December 2, 2020

F R E E D e c e m b er 2 , 2 0 2 0 / V o l u m e X L I , N u m b e r 1 5 / O u r 4 7 t h Y e a r

Online @ ITH ACA .COM

Give Local Five local non-profits in need

THIN

COVID

DEATHS

MARGINS

A cluster of positives at Oak Hill Manor PAGE 3 1 T

h e

Ithac a Times

Childcare facilities struggle amidst pandemic PAGE 5

/December

2 – 8 ,

2 0 2 0

DOWNTOWN

MAHOGANY

LIGHTS

New facility uses saliva samples

A reliable favorite in Ithaca

PAGE 4

PAGE 15

Enjoy downtown holiday lights and tapas

TESTING

GRILL

& BITES

PAGE 18

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Newsline

VOL.XLI / NO. 15 / December 2, 2020 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

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

COVID

Health Dept. reports 3 Oak Hill Nursing Home deaths as COVID cases continue to spike

T

he Tompkins County Health Department reported that three residents at Oak Hill Manor Nursing Home in Ithaca have died from COVID-19. The deaths were confirmed by the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), the agency that manages contact investigations and testing for long-term care and skilled nursing facilities in the state.

So far, 39 Oak Hill Manor residents and 13 staff members have tested positive for the disease. Oak Hill Manor administrators are working with the NYS DOH to complete contact investigations and to isolate all positive cases to stop the spread. The Health Department continues to work with nursing homes in Tompkins County through regular calls, but NYS DOH takes over all monitoring if positive cases occur in longterm care and skilled nursing facilities.

The cases at Oak Hill Manor

are reported alongside a total of 162 over the past seven days and 179 active cases in Tompkins County as of Nov. 30. Data trends outlining the recent spike in cases can be found on the Tompkins County Health Department website.

Health Director Frank Kruppa stated: “This is an unprecedented spike of cases in Tompkins County. Consistent days of 20-plus new cases puts a strain on our healthcare system and increases the potential for community spread. Our Health Department nurses and county

staff are working seven days a week to help stop the spread by identifying and quarantining contacts of positive cases and checking in on those who are in isolation and quarantine.”

Cayuga Health System and Tompkins County opened an additional COVID-19 sampling location in downtown Ithaca at 412 N. Tioga St. on Friday, Nov. 27. The new sampling location is a saliva collection site and was opened to support individuals residing in downtown Ithaca and other locations who may have limited transportation. The Mass Sampling Site at The Shops at Ithaca Mall remains open. Appointments are required for both sites and can be made through on-line registration at www.cayugahealth.org or through the Call Center at 607-319-5708.

Individuals who travel to or from a non-contiguous state

T a k e

Robbery- Ithaca Police responded to a robbery in the 100 block of N. Tioga St at 9:06 on Monday morning. The initial investigation revealed that the suspect entered the premise and demanded money while indicating that he was armed.

The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash

must quarantine for a period of 14 days when entering New York or follow the travel-related testing guidelines. More information about the travel-related testing guidelines can be found on the NYS Travel Advisory webpage. For more information about how to quarantine, refer to the TCHD website.

The Health Department recommends following the below guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19: Refrain from non-essential travel.

Keep six feet distance between yourself and others when in public.

Wear a mask at all times in public spaces, especially when six feet of distance cannot be maintained. Masks and face coverings must be worn by everyone over age 2 at all times in public places when six feet of distance cannot be maintained.

Fines are enforceable for individuals who are in violation of these regulations. Businesses must deny entry to anyone who is not wearing a face covering.

Non-essential gatherings are limited to 50 people for this region, and they must comply with distancing and face covering guidance. Non-essential gatherings in private residences, indoor or outdoor, are limited to 10 people or less.

Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid close and continued contact with other people not in your household.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

To file a complaint about a business or social gathering go to the TCHD website.

-Staff R eport

N o t e

prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as an older Black male, approximately six feet tall, with a bald or shaved head and a goatee. He was wearing a black baseball hat, green hooded sweatshirt, grey checkered pajama bottoms and a white mask. The police said they were called to a financial institution

at that location, but did not specify which. At this time the investigation is ongoing, there are no further details available for release. Additional information will be released when it becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Ithaca Police Department.

De c e mb e r

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5 non-profits in need

Mahogany Grill �������������������������� 15 Review

NE W S & OPINION Newsline ��������������������������������������������������3-7 Personal Health ����������������������������������� 12 Sports ���������������������������������������������������������14

ART S & E N T E RTAINME N T Film ��������������������������������������������������������������16 Stage �����������������������������������������������������������17 Events ���������������������������������������������������������18 TimesTable ����������������������������������������������� 21 Classifieds ������������������������������������������22-24

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 224

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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 217

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

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

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

j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o 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 214

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

THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2020, BY NEWSKI INC.

All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable.

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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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/ Th e

It h ac a T im e s 3

INQUIRING

N e w s l i n e

PHOTOGRAPHER

By C a se y Mar tin

IF YOU OPENED A WELLNESS/SELF-CARE STORE THIS WINTER, WHAT PRODUCT OR PRODUCTS WOULD YOU HAVE AVAILABLE?

GR EEN NEW DEAL “I wouldn’t sell anything. People would pay me to tell them to “relax your shoulders!” Everyone needs to relax their shoulders. Everyone.”

-Leila A.

“Really good sourdough bread!”

-Lindsey Y.

Ithaca city and town work on going green and improving sustainability

B

oth the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca adopted Green New Deal resolutions to improve sustainability. The end goal is an equitable transition to carbon neutrality by 2030, and Nick Goldsmith, the sustainability coordinator for both municipalities, said things are in motion to make that goal a reality.

“There’s lots of stuff going on right now,” Goldsmith said.

Currently, both municipalities are working on streetlight upgrades by buying back streetlights from NYSEG and converting them to LED tech-

nology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’ll also save a ton of money on maintenance,” Goldsmith said.

They’re also both working on creating an energy code supplement, which would be regulations that any new construction would have to follow that would immediately require them to build to reduce 40% of greenhouse gases, then 80% by 2025, and achieve net-zero by 2030.

“We hope to have that adopted by early next year,” Goldsmith said. “It’ll be for all-new

COVID “Our only product: meditative bowls.”

-Lydia L & Alex Y

New downtown COVID testing center opens on N. Tioga St.

W “Really nice hand lotion and lip-balm.”

-Cathy E.

“Just really, really good food for cooking!”

-Bruce K.

4 T

h e

Ithac a Times

ith COVID-19 cases rising across the country and colder weather posing new obstacles for transportation to testing centers, Cayuga Health and Tompkins County officials opened a new COVID-19 sampling location in Downtown Ithaca this past Friday.

The new location is at 412 North Tioga Street and will be initially open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on weekdays. The location is meant to be “a walkable solution for many of our neighbors in the City,” said Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County public health director, in a press release from Cayuga Health and Tompkins County.

/December

2 – 8 ,

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Because the downtown testing center will be indoors and not drive-through, this poses additional challenges to ensure social-distancing and reduced density in the testing center.

To compensate, the downtown testing site will have fewer appointment slots than the Ithaca Mall location, and individuals who have access to a private vehicle and transportation to the Ithaca Mall location are encouraged to use that site.

Another major difference between the downtown location and Ithaca Mall location is that the downtown location will be a saliva test instead of a nasopharyngeal test. Saliva tests are less invasive, as individuals

construction, from a huge Cornell building to a single family home.”

He also added that the municipalities were busy working on other things, but nothing quite as tangible.

“We’re working on incorporating sustainability efforts into the town,” he said. “The past seven years that’s mostly been up to me. Now, with the Green New Deal, it requires organizational transformation.”

Recently, the wastewater treatment plan had work done, and Goldsmith said huge efficiency improvements were made there. Now, he’s looking at what improvements can be made to other municipal buildings.

“We’re doing a greenhouse gas inventory update; it tells us where we’re using energy, where emissions are coming

from and what we should focus on,” he said. “It’s important to know where we’re at and where to focus our efforts […] The Public Works building just did a renovation and they met the energy code supplement by doing things like installing heat pumps. So we are doing work on existing buildings, but it’s hard with a budget.”

The best way forward is with a plan, Goldsmith said, so both municipalities are working on that.

“The city and town are taking different approaches,” he said. “The town’s plan is underway. They decided to do a lighter document where it can be revamped every year or two.

The city is planning on doing

have to simply spit into a tube, and can be safer for healthcare workers who can be farther away from sample collection, according to the FDA. “Saliva seems well-suited for that location as a place people can easily pick up and drop off a saliva kit,” said John Turner, vice president of public relations at Cayuga Health. However, he noted that Cayuga Health is also considering saliva testing for the Ithaca Mall location.

The way the testing site will work is that individuals will come to the testing center at their pre-registered appointment time to pick up a sampling kit. There will be a few private spaces at the testing site where individuals can collect their sample. People completing the test cannot eat, drink, or smoke for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Or, you can take the kit with you and return the completed sample vial back to

the downtown location. Similar to the nasopharyngeal test, the processing time for results is around 24 - 48 hours.

The downtown testing site is currently available to all Tompkins County residents, who will continue to get the test for free.

Residents who are not from Tompkins County and would like a test can also utilize the testing center, although if the test is not medically necessary or as a result of contact tracing, there is a fee of $99.

“Testing and contact tracing are critical to stop the spread of COVID-19, but I implore everyone to continue wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, and considering density when they are out,” Kruppa said. “We are seeing an unprecedented rise in positive cases in Tompkins County and we all need to remain vigilant and cautious.”

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-Marin Langlieb

N e w s l i n e they bought to spray down the PANDEMIC building with a sanitizing solution every night, high-quality air purifiers for the classroom to make sure the air is being filtered, and additional furniture to make sure students can be socially distant.

At the DICC, Gomber said some of the additional costs they’ve shouldered are individual packaging for the center’s food program, deep cleanings, sanitization supplies and an HVAC project to improve ventilation in the building.

Of course, these are in addition to things like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and additional cleaning supplies that are now commonplace in all businesses.

Recently, both the CRCC and DICC were awarded grants from the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA), which is administered by Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED).

Heather McDaniel, Fresh air child care at Coddington Road Community Center (Photo Provided) president of the IAED, said normally ven in the best of times, geted being at 80% by now, industrial development agenproviding childcare is but our enrollment fluctuated cies aren’t allowed to have grant hard. During a pandem- […] In the summer we started or loan programs, but the state ic, well, most facilities are just with 50% enrollment and 80% allowed them to provide grants trying to manage the best they staff — that’s not hard math. We up to $10,000 for personal protective equipment or other can as they deal with new safety were at a 20-30% deficit.” regulations, fluctuating enrollGomber said that they renovations needed to meet ment, increased expenses, and haven’t been able to meet that COVID-era health standards.

