October 23, 2024 by Ithaca Times

PAGES 8-9

Teachers Rally for Increased Contribution from Cornell

CITY OF ITHACA

2025 BUDGET

PAGE 3

JUVENILE PROBATION OUTCOMES LAG BEHIND ADULTS

PAGE 4

SPCA DIRECTOR RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS

PAGE 6

POLISHING SHAKESPEARE AT THE KITCHEN THEATRE COMPANY

PAGE 11

“¿ARE WE THERE YET?” DOCUMENTARY AT CINEMAPOLIS PAGE 12

Ithaca’s 2025 Budget Proposes 8% Tax

Levy Increase

By Matt Dougherty

The Ithaca Common Council reviewed the City Manager’s proposed 2025 budget during their meeting on Wednesday. The total budget is $107.6 million, an increase of 6% from the $101.3 million allocated in 2024.

Under the proposed budget, the city’s tax rate is $11.87 per $1,000 of assessed property value, a slight decrease from last year’s rate of $11.98 per $1,000. However, due to rising property assessments, the city’s tax levy — the total amount of property taxes collected — will increase by 8.12%, bringing in $33.2 million in 2025 compared to $30.7 million in 2024.

For the owner of a median-priced home in Ithaca, valued at $350,000, this translates to an annual property tax payment of $4,155, approximately $537 more than the previous year.

“We’ve had to contend with multiple cost increases in 2025, from health insurance premiums up by 14% to an 8% rise in retirement costs,” City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff explained.

Labor contracts for city employees also factored into the budget increase, with negotiated raises between 3% and 3.5% across various bargaining units. Additionally, the city will absorb 22 new positions created in 2024 to bolster public safety and public works staffing.

The city’s sales tax revenue in 2025 is projected at $18.9 million, up from $18.5 million in 2024. Sales tax collections have shown a mixed trend this year, with a 1.7% dip in the first quarter but a recovery of 5.2% growth in the second quarter.

As usual, the largest parts of the City of Ithaca’s 2025 budet are allocated to the Department of Public Works (DPW) at $25.5 Million, and the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) at $16.2 Million. The average property tax bill is expected to be $537 more than last year. (Photo: City of Ithaca/Provided)

“We’re cautiously optimistic about the steadying of sales tax revenue, although economic pressures remain,” Mohlenhoff noted.

To address financial needs, water and sewer rates will see adjustments in 2025, with a 15% increase for water and a 13% increase for sewer services. These rate hikes come as fund balances for these essential services have been used to cover costs in previous years, and balances are now running low.

The fund balance, estimated at $24.5 million, and roughly $2.98 million from this reserve will support the 2025 budget, an increase from the $2.63 million utilized last year. The general fund, which encompasses essential city operations, will total $84.8 million in 2025, a 5% increase over the previous year.

The largest portions of Ithaca’s budget are allocated to core departments essential to city infrastructure and safety. The

Department of Public Works (DPW) will receive 29.8% of the funding, or approximately $25.5 million, to support services like street maintenance, parks, and facilities. The Ithaca Police Department (IPD) and Fire Department will receive 22.5% and 18.6%, respectively, addressing staffing and operational costs. Smaller allocations will go to the Youth Bureau (9.2%), Planning/Building Division (5.5%), and Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) (5.5%).

The budget proposes a debt service of $9.5 million, a 17% increase from last year. According to Mohlenhoff, “61% of our debt is tied up in long-term bonds. In 2025, we plan to pay down $4.5 million in principal while taking on new debt for planned

Continued on Page 7

X Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council Presents Long Range Transportation Draft Plan

The Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) is updating its Long-Range Transportation Plan for Tompkins County. The plan covers the 20-year period through 2045.

The purpose and primary objective of the transportation plan is to develop a common vision for the future of transportation in Tompkins County. A complete draft of the plan is available for review before it moves to the formal committee approval process. The deadline for comments is November 1, 2024. The ITCTC will review the plan at their November 5 meeting, with final approval expected at the December 17 meeting.

“We are in the final stages of the five-year update of the 2045 LongRange Transportation Plan,” stated Fernando de Aragón, director of the ITCTC. “The plan helps us define a transportation vision for Tompkins County and public input is essential.

We’ve heard from many people over the last year through direct contacts with the ITCTC and through our online survey. Now we have a draft plan and there is a final opportunity to provide input before the November 1 deadline.”

You can view both the current transportation plan and draft proposed update at the ITCTC web site: www.tompkinscountyny.gov/itctc/. Topics covered by the Long-Range Transportation Plan include: pedestrian and bicycle transportation, traffic circulation, maintenance of infrastructure, safety, transit, trail development and more.

For additional information or to provide your input you may contact the ITCTC at 274-5570, email itctc@tompkins-co.org, go to the agency web site at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/itctc/lrtpupdate, or visit the ‘IthacaTompkins County Transportation Council’ on Facebook.

ON THE COVER:

The Ithaca Teachers Association held a rally last Wednesday to call on Cornell to increase its voluntary contribution to the Ithaca City School District from $650,000 to $10 Million.

WEB

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

All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable. All copy must be received by Friday at noon. The Ithaca Times is available free of charge from various locations around Ithaca. Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $89 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607277-1012, 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. FoundEr good t MEs gazEttE:

IN UIRING

PHER Q A

By Mark Syvertson QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN?”

Juvenile Probation Outcomes Lag Behind Adults in Tompkins County, New Public

Data Dashboards Show

By Matt Dougherty

The Tompkins County Department of Probation and Community Justice has launched a new set of public data dashboards that feature real-time data on case types, demographics, contact frequencies, and case outcomes. The dashboards also reveal that juvenile case outcomes are worse than those for adults.

In a statement announcing the launch of the dashboards, Director of Probation and Community Justice Daniel Cornell said that he hopes they will help the community “see the work that our department does and the positive impact we have on the community.”

Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes celebrated the launch of the dashboards. “I’m glad to see the increased transparency from Probation and many of our County departments.” She continued, “This information will help the public better understand how we serve clients and deliver program outcomes.”

Holmes added that she was “very glad to see demographics of the people we serve through these programs included in the dashboard” and that the dashboards will align with the county’s Strategic Operations Plan, which promotes Alternatives to Incarceration.

The statement announcing the dashboards also stated that the Department of Probation and Community Justice will stop publishing annual reports and elect to periodically update the dashboards with new data.

Adult Dashboard

The dashboard reveals that in 2024, probation officers made 16,779 contacts with individuals under supervision, 1,118 of which were face-to-face field contacts. Office contacts were the most frequent, totaling 6,727, followed by 5,166 telephone contacts. Other significant types included email (1,750), court appearances (929), and home visits (826). The dashboard shows a peak in office contacts in May, reflecting the department’s commitment to maintaining consistent communication with clients.

The data also shows that 57% of adult supervision cases closed successfully so far this year, meaning clients either completed their probation or were discharged early, with 43% of cases closed unsuccessfully, typically due to violations of probation

or new convictions. Among closed cases, misdemeanors comprised 74%, and felonies 26%. Demographically, adult supervision clients are 69% male and 31% female, with 75% identifying as White and 21% identifying as Black. A majority of clients fall between the ages of 20 and 39. Cornell said that adult probation outcomes in 2024 have been worse than in previous years. "We were usually looking at success rates in the mid-70s, and we’re significantly down.” He added, “I would attribute that to lack of access to resources; we’re down to one substance abuse treatment agency, and there’s a backlog at the mental health clinic.”

Juvenile Dashboard

The dashboard shows 28 completed investigations for juvenile cases in 2024, covering Juvenile Delinquency predisposition cases (57%), adoption cases (39%), and Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) pre-disposition cases (4%).

Demographically, the juvenile population under supervision is 86% male, 75% White, 11% Black, and predominantly under the age of 19. In family court cases, probation recommendations often include adoption (32%) and probation (21%), along with transfers out of local jurisdiction (18%) and placements with the local Department of Social Services (14%).

The dashboard also reveals juvenile supervision outcomes, which have a significantly lower success rate compared to adults. Only 36% of juvenile supervision

“I’m going to be Elsa.”

Eden

“A pirate. But not Jack Sparrow. Just a normal pirate.”

Asher

T: “Inflatable Mario riding a Yoshi.” D: “Spiderman.”

Theo & Desmond

“I’m either going to be a princess or a parrot. I have two costumes but I can’t decide.”

Taylor

Jayden

While outcomes for adults on probation were successful in a majority (57%) of cases, Probation Director Dan Cornell says that this is worse than previous years, when successful outcomes were in closer to 70%. (Photo: Tompkins County Department of Probation & Community Justice)

Juvinile probation outcomes have been more unsuccessful due to limited access to critical services, recent changes in state laws, and challenges related to family involvement. (Photo: Tompkins County Department of Probation & Community Justice)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RE: Lea Webb vs. Mike Sigler

“Lately, there doesn’t seem to be much initiative fromRepublicans to craft or support meaningful bipartisan legislation that actually benefits middle-class Americans. Most Republicans nowadays appear to be more concerned with legislating constituent’s private, personal matters than mitigating our kitchen table concerns. If they really wanted to address what they often cite as interminable national issues, they would have passed the bipartisan border deal that was drawn up by James Lankford (OK), one of their own, most conservative, senators.When you run on a platform deriding the system, I guess it behooves you to make that system appear dysfunctional, even if it means throwing your own colleague under the proverbial bus. Which leads me to the great struggle between capital and labor. A good, honest politician is a referee between the two, making sure free markets have the means to grow, while simultaneously ensuring that the middle-class is treated fairly. Lea

Webb has a long history of serving our community as she deftly crafts, defends, and supports policies that are good for the middle-class. But she has also proven to be fair handed, championing the kind of economic development that helps local businesses prosper and ensures stable market growth. Lea Webb embodies the perfect combination of community-service-minded disposition and small business acumen needed to lead New York’s 52ndSenate District into the foreseeable future.” — Freddy Villano

“Make Webb your choice.

