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From minor burns and UTIs to strains and sprains, Guthrie Ithaca City Harbor offers walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries, with no appointment needed.
Walk-in care is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends.
Guthrie Ithaca City Harbor Walk-in Care
720 Willow Avenue Ithaca, NY 14850
Josh Riley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Farmers, Reduce Grocery Prices Amid Bird Flu Outbreak
By Matt Dougherty
As cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continue to rise across New York, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) has introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at stabilizing grocery prices and improving efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
The Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act (HPAIA) seeks to expand financial assistance for farms affected by avian flu outbreaks. Under current federal guidelines, only farms with confirmed cases of HPAI are eligible for compensation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The new legislation would extend financial relief to all farms within a 10-kilometer control zone of a confirmed case, ensuring that poultry producers forced to halt operations due to the virus receive support.
“When a crisis hits, we can’t leave family farmers behind while big corporations drive up your grocery prices and their profits,” Riley said in a statement. “I’m proudly leading this bipartisan effort to ensure that when avian flu strikes, every affected farmer gets the support they need to keep their businesses running and keep prices down.”
The bill comes as avian flu spreads across Upstate New York, with recent cases confirmed in Tompkins and Seneca counties. According to a February 12 update from the Cornell Wildlife Health Clinic, HPAI has been detected in nearly 100 birds statewide since the start of 2025, with waterfowl and raptors among the most affected species. The clinic urges residents to report sightings of dead birds, particularly when multiple species are found in one location.
While the virus currently poses little risk to human health, its impact on poultry farms has been severe. When an HPAI case is identified, all farms within a designated control area must suspend operations until the virus is contained, a process that can take months. Without financial relief, many small and mid-sized farms struggle to stay afloat.
“The provision of indemnity payments to poultry growers and layers located in control areas adds a much-needed layer of protection for these farmers,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “When situations like HPAI arise, it’s critical that farmers who are affected not only get compensation pay, but also that they receive the pay on a timely basis. We appreciate Congressman Riley’s efforts to facilitate these measures.”
T ake n ote
X Dan Rosenberg Named Tompkins County Poet
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Legislature has appointed Dan Rosenberg as the county’s next poet laureate. Rosenberg, a Visiting Senior Lecturer at Cornell University, will serve in the honorary position throughout 2025, succeeding Janie E. Bibbie, who held the title from 2023 to 2024.
Rosenberg, who lives in Ithaca with his wife, poet Alicia Rebecca Myers, and their son, Miles, is an accomplished poet and translator. He is the author of Bassinet (2022), cadabra (2015), and The Crushing Organ (2012), all published by Carnegie Mellon University Press. His chapbooks include Thigh’s Hollow and A Thread of Hands, and he co-translated Hippodrome by Slovenian
Laureate
poet Miklavž Komelj. His work has received numerous accolades, including the American Poetry Journal Book Prize and the Omnidawn Poetry Chapbook Contest.
Established by the Tompkins County Legislature in 2001, the poet laureate program aims to celebrate outstanding local poets, integrate poetry into the community, and enhance the county’s cultural landscape. The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) oversees the selection process.
“We received nominations for nine outstanding local poets, each with unique ideas about how to put poetry in service to the community,” said Megan Barber, CAP’s executive
Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19) introduces the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act, a bipartisan bill designed to support family farmers, provide financial relief during avian flu outbreaks, and help lower grocery prices.
The spread of avian flu has caused grocery prices to climb as the virus continues to cause supply chain disruptions. The average price for a dozen eggs has increased from an already expensive $4.95 in January to more than $7.29 in February.
The USDA has reported that egg and poultry prices increased sharply in previous HPAI outbreaks due to widespread culling of infected flocks. Riley’s bill aims to mitigate these financial pressures by preventing farm closures and maintaining a steady supply of poultry products.
In addition to direct economic relief, the legislation emphasizes early detection
Continued on Page 15
THE WEB
director. “We are so excited about Dan’s appointment.”
Rosenberg expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the role poetry plays in fostering reflection and empathy.
“I believe poetry offers us valuable opportunities to slow down, to reflect, and to extend our empathy, and I’m excited to share these gifts with our whole community,” Rosenberg said. Tompkins County Legislator Susan Currie highlighted the significance of the position.
“The poet laureate plays an important role in uplifting the art of poetry in our community,” Currie said. “I am looking forward to Mr. Rosenberg’s words and his work bringing poetry into the lives of all of us in the county.”
F r EE lan CE rs : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, and Arthur Whitman
THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2024, BY NEWSKI INC.
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IN UIRING PHOTOGR PHER Q A
By Mark Syvertson QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
“DID YOU DO ANYTHING FUN DURING YOUR FEBRUARY BREAK?”
Tompkins County Legislature Approves Resolution to Arm Probation Officers Amid Public Safety Concerns
By Matt Dougherty
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Legislature voted 12-2 on Tuesday to approve a resolution authorizing the arming of designated probation officers, following months of policy development and community consultation.
The decision grants select officers in the Department of Probation and Community Justice the ability to carry firearms under specific circumstances, particularly when conducting searches for weapons or working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
The resolution builds on an initial authorization passed last year, pending the creation of a formal policy. Probation Director Dan Cornell emphasized that community input played a crucial role in refining the policy, leading to several key provisions.
The approved policy includes a requirement for probation officers seeking authorization to undergo psychological evaluations, mirroring the process for police officers. It also clarifies conditions under which firearms may be carried: probation officers will generally carry concealed when conducting home visits to avoid signaling their government affiliation, while open carry will be permitted when working in tandem with law enforcement.
Additionally, probationers will be notified if an officer assigned to their case is armed, and there is a provision allowing for the suspension of an officer’s right to carry under certain circumstances, such as personal issues that could affect their judgment.
While no specific funds were allocated in the 2025 budget for this initiative, Cornell assured legislators that existing travel and training funds would cover initial costs
Concerns Over Body Cameras and Accountability
The resolution sparked debate over whether armed probation officers should be required to wear body cameras. Legislator Travis Brooks argued that body cameras should be mandatory, particularly for warrant-related searches, mirroring practices of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Derek Osborne confirmed that all deputies wear body cameras during warrant executions.
“If our sheriff’s department wears body cams during this process, then probation should absolutely wear body cams.”
— Travis Brooks, Legislator
Cornell highlighted that nearly all counties in New York receiving Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) grants have armed probation officers due to the risks associated with conducting weapons searches. He noted that state parole officers are already authorized to carry firearms.
Cornell estimated that the earliest an armed officer could be deployed would be late summer or early fall.
“We’ve had incidents that we’ve seen across the nation, and we’ve been able to see what’s happened because of body cameras,” Brooks said. “If our sheriff’s department wears body cams during this process, then probation should absolutely wear body cams. It protects them, and it protects the folks that are in that house.”