“It was brought up at the decreased revenue.

80% enrollment goal for a “We’ve probably taken on couple of different reasons. To meeting that maybe we should about $220,000 in losses,” start, the economy is suffering look at focusing those [grants] Heather Mount, executive di- from the pandemic and parents on childcare centers,” McDaniel rector at Coddington Road may have a job one day and be said. “They’re such a vital piece Community Center (CRCC), furloughed or laid off the next, of the economy. If people don’t said. “And then ongoing from leading them to pull their chil- have childcare, they can’t go to there, we’re losing about dren out of daycare. Another work.”

The TCIDA approved up $17,000 a month.” reason, Gomber said, is fear of to $100,000 for the grants, When the pandemic started, illness.

Tompkins County started with “Parents want to keep their which can be awarded until the emergency order is lifted a forced closure for childcare children safe,” she said. centers, but the facilities were Exacerbating the monetary in New York state. The first able to open back up slowly, losses from the decrease in en- batch of grants were given to with limited enrollment. rollment is all the changes and CRCC, DICC, Ithaca Com“We’re about 72% capac- equipment needed to provide a munity Childcare Center and ity, so we’re running a full staff safe environment for staff and Tompkins Cortland Community College, but McDaniel said to meet the ratios,” Denise children.

Gomber, executive director at Mount said for the CRCC there are still five more they’re Downtown Ithaca Children’s some of the biggest expenses reviewing.

Gomber said it’s been grants Center (DICC), said. “We tar- have been the fine mist sprayer

COVID costs cause financial struggle for childcare centers in Ithaca

E

like the one from the TCIDA and other local foundations, such as the Community Foundation, Park Foundation and United Way, that have helped keep them afloat.

“We’ve had such great community support,” she said. “The list is ongoing and long, from foundations and businesses to private funders.”

The key, though, is sustainability.

“What we’re collecting from families right now does not cover the cost of care anymore,” Mount said. “It barely did before. It’s a snowball rolling down a really steep hill. I’ve been writing grants for the past six months, but it’s not a longterm plan. I think it’s important for the community to realize that childcare is everyone’s problem.”

If there’s a bright spot among this though, it’s the people at the center of it all — the children.

“The kids are our best teachers. The kids are doing great,” Gomber said. “They wear their masks, they social distance, they want to help clean. It’s really quite impressive. They’ve become the little social justice implementers.”

At CRCC, Mount has found much of the same.

“We heard administrators at public schools say [this summer] there was no way kids will wear masks, but we already had [kids] wearing them,” she said.

“Kids recognize the importance of lessons they’re being taught.”

In addition to the masks, other things in the classroom have been forced to change.

Mount said at CRCC they had to adjust tables so fewer kids could sit at them and they rearranged shelves to create small areas. Teachers encourage kids to play on their own rather than with their peers, and, of course, staff has to clean each toy between use.

At DICC, Gomber said they’ve made some changes to activities and curriculum to allow for a safer environment, but, like at CRCC, the kids are making it easy.

“The kids are phenomenal.

They are life-learners and they are resilient,” she said. “You walk in the building and light up because you see them.

They’ve adapted.”

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

UPS&DOWNS

Balmy Thankgiving Weekend` We had an unseasonably warm day on Sunday and honestly it was just really nice.

Mask Up !

COVID cases continue to rise, stemming from small gatherings.

Stay home or social distance and wear a mask if you have to go out!

HEARD&SEEN Save Your Seat Concert The State Theatre streamed a benefit concert with a jampacked lineup of musicians.

Cornell Settlement The family of Antonio Tsialas have reached a settlement with Cornell thus ending their lawsuit over their son’s death. Tsialas’ body was found in the Ithaca Falls gorge on Oct. 24, 2019. He was last seen alive at a unsanctioned event held by the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Choose your winter outdoor social activity 3.2% Pond hockey 67.7% X-country skiing 3.2% Jagermeister sledding 25.8% Smoking cigarettes around a burning oil drum

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Cabinet post you would be honored to accept.

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

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GUEST OPINION

A tribute to my Cornell professor S

By Tom A l l on ad news arrived on Thanksgiving morning that my beloved professor and lifelong friend, Dick Polenberg, passed away last night after a long, valiant struggle with Alzheimer’s that robbed us in his final years of his beautiful, analytic mind.

I first laid eyes on Professor Polenberg as a wide-eyed freshman at Cornell in the spring of 1981, just months after my generation of liberal students experienced the shock and disappointment of a sweeping Ronald Reagan victory in the 1980 presidential election against incumbent Jimmy Carter.

In the dark days of the past four years, I have tried to comfort my children that when I was their age, our country went through a period of disappointment with Reagan, but that we emerged a stronger nation in the 1990s with a new era of leadership with Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

But in 1981, sitting in the fourth row at cavernous Bailey Hall, I watched the masterful Professor Polenberg pace the stage for about one hour telling compelling stories from American history in the mid-20th century. His lectures were so interesting and so fluid that it was hard to take proper notes and absorb his unique storytelling powers at the same time.

Alger Hiss. The Rosenbergs. Roy Cohn.

JFK. Lyndon Johnson’s civil rights victo-

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ries.

This parade of American history leapt off the stage and, in his mellifluous style, Polenberg riveted over 1,000 students in the auditorium. My friend David and I used to try to arrive 15 minutes early to class so we could snag a good seat in the first five rows, rather than be relegated to the Bailey balcony. I was more motivated to get close to the stage in his class than I was when Grateful Dead tickets went on sale at Willard Straight later that semester.

Like so many freshmen at Cornell, I started to doubt my academic abilities that semester. What passed for easy “A’s” in high school came under more rigorous scrutiny at Cornell and “B’s” and “B+’s” started littering my academic record.

But when I handed in a paper in Polenberg’s class, a review of Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road” in the voice of RFK, a brilliant assignment, I received the academic recognition every insecure freshman craved.

In a lecture class of so many students, grading was done by the graduate teaching assistants. But when I got my paper back, in addition to my TA’s high grade and praise, were these simple but deeply meaningful words from Professor Polenberg that I’ll never forget: “Sarah showed me

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ITHACA NOTES

Cash, Credit and Control F

By St e ph e n Bu r k e or about 20 years, beginning in the 1990s, Ithaca had an independent local currency system. It produced notes in equivalencies to dollars, called Ithaca Hours, which could be spent at participating businesses, which would accept a certain number of Hours per transaction.

You could get Hours by becoming a member, paying $10 to offset the system’s dollar expenses and receiving $20 in Hours.

Member businesses and individuals could then earn Hours (and of course, additionally, dollars) by promoting their services, goods to sell, or other entrepreneurial activities in an Hours Directory.

The system eventually began to stumble when, in what ultimately amounted to a financial revolution, cash use in general dropped as credit card use ascended.

When Hours began, credit cards were used relatively rarely, generally for major purchases, not frequent or daily ones.

Back then it was common for businesses to require a minimum purchase to use a card.

At that time, Ithaca’s GreenStar Market, for one prominent example, didn’t accept cards at all. It was cash, check, or Hours only, with $5 in Hours accepted for a minimum $10 purchase.

The upheaval began when banks and other institutions started flooding the market with cards, trying to spur regular use. They eliminated financial requirements and opening fees. They lowered interest rates, at least to start. They made cards faster and physically easier to use, with electronic terminals replacing cumbersome manually-operated swipers (“knuckle-busters,” as they were called).

They provided premiums and discounts for use.

Cards became a bonanza for banks and processors, with fees and percentages taken from burgeoning millions of sales.

For many businesses, larger ones especially, the costs were acceptable because of the convenience of cards and the increased spending they could prompt.

Even if businesses minded the expense, it didn’t matter. Cards became ubiquitous, thus essential.

Soon customers were using cards for even the smallest purchases: a cup of coffee, a pack of mints.

For cash, once king, the coup d'etat became a fait accompli.

Today there are interests that would like to finish the job and take cash to the guillotine. First among them, of course, is the credit card industry.

Banks and major retailers also have an interest in scaling back or eliminating the complexities and time involved with cash.

But smaller businesses that necessarily deal regularly with cash are already facing hardships with a current disappearance

brought on not just by general disuse but amplified by the pandemic: of coins, now, with a fear that bills might be next.

Apparently, consumers are taking coins home and leaving them there rather than putting them back into circulation: maybe a fear of germs, or maybe just too much bother for too few cash purchases.

This has produced a national coin shortage that, in June, prompted the Federal Reserve to limit orders from banks. Coins simply weren’t available in sufficient supply.

Trade groups representing grocers, gas stations, convenience stores, and others called the situation an emergency that threatened their businesses.

Some larger businesses have been accused of profiting from the problem.

The Chipotle restaurant chain has been sued for its recent policy of not giving coins in change for cash transactions, rounding transaction totals up, not down.

Allegedly it has cost patrons millions.

As in the dichotomy between small and big businesses, individuals of less resources are feeling the negative effects of an increasingly cashless society first and most keenly.

How many people rely on cash? Studies show that 80 million Americans are “underbanked:” that is, without access to one or more basic banking services, such as a bank account, credit card, or debit card.

Even people with cards, but with tenuous finances, will often prefer using cash, to avoid interest charges and fees that are often exorbitant. At a time when interest on money is practically zero, interest charges on cards generally start at 12 percent and can double for so-called “less qualified” customers. A day-late payment can typically cost $35. Some prepaid cards and other services charge fees for failing to maintain a minimum balance.

Cashless forms of payment also require surrender of anonymity and privacy, a political or personal issue for some.

The Ithaca Hours system called itself a means of creating “extra money.” In its heyday it circulated about a quartermillion dollars in local currency. The organization issued grants to charities and not-for-profit groups and made loans, without fees or interest, to members.

The system provided not just money but autonomy. The organization kept no records of any activity other than its own. Members were free to negotiate use however they wished.

Another byword of the Hours system was a belief in “value through sharing, not scarcity.” These might be words to consider as certain types of open money get scarcer and the balance tilts toward increased cost and outside control.

GUEST OPINION Contin u ed From Page 6

your paper and I’m glad she did. You really captured RFK’s voice in this assignment.”

I felt like I was levitating when I walked out of class. A professor I had come to idolize, like so many of my fellow classmates, had actually read my paper and liked it.

Maybe I did belong at Cornell.