When you go to the polls on November 5 for this critical national election, make sure you vote wisely for our State Senator in New York 22. Lea Webb is the incumbent who has already proved herself to be smart and savvy about protecting women’s rights, fighting for gun control, promoting climate priorities and supporting small business development and job creation. Webb doesn’t miss a beat: she was the first African American to serve on the Binghamton City Council and she is now the author of an important NYS maternal health care bill. Her Republican candidate,by contrast, is opposed to abortion, a gun extremist who votes against any ban on assault weapons, and supports fracking. If you care about human rights, safety , the environment and housing affordability—the latter a huge issue in

Ithaca—cast your valuable vote for Lea Webb.” — Joan Jacobs Brumberg

“The decision to pocket FMAP funds (really “enhanced FMAP”, or eFMAP) was made in early 2023, first in the Governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 and finally in the adopted budget.

During the process, on February 17, 2023, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) alerted county officials that the executive chamber had “no intention” of restoring eFMAP funds to counties in the 2024 budget, nor to make the counties whole with promised eFMAP funds that the state had been withholding for years. One of our Tompkins County legislators replied that we have to look to our assembly members and senators for relief, to which Mr. Sigler replied: “I asked this very question of Anna Kelles, Gallahan, and Lea Webb at this morning’s legislative breakfast in Cortland. They all supported the counties being reimbursed fully.”

On March 14, 2023, NYSAC released a statement thanking the state Assembly and Senate for rejecting the Governor’s proposal to withhold eFMAP funds by NOT including the eFMAP clawback in their one-house budgets. That is to say: state Senators such as Ms. Webb asserted that eFMAP funds should continue to go to the counties as intended.

Unfortunately, the executive’s wishes prevailed on this point, and counties lost their funding.

Ms. Webb did not support the withholding of federal funds any more than Mr. Sigler did. The inequity of eFMAP withholding is not a reason to vote for Mr. Sigler over Ms. Webb, or vice versa. It IS a reason to carefully scrutinize the office of New York Governor and, when the time comes, support gubernatorial candidates who will be accountable to the people and the local governments doing boots-onthe-ground work.” — Veronica Pillar, Tompkins County Legislator

RE: Josh Riley vs. Marc Molinaro

“Marc Molinaro: Fibs not Facts. It has been hard to watch the sad steady ethical decline of Marc Molinaro. In 2016, the centrist Dutchess County Supervisor proudly announced he could not vote for Donald Trump because of a despicable mocking of a disabled reporter. In 2024, however, desperate to placate the MAGA base, now Congressman Molinaro is a faithful foot-soldier in Trump’s authoritarian army.

The casualty of this decline has been his relationship with the truth. Any casual

follower of Molinaro’s social media posts might assume the congressman ‘s perception of reality is three donuts short of a dozen. Haitian emigrants devour their neighbors’ pets for breakfast. Upstate communities like ours suffer terrible crime waves. We cannot buy houses because illegal emigrant snap up whatever goes on the market. Our economy, despite being the best in the world, remains in the tank.

In reality, Molinaro has no record to run on. Out of step with his centrist district, he hopes these hysterical charges will distract us from his more than a dozen votes against access to abortion, including imprisoning doctors who perform them. He has worsened the border crisis by refusing to pass any legislation to help secure the border. He is a sterling example of the worst and most ineffective Congress in modern history.

Fortunately, we do not have to send Molinaro back to Washington. I am voting for Josh Riley, a Southern Tier native who doesn’t have to lie his way into Congress.

Join me in voting for this staunch friend of labor, defender of women’s rights and trained lawyer with the work ethic and smarts to represent us in Congress.”

— Ann Sullivan

JD Vance-First American King

“Here’s how it happens: Trump is elected President by the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Kamala Harris. Slurring words, spewing irrelevancies on social media and behaving more erratically than before, Trump is declared “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office” by Vice President Vance and Trump’s cabinet under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment. Vance then implements all of the horrible things in the 2025 Plan. He puts MAGAs in control of the Departments of Justice, FBI, Trade, NIH, EPA, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Vance closes Education and Homeland Security. Medicare and Medicaid are slashed. The FCC, now under MAGA control, invokes censorship over the media. Non-MAGA federal employees are fired. Recent immigrants regardless of citizenship are deported. Federal troops are ordered to suppress protests. Federal elections are canceled. Challenged in court, the MAGASix Justices declared all Vance’s actions “official acts”. This makes Vance immune from prosecution and impeachment. With no more elections and in control of all the levers of power, JD Vance is now our king.” — Joseph Wilson

The Talk at

UPS DOWNS&

Ups

Kendal at Ithaca is proud to announce that it has been honored as one of Senior Care’s Best Places to Work in 2024 by WeCare Connect. This recognition re ects the community’s ongoing commitment to creating a positive and an engaging work environment for employees.

Downs

Cornell University announced that three undergraduate students and one graduate student would receive “persona non grata status” for three years, banning them from campus and ceasing their degree progression. This is believed to be the second ever multi-year suspension of students for nonviolent, pro-Palestine protest and the rst this academic year.

HEARD SEEN&

Heard

The City’s East Hill Fire Station property at 309 College Avenue in the heart of Collegetown is being o ered for sale by sealed bid. Upon completion of construction of the City’s new re station at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Dryden Road, the existing College Avenue property will be surplus. The minimum bid is $4,750,000. Bids are due to the City Controller’s o ce by 2 p.m., December 19th, 2024.

Seen

A $20 million gift from Cornellian parents John and Melissa Ceriale will fund the placement of embedded therapists in Cornell University’s Ithaca campus schools and colleges, and will signi cantly expand a well-being coaching program for all students.

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.”

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What’s your favorite fall treat?

60 9 % Apple Cider Donuts

17.4% Anything Pumpkin Spiced

21.7 % Chili.

N EXT W EEK ’S Q UESTION : Who do you think will win the Presidential election?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

SPCA Director Responds to Public Concerns at County Legislature

By Matt Dougherty

For the second time this year, former volunteers at the Tompkins County SPCA have come forward with concerns about operational practices and leadership at the Tompkins County SPCA.

During a meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature on September 17, three volunteers and one former employee at the SPCA addressed the Legislature during public comment about concerns regarding workplace culture and euthanasia decisions for dogs.

One of the volunteers, Patricia Keen, told the Legislature that the SPCA has prohibited volunteers from publicly discussing euthanasia decisions a er she shared a post on social media about a dog named Kyle that was recently put on the euthanasia list. Keen has said that Kyle’s euthanasia would have been “unjust and unnecessary” and that several people expressed interest in adopting him in response to the post. e Ithaca Times previously reported on allegations of mismanagement at the SPCA earlier this year. Now, with the same allegations coming forward again, some members of the Legislature, like Chair Dan Klein, are concerned about whether the organization is meeting its no-kill shelter requirements and if its management fosters an inclusive and open environment for employees and volunteers.

Two days a er the concerns were brought to the Legislature, SPCA Director Jim Boudreau addressed the Legislature during a September 19 budget meeting, citing data to support the organization’s track record and defending its commitment to both transparency and welfare.

During the meeting, Tompkins County Legislature Chair Dan Klein voiced concerns regarding the allegations shared by multiple SPCA sta members and volunteers regarding the shelter’s workplace culture and euthaniasa policy. Klein noted that numerous individuals described a culture of “intimidation, fear, and retaliation” at the organization, which has led to a breakdown in sta morale. He called for increased transparency from the SPCA’s leadership, suggesting the implementation of an anonymous survey to assess employee and volunteer satisfaction and make the results publicly available.

“I’ve heard many stories of sta being red and volunteers being dismissed for what they say is o ering a dissenting

opinion,” said Klein, referencing concerns he has received about SPCA practices. “I would like to see this issue addressed head-on. e SPCA has a large pool of goodwill in this community, and I believe it’s at stake here,” he added, advocating for stronger signals from SPCA leadership to reassure the community.

Klein also highlighted community concerns about the shelter’s adherence to the no-kill standard. As a no-kill facility, the SPCA’s live release rate — the percentage of animals that are adopted or transferred rather than euthanized — must remain above 90 percent. SPCA Director Jim Boudreau countered these concerns by pointing to the shelter’s recent statistics, asserting that the organization has maintained a high live release rate, exceeding the no-kill threshold.

“Our live release rate in 2023 was 93.45 percent, which is the second highest in the last seven years,” said Boudreau, emphasizing the data-driven approach the shelter employs to monitor and improve its practices. “ e data doesn’t support the concerns people have raised about our euthanasia rates,” he said, adding that the shelter’s 2023 statistics re ect ongoing efforts to minimize the need for euthanasia, especially among dogs with behavioral issues.

