March 1, 2023

PAGES 8-9

VOL. XLIII / NO. 27 / March 1, 2023

Serving 47,125 readers weekly

Community Police Board Discuss Crisis Response Team

By Matt Dougherty

During the February 22 meeting of the Community Police Board, Shirley Kane was re-appointed as the chairwoman of the board.

Following Kane’s appointment, Common Council member George McGonigal updated the CPB on the work of the reimagining public safety committee, which he said should be done with their final report which will be presented to the Common Council in April.

When asked if the reimagining public safety committee report would be data driven, McGonigal said “I would say no because it’s about recommendations. Certainly some of the recommendations are to collect more data…but the report itself I would say is not based on any data.”

Kane followed up by asking McGonigal to explain what parts of the “Rochester Model” the committee is considering. The Rochester Model has been developed as part of the city of Rochester’s attempt at improving relationships between the police and minoritized communities. It involves a separate department of unarmed responders that work closely with the police but are not housed within the police department responding to situations that don’t call for an armed response. In Rochester, the department is housed within Parks and Recreation.

McGonigal said that the exact Rochester Model “won’t happen here” but that the

city is looking at doing something similar by focusing on creating a “crisis response team.”

While the Rochester model calls for the unarmed department to respond instead of the police, Ithaca’s crisis response team model calls for unarmed responders and police to respond to the scene together.

“It hasn’t been totally decided whether these people will be trained social workers,” said McGonigal. He continued saying that there are other ideas to hire people with “lived experience and people who may or may not be interested in becoming police officers” from within the community.

According to McGonigal, “if it’s clearly a non-violent situation that does not require continuing police presence the IPD officer can leave and the crisis response person can stay at the scene and help the victim connect with other social services they might need.”

Current Acting Chief of Police John Joly has told the reimagining committee that one of the things that crisis response teams can help with is doing follow up calls because IPD is so short staffed.

McGonigal said that the crisis response team will initially be a pilot program that will begin with three to five responders “depending on what gets budgeted for it.” He continued saying that the committee hopes the crisis response team “will not be housed within IPD” and that they’re thinking about housing the unit at GIAC.

However, Community Police Board member Shari Korthuis questioned whether or not it was a smart decision to house units separately if they’re going to be responding to calls together anyway.

McGonigal responded saying that the city’s exploring, building a new public safety building and when that happens both units could potentially be housed in the same building.

“It’s my understanding that there is no room to put [unarmed responders] at IPD and there’s no more room left in City Hall really,” said McGonigal.

Kane also said that a location in Ithaca’s West End should be considered for the future station of the unarmed responders.

Continued on Page 15

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F r EE lan CE r S : Barbara Adams, Stephen Burke, G. M Burns, Alyssa Denger, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman

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X Local artist William Deats will be hosting a painting exhibition at the Ithaca Bakery located within the Triphammer Marketplace on Wednesday, March 8th, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The exhibition will be open to the public for the entire month of March.

X In other news: Viva Taqueria & Cantina is moving across the intersection! After 28 years on the NE corner of

State & Aurora in Downtown Ithaca, Viva is relocating to the SW corner, into the space that was formerly Pasta Vitto and Madeline’s. Viva will be operating in its current location until later this spring and is open Tuesday thru Thursday 12-8 and Friday and Saturday 12-9.

Viva Taqueria opened as a small burrito shop on the corner in July of 1995 and has grown along with Downtown Ithaca and

“restaurant row”. The past 3 years have been turbulent for restaurants and the people that work in them. The restaurant industry has evolved and Viva must also.

We will miss the sunny side of the street. Moving allows us to have room to grow. We are excited for the future in our new location so we can continue to serve fresh healthy Mexican food and margaritas in downtown Ithaca.

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 tiMES gazEttE toM newton

The Community Police Board discusses the future of reimagining public safety

PHOTOGR PHER Q A

By Josh Baldo

End of February Brought End to Extra SNAP Benefits

By Matt Dougherty

The end of February brought the end of emergency allotment SNAP benefits for thousands of individuals and families across the Southern Tier as federal funding for the program has been eliminated since COVID-19 is no longer considered a threat to public health.