Sophomore year, I asked Polenberg to be my advisor. He said he’d be delighted to, but perhaps with my interest in foreign policy I’d be better off asking Professor Walter Lafeber? He was right, but from that meeting in his office we developed a relationship that was unlike any other I ever had with a teacher or Professor: we started playing basketball together every week at Barton Hall. They were fun, competitive sessions; Polenberg had a great outside set shot, a relic of the 1950s when he came of age in Brooklyn. In the spring and summer, our friendly athletic competitions gravitated to the faculty tennis courts. He loved to lob the ball way over my head if I rushed the net and would laugh out loud watching me scramble back to the baseline to futilely try to return his perfectly placed shot. It was so much fun and I felt privileged to have such a unique relationship with one of Cornell’s leading scholars.

When I became ill in the second semester of my senior year and had to go home for serious surgery six weeks before graduation, Professor Polenberg swooped in and spoke to my four professors to arrange for me to write my final papers over the summer as I convalesced at home in New York City. He didn’t have to do this, but he insisted on taking this burden off my plate as I focused on my health. His intervention allowed me to graduate officially in August so I could seamlessly begin graduate school at Columbia Journalism School in September.

Once again, Professor Polenberg had saved me academically at a time when I really needed help. I never forgot that truly kind gesture.

But being a mensch came naturally for Dick Polenberg. A classmate of mine told me that he was able to get Cornell President Frank Rhodes to autograph his graduation speech for her mother who couldn’t attend in person because she was ravaged from chemotherapy. Another friend went to Polenberg when she felt sexually harassed by another Cornell Professor. Polenberg didn’t hesitate to jump in and saved her from this predatory man.

After graduation, we stayed in periodic touch. Every five years, when I came back to Ithaca for reunions, I never failed to drop by his home on Orchard Street to catch up on our lives. He and his lovely wife Joanie were always so welcoming and eager to hear about my career and my burgeoning family.

In recent years, when my daughter brief ly attended Cornell and my stepdaughter matriculated at Ithaca College, there were bittersweet visits. The Alzheimer’s that ravaged his fertile mind made it difficult to have long conversations with him. But even as his short-term memory was failing, we were able to occasionally reminisce about the classes I took with him, including “Anarchism in American History,” and some of my classmates he still remembered.

I’m writing this tribute on the morning of Thanksgiving, as the smells of Turkey and gravy and yummy pies wafts from our kitchen. It occurs to me that today is a truly meaningful day in my life-long relationship with Professor Richard Polenberg.

I am forever grateful for him and for that fateful day that I walked into Bailey Hall, one of more than 1,000 freshman and sophomores who looked forward each week to receive the wisdom and historical perspective he imparted so eloquently.

May his memory be a blessing to his family and the tens of thousands of students he touched in his own way these past four decades.

Tom Allon is a 1984 graduate of Cornell University.

GREEN NEW DEAL Contin u ed From Page 4

a larger document with a big stakeholder group once there’s a sustainability director.”

Despite the plans and the improvements in motion, Goldsmith admits reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 is a lofty goal.

“We totally recognize that the goals are immense and the timeline is short,” he said. “I think it’ll be very, very challenging.

But I think the reason the mayor initially proposed to do this is because we won’t get there if we don’t set the goal, and setting something like this will spur us to find faster, better ways to do it.”

He cites existing buildings as the most challenging part, as the sheer number and cost is prohibitive in nature, but insists he’s going to “keep plugging away.”

“On a municipal scale things are moving quickly; we’re seeing a lot of engagement from staff,” Goldsmith said. “But it’s hard to say I feel positive, because the

climate situation is so dire. But I think we have goals in the right place, and even if we got three-quarters of the way there, that’s a huge improvement.”

For residents, Goldsmith said there are plenty of ways to help. Whether you’re a renter or an owner, he said you can do a free energy audit to find out what improvements you can make, and that there are a lot of incentives available to help you do that.

“And think about getting involved with solar,” he said. “Whether it’s panels on the roof or buying into community solar.”

He also suggested getting involved by attending meetings of local nonprofits and businesses who are making sustainability efforts, and to be sure to attend public meetings and speak out in support to make your voice heard.

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

YOUR LETTERS Help small businesses this holiday season

F

or most of my adult life, I have written commentaries this time of year encouraging people to buy local and shop small. Here I go again… penning a reminder to shop local and patronize our community businesses. But this season feels different. We find ourselves in a situation unlike any other we’ve ever experienced and the stakes for our community businesses cannot be higher.

Our small local businesses enter this holiday season after weathering eight (8) months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forced to close for the entire spring and part of the summer, our community businesses have suffered unimagined financial hardship. During the April to June timeframe, foot traffic in downtown Ithaca dropped 85% from the previous year.

Many businesses were closed entirely for spring and gradually reopened in summer, only to find the foot traffic in July - September still down 50%.

While many of us freely patronized our large grocery stores and found a reason to shop at our area’s national bigbox home goods and hardware stores, we struggled to make our way to our smaller community businesses. As this trend became clearer in late spring, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Ithaca launched “The Ithaca Promise” campaign, designed to remind residents that our community businesses were as safe and as prepared as any national chain for our patronage. That pledge remains in effect today and the record of business-related COVID-19 cases in our community supports this assertion.

Eight months without strong sales, as well as in some months no sales, has taken a heavy toll on the financial condition of our community businesses. Reserves have been depleted. Those businesses fortunate enough to have been awarded PPP funding have long since drained that resource, helping to keep our neighbors and friends gainfully employed. Today, most community businesses have little or no financial reserves remaining. Another shutdown will devastate them. A weak holiday season could do the same.

There are over 200 consumer-oriented small businesses in our downtown; over 1,000 community-wide. These businesses employ thousands of area residents and contribute mightily to our local tax base and economy. These businesses are disproportionately generous to their home community… they contribute to area nonprofits, causes, schools, and programs.

They are owned and managed by people who live here, who know and revere our community. They believe in Ithaca — their owners invested in Ithaca’s promise and Ithaca’s people.

Yet, today they face another growing trend that has gained momentum during this pandemic — the allure of online shopping. Over the past decade, national online sales grew approximately 1% year over year. By 2020, online sales accounted De c e mb e r

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for roughly 18% of all national retail sales.

During the pandemic, this percent mushroomed to 28% of all national sales and shows no sign of stopping its climb. While community businesses suffered and hunkered down, hoping to weather this pandemic assault, the mega national and international online stores grew their profits substantially. The merchandising prowess of Amazon and other online titans has been on full display.

To their credit, small businesses here in Ithaca have responded. In Downtown, the DIA estimates that fewer than 20% of Downtown businesses had online shopping capability prior to March 2020.

Today, that number is now around 50%.

Our local businesses have gainfully tried to establish an online presence—to attract the consumer who is now more comfortable buying from a computer or smartphone than taking a trip to a local small business. But, an online presence is only one part of the selling equation; we consumers need to know and remember that these local online opportunities exist and be able to find them whenever we want to shop or dine.

This brings me back to my concern about small businesses in December 2020.

These folks have weathered the toughest economic conditions local businesses have had to face in generations. Those that have survived (and alas, some have not) are teetering on the edge. Today and this season, more than at any time I can recall, they need our love, our support, and our patronage. I implore you—don’t be the person that looks around in 2021 and wonders what happened to that cute local shop or special restaurant that was overlooked during the holiday season. As part of your holiday preparations, make a resolution to shop local and buy from our community businesses. They need you now.

Our businesses cannot rely on help from the Federal government; they cannot rely on financial aid from our State government. Our County and City governments are running low on money themselves. If we are to preserve and keep our community businesses it falls to us, the residents of Ithaca, Tompkins County, and surrounding towns to think about our downtown and community businesses and make a concerted effort to patronize them this holiday season. Local and small have never been more important concepts and more in need of our support.

-Gary Ferguson, executive director of Downtown Ithaca Alliance

Write to us!

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

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

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Giving Local Non-profits run the gamut in Ithaca, providing everything from free healthcare to free meals.

I

By Ta n n e r H a r di ng

thaca is full of great people who happily spend their lives helping others, and however many nonprofits you think there are, there are probably even more. When it comes to giving back this holiday season, it can be hard to know how to help. That’s the motivation behind our annual Give Local issue. We want to highlight some of the work being done in Tompkins County to give you a few ideas of where to donate your time or money. This year, we’ve decided to feature the Ithaca Health Alliance, Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Catholic Charities, Child Development Council and Loaves & Fishes.

year as they, too, grapple with the economic downturn this year.

The pandemic has spurred some other changes at the clinics too, including the addition of telehealth. McCloskey said they aren’t able to see as many people in-person due to rigorous cleaning practices between patients, but that they’ve set up a way to meet with people virtually.

college graduates who are no longer on their parents’ insurance, to people who lost their insurance due to divorce or death, to just “people who, through no fault of their own, suddenly find themselves uninsured.”

Before COVID, the IHA used to host walk-in clinics, but now all visits are by appointment only, though they’re still providing their monthly pre-employment clin-

HUMAN SERVICES COALITION OF TOMPKINS COUNTY

ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE

The mission of the Ithaca Health Alliance is to provide access to healthcare services to those who do not have health insurance and those who are underinsured at the Ithaca Free Clinic at 521 W. Seneca St. in Ithaca.

“All our services are free,” Executive Director Norbert McCloskey said. “All services are provided by community volunteers who share their time and talents with us.

Anyone from medical doctors to administrator volunteers. In any given year we’re working with 200-250 volunteers that help us provide a variety of services to members of the community.”

McCloskey said the IHA receives no state or federal aid, and that the organization runs completely on grants, support from local foundations and private donors.

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There’s pretty much nothing the clinic can’t help with, a point McCloskey is passionate about.

“My goal is to find a way that everyone has access to affordable healthcare,” he said.

“But until then, we’ll keep the doors open to do whatever we can to help folks.”

The best way to donate to Ithaca Health Alliance is by going to their website (ithacahealth.org) and clicking the green donate button on the top right of the banner. Additionally, if you’re interested in volunteering, call the IHA at (607) 330-1253.

P e n n y G o l d i n a n d L u z R i v e r a , t h e c l i n i c c o o r d i n at o r at t h e It h ac a F r e e C l i n i c ( P h o t o C a s e y M a r t i n) “We’re expanding telehealth outside of normal clinic hours,” he said. “If someone doesn’t have access to Wi-Fi, they can come use ours for free in the parking lot. [Telehealth] works very well on a mobile device, but if they don’t have one, we have iPads on site that we can walk out to someone and they can work with the physician that way from our parking lot.”