Legislator Mike Sigler echoed Klein’s concerns, mentioning that community members have expressed doubts over whether the SPCA is meeting its no-kill requirements. Sigler acknowledged that shelter leadership has made e orts to address these concerns, but urged them to remain transparent and communicative about their data and practices to maintain public trust.

Boudreau defended the SPCA’s policies on transparency and employee feedback, stating that the organization conducts regular surveys for sta and volunteers, with the option to remain anonymous. “We value everything that our volunteers and sta do for us, and we have always maintained a policy of openness,” said Boudreau. He emphasized that the SPCA welcomes feedback and is open to addressing concerns that arise.

However, Keen has told the Ithaca Times that no surveys have been conducted during her time as a volunteer. “ ere has not been a single survey, anonymous or not, in the two years that I have been there.”

In response to allegations regarding a

culture of intimidation, Boudreau said that sta and volunteer dismissals are rare occurrences within the organization. “In the 13 years I’ve been with the SPCA, I’ve let three sta members go and asked only one volunteer to step away from their position,” he said. “I value and respect everybody’s opinions,” he added, expressing disappointment over the negative characterization of the shelter’s workplace environment.

Addressing Klein’s suggestion for an anonymous suggestion box, Boudreau clari ed that previous requests for a suggestion box were related to operational improvements rather than philosophical or personnel concerns. He assured legislators that the SPCA remains committed to creating a supportive environment for both employees and volunteers, despite the recent concerns raised.

As the discussion concluded, Klein reiterated his hope that the SPCA would take steps to ensure it remains a trusted organization within the community. “I would like to feel more con dent about allocating taxpayer funds to an organization that is committed to inclusivity, particularly when it comes to considering feedback from all members,” he stated, suggesting the SPCA take further action to reassure the public and demonstrate accountability. e SPCA’s board of directors is expected to further review these concerns and consider any additional steps for fostering inclusivity and transparency within the organization.

Tompkins County SPCA Director Jim Bourderau responded to allegations regarding irresponsible euthaniasa decisions and a culture intimidation at the workplace during a September 19 meeting of the Legislature.

SURROUNDED

BY REALITY

Can’t Scare Me

By Charley Githler

October is the month when the supernatural is known to come into our world. People decorate with spider webs, skeletons, witches, ghosts. All that summoning is bound to have an effect, and it manifests itself in an apparent urge to infuse pumpkin flavoring in literally everything, and visitations from worlds beyond ours. I swear the following really happened.

It was last Thursday. I’d say it was a midnight dreary, but the northern lights were visible even downtown. Thursday Night Football had kept me up significantly past my bedtime, and I was shutting down the house, when I saw the spectral presence of a girl standing by the fireplace. I say ‘spectral’ because she was transparent, and kind of glowing.

“Um…who are you?” I said. The etiquette of the situation was unclear.

“I am Lydia Cornstarch,” she said. “I died of the typhoid fever in this very room in 1903.” I have to say, to whomever is in charge of paranormal special effects, nice job on the voice. Sort of hollow, with a faint echo.

“Pleased to meet you, I guess?”

“I am here to tell you that you must leave this house forever,” she moaned.

“And find a new one in this market? I don’t think so.” I needed to nip this idea in the bud.

“I command you to flee!” she shouted. I saw some kind of slime starting to ooze from between the bricks in the fireplace.

“Are you seriously trying to scare me?” I chuckled. “You’ve been dead a long time, Lydia. This is 2024. Right now, it’s a coin toss whether a mendacious con

man will be handed the nuclear briefcase next January [Note to Trump supporters: “mendacious” means “lying”.], the Middle East is on the brink of a regional war somehow likely to involve the United States, there’s a parade of massive storms passing in single file over the land — just a matter of time before one of them finds its way to Tompkins County, more people believe conspiracy nonsense than think the earth is round, and you, my incorporeal friend, want to strike terror with a little ectoplasm? Please.”

“I’m going to call forth my uncle Barnabas. He’s a vampire, and he’s two hundred years old. Maybe that’ll get your attention,” she said. I noticed that the echo was gone. “Look behind you.”

Sure enough, there was a dapper, and very pale, man standing in the doorway behind me. I think he was wearing a cape.

“Didn’t anybody knock in the old days?” I asked. “Barney, in the interest of full disclosure, I think you should know that everybody in the United States has microplastics and forever chemicals in their blood. Everybody. Drink, if you must, but that s#!t is going to be with you a long time as an immortal.”

The ghost and the vampire looked at each other for a long moment, then Uncle Barnabas disappeared with a poof. “I…I guess I’ll be back on Halloween,” Lydia stammered.

“Don’t take it personally, kid,” I soothed. “The scaring industry is a lot more competitive these days. Tell you what…skip Halloween and come by on November 5th. That could be a real hairraising night.”

Campus Nature Rx

By Drs. Don Rakow & Dorothy Ibes, Campus Nature Rx founding co-directors

Acceptance into a desired college or university can represent the culmination of many young people’s aspirations. Engaging in intellectually stimulating courses, connecting with dynamic faculty, and bonding with fellow students can be a profoundly enriching and transformative experience. However, for many college students today, the pressures of social media, academic demands, and concerns about everything from finances and relationships to climate change and environmental degradation often eclipse the joys of student life. This leaves millions of young people grappling with pervasive stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges.

A significant proportion of these students are students of color. Academia is diversifying and will continue to do so. In 1976, 15% of undergraduates in the U.S. were non-white; today, that number is over 46%, representing more than 7 million young people of color (EducationData.org 2024). College life can be even more challenging for these students who may face additional stressors including systemic barriers, discrimination, stereotypes, limited access to support services, additional financial pressures, underrepresentation, and cultural differences on predominantly white campuses.

According to the 2023 National College Health Assessment (https://www.acha. org/ncha/), 76% of students experienced moderate to severe psychological distress in the previous year. As a result, many campus health centers are inundated with demand for services, and student needs are frequently not fully met. Students of color are disproportionately more likely to have unmet mental health needs.

network (CNRx) are growing and adapting to meet the challenges and opportunities these trends represent. CNRx believes that colleges and universities have a responsibility to nurture students’ mental and physical health as much as their intellectual development and is committed to developing evidence-based campus programming based on the latest research in nature and health.

CNRx operates from the understanding that the natural world was historically seen as the domain of the white middle and upper classes. In response to this, the organization focuses on inclusive programming that welcomes students of all ethnic/racial identities, socio-economic statuses, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

capital projects.” Ithaca’s debt limit stands at $171.7 million, with the city currently utilizing 63% of that limit, leaving approximately $63.4 million in borrowing capacity.

Ithaca’s state aid remains stagnant at $2.6 million, unchanged since 2011, despite inflation and rising operational costs. The budget indicates that state support would be over $6 million if adjusted

for inflation. In the face of rising costs, this funding shortfall has placed additional pressure on the city’s budget.

Staffing levels in 2025 will remain stable, with no new positions added. Seven new police officer positions funded last year are set to begin, with four starting in December 2024 and three in July 2025.

Two roles introduced in 2024 — a Human Resources Specialist and a Community Permit Coordinator — will continue into the next fiscal year.

The Common Council will review the budget before a final vote later this fall.

While psychotropic medications may benefit some, many students seek a healthier, more accessible approach to wellness. Research spanning several decades reveals that engagement with nature enhances multiple dimensions of mental health for people of all backgrounds.

Given the 15 million undergraduate students in the U.S. and the variety of ways to healthfully connect with nature, involving colleges in this effort has the potential for fostering a healthier and more equitable outdoors. Fortunately, organizations like the Campus Nature Rx

For example, the CNRx Academy Certification Program is assisting campuses representing over 100,000 undergraduates—including over 38,000 students of color—in creating strategic plans for engaging their students with nature, with a focus on equitable and inclusive access. CNRx also works to support their community of 75 (and growing) member institutions in engaging students with nature in accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding ways. Each CNRx institution implements unique strategies to connect students with nature through Nature Rx courses, nature prescriptions, research, and student-led activities such as tree tours and cross-country skiing. These efforts have been shown to be highly meaningful and impactful for students. Members are also kept informed, supported, and inspired through the CNRx annual symposium (free and open to the public), member newsletter, YouTube channel, and resources shared on the campusnature.com website.

While Campus Nature Rx efforts alone cannot resolve the mental health crisis among today’s youth, they can play a crucial role as part of a comprehensive wellness strategy by colleges and universities. By promoting nature-connected and health-focused campuses, CNRx and our member institutions are working to enhance the well-being of entire communities. As the esteemed biologist and author E.O. Wilson aptly stated, “Just

Teachers and Community Leaders Rally, Demanding Millions from Cornell to Support Ithaca Schools

“I Think the Taxpayers in Ithaca Have Made it Clear that They are Pretty Much Tapped Out”

By Maddy Vogel

The Ithaca Teachers Association, a union representing hundreds of teachers in the Ithaca City School District, held a rally Wednesday evening on the Ithaca Commons demanding a substantial increase in voluntary payment to the local school district.