In March 2020 — underscored by the chaos of the first weeks of living in a global pandemic — Congress temporarily increased SNAP benefits because of the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a result, supplemental EA SNAP benefits were issued to households in addition to the normal amount of their monthly SNAP benefits. This led to households receiving more SNAP benefits each month than they normally would have been eligible for based on their income and expenses.

According to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “In recent months the EAs have provided about $3 billion each month in additional SNAP benefits in the states in which they are in effect.”

As a result of this increased government support, former Food Bank of the Southern Tier President, Natasha Thompson said that the Food bank actually saw demand decrease in 2021 when compared to demand in 2020 and 2019 — before the arrival of the pandemic. However, as pandemicera support systems have gradually eroded the food bank has seen an increase in demand once again.

According to Thompson, “by the end of Q2, we saw a 35% increase in 2022 compared to 2021 at the same time period.” Thompson continued saying that represents a 14% increase since before the pandemic in 2019.

Community Food System Plan Coordinator, Katie Hallas has also told the Ithaca Times that despite efforts to address food insecurity, “we have more food insecurity in this community than anyone is comfortable with. IT fluctuates up here, but it’s something around 11,000 residents

experiencing food insecurity.” Hallas continued saying that “it’s not that we don’t have resources and services, it’s that many people who could utilize them are not.” These numbers are expected to get even worse with the elimination of emergency allotment benefits.

February was the last month that supplemental EA benefits were issued, and SNAP benefits have since returned to their normal amount because Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2022, which ended the supplemental EA benefits prior to President Joe Biden’s scheduled date to declare an end to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11th.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a report outlining that households in 35 states will lose at least $95 a month. In New York State households are estimated to lose an average of $151 a month. This reduction is expected to increase food insecurity for SNAP recipients nationwide, and Tompkins County is no exception.

Social services like the SNAP are already dramatically underutilized in Tompkins County. According to the executive summary of the Tompkins County Food System Plan, only 30-40% of residents in Tompkins County who are eligible to

receive SNAP benefits are enrolled in the program. In addition, according to census data almost half (55.5%) of eligible individuals in Tompkins County were not accessing SNAP benefits from 2018 to 2020.

This is likely due to the fact that the enrollment process for these programs are challenging to navigate. For example, the food system plan summary said that “onethird of food insecure residents earn too much to qualify for public food assistance programs yet struggle to stretch a limited food budget.”

These difficulties drive up rates of food insecurity, which leads to increased health care costs. According to Feeding America, “food insecure adults in Tompkins County pay [an average of] $1,193 more in health care costs over the course of a year than a food secure adult does.”

To combat the loss that will add to the inefficiencies that already exist within the SNAP system, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier issued a press release outlining their plans to increase the number of available spots for their Mobile Food Pantries “for the foreseeable future by approximately 300 families per month.”

According to FeedingAmerica.org, one in eight people in the Southern Tier experience food insecurity and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier distributes more than Continued on Page

WHAT LIFE SKILLS ARE RARELY TAUGHT, BUT EXTREMELY USEFUL?

“Emotional awareness of self and others.”

– Clare N.

“Food foraging.”

– Aleta W.

“Drawing and painting.”

– Mrs.N.

“Honest self reflection.”

– John S.

“Personal finances.”

– Emilia V.

Food Bank of the Southern Tier Vice President of Community Impact, Randi Quackenbush (Photo Credit: Food Bank of the Southern Tier)

Ithaca Considering Changing Process for Filling Vacancies

By Matt Dougherty

The City Administration committee discussed the potential for approving the Elected Office Vacancy Reform Act, which would change the way the city of Ithaca fills vacancies for elected positions during their meeting that took place on February 22.

Currently the city’s process for filling vacancies involves conducting a series of interviews with the Mayor and two additional members of the Common Council. Following the interviews, the Mayor appoints a nominee and the Common Council can either approve or reject the nomination.

This process recently played out and resulted in the Common Council approving the appointment of Kris Haines-Sharp to fill the vacancy created by Mayor Laura Lewis vacating her position as fifth ward representative. Third ward Common Council member Jeffery Barken has announced he will resign in June, which will call for another vacancy-filling process.