Some legislators raised concerns about privacy rights, as probation officers often conduct home visits rather than arrests.
County Attorney Bill Troy acknowledged that any recording in a private residence would require careful policy consider-
ations but did not see it as an impediment to implementing body cameras under defined circumstances.
To address the issue, an amendment was added to the resolution requiring the Public Safety Committee to work with the Probation Department to develop a parallel policy for body camera use when armed officers conduct fieldwork.
The final vote saw two legislators, Amanda Champion and Shawna Black, oppose the resolution. Black commended Cornell’s approach and engagement with community concerns but ultimately could not support the measure.
“I’d love to support it, but in my heart, I can’t,” Black said. “I always want probation officers to be safe, but I can’t vote for this.”
Champion and other legislators acknowledged the controversial nature of the decision but recognized the department’s efforts to create a balanced policy. Legislator Veronica Pillar, who had initially been undecided, said the extensive community dialogue helped refine the policy in a way that made it more palatable.
“I attended one of the dialogue sessions with Mona [Harrington] and community members,” Pillar said. “It was good to see how hypothetical but very realistic situations were brought up, leading to changes like notifying other household members if an officer is armed.”
Legislator Anne Korman initially planned to vote against the resolution but changed her stance after the body camera amendment was introduced, emphasizing the need for an accountability framework.
“We went sledding and built a snowman. I played a lot of Switch too.”
Jayden
“I had a sleepover at my cousins’ house and we watched Frozen 1 and 2.”
Eden
“We went to New Jersey to see my grandparents and they took us to a trampoline park.”
Taylor
“Watched movies and played video games.”
Asher
“We went to Buffalo, went to the science museum, the children’s museum and swam in the hotel pool shaped like an ‘H’.”
Theo & Desmond
Tompkins County Probation Director Dan Cornell spoke to the legislature emphasizing the importance of community input in shaping the policy to arm designated probation officers. (Photo: File)
Legislator Travis Brooks advocates for requiring body cameras for armed probation officers, arguing that they are essential for accountability and public safety. (Photo: File)
Advisory Committee to Oversee Ithaca’s Homeless Encampment Response System
By Matt Dougherty
ITHACA, N.Y. — As Ithaca continues to navigate the complexities of managing homeless encampments on city property, a newly established Advisory Committee on the Encampment Response Protocol has begun its work.
The Common Council unanimously approved a resolution to establish the advisory committee during their meeting on Jan. 22. The committee aims to evaluate the city’s approach to encampments and recommend improvements to policies, protocols, and resource allocation.
The committee brings together a mix of city officials, law enforcement, outreach workers, and representatives from community partner organizations. Its members include Alderpersons Kayla Matos, David Shapiro, and Patrick Kuehl, who were appointed by the mayor. City Manager’s appointees include Deputy City Manager Dominick Recckio, who serves as chair, newly hired Encampment Response Coordinator Kanij Fateema, Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency Director Nels Bohn, Ithaca Police Department Chief Thomas Kelly, Human Services Coalition Director of Housing Initiatives Liddy Bargar, and REACH Medical Case Management Supervisor Anna Vergari.
“This committee has a significant role in shaping the city’s approach to one of its most complex social challenges,” Recckio said. “By combining perspectives from various stakeholders, we’re aiming for a more informed, compassionate, and effective response.”
The committee has been assigned to evaluate the effectiveness of Ithaca’s Pilot Administrative Policy to Manage Homeless Encampments and the Response Protocol to Unsanctioned Encampments on City Lands, both of which were adopted by the Common Council in 2023.
Key areas of focus include assessing how well the city communicates with campers and community partners, evaluating the transition resources offered to unhoused individuals, reviewing hazard remediation efforts for cleared campsites, determining whether designated nonenforcement zones meet the needs of campers, and tracking financial resources spent on managing encampments.
Recckio emphasized that the committee is working under a tight deadline. “We’re meeting biweekly through April to ensure we can make meaningful recommendations before the end of the Code Blue season,” he said, referring to the period when emergency shelters are required to open during extreme weather.
Deputy City Manager Dominick Recckio discusses the work of Ithaca’s Advisory Committee on Encampment Response, emphasizing the group’s focus on improving communication with unhoused residents, evaluating transition resources, and ensuring policies balance public space management with compassionate support.
needs and connect them with available services. If necessary, the site is posted with a notice informing occupants of the need to vacate, along with a timeframe for removal. If individuals remain, additional outreach is conducted, and in some cases, the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) may become involved.
UPS DOWNS&
Ups
The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) will be hosting its Annual Black History Month Talent Show on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. –8:00 p.m. at the Boynton Middle School Auditorium.
Downs
Correctional officers at Cayuga Correctional Facility have joined a growing wildcat strike across New York state prisons, protesting the HALT Act, staffing cuts, and safety concerns. Advocacy groups, including the Center for Community Alternatives, have condemned the strike, arguing it endangers incarcerated individuals by disrupting medical care, food distribution, and visitations.
HEARD SEEN& Heard
The Encampment Response Protocol outlines where camping is allowed on city property and the steps taken when unauthorized encampments are found. The policy designates a non-enforcement zone in the Southwest Park area, a 28acre space located behind Walmart and the recycling center. This area, which includes an access road, was chosen to provide a temporary space for unhoused individuals who cannot secure housing or other resources. Campers in this zone are generally not subject to enforcement actions unless an emergency response is required.
Camping is prohibited on “actively managed” city properties, which are areas used for specific public purposes, such as parks, trails, natural areas, and parking garages. When an encampment is reported in these areas, outreach workers engage with individuals to understand their
“Actively managed properties are prioritized for community use, and we work to ensure that any interactions with unhoused individuals in these areas are handled with respect and care,” Recckio explained. Lightly managed city properties, which are not actively maintained or used for specific purposes, are treated with greater flexibility. However, the city still seeks to engage with individuals in these areas to offer support and resources.
In 2024, a total of 21 encampment sites were reported and addressed by city officials. These sites were spread across the city, with no significant concentration in any single area. Recckio clarified that not all reports involved full encampments. “In some cases, it was just an individual with their belongings sleeping outside in an area that required outreach,” he said. “The term ‘encampment’ can mean different things depending on the situation.”
The city has compiled data on these sites, including their locations, interactions between outreach workers, law enforcement, and campers, resources offered, challenges faced, and any cleanup efforts conducted by the Department of Public Works. “We’re using this data to identify gaps in our response and make evidencebased recommendations,” Recckio said.
One of the challenges the city faces is when individuals are reluctant to relocate
The Ithaca Ale House is rallying community support for its chef, Jonah Sweet, who was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-andrun on Spencer Road in Ithaca on Feb. 15. Owner John O’Leary launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Sweet’s medical expenses, which had raised over $17,000 toward its $25,000 goal as police continue searching for the driver.