Throughout this spring and summer, the school district faced difficult decisions to cut staff, increase class sizes and eliminate programs with a budget that was reduced twice — first after a public outcry in April and again after it was voted down by residents in May.

Rapidly rising property assessment values in Tompkins County coupled with a “stable” tax rate but a levy that was millions more than in previous years created the perfect storm that led to a resoundingly rejected budget. Longtime residents, specifically those who were on fixed incomes, voiced concerns that the rising taxes and

assessments would force them to sell their homes and move out of the county.

Facing the impacts of a school budget reduced by $7 million, Ithaca teachers are calling for the ivy league university which owns roughly 40% of the property in the school district to renegotiate their payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the ICSD, just one year into a new memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The private university is largely tax-exempt, but does pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes annually to the district on their properties that are not exempt, according to data provided by Tompkins County Director of Assessment Jay Franklin.

The teachers union is calling for the university to increase their annual contribution by over $9 million, from the current $650,000 to a proposed $10 million. Advocates affirm that this number is reasonable because the school’s $163 million budget is funded largely by taxpayers. The Ithaca

Facing a $7 million reduction in its budget, ICSD has been forced to cut staff, increase class sizes, and eliminate programs. The cuts stem from a failed budget vote earlier this year and have been exacerbated by Cornell’s lack of adequate support for the school district. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

Last Wednesday, the Ithaca Teachers Association (ITA) held a rally on the Ithaca Commons demanding that Cornell University renegotiate its payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) to increase its contribution from $650,000 to $10 million. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

taxbase funded 68% of the school’s 2024-25 budget, and Cornell’s current voluntary contribution represents. 4% of the total budget.

Ithaca Teachers Association (ITA) President Kathryn Cernera told the Ithaca Times that holding the rally was a way to get the wider community involved in a public display of the urgency and necessity of increased funding to Ithaca schools.

“We have really been feeling the urgency to find alternate revenue sources to found the Ithaca City School District ever since the failure of last year’s school budget,” Cernera said. “We recognize that unless there’s some change in the way that we fund our school in this community, that we’re likely to find ourselves in a similar situation next spring of fighting for the schools our students deserve while butting up against what taxpayers can actually do.”

Last fall was the last time the district’s PILOT agreement was renegotiated, bumping the university’s annual contribution up from $500,000 to $650,000. Cernera said

that the new MOU, which Cornell University’s Vice President for University Relations Joel M. Malina says is set to expire in 2031, could have seen a larger contribution if the ongoing renegotiation was public knowledge.

“This renegotiation happened privately,” Cernera said. “There was very little fanfare, there was no public pressure, nobody even really noticed. Without the public pressure of an organized campaign, these negotiations resulted in a truly disappointing increase.” Wednesday’s rally intentionally coincided with Cornell’s new Director of Community Relations Jennifer Tavares’ first day on the job after spending a decade as the president of the Tompkins Chamber. ITA officials say that Tavares was invited to the rally to accept a petition for increased contributions from Cornell to ICSD, but she was not in attendance.

In a statement sent to the Ithaca Times, Malina said that having a thriving Ithaca City School District is “vitally important”

to the university, and highlighted that Cornell spends $30 million annually on agreements and services that benefit the city of Ithaca and surrounding communities.

“Cornell’s significant non-monetary support for ICSD also includes the many programs and other educational opportunities that the university provides for ICSD students, and the chilled water provided to ICSD property on Lake Street from our Lake Source Cooling system,” Malina wrote.

Cernera took over as the president of the ITA last fall, and quickly, members of the union joined the Make Cornell Pay Coalition, a group founded by the Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America which pushed for an increased contribution in Cornell’s PILOT agreement with the city.

The coalition’s public efforts were eventually met with a new 15-year MOU, in which the university more than doubled their annual contribution from $1.6 million to $4 million.

Wednesday’s rally included speakers from many community groups and students from ICSD schools. City of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, ICSD board of education member Jill Tripp, Cornell Young Democratic Socialists of America member Sam Poole, Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Chair Katie Sims and First Vice President of UAW Local 2300 John Tavares all advocated for an increased contribution from Cornell during their speeches at the rally.

Cantelmo called on the university to lower school taxes for homeowners by increasing their contribution, making Ithaca a

A breakdown of ICSD’s $163 million 2024-25 budget reveals that Cornell’s voluntary contribution accounts for just 0.4% of the district’s total funding, while other local taxes make up 67%.

(Chart: Maddy Vogel)

more affordable place for prospective Cornell faculty and the wider community to live.

“I like to imagine that if Erza Cornell were still around, he might agree that ‘any

members

Board of education member Jill Tripp introduced a resolution to the board this spring that would allow ICSD Superintendent Luvelle Brown to go to the bargaining table with Cornell to ask for an increased contribution of $10 million.

At the rally, Tripp said she believed the resolution would have been “fairly easy to pass,” but at the board, the resolution was tabled and replaced with the establishment of a “revenue exploration advisory council.”

Current members on the council include Tripp, Cernera, board member Adam Krantweiss, 5th Ward Alderperson Margaret Fabrizio and ICSD Chief Investigation Officer Robert Van Keuren, while occasionally joined by others including Superintendent Brown.

Tripp told the Ithaca Times that the committee has met a few times, and that she plans to present potential new revenue options moving forward at an upcoming board meeting.

“We’ve been brainstorming options for additional revenue,” Tripp said. “Not surprisingly, there aren’t a whole lot of sources. There’s no magic pot of gold that we’re tapping into or that we’re hoping to tap into.”

Tripp said that moving into a budget year where taxpayers may not be able to afford another increase, exploring new revenue streams is an urgent need that she hopes the board prioritizes.

person, any study’ should also attain to our young people and not just the folks who can afford an ivy league education,” Cantelmo said.

“I want to move quickly, because I think there are some things we need to do quickly if we have any hope of presenting the kind of budget we want to present this coming year,” Tripp said.

ICSD Board of Education member Jill Tripp initially introduced a resolution earlier this year which would allow the superintendent to bargain with Cornell for an increased annual contribution, but the Board instead chose to create an adivsory committee to conduct further research on how other communities have succussfully negotiated increaed contributions from their respective universities. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

Community

attending the rally held signs demanding that Cornell increase its financial contribution to ICSD, highlighting the districts budget crisis and calls for renegotiation of Cornell’s PILOT (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

A Dream Relocated

A er Wells Closure, Baseball Coach Leads Players to New Home Base

By Steve Lawrence

Last spring, Ryan Stevens’ life was cruising along like a pitcher who had all of his pitches working. He had gone from the crazy world of coaching pro baseball in the Pecos League in Texas — a perfect job for a single guy — to being hired as the head baseball coach at Wells College (a er running the show at TC3). His “teammates” — in this case, his wife, their baby daughter and their extended family — were all enjoying the game. Wells was taking pride in its rst winning season in program history, battling for a playo spot, and then came the hanging curve ball... one that Stevens did not call: e college would permanently close its doors in May.

I caught up to Ryan a er a long day of fall ball at his new job, and he told me, “I really had to make some pretty big life decisions.” He had been at Wells for ve years, working as the head baseball and

golf coach and assistant A.D., and while he was — justi ably — feeling really bad about the closure and its impact on him, he said, “I saw some of the other employees who had been there for 15, 20 or 30 years, and I realized how hard it was for them.”

Given he was now a husband and a father, Ryan came to terms with the fact that his needs no longer came rst, and that perhaps coaching baseball — something he has done for 17 of his 40 years — might become a thing of the past. His wife, Dana, has a steady job at Cornell, the aforementioned extended family is around, and while several colleges wanted him, those options were not going to work. en came a three-hour trip to “the North Country.”

“ e athletic department at SUNY Canton really made a push to get me here, and they have been so supportive” Stevens o ered. “To be honest, I was very attered.” He added, “Dana will have an opportunity to work remotely, we are looking

for daycare, and while we are keeping our house in Ithaca, we found a place three minutes from the SUNY Canton campus.”

One can imagine why SUNY Canton — whose baseball team has been struggling — would make such a push to reel Ryan in. It’s not every day a program has an opportunity to hire an experienced and highly competent coach, and given that coach might be able to bring not just those desirable traits, but a virtually intact program. In Stevens’ words, “Come springtime, it’s likely that about ten players will have followed me up here. e Athletic Director was thrilled that I’d be able to bring a big chunk of our team — and our established culture — with me.” I asked the coach if he sensed any resentment, or friction from the players who have been a part of the program, and he said, “I wondered about that, but I’m really pleased that we have been welcomed with open arms. We feel really embraced, and very grateful for this new opportunity.”

Ryan Stevens coached at Tompkins Cortland Community College and then Wells College which closed abruptly. He and many of his players have found a new home at SUNY Canton. (Photo: Provided)

In addition to the players heading north, Stevens said, “My hitting coach, Ian Crawford, is joining me here, and two of my players from Wells who are coming with me are local guys, Mark Maybee (who will be a co-captain) is from Lansing and Johnny Pascarella is from Dryden (Stevens’ alma mater).” SUNY Canton will be moving over to the SUNYAC conference, and in the

By Ross Haarstad

Aer playing a strong opening hand with the vibrant warmth of the comedy Laughing in Spanish, the Kitchen eatre’s new Artistic Director Emily Jackson continues her inaugural season by serving up the world premiere of Brian Dykstra’s Polishing Shakespeare.