According to 3rd Ward Alderperson and candidate for Mayor, Robert Cantelmo, the city is considering a “proposal to amend the city code to remove this method of filling vacancies through an appointment process and instead propose a special election that is similar to what our colleagues at the county do.”

Supporters of conducting a special election instead of appointing someone to fill a vacancy say that the process is more democratic. However, some say that isn’t always the case.

Tompkins County

Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Stephen Dewitt — who has worked on five special elections for Tompkins County — told the committee “On the surface having a special election to fill a vacancy sounds very good, but I’ve seen the process in five special elections for the county legislature and I don’t think it’s quite as transparent as people think.”

Regarding the idea of special elections Dewitt said “It’s a very short and immedi-

UPS DOWNS& Ups

The Hangar Theatre has announced a three show lineup for their 2023 Summer Season. The season will open with Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me”, followed by “Billy Elliot: The Musical” in July, and “The Impossible Dream: A Broadway Pops Concert” will close the series.

Downs

In what turned out to be a nail biter from start to finish, the No. 15 ranked Ithaca College women’s basketball team fell 54–52 to Skidmore College in the Liberty League Championship game.

HEARD SEEN& Heard

ate ballot access process and political parties have an inordinate amount of power about who gets on the ballot. There’s no primary election and the process lends itself inside baseball.”

He continued saying, “somebody could decide that they want to resign from Common Council and you know they are planning on doing it a month from now. A couple of friends that are well connected can grease the skids for them to give them a little bit of an advantage. That can happen with the [special election] process.”

Dewitt says that the choice of candidates is limited due to the fact that “the party can put up one person and you can have an independent nominating process.” According to Steve, “once you declare the special election you lose any control over the process”

He says that the current process of filling vacancies through appointments allows the city to retain more control. Additionally, unlike a special election which would cost a minimum of $10,000, the entire appointment process is cost-free and can usually be accomplished within 60 days.

Dewitt also said that the person who is appointed to fill a vacancy is usually elected by the public in the next general election.

In response, Cantelmo said that he understands the logistical and financial

concerns regarding special elections, but he thinks “if one were to move forward with the election method, there is certainly an opportunity to learn from what the county has done.” He also stressed that regardless of the concerns, it’s still more democratic to have a special election than to have ten members of the Common Council make the decision.

In addition, he says that just because the public usually elects the person who was appointed to fill a vacancy in the next election that doesn’t mean the appointment process is fair.

According to Cantelmo, “there is a real empirical phenomenon that is the incumbency advantage, and so from a democratic perspective I think that is a negative of the existing system.”

Regarding the timeline for changing the process for filling vacancies, City Attorney Ari Lavine said that if the Common Council chooses to approve the proposal that it could require a public referendum in order to change. As a result, the process of making the change could be slower than anticipated.

According to Lavine, In order to get the referendum on the ballot this November, the city would need to have their proposal ready by August.

He continued saying, “having helped the city through the mechanics of a number of referendums, including one just this past election cycle. Our referendum process is a meaningful undertaking, both for the public in terms of understanding what’s on the ballot and educating themselves and making choices but also in terms of the internal mechanics for common council for the City Clerk’s Office for my office and for the mayor’s office.”

“I would encourage the council to send to referendum only a law that the council genuinely hopes to see approved,” said Lavine.

A Political Action Committee (PAC) that supports Democrats called the House Majority PAC has announced that it will be spending $45 million on influencing congressional races across New York State with the goal of flipping five Republican seats to Democrats.

Seen

Cornell University returned ancestral remains and possessions that had been kept in a university archive for six decades to the Oneida Indian Nation on Feb. 21 at a small campus ceremony.

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

In the days following the United States shooting down a Chinese Spy Balloon the Air Force shot down numerous unidentified flying objects over U.S. airspace. Where these UFO’s just more spy balloons or were they ALIENS?

75.0% More Spy Balloons.

12.5% UFO’s.

12.5% Aliens.

Should Ithaca change the way it fills vacancies on the Common Council by holding a special election instead of filling the position through an appointment process?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

City Attorney Ari Lavine says a public referendum is required in order for the city to change the way it fills vacancies. (Staff Photo)

Third Ward Alderperson and Mayoral Candidate Robert Cantelmo says that he supports changing the way the city fills vacancies from an appointment process to a special election to increase democracy in the city. (Photo Provided)

“It’s a very short and immediate ballot access process and political parties have an inordinate amount of power about who gets on the ballot. There’s no primary election and the process lends itself inside baseball.”

