept. gives Thanksgiving gathering tips for COVID safety

By C a se y Mar tin

WHAT ISN’T ON THE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING DAY MENU, BUT DEFINITELY SHOULD BE?

“Mac and Cheese…is that already traditional?”

-Charles A.

Age and Vaccination Status of COVID-19 Positive Hospitalizations (Tompkins County Health Department)

“French Fries. Nothing too special, just a touch of salt.”

-Alex H.

“Steak. New York Strip.”

-Olivia W.

“HAM!” -Megan M.

“Pasta and Meatballs!”

-Anthony & Stefanie M.

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he Tompkins County Health Department is continuing to focus on hospitalizations and severity of disease in the county as case numbers trend slightly upwards in a trend seen nationwide. In Tompkins County, there are 211 active cases and just four hospitalizations (as of Nov. 22).

“There is a protection from

severity of illness by being vaccinated,” Public Health Director Frank Kruppa said.

He added that fluctuations in case numbers are to be expected, and that while the county is in a bit of an uptick right now, hospitalizations have remained in the low, single digits.

Since Aug. 1, 58 out of 82,

County Legislature

Legislature adds $15,000 to budget for library funding; names redistricting commission

T

he 2022 Tompkins County budget passed 13-0 (Legislator Leslie Schill excused) following an amendment.

Legislator Shawna Black thanked Legislator Deborah Dawson for leading the process, stating that “we had some very productive conversations, thank you.” Legislature Chairwoman Leslyn McBeanClairborne added thanks for Interim County Administrator Lisa Holmes for stepping up into the role during the inten-

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sive budget season and added praise for legislators representing their constituents in the process: “You represent, and you represent well — bringing priorities of constituents and the County to bear.”

An amendment to the 2022 Tompkins County Budget raised by Legislator Amanda Champion and seconded by Dawson to add $15,000 in onetime support of the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) passed 13-0 (Schill excused).

Legislators cited the City of

or about 70%, hospitalizations were in unvaccinated people.

Additionally, no vaccinated people under the age of 40 have been hospitalized.

Kruppa said the county’s push is currently toward getting children vaccinated, as the Federal Drug Administration recently approved the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11.

“So far we’ve done nearly 2,200 doses,” Kruppa said on Nov 16. “So that’s really good.”

There has since been another vaccine clinic for children, so it’s unclear exactly how many children have been vaccinated. Since Nov. 6, there has been a fairly sharp increase of over 4,000 first doses of the vaccine in the county, but the data is not broken down by age group. Kruppa said there are about 5,700 children in that age group in the county.

Kruppa also addressed holiday gathering guidance as the country prepares for Thanksgiving this week, and then the beginning of Hanukkah just days later. He said part of the challenge about being clear about gathering guidance is that the county is not mandating or requiring things at a local level anymore.

This time last year, the Health Department and the CDC were urging people to avoid Thanksgiving gatherings.

However, Kruppa said at this point he’s just recommending following CDC guidance for

the holidays.

Because Tompkins County is considered a high transmission area by CDC criteria, Kruppa said everyone should mask while indoors with people outside of their immediate household.

“That’s really the extent of the formal recommendations,” he said.

Kruppa added, though, that everyone should assess their situation individually and make choices that are best for them, especially as having holiday celebrations is part of the return to normal.

“People are going to have gatherings whether we say to or not, so we’re just trying to provide information on how to do that as safely as possible,” he said. “Everyone attending should be fully vaccinated.

That’s the first best step.”

Kruppa also said that it’s important to keep in mind who will be attending your holiday gathering.

“Family gatherings usually include the elders in our family, and unfortunately they are more at risk,” he said. “So if you are seeing them, you want to be extra careful.”

In addition to everyone being fully vaccinated, Kruppa said you could also get a COVID test before your gathering just as an extra layer of protection.

-Ta n n e r H a r d i n g

Ithaca’s decision to decline $15,000 of proposed funding for TCPL to be open on Sundays. The funding is in support of the Sunday hours and access for the community. Champion, who also serves as a representative on the library’s board of directors stated, “I’ve seen nothing but dedication and hard work [from the library staff], devoted to the library itself, information and access and a place for teenagers and a warm place in the winter. I was quite shocked that [Common Council] decided to not fund this $15,000 request.”

Champion added clarification that the library did not ask her to submit this amendment, that the city does contribute to TCPL through what comes in as sales tax revenues, and that the $15,000 is equivalent to nine Sundays of TCPL being open to patrons, adding that

there are 13,000 city residents with library cards. Several additional Legislators spoke in support of the amendment, with McBean-Clairborne (D-Ithaca) stating “I hope we can get to a place where we see libraries as a shared service that we can all contribute to.”

She further commented on the ongoing collaborations in other areas with the city and encouraged the legislature to reach out to Common Council for further conversation.

Legislator Mike Lane added context to the downtown location of TCPL stating that the Legislature previously supported the conversion of the old Woolworth’s Department Store Building (gifted to the County) to the current iteration of the library and that the Legislature has made a concerted effort to keep it in Downtown Ithaca. continued on page 14

UPS&DOWNS

S p o r t s

Ups It’s Thanksgiving week! Enjoy some time with your family or friends, eat good food and try to get a couple days of rest.

Downs Police made a few arrests on weapons charges and domestic violence charges last week. Let’s try to be on our best behavior through the rest of the year.

HEARD&SEEN Heard The County is currently recruiting to fill at least four vacant seats on the Climate and Sustainable Energy Advisory Board.

Tompkins County residents can apply until Dec 6. The application form is available online at https://www2.tompkinscountyny. gov/files2/legislature/advisoryboard/ application%20form.pdf Heard Saturday is Small Business Saturday! Head into town and show your support to local businesses as you do your holiday shopping.

Cornell goaltender Nate Mcdonald

C

ornell’s athletic complex was buzzing on Saturday — there was a football game, a highly-anticipated wrestling match that saw longtime coach Rob Koll return as the new coach of Stanford, and there were also two hockey games. The women shut out Princeton 2-0 in the afternoon, and that victory was followed up with a 3-0 take down of Yale by the Big Red men (who, with the win, moved to 7-1, 5-1 ECAC Hockey, 3-1 Ivy League). It would seem — as the pieces of the puzzle of normalcy continue to be located and put in place — that the Lynah Faithful would be on the proverbial Cloud Nine. After my conversation with two longtime season ticket holders, my personal calculation is that Cloud Seven is more accurate.

I will, a bit later, explain how Clouds 8 and 9 might be reattained.

Penny and Jay O’Leary have proudly identified as members of the Lynah Faithful as season ticket holders for the better part of 15 years, and I asked Jay if he would still be so excited to return if the Big Red were

The Puzzle of Normalcy

not playing at such a high level.

“That’s a good question,” Jay offered. “I will tell you this, even with the mask and vaccination card requirements, seeing people you haven’t seen in two years, and laughing and high-fiving does bring a wonderful sense of normalcy.”

He added, “Friday night’s game was great — watching a final overtime goal (in the 3-2 win over Brown) — and on Saturday, not only did the team play well in front of a near-capacity crowd, the national anthem was performed by a woman who is a member of one of the military choirs, and it was spectacular.”

In Jay’s words, “Those relationships with other season ticket holders have grown over the years, and we are all very happy to be back in each others’ company.” Also giving a shout out to some of the behind-the-scenes components, he added, “I can’t say enough about the staff at Lynah Rink.

They are doing a great job.”

Penny is a lifelong sports aficionado (her son, Ryan Stevens, is the baseball coach at Wells College), and she

agreed that things are moving (mostly) in a good direction.

“Just being back watching live sporting events is great...” I sensed a “however” coming, and sure enough, it was.

In addition to being a sports fan, Penny is a healthcare worker who has been in the trenches since the beginning of the pandemic. She has worked grueling hours in numerous capacities, and her experiences prompted her to say, “After watching this thing run rampant for nearly two years now, it was very disheartening to see so many students acting like idiots. They were asked by a staff worker to put on their masks, they refused, and in my opinion, it shouldn’t take three security guards to get someone to put on a mask.

Those displays of disrespect and disregard were very disappointing.”

The other obstacle to being on Cloud 9 was explained by Jay, who said, “There is a bit of angst among season ticket holders. We don’t have our seats yet, and we are required to sign in and buy our tickets on Monday before they go on

sale to the general public on Tuesday, but if you’re not quick enough, you’re out of luck.” He pointed out that the seating arrangements will be worked out by the time the team returns to Lynah Rink in about eight weeks.

In O’Leary’s words, “It is definitely a long dry spell between now and late January, but if anyone is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, they can go to Madison Square Garden.” I asked if he was going to the Garden, and before he could answer, Jay was informed that the O’Leary home has “so many projects and so much unfinished business,” and I got the idea that he would not be attending...

IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write news@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How do you prepare for Black Friday?

0% Sexting my supply chain.

0% Wax the bollards.

6.5% Temporarily Increase my debt ceiling.

93.5% Sleep in, and catch a movie.

● ● ●

I’d like to wish all of our readers a very happy Thanksgiving, and once again express my gratitude that you take the time to read our stories. It means a lot.

S t e v e L aw r e n c e

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Your best reason to Shop Local during the holidays Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

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It h ac a T im e s 5

THE TALK AT

problems. Moreover, last, but not least, $47 billion will be used to confront the very serious problems caused by climate change. This money will help communities prepare for climate change and become more resilient.

Thank you, Congressman Reed, for supporting this important bill.

-The Board of the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

YOUR LETTERS

Thank you Rep. Reed for supporting infrastructure bill

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Re: Aurora Streatery

he Executive Board of League of Women Voters of Tompkins County Board of Directors applauds our Representative Tom Reed and his colleagues for supporting the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill. In these difficult times it is very important that our elected representatives put partisanship aside, whatever the partisan pressure, and focus on the greater good of the country as a whole.