McCloskey said the people that use the clinic come from a range of circumstances, from people who have lost their job, to new

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ic for those who need physicals to begin working. Additionally, the clinic sees people for chiropractic care, acupuncture and optometry, as well as financial advocacy for people with medical debt. They also have a program that helps people find access to free prescription drugs like insulin or asthma inhalers, and, in fact, McCloskey said they just got in about $20,000 worth of insulin for people who normally can’t afford it.

If you’ve been tuning into the Tompkins County Health Department’s COVID update meetings, you’ve likely heard the health director or county administrator recommend calling 211 for anything you need, whether it’s transportation to a testing clinic or mental health support. The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County is the group behind that magic phone number.

“We’re an umbrella-type agency,” Executive Director Kathleen Schlather said. “One service that has been important is 211, the information referral line.”

The line has been designated as the nonmedical line to call during the pandemic, so anyone who needs anything, from food to transportation to information, can call 211. Additionally, Schlather said they also run a program with United Way through 211 so that people who are having financial problems and need a little help, whether it’s for utilities or car repairs or partial

H u m a n S e rv i c e C o a l i t i o n o f To m p k i n s C o u n t y ( P h o t o P r ov i d e d) rent — anything under $500 — can call and get help.

According to Schlather, calls to 211 this year are up 40%. In addition to the myriad pandemic-related services, 211 also provides help navigating the marketplace for people signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. “It’s open enrollment now through Jan. 31, and our navigators enroll between 700800 people a year into health insurance,” Schlather said.

The Human Services Coalition also has people working with the homeless population. They send teams of people to encampments to make sure the people living there have food, personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies, and they also provide medical assistance to anyone who needs it. The coalition also does what’s called “coordinated entries,” which entails keeping a list to make sure people entering homeless encampments are assessed and put on a list so they don’t fall through the cracks.

“Housing is a huge issue here,” Schlather said. “We want to make sure that people get what they need when they need it.”

Since COVID hit, the people at the coalition have had to make a few changes.

Usually, healthcare navigators would go out to towns like Dryden and Trumansburg to do outreach and work with people

in person, but now everything needs to be virtual.

“I think it’s hard for a lot of in-person work we do,” Schlather said. “It’s hard, because a lot of what we do is bringing people together over various issues. It’s some ways it’s easier virtually, but it’s also missing that human element. It’s hard to put your finger on.”

If you want to help the Human Services Coalition, there are a few different things you can do. Schlather said you can donate to the United Way COVID relief fund or directly to the agency through their website (https://hsctc.org/donate/). She also said that the group that works with the homeless community always needs things like socks, gloves, linens, cleaning supplies and water. These things can be dropped off to Catholic Charities or Salvation Army, as the Human Services Coalition teams up with other agencies.

If you want to donate time, you can volunteer with 211; you must be able to commit about four hours a week and go through training. To become a volunteer, fill out the volunteer application on the coalition’s website (https://hsctc.org/211volunteer/).

Konwinski wants to make it clear — they help everyone.

“We serve all people in need,” she said.

“We are affiliated with the Catholic community, but we serve all people of any gender identity, any sexual orientation, any immigration status, any religion. We’re going to help.”

The organization’s goal is to help lowincome people and vulnerable people through a variety of services. One they’re known for in particular is called Samaritan Center, which provides people with emergency financial assistance for any number of things.

“Maybe they can’t get money together for a security deposit to rent an apartment; we have a program to provide that,” she said. “As winter approaches, maybe they’re struggling to pay their heating bill or just kind of struggling to make ends meet. We can help.”

Catholic Charities also runs a clothing closet that is stocked with free clothes, housewares and personal needs items. Another program, called A Place to Stay, provides transitional housing for single, homeless women.

“It’s a lovely, homey four-bedroom house where women can stay until they can transition to their own stable housing, apartment, or move in with family,” Konwinski said. “That program serves women of all ages, and especially those who are coming out of jail or addiction recovery programs.”

They also run a program called Immigrant Services, which provides legal services for low-income people from around the world who are looking to attain green cards or who want to become U.S. citizens.

The program also assists those with limited English skills with writing resumes and job hunting. continued on page 11

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Catholic Charities is a social service agency, and Deputy Director Laurie

C at h o l i c C h a r i t i e s “ C l o s e t ” p r ov i d e s c l o t h i n g a n d p e r s o n a l i t e m s f r e e o f c h a r g e . ( P h o t o Fac e b o o k) De c e mb e r

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material in the walkways and recessed lighting below them.

“It’s a great project,” board member Garrick Blalock said. “I’m excited to see it get underway.”

The project at 430-444 W. State St. also received final approval — and an official name — at the meeting. Dubbed “West End Ironworks,” the building’s name alludes to the site’s use as the Williams Bros.

Ironworks and Foundry in the 1880s.

As a refresher, the project is a five-story mixed-use building that will house about 130 units and 4,800 square feet of retail space. Architect Eric Colbert discussed a few minor changes in the design. The parking area was widened to accommodate a wider drive aisle, which did decrease the square footage of commercial space from the original 5,500 square feet.

The leasing office was shifted south to West State Street, and the balconies on the units overlooking Corn Street Alley were removed due to their proximity to the property line. A second green space 430-444 W. State St was also added.

There will Georgia@ithacatimes.com 607-277-7000 x220 be a green roof open to all residents on the fifth floor, and Newspaper: a fourth floor terrace with a green roof that he Planning Board made a couple of contain 181 low- and moderate-income final approvals at their Nov. 24 meet- apartments on the upper floors, while the can be accessed via adjacent units.

“I think all the changes make sense,” ing, including for the Asteri proj- first three floors of the building will house a ect at 120 E. Green St. and the Ironworks conference center, 350 public parking spots board member Emily Petrina said. “The building looks great, really well-detailed project at 430-444 W. State St. They also and a small retail space. expressed concerns about the proposed There were a few aesthetic changes made and finished.”

Blalock agreed, calling it a “handsome building along Six Mile Creek at 401 E. to the building since the project received State St. preliminary approval last month, but oth- design.”

Deputy Director of Planning Lisa NichThe 12-story Asteri building is part of erwise no major changes. Final approval the Green Street garage project and is the was granted unanimously, with conditions olas said she was happy to see the landscape portion owned by the Vecino Group. It will that require staff-approved lighter colored work in the design.

PLANNING

Two developments get final approval from Planning Board

T

“It’s so great to see street trees on State Street,” she said.

The project received unanimous approval with the condition that the developer would seek guidance from the city forester regarding the best vegetation and street trees on State Street.

The State Street Apartments at 401 E. State St. continued to receive mixed reviews from the Planning Board. The sixstory building would have 240,000 square feet of residential space that included 346 units, and 100,000 square feet of parking space, with more than 300 parking spots.

The presentation went over some revisions to the design, including changes to the street and landscaping. The architects also added more visual interest to the State Street side of the building.

Feelings for this one were lukewarm.

“It’s super overwhelming,” Chair Rob Lewis said. “Taken as a whole, it’s just way too much. It reads of something of a different scale, almost as a hospital in scale. It doesn’t feel like a residential project that fits in the city of Ithaca.”

Petrina agreed that it was a lot, but addClient: overall. ed she liked the aesthetic “The repetitive nature of the five blocks are problematic on the creek side,” she said.

“If there was a side to make it feel more residential — balconies, sunshades, smaller scale features — [the creek side] is the side to do it.”

Extended public comment will begin at the next meeting for this project.

Ithaca Times/Fingerlakes News

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GIVE LOCAL Contin u ed From Page 9

The program Family Empowerment serves families in crisis, particularly those with children who have been placed outside of the home or for whom there is a risk

that Child Protective Services might have to intervene.

“We figure out what’s best for the kids,” Konwinski said. “We work with the guardians to get through this intimidating system and figure out what they need to be able to do to parent that child.”

L o av e s a n d F i s h e s s ta f f ( P h o t o C a s e y M a r t i n) The Amazing Dads program focuses specifically on young men who are separated from the mothers of their children and on step-dads and teaches them how to be better fathers to their kids.

Catholic Charities also provides a number of services to people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities, such programs to build life skills, job skills, job readiness and job searching skills. They also help people sign up for SNAP benefits and other government programs.

“Those can be a bit daunting, but our point person does outreach to different communities of folks who might not know they’re eligible,” Konwinski said. “It helps people access that help and put groceries on the table.”

If you want to help Catholic Charities, you can donate either time or money. Konwinski said their funding from the state and federal governments is uncertain, and the organization is leaning on community funders and donors. You can donate through their website (https://www. catholiccharitiestt.org/make-a-gift/).

If you want to give your time, Konwinski said they are looking for volunteers to sort through donations at the clothing closDe c e mb e r

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et. To volunteer, call Michaela Cortright at (607) 272-5062 ext. 17, or email her at Michaela.Cortright@dor.org.

Additionally, the closet at 324 W. Buffalo St. in Ithaca is open Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. for donations such as clean and gently used clothing and linens, as well as diapers, soap and toilet paper.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

The Child Development Council aims to help children in their growth and development, as well as the people around them. They also provide a range of support to childcare programs, such as after-school programs, childcare centers and home programs.

“We help parents find it, make sure it’s available and they can pay for it, and make sure it’s good quality,” CEO Sue Dale-Hall said. “It’s been a pretty significant undertaking with COVID. There was a short-

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Stepahnie Wright and virtual fitness trainers (Photo: Casey Martin)

Personal Health

Cardio by Zoom

Gyms livestream classes to give members more options

By Arl e ig h Rodge rs

S

taying in shape during a global pandemic comes in different forms. Fitness clubs and gyms in Ithaca have transformed their indoor studios, outdoor parking lots and computer screens into COVID-19 pandemic–safe locations for working out.

Stephanie Wright, group fitness coordinator at Island Health & Fitness, said the gym’s virtual fitness classes launched in late March. Island Health only offered prerecorded classes during this time. Then, on Nov. 11, the gym launched Zoom classes with options for live video of an instructor teaching a socially distanced class or of only an instructor speaking to a camera.

“The biggest concern was making sure that we had the best instructors who 12 T

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knew how to keep people safe because it's harder when you're doing things virtually,” Wright said. “In person, you can see what people are doing and know when they're out of line.”

Only 11 people — all of whom are required to squat, push-up and do jumping jacks, for example, approximately 10 feet away from each other — are allowed in the indoor studio at once, Wright said. For those at home, equipment is not necessary to take classes.

“The thing about group fitness is you actually build a community,” Wright said.

“It's been really nice to see people reconnect with people they haven't seen in months or be able to feel good because they're getting their exercise again. Espe-

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cially now, with the weather getting bad, it's harder to get out for walks. It's harder to do things outdoors that might have sustained you through the summer.”