—Tompkins County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Stephen Dewitt

Bikes Stolen from Bike Walk Tompkins and Southside Community Center

By Niki Firske, Associate Director of Bike Walk Tompkins & Chavon Bunch, Director of Southside Community Center

In January 2023, Southside Community Center’s RIBs and Bike Walk Tompkins (BWT) suffered two, calculated bike thefts. The first happened in the first week of January when BWT staff found its bike education trailer with locks cut off and 10 refurbished bikes gone. The following week, refurbished bikes disappeared from RIBs while the shop was closed. The combined financial impact was the loss of $2000+ of potential income to our programs and over $1,000 in additional expenses to fix damage and install security measures. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the ongoing struggle with bike theft in Ithaca that has affected countless individuals, local businesses, and our community bike shops. How can we tackle the issue of bike theft with compassion and empathy, treating it as a symptom of an inequitable transportation system?

Many of you know Southside Community Center from their programs that educate youth, feed community members, and empower Black Americans through

Downtown Disappointment and Renewed Determination

By Gary Ferguson, Downtown Ithaca Alliance

joyful events. You may also know Bike Walk Tompkins as the organization behind Streets Alive! Ithaca, Ithaca’s only open streets festival and for our advocacy on behalf of bicycling and pedestrian transportation needs. What you may not know is both of these two organizations are locally funded non-profits working to increase access to free and affordable bikes in the greater Ithaca area. Whether a person wants to go RIBs to open shop hours to build a bike or check out BWT’s ongoing bike match program, pop-up repair clinics, and newly created open shop hours, there is something for everyone. In 2022, the combined effort of both organizations allowed 175+ refurbished bikes to be sold at low-to-no cost and 50 youth bikes donated to local elementary school bike programs. We believe our organizations go above and beyond in our missions to address systemic transportation inequity by consistently pro-

Continued on Page 15

The State of New York has selected the village of Johnson City as the recipient for the round six $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award for the Southern Tier. We congratulate Johnson City on its DRIwinning efforts. This award will help them forward their aspirations for a revitalized downtown area around the former factory buildings that once were engines of its economy.

However, for Ithaca, this is the sixth consecutive time that we have missed out on the opportunity to participate in this State program, which aims to elevate downtown centers through transformational projects that will stimulate new development, investment, and job creation.

Previously, some application reviewers expressed the opinion that Ithaca did not need DRI assistance, as we had the continued support of Cornell University, and construction cranes were a regular sight in our city. They recommended that the funding be directed towards areas that lack the advantages of Ithaca. In our sixth-round application, we tried to persuade Southern Tier decision-makers that DRI funds were imperative for improving Ithaca.

This news brings both disappointment and renewed determination.

The disappointment comes from our realization that our community cannot achieve many of its goals and address many of its needs without State assistance and support. Ithacans are indeed accustomed to seeing construction cranes in our area, mostly for housing development projects. We have a chronic demand for new housing (some 7,000 units as of 2017). Developers have invested in our community to meet this need. However, despite the ongoing construction, our community still faces a substantial shortage of housing units. Even with all the cranes and construction, we remain acutely short of the desired equilibrium of demand and supply of housing. This housing deficit has caused housing costs in Ithaca to increase continually, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the nation.

As we prepared our round-six application, we realized that we had been including many of the same set of needs and projects in our proposals for over a decade. It's a stark reality that while Ithaca can attract housing development owing to its unfulfilled residential demand, community initiatives often require outside assistance to take shape. Without the necessary subsidies or support, projects like revamping Dewitt Park, establishing a Six Mile Creek Trail, launching child care and youth centers, and setting up a retail incubator in the downtown area, are nothing but mere aspirations.

Our round six application focused on rebuilding and strengthening West Downtown. Much of our new development and investment has occurred in the central and eastern sections of Downtown. West Downtown has not received the same attention, and we determined that a DRI award would be an ideal way to jump-start this key, strategic area of our urban core.