Seen
Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) invites the community to participate in our Community Health Survey, an opportunity to add your insights to the Tompkins County Community Health Improvement process (CHI Tompkins). The Community Health Survey is open to Tompkins County residents, ages 18 and over. Survey results are anonymous. The survey will run through the end of February 2025.
IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write editor@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”
Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
A map depicting the sanctioned encampment zone where unhoused residents are allowed to camp on city property. (Photo: City of Ithaca)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RE: Cornell Lawsuit Against NIH Cuts
“Over just the past decade, Cornell has become bloated with thousands of administrative staff. This was not the case previously.” — Steven Baginski
“I would have capped expenses at 0%.
Trump is too generous. I once worked for a company that automatically tacked on a 20% expense charge regardless of the real expenses. Personally, I’m pretty sure these indirect expenses are all fraudulent. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same indirect expenses are tacked onto multiple contracts. The only thing I’ll say about how Oliver Wyman charged for their expenses, they did include it in the proposal as a percentage of the fee, so it wasn’t misrepresented. Probably can't say the same for Cornell’s proposal to get these research grants.” — Robert Young
RE: Boycott Amazon
“A boycott is a protest, a withdrawal from commercial relations with an entity of
oppression. Boycotts of the past have been powerful. During the 1850s, Abolitionists refused to use cane sugar or wear cotton clothing because they had been produced with slave labor; in the 1960s we boycotted grapes, in the 1970s we boycotted in support of Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers.
A giant boycott is an action taken to impress oppressors of our collective power. On Friday, February 28, 2025, a boycott has been called in support of our diversity, our equality, and our power against those who control industry or attempt to subvert democracy.
Join us on Friday, February 28, from 12 pm to 11:59 pm, buy nothing. No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy. Do not spend money on: Fast Food: Gas: Major Retailers. Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non-essential spending. Show them that we have collective power and if a twelve-hour strike is not enough, the next time it could last longer.”
— Carol Kammen, Former Tompkins County Historian
RE: In Support of Mayor Cantelmo
“Ann Sullivan has inspired many as a colleague, local Democrat, and dedicated librarian at TC3. However, her recent comments about our Mayor miss the mark. During election season, I noticed Washington Park’s garbage cans overflowing with poop bags—an image that did our commu-
nity no favors. I called Mayor Rob directly, and he listened. Thanks to his prompt action, the park was cleaned up in weeks. Later, when a deer carcass appeared near the Children’s Garden and city staff claimed it wasn’t their responsibility, I called Rob again. He had it cleared in just two days! Now is the time to back a Mayor who listens and acts. Ann, please give Rob the credit he deserves. We need a leader who truly answers the phone!”—
Neil Zusman, Ithaca, NY
RE: Criticizing Mayor Cantelmo’s Approach to Governance
“Thank you, Ann Sullivan, for so clearly describing the current mayor’s autocratic attitude and apparent unwillingness to return to the city’s traditional means of public discourse. When Mr. Cantelmo was elected as mayor two years ago, he promised to re-establish the City’s advisory committees made up of citizen volunteers with expertise or knowledgeable interest in particular areas of municipal responsibility.
Toward this end, he appointed a committee from Common Council to review and make recommendations to re-establish advisory committees.
The work of this committee has been done for months. The mayor controls the agenda for the Common Council’s twice a month meetings. He has had plenty of time to put his promised re-establishment of advisory committees on the agenda. The refusal to put this subject on the agenda
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
continued from page 5
from encampments. Recckio emphasized that outreach workers play a key role in these situations. “The goal is always to connect individuals with housing and services,” he said. “IPD’s involvement is minimal and usually focused on maintaining positive relationships and ensuring public safety.”
The committee is also benchmarking Ithaca’s policies against national best practices. “We’re looking at strategies from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness,” Recckio said. “This includes focusing on equity, collaboration, housing supports, and crisis response.”
The committee has a packed agenda for its biweekly meetings, which are not open to the public. Upcoming discussions will focus on outreach workers’ experiences with campers, the effectiveness of the Southwest Park non-enforcement zone, hazard remediation efforts, and potential capital funding opportunities to address systemic challenges.
suggests that the idea behind delaying the formation of advisory boards may be that when the community doesn’t have a voice and loses interest, it’s so much easier to push through legislation.” — Ashley Miller RE:
Emergency Response Costs Taxpayers
“Last Friday morning I was driving out Warren Road past the Cornell Golf Course and I saw that a car had gone off the road and had its front end in a ditch. I stopped to see if the driver was all right and got a smile and a thumbs up so I continued on my way. As I proceeded along the road I saw three police cars, a fire engine, an EMT van, and an ambulance rushing toward the scene. Given the seeming non-emergency of the situation, I started to wonder how much this response was costing the taxpayers of our fair city. While I am unconditionally grateful that we have effective emergency services and dedicated first responders in Ithaca, I also wonder if it might be possible to have more measured (and less costly) responses to non-emergencies. Admittedly I don't know the details of the situation, but presumably the driver called 911 to get assistance and communicated to the dispatcher that he was not hurt and there was no danger, so why the need for such an extreme response? When a similar thing happened to me several years ago instead of calling 911 I called a tow truck. Fifteen minutes later and many dollars lighter I proceeded on my way. The sky remained firmly in its place.” — James Ferwerda
“We’re working to ensure that our recommendations are practical and impactful,” Recckio said. “This isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about addressing root causes and creating a system that works for everyone.”
As the committee continues its work, Recckio acknowledged the challenge of balancing public space management with the needs of the unhoused. “These are difficult conversations, but they’re necessary,” he said. “Our hope is to create a more compassionate and effective approach that prioritizes dignity and support.”
The Advisory Committee is authorized to operate through the end of 2025, pending legislative reauthorization. In the meantime, its members are committed to working quickly and thoroughly to address a complex issue. “We know this is a pressing issue for the community, and we’re committed to addressing it thoughtfully and collaboratively,” Recckio said.
For updates on the committee’s work or to share feedback, residents are encouraged to contact the City Manager’s Office.
Ithaca’s 911 Response Gaps:
CITY RESIDENT CALLS FOR COUNTY FLY CARS TO FILL CRITICAL EMS VOID
By James Smith, Local Paramedic
Tompkins County has instituted a countywide rapid medical response fly car system. I have asked the county to consider having them respond to the City of Ithaca. Let me tell you why. In the summer of 2022 Ithaca Fire Chief Parsons sent out a letter stating that the Ithaca Fire Department would no longer respond to over 50 Dispatch codes. That represents hundreds of 911 calls. No reason was given in this letter for the changes or what the criteria was used to pick which dispatch codes that IFD would no longer respond to. Some of these codes such as sudden headache, vision, problems, or numbness can be symptoms of a stroke. The standard of care for strokes is very time dependent.