As for challenges, Wright said the technological aspects of organizing virtual classes has been the biggest hurdle to jump, as internet connection can sometimes be unpredictable for both instructors and members attending classes. But she said that the classes have been well received and that it’s been encouraging to watch members remain motivated.

“Being able to reconnect with people has been great,” she said. “Health is more important now than ever before.”

Chantelle Farmer, owner and manager of FLX Fitclub, said the gym is also offering virtual classes during the pandemic.

The classes were offered starting in April, and Farmer said she wasn’t sure if they would be well-received by members. Now, she said the response has been especially positive.

“Some people just don't have great internet and so they haven't really been able to participate that well, but by and

large, I would say, the feedback has been really positive,” Farmer said. “Even though they're on mute and they can’t talk to you during class, just knowing that other people were there working out at the same time, along with them, was motivating.”

Jessica Kerns, fitness instructor at FLX, said virtual classes were initially a challenge because she felt like the connection between herself and members was hard to replicate.

“I got into fitness teaching because I connect with everyone, and it's really hard to connect virtually,” she said. “I'm glad that I get to see them all but it's not the same as seeing them and sharing moments before and after class and sharing food and stories and life experiences. We're all sweating together and working together and, but it's, it's not the same. I hope someday to be back in the same space with them all sharing successes and not to be separate.”

FLX shut down for approximately five months at the start of the pandemic, and for a while, Farmer said that the club only had a few at-home classes as a test run,

monitoring the video’s sound and music to ensure attendees were receiving the best, cleanest version of the class. Now, almost all of the gym’s classes are offered in a virtual format, with the exception of cycling classes, which Farmer said are difficult to replicate at home unless you have an indoor bike.

But the bikes at FLX haven’t been packed up quite yet. The gym also offers outdoor cycling classes, as well as PUMP and CXWORX classes, in the parking lot behind its space. She said that because the other tenants in the same building as FLX allowed the gym exclusive access to the lot, those attending classes don’t need to worry about cars interrupting a session.

“There's a couple classes we're only doing outdoors, there's a couple that we're only doing indoors and virtually, and then there's another set that's both places,” Farmer said. “Everybody seems to find their preference and find their comfort zone, and they seem to be really appreciative of having all the different options.”

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SPORTS

The Transfer Portal

By Ste ve L aw re nc e

last season, and one can only imagine the disappointment when the Ivy League made the announcement on Nov. 12 that the winter sports season would be canceled. The athletes had put in the same amount of work as they always have, and the late pulling of the plug was as frustrating as it was disappointing.

Photo: Cornell Senior Jimmy Boeheim is among three Boeheim’s Big Red players to enter the Transfer Portal. brother, Buddy (a junior who plays for their father, Jim, at Syracuse University), was quoted as sayn a year where “surreal” feels more ing, "I couldn't imagine finding out right real than “real,” a science-fictionnow that our season was canceled [after] like term is making the rounds in all the hard work he's put in this summer. the sports world. That term — “entering We worked out every day together. I was the transfer portal” — found its way into really looking forward to see what he was the local lexicon recently when it was going to do this year. He was going to have announced that three Cornell basketball a big year." players have made that choice and are At this writing, there are several posnow exploring other “landing zones,” so to sibilities going forward. The players could speak. stay at Cornell. Cornell’s Boeheim could The transfer portal is essentially a finish his degree requirements and earn database of every player who has interhis Cornell degree in May, and then transest in transferring from his or her curfer elsewhere. Another possibility is that rent school. While the portal website is he could play immediately in the 2021-22 not public, coaches and administrators season at Syracuse (or another school, for for NCAA schools have access, and once that matter) as a graduate transfer. a player enters his or her name into the Yet another possibility looms, given the database, it becomes viewable by coaches NCAA has granted all winter sports athfrom every other school. letes an extra year of eligibility; Boeheim While Cornell hoops fans were could also play in the 2022-23 season as saddened to learn that seniors Jimmy well.

Boeheim, Terrance McBride and Bryan According to Jeremy Hartigan, CorKnapp have elected to enter the portal and nell's Director of Athletic Communicapossibly transfer, it’s safe to say that every tions, "For now all three players are just fan understands (if not supports) their keeping their options open. They each decision to do so. Most of these athletes have different academic situations and have worked hard since they were old need to figure out their best individual openough to pick up a basketball, and every tions. I would suspect they’ll make a deciplayer good enough to play at the DI level looks to his or her senior season with great sion sometime over the holiday break."

Whether we’re talking about high anticipation. For some, it is an opportunity school sports or collegiate sports, the gento enjoy their last season with the teameral sentiment is that while we all feel bad mates with whom they have labored to build a program, and for others — like po- for all the athletes, the seniors have the lion’s share of our sympathy. We saw the tential pro players — it can be a stepping proverbial rug pulled out from under the stone to the next level.

The three Big Red players were all gear- class of 2020 when the NCAA Big Dance was canceled last spring, and we all held ing up to make a run at the Ivy title that our collective breath while hoping that has eluded the program for a decade, and things would be back to normal when the all had plenty of reasons to believe this students returned this fall. That obviously would be their best year ever. Boeheim didn’t happen, and now yet another group led the team with a 16.7 point scoring of seniors is left to deal with the fact that average, and the 6’8” forward with great they may have played their last game, or hands and footwork was effective in that they might finish their career with a the paint as well as from the perimeter. different program.

McBride and Knapp started all 27 games

I

A consistent favorite

I

By Henry Star k

n Ithaca, I always admire establishments that are so popular they remain open year after year. I have been eating at the Mahogany Grill, at the same location on Aurora Street (Restaurant Row), for almost two decades. And that’s how long it has been serving quality fare in a comfortable atmosphere. In fact, I used to have a ritualistic response on Sunday mornings and drive downtown to listen to a swinging “jass” band as I consumed seemingly endless quantities of eggs, bacon, pancakes….and, of course, a Bloody Mary or two.

The band doesn’t play there anymore, but the eggs, bacon and pancakes still make a regular procession from the kitchen to the dining room because this is one of the few places on, or near, the Commons where you can still enjoy a full breakfast.

In thinking of Mahogany Grill, I have an image of a steady-as-you-go restaurant that always serves a meal you can count on...reliable, quality food and service with rarely an unexpected high or low. And that predictability probably accounts for its longevity.

That’s not to say that there might not be an occasional inconsistency. Recently, I ordered Chicken Piccata Linguine ($18 at lunch, $22 at dinner). I enjoyed the tender chunks of

chicken and sliced asparagus spears on linguine – however, it wasn’t chicken piccata.

Meat – usually a slice of veal or a chicken breast – prepared in the traditional Italian piccata style is pounded flat to be a thin cutlet, then dipped in an egg wash and breaded with either flour or breadcrumbs. Every piccata treatment I’ve ever had, either in Italy or the United States, has been offered as a cutlet, and normally with a lemon-butter or lemon sauce, and often with lemon slices. Some have been dressed up with mushrooms, garlic and paprika, and often sprinkled with parsley before it’s served. Although I didn’t notice any hint of lemon and the chicken was served in chunks at Mahogany Grill, I did enjoy the dish.

If you order a Chicken Club Sandwich ($14 at lunch), you’ll be offered a large slab of chicken breast between romaine lettuce, tomato, red onion slices, bacon and mozzarella.

There’s a small selection of burgers, and I was interested to observe that the Mahogany Burger appears on four different menus (breakfast $15, lunch $15, dinner $16, and take-out $17) so I thought management must be proud of it. I ordered it and was pleased with the overall quality — nothing exceptional, and yet it was a perfectly good bacon cheeseburger with fried onions served on a toasted bun. I ordered a complimentary side order of coleslaw, which was homemade with thick slices of crunchy, tasty cabbage.

At dinner time, the burger selection remains the same, however, the sandwiches exit and are replaced by four featured steaks

($39-$49). There are also four complex salads ($11-$16) and more than a half-dozen macaroni dishes, including the aforementioned chicken piccata.

One of the macaroni dishes available at dinner is Fettuccini Shrimp Scampi ($27). It’s served with four medium shrimp and some spinach, garlic and tomatoes. When I see “scampi” on a menu, I expect to find lemon, butter, and garlic. I like garlic...a lot…and was disappointed that I didn’t notice any garlic at all. And, if there was lemon, it wasn’t discernable either. I don’t want to give the impression that I didn’t like the dish — I did like it and would order it again. I just didn’t think it was scampi.

Whoever assembled the wine menu is quite knowledgeable, and covered every major category with a smart representation of areas of origin from New York State, the United States, as well as international. Glasses cost $8-$10 while bottles range from $32-$95. I do have a small criticism of the wines by the glass: they aren’t labeled as “red” or “white” but are presented together as one long list, which could be confusing to some diners.

If the management of the Mahogany Grill can maintain the same consistent quality they have offered our community for the past two decades, I predict they’ll be on the same site for another two decades….and when this darn virus is controlled, maybe management will hire a new “jass band” to entertain us during Sunday brunch.

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

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orror movies, like comedies, depend a great deal on the element of surprise. This makes the really effective ones difficult to write about, because it spoils the surprise. Boasting a truly audacious script by first-time directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, “Antebellum” (QC Entertainment and Lionsgate, 106 mins., 2020) is right in line with the current wave of racial horror like “Get Out” and “Us.” It’s one of the scariest movies of the year, not because of excessive gore but because it shoves our faces into some of the worst aspects of American life and brings up ugly issues that are still plaguing the country.

Janelle Monáe stars in the film as one of many black slaves on a Southern plantation. It’s all “Gone With The Wind” imagery shot below the Mason-Dixon line.

At first, we assume that this is going to be a period piece, but as the slaves are picking cotton, one of them looks up and sees a plane flying overhead, and then goes back to picking cotton. So where are we? When are we? And what’s going on here?

For the sake of the film’s power, that’s all the plot that I’m giving up. This is strong, upsetting stuff. All I can say is that what seems exploitative actually finds some kind of catharsis that we all use as we go forward. ● ● ●

Okay, so Halloween was almost a month ago, but it’s always Halloween around my house. So I don’t think you’ll mind me recommending “A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting” (Netflix, Montecito Picture Company and Walden Media, 94 min., 2020). Written by Joe Ballarini and based on his three-part YA

book trilogy, “ABGTMH” is all about Kelly Ferguson (Tamara Smart), a clever, plucky, high school-aged babysitter on a mission to find the child in her care who has been kidnapped by the Boogeyman on Halloween night.