Despite our disappointment, we remain resolute in our commitment to investing in the west downtown area. As stated in our application, this area serves as a vital link between the bustling Commons portion of Downtown and the waterfront, as well as the well-traveled Route 13 corridor. For many visitors driving along Route 13, their first impression of Ithaca and its Downtown is a stretch of unappealing highway they pass through without stopping. Furthermore, Route 13 has long been a significant pedestrian barrier, separating the traditional Downtown from Ithaca’s West End and West Side.

Although West State Street was rebricked in 2002, the roadway has since deteriorated, and no amenities have been added to the corridor, leaving it as a poor pedestrian connector. These needs will not go away; they will only intensify.

Our DRI application called for extensive investment in infrastructure in this area and the creation of community amenities and projects that would make

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR U

S Rep. Marc Molinaro (RNY19), after years of campaigning for numerous offices as a champion of lower costs for New Yorkers, has shown his loyalty when voting against lowering gas prices in regards to HR 21 and subsequent amendments.

In 2022, when gas prices around the country surpassed $4 per gallon, our government released portions of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ease pressures on consumers. Some GOP members blame this action for their poor results in the 2022 midterm elections. Thus, HR 21 was introduced to hinder the governments ability to use the SPR to ease prices in an emergency. The bill requires the government to issue more leases on federal land for drilling despite over 9,000 leases issued being unused or abandoned. Rep. Molinaro voted to slow the government’s ability to help consumers with this energy stockpile.

Furthermore, Amendment 31 would prohibit gas companies that operate on federal land, from hiking prices during a time of conflict or supply chain shortages. Last year, one major gas company enjoyed a 142% profit increase from $23 billion in 2021 to $55.7 billion in 2022. Rep. Molinaro voted against this amendment.

But don’t worry, in a 2/8/23 tweet, Mr. Molinaro joined his mentor, Elise Stefanik (R-NY), in picking a fight with the NYC Mayor over… Chocolate Milk. Quite a man of the people.

Jonathan Ojerholm

continued from page 6

West Downtown a place people desire to live, visit, work, and patronize. We have a well-thought-out, community-driven plan for improving West Downtown and making it a destination and a place that will serve all Ithacans. With a DRI, we could tackle this challenge head-on and all at once. Without this support, we must once again become creative and

Response to “Cornell’s Tax-Exempt Status & Ithaca’s Bottom Line”

Well written and insightful article. Important conversation... Until June 2024 MOU is in place as is. If there is to be change it will need council sponsors. It will also need to deal with how Cornell perceives its economic reality as it relates to the City and County.

https://economicimpact.cornell.edu/local/

Much is of course up in the air in terms of municipal leadership. All seats up for reelection. 2024 will start the era of City Manager.

Other than taxes what other creative approaches would deliver yearly value... If Cornell were to build housing for low to moderate income workers on Cornell property and do what they did with Maplewood that delivers tax revenue to the Town of Ithaca?

What if part of its agriculture patent licensing revenue were donated to food security?

Not sure about going forward with the adversarial "You owe us!" approach. Can't offer a win-win strategy at this time... food for thought.

Fred Schoeps

Take the Land Line, Leave the Crocs

By Charley Githler

It’s a symptom of how degraded our society has become, but I long ago ditched the delivery of a daily newspaper to my front doorstep, and read my news now on my phone every morning. Aside from the ocular damage that ensues, it means I am prone to being sucked down clickbait rabbit holes until a passing family member slaps the phone from my hands.

Admittedly, I’ve invested too much time learning what body language experts think Kate Middleton’s raised eyebrows signify. I was ensnared this morning by this headline: “50 Uncool Things Boomers Won’t Give Up”.

instance, which is a perfect blend of sort of instant communication without face-to-face interaction. We should have stopped inventing things immediately after email became a thing. And toast! Why do Millennials and Gen-zers have it in for the least offensive, most heartwarming food of them all?

The more you encourage people to minimize their income (you only qualify if you can get it below $35k/ year), the more people will do just that. People value leisure time, and if you reward them for spending less time working so that they can enjoy even more leisure time, then that is what they will do. Public policies like that are harmful since they reduce total economic output. Granted, seniors typically aren't working much anyway, however people can still restructure their finances in order to qualify for the benefit/ exemption. Unless the local government cuts spending, then all this policy does is increase the tax burden on non-seniors.