This bill will help all of New York State, but it will be particularly invaluable for upstate New York. Roads and bridges here are in need of repair, indeed some are quite dangerous. The presence of COVID accentuated the significant lack of broadband in parts of the State including Tompkins County, further impacting residents who lack these connections who work from home and/or educate their children. Furthermore significant amounts of money will be directed toward improving infrastructure that is currently contributing to supply chain

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am happy those restaurants could make more money but the traffic has been so much better since they opened Aurora street. You need more than one way for an entire hill to come off the hill through town. Why not make Aurora street a single lane so you can still have traffic flow (and not put more pollution into the air) and the restaurants would still have enough room to put tables outside.

You can not cut off a major road and create traffic jams forever.

-Jason Peter, Ithaca, NY

Re: Right to Renew

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here is currently a movement in New York State to pass “right to renew’ legislation (like they have had in NJ for the past forty years). This legislation would give tenants a ‘right to renew’ their leases unless there is proper cause for removing the tenant.

/November

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SURROUNDED BY REALITY

Giving Thanks

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

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hanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday, so you’d think I’d have a better grasp of the historical details.

It seems likely the Plymouth settlers staged some kind of banquet, presumably out of gratitude for the fact that only half of them died during the first three months of being on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I know that because the giant turkey in the Macy’s parade wears a style of hat that hasn’t been fashionable since 1620. And then I think one of the surviving Wampanoags saw her shadow and there were six more weeks of winter. Like I said, it’s kind of a jumble in my mind. Still, there’s a lot to like about a long weekend of huge inflated cartoon characters, televised concussions, green bean casserole, the ritual poking of the bear of family resentments, and the Trampling of the Greedy on Black Friday at stores across the land. This year, now that we’re completely in the clear from the pandemic, it would be a good time to take stock of some of the things in our lives for which we should give thanks.

I find that pouring a locally-sourced holiday cocktail gets me in the mood.

Pretty thankful we don’t live in Europe right now. They’re not completely in the clear from the pandemic.

Shouldn’t we give thanks that the Reimagining Public Safety Plan Working Group is fielding suggestions from the public on what the new name for the Ithaca Police Department should be? Finally! Ever since I learned in a GQ article that policing in Ithaca is going to be transformed, I’ve been eager to know what the new department name will be.

I know they’re considering “Constables Who Care” and “Not Your father’s Police Department.” I’d be even more thankful if they hurried up so I know whom to call the next time carloads of people are exchanging gunfire while roaring down West Seneca Street during a weekday rush hour.

I feel gratitude that I live in a city that has pledged to be carbon neutral in eight years. Excited about the prospect of a new furnace, stove and water heater! Asking for a friend: Is it ungrateful to ask if someone will help pay for their house to become compliant, or should they just keep quiet and suck it up?

Speaking of climate issues and carbon and whatnot, how great is it the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow made real progress in addressing the climate crisis. Problem solved and whew, that was close! We humans always step up and take forceful measures when the situation

calls for it. Thank you, thank you, world leaders.

Also, thanks to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for mansplaining that inflation is at a 30-year high because of temporary supply chain issues. Like an idiot, I thought it might have had to do with the doubling of the money supply in the last 18 months. Don’t I feel stupid! And grateful!

Waves of gratitude wash over me when I see somebody grocery shopping with their dog in the cart. It’s a service animal, whose very presence reduces the anxiety of choosing among so many breakfast cereals. Where else but in a store that sells food can I get your pet’s dander on my produce? It’s totally not crazy at all, and I’m thankful to live in a time and place that is so understanding. Time for another locally-sourced holiday cocktail!

Earlier this year, I watched in horrified fascination as waves of misguided dickheads swarmed over the barricades into the United States Capitol building.

The whole thing was televised live! It disturbed me to the point that I contacted the Cornell Department of Statistical Science to do some probabilistic modeling for me. It turns out that the odds of me witnessing that exact spectacle again are no greater than one in three, and for that I give thanks, though maybe we should send some Constables Who Care down to the District of Columbia just in case.

I’m grateful for the Ithaca Beer Company, Gimme!, Cinemapolis, Press Bay Alley, Franco’s, Liquid State, Wegmans, the Commons, and the fact that we live in wine country, which is also now craft beer country and distillery country. And how lucky are we that we sit on the shores of 2.5 trillion gallons of fresh water, not to mention our underground aquifers? I know it’s a lot of rain, but we’re like the Saudi Arabia of water. For now, anyway.

Let’s keep an eye on the western states in case they start laying pipelines in our direction...

The internet is destroying our civilization before our very eyes, but I’m grateful for Google. I lived 45 years without it, and now I Google things 200 times a day, which is half the national average, according to Google. I really can’t explain how we used to look things up in the Before Time.

Yes, every Thanksgiving I’m thankful for the whole pageant of life. It’s all about attitude. And locally-sourced you-knowwhats.

LETTERS Contin u ed From Page 6

I wanted to share my story of what it feels like to be ‘no cause evicted.’ For that is what I am enduring right now. I am a long-time Ithacan and a long-time renter.

I have rented a room from John Guttridge and his company Urban Core for the past 4 years. We have had a friendly relationship. He even has commended stewardship of the building I live in – helping new people learn the ropes, encourage positive communication, etc.

This August finds me, like all of us, in the depths of disruptive pandemic, just trying to keep positive and keep moving forward in life. Then one day I get an email that informs me, in very cold and legal language that I have 90 days to leave.

My lease is not being renewed.

No conversation. No discussion. No negotiation. Just a landlord seemingly itching to redo the kitchen. No cause.

After 4 years of being a great tenant. You have 90 days to vacate. In the fall. In Ithaca. Where there is minimal, if any, housing stock to choose from.

I asked over email for an explanation and I did not hear back for two whole weeks. And then what I received was a vague and unclear explanation.

In four years, I have not received one complaint from the landlord against me as a tenant. In fact, I would argue that I have been a model tenant. But the point here is that – there is no cause for evicting me. And I feel compelled to note the seeming hypocrisy of John Guttridge and Urban Core, whose mission statement reads, in part: We focus relentlessly on the success of our tenants. What? I feel like, if anything, my landlord is undercutting my success in life right now.

Is there a word yet for greenwashing your business, but in a pro-community sense, where a business flaunts their pro-community image, while behind the scenes it is more a case of being procommunity when it is convenient? Other tenants out there, please note: if your landlord tells you he needs to “do a walk through with his design team,” that is a huge red flag. That means that he has wants to redo your place. If only I had seen the warning signs.

Have you ever tried looking for a place in Ithaca in the fall? It is sparse.

And depressing. Anyone who knows the Ithaca rental market knows that there is very little housing stock on the market this time of year. Being forced to leave your home with only three months’ notice is just not viable in Ithaca in the fall.

The lack of local options has got me looking into a move to Pittsburgh. These little displacements. One displacement here. Another there. They add up. And Ithaca changes. These ripple through the community. They change the character of cities. These evictions add up. They

displace. And they send a portion of our Ithaca population to other cities.

There are many like me. Forced to move. Forced to find another city to call home. Is this the Ithaca we want?

Please support the rights of tenants.

Please support the ‘right to renew’ in New York State. Where there is no longer honor to rely on, we must build rules.

-Doug Kirsch, Ithaca, NY

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sually, a landlord does not like to turnover tenants as it can be quite expensive, much more than renewing the existing tenant. If they do, it is because of what is listed as a good cause. The law, therefore, does not mean much to anyone. However, what works against all parties is the limitations of the annual raise.

Linking the rise to the CPI, which consists of over 200 items in eight categories, stands to ignore the economics of rental properties. Property taxes are a significant expense. At the pandemic’s beginning, the county increased my property taxes, stating that a house sold at a specific price in the neighborhood. Whenever a property changes hands, the county increases the property taxes to the new value. If rent can only increase 1.5 times the CPI, the property taxes should not increase more than 1.5 percent of the CPI. For example, I recently bought a rental property that was previously assessed at 235,000$. Just because I bought it for 435k, the county will immediately change the taxes to 435k. However, the previous owner was calculating the return based on their taxes. If the taxes double for me, those rents are no more viable as an economic activity. The county should create its own inflation index if they want to pass this law. The Index should contain increases in property taxes, labor rates for landscaping, labor rates for snow removal and other maintenance, heating, and utilities, and material costs for repairs. It then makes sense to limit the rise to 1.5 percent of the new Index.

-Sanjay Behuria, via Ithaca.com

Re: Crime in Ithaca

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hank you Bill Chaisson for this well written thorough piece of investigative journalism. I think some individuals and families who are more likely to commit crimes have chosen to move into Ithaca due to its generous welfare programs, both at the State and local levels. Welfare is tricky; it can be helpful at first, but the danger is that over time it actually becomes detrimental to the recipient, since they may use it like a hammock rather than a safety net. Then they become dependent on it and lose their incentive to keep gainful employment, by opting to instead spend their time recreating at everyone else’s expense. Idle hands really are the devil’s workshop.

-Richard Ballantyne, via Ithaca.com

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es, thank you Bill Chaisson for the in-depth article.

I did not know that the Ithaca Police Department had so many unfilled positions. Has the Mayor vetoed attempted to fill these positions?

Mr. Ballantyne, I imagine that the “welfare creates indigency” argument has been around since governments first began extending social safety nets like Social Security for their citizens.

You appear to share the former Clinton Administration’s view that it may be helpful for a while, but then needs to be decisively tapered off before dependency or lassitude develops. This 2019 article at the Kennedy School website seeks to dispell the “myth of welfare dependency” and I find it both cogent and reasonable. https:// epod.cid.harvard.edu/article/dispellingmyth-welfare-dependency Your argument vis-a-vis Ithaca would be stronger if you had learned that any of the persons arrested for violent crime in Ithaca in recent years were getting welfare checks. My personal guess is that some of the disquieting discharge of firearms in Ithaca is by entrepreneurs engaged in the illegal drug trade. IMO, these people are not suffering from lassitude engendered from being on the dole as you seem to suggest.