“Labyrinth” meets “Harry Potter” meets “Mission: Impossible” as it turns out there’s a secret society of other teen ‘sitters who monitor the activities of all kinds of monsters here on Earth. Oona Laurence is particularly good as Liz LeRue, the agent who brings Kelly into the group. The whole thing is directed with lots of action and humor by Rachel Talalay, who was helming female-driven movies like “Tank Girl” (1995) long before “Wonder Woman” and “Aeon Flux” and “Tomb Raider.” ● ● ●

Speaking of “Harry Potter,” Daniel Radcliffe stars with Daniel Webber (“11.22.63”) in “Escape From Pretoria” (South Australian Film Corporation, 106 min., 2020), a film based on 2003 book “Inside Out: Escape from Pretoria Prison”

by Tim Jenkin (Radcliffe) about the actual prison escape by three political prisoners in South Africa in 1979. Webber plays Stephen Lee. Both men were basically railroaded for protest-based stunts that took no human lives, and the film tracks their evolving plan to get out of jail.

It’s odd that the heist movie and the prison-break movie share so many traits, but they do. What makes “Escape From Pretoria” such a straightforward nail-biter is watching Radcliffe and Webber figure out how to whittle wooden keys that matched the guards’ keys. This is lean, efficient thriller stuff with political undertones. BVC says: check it out.

Stage

Holiday arts still shine bright You can get your holiday fix at these events this December

Cabaret only tickets are $25 and can be purchased through 5 p.m. the evening of the event.

Hangar Theatre Silent Auction (Through Dec. 6 at midnight): A component of the virtual fundraiser Holiday Spirits with the Hangar. Anyone can register and bid on the Silent Auction; no tickets Photo: The Mouse King and his minions out on are required. All the Commons. (Photo by Johann Studier.) auction proceeds benefit Hangar Theatre educational and artistic programming. The link to the s the holidays approach, we auction is available on the Hangar Thethought we’d do a quick roundatre’s website (HangarTheatre.org) up of some of the festive events The silent auction includes prizes from going on in the Ithaca arts scene. Though independent artists as well as local busiCOVID restrictions have prevented the normally robust agenda of shows, there are nesses including Argos Inn, Black Button Distilling, Buffalo Street Books, Discover still some events to get you in the holiday Cayuga, Edible Arrangements, F. Olivers, spirit.

Holiday Spirits with the Hangar (Dec. Fever Tree Tonics, Gola Osteria, Greek Peak, Monks on the Commons, Myer 5): Farm Distillers, Sparks + Embers, the livOn the evening of Saturday, Dec. 5, ing room, William Henry Miller Inn, and the Hangar Theatre Company will host a more. virtual FUNdraiser, Holiday Spirits with Jam & Hootenanny (Dec. 18-27): the Hangar. This event will feature a live The Seasonal Story Jam & Hootestreaming mixology class to make your nanny (December 18-27) will feature live own at-home cocktails, artistic enterstreaming music from The Burns Sisters tainment, and an online silent auction.

Proceeds from this event support the Han- interspersed with a mix of traditional and contemporary short stories, many by gar's year-round artistic and educational Ithaca-area writers, performed by Hangar programming. artists. Tickets cost $25. Learn more at At 7:30 p.m. the Cabaret portion of the HangarTheatre.org. evening will begin, featuring two rising Cyber Nuts (Dec. 18-20) performers, both favorites of Hangar audiThe time-honored tradition of the ences. Robert Denzel Edwards, a member Ithaca Ballet Nutcracker will happen in a of the 2019 Lab Company and Binghamcreative new form — live streamed to your ton University graduate, has performed in living room with your favorite characters six Hangar productions including “Kinky dancing in innovative, Ithaca-friendly Boots,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” and as Fred landscapes. With new scenery and adaptain Charles Dickens's “A Christmas Carol.”

Sandrinne Edström, a member of the 2018 tions, you’ll follow Clara’s magical adventure through the battles of the Mouse and 2019 Young Professional Company, King and Nutcracker into the land of the has performed in eight Hangar productions including “Chicago,” “Pride and Prej- Snow and Sweets. The show will feature udice,” “Kinky Boots,” “Into the Woods” as Maria Sun in the role of Clara, Samantha Little Red Riding Hood, “Little Women” as Sprague Iddings and Kevin Olmstead as Amy, and the last two Charles' Dickens' “A the Snow Queen and King, Maddie Lynch as the Dewdrop Fairy, Kevin Olmstead as Christmas Carol” as the ethereal Spirit of Drosselmeyer and Maria Valencia as the Christmas Past.

Sugar Plum Fairy. The choreography is The Cabaret portion will also include

by Lavinia Reid, and was adapted to this a presentation of virtual plays written and performed by sixteen young Next Genera- format by Cindy Reid with Park Production film and editing crew. “Cyber Nuts” tion School of Theatre artists and directed will be available Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Dec.

by Hangar teaching artists Elizabeth 19 at 3 p.m. and two shows Sunday, Dec. Seldin and Carley Robinson. These plays 20 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets go to were written by student artists during the StateofIthaca.org.

Hangar's virtual Next Generation School of Theatre playwriting class last summer.

A

Cornelia Laemmli Orth, Music Director

Comfort & Joy

Saturday, Dec 12th @ 7:30pm Hotel Ithaca

Featuring: Chris Coletti, Frank Campos, Jonathan Dozois, Ben Dettelback, David Earll

Celebrate the season with the CCO brass quintet, performing holiday favorites the entire family can enjoy!

Tickets must be reserved in advance

Our 44th Season: presented in-person & livestreamed

CCOithaca.org

INHS Minor Repair Program Free labor & materials!

• Must be a homeowner in Tompkins County, 60 years or older, have a disability, or be a single head of household with dependent(s).

• Repairs include: fixing/replacing steps, adding grab bars, wheelchair ramp installation, & much more.

INHS Call: (607) 277-4500 • Email: rehab@ithacanhs.org Learn more: ithacanhs.org/smallrepairs

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Event

Lights & Bites Downtown

featureing local restaurants, holiday cheer

By Tanne r Harding

D

uring a year in which so much normalcy has been lost, not even COVID can take holiday festivities from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance. From Dec. 4 through Dec. 12, the DIA is hosting Winter Lights & Bites, a combination of the Winter Lights Festival and the Bite of Ithaca event.

The Commons and immediate surrounding downtown area will be set up with interactive light installations for people to walk through and enjoy, while local participating restaurants will be offering $5 tapas-size plates. Normally, Bite of Ithaca is a summer event, but many things were still shut down and the DIA decided it couldn’t be done safely.

According to Special Events Director Scott Rougeau, there are seven light installations, some physical and some projected, designed with the help of local artists.

There will also be an infinity bar installation that will serve as the hot cocoa bar.

“There will probably be thousands of lights used on that and several mirrors,

so that’s a really cool installation as well,” Rougeau said.

There will also be a few special events happening throughout Lights & Bites.

On Dec. 4, a troop of fire dancers will be performing, while on Dec. 11 the Ithaca Sabers will be doing a lightsaber demo.

The festivities will come to an end Saturday, Dec. 12 with a “glowabration,” or a community glow party downtown.

“It’s going to be social distanced, so we’re hoping everyone is on their best behavior,” Rougeau said.

Marketing Director Allision Graffin said the goal of the revamped festival is to give people a chance to experience downtown safely.

“With the winter light installations you can enjoy the lights…families can bundle kids up and go for a stroll, do some shopping along the way,” she said.

The $5 bites also give people a way to support local businesses.

“People can explore restaurants they haven’t gone into, or get takeout from restaurants they haven’t tried,” she said. “It’s a

Orange Spectacular ONLY

Sparky the Unicorn returns again this year (Photo Provided)

sampling experience at an affordable price.

When things are expensive people can be hesitant to try new places.”

Many of the $5 bites offered at restaurants cater to the wintry theme with things like chaider (chai and cider) at Waffle Frolic, boozy pudding cups and hot buttered rum at Nowhere Special Libations Parlor, macaroni and cheese and chili at Shortstop Deli, Mexican hot chocolate at Bickering Twins, chicken pot pie and local cider at Monks on the Commons and mini French onion soup bowls at Red’s Place.

For a full list of participating restaurants, visit BiteofIthaca.com.

“We’re hoping everyone comes down, checks out the installations and patrons those restaurants,” Rougeau said. “With students already gone for the most part and losing outdoor dining, even if it’s just to get something to go, we encourage everyone to pop in.”

Rougeau and Graffin both mentioned they had been working closely with the city of Ithaca and the Tompkins County Department of Health to ensure the event could be done safely.

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GIVE LOCAL Contin u ed From Page 11

age of childcare beforehand, and now it’s worse.”

The CDC works to prevent permanent closures of childcare facilities to ensure that when the pandemic ends, those places are still there for parents who need childcare.

They also provide one-on-one family support in pre- (and post-, when we get there) pandemic times.

“We go to them in their homes and meet with parents about their parenting goals and life goals for themselves and their children,” Dale-Hall said. “[Parents] are the first teacher of their children, so we give them the tools they need and teach them about their child’s development.”

Now that they can’t go into homes, they’ve been delivering resources and activity kits to the families and making contact either by phone or online chat.

Dale-Hall said that the pandemic has caused a lot of financial stress on families of infants and toddlers. To remedy that, CDC has started to offer drive-through and delivery baby supply programs.

“Families can go online or call 211 and tell us what they need,” she said. “If they need diapers or formula, we can offer that.

We have food available too, but often formula isn’t available through food pantries.”

The CDC sees about 100 families a month in Tompkins County that come to the drive-through or ask for delivery if they don’t have transportation.

“It’s really a rich resource for our community,” Dale-Hall said. “It’s allowed us to reach more people in the community who just need help because it’s a financially hard time. As winter comes and heating bills start to rise, we expect to see a jump.”

The CDC is funded through donors and community partnerships and works closely with 211. While the CDC does use volunteers, they are not taking new ones at this time.

“We’re trying not to have a rotating volunteer group right now for health and safety purposes,” Dale-Hall explained.

If you want to help, Dale-Hall suggests donating books, especially the baby board books, and toys in good condition. If you want to donate, call (607) 273-0259 first.

You can also make a monetary donation, which is preferred, on the organization’s website (https://cdcouncil.networkforgood.com/).

“We need to make sure babies aren’t forgotten during the pandemic,” Dale-Hall said.

LOAVES & FISHES

Loaves & Fishes was established in 1983 as a direct response to people in the community suffering from poverty and hunger.

“Unfortunately, the need for our service has not abated,” Executive Director Rev. Christina Culver said.