A satire of coruscating wit that rocked the ra ers with bright laughter and gasps of pleasure from the opening weekend’s audiences, Dykstra’s newest work stages a battle royale between Art and Commerce.

e set-up: “a dotcom billionaire pays an esteemed American theatre company to translate Shakespeare into English.” (If this seems improbable, it’s actually true.)

is is the springboard for a deep dive into the realities of forging an artistic path in today’s world, re ected in the play through the crisis of a woman playwright of color, whether or not to partake of the magic elixir of banished debts and guaranteed production that only means subjugating her voice, her vision to “what the donors want.”

Dykstra sets his battle with just three players: the billionaire Grant (played by Dykstra), the producer/artistic director of a large nonpro t company, Ms. Branch (Kate Levy) and the playwright, Janet (Kate Siahaan-Rigg.)

Janet, the champion of Shakespeare as he wrote it, the richness of his text, probes: why? A dozen explanations melt away as Grant states, “Shakespeare is hard.”

You might be thinking this is the old Hollywood/Broadway corrupts the artist scenario (as in All About Eve). But while Polishing Shakespeare o ers some of the juicy delight of skewering the pretensions and egos of show business (there’s a marvelous passage about crazy Shakespeare productions, that begins with Julius Caesar on the moon), its really a di erent creature.

Arts & Entertainment Kitchen Theatre Delivers Sharp, Satirical Take on Shakespeare

It’s a erce yet hilarious debate about money, artistic truth, ‘selling out,’ and as the evening progresses, a descent into an Orwellian landscape of thought management that feels all to present in today’s climate. e feast of words and twisty turns of logic in any Dykstra play produce the sensation of being tossed into a dazzling rapids of language, drenched with the spray of witty

turns of phrase, the torrents of free association, becoming almost dizzy with the dazzle, yet somehow staying a oat, landing securely at the not quite anticipated destination.

rowing the ‘translate Shakespeare’ project into reverse: rather than stripping Shakespeare down into ‘today’, Dykstra fashions a contemporary comedy that relishes with Shakespearean abandon in rhyme and rhythm. Coursing through it are echoes of the Elizabethan, the Borscht Belt, Dr. Seuss, hip-hop battles. roughout our attention holds on the suspense. Can the artist hold out, can the artistic director as she says “grow some ovaries,” or will the Mephistophelian Grant win again? How can scrappy little “ eatre,” always on its sickbed, take on the Elon Musks of our time?

Dykstra is all glee and cunning, alternating oozing seduction and threat. Radiating con dence, he still reveals something uncertain underneath—registering the tiny pricks into Grant’s colossal ego with a boyish sulk. And boy, can he sling a sentence, sometimes rattling stanzas like a Tommy gun.

Fortunately he is matched in skill by Levy, (whose performing experience in Shakespeare matches Dykstra) and Siahaan-Rigg (who like Dykstra, has also playedin the realms of rap and stand-up.)

At rst, Levy plays Branch as the eager side-kick, bubbling with attery, relishing the chance to double-team with Grant against Janet. en she oats insecure, pricked with doubt. Again she picks herself up, and displays “Bitch Queen.” Her superb performance alternates de ation with recovery, battle-tested will with world-weary.

As Janet, Siahaan-Rigg relishes the combat, as seen in the pugilistic shi of her shoulders as she declares “I’m from Queens.” Her manner is dry, o en dead-pan, yet graced with a twinkle of mischief. Her poet is a mix of passion and pragmatism.

All three actors match their verbal dexterity with sharp physicality. While the ‘polishing’ of the title may be pejorative, director Margarett Perry polishes the show to a gleaming gem-like clarity. A genius at comedy, Perry quietly and subtly reigns in the madness onstage, with sometimes minute shi s of tone and pace.

She is matched by the equally subtle and elegant scenic and light design of Tyler M. Perry (the Kitchen’s new Director of Production). Ostensibly the plush executive o ce of a big non-pro t, backed by shelves of Shakespeare books and tchotke, it can dissolve into a theatrical other space with a framing proscenium.

Flowing through is the suggestive sound design of Ariana Cardozo, while MuMbles provides the apt costuming.

is soaring triumph of text and stagecra is not to be missed! Get there quick, it ends this Sunday.

TID BIT:

“Polishing Shakespeare” will run at the Kitchen Theatre from October 19 through October 29, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 19 to Saturday Oct. 28. A nal matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Kate Levy and Brian Dykstra face off as producer and billionaire in Brian Dykstra’s “Polishing Shakespeare,” a sharp and witty satire at the Kitchen Theatre. (Photo: Rachel Phillipson)

in-person and livestream | sliding scale pricing

a new play from Germany from the writer of the Cherry hit Testosterone a darkly funny fairy tale (not for children)

¿Are We There Yet? Documentary Premieres at Cinemapolis

By Matt Minton

When Kenneth Clarke, director of the Tompkins County O ce of Human Rights, rst reached out to local photographer omas Hobble to direct a new project about immigrants, the focus remained on Ithaca.

“[Considering] the budget and the amount of time we had to work on it, Kenneth was looking for about a 30-minute documentary,” Hobble said. “But then we had some conversations about, ‘Could we expand this, make it a little bigger?’”

Hobble’s involvement with the lmbegan in November 2023, leading him to seek out about a dozen books — both historical and contemporary — to become well versed on the topic.

Since then, the project signi cantly evolved in its scope, featuring interviews from immigrants in Tijuana, Mexico all the way to Orlando, Florida. Now, the

TID BIT:

¿Are We There Yet? will premiere on October 23 at 6 p.m. at Cinemapolis.

documentary “¿Are We ere Yet?” will o cially premiere at a free Cinemapolis screening on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., with several people from the lm in the audience.

For both Clarke and Hobble, one of the biggest missions when making the lm was to counter the anti-immigrant rhetoric from some of the most vocal politicians in the United States. is is even more prevalent with the premiere event happening mere weeks before the 2024 Presidential Election.

“[For example], the perception that Haitian immigrants were eating the pets of citizens in Ohio … We wanted to take a deep dive into exploring and examining that level of racism as it relates to immigration,” Clarke said.

Before the project became a featurelength documentary, research and planning that Cornell University students conducted in a class with Professor Jennifer Majkaset set the playing eld for what stories needed to be told. eir areas of study focused on analyzing the current immigration system under U.S. policy, navigating policy through the migrant experience and looking at common misinformation about immigrants.

“I am grateful to the students I got to work with over the past two years,” Clarke

co-producing sponsors Donald Spector & Stacia Zabusky

Through interviews spanning from Tijuana to Orlando, the film delves into the human impact of United States immigration policy, offering a powerful narrative that challenges misinformation and prejudice. (Photo: Provided)

FIN D OU T W H AT’S. . .

said. “For our nal program, we want to highlight people who are working on immigration issues locally but also be able to put their work within the larger context of what is happening nationally.”

rough the multiple voices featured in the documentary, Hobble re ects on how focusing on statistics can make society lose sight of the everyday lives a ected by policy.

“We wanted to take this out from these anonymous, ‘thems, the immigrants, those people,’” Hobble said. “ ese are real people, their stories are so relatable and you really get a sense of who they are as individuals.”

Given Clarke’s previous involvement with the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, which o en hosts screenings at Cinemapolis, and the county o ce’s own

CAMPUS NATURE RX

continued from page 7

being surrounded by bountiful nature rejuvenates and inspires us.”

Don Rakow, PhD, CNRx Co-Director Dr. Don Rakow joined the Cornell faculty in 1987 and served as an associate professor in the Section of Horticulture in Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Science.

Dorothy Ibes, PhD, CNRx Co-Director Dr. Ibes is faculty in William & Mary’s Environment & Sustainability program, founding director of the Parks & Ecotherapy Research Lab, co-director of the Campus Nature Rx Network (Est. 2019), and a certi ed ecotherapy guide.

partnerships with the organization, he is pleased with the lm’s platform at the beloved theater.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to provide a perspective on what is one of the most important issues of our time,” Clarke said.

While the lm does retain many Ithacan voices and was brought to life by funding and support from numerous local organizations, including a grant from the Mellon Foundation at Cornell University, Hobble said the lm’s staying power becomes a re ection of any small town with similar values.

“ is lm could very well be taking place in any of a hundred small towns around our country,” Hobble said. “It can really be a re ection of America more so than just being an Ithaca lm.”

A DREAM RELOCATED

continued from page 10

words of A.D. Randy Sieminski, “Ryan is a proven recruiter who has led multiple programs to success. We are looking forward to him leading the growth of our program into the SUNYAC.”

Stevens knows that straddling the two communities of Ithaca and Canton will present some challenges, but life is, a er all, a team game, and his teammates are on board. In Ryan’s words, “If it wasn’t for the support of my wife and family, if they weren’t right there with me while I keep chasing my dream, this wouldn’t have happened. I am really looking forward to putting the right pieces in the right places and building this program.”