-John V. Dennis, via Ithaca.com

Re: Why we have SWAT

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his opinion piece is not a compelling defense of SWAT, but it is a compelling defense of much better-funded mental health services, including an intense program of personal follow-up with community members whose mental health issues flag potential danger to self and community. Tracing previous articles in the Voice on the same subject, it becomes clear that it is precisely that prevention-oriented follow-up in which the author was successfully involved, (which has been eliminated due to constrained budgets leading to constrained communication between agencies), that made the difference in deterring violent events involving mentally ill people in the community, and not the SWAT truck. I understand the frustration of intelligent and effective hard-working people with great ideas like the author misidentifying the problem from repeated despair related to underfunding. Such a totally well-intentioned person can end up advocating for the very symbol of violent confrontation, the SWAT truck, simply because it is funded! It is obvious to most of us in the community with any expertise in education and the social sciences that the SWAT truck needs to be retired, with the money invested in its maintenance and operations shifted to intense personal mental health follow-up in relation to our mosthurting fellow citizens.

-Barbara Regenspan, via Ithaca.com

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Re: Electrification of Ithaca’s buildings

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ur Sustainability Director LuisAguirre-Torres is working to implement the Green New Deal in Ithaca. Some have complained that the funds he has amassed include money from Wall Street. If you want to know why more of your tax dollars aren’t available for our Green New Deal, take a look at the National Priorities Project website. Every hour the U.S. sends $3.31 million for the military.

Since 9/11, the U.S. has spent $21 trillion on foreign and domestic militarization. A fraction of that, $4.5 trillion, could fully decarbonize the entire U.S. electric grid. Let’s let our representatives know we want to shift tax dollars to real security that comes with sustainability.

-Ruth Yarrow, Ithaca, NY

Re: The Game Ball

T

hank you for writing your story about LaVerne. He had many friends at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He’s remembered and missed.

-Dwight Mengel, via Ithaca.com

Re: TCAT to get $17.8 million in federal funds

S

o much “spin” to make the bill look good. 1) This is not really “bipartisan”, supported only by 13 Republicans while several Ds voted against it. This was close to a party line vote. 2) We may get 17.8 million but is it a bargain. Trillions in new spending will drive up inflation and what will that cost residents of Tompkins?

3) Electrifying buses does not necessarily mean a cleaner environment. The electric must come from somewhere. And once in a power line electric from all sources is mixed together. Will we be building a new power plant in Tompkins? 4) the bill was full of “pork”. To get some infrastructure money 60% or more of the bill is not going to infrastructure. 5) Money for mass transit does little for non-city dwellers (70% of Tompkins residents) who drive to work and shop. As for Tom Reed, it’s good he isn’t running again, many of his base would refuse to vote for him.

-Henry Kramer, via Ithaca.com

G

od forbid that we try to take any steps forward unless 100% of people agree with it, it benefits every single person in the county, and is a perfect solution with no consequences.

-Andy Mara, via Ithaca.com

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GIVE LOCAL

Learn about five non-profits that could use your support this Giving Tuesday.

By Ta n n e r H a r di ng

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he Tuesday after Thanksgiving is Giving Tuesday, a day for people to give to the non-profits who work tirelessly to make other people’s lives better. Here in Ithaca and Tompkins County, we have a seemingly endless number of non-profits, run by people who want to serve others and give back to their communities. That can make it hard to decide where to give on Giving Tuesday. While no non-profit is more deserving than another, for our annual Give Local issue we choose five local organizations to feature.

This year, we learned a bit more about the Enfield Food Pantry, Golden Opportunity, Family Reading Partnership, Story House Ithaca and Ithaca Welcomes Refugees.

ENFIELD FOOD PANTRY

The Enfield Food Pantry, part of the First Baptist Church of Enfield Center, serves over 400 families a week. Pastor Jean Owens said that number only goes up this time of year and that they served 570 families for Thanksgiving last year.

“It’s a particularly difficult time of year for families who normally struggle to keep food on the table,” she said. “Our holiday season is about food, and it’s difficult to picture a family celebration without food involved. It’s a lot of stress on families to be able to put a more elaborate meal on the table.”

Owens said that while they’re ready for the Thanksgiving rush, resources are a little bit tight for the Christmas season.

“What you see in the stores is what you see at the pantry too,” she said. “Reduced product and higher prices.”

Meat tends to be one of the harder things for the food pantry to acquire, particularly as salvaged food is getting harder to come by.

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“When I started out over 50 years ago, we could handle the need, and now we’re distributing much more,” she said.

The church is more than 200 years old, and Owens said it’s always been the primary ministry to make sure nobody in the community goes hungry.

“Anybody is welcome to come get food,” she said. “We serve anyone. We never turn anyone away.”

She said that while some governmentgranted food has income limits, there are always more options.

“I don’t want people to think, ‘oh I bet I won’t qualify financially,’” Owens said.

“If you need food, come to the pantry. We want everyone to feel welcome.”

If you’d like to donate to the Enfield Food Pantry, you can make out a check to the First Baptist Church of Enfield Center, and mail it to 800 Enfield Falls Road, Newfield, NY 14867. Note on the memo

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line that the money is specifically for the pantry. The pantry is open Sundays and Mondays 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Enfield Community Building, 182 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Golden Opportunity provides free one-toone tutoring and mentorship to students in low-income families in grades 2-8 in the Ithaca City School District. However, Executive Director Marne Honigbaum said they’re currently serving students all the way through high school. The organization hires experienced educators, mostly retired teachers, to provide care and instruction to families who can’t afford to provide tutoring.

“Our focus is to help students who need a little help along the way,” Honigbaum said.

Students are referred to the program in first grade if they’re failing to meet grade-

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level benchmarks, and they begin working with a tutor in second grade.

“Our tutors partner with families and teachers and set learning goals,” Honigbaum said.

She added that most students stay in the program through eighth grade, but because of the struggles of virtual learning during the pandemic, there are some current students who are continuing into high school.

The goal is to close the achievement gap to underserved youth populations, and it’s a service Honigbaum said is more important than ever after the pandemic.

“Tutoring will be the best way to recover from the loss of learning in the pandemic,” she said. “We have enrolled the largest ever cohort of second graders this year.”

The pandemic has taken its toll on students, as many families moved out of the area due to loss of employment or housing insecurity, so Golden Opportunity did lose some of its students. However, the organization’s objective during the pandemic was to maintain a relationship with the students still in ICSD. “Our tutors are exceptional,” Honigbaum said. “They’re devoted and committed and kept in touch with families, providing resources that could support them.”

This school year, tutoring services are back in person, but the effects of the pandemic are still being felt. Golden Opportunity had a partnership with the school district for 14 years for transportation, meaning the district would bus the students home. However, with bus driver shortages, the district was unable to provide that this year, meaning Honigbaum had to find other options.

“I’ve collaborated with Ithaca Car Share and hired a driver and we use that van and get our elementary students home safely,” she said.

G o l d e n O p p o r t u n i t y ( P h o t o : C a s e y M a r t i n) This upholds their goal of putting no burden on the students’ families.

“We bridge the gap for our families,” Honigbaum said. “We provide services without barriers and give them everything they can’t give themselves. That’s important for us.”

If you’re interested in helping out Golden Opportunity, Honigbaum said they’re always looking for volunteers to host fundraising events and spread the word about the organization. It costs about $2,100 per year per student to support tutoring, so you can also give financially by visiting https://www.gotutors.org/support-go.

FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP

Going on its 25th year, the Family Reading Partnership is all about supporting families on their journey to literacy. The organization works with families from pregnancy until their child is 5 years old to lay the foundation needed to learn literacy from early on.

Amber Smith, the Family Reading Partnership’s executive director, said that there are a handful of core programs that they do to meet this goal, as well as many one-offs.

The oldest program was started in 1997 and is called the Bright Red Bookshelves program. There are more than 50 bookshelves throughout Tompkins County that

are painted red and filled with books that are gently used. Caregivers can take books from the shelves either to keep, or to read and return later one. These shelves are in places where families need to be, like social services agencies, community centers, Wegmans and Head Start offices.

“There are no rules,” Smith said. “It’s just free books for families.”

Another program is called Books to Grow On, which is done through a partnership with pediatric medical practices in the county that see kids for wellness visits. There are currently 14 offices working with Family Reading Partnership, which purchases new books for those offices and at wellness visits kids get age-appropriate books to take home with them.

“It’s hand-picked for that age level, and every child gets the same book at the same age,” Smith said.

A third program is the Traveling Books program, however it’s currently on-hold due to the pandemic. But when it’s up and running, volunteers visit in-home childcare centers with a crate of books and read aloud to them and then leave the books at the center until the next visit. Smith explained that many daycare workers work long hours and for low pay, making it difficult to buy new books or make it to the library to borrow them.

The Story Walk program is one that Smith said is good for kids who aren’t good at sitting still, or who don’t like sitting in laps being read to. Family Reading Partnership deconstructs physical books, blows up the pages, laminates them, and then sets them up on fence posts along an outdoor trail.

Fa m i ly R e a d i n g Pa r t n e r s h i p ( P h o t o s : P r ov i d e d)

“Families can go out and go on a nice nature walk and read a story as they go,” she said. “Each walk gets a new book every three months.”

One of the programs still in the works is for families who are pregnant or who have children under 18 months and who are low literacy or low income. The organization gives them a bin of nine books, bath toys and sensory shaker eggs for babies to enjoy.

“Eventually post-pandemic that will include gathering time for families to meet other families nearby with children at a similar age,” Smith said.

Smith said some of the feedback they get from families involved in the program includes surprise at how much babies enjoy being read to, as many people don’t think of books as baby “toys.” She said she also hears from non-custodial parents or other caregivers who unexpectedly had to take on the care of a child and didn’t have books or the money to buy them.

If you want to donate, you can visit http:// www.familyreading.org/giving/ to either give a general donation or support a specific program. Smith said donating books is also always appreciated, as they go through between 15,000-30,000 books per year.

“We’re always happy to take children’s books,” she said. “No chapter books, we really stick to the 0-5 demographic.”

If you’re interested in donating books, you can contact the Family Reading Partnership offices at 607-277-8602 to arrange for either pick-up or drop-off of books.