Richard Ballantyne

persistent in our efforts to bring investment and quality-of-life improvements to West Downtown.

With renewed determination, let’s work as a community to address the challenges of West Downtown and the West End. Bit by bit, project by project, let’s enact our community-led strategies, to improve opportunities for all, expand our vision of Downtown, and create a place where all are welcomed, served, and proud.

The syntactically-challenged intro read as follows: “If you’re a Boomer reading this, we’re sorry in advance. But we have no choice but to inform you that a lot of things you’ve been doing for, well, ever, are pretty uncool. And although you make think otherwise, these trends are never coming back in style, so you have to accept it.” It went on to detail 50 “unforgivable trends”.

First, I was disconcerted recently to find that I am actually a member of ‘Generation Jones’ - a subcategory of Boomers that I had never heard of comprised of those born between 1954 and 1965. We didn’t fight in any wars or anything, and tend to spin the fact that we grew up in a world of second-hand smoke, leaded gas and no bicycle helmets to mean that we were tough instead of stupid. Still, 44 of the uncool items on the list had direct application to me.

Second, a good portion of the criticism was legit. Ditching the land line, giving up paying paper bills by check, getting rid of phone books...welcome to the 21st century, Grandma.

Others, though, I would submit, are subjects suitable for debate. Email, for

It’s when they pass judgment on sartorial (that means ‘clothing’, youngsters) matters that I feel a line is being crossed. Fanny packs, sure, though they’re actually in or out of style several times a day. But tucked-in shirts? I suppose we’re all supposed to walk around with shirttails flying, like zoo animals. Crocs? Socks and sandals? These are victimless crimes, at worst.

In my teen years, which were in the late 1960s and early ‘70s, there was a demographic of older men that wore fedora hats. (For anyone under 45, it’s the hat Clark Kent wore.) By that point, nobody younger than 50 was wearing hats any more, not like they used to. They taught us in Drivers Ed that if you saw the silhouette of a fedora on the driver in the car in front of you, you were about to witness some bad driving. The thing is, though, there is no way those fedora-wearing gentlemen would have given the slightest rat’s ass that my generation thought that fedoras were uncool.

I get that Boomer Rules no longer apply. It’s actually OK to change jobs. You should think about whether college makes sense. The only reason to have cable is TCM. I also get that every day since 1997 we’ve being progressively more programmed to seek approval via social media. But I feel like some pushback is in order. So if you see me from now on, I’m not wearing the fedora ironically. I’m bringing them back, and I don’t care who thinks it’s not cool.

Downtown Ithaca 25 Years Later

By Matt Dougherty

Believe it or not, construction cranes have not always towered hundreds of feet above Downtown Ithaca. In fact, there was once a time, not so long ago, when downtown suffered from a severe lack of investment from developers.

During a recent conversation, the Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance Gary Ferguson told the Ithaca Times that most growth in the area wasn’t happening in the city’s downtown core.

“In the 1990s, the vast majority of regional growth was occurring outside of downtown. Little private investment found its way into downtown. Only the County made significant investments during this period by adding the Human Services and the Mental Health buildings to downtown.”

Ferguson said the increase in interest in suburban development was to blame.

“By the early 1990s it was becoming clear that downtown was changing, not because of new urban investment, but because of the ballooning suburban commercial and residential development.”

According to Joe Wetmore — who has been synonymous with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) since its inception in 1997 — the DIA was created after years of non-investment in downtown which resulted in “a lot of empty storefronts.” Supporters of the Alliance thought of it as a way to increase investment downtown and to safeguard it from going down the same path as other upstate business centers, many of which suffered from increasing development in the suburbs.

Wetmore is the former owner of Autumn Leaves Used Books on the Commons and was the DIA parliamentarian and resident expert on the organization’s by-laws.

According to Wetmore, throughout the 1990s Ithaca was seeing more investment in outlying areas, such as nearWalMart and the then Pyramid Mall. He said downtown businesses “needed to organize ourselves to make downtown survive.”