1 Conﬂicts of Interest Block Divestment Campaigns at Major Universities, Cornell is no Exception

2 Teachers and Community Leaders Rally, Demanding Millions from Cornell to Support Ithaca Schools

3 Tompkins County IDA Greenlights $85 Million Southworks Tax Abatement Despite Community Concerns

4 Juvenile Probation Outcomes Lag Behind Adults in Tompkins County, New Public Data Dashboards Show

5 Newﬁeld CSD Still Working Through Electric Bus Rollout, Transportation Problems

“¿Are We There Yet?” explores the personal stories and challanges of immigrants across the U.S., shedding light on their journeys and countering anti-immigrant narratives. (Photo: Provided)

Thompson & Bleeker, Anything But Bleak

By Henry Stark

Ilast reviewed Thompson and Bleecker, November 21, 2018, and commented on how much I enjoyed the pizzas even though I would never choose to return on my own. The owners, who lived on this intersection in Greenwich Village in New York City before moving to Ithaca, had brought along a large pizza oven that they placed smack dab in the center of the restaurant. The noise from the oven, which was generating heat up to 1,000 degrees, drowned out communication with companions and servers alike, and made for an unpleasant dining experience.

I was confused by the use of the word Mezze in an American pizza establishment serving mostly college students. It’s a term used in the Eastern Mediterranean region, primarily Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, and usually refers to smaller dishes, which can be used as appetizers or main courses.

It may bother some diners that if you are joined by companions, your servers will deliver dishes to the table as soon as the kitchen finishes them. Consequently, some diners could be eating while others at the table watch them.

The restaurant was already small, seating about three dozen patrons in an area that had just been a Subway sandwich shop that needed only minimal room to operate. It had bare walls, one of which was brick, and low ceilings.

Well now, they’ve moved again, to a larger location on Seneca Street, opposite the Seneca Street Garage, in downtown Ithaca. It has been almost six years since

my last meal there, so I decided to try it again, hoping the pizzas were still terrific but served with far less noise.

Well, it turned out part of this was true. I like their pizzas as well, or better, than any other pizzas in our area. The crusts are thin with a slight blackening on the

bottom, the toppings are generous, and fresh, and all six pieces I received were oozing with flavor. It would easily be my go-to place for pizza if it wasn’t for the noise in the restaurant. Just as I can’t think

Thompson & Bleeker’s new downtown Ithaca location offers exceptional thin-crust pizzas with fresh, generous toppings. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

JUVENILE PROBATION

IN TOMPKINS COUNTY

continued from page 4

cases closed successfully, while 64% closed unsuccessfully, primarily due to violations or new adjudications. Of these juvenile cases, 82% were categorized as juvenile delinquency (JD) cases, and 18% were PINS cases. The demographic breakdown of failed cases shows that 82% are male, 64% White, 18% Black. Ages vary, with the largest group (27%) being 14-year-olds, followed by 18% each for ages 15, 17 and 18.

According to Probation Department Director Dan Cornell, the success rate for juveniles has been lower than adults because “The juveniles that we tend to get under actual supervision tend to be the more high-risk, high-needs cases.”

Cornell said that the department attempts to divert many juveniles away from the court process when possible, so the ones who remain in the system often have more severe needs. He added, “There are resources in the community, but the kids

THOMPSON AND BLEECKER

continued from page 14

of a restaurant serving better pizza in our area, I can’t think of a nosier restaurant. This time it isn’t the large oven, which has been moved to a more discreet section of the establishment, it’s the customers. The restaurant is still relatively small, and management has opted to move the tables very close together in order to accommodate more patrons.

The tables are so small that when I, and my dinner companion, each ordered a pizza, the server couldn’t fit the pans on the tabletop. She had to remove a candle, some crayons, and a water glass and still had some difficulty finding room.

We had difficulty hearing the waitress, and she, us, and my dinner companion and I frequently cupped our hands around our ears and shouted at each other. I noticed the customers, sitting at adjacent tables, were having the same problems hearing the servers. I couldn’t see any sound deadening wall hangings anywhere.

I asked three staff members, “What percentage of your customer base is college student age?” The responses didn’t vary much, ranging from 75% to 90%.

Thompson and Bleecker is already very popular. On a recent Saturday night, the admittance line stretched down the block and would-be customers were being told the wait time was three hours!

The menu is limited containing only

have to avail themselves of them, and that requires the parents to get them places [and] sometimes we don’t get great cooperation, or parents can’t do that.”

Probation Supervisor Gladis Larson, who oversees the Family Court Unit, told the Ithaca Times that “Mental health services are at an all-time low availability, and it’s very difficult to find services for youth with substance abuse issues.”

According to Larson, “Although Tompkins County has a wealth of resources available, services for youth on probation are all funded through various grants, and there is a lengthy process to get youth the services they need,” Larson said. Like Cornell, Larson said that the complexity of juvenile cases often requires family involvement, which is not always available or reliable. “It’s hard to be successful with youth if you can’t get the family to buy into what the needs of the youth are.”

She added that it’s even more difficult for youth in rural parts of the county to get to the city to receive services.

Larson continued saying that a change

four sections: Mezze; Pizzas, Salads, and Fresh Pasta.

If you like clams, you might enjoy the Fresh Pasta entrée, Spaghetti Vongole ($26). You’ll receive six Little Neck clams in their shells, (they’re the small ones), some tender, some tough, along with some shallots, garlic chili oil, and fresh parsley. It comes with a generous portion of house made spaghetti, made with semolina and water. The spaghetti

in state law regarding PINS cases that was made to reduce the number of youth placed outside of their homes for noncriminal behavior has made it more difficult to provide appropriate interventions for youth with truancy problems, especially when mental health issues are involved.

“In the past, if we had kids with chronic truancy issues, ungovernable behavior, or other mental health issues, the court used to be able to temporarily place them in diagnostic programs for 30 to 90 days to figure out what it is that a youth would need from us to address their need better, and those options are not available anymore,” Larson said.

Larson also said that the Raise the Age laws implemented in 2018, which changed the legal system by moving 16 and 17-year-old offenders out of the adult criminal justice system and into the juvenile system, have further complicated the situation. “When we’re 16 and 17-yearolds, the charges are a little more serious, and they’re harder to deal with at the diversion stage.”

was thick and chewy and was quite filling.

Spicy Alla Vodka comes in a bowl mixed with a thick creamy vodka flavored sauce and is quite tasty.

The four interesting salads, ($14), come in large portions which can easily be shared and are attractively presented.

There are eight pizzas, mostly $19. I really enjoyed Funghi with thinly sliced, wellcooked mushrooms, some sausage slices which were a bit spicy but not overwhelm-

Despite the challenges, Larson said that she is having conversations with the Department of Social Services (DSS) about the need for more collaboration to address the higher needs of the youth community.

“We’re starting the process of coming together to talk about how we can work together to ensure that the kids are getting the services they need so they’re not ending up in court or unsuccessful,” Larson said. “Kids shouldn’t have to wait six to eight months for services when they only work with us for maybe 12 to 24 months. There’s got to be a more streamlined way to get the services in place.”

The Tompkins County Department of Probation and Community Justice will host a virtual event on October 23 at noon, open to the public, to provide an overview of the dashboards. The session will include training on how to navigate and interpret the data and a Q&A segment. Community members interested in the session can register in advance, and a recording will be available on the Tompkins County YouTube channel.

ing, thyme, garlic, which wasn’t noticeable, Greek oregano, mozzarella, and a few fresh basil leaves strewn across the top.

BEVERAGES: I was surprised to see, in a pizza restaurant serving mostly college students, that there were more than twice as many wines on offer as beers, (12-5). The wines by the bottle range from $36-$45 and are organic. I think it’s likely that, unless you’re a wine or beer afficionado, you won’t recognize many of their offerings.

Classifieds

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

200/Buy / Sell / Trade

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR?

Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast, free pickup. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888-251-3135. (NYSCAN)

230/Farm & Garden

FALL IS FOR PLANTING. CAYUGA LANDSCAPE FALL SALE HAPPENING NOW!

All Mums 20% off and all Perennials and Grasses now 30% off. Shade trees are 20% off and 40% off blue ribboned trees. Take advantage of this season ending sale with fall color and great deals! Now until November 15th. 2712 N. Triphammer Rd Ithaca. 607-257-3000

270/Pets

PET SUPPLIES

When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com) (NYSCAN)

280/Trade / Wanted

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS!

No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three-step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670. (NYSCAN)

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

800/Services

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 855-399-2719 (NYSCAN)

BAMBINO BROKE A BONE IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND NOT YOUR FAULT?

Call Gugino at 607-319-0766, Also Real Estate Closing $1000 plus costs, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy $1338.00, Speeding, DWI, Family Court, DWI, 144 Bald Hill Danby Atty Advertising Debt Relief

DIRECTV-

All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package

$84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 (NYSCAN)

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET!

Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069 (NYSCAN)

HEARING AIDS!!!

High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Time and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-Day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060. (NYSCAN)

Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076 (NYSCAN)

DO YOU NEED A ROOF OR ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS & HELP PAYING FOR IT?

YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 9449393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. (NYSCAN)

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider (NYSCAN)

830/Home

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET.

If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803 (NYSCAN)

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY!

FREEDOMCARE

Let your loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now: 1-855-3857556 (NYSCAN)

HOME REPAIRSLICENSED GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR

Finish Carpentry and Fine Woodworking Cabinet installation, Door repair & installation, Stairs, molding, Cabinets, plumbing, Electrical, Water filters, and more.