You can also volunteer your time, if you are unable to give financially. Smith said they especially need people to maintain the Bright Red Bookshelves around the county. To sign up to volunteer, call the aforementioned office number or fill out the volunteer form at https://app.etapestry.com/ onlineforms/FamilyReadingPartnership/ volunteer.html.

ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES

A primarily volunteer-led organization, Ithaca Welcomes Refugees is a program that welcomes and supports refugees who come to Ithaca. Casey Verderosa, Ithaca Welcomes Refugees’ executive director, said there are three main program areas that the organization has.

continued on page 10

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GIVE LOCAL Contin u ed From Page 9

The first is the Welcome Home program, which works on pre-arrival and arrival tasks when a family is due to come to Ithaca. The volunteers help retain housing, set up housing with furniture donations, get groceries so the family’s fridge and pantry are stocked, and then provide the family with a warm welcome meal on their date of arrival.

“It’s a culturally appropriate meal to welcome them and say ‘we’re happy you’re here,’” Verderosa said.

The second program is the Response Program, which works long-term with the family in helping them become selfsufficient as they learn to navigate a new country. This means people help them work with the federal resettlement agency in Syracuse, help them find interpreters if it’s needed, help find employment, and accompany people to doctor’s appointments to advocate for them. This program also helps enroll children in school and make sure everyone has appropriate clothing for the seasons.

“Pretty much everyone needs snow gear for the kids for the winter,” Verderosa said.

The goal of the Response Program is to get families on their feet so that they’re able to be self-sufficient and then graduate out of the program.

The third program is the Global Roots Play School, which Verderosa was founded in response to a direct Ithaca Welcomes Refugees need of refugees.

Parents were needing to take English as a second language She added that this also allows for both (ESL) classes to expand their job possi- parents and kids to make friends and find a bilities and more comfortably integrate sense of community. into the community, but they also needed “It’s been wonderful on many fronts,” affordable care for their young children she said. “It’s been closed because of COwhile they attended these classes. To meet VID, but we’ll reopen in January.” this need, Ithaca Welcomes Refugees coorThings have been a little up in the air dinated with Open Doors English, an ESL since the summer when the Taliban retook school, so parents can drop their kids off control of Afghanistan. for care.

“There’s been an extreme delay in pa“We have an extremely sliding scale,” perwork, and we’re only starting to resettle Verderosa said of the cost. them now,” she said.

Verderosa explained that they’re also campaigning to fund the entry of 21 rela-

tives of one of their Afghan families who are currently stuck in Afghanistan.

“They worked with the U.S. government, so they’re in danger of Taliban reprisals,” she said. “If all 21 are approved we could see more arrivals in a short time span than ever, and we would need some support for that.”

If you’re interested in volunteering, you can email Ithaca Welcomes Refugees at ithacawelcomesrefugees@gmail.com. All volunteers go through an orientation session, and then can take on a variety of roles.

You can be part of the Welcome Home team, which runs donation drives, picks up or coordinates drop-offs of furniture, shops for groceries, or cooks the meal for the families when they arrive. You can also be part of a small team of people who work together to support an individual family throughout the Response Program phase, or you can volunteer to be a driver. Most refugees cannot afford a car when they arrive and they might need rides to purchase culturally specific groceries in Syracuse, to go to citizenship appointments in Buffalo, or just to appointments around town until they figure out the bus system.

You can also give monetarily by donating at http://ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/

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Lesley Greene and Jonathan Miller of Story House Ithaca (Photo: Caseny Martin)

donate/or send a check to Ithaca Welcomes Refugees at 315 N Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850.

STORY HOUSE ITHACA

Story House Ithaca is a new non-profit and is a project of the Center for Transformative Action, a non-profit affiliated with Cornell.

The mission, according to co-director Lesley Greene, is to bring people together.

“It’s sharing stories and building community,” she said.

Jonathan Miller, the other codirector, said Story House Ithaca is akin to a community arts center, but it leans more heavily on the community aspect.

“It’s not a showcase for amazing art,” he said. “It’s a way to bring people together to share and learn.”

Miller and Greene said that their definition of

story is broad.

“There are so many ways to communicate with each other and connect with each other,” Miller said. “My background was in journalism, I was a print writer and radio and television producer, and [Greene] was in theater and performance, so we’ve both been exposed to so many different ways of communicating. From the most informal interaction between people and groups to the most elaborate films and novels, our hope is to create spaces both virtual and

real where people can communicate with each other in every conceivable way.”

Performances will play a role, but are not the main thrust of the program. Story House Ithaca mainly focuses on workshops where people can tell their stories through podcasts, documentary film, short stories, or any other form.

Miller said there are, particularly in Ithaca, so many institutions devoted to specific kinds of arts, but they wanted to introduce one devoted to the narrative arts.

“We’ve been deliberately broad about our definition of story,” he said. “It could be a poem, a monologue, a rant, a conversation, a photograph.”

He also joked that the definition of the house aspect of Story House Ithaca is also very broad, because “we don’t have one.”

He said he’d go as far to say that even the definition of Ithaca is broad, as they hope to serve the entire county.

“We want to meet people where they are in the county and create opportunities for folks to get together in rural towns,” Miller said.

In February, Story House Ithaca is hosting a Black film festival curated by local comedian Kenneth McLaurin, and in the spring they’re planning a series of mental

health storytelling called “Breaking Our Silence.” They’re also planning a bar choir, where a chorus director goes to a bar, Liquid State is the first one, and teaches the people there a song in a three-part harmony.

Over the summer, Story House Ithaca set up a video tent during Stewart Park’s 100th birthday party and had people tell their Stewart Park story.

“That was at the request of the Friends of Stewart Park, but it was a moving experience,” Miller said.

If you want to get involved with Story House Ithaca, you can do so in a variety of ways. You can donate monetarily at https:// www.storyhouseithaca.org/donate, or you can join the mailing list through the website, pitch programming ideas, or, if you’ve got some real estate to spare, Green and Miller joked they’d also take the donation of a building.

“We’re looking for a permanent, welcoming space,” Miller said.

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STREATERY Contin u ed From Page 3

enjoy it, there are also concerns. She said her office received many calls about traffic issues that have stemmed from having that block closed, as well as about parking and loading zones.

“We need to address some or all of these concerns,” she said.

Cuddihy said her team talked to Stantec, the engineering firm that the city is currently working with on its transportation plan, about doing a study on the Streatery this fall and winter to make improvements before opening it back up in the spring. To do so would cost about $120,000, which she was requesting at the City Administration meeting.

The study would evaluate existing conditions in relation to speed, traffic flow, parking, and loading. It would then involve a public process in which Stantec would speak with restaurant owners, Common Council, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and community members about the Streatery. They’d then come up with plans for mitigation, including traffic diversion analysis and a conceptual design that includes a truck stopping scheme.

There will likely be recommendations for signage, setting up loading and parking zones and products that can be purchased as crash attenuators.

“These tasks would be part of this very accelerated study we’d be asking them to do to try to get the Streatery set up for the

coming year,” Cuddihy said.

She added that it would also give them the option to extend the project if they, in the future, want to look at a Commons extension on Aurora Street.

Alderperson George McGonigal said he thinks the Streatery was a good idea during the worst of the COVID crisis, but that his constituents on South Hill do not like it.

“It is generally despised because it’s so difficult to get off of South Hill,” he said. “I don’t know how many of us move around in that part of town, but it was really problematic.”

He also wondered if the amount of business done with the Streatery was that different than without.

“We’ve been cautioned by our controller not to use too many capital projects due to our financial situation, and I just think this is a tremendous amount of work that doesn’t necessarily have to be done at all,” he said.

Alderperson Rob Gearhart said he enjoyed the Streatery and said he thinks doing a study is a good idea, as he echoed McGonigal’s concerns about traffic coming off of South Hill. He said he’d like to hear from the people most impacted by the traffic patterns during the public input portion of the study to give them more information.

Cuddihy said she had also heard about the traffic issues, and noted that the study will be aiming to address those specifically so that if and when the Streatery reopens,

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it won’t be as much of a problem.

Committee chair Deb Mohlenhoff said she’s “generally in favor” of the idea, but felt that it was trying to be rushed in an effort to get everything done before the spring.

“There’s no reason you can’t set up the Streatery the same way and maybe this just needs to go through the regular capital projects process,” she said. “It might be easier to get a better sense of total cost and estimates for specific changes.”

Mohlenhoff also added that she didn’t want to give the impression that the city is favoring the restaurants on Aurora Street, “where there are just as many fabulous restaurants on Cayuga Street.” She said she’d be more in favor of weaving this idea into the broader transportation plan.

Cuddihy said there was thought about doing the Streatery the same way in 2022 while they worked on getting the study done, but said there was enough concern about safety and traffic that she wasn’t sure if that would happen. She suggested that there could be a break from the Streatery while things are figured out, but said the decision was not up to her.

Mohlenhoff said she didn’t feel like the request for funding would pass the committee, but that maybe another resolution could be passed in its place to prevent the project from dying in committee.

Mayor Svante Myrick, who has been enthusiastic about the Streatery, said he and Cuddihy could have another discussion and figure out what data and feedback

they could get in the next month and then come back with more information to help people feel more comfortable. He did note that the last time they got numbers about expanding outdoor dining on Aurora Street each additional chair added about $10,000 in revenue, and that was before the Streatery allowed for even more dining.

Cuddihy expressed concern that putting it off another month could mean they won’t be done in time to make adjustments before this coming Streatery season, so Myrick suggested re-examining the topic at the December Common Council meeting.

Mohlenhoff said that regardless of a timeline, having the study and information will still be helpful, even if that means the Streatery might have to open later than usual.

“I think you can be flexible about when you want to re-open the Streatery, so I think there’s possibility here with maneuvering the timeline on both ends,” she said.

Alderpersons Mohlenhoff, Gearhart, Graham Kerslick and Ducson Nguyen voted to table the discussion, while McGonigal voted against.