The Pyramid Mall, now the Shops at Ithaca Mall, began to pose a threat to investment downtown back in the mid1970s. This threat prompted the creation of the Merchants Association, which advocated for the building of the Ithaca Commons,

along with Center Ithaca and the Seneca and Green Street parking garages.

Ferguson said that these investments were able to keep downtown afloat for a moment, but that changed “when the national trend of department store closures reached Ithaca and downtown lost its key retail anchors in the 1990s.”

“It was at this point that a mayoral downtown advisory committee commissioned a study that recommended the creation of a business improvement district (BID) as a tool for revitalization and downtown management,” Ferguson said.

A BID is a type of taxing authority that can be created in New York State that allows property owners to organize and create a self-taxing district in which they tax everyone in the area and use those funds to promote a certain aspect of the area. For example, the City of Ithaca created a sidewalk district and people within that district are taxed for the maintenance of the sidewalks in front of their properties. These special districts can also be created to better manage things like road maintenance and waste management.

Wetmore said the first attempt to organize a business improvement district downtown failed as a result of objections from property owners saying that the district’s boundaries were too large. After the first vote failed, the district’s borders were changed to make the area of the BID smaller and the second vote passed without objection.

“Everyone could see that downtown was hurting in many ways,” Wetmore said.

According to local developer and author Mac Travis, “the first BID was 144 blocks from Stewart Avenue to Geneva Street and Court Street to Green Street. All of Downtown.”

Travis said that the first time around the group pledged publicly that they wouldn’t create the area without the support of 75% of people within the area.

When the vote was held only about 52% of residents were in support and it failed as a result.

Two years later, Travis said the group decided to consolidate the BID into 22 blocks.

“[It] was essentially the Commons and the surrounding two blocks,” he said. It went down to Geneva Street and up to just above Aurora Street…so that became

a very manageable unit that was mostly property owners and stores.”

The DIA uses this BID to make downtown an attractive destination for both shoppers and merchants.

“[It helps to] clean up downtown and help with beautification, marketing events and properties to build up a base of information to say here’s why you ought to bring your business downtown,” said Wetmore.

A view of the Ithaca Commons from the 1970’s (Photo Credit: The History Center of Tompkins County)

Ferguson broke down the specific categories the DIA works on.

“The DIA generally works in five different areas: business retention and development; downtown operations and environmental enhancement; marketing, communications and promotions; special events; and transportation. The DIA also spearheads downtown strategic planning and project formulation.”

By law, the Board of Directors of the BID has to be 51% property owners, but Wetmore says that rule is a bit murky because “in a community like this, I own my property and I own my business. So which hat am I wearing?”

Wetmore said that the DIA has been a major reason why downtown has seen so much development in more recent years.

“…Part of what the DIA is doing is getting the community focused on how we can get more development out.”

And it has, according to Ferguson’s statistics over the past 25 years.

“Downtown tripled its size in total built square feet” by expanding from around one million square feet to an estimated three million square feet by 2024, he said. That has included three new hotels, a rebuilt Commons pedestrian mall and the addition of about 1,000 new housing units.

“I don’t know how you couldn’t consider that success of the organization because it’s clear that when they came in, that’s when the change happened,” said Wetmore.

Before the DIA began to advocate for downtown businesses, there were many

reasons that disincentivized investing in development in the area. One of those was the higher price tag associated with downtown development — partially as a result of “staging costs”.

According to Wetmore, when projects are built in outlying areas like the mall or WalMart “they’ve got all these places to store the various components as they’re putting the project together. Whereas, in downtown, every beam that goes onto that building is picked up off the truck because there’s no place to store them because the building footprint takes up the entire lot.”

This forces downtown developers to rent out space in the countryside and “double truck” supplies to the construction site which significantly drives up costs.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, Travis said the DIA advocated to change zoning laws to allow for the height of buildings Downtown to increase as part of their second 10-year plan. The logic was simple.

“The higher the buildings are, the more you can ameliorate these costs over time because there is more space you can rent out,” Wetmore said.

The DIA has also supported the creation of a tax abatement program that incentivizes people to build and start businesses downtown.