The organization is a Christian ministry that provides a place for free meals, hospitality, companionship and advocacy for those in need, regardless of faith, beliefs or circumstances.

“We’ve always had a high value of providing a nutritious, hearty meal,” Culver said. “So all our meals are home-cooked, made from scratch, and we provide both a meat and vegan/vegetarian option every day.”

Before the pandemic, when people were able to congregate, Loaves & Fishes had an advocacy program that provides practical support and information, as well as referrals to community resources to people who February 13 - 17 | April 3 - 7 had unmet basic needs.

“If someone is coming to us with hun6 teachers chosen by lottery! ger, they usually have other unmet needs,” Info: saltonstall.org/teachers | Apply by: Dec. 13, 2020 Culver said. “Our advocacy program is a Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts | Ithaca, NY gateway to getting support and help. We usually have over 25 social service agencies doing direct outreach during mealtime.”

Culver added that while many people WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? just come for the meal, they end up enjoying the community.

SALARY MEDICAID MANAGED CARE LIAISON SUPERVISOR: The William Salary George Agency is a residential treatment center licensed

by OCFS $31,200.00 F/T Minimum MEDICAID MANAGED CARE LIAISON SUPERVISOR: The William George Agency “People quickly learn that the enjoy$31,200.00 F/T Minimum which has acenter 29I medical on which our campus. are looking for a is a residential treatment licensedclinic

by OCFS has a 29I We medical clinic Overtime available Overtime available Medicaid Supervisor to oversee our contracts as well ment of sharing a meal with others is just on our campus.

We areManaged looking forCare a Medicaid Managed Care Supervisor to Full time/Part time as the billing process with managed care organizations.

Candidates oversee our contracts as well as the billing process with managed care Full time/Part Flexible Hours time as important,” she said. should have should proficiency in medical billing experience in a medical organizations.

Candidates have proficiency in medical billing experience Flexible Hours setting,with with exceptional customer service skills.supervisory Prior supervisory in a medical setting, exceptional customer service skills. Prior These days, the dining hall is closed but experience isexperience preferred. is preferred.

Benefits BENEFITS YOUTH CARE SPECIALIST: A Full-Time position, working with the mission for Loaves & Fishes has reYOUTH CARE SPECIALIST: A Full-Time position, working with adolescents in a Health/Dental/Vision Health/Dental/Vision adolescents in a residential treatment center. 3 ½ days on, 3 ½ days residential treatment center. 3 ½ days on, 3 ½ days off. This position focuses Life mained the same throughout the pandemoff. This position focuses on relationship-building, mentoring, and Life on relationship-building, mentoring, and helping youth build self-reliance and helping youth build self-reliance and independence.

401k 401k independence. ic.

Personal/Sick Personal/Sick time time AWAKE OVERNIGHT COUNSELOR: A Full-Time position, working with adolescents in aA residential treatment center.

5-day work week.

Meals “Basically, from the get-go we were AWAKE OVERNIGHT COUNSELOR: Full-Time position, working with Mealsprovided providedon onduty duty This position provides overnight supervision of residents and general adolescents in a residential treatment center. 5-day work week.

This position committed to continue our free meal serrecordkeeping and reporting. provides overnight supervision of residents and general recordkeeping and Vacation reporting. CONNECTIONS COORDINATOR: The William George Agency is a VACATION vices, and have continued to do that since Generous vacation package residential treatment center, licensed by the Office of Children and Generous vacation CONNECTIONS COORDINATOR: Theare William George is a residentialCoordinator Family Services. We looking forAgency a CONNECTIONS March 13 when we closed our dining hall package Requirements treatment center, by the Office of Children and Family Services.

Wefunction, are who licensed has a dual role of performing a quality assurance as looking for a well CONNECTIONS Coordinator who a dual role of performing a for the first time in 37 years.” as a training function forhas system users.

CONNECTIONS is a Valid NYS Driver’s License quality assurance function, as wellwhich as a training function for system users. web-based system houses child welfare case information. We Diploma/GED CONNECTIONS is a web-based system which houses child welfare case The organization regrouped and put toare looking for a candidate with a Human Services undergraduate REQUIREMENTS information. degree We are looking for child a candidate with a Human Services and both welfare and computer software skills.

Valid NYS Driver’s gether a plan for to-go meals, encouraging undergraduate degree and both child welfare and computer software skills.

License MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT: A Part-Time position, working people to take extra meals home for their with ASSISTANT: adolescents in a residential facility.

Evening MEDICAL OFFICE A Part-Time position,treatment working with adolescents in (4pmovernight shifts. Supports a residential 12:30am) treatment and facility.

Evening (12:30am-9:00am) (4pm-12:30am) and weekend overnight (12:30amDiploma/GED family or themselves if they need it. the daily operations of the medical clinic by assisting residents, 9:00am) weekend shifts. Supports the daily operations of the medical clinic by documenting and filing pertinent medical information, assisting residents, documenting and filing pertinent medical information, documenting “If people want two meals to make sure information in CONNECTIONS the CONNECTIONS tab, and documentingmedical medical information in the medical tab,medical and the Office Manager in general administrative duties. assisting the assisting Office Manager in general administrative duties. they’re full, they can do that,” Culver said.

COTTAGE DIRECTOR: A Full Time position in a residential “For a fair amount of our folks, the Loaves treatment center for adolescents. Responsible for the development TO LEARN THE AGENCY AND OURplan OPENfor POSITIONS, VISIT US ofABOUT an individual treatment each resident and family, AT: & Fishes meal is the only one of the day.” implementation of ONLINE the treatment plan and subsequent transfer and discharge planning along with appropriate continuing care The to-go system hasn’t changed the WWW.WGAFORCHILDREN.ORG recommendations.

A Master’s Degree in Social Work or a Bachelor’s Degree and 3-5 years of direct experience working with youth in a type of meals being served, with hearty opcounseling position required.

Candidate also needs to have a valid OR CALL 607-844-6460 NYS Driver’s license. tions like chili and casseroles still available.

TO LEARN ABOUT THE AGENCY AND OUR OPEN POSITIONS, VISIT US ONLINE AT: However, the output has changed.

Free Residencies for Teachers | at the Saltonstall

Free Residencies for Teachers | at the S

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WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

WE ARE HIRING!

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Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts | Ithac

The www.wgaforchildren.org William George Agency or call 607-844-6460

continued on page 20

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“Because of the economic downturn, the need for our meals has surged,” Culver said. “We’re serving three times more than usual.”

Since April 1, Loaves & Fishes has served more than 38,000 meals.

“We don’t see that trend changing, unfortunately,” Culver said. “It’ll probably only increase with the continued job loss and increase in COVID cases.”

The organization does receive county, state and federal funding, but like every other organization, Loaves & Fishes anticipates a cut, particularly at the state level.

With the uncertainty in funding, the organization has been leaning on other community partners.

“The United Way of Tompkins County has been a great source of support for us, and hopefully that will continue,” Culver said. “We also get funding from the Park Foundation. But nearly 72% of our budget is covered by individual donations from caring, generous community members.”

However, with community members suffering too, Culver is unsure of how reliable that financial source is as well. And despite the cuts in funding, expenses have

gone up as the demand for meals has increased.

Loaves & Fishes also recently teamed up with the Tompkins County Department of Social Services to work with outreach workers to provide meals to people in the Jungle, the local homeless encampment, who are in quarantine or isolation due to the virus.

The organization is also working with the Tompkins County Library this winter to provide a warm room and public bathrooms to those in the homeless community. From Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., hot beverages and snacks will be provided in a socially distant way at the library.

If you want to help Loaves & Fishes, financial support is the best way to support the free meal service (https://loaves.org/ ways-to-give/donate-now/). Additionally, the organization is open on Christmas from noon – 1 p.m. to provide a holiday meal and a gift, so you can also donate things like adult-sized warm hats and gloves, or baked goods that are individually wrapped.

You can also volunteer your time (https://loaves.org/volunteer/how-to-volunteer/) or donate a food item from this list (https://loaves.org/ways-to-give/fooddonations/).

Virtual Concerts/Recitals

TCFA presents: A Canon for Reunion | 3:00 PM, 12/6 Sunday | The world premiere of John Bunge’s newest work.†The performers are: Maggie Burke, clarinet; William Hurley, viola; Christopher Morgan Loy, piano; and John Bunge,† banjo.† https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmTEPA_Qdq9WcXBFPl5TODg

Stage Mini Locally Grown Dance 2020 | 7:30 PM, 12/3 Thursday | Join the Cornell University Department of Performing and Media Arts for the premiere weekend of Mini Locally Grown Dance (MLGD) 2020 (December 3ñ5, 7:30 p.m., online). Reserve your free ticket at†schwartztickets. com. A link to the performance will be emailed to you prior to showtime. : Virtual FUNdraiser: Holiday Spirits With The Hangar | 6:00 PM, 12/5 Saturday | Virtual Event, | A virtual mixology event where youíll learn how to make your very own at-home cocktails and mocktails with a local bartender, enjoy artistic entertainment, and can bid on fantastic prizes from local businesses. | $25+

Art First Saturday on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail | 11:00 AM, 12/4 Friday | Various artists’ studios, Ithaca | Features open artist studios on the First Saturday of every month. On Saturday, December 5th, seven artists will open their studios to you! Visit ArtTrail.com to get the flyer with their addresses and enticements (sales, new exhibits, new work). Masks required.

CAP-a-Palooza Art Sale Extraordinaire! Fundraiser | 12:00 PM, 12/4 Friday | CAP ArtsSpace, 171

The Commons, Ithaca | The Community Arts Partnership’s annual CAP-a-Palooza is a sale of donated, previously owned art. All donated from community member’s attics and closets. Work is priced very low as our goal is to sell everything for this important annual fundraiser!

Find more information at ArtsPartner.org.

frontman Shane MacGowan from

CAP-a-Palooza Art Sale Extraordinaire! Fundraiser | 10:00 AM, 12/5 Saturday | CAP ArtsSpace, 171 The Commons, Ithaca | The Community Arts Partnership’s annual CAP-a-Palooza is a sale of donated, previously owned art. All donated from community member’s attics and closets. Work is priced very low as our goal is to sell everything for this important annual fundraiser!

Find more information at ArtsPartner.org.

der woman as she struggles with

CAP-a-Palooza Art Sale Extraordinaire! Fundraiser | 12:00 PM, 12/6 Sunday | CAP ArtsSpace, 171 vThe Commons, Ithaca | The Community Arts Partnership’s annual CAP-a-Palooza is a sale of donated, previously owned art. All donated from community member’s attics and closets. Work is priced very low as our goal is to sell everything for this important annual fundraiser!