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

COUNTY LEGISLATURE Contin u ed From Page 4

Among Other Business

Appointments were made unanimously to the independent redistricting commission. Legislator Amanda Champion shared that this group will be tasked with drawing new district lines for the Legislature.

The independent commission members include: Henrik N. (Hank) Dullea, Elliot (Poppy) Immel, Charles Nocera, Vivek Iyer, Margaret Hobbie, Carolyn Chang, Jan Vink and Marcia E. Lynch.

Commission Chair Hank Dullea stated, “When I met with the interview committee, I said we’d be committed to fairness

in this process and also, importantly, the appearance of fairness. We’ll stress the importance of community interests as we look at the data.” Dullea added that feedback would be sought from the current Legislature on the size of the body (the size was previously moved from 15 to 14 members during the 2010 redistricting process).

The County’s internal Team JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) who convenes to support work in these areas at the County presented on their one-year anniversary of the group. The presentation included an explanation of the group’s formation and history, a video of young people in the community expressing their perspectives on what would make

Tompkins County a more equitable place, and updates on the work the group has completed to-date. Team JEDI has created a vision statement, set committees to address equity in different areas, and has attended several trainings in the areas of equity and inclusion. Over 20 Tompkins County employees from myriad county departments are members of the group.

Legislators thanked the team for the work that they’ve done and their dedication to equity. In reflection, McBean-Clairborne shared that 20 years ago was her first meeting as a sitting Legislator and it was just a few years later that a committee that deals with diversity and inclusion (Workforce Development and Inclusion Committee) was founded, which is inten-

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tionally made up of Legislators, staff, and community members. McBean-Clairborne stated, “This is exciting, and I look forward to all of the other things that you intend to do. Thank you for leading the way.”

Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa and Deputy County Administrator Amie Hendrix presented an update on the COVID-19 pandemic response and vaccination progress. The presentation updated hospitalization data, detailing that vaccines continue to be effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalization. The presentation also included information on recent 5-11-yearold vaccination clinics, with over 2,200 children having been vaccinated so far through the county’s clinics at the mall site. Kruppa commented on the number of positive cases and hospitalizations, “we know case numbers are going to fluctuate, and while we don’t want to see that we’re focused on our hospitalizations which have been steady at single digits. As we do begin to transition from pandemic to endemic, we have to acknowledge that we’re all likely to be touched by COVID, what we’re doing is trying to limit the impact of that.”

Roxan Noble was unanimously appointed as the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport Director following Mike Hall’s retirement. Noble has served previously as the Deputy Director of the Airport.

A resolution was approved authorizing the acquisition of the properties located at 300 North Tioga Street and 308 North Tioga Street for a new Downtown County Governmental Office Building (passed 12-1, Champion opposed and Schill excused). The purchase will be made using unassigned general fund balance. Discussion was had on an amendment proposed

by Legislator Dan Klein to alter language resulting in a “potential” new building, the amendment failed 7-6 (Legislators Klein, Mike Sigler, Champion, Dawson, Henry Granison, Anne Koreman and Mike Lane in favor), with several legislators stating that the purpose of the planning for these purchases was related directly to office space needs.

Legislator Dave McKenna shared that the Downtown Facilities Committee heard a special presentation from Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services on possible affordable housing opportunities for the county’s property on Sears Street in Downtown Ithaca.

-Staff R eportA r t s

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A local author dives into her grandmother’s past in her book ‘The Story of Vilma,’ which combines fiction with authentic research.

W

Marin Langlieb

hen Barbara Brown recounts how her new novel “The Story of Vilma” came to be, it sounds like it came straight out of a movie.

Filled with adventures abroad, chance encounters, and sifting through dozens of archives, Brown underwent intense research to uncover and write the history of her grandmother, Vilma Weisz, a Jewish Hungarian/Romanian woman whose decision to immigrate to Amer-

A Story of Vilma is available on Amazon and in the local Ithaca Barnes & Noble.

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Arts&Entertainment

‘THE STORY OF VILMA’

ica in 1923 ultimately saved their family from the Nazis.

Brown says that growing up she was always fascinated by her grandmother. Despite not having a lot of money, her grandmother’s hair was always coiffed, her nails were always done, and she would often have a cigarette in her hand. “She’d light the cigarette and most of it would turn into ashes, but it was just the act of lighting it, the elegance of it,” describes Brown.

However, Brown was especially fascinated by her grandmother’s European roots and thick accent (something that eventually inspired Brown to become a speech pathologist). “She would make cabbage and noodles and things like that, so I got to know a little bit about her Hungarian past,” said Brown. “But she never really told us much about her life.”

Several decades later, her grandmother’s clandestineness made writing a book about her life quite difficult. Originally, Brown thought she would conduct some general research to fill in the gaps in her book. But eventually, she realized that she wanted to learn more about her grandmother’s past. So on a trip to Europe with her husband and cousin’s daughter, armed with just her grandmother’s name, birthdate, and a few other small details, Brown attempted to find her grandmother’s records.

“The first day, in Budapest, we get up in the morning, we get into a cab, and we go to the Hall of Records. The man can’t find anything.

He says to us, ‘you have to go to the other side of the river to the Jewish synagogue,’ which we didn’t know anything about. So we went to the big synagogue and our tour guide gave us some more ideas of where to go,” said Brown.

For the next five days, they would wake up, drive to a different Hall of Records, and search for any information they could find. Finally one day, a half a block away from their hotel, Brown recounted finally seeing her grandmother’s name in one of the books.

“Obviously we burst into tears,” said Brown.

“And then we found her parents’ names because we didn’t even know what her parents’ names were. Can you imagine? I mean, my cousin lived with her for over 20 years.”

That moment further solidified Brown’s desire to tell her grandmother’s story. “If at age 26 she had said, ‘Oh no, I’m not leaving my family,’ none of us would be here,” Brown said. “After that trip, the book was no longer just a fiction book about my grandmother. It became a historical record of the decision that she made and how every decision you make has an impact.”

Brown hopes that readers also find her grandmother’s story to be one of hope, redemption, and a reminder of the difficult choices many immigrants face.

“Do I care if I make a million dollars from the book or if they make a screenplay? No, not really,” said Brown. “Although if they were to make a screenplay, I’d really like Meryl Streep to play my grandmother.”

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

Dining

Italian Tinseltown

Cortland’s Hollywood restaurant offers exceptional Italian food at reasonable prices.

By He nr y Stark

H

ave you ever been to Hollywood?

No, not that one…I’m referring to the funky restaurant in nearby downtown Cortland. It’s been at the same site and owned and operated by the same family since 1984. You’d never know it by its name, but it has an extensive offering of Italian-American food.

The name Hollywood reflects the atmosphere, which is quite interesting.

The main dining room is dominated by a life-size figure of Marilyn Monroe with her skirt blowing up as in the famous photo of her standing atop a New York City subway exhaust grate. The many walls in the multiple dining areas feature all sorts of interesting movie photos. On my last visit I sat below Gary Cooper while facing Cary Grant and Claudette Colbert. There’s also a six-foot-tall juke box and some bubble gum and cigarette machines. The dark red leather banquettes are right out of the ’50s.

The pizzas are a perfect thickness with a fresh, tasty dough. The “Personal Pizza” is 10” and $9.95 and cooked with mozzarella cheese. Each of the dozen toppings on offer is $.75 and I ordered one with bacon, broccoli, and garlic and it was as good a pizza as I’ve had in years and would easily serve two people.

Among the “Specialties,” I’ve enjoyed Chicken Broccoli Alfredo ($16.95 - with shrimp it’s $17.95). There were quite a few large strips of char-grilled chicken breast and almost a dozen large pieces of broccoli florets. The linguine base was made with the usual Alfredo blend of cream, butter, and parmesan cheese — a most enjoyable dish.

One time I ordered one of a half dozen Sandwiches (all are $11.95). It’s called “International” and consisted of turkey breast, melted Swiss cheese, and bacon on grilled Italian bread with Thousand Island dressing on the side. The chunks of bread

the same vein, at Hollywood, I’m surprised were an inch thick, there were three slices to note that several basic Italian-American of cheese, and the multiple turkey slices dishes aren’t offered: You won’t find reminded me of my favorite New York Chicken or Veal Piccata, Chicken or Veal City deli. I like this sandwich.

Another visit, another sandwich: Italian Milanese, or Chicken or Veal Marsala, on the menu. The closest to these items Chicken. This one was not quite as tasty, as the bread almost overwhelmed the pep- that are available are Chicken, Veal, and Eggplant Parmigiana. pers, onions, and provolone cheese and Among the beverages there are 15 beers the chicken was slightly overcooked.

Sandwiches are served on printed paper in bottles ($4.50-$6.00) and three on tap and they offer a good representation of in a basket. Management has ordered domestic and foreign. The 10 wines by paper four times in the last two years and the glass range from $6.50-$9.00 with all each time the paper got thinner so, now, the major grape types represented. I was if you cut through the meat and bread, disappointed that only one wine from New you could also cut through the paper which has absorbed grease. I wondered if I York was available and it’s not one I like…. ingested any paper. Servers told me several a sweet red. I don’t understand why the wine buyer didn’t stock some of our woncustomers have complained. derful local Chardonnays and Rieslings.

The Baked Lasagna ($14.95) from the However, I’m thinking that beer probably “Specialties” section of the menu is only described as “a Hollywood favorite.” It was outsells wine by a large margin with this kind of hearty Italian food. terrific. When the server placed it in front Hollywood could be a convenient of me, I couldn’t see the noodles as the destination for skiers to end their rigorous whole dish was smothered with a thick, day on the slopes with a hearty meal. It robust tomato sauce. I guessed that the also has served as a half-way place to meet filling was composed of a blend of ground my friends from Syracuse and Skaneateles. beef and sausage and the waitress conAnd, it’s a fun restaurant if I just want to firmed it. get out of town for a few hours to enjoy One time I ordered Italian Haddock ($15.95). It was OK. Haddock is not a par- some good Italian cuisine at very reasonable prices served by attentive waitresses. ticularly tasty fish and is often enhanced by some seasoning. This one was covered with a rather bland, thin tomato sauce.