La Jolla Woodworks - Patrick 858220-4732

PEST CONTROL:

PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling! (NYSCAN)

855/Misc.

CONSUMER CELLULAR

The same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682. (NYSCAN)

GET BOOST INFINITE!

Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391(NYSCAN)

875/Travel

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877-988-7277. (NYSCAN)

WINTER SPORTS COACHES

District anticipates openings for :

Boys Varsity Swim.

Boys Modiﬁed Swim, and Boys Modiﬁed Basketball coaches

Community Swim Director.

School bus drivers, and substitute school bus drivers

Full time cleaner

Apply online by October 26, 2024 with the Suppor t Staff Application; g o to souther ncayug a.org/644, click on the application in the right column; SCCS EOE

10/24 Thursday

Pierce Walsh & the Makers | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

Cast Iron Cowboys | 8 p.m. | Atwater Vineyards, 5055 State Route 414

ITHAKARAOKE w/ Live Backing

Band | 9 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Rena Guinn / Mike Legere / Kitestring | | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

10/25 Friday

Cast Iron Cowboys | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

Spirits in the Woods | 6 p.m. | Lime Hollow Nature Center, 3277 Gracie Rd

Fall Creek Brass Band Halloween

Party | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Strong Maybe October Residency | | The Downstairs, 121 W. M.L.K. Jr. St.

10/26 Saturday

Danby Community Concert: Falling Waters Trio (Grietzer, Hodgson, & Manning) | 2 p.m. | Fellowship Hall of the Danby Community Church, 1859 Danby Road (Route 96B) | Free

Ric Robertson | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Whistlin Dyl Residency | | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

10/27 Sunday

Jazz Guitar Brunch with Dennis Winge | 10:30 a.m. | Antlers Restaurant, 1159 Dryden Rd. | Free

Punk Rock Happy hour | 5 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Jazz Jam | 6:00pm| The Downstairs

10/28 Monday

Jazz Monday with Dave Davies RhythmMakers | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd. Five on 4 | | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

10/29 Tuesday

Timothy w/ Greg Hill | | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

10/30 Wednesday

Casual Splash | | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St. Concerts/Recitals

10/23 Wednesday

Midday Music for Organ: Ivan Bosnar | 12:30 p.m. | Sage Chapel, 147 Ho Plaza

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St

10/24 Thursday

10/25 Friday

Rod Stewart Tribute Show With Danny D. | 6 p.m. | Tioga Downs, 2384 West River Rd | $20.00

ALL THE WRONG NOTES: Charles Ives at 150, second concert | 7:30 p.m. | Barnes Hall, 129 Ho Plaza

Soul Asylum - Slowly But Shirley Tour | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St

10/26 Saturday

Lights Out Presents - A Tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons | 6:30 p.m. | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St NYS Baroque presents Knight Music | 7:30 p.m. | First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora St. | $10.00 - $30.00

Destroyer | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St

10/27 Sunday

10/29 Tuesday

Miri Yampolsky, Maria Ioudenitch, and Ariel Tushinsky concert | 7:30 p.m. | Barnes Hall, 129 Ho Plaza | Free

Stage

Polishing Shakespeare | 7 p.m., 10/23 Wednesday | Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 W. State / W. MLK, Jr. Street |

HOI presents Lucas Hnath’s ‘The Thin Place’ | 7 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St | See Weekend Planner!

Comedy UnCorked: Trumansburg’s Open Mic Comedy Nights | 7 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | Cedarwood Event Venue, 9632 NY-96 | Welcome to a new era of laughter in Trumansburg, NY! Comedy on the Commons, in a delightful partnership with Cedarwood, is ecstatic to present a series of comedy shows and open mic nights. | Free

LCA Presents Puppeteer Performance | 2:30 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 W. State / W. MLK, Jr. Street | Don’t miss a magical experience as the Latino Civic Association presents “Pedro y la Odisea del Paraná,” a captivating puppet show by acclaimed Argentinian puppeteer Leonor Lipszyc.

Double Contra Dance with New Englanders George Marshall and Thunderwing | 3 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | Beverly J Martin Elementary School, 302 W Bu alo St | Double New England contras: 3-5 pm challenging dances; 6:30-10 pm dances for all! | $10.00 - $38.00

Art

Seeing Ithaca: through the eyes of artists | 12 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street |

Harry Littell and Jane Dennis | 12 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | State of the Art Gallery,, 120 W State St #2 |

The Saltonstall Exhibition - Opening Reception | 5 p.m., 10/25 Friday | The Cherry Arts, 130 Cherry Street | Join us at the Cherry Arts in Ithaca for a group exhibition featuring artists from across New York State who participated in the Saltonstall Foundation’s prestigious juried residency program this year! | Free Every Stone Tells a Story Exhibit | 10 a.m., 10/26 Saturday | New eld History and Activity Center, 192 Main Street | Come and learn about New eld’s cemeteries at the New eld Historical Society’s new exhibit: Every Stone Tells a Story! | Free Artist talk by Adriana Groeneveld | 1 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Rd. | The Gallery at South Hill presents an artist talk by exhibiting artist Adriana Groeneveld. This two person exhibit features the multi media works of Mara Alper and Adriana Groeneveld. Adriana will discuss her work and the collaboration between her and Mara. | Free Transient Cycles | 12 p.m., 10/27

Sunday | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Rd. | The Gallery at South Hill presents “Transient Cycles”. A two person exhibit featuring the multi media works of Mara Alper and Adriana Groeneveld. | Free

DIY Zine Workshop: Botanical Impressions | 5 p.m., 10/28 Monday | Ithaca Print Commons , 171 E. State St. in Center Ithaca on the Commons | Learn about plant medicines and make your own ZINE at the Ithaca Print Commons! | $5.00 - $10.00

Film

¿Are We There Yet? Premiere Screening | 6 p.m., 10/23 Wednesday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | ¿Are We There Yet?- Locally produced documentary on immigration in the US. | Free

Nosferatu Film Screening w/ Live Score | 8 p.m., 10/30 Wednesday | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St | Original, live score performed by THE MAGNETIC PULL An all original, ever-evolving musical entity from Syracuse.

Cinemapolis

120 E. Green St., Ithaca Films opening October 25th. Contact Cinemapolis for additional lms and showtimes. Conclave | When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he nds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church..| PG 120 mins We Live in Time | An up-and-coming chef and a recent divorcée nd their lives forever changed when a chance encounter brings them together, in a decade-spanning, deeply moving romance..| R 107 mins

Cornell Cinema

All lms are shown at 104 Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Campus. The Laughing Boy (An Buachaill Geal Gáireach)| 10/24, 6:30 pm m|The lm centers on the untold story of an Irish song called “The Laughing Boy”, written by the Irish writer and activist Brendan Behan in memory of Michael Collins, leader of the Irish independence movement. | Kneecap| 10/24, 9:00 pm | When fate brings Belfast schoolteacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed ‘low life scum’ Naoise & Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish language, Kneecap quickly become the unlikely gureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue.

Z | 10/25, 6:00 pm | A pulse-pounding political thriller, Greek expatriate director Costa-Gavras’s Z was one of the cinematic sensations of the late sixties, and remains among the most vital dispatches from that hallowed era of lmmaking.

The Blair Witch Project | 10/25, 9:00 pm, 10/31, 7:00 pm | This lowbudget, found footage horror lm directed by Eduardo Sanchez was a game-changer for the horror genre and among the rst to harness the internet to publicize the lm and generate communities of impassioned fans who became convinced that lm was documenting real events. It & The Pill Pounder: Live Score by Philip Carli | 10/26, 4:30 pm | Inspired by a story by Elinor Glyn, who used the simple pronoun to encapsu-

HOI PRESENTS LUCAS HNATH’S ‘THE THIN PLACE’

THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH - 26TH AT 7:00PM.

SATURDAY MATINEE AT 2:00PM. Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca| House of Ithacqua presents a ghost story woven through a personal drama, interrogating belief and credulity about life after death. The bereaved Hilda becomes attached to professional medium Linda following a death and a disappearance in her family.(Photo: Provided)

DOUBLE CONTRA DANCE WITH GEORGE MARSHALL AND THUNDERWING

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 3:00PM-10:00PM

Beverly J. Martin Elementary, 302 W. Bu alo St.,

Challenging contras 3-5 pm, potluck supper 5-6:30 pm, beginner workshop 6:30-7:00 pm, contra dances for all 7-10 pm. No partner needed, but bring clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the oor.

Ithaca|

(Photo: Provided)

late the spirit of the sexually-liberated youth of Prohibition-era America, a saucy lingerie salesgirl sets her sights on the handsome owner (Antonio Moreno) of the department store in which she works.

Dr. Strangelove| 10/26, 8:00 pm, 11/01, 6:00 pm | After the fanatical General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike. One of Stanley Kubrick’s best and most famous lms.

The Goonies| 10/27, 2:30 pm| This fun- lled, fast-paced adventure based on a story by Steven Spielberg and directed by Richard Donner is a perennial favorite.

The Shining|10/27, 5:30 pm, 10/31, 9:00 pm|Directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, The Shining remains one of the most celebrated and terrifying horror lms of all time.