This is problematic for several reasons. For example, you could live next to an Ithaca fire department station and call 911 for possible stroke symptoms, depending on how it was coded the Ithaca Fire Department would not respond If Bangs does not have an ambulance available you could be waiting for Trumansburg or Dryden ambulances to come into the city. This might be a 20 minute delay before EMS arrives and identifies whether or not you are possibly having a stroke and instituting care.
The residents of Ithaca need to realize that the Bangs ambulance station on State Street can be empty when the system is busy. The IFD is frequently the closest EMS response in the city, but if you call 911 they may not respond because of coding.
The Cayuga Heights Fire Department, a volunteer fire department, responds to all 911 dispatch codes and does lifting assistance for their residents also, IThe Ithaca Department has a budget of $14 million. Why can they not do the same?
We have a wonderful fire department. I’ve seen them in action for six years. They are professional, well trained, always willing to help and extremely kind to their patients. I am a city resident that’s why I want them to respond if I need to call 911. I have not talked to Chief Covert about this issue. That may be a mistake on my part and unfair to him, but I believe it is the responsibility of the city council to decide what type of fire and EMS service
we desire. It is up to the fire chief to let them know what resources are needed to achieve these goals. I think that a reasonable argument can be made that the fire department needs more resources. The city keeps on adding buildings like the Arthouse and Asteri which generate hundreds of additional calls for Police, Fire and EMS. The fire department has to respond to fires, gorge rescues, hazmat situations, confined space rescue, etc. We are lucky as a city to have a fire department that can do all of these things as professionally as they do them, but need to realize how much training and time is involved for them to achieve their high level of performance.
I have brought this subject up at the City Council meetings numerous times over the past two years. Over a year ago, the city council, the mayor and the new city manager, a copy of the dispatch codes that the fire department is no longer responding to, yet have not received any response. We need to have a public discussion about why the fire department is no longer responding to these dispatch codes. Was it Covid? Was it a lack of manpower? What was the criteria used to decide which Dispatch codes the fire department would no longer respond to? Why has the fire department not resumed responding to these codes? They were able to do it several years ago. What has changed? We deserve transparency from our government. It has been lacking on this issue.
Ithaca has a wonderful, functional fire department, but a less wonderful and dysfunctional city council. I have asked the Tompkins County Legislature to consider having their fly cars come into the city when IFD is not responding to 911 calls. I believe the City Council is failing the residents of Ithaca regarding 911 response. The Tompkins County legislature obviously believes rapid 911 response is a priority. Should their fly cars be coming into the city? In most cases no, the City of Ithaca has enough resources to meet the needs of its residents. With a recent 8% tax increase if the city cannot provide basic 911 response, they need to look at their priorities. The residents of Tompkins County have a government that is serious about public safety. The City of Ithaca is not so fortunate.
Let’s Talk About Roommates, Ithaca
By Emily Thuja, Ithaca resident
It has gotten expensive to live in Ithaca. Whether you rent or own, inflation has been brutal. At a time when we would like to be able to open our city to threatened people, even many of our current residents are being pushed out by high living costs.
Housing costs and tax costs are increasing for different reasons. Housing costs are up because, despite the building boom, the additional supply still has not kept up with market demand. Tompkins County Housing Snapshot provides a crucial clue as to why: in addition to population growth, household size has shrunk (a national trend). So even though more units were built, fewer people live in each unit. It is a positive economic indicator that so many can afford to expand their footprint this way. But greater demand for space raises overall prices for individuals who might not share the same privilege. Rising taxes are harder to explain. You’d expect population growth to enable tax declines, as more people share the tax burden. It’s a sad local feat that Ithacans’ costs increase on both fronts. This scenario frankly should prompt soul-searching for our public officials, especially those who rightly prioritize lowering living costs for those less privileged. Around 1 in 4 tenants sees 50%+ of their income eaten up by rent. The portion of rent that goes to taxes is often over 20%. School, city, and county taxes are high enough to tip renters from “cost-burdened” to “severely cost-burdened.”
At the city budget meeting in November, people crowded in to speak against proposed tax increases. Some even faced the wrenching prospect of moving away from the home they love. But it was too late for meaningful changes to the budget, so city residents must shoulder a 7% increase in 2025. This year, taxpayers–owners and renters alike–should keep the pressure on officials to control costs in the next budget. But that hypothetical budget is a year away, and people are hurting now. What to do?
There is a wonderful solution for many, if not all: Get a roommate. Or a housemate. A creative communal arrangement. A multi-generational home. Co-living is a beautifully rational response to higher housing costs, and it counters shrinking household size. If you are a tax-burdened, fixed-income homeowner, find a house-
mate to rent the spare bedroom. If you are a rent-burdened tenant, get with friends to share an apartment next year. Yes, there are counterarguments. It’s not that simple. What if the roomie is a jerk, or a slob, or loud, or crazy? What if they can’t pay, or there’s drama? Those are legit concerns. Sharing space is serious business, and a thoughtful approach is warranted. But while considering downsides, envision some upsides too: What if you have help shoveling snow this winter? What if there’s someone to commiserate with,when fresh hell comes out of Washington? What if you have a ride when your car breaks down? What if you’re introduced to your new favorite musician or show?
Even better reasons to consider co-living: It is very good for the climate. Thousands commute into Ithaca. If more people lived in each city residence, it could shrink the distance between people and their destinations, lessening reliance on gas vehicles. Home energy use could be more efficient, as more people per unit are warmed by gas heat or cooled by air conditioners. Chances are, 500 city residents getting roommates would do more for the climate than Ithaca’s much-touted Green New Deal.
It can counter inequality. America has big inequality problems. A major contributor to inequality is economic and racial segregation, both intentional and incidental. Ithaca is awfully segregated, it mostly boils down to who can afford to live near opportunity. Co-living counters the demand problem that drives up costs and disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable.
It promotes wellbeing. Humans are social creatures. Desire for connection is baked into our DNA. And it is vital to our health. Less isolated people live longer, healthier lives, plus have more robust mental health. Sure, you’ll catch the occasional cold from your roomie. But they can also help you decompress after a long day, or nudge you toward better self-care. And you could do the same for them.
Co-living can’t solve every Ithacan’s affordability problem. Many already have housemates; others may have considered it and it wasn’t workable. There are costs to having a roommate, which should not be ignored. But the question shouldn’t be, “Are there costs?” It should be, “Might the benefits outweigh the costs?” Think about it. It may work out even better than you hoped.
TCAT Workers Rally Amid Ongoing Contract Negotiations With Management
By Matt Dougherty & Maddy Vogel
ITHACA, N.Y. — As contract negotiations between Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) workers and management continue, TCAT workers represented by UAW Local 2300 organized a rally outside TCAT headquarters located at 737 Willow Ave in Ithaca on Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The demonstration comes in response to management’s latest contract proposal, which union leaders say fails to adequately address key economic issues, including wage increases, retention incentives, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). TCAT workers have been working without a contract since their last contract expired on Dec. 31, 2024.