Speaking of “Specialties,” regular readers of this column know that I don’t hesitate to remark on basic types of grapes There’s on-site, off-street parking. not being represented on wine menus. In 27 Groton Ave in Cortland | www.hollywoodcortland.com/

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I t h a c a T i m e s 17

Film

Kenneth Branagh’s new autobiographical film Belfast

Cinematic parallels

Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Belfast’ brings his life story to light as he grew up during The Troubles in Ireland.

By D av id Bura k

“B

elfast,” written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, is an outstanding homage to “everyday people,” in particular his family, contending with very difficult times. It starts off with a dramatic August 1969 confrontation scene, providing us with a close look at some of the street violence which took place during the years of conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. The choice to shoot in black and white enhances the efforts of Branagh and director of photography, Haris Zambarloukos, to bring the viewer into the story.

“Buddy,” the character who represents the youthful Branagh, portrayed by Jude Hill, does a wonderful job as a 9-year old boy who is often faced with situations which are potentially life altering.

Thus, one can understand his impressive tantrum when objecting to his father,

superbly played by Jamie Dornan, and his mother, an extraordinary Caitriona Balfe, as they present the case for their family to move to London so dad can accept a significant promotion in his job as a skilled laborer.

This scene was very significant for me, and quite likely, for many others, who, as youngsters, experienced the destabilizing impacts of moving from a familiar locale to a different terrain where you didn’t know anyone. In my case, I didn’t complain very much; in a military family, you didn’t want to be considered a “whiner.”

Branagh has effectively woven in parallels to some historical scenes with which most of us are familiar. We may wonder whether Buddy’s dad actually had the ability to throw a ball with such accuracy that he could knock an object off his older son’s head. However, this William Tell “feat”

comes into play again in the closing phase of a riot, paving the way for the teenage son, quietly portrayed by Lewis McAskie, to toss a piece of pavement to his father, whose accurate throw may have been lifesaving.

Returning to the Branagh family outings to the movies, there’s a very touching moment when Judi Dench, who plays Buddy’s grandmother, tells him that, when she was young, she had a fascination for films. She described how she felt that, somehow, she could find a way to get to the other side of the screen and talk with the characters she’d been watching. It appears that, in real life, the magical Ms. Dench has figured out a way to do that.

Continuing with reflections generated by scenes of the Branagh family’s ventures to the movies, consider “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” which, in one of the few color

scenes in “Belfast,” features a flying car, driven by Dick Van Dyke. I was prompted to think of my dad taking the family to a mid-1950’s classic, “Thunder Road,” in which the hard driving Robert Mitchum, a moonshine delivery man of some note, eventually “flies” into an electric power grid. (I didn’t realize for many years that I had a relative who was in that business.)

In any case, at the Landmark Theatre showing I attended, Kenneth Branagh introduced most of the above actors, including Ciaran Hinds, who was magnificent portraying Buddy’s grandfather.

The director told the full house that he worked particularly hard to make the right choices, given that “the actors would be playing people that were so meaningful to me.” In my humble opinion, Branagh did an extraordinary job. “Belfast” won the top audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival and should be a front runner for several Oscars.

Cinemapolis “Beltast” is currently playing at Cinemapolis through Dec. 2. Visit https://cinemapolis.org/film/belfast/ for showtimes.

S

ince 1981, the Ithaca Times has closed every year with the “Readers’ Writes” issue, featuring submissions from the most diverse writing staff at our disposal: you. Stories, poems, drawings and photographs are all welcome and complete artistic freedom is in your hands. It’s a platform for you to be heard beyond the letters page.

R E A DE R S ’

W RITES

IS SU E D e a d li n e D e c 20

This year’s theme is “What I thought I knew but didn’t”

As tradition dictates, any interpretation of what this prompt means to you is fair and, of course, a wide range of submissions will be accepted–just as long as you stay under 600 words. Send your submissions to Attn: Readers’ Writes, the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, New York 14850 or email them in with a subject line of “Reader’s Writes” to editor@ithacatimes.com.

Looking forward to seeing your stuff!

We need your expertise Bored with retirement & have more to offer?

There’s an opportunity for you here www.paper.net/ithacatimes

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get writing!

Film

THE BEST STEAKS

Giving Thanks

TASTE

BVC reflects on film journalism worth being grateful for

BETTER

By Br yan VanC ampe n

A

in the original production of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.”

Next up was Abraham Riesman’s “True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee.” It’s always tough when the curtain is pulled back and one of your heroes has to stand in the sunlight with all their flaws. I grew up reading “Stan Lee’s Soapbox” in the ‘70s “Spider-Man” comix and looked forward to his cameos in all the MCU movies. Riesman is a tough and rigorous reporter who questions all of Stan’s stories and claims over the years, and it turns out he probably took credit for a lot of Marvel lore and made life difficult for many of the artists in the Marvel bullpen. As painful as it was reading about Lee’s reality, it’s important to print the truth and not the legend.

When I saw that the excellent “Fosse/ Verdon” miniseries was based on a book

by Sam Wasson, I picked up “Fosse.” Bob Fosse’s choreography had a snap, crackle and pop, and so does Wasson’s prose. He writes the way Fosse danced. I then picked up “The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood,” Wasson’s chronicle of the making of the classic ‘70s detective movie “Chinatown”. Wasson is sympathetic yet tough regarding Roman Polanski’s sexual proclivities, and unearths a lot of lore that I hadn’t heard before.

I thought I knew all there was to know about “Chinatown” but Wasson uncovered Robert Towne’s long-time writing partner, unmentioned by Towne until now. I’m always grateful for that level of reportage.

RIP Art LaFleur (“The Sandlot”, “The Santa Clause 2”)

nother year is almost used up, and I sit here contemplating the notion of thanks and gratitude. I’m thankful for the English muffin I just ate. My cat Ajax Panther has had his breakfast and is sleeping somewhere in the house. I’m grateful that I adopted him almost a decade ago, and I’m still jazzed by the fact that he was rescued at a concert at Anabel Taylor Hall. I’ve always wondered where he came from and who was on the bill at that show, but as cats can’t talk, there’s a lot I will never know about the Panther.

The beginning of the year was all about waiting for vaccinations, for not being out of the woods yet. Isolation brought on a lot of reading. Mark Harris is the best film writer I’ve read. Harris’s “Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood” examines the end of the studio system through the production of the five 1967 Best Picture nominees — “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Doctor Dolittle,” “The Graduate,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “In the Heat of the Night.”

This is superlative film journalism. It also offers fine biographical sketches of Sidney Poitier, Stanley Kramer, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman and Mike Nichols.

Harris’s new book, “Mike Nichols: A Life,” finishes the work begun with “Pictures’” impressions of the legendary comedian and director of theater and film.

For those who have enjoyed Nichols’ work over the years — movies like “Silkwood,” “Carnal Knowledge” and “The Birdcage” — but knew little about him, Harris’ book is packed with surprising and touching insights. You can study his films, but Harris really captures the vibrance and variety of his stage credits. I wish I could time-travel back to the mid-’60s when Nichols had four Broadway hits running simultaneously and see Walter Matthau and Art Carney

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I t h a c a T i m e s 19

Music Bars/Bands/Clubs

11/24 Wednesday Thanksgiving Eve feat. The Ende Brothers | 5 p.m. | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road Sim Redmond Band & The Medicinals | 9:00pm | The Range, Ithaca Commons

Martha Guth Voice Studio Recital | 8:15 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd, IC

12/1 Wednesday Viola Studio Recital at Hockett Family Recital Hall | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

12/2 Thursday Guest Recital: Alinea Ensemble | 8:15 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Ithaca College

hauer Recital Room | 7 p.m.| Ithaca College Contemporary Chamber Ensemble at Hockett Family Recital Hall | 7 p.m. | Ithaca College, 2

12/3 Friday

12/4 Saturday

The Unknown Woodsmen with Bug Tussle and Dana Twigg | 6 p.m. | Rose Hall, 64 Main Street, Cortland Graduate Lecture/Recital: Jacob Shur, Suzuki Pedagogy at Naben-

Campus Band at Ford Hall | 2 p.m. | Ithaca College, Jazz Lab Band at Ford Hall | 4 p.m. | Ithaca College,

Junior Recital: David Florentin, saxophone at Hockett Family Recital Hall | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd, IC Symphony Orchestra at Ford Hall | 8:15 p.m. | Ithaca College, 201 Muller Center

Wind Ensemble at Ford Hall | 8:15

12/5 Sunday

Stage

Whitechapel Ringers Christmas Concert | 3 p.m. | United Presbyterian Church, 25 Court St, Cortland Jazz Repertory Ensemble at Ford Hall | 4 p.m. | Ithaca College, 2 Cayuga Vocal Ensemble Holiday Concert | 4 p.m. | St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 309 Siena Drive, Ithaca, NY Jazz Ensemble at Ford Hall | 7 p.m. | Ithaca College,

12/6 Monday Opera Workshop at Hockett Family Recital Hall | 7 p.m. | Ithaca College,

11/26 Friday Austin MacRae | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road | Free

11/28 Sunday Virgil Cain | 2:00 pm| Homer Hops, 700 State Route 90 Cortland Concerts/Recitals

11/28 Sunday Pianist Nicholas Hrynyk Returns to “History’s Hometown” | 2 p.m. | Willard Memorial Chapel, 17 Nelson Street

Trio Ink at Hockett Family Recital Hall | 7 p.m. | Ithaca College | Trio Ink Music by Saariaho, Morelock, and Clarke Yosuke Kawasaki, violin Wolfram Koessel, cello, Vadim Serebryany, piano Free, open to the public.