Scenes of Extraction|10/29, 7:00 pm|Between 1901 and 1951, the British-controlled oil operations in Iran expanded their geological expeditions and geophysical methods for locating commercially viable oil reserves across its entire oil concession. An archival stroll into the British Petroleum Archives to unearth the still and moving images that documented this expansive colonial network of geological explorations.

Special Events

Moore Family Farm Fall Festival | 10 a.m., 10/25 Friday | Moore Family Farm, 570 Auburn Rd. | Come get lost in our 5-acre corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkin, enjoy Farm-Fresh Cider Donuts, test your aim at our apple cannons and so much Moore!. | $16.95 - $28.95 Double Contra Dance with New Englanders George Marshall and Thunderwing | 3 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | Beverly J Martin Elementary School, 302 W Bu alo St | Double New England contras: 3-5 pm challenging dances; 6:30-10 pm dances for all! |

$10.00 - $38.00

“Ghost Hunt” at the 1890 House | 6 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | 1890 House Museum, 37 Tompkins St | Attempt to reach through the veil after dark in the haunted Victorian mansion.

Sports

Cornell Field Hockey vs Brown University | 2 p.m., 10/25 Friday | Dodson Field |

Ithaca Field Hockey vs Skidmore College | 4 p.m., 10/25 Friday | Higgins Stadium |

Cornell Women’s Polo vs Texas A&M University | 6 p.m., 10/25 Friday | Oxley Equestrian Center |

Cornell Men’s Cross Country vs John Reif Memorial | 10/25 Friday | Moakley Course |

Cornell Women’s Cross Country vs John Reif Memorial | 10/25 Friday | Moakley Course |

Ithaca Men’s Soccer vs Vassar College | 3 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | Carp Wood Field |

Cornell Big Red Hockey vs. University of Toronto Varsity Blues Men’s Hockey | 7 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | James Lynah Rink, Campus Rd |

Erie Roller Derby vs Black Diamond Rollers | 5:30 p.m., 10/26

Saturday | Ithaca Mall (former Old Navy location) | $10.00

Ithaca Men’s Soccer vs RIT | 3 p.m., 10/30 Wednesday | Carp Wood Field |

Books

Jill Johnston in Motion: Dance, Writing, and Lesbian Life: A Book Talk by Clare Croft | 5 p.m., 10/24

Thursday | Cornell University, 144 East Ave | Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for Jill Johnston in Motion: Dance, Writing, and Lesbian Life: A Book Talk by Clare Croft. Rest in Pages Book Club | 3 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | The Whimsy Mercantile, 2075 East Shore Drive | Each month, we read a death/grief related book and talk about our thoughts on it and what emotions came up for us over tea, co ee, and treats. | Free “Yield Everything, Force Nothing” Generative Creative Writing Workshop | 2 p.m., 10/27 Sunday | Bu alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | “The most common feedback I get about my teaching style is “I’ve never taken a class like this before” and “I can’t believe I just wrote this!””

4 Seasons Adult Fiction Book Club | 6 p.m., 10/28 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green

Street | The Four Seasons Fiction Book Club returns this Fall to discuss one book on the theme of “Witches” as selected by book club participants.

Kids

The MAiZE at Stoughton Farm | 9 a.m., 10/23 Wednesday | Stoughton Farm, 10898 State Route 38, Newark Valley | YEE HAW!!! Have we got a Rip-Roaring good time in store for y’all. Our 2024 corn maze challenges the senses with its vast 8+ acres of pathways, turning points and dead ends.

Halloween In Downtown | 4 p.m., 10/25 Friday | Halloween in Downtown Ithaca is all about creating a safe and secure trick-or-treating experience for families.

Spooky Science | 12 p.m., 10/27 Sunday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St | Join us for our annual free community event, Spooky Science, on Sunday, October 27th.

Notices

NARCAN Vending Machine Ribbon Cutting | 11:30 a.m., 10/23

Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Join the Tompkins County Public Library for a ribbon cutting of our new NARCAN

vending machine, hosted by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.

October Game Night with BSB | 5 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | Bu alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | Looking for a ghostly October game night? Embrace the Halloween season and join us in playing a macabre game of Mysterium! We have a wide variety of board games you can choose from to help you decompress. $5 suggested donation.* | Free

Coltivare Community Wine Course: Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc | 5:30 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | Coltivare, 235 S. Cayuga St | Coltivare Community Wine Course: Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc featuring Loire Valley, South Africa, Finger Lakes Breast Health and Cancer Prevention Webinar | 6 p.m., 10/24 Thursday | Virtual | Take control of your breast health and explore the latest in cancer prevention. Participants are asked to register on-line at www. cayugahealth.org/BreastWebinar. | Free

American Red Cross Blood Drive | 10 a.m., 10/25 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street |

SAVMA Philanthropy Fall Canine Crawl | 8:30 a.m., 10/26 Saturday | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr | The Canine Crawl will welcome the CVM

When you choose Tompkins, you get things that other banks think are impossible to combine— like the most forward-thinking technology and the kind of relationships that only happen in a tight-knit community.

Open an account at openanywhere.tompkinsbank.com

and local community to show o their furry friends while raising funds and awareness for the Patient Assistance Fund at Cornell. | $10.00 - $15.00

Fall Festival | 9 a.m., 10/26 Saturday | New eld United Methodist Church, 227 Main Street | The Fall Festival at New eld United Methodist Church features crafters, a bake sale, silent auction, and a luncheon. | Free

Fall Worm Composting Class | 10 a.m., 10/26 Saturday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | Learn how worms can make fast, rich compost for your garden while disposing of your food scraps. Take home the bin, a starter population of worms, and the knowledge to tend to your new pets. | $12.00

Food Pantry | 12 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | GYM-Southside Community Center, 305 S Plain St | Desserts at Dusk Fundraiser to Bene t Family Reading Partnership | 6 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | Beacon Hill Events & Catering, 1638 East Shore Drive | Join Family Reading Partnership from 6 - 9 pm on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, at Beacon Hill Events and Catering for an evening of delicious dessert tastings from a variety of Tompkins County’s nest, drinks and dancing, gift baskets lled with wonderful items up for ra e, and more! | $45.00 - $50.00

Storytelling for Hurricane Relief | 7:30 p.m., 10/26 Saturday | The Art Space, 110 E. N Tioga St | Fundraising event to raise money for Hurricane victims. | Free Sewcial Stitching Sundays at SewGreen! | 3 p.m., 10/27 Sunday | SewGreen, Press Bay Court 112 W Green Street, #5 | Join our little group as we knit, crochet, weave, handstitch, mend, and drink complimentary tea! If you have questions about your project, chances are someone here will know! Everyone is welcome! Every Sunday from 3 pm to 5 pm. Crafts are provided for children for $5 per child | Free Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous | 4 p.m., 10/27 Sunday, 518 W. Seneca | Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a free Twelve Step recovery program for anyone su ering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating or bulimia. No dues. No fees. Everyone is welcome. Sundays 4pm. Contact 607351-9504 foodaddicts.org | Free Circles Autumn Fest - Faculty and Sta at Circles Community Center | 4 p.m., 10/27 Sunday | Please join us on Sunday, October 27th from 4-6pm for a night of fun this year at the Circle Apartments!

Bring your children to go around the apartments for outdoor fun.

BackPage

A Vibrant, Active Community Center

For Learning, Activities, Social Groups

And More! For Adults 50+

Lifelong

119 West Court St., Ithaca

607-273-1511

tclifelong.org

ALL ABOUT MACS

Macintosh Consulting

http://www.allaboutmacs.com (607) 280-4729

*Acupuncture Works*

Peaceful Spirit Acupuncture

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

607-272-0114

For rates and information contact front@ ithacatimes.com

277-7000

ANIMALS

LAND & SEA

FingerLakesAnimalRights.org

CLEANING SERVICES

http://www.cleanswithus.com

JANITORIAL* DEEP CLEANINGS *

INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP

Call 607-697-3294

Everyone Is Welcome

Shop at the COOP

Full Service Grocery Store

GREENSTAR FOOD CO+OP

770 Cascadilla St., Ithaca

FLYITHACA.COM

Convenient-Clean-Connected

Get The Ithaca

Times Mobile App

Available in Appstore & Google Play

ITHACA NEWS

Delivered to your inbox every day

Ithaca Times Daily

Text ITHACA to 22828 to Sign up

Looking to Boost your FALL Business? Call Larry at

607-277-7000 ext: 1214

Find out about great advertising ad packages at: Ithaca.com & Ithaca Times

Men’s and Women’s Alterations for over 20 years

Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair. Same Day Service Available

John’s Tailor Shop

John Serferlis - Tailor

102 The Commons 273-3192 PIANOS

Rebuilt, Reconditioned, Bought, Sold, Moved Tuned, Rented

Complete Rebuilding Services No job too big or too small

Ithaca Piano Rebuilders (607) 272-6547

950 Danby Rd, Suite 26

South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca REAL LIFE CEREMONIES

Every life story deserves to be told, and told well.

Steve Lawrence, Celebrant 607-220-7938

REDUCE YOUR HEATING BILL

A FULL LINE OF VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOWS.

Call for Free Estimate & Professional Installation

Custom made & Manufactured by SOUTH SENECA VINYL Romulus, NY 315-585-6050 or 866-585-6050