In a statement released on Feb. 17, the UAW Local 2300 bargaining team acknowledged some movement from both sides but noted significant discrepancies in cost estimates for various proposals. Additionally, the union expressed frustration that TCAT’s most recent offer, presented on Feb. 13, did not reflect an understanding of UAW’s priorities.
“Management continues to reject proposals on the issues of double-time pay and retention incentives,” the bargaining team
wrote. “UAW is continuing to negotiate on these issues, as well as all issues around 401(k) contributions, wage increases, holiday pay, and COLA.”
The union’s push for higher wages and benefits comes amid ongoing concerns about recruitment and retention within TCAT’s workforce, which has struggled with staffing shortages since the pandemic. Union representatives argue that improved compensation and incentives are necessary to attract and retain skilled transit workers and ensure reliable bus service for the Ithaca community.
While negotiations remain ongoing, both sides have agreed on smaller provisions, including shift differentials, training premiums, and tool and shoe allowances. However, union leaders are calling on members and supporters to mobilize without a resolution on the core economic issues.
While TCAT workers organized with UAW have not yet voted to authorize a strike, workers at the Friday rally said that a strike wasn’t out of the question. “[A strike] is very feasible,” said Jesa Scott, who has been a Transit driver at TCAT for nearly seven years. “I’m not sure if this will give them a message that we are coming togeth-
Since 2023, TCAT service has fluctuated due to staffing shortages, funding uncertainties, and fleet challenges, but recent improvements in hiring and route reliability have helped stabilize operations. Ridership has increased by more than 20% from 2023 levels, though it remains below pre-pandemic figures. (Photo: File)
er and we are not playing games. [...] It definitely looks like it might be a thing.”
Scott told the Ithaca Times that negotiations have “been going really well,” saying that union leaders have “come to an agreement with TCAT about a couple of things [but] now we’re in the economics part, and there’s been a little bit of a struggle.” Scott said, “They’re slowly coming up with the amount of wages they would like to pay us, but it's pennies, it’s miniscule compared to what we deserve and what we think we need to keep people.”
According to Scott, “A lot of the new proposals that we put in were flat-out rejected. There was no real back and forth, there was no real negotiating with the new proposals.” She added, “There’s a lot that we could come to terms with. It’s not like ‘agree with us or out.’ We want to negotiate.”
align with their schedules to compensate for a shortage of drivers.
According to Scott, even if a worker requests off certain days of the week, TCAT can mandate them to work a certain shift, even if it isn’t on their availability. She explained that workers get paid double time if they work their entire work week and volunteer to come in, but that mandated hours are not paid double time.
“There’s a lot that we could come to terms with. It’s not like ‘agree with us or out.’ We want to negotiate.”
— Jesa Scott, TCAT Driver
Scott said that one of the main points of the negotiations has centered around “mandated hours” that require TCAT drivers to work extra shifts that often don’t
“A lot of the brand new people who come in get their license, and they realize that they're going to get mandated hours that will give them the worst schedules they could possibly have, so they quit,” Scott said. She added that this results in TCAT wasting money on training drivers, only for them to quit upon receiving their schedules. “TCAT has paid for the training, and they paid for the license. I think it’s a couple thousand dollars for a person to get trained [and] it’s not worth paying all that money just to treat them like they’re disposable.”
Scott added, “We have an extreme shortage of drivers… I just had somebody on the
Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) workers organized with UAW Local 2300 and TCAT management continue contract negotiations after their last contract expired on Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo: Maddy Vogel)
concern, particularly following a directive from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation linking grant eligibility to local compliance with federal immigration enforcement.
“Bearing in mind that the direct recipient of TCAT’s federal grant funding is Tompkins County, which has been identified as a so-called ‘sanctuary jurisdiction,’ we’re not sure where this new directive will leave us,” Dawson said. “TCAT will continue to face a fiercely competitive labor market where mechanics and people with commercial driver’s licenses are in high demand and not widely available,” Dawson said.
bus tell me [they could] go to TCAT and get a license and go work somewhere else where they won’t do this to us and won’t have to work these ridiculous hours we get mandated.”
Scott continued by saying that consistent staffing shortages have caused workers to suffer from burnout. “The driver shortage has been really bad. They tried to do incentives like double time and premium pay [but] after a while, it wears you thin,” Scott said. “It’s just not worth it. I’m not going to spend my life here and not at home with my children for double-time pay.” She added, “I’ve been here seven years, and I’ve worked six days a week since the beginning… There are a lot of people who are below me, and they feel like they have no choice. They feel like they have to choose TCAT over their family.”
TCAT has made significant strides in improving service reliability and management stability over the past year, but according to Tompkins County Legislator Deborah Dawson, the organization continues to face funding uncertainties and workforce shortages.
Speaking at a recent county legislature meeting, Dawson, who previously served as chair of the TCAT board of directors, provided an in-depth overview of TCAT’s financial structure, recent operational improvements, and the challenges ahead in 2025.
According to Dawson, TCAT faced severe staffing shortages at both the management and operational levels at the start of 2024.
“TCAT started 2024 without a controller, without an HR manager, and without a service development manager,” Dawson said. “We also had two unfilled assistant general manager positions, and the general manager had announced his impending retirement.”
In addition to leadership vacancies, TCAT struggled to maintain service lev-
els due to a lack of drivers, mechanics, and functioning buses.
“Shortages of drivers, mechanics, and buses meant that TCAT was missing hundreds of scheduled route runs every month,” Dawson noted. The service gaps made it difficult for TCAT to meet its contractual service hours with Cornell, which directly affected revenue.
Additionally, TCAT’s farebox system was not functioning on many buses, leading to a drop in fare revenue. However, a “hold harmless” policy from New York State helped cushion the financial impact by maintaining STOA payments at pre-pandemic levels. Another challenge arose when TCAT failed its 2023 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Triennial Review, temporarily withholding some federal grant funds.
Despite these difficulties, TCAT made notable improvements by the end of 2024 in hiring a new leadership team — including a new general manager, controller, HR director, and service development manager.
Service reliability also improved significantly.
“In December 2024, we only missed 167 out of over 19,000 scheduled runs,” Dawson said. Additionally, TCAT has installed a new farebox system, leading to an increase in fare revenue.
By the end of 2024, Cornell and TCAT had also renegotiated their service agreement to set more realistic service hour targets, and TCAT had reached a new fare agreement with Ithaca College for its riders. Ridership has now increased by more than 20% from 2023 levels, though it remains 27% below pre-pandemic figures.