11/30 Tuesday

ITHACA BALLET PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH AT 3:00PM

Smith Center for the Arts, 82 Seneca St., Geneva | This annual tradition from the Ithaca Ballet is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit! The dancers will be back in Ithaca in a few more weeks for their usual performances at the State, but if you can’t wait until then, here is an opportunity to see the show just up the road in Geneva at the beautiful Smith Opera House this weekend. (Photo: Facebook)

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ART OF WAMPUM - NOVEMBER HISTORY EXHIBIT

FRIDAY& SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26&27, 10:00AM-5:00PM

The History Center in Tompkins County | Your last chance to visit the month-long display showcasing replica wampum belts and wampum-inspired prints. Explore the histories and meanings captured in the traditional Native American belt designs and the historic events they symbolize. (Photo: Facebook)

Ithac a T imes

12/7 Tuesday Choral Collage at Ford Hall | 7 p.m. | Ithaca College,

Ithaca Ballet presents: The Nutcrack | 3:00pm, 11/28 Sunday | Smith Center for the Arts, Geneva | Magical toys, dancing snowflakes and belly dancers, all topped off with visions of sugarplums dancing on the stage!

It must be time for the holiday tradition of the Ithaca Ballet’s Nutcracker!

Christmas in Graceland Dinner & Dance | 12 p.m., 12/2 Thursday | Cortland Country Music Park and Campground, 1824 State Rt. 13 | Elvis is back and you can find him at Cortland Country Music Park. Dust off those blue suede shoes for a ham dinner and show.

HUNG With Care: A Queer Holiday Burlesque Spectacular! | 8:30 p.m., 12/3 Friday | Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street | The holiday tradition returns with a scintillating sleigh ride of yuletide classics featuring performances

by NYC’s premier cabaret artists. | $25.00 - $35.00 Al Franken: The Only Former U.S. Senator Currently on Tour Tour at State Theatre of Ithaca | 8 p.m., 12/8 Wednesday | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St | When: Friday, December 10, 2021 Doors open at 7:00pm the show starts at 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Where: State Theatre of Ithaca - DSP 107 West State St.

Art

11/29 Monday

Bassoon Studio Recital at Ford Hall | 7 p.m.| Ithaca College

p.m. | Ithaca College, 2

/November

2 4 – 30 ,

2 0 2 1

Art of Wampum - November History Exhibit | 10 a.m., 11/24 Wednesday | The History Center in Tompkins County, 110 North Tioga St | Physical and virtual exhibit on historic wampum belts of Haudenosaunee treaties and historic events. | Free The Gallery at South Hill Small Works Invitational | 12 p.m., 11/27 Saturday | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Road | The Gallery at South Hill presents The Small Works Invitational group show featuring

HOLIDAY OPEN FARM DAYS AT SHEPHERDS CREEK ALPACAS FRIDAY& SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26&27, 10:00AM-4:00PM

5797 Stilwell Rd, Trumansburg| When you visit the farm you can learn all about the alpacas, hand-feed them and feel their wonderful fleece, and take pictures with them. Afterwards, do some local shopping for the holidays at the farm shop. (Photo: Provided)

Notices

Fully Local.

Totally Mobile.

Send Money Fast.

local artists working in a variety of mediums. | Free

Film Julia | 11/24 Wednesday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s 12 year struggle to create and publish the revolutionary 1961 cookbook and her rapid ascent to become the country’s most unlikely television star.

The Power of the Dog | 11/24 Wednesday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love. Shows daily.

Spencer | 11/26 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | Shows daily thru 12/2. The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate.

But this year, things will be profoundly different.

Mobile Check Deposit.

Lost Card?

Turn it Off.

Belfast | 11/26 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | Shows daily thru 12/2. A young boy and his working class family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.

The French Dispatch | 11/27 Saturday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | The latest film from Wes Anderson. Shows daily thru 12/30.

Rear Window | 7:15 p.m., 12/1 Wednesday | Cornell Cinema, 139 Ho Plaza | Hitchcock considered Rear Window his most “cinematic movie,” and the story of an invalid photographer who uses his telephoto lens to spy on the (perhaps criminal) activities of his neighbors

Holiday Festival at Treleaven | 12 p.m., 12/4 Saturday | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road | Get into the holiday spirit with us on December 4th! We’ll have activities for the entire family to enjoy from holiday crafts to visits with Santa and plenty of food, wine, and beer!

11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off at Winter Lights Festival | 12 p.m., 12/4 Saturday | Downtown Ithaca, 171 E. State St | The 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

TCPL Brick Olympics: Spinning Top Marathon | 2 p.m., 12/4 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101

Special Events

Books

Silent Discos at Winter Lights Festival | 6 p.m., 12/3 Friday | Bernie Milton Pavilion, Center Commons | Winter Lights Festival presented

by Tompkins Trust Company | 12/3 Friday | Downtown Ithaca, 171 E. State St | Winter Lights Festival presented by Tompkins Trust Company returns December 3 – 11, 2021 Two weekends of Immersive, interactive, illuminated light sculptures will decorate downtown.

East Green Street |

Nov. 18-29: Spring Writes Literary Festival (Virtual and in November!) | 11/24 Wednesday | Virtual | Let’s get Immersed in Verse!

Virtual Teen Writing Workshop | 4:30 p.m., 11/30 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Museum Book Club: “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer | 4 p.m., 12/1 Wednesday | Johnson Museum of Art, 114 Central Avenue | In Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowl-

edge, and the Teachings of Plants (2015), Robin Wall Kimmerer presents a series of meditations on people and the environment.

Kids Eco-Explorers: Curious Camouflage | 1:00pm, 11/27, Saturday | Cayuga Nature Center, Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca | Animals are the best at hide and go seek, but why? A lot of animals have one key advantage: camouflage. Blending in with their surroundings is important for survival.

We’ll look at some specimens from our collection and then try our own hand at camouflage. Prepare to get covered with natural materials to help camouflage ourselves! Then we’ll play a game to test our skills and how good our eyesight is at spotting our camouflaged friends! Register in advance online.

Chinese-English Storytime | 3 p.m., 11/27 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited join Librarian Kai for songs, rhymes, stories, and books!

Masks for those aged 2 and up are required for this drop-in program.

11/30 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street |

Holiday Open Farm Days At Shepherds Creek Alpacas | 10 a.m., 11/26 Friday | Shepherds Creek Alpacas, 5797 Stilwell Rd | Visit the Alpacas during our open Holiday Farm Days at Shepherds Creek Alpaca Farm & Shop!

Lots of unique and local alpaca gifts alpaca products available for your Holiday shopping. | Free Ithaca Farmers Market | 9 a.m., 11/27 Saturday | Saturdays are the star, but Sundays are no slouch. Our pavilion gets full during peak season and there are some vendors that you won’t find on Saturdays.

Jacksonville Holiday Bazaar! | 9 a.m., 11/27 Saturday | Jacksonville Community United Methodist Church, 1869 Trumansburg Rd. | Vendors, Handmade Crafts, Christmas Decorations and more! | Free Press Bay Artists Market | 11 a.m., 11/27 Saturday | Press Bay Alley, 118 West Green Street | Come experience skilled local and regional artist vendors, as well as the Press Bay business community, for a special market of locally made products from 11 am-4 pm on Small Business Saturday, Sunday Morning Meditation | 10 a.m., 11/28 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road | Sunday morning meditation, free and open to all.

Open Doors, Open Lives Benefit Auction | 8 a.m., 11/29 Monday | 32auctions.com/opendoorsenglish2021, 315 N. Cayuga St | Open Doors, Open Lives is an annual benefit auction for Open Doors English, a communitybased English as a Second Language program for adults, serving immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents.

FREE Nutrition Classes with CCE & TCPL! | 12 p.m., 11/30 Tuesday | This event is online | Stop by and join SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Sarah Curless in collaboration with Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) to learn about how to make simple changes in your food repertoire, try new | Free Nutrition Workshop Series - Eating Healthy on a Budget | 12 p.m.,

How to Make a Death Binder: A Gift to Your Loved Ones| 5:30, 11/30, Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library Live in Ithaca: Welcome Home Wednesdays VIRTUAL | 5 p.m., 12/1 Wednesday | Virtual | Have you relocated to the area in the past year to live or work in Tompkins County? | Free Online Employment Applications workshop | 5:30 p.m., 12/1 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Melissa Caci, Workforce Development Specialist, and Amy Callahan, Youth Program Coordinator, will lead participants in mastering the online job application process. No computer or internet access is needed, as the workshop will be held in-person in the TCPL Digital Lab. Masks required. | Free

List Your Event Go to ithaca.com/Calendar

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 11:00AM-4:00PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH, 1:00PM

Cayuga Nature Center, | For kids ages 4+, here is a chance to look at some specimens from CNC’s collection and then try your hand at camouflage. Prepare to get covered with natural materials to help camouflage yourself and play a game to test your skills and how good your eyesight is at spotting your camouflaged friends! (Photo: Provided)

Press Bay Alley 118 West Green Street, Ithaca | Come experience skilled local and regional artist vendors, as well as the Press Bay business community, for a special market of locally made products on Small Business Saturday. (Photo:Downtownithaca.com)

No ve m b e r

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THISWEEK

ECO-EXPLORERS: CURIOUS CAMOUFLAGE

PRESS BAY ARTISTS MARKET

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

Town & Country

Classifieds In Print

|

On Line |

10 Newspapers

277-7000 Phone: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm Fax: 277-1012 (24 Hrs Daily)

AUTOMOTIVE

Internet: www.ithaca.com Mail: Ithaca Times Classified Dept

PO Box 27 Ithaca NY 14850 In Person: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm

109 North Cayuga Street

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Trumansburg Fire Co. Drive-Thru Bagel Sandwich Breakfast to benefit the RESCUE TOOLS FUND Saturday December 4, 2021 7:00am till sold out Trumansburg Firehouse, 74 West Main Street, Trumansburg. Bagel, Fried Egg, Sausage Patty and Cheese $5.00. Our Hydraulic Rescue Tools are outdated and in serious need of replacement The proceeds from this breakfast will help us meet our goal of $125,000.00 to purchase new tools. You can donate by sending a check to: Trumansburg Fire Co. Inc., 74 West Main Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886. Please indicate Rescue Tools Fund on check

Holiday Bazaar Craft Show

Jacksonville Holiday Bazaar and Craft Show Saturday, November 27th from 9AM-1PM 1869 Trumansburg Rd. Jacksonville, NY 14854 Vendors, Handmade Crafts, Christmas Decorations and more!