Find more information at ArtsPartner.org.

Virtual Cinemapolis: 76 Days | All Day 12/4 Friday | On January 23rd, 2020, China locked down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, to combat the emerging COVID-19 outbreak.

Set deep inside the frontlines of the crisis in four hospitals, 76 DAYS tells indelible human stories at the center of this pandemic. | 3 day rental available for $12

filmmaker Julien Temple. | 3 day rental available for $12 Virtual Cinemapolis: Markie in Milwaukee | All Day 12/4 Friday | Assembled from over 10 years of footage, Markie in Milwaukee tells the story of a Midwestern transgenthe prospect of de-transitioning under the pressures of her fundamentalist church, family and community. | 3 day rental for $12 Virtual Cinemapolis: Zappa | All Day 12/5 Saturday | With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, ZAPPA explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. | 3 day rental available for $12

herd’s Creek Alpacas, 5797 Stillwell Rd, Trumansburg | The alpacas will be greeting Holiday visitors, posing for pictures & hoping for treats every Saturday through Christmas from 10 - 4!† Visit our Alpaca Shop where we have a wide selection of unique and beautiful alpaca gift items.

Special Events The Ithaca Music Forum presents Dr. Doug Turnbull | 5:00 PM, 12/4 Friday | In this talk IC’s Dr. Turnbull will provide a brief introduction to music recommendation, the long-tail consumption model, and popularity bias, as well as efforts at IC to investigate fairness in music recommendation and to develop apps that are designed to support locally-focused music discovery.

Email psilberman@ithaca.edu for Zoom registration link.

The Winter Wonder Wander at Tag’s | 5:00 PM, 12/4 Friday | Tag’s, 3037 State Route 352, Big Flats | A walk-through experience with over 500 wooden cut outs of favorite holiday characters. Vendors on site.

Fridays thru Sundays from 5PM-9PM until January 2, 2021.

Holiday Open Farm Days at Shepherd’s Creek Alpacas! | 10:00 AM, 12/5 Saturday | Shep-

Virtual Gingerbread House Build | 7:00 PM, 12/5 Saturday | Fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties.†Kits for the event are limited, so be sure to register and reserve yours today at https://tchabitat.com. Participants will receive additional event information after registration, including details to† pick up your kit locally. Anyone interested may also call (607) 8443529 or email shannon@tchabitat. com with questions.††

will share his book and writing process, as well as advice about writing and publishing nonfiction.†To register and receive Zoom link for participation, visit https://www. tcpl.org

Notices Ithaca Rotary Club Weekly Meeting | 12:15 PM, 12/2 Wednesday | Ithaca Rotary Club meets every Wednesday via zoom. This week’s program is the Pride of Ownership Awards, presented jointly by Ithaca Rotary and the City of Ithaca. Please visit www.ithacarotary.com†to request an invite and link to the meeting.

Critical Moves: Performance

Books

in Theory & Movement | 1:25

Buffalo Street Books presents: Josh Swiller in Conversation with Leslie Daniels | 7:00 PM, 12/3 Thursday | Join BSB for a very special event! Fellow Ithacan Josh Swiller will be launching his new YA book, Bright Shining World, with fellow local author Leslie Daniels!Visit BSB’s web site for Zoom registration link.

Anacaona Rocio Milagro visit Profes-

PM, 12/3 Thursday | Rich Villar and

Virtual Author Talk with Pete Croatto | 12:00 PM, 12/8 Tuesday | Author of†From Hang Time to Prime Time: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-Day NBA,

sor Karen Jaimeís ‘Spoken Word, Hip-Hop Theater, and the Politics of Performance’ course. Register at†https://pma.cornell.edu/

Health Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings | 9:00 AM, 12/7 Monday | Every day, 9:00am, Daily Ithaca Group, Zoom ID 567 306 773, Dial in: 929-205-6099.

Contact dailyithacagroup@gmail. com for the password.

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Virtual Cinemapolis: Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan | All Day 12/4 Friday | A cinematic exploration of Pogues De c e mb e r

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Town & Country

Classifieds In Print

|

On Line |

10 Newspapers

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

AUTOMOTIVE

| 59,200 Readers

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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Firefly Fields Tree Farm 576 Nelson Rd Weekends 607-227-3502

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JOIN CUB SCOUTS

All boys and girls, grades K to 5 can find out about joining Cub Scout Pack 3 on Saturday, December 5th at 1 PM in the Art Building at the Tburg Fairgrounds.

For more information, contact Pete or Karen Salino, 607-277-5509, ksalino59@ gmail.com

Top Dollar Paid Cash Firearms and Military Items Buying and Selling Guns & Ammo Estates or Collections Single Item or Entire Collections. 332 North Street, West Winfield, NY 13491; 315-7949134. (NYSCAN)

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Since 1984 802 W. Seneca St. Ithaca 607-272-1711 fax: 607-272-3102 www.fingerlakeselectric.com

Marathon Central School Positions for 2020-2021: High School Cheerleading Coach.

Please forward a resume to: Todd James, Marathon Central School, PO Box 339, Marathon, NY 13803. Deadline November 30, 2020.

COMMUNITY

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Custodial Worker I

CONNECTIONS COORDINATOR: The William George Agency is a residential treatment center, licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services. We are looking for a CONNECTIONS Coordinator who has a dual role of performing a quality assurance function, as well as a training function for system users.

CONNECTIONS is a web-based system which houses child welfare case information. We are looking for a candidate with a Human Services undergraduate degree and both child welfare and computer software skills.

MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT: A Part-Time position, working with adolescents in a residential treatment facility.

Evening (4pm-12:30am) and overnight (12:30am-9:00am) weekend shifts. Supports the daily operations of the medical clinic by assisting residents, documenting and filing pertinent medical information, documenting medical information in the CONNECTIONS medical tab, and assisting the Office Manager in general administrative duties.

Salary: $31,200.00 F/T Minimum, Overtime available, Full-time/Part-time, Flexible Hours. Benefits: Health/ Dental/Vision/Life. 401K, Personal & Sick time. Meals provided on duty.

Vacation:Generous Vacation Package.

Requirements: Valid NYS Driver’s License. Diploma/GED. To learn about the agency and our open positions, visit us online at: www.wgaforchildren.org or call 607844-6460

ACTIVE DUTY & MILITARY VETERANS!

(Substitute, Part-time)

OCM BOCES has the need for a part-time substitute Custodial Worker I, available at multiple locations within Cortland County. Responsible for routine building cleaning tasks, cleaning ceiling vents, changing lights, washing windows, toilets, fixtures, collecting trash, minor maintenance and repair on equipment, and maintaining inventory of supplies and equipment. Send letter of interest and resume to: OCM BOCES, Personnel Department/ Recruitment Office, PO Box 4754, Syracuse, NY 13221. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

Innovative Education English Teachers

OCM BOCES Seven Valleys New Tech Academy, Cortland Campus, is recruiting a full time secondary ELA teacher. We are seeking an ELA teacher able to create and maintain a student-centered classroom that supports the principles of project-based learning. Our Innovative Education staff members are collaborative, integrate, technology into the curriculum, and connect with local businesses and community agencies to build academic partnerships. NYS secondary ceritification is required. These positions will begin on or about December 1,2020. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply by 11/20/20 at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at: www. ocmboces.org EOE

WE ARE HIRING!

MEDICAID MANAGED CARE LIAISON SUPERVISOR: The William George Agency is a residential treatment center licensed by OCFS which has a 29I medical clinic on our campus. We are looking for a Medicaid Managed Carbe Supervisor to oversee our contracts as well as the billing process with managed care organizations. Candidates should have proficiency in medical billing experience in a medical setting, with exceptional customer service skills. Prior supervisory experience is preferred.

YOUTH CARE SPECIALIST: A Full-Time position, working with adolescents in a residential treatment center. 3 ½ days on, 3 ½ days off. This position focuses on relationship-building, mentoring, and helping youth build self-reliance and independence.

AWAKE OVERNIGHT COUNSELOR: A Full-Time position, working with adolescents in a residential treatment center.

5-day work week. This position provides overnight supervision of residents and general recordkeeping and reporting.

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WE’RE HIRING Royal Auto Group

TECHNICIANS NEEDED! Royal Nissan Subaru & Royal Chevrolet has Immediate Openings. ALL SKILL LEVELS. Offering: Paid Training, Benefits, Paid Vacation. Pay Commensurate with Experience. Contact Dave Edwards, Service Manager, in confidence at: 607-7567555 or dedwards@royalautogroup.com SALES CONSULTANTS NEEDED! No Experience Required. Paid Training, Benefits, Paid Vacation, $26,000 Plus Commission. Join the Busiest Sales Floor in the Area. Contact Joe Reagan, Owner, in confidence at: 607-756-7555 or jreagan@royalautogroup.com

Begin a new career and earn your De-

gree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical

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PIANOS

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South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca, NY

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If you have information regarding alleged abuse or its cover-up involving these men, ACT NOW.

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BackPage

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

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

CLEANING SERVICES RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

AAM

Looking to Boost your Holiday Business this year?

Call Larry at 607-277-7000 ext 214 Find out about great holiday ad packages at

Ithaca.com & Ithaca Times

ALL ABOUT MACS

INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP

Men’s and Women’s Alterations

Macintosh Consulting

607-227-3025 / 607-697-3294

for over 20 years Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair.

(607) 280-4729

Peaceful Spirit Acupuncture Anthony R. Fazio, L.Ac., D.A.O.M.(c) www.peacefulspiritacupuncture.com

Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-7777

“The Best Sub

John’s Tailor Shop

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The Roberts Family Tree Farm, Groton Pesticide/herbicide free

No Health Insurance? No Problem!

Free Medical and Holistic Care!

Choose & Cut Xmas trees Come see Socially-distanced Santa on Dec 6 from

Medicaid Enrollment & Medical Debt Advocacy Ithaca Free Clinic (607)330-1254

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11am-2pm Google/Facebook for hours, info and directions

607 391-2227 Oil Change

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Ithaca Auto Service

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607-220-9183

Marathon Central School Positions for 2020-2021: High School Cheerleading Coach Please forward a resume to: Todd James, Marathon

READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS? We reach more Ithacans in more ways than anyone!

For more info call 607-277-7000 x214 or email Larry@ithacatimes.com

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308 E. Seneca Street * Ithaca 845-244-0868

Buy Local Issue - November 24 Holiday Gift Guide - December 9 Last-minute Gift Guide - December 21