Despite TCAT’s progress, the transit system continues to face several uncertainties in 2025. Federal funding levels remain a
Additionally, TCAT’s fleet remains in need of upgrades. Seven of its batteryelectric buses, manufactured by Proterra, were taken off the road due to a design defect. While new diesel, hybrid, and electric buses have been ordered, their arrival timeline remains uncertain.
“We look forward to working with the UAW to offer our UAW represented employees a new contract with competitive wages and benefits that also ensures that TCAT can continue to operate sustainably in an era of uncertainty regarding the future of transit funding.”
— Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones, TCAT General Manager
In response to questions regarding the status of the negotiations, TCAT General Manager Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones told the Ithaca Times, “Negotiations remain ongoing and currently we have agreed on record-setting premiums for night work and training rates, we have expanded the minimum rest period and significantly increased shoe and tool allowances.”
He continued saying that the most recent proposal to the UAW would raise the starting wage for bus operators to $26.94/hr.
“This would be the highest pay for a public transit system in upstate NY,” RosenbloomJones said. The starting rate for mechanics would be the second highest for public transit systems upstate, at $28.25/hr. “Maximum wages for operators and mechanics would be among or above the highest for upstate systems, with the maximum rate achieved after completion of the third year of employment.” He added, “Other unionized positions such as bus handlers and custodians would see significant raises as well.” Regarding to possibility of a strike and the impacts it would have on TCAT service, RosenbloomJones said, “even though contingencies are in place, a strike would result in tremendous disruption to TCAT services and would have severe impacts on those who depend on TCAT to get to school, work, food outlets and critical medical appointments.” He added that the loss of ridership, fare revenue and STOA funding that would result from the strike would hurt the mutual goals of TCAT and UAW to return to pre-pandemic levels of ridership and transit service.
“We look forward to working with the UAW to offer our UAW represented employees a new contract with competitive wages and benefits that also ensures that TCAT can continue to operate sustainably in an era of uncertainty regarding the future of transit funding,” Rosembloom-Jones said.
While
both sides have reached agreements on some provisions, key economic issues — including wage increases, retention incentives, and cost-of-living adjustments — remain unresolved. (Photo: Maddy Vogel)
Jesa Scott, a TCAT driver for nearly seven years, speaks at a rally outside TCAT headquarters on Feb. 21, 2025. Scott and fellow UAW Local 2300 members are advocating for higher wages, better retention incentives, and improved working conditions amid ongoing contract negotiations with TCAT management. (Photo: Maddy Vogel)
Thanks, Coach
Cornell Honors Player, Captain, Coach, Schafer for Decades of Excellence
By Steve Lawrence
The Cornell men's hockey team will take a 6-0 home win anytime, but the shutout of St. Lawrence came at a great time.
When a weekend was centered around saying goodbye to head coach Mike Schafer, who has been a part of Cornell hockey since 1982, blanking an opponent in his final regular season home game was perfect.
As Schafer addressed the packed Moakley House at the Coach's Club Luncheon, he had to hand the mic to his wife, Diane, so that she could pinch-hit for him. He was sharing a letter from a former player, and while he got through part of it, it was just a little too deep and heartfelt for Mike to finish it.
At the luncheon, the Schafers were presented a gift from the Coach’s Club members (there are usually about 100
people at these gatherings), thanking them for their decades of service.
I thought back to the time I first met Schafer, 42 years ago. He was a confident — okay, cocky — freshman, and while he liked the rock star status of being a Cornell hockey player, he came to play. And he knew that to get that coveted ice time, he would have to earn it. And earn it he did, along with the level of respect that would enable him to be a team captain. A defenseman, Schafer did not shy away from contact, and a famous chant would echo off the rafters after #3 put yet another opponent into the boards.
After graduation, Schafer would do a few assistant coaching gigs to prepare himself for what many perceived as his destiny, and in the 30 years he led the Big Red, he has amassed over 550 wins (which puts him in the top 25 of collegiate coaches), 14 NCAA tournament
appearances (with a Frozen Four run in 2003), a dozen Coach of the Year awards, 13 Ivy titles, and two dozen of his players have gone on to play in the NHL.
While I have enjoyed writing about all of those achievements and accolades, my most memorable interview with Schafer involved his team's service work in the Dominican Republic. The coach was so
proud about how his guys put so much into building water systems, building homes and baseball fields, and improving schools. As he talked about it, I thought back to the 1980s, and I wondered if those chanting “Kill, Schafer, Kill!” would ever imagine replacing that with “Build, Schafer, Build!”
Cornell coach Mike Schafer started at Cornell as a freshman defenseman 42 years ago. He is leaving at the end of this season having won 13 Ivy League titles. (Photo: Cornell Athletics)
Ithaca College Revives The Anonymous Lover with Modern Elegance
By Barbara Adams
Adelicate and delicious confection was served up last week in Ithaca College’s Hoerner Theatre: six all-too-brief performances of “The Anonymous Lover,” an opéra comique first staged in 1780. Right from the twinkling tones of the overture, we enter into an exclusive world of grace and elegance, only with the setting updated to contemporary Manhattan.
On the Upper East Side, as in pre-revolutionary France, one’s social standing still matters: old money (represented by the vibrant young widow, Léontine) and new money (her close friend, the self-made Valcour). He’s besotted with her (and sending her unsigned love letters) and she him, but neither admits it to the other. Over two brisk acts, the slender plot strings this frustrated attraction along until all is happily resolved.
Light romance in 18th century opera is conventional enough; what’s less usual is that the composer here was a biracial free man of color –– Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de SaintGeorges. Born in Guadeloupe, West Indies, and educated in France, the multi-talented Bologne achieved widespread fame in his time as a fencer, athlete, dancer, and soldier. Having studied music from the age of 7, he also became a celebrated violin soloist, conductor, and composer.
Bologne was the first Black classical composer to achieve European recognition, and his complex and fascinating life is worth knowing more of, intersecting as it did with contemporaries like Marie Antoinette and Louis Philippe II. His acclaimed success is all the more interesting given the political, social, and racial conditions in France at the time. Happily, many achievements — symphonies, sonatas, and violin concertos — have endured, even after Napoleon’s attempted erasure and destruction of his work. But of his six operas, “The Anonymous Lover” is the only one to survive.
So it’s a gift to have seen Ithaca College’s production — ably directed by Olivia Gacka across the vast Hoerner stage, its spaciousness furthering the feeling of luxury. Aiden Connor’s spare set is tasteful, with only a few necessary properties (a refined desk, tall floral tables for the wedding reception). Behind the playing space, a curtain wall of open arches quietly reveals the orchestra. Johanna Tackitt’s downstage lighting is often sunny and upbeat, while the arches are washed with subtle color. Kerby Roenke’s costumes are handsome — especially Léontine’s elegant and fluid maroon-red gown. And her friend Jeanette looks like a cheerful French rosebud in her amusing wedding attire, a pink bustier with a tiny feathered skirt.