Ithaca’s only

hometown electrical distributor Your one Stop Shop

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EMPLOYMENT

400/Employment Account Billing Manager

We are looking for a cheerful, professional, detail-oriented person to join our team serving Ithaca and the surrounding community at the Ithaca Times, Ithaca.com and the Finger Lakes community newspapers.

Job Responsibilities:  Maintain account records  Monthly billing  Scheduling and administering legal, display and classified advertising  Process accounts receivable/payable and handle payroll in a timely manner  Entering financial transactions in databases & document transaction details  Produce work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail Work Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9- 5 Qualifications / Skills:  Accounting  Confidentiality  Attention to detail and accuracy  A knowledge and/or appreciation of newspapers and the media business  Able to multitask, prioritize, work under pressure and meet deadlines  Ability to communicate complex data clearly  Excellent data entry skills  Great interpersonal and customer service skills  Familiarity with a wide range of financial transactions including Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable  Experience with MS Office and Google Apps  Experience with spreadsheets and proprietary software  Professionalism and organization skills Education & Experience Requirements:  Proficient with office software  Previous bookkeeping experience preferred  Associates degree or at least one year of experience Job Type: Part Time Respond with Resume to: jbilinski@ithacatimes.com

Building Principal (Innovative Education)

OCM BOCES is searching for a Principal for the STARS Alternative High School located in Syracuse. The successful candidate will work directly with students and staff to support a positive, student-centered school culture. The building leader will be responsible for program development and evaluation, self-evaluation and supervision, student supervision and support systems, curriculum development and facilitation of collaboration with other programs, businesses and community organizations. Must possess or be eligible for NYS School Building Leader certification. Register and apply by 11/19/21 at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

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22 T

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www.SouthSenecaWindows.com Romulus, NY Romulus, NY 315-585-6050 or 315-585-6050 Toll Free at I t h a c a 866-585-6050 Tori m e sFree / Nato v e m b e r Toll

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2 4 – 30 ,

2 0 2 1

EMPLOYMENT

Delivery Driver

Special Education Administrator

Driver with SUV-sized car and good driving record to deliver newspapers 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays year-round in and around Ithaca. Call 607 2777000 x 1214.

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

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EMPLOYMENT

DRIVE WITH US!

ICSD Transportation Services is conducting INTERVIEWS FOR BUS DRIVERS Walk in Monday - Friday 150 Bostwick Rd

By Appointment: Call 607 274-2128 Equal opportunity employer, offering competitive wages, great health and pension benefits, paid CDL training, rewarding community work with families and children Diversity Enriches Our Workplace

NOW HIRING WEGMANS

Love What You Do At Wegmans Food Markets.

Now Hiring, apply at: jobs.wegmans.com. Or apply at Ithaca Wegmans, 500 South Meadow Street, Ithaca, NY 14850; (607) 277-5800.

School Counselor

OCM BOCES Instructional Support Services has the need for a Guidance Counselor to be located at the Main Campus, Liverpool, NY. Successful candidate will serve as Home Instruction Program liaison, support Alcohol Drug Addiction Prevention Education Program (ADAPEP), provide professional learning and support for the Dignity Act and Mental Health Service, facilitate School Counselor Roundtables, and other duties as assigned. New York State School Counselor certification required.

Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces. org EOE

School Social Worker

OCM BOCES Special Education program located at the Cortlandville Campus in Cortland.

Successful candidate will provide individual and group counseling along with social skills training to students (7-12) with developmental disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities. Must possess strong crisis intervention skills and be able to work collaboratively with the instructional staff to create a team approach that ensures student success.

NYS certification as a School Social Worker required. MSW required. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at www.ocmboces.org EOE

OCM BOCES District Based Classrooms in Onondaga County. Effective on or about December 1, 2021. Supervise and evaluate assigned teachers, administrate the daily activities of programs and classes assigned. NYS administrative certification or eligibility required. Salary commensurate with experience. Applications accepted online only.

Register and apply by November 16 at: www. olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

Substitute Teachers

OCM BOCES has an immediate need for per diem Substitute Teachers for Innovative Education programs located at the Seven Valleys New Tech Academy in Cortland, NY. Duties include but not limited to providing individual programming and support to alternative education students in grades 9-12. $115/per day. Bachelor Degree required. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/ central. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

Supervisor of Special Programs

OCM BOCES has the need for a Supervisor of Special Programs to be located at the Main Campus, Liverpool. The successful candidate will provide administrative support of Instructional Support Services programs, including but not limited to Regional Summer School, Virtual Learning Academies and the Teacher Immersion Program.

Program planning, supervision and instructional leadership are the cornerstones of the position with other duties as assigned. NYS Building or District Leader certification is required. Experience with special education is preferred. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For information please visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

Teacher – Social Studies

OCM BOCES has a need for a Long-Term Substitute Social Studies teacher located at the Seven Valleys New Tech Academy in Cortland, NY. Provide social studies instruction for 9th through 12thth graders. NYS Secondary Social Studies certification recommended. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

PIANOS

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Complete rebuilding services.

No job too big or too small.

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Ithaca Piano Rebuilders (607) 272-6547 950 Danby Rd., Suite 26

South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca, NY

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

Teacher – Special Education

OCM BOCES Full-time Special Education -Teacher located at the Cortlandville Campus, Cortland, NY. Provide academic instruction to students with emotional and behavioral challenges; write IEP goals; administer assessments as needed; write progress reports and notes; work as a member of a multidisciplinary team. NYS Students with Disabilities 1-6 certification required.

Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central.

For more information, visit our website at: www. ocmboces.org. EOE

Teaching Assistant

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for a 96% Teaching Assistant at the Cortlandville Campus, Cortland. Successful candidate will provide support and individual programming to K-12th grade students in our center-based programs with a variety of special needs. NYS certification as a Teaching Assistant required. Applications accepted online only.

Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central.

For information please visit our website at: www. ocmboces.org EOE

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Single Ch 7 Bankruptcy $750.00 Legal Fee. Call Mark “The Hammer” Gugino at 144 Bald Hill Road Spencer, NY at 607-319-0766. We also do Chapter 13 12 11 Bankruptcy, Auto Accident Injury, Divorce and Real Estate Closings. Attorney Advertising Debt Relief.

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(AAN CAN)

Education -Teacher located at the Campus,

Cortland,

NY. Provide academic instruction to students with emotional and behavioral challenges; write IEP goals; administer

assessments as needed; write progress reports and notes; work as a member of

a multidisciplinary team. NYS Students 1-6

certification

www.olasjobs.org/central.

For more

required.

Register and apply at:

information, visit our website at: www. ocmboces.org. EOE

820/Computer

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Disabilities

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MEDICATION

Teacher – Special Education

with

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Cortlandville

SERVICES

School Counselor

OCM BOCES Instructional Support Services has the need for a Guidance Counselor to be located at the Main Campus, Liverpool, NY. Successful candidate will serve as Home Instruction Program liaison, support Alcohol Drug Addiction Prevention Education Program (ADAPEP), provide professional learning and support for the Dignity Act and Mental Health Service, facilitate School Counselor Roundtables, and other duties as assigned. New York State School Counselor certification required. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs. org/central. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE No ve m b e r

Coordinator – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

OCM BOCES, Main Campus. The Coordinator will support the development of a regional vision and effective strategy that champions diverse and inclusive environments across all OCM BOCES component districts. Will also lead this work regionally by designing and facilitating professional learning offerings that build capacity to support the Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework, including monthly DEI leadership meetings, equity & identity work, implicit bias training, and through the creation of an annual DEI conference. In addition, the Coordinator will design customized in-district work including but not limited to: needs assessments, equity audits, review of policies and procedures, hiring and retention practices, and parent/family engagement. Will serve as a knowledgeable advisor, lead facilitator, and advocate for improving inclusion, diversity, and equity throughout the districts/BOCES in our region and serve as our representative at statewide networks. NYS School Administrative certification required. Salary commensurate on experience. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/ central EOE 2 4 – 30 ,

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

BackPage

For rates and information contact Toni Crouch at toni@ithactimes.com

277-7000 p h o n e 277-1012 f a x

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OOY’s Cafe & Deli 10% OFF Order Corner of Aurora and Seneca Street (607) 319-4022 Breakfast Any Time, Hot and Cold Subs, Paninis, Soups and Salads Coupon in 10/20/2021 issue

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(607) 882-9590

Diane’s Downtown Automotive

$1.00 off $10.00 $2.00 off $20.00 $5.00 off $50.00 STOP IN or CALL

Ithaca Times @ ITHACA.COM

www.lotustheory.com

Men’s and Women’s Alterations

SHORTSTOP DELI

(607) 272-AUTO (2886)

for over 20 years

200 W. Seneca Street

$20 Off Mounting/Balancing 4 Tires

ANIMALS

10% Off Any Repairs over $100

LAND & SEA

SEE COUPONS IN 10/20/21 Issue

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435 W. State Street

FREE Trip Check

coupon in 10/20/2021 issue

821 Cliff St. Ithaca

VOTED BEST OF ITHACA 2021

Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair.

Same Day Service Available

Ithaca, NY 14850

John’s Tailor Shop

$1.00 Off any Fresh Made Deli Sub or any size Hot

John Serferlis - Tailor

Truck Pizza Sub

102 The Commons 273-3192

DRIVE WITH US! Open Interviews Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.Call for Appointment: 607-274-2128

Coupon in 10/20/2021 issue

150 Bostwick Road

Negotiated Wage and Health Benefits | NYS Retirement Pension Program | CDL/Paid Training | Equal Opportunity Employer | ICSD is committed to equity,inclusion, and building a diverse staff. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color.

I C S D T rSponsored a n s p o rby: tation Services 24 T

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Diversity Enriches our workplace