Christopher Zemliauskas’s orchestra fills the theatre with Bologne’s sparkling music
(never overshadowing the vocalists), the strings predictably defining the melodies. The libretto — a few ensemble numbers, but mostly rapid conversational duets — is by Desfontaines-Lavallée, based on a play by Madame de Genlis (a romance novelist and educational theorist whose life is as beguiling as Bologne’s).
In this production, Jillian LeBel is a restrained, sweetly (if too softly) voiced Valcour, full of self-doubt as he woos anonymously. His friend Léontine is fully embodied by Hayley Rayfield — handsome, sophisticated, poised yet warm. Rayfield’s vitality and expressiveness keeps us captive; her soprano is equally arresting. (Amelia Ostamendy played the role on alternate nights).
Another outstanding soprano is Lydia Smith as Jeanette, whose own success in love eventually inspires the distressed Léontine to risk expressing her feelings.
The “comique” aspect of this opera gets its due throughout in the helplessness of otherwise competent adults in the face of love. It also appears when Valcour literally hides in the bushes. But most of all it comes to life in the role of Ophémon, Valcour’s dedicated assistant, winningly played by baritone Matthew Amori. He’s the put-upon go-between, trying to keep confidences of both lovers yet unable to take any action of his own. It’s the comic
Continued on Page 14
Arts & Entertainment
In Ithaca College’s production of The Anonymous Lover, Valcour (right) reads one of his unsigned love letters as Léontine (left) and Jeanette (center) look on. The modernized staging of Joseph Bologne’s 18th-century opéra comique transported audiences to contemporary Manhattan.
Hayley Rayfield as Léontine expresses delight while reading a mysterious letter in The Anonymous Lover. The Ithaca College production reimagined the classic opera with an elegant, modern setting, showcasing the timeless nature of romance and intrigue.
What’s the Kava Bar Without the Kava?
By Maddy Vogel
Recent state legislation has barred a downtown social hub from selling its most noteworthy beverage — kava, a drink made from root of the Piper methysticum plant. Now, the business is rebranding.
The Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar, located on the corner of West State Street and South Geneva Street in downtown Ithaca, has been operating as one of Ithaca’s few non-alcoholic nightlife venues since 2014.
Rooted in Pacific Islander traditions, the beverage is commonly used to ease anxiety and promote mental and physical relaxation and saw a surge in popularity during the 1990s.
According to a press release from the lounge, Recent changes in New York State regulations have banned traditionally prepared kava from being served in licensed food establishments statewide
Health officials in New York City have shuttered the doors of kava bars, citing potential health risks associated with the beverage. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has cited numerous effects that kava can pose to overall health if prepared with non-traditional methods, including concerns of liver damage.
Although state legislation has not fully banned kava, it has presented challenges for Sacred Root as they work to continue operations under a new business model.
In a statement, the business wrote, “We’re here to contribute to our community, and right now we need to evolve. We invite Ithaca to grow with us. We are a town who honors our small local businesses. We survived the pandemic, and we will overcome this challenge as well.”
Now, after over a decade of being known to locals as the Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar, the business is undergoing a transformative rebrand and will now be known as The Nocturnal Café.
The café is planning to reimagine their menu while focusing on their mission honoring community connection, wellbeing, art, music and family. New menu items will include artisan coffees and teas,
mocktail elixirs, CBD-infused beverages, kombucha on draft and juice, paired with homemade desserts and snacks.
Although the business is changing its model, they’re still advocating for kava to be recognized as a safe beverage and have started a petition calling on local representatives to encourage New York State to recognize kava as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food item.
The Hawai’i State Department of Health
has recognized traditionally prepared kava as a GRAS item, acknowledging its cultural importance to Native Hawaiians. The petition started by Sacred Root to recognize kava as a GRAS item in New York State has garnered over 800 signatures since it was created on Feb. 3. The recently established café says that plans to reintroduce traditionally prepared kava to its menu “as soon as regulatory pathways allow.”
The café now offers artisan teas, mocktail elixirs, and CBD-infused beverages while continuing to advocate for kava’s recognition as a safe and culturally significant drink. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
(Photo: Mark Syvertson)
Events Downtown Ithaca to Host 27th Annual Chili Cook-Off on March 1
By Matt Dougherty
ITHACA, N.Y. — The 27th Annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off returns to the Ithaca Commons on Saturday, March 1, offering a flavorful escape from the winter chill.
The event is scheduled to run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature a variety
Event Details:
WHAT: 27th Annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off
WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Ithaca Commons
Ticket Sales: Pre-sale discounts available until February 26, 2025
of chili creations from local chefs and restaurants, craft beverage sampling, live entertainment, and community festivities. Last year more than 40 vendors participated in the event.
A staple of Ithaca’s winter event lineup, the Chili Cook-Off attracts food lovers from across the region eager to sample the best chili and chili-inspired dishes in the Finger Lakes. This year’s competition includes traditional categories, such as Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian/Vegan Chili, and the highly sought-after People’s Choice Award, which allows attendees to cast their votes for their favorite creation.
Beyond the traditional chili offerings, this year’s event will have a new category, Best Chili-Inspired Dish — allowing vendors to exhibit some extra culinary creativity.
VIP Experience: Includes Fast Pass access, 20 tasting tickets, and a collectible mug Continued
At last year’s event, the People’s Choice Award went to the Ithaca Waldorf School, the Best Meat Chili was awarded to Taverna Banfi at the Statler Hotel, and the Best Vegetarian Chili winner was Antlers Restaurant.
Local breweries, cideries, and wineries will also provide beverage tastings to complement the rich, hearty flavors of the event.
The annual event brings together food lovers for a day of friendly competition, community fun, and winter warmth.
A Flying Witch, Puppets, a Brave Heroine
Cherry’s Slavic Folk Fantasy Has a Lot to Hold a Young Audience’s Attention
By Ross Haarstad
Coming into the Cherry Artspace, I am greeted by a landscape of white birch trees cast across the light wood walls, one side mysteriously curtained off. Cricket or tree-frogs gently chirp, while children scamper over to the refreshment stand, or greet each other with fierce hugs. Older folks quietly peruse their programs.
Baba Yaga is the Cherry Arts Collective’s third family show, following The Snow Queen, and last year’s Peter and
Baba Yaga
The Cherry Arts Collective at the Cherry Artspace 102 Cherry St., Ithaca through March 2
The Cherry will also present live-streaming of the Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m. performances).
the Wolf. As with Peter and the Wolf, we are again in Slavic or Russian territory, enveloped in a fabulous children’s story full of terror, adventure and a scrappy hero. However this time it’s a young girl, Vasilisa (Lucy Prunine), who must be “brave, kind, and clever.”
Under director Jen Pearcy-Edwards (Peter and the Wolf), the entire ensemble has devised this work. Devised, in essence, means the cast helps write the show, often through improvisational theatre games.
Baba Yaga is a celebrated Slavic folk character, a witch who lives deep in the woods, has a house on chicken legs, and can fly. She also is said to eat children. Once again both humans and animals play a part in the story. With the simple addition of a hat and a reshaping of the body, a mother (Sylvie Yntema) also
becomes a wolf, a step-mother (Barbara Geary), a rumbling bear and a father (Arthur Groys), a crow. The animals befriend Vasilisa, and tell her to find three magic objects: a stone comb, a mirror and a handkerchief.
Adding to the story is a musician, Isaac Sharp, who sings a song about Baba Yaga, then provides guitar accompaniment throughout. Shadow puppets introduce the characters. And yes, Baba Yaga actually flies; aerialist/ actor Mara Neimanis (Air Heart) swinging out over the audience as the celebrated crone.
Mara Neimanis (Left) and Lucy Purnine (Right) In the Cherry Arts Collective’s newest production each encounter with Baba Yaga sees her twisting and turning in the air, levitated while sleeping, swooping down and up and sideways. (Photo provided by Cherry Arts)
It’s as if an illustrated children’s book exploded into the space of our watching eyes, ears and hearts. Probably one of those pop-up books. In under an hour we are taken through a village cabin, a dark woods, great mountains, a deep lake, a blizzard. If that isn’t enough, an actual house on chicken legs appears. Meanwhile each encounter with Baba Yaga sees her twisting and turning in the air, levitated while sleeping, swooping down and up and sideways.
This magical story takes place under an hour, and holds the youngest children’s attention. The actors apply bold colors to their characters: sweetness and a bit of fancy from Yntema’s mother, bewilderment and care from Groys’ father, a hint of imperiousness from Geary’s not actually evil stepmother.
ITHACA COLLEGE REVIVES
continued from page 11
servant role, classed up, and Amori delivers it with clever bits of visual humor.
In briefer roles, Jonathan Kuster plays Jeanette’s content groom and Anastasia Inglima Léontine’s close friend. A chorus of 13 others fills the stage with socialites and well-wishers, most blissfully unaware of the romantic drama swirling around them.
But we, at least, are carefully listening to those two lovers, their fearful
Neimanis is a comic grotesque as Baba Yaga, a twisted, snarling beast of a crone, who is wiser than she seems, but also a cracker of bad jokes (there’s a simply perfect fart joke!)
The physical movement has been coached by Robin Guiver, while musician Sharp also supplies the shadow puppetry. Groys, an Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA) and Artist Protection Fund Fellow in residence at Ithaca College, a Russian theater artist, adds his knowledge of the folktales. The evocative lighting is by Claire Chesne, while Norm Scott provides the projections. The soundscape comes from Rosalina Massey while Mo Dransoff provides the colorful yet simple costumes.
exchanges, their sense of hopelessness and fear of rejection. And in this charming narrative, Bologne keeps reminding us how to prevail: After all, no risk, no reward.
“The Anonymous Lover,” music by Joseph Bologne and libretto by Desfontaines-Lavallée. Directed by Oliva Gacka; musical direction by Christopher Zemilauskas. Performed at Ithaca College’s Hoerner Theatre.
Barbara Adams is a regional theatre and arts journalist and retired professor of writing, Ithaca College.
THANKS, COACH
And speaking of Schafer really leaning into an interview, I brought a guest to the luncheon, and she wanted to ask the coach a question about team culture. Despite the fact that the luncheon was over, and he had a million things to do to prepare for that evening’s game — and the next night's game, and the huge farewell party at the Statler after that — he gave her a long, engaged and compelling
27TH ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF
Sampling tickets are sold in multiples of 10, with each ticket redeemable for a 2-3 ounce sample of chili, chili-inspired food, or a craft beverage at participating vendor booths. Pre-sale tickets are available at a discounted rate from February 10 through February 26 at 3 p.m. After this deadline, prices will increase.
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased online or at the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) office using a credit card. Cash purchases are not accepted for pre-sales. Tickets purchased in advance may be picked up at
answer, making her feel as valued as a high-stakes hockey booster. He's a good boy, that Mike. (The farewell festivities were packed with former teammates, players and friends that came from many states and provinces.)
The dream of one last deep post-season run is alive and well, and the Big Red will wrap up the regular season on the road at Union and RPI. Post-season details to follow.
Somewhat lost in the all hoopla at the luncheon was the fact that it was also
the DIA office starting February 10 or at the event’s pre-sale/will-call tent on the day of the festival. As a special incentive, those who pick up their pre-sale tickets at the DIA office before February 26 at 3 p.m. will receive five additional tickets at no extra cost.
For an upgraded experience, attendees can purchase the VIP Experience package, which includes a VIP badge and lanyard granting access to the FAST PASS line at sample stations, 20 tasting tickets to kick-start their chili adventure, an exclusive Chili Cook-Off camping mug as a keepsake, and live entertainment and community engagement.
In addition to culinary delights, the event will feature live music and entertain-
the last (regular season) event for Dave Wohlheuter, who has been the President of the Coach’s Club for 25 years. Dave — who was the Sports Information Director at Cornell for 29 years before retiring in 1998 — put in countless hours to make the luncheons a great place for the Lynah Faithful to gather outside the rink, to interact with the coaches, and I hope people realize how big a role Dave has played in so many ways, for so many different Cornell programs. He is a tireless advocate, and Cornell is lucky to have him.
ment throughout the afternoon, creating a lively atmosphere for attendees. The Chili Cook-Off serves as an opportunity to celebrate Ithaca’s vibrant food scene, support local businesses, and bring the community together for a day of warm, flavorful fun. For additional information, including ticket purchases and vendor details, contact the Downtown Ithaca Alliance at (607) 277-8679 or info@downtownithaca. com
As winter grips the Finger Lakes region, the Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off promises a day of delicious competition, lively entertainment, and community connection — a perfect way to embrace the season with a steaming bowl of chili in hand.
continued from page 3
and containment measures to slow the spread of the virus. Farmers and agricultural groups have long advocated for a more proactive federal response to HPAI outbreaks, arguing that compensating all affected farms—not just those with confirmed cases—will help stabilize the industry.
“We have to act fast,” Riley said. “This bill is about making sure that family farmers don’t get left behind while corporate profits soar. By expanding financial support, we can help keep farms open, protect our food supply, and ensure that grocery prices remain fair for working families.”
The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both parties acknowledging the urgent need for expanded assistance. If passed, it could provide significant relief to farmers across New York and beyond as they contend with the ongoing avian flu outbreak.
Residents can report sightings of dead birds through the Cornell Wildlife Health Clinic’s Avian Influenza page, where additional resources and printable fact sheets are available.