Ferguson said the construction of the Hilton Garden Inn, Marriott Hotel and the redevelopment of a vacant warehouse into the Gateway Plaza were both helped by the DIA.

And as downtown has grown, so has the DIA. As a result of grant money and the increasing tax base within the DIA’s business improvement district, Wetmore said the DIA’s budget has drastically increased from what it was two decades ago.

In 1997 the DIA had two employees and a budget of $200,000. Today the organization’s budget has skyrocketed to more than $1.4 million, which funds a staff of 12 office professionals and eight ambassadors who are “tasked with implementing an annual work plan of 110 different programs, projects and activities, Ferguson said.

However, even as the DIA has seen more development come to downtown over the last two decades, more recently businesses have begun to show signs of struggle once again. Several businesses that have called downtown home for years — such as Waffle Frolic and the T-Shirt Store — have recently gone out of business, leaving a collection of vacant storefronts along the Commons.

Ferguson confirmed the seemingly growing number of vacancies.

“The greatest vacancies reside in the office sector” but “retail vacancies are also higher than normal.”

Filling those vacancies is one of the DIA’s goals for the current year.

“During 2023, the DIA will be actively working to fill vacancies and attract new businesses to the community. We will be commissioning a retail market study for both downtown and the entire City, seeking to determine how the past five or so years have changed the trajectory of retailing,” he said.

Wetmore has said that the DIA “is in a moment of change,” and that“the bigger issue now is trying to find tenants for stores that have closed down and are now vacant.”

According to Wetmore, buildings usually end up remaining vacant “not because the market can’t fill it, but because the property owner has apparently unrealistic expectations of how to fill it.”

When asked if it was possible for the DIA to convince landlords not to keep their properties vacant, Wetmore said that the organization had “no leverage” but that “persuasion is always better than leverage.”

“Do you want to be cornered and forced to do something or do you want someone to convince you that what they want is actually in your best interest too?”

Former owner of Autumn Leaves Used Book on the Commons and Former DIA parliamentarian Joe Wetmore (Photo Provided)

Gary Ferguson has been the Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance since 1999. He will be retiring at the end of this upcoming June. (Photo Provided)

Marriott Hotel on the Commons

Hockey Champs Again, Cornell Looks to Lacrosse

By Steve Lawrence

It comes around several times per year, and “overlap” season is a gift to sports fans. As things wrap up in the winter sports season, spring contests are just getting underway. Let's take a look at some of what's going on...

First, it's time to make room in the rafters at Lynah Rink, as the Big Red men's hockey team just won the Ivy League title for the 25th time in program history (and the third time in the last four years). Cornell University sealed the deal with a 5–1 thumping of Yale University — on the Bulldogs' home ice — and it is safe to say that the Big Red's long bus ride home was made more tolerable after the team lit up the lamp with at least five goals in all four regular-season games against Yale and Brown University.

Cornell will return to action on March 10 in the friendly confines of Lynah Rink, where it will host the first game of the best-of-three quarterfinal round of the ECAC Hockey Championship. Opponent,

game time and ticket information will be released at a later date. ● ●

Another feel-good story from East Hill... As many readers will recall, Cornell women's squash player Sivasangari Subramaniam won the program's first-ever individual NCAA singles title last spring. Dating back to the previous season, the now-senior had won 19 matches in a row on her way to the title, she had been named the Ivy League Player of the Year (POY). Then, on a visit to her family's home in Malaysia last June, “Sivi” was involved in a career-threatening motor vehicle crash. She suffered severe injuries to her face — and most threatening to her squash career, to her neck — but she dug deep, did her rehab and came back strong. She sat out the fall season at Cornell, but this spring, she has run her unbeaten streak to 27 matches while winning another Ivy POY award. It really is an amazing comeback story. Six months ago, Subramaniam was wearing a cumbersome neck brace and needing help

to do almost everything, and now she is back among the elite players in the game. ● ● ●

One more winter sports reference, again involving a spelling that makes journalists check twice... Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell's senior 149-pound wrestler, is on the verge of history. At this writing, only four wrestlers have won four NCAA individual titles, and Yianni (and Iowa's Spencer Lee) will be trying to add their names to that elite list. The Rochester native will have an extra piece of motivation: if he wins: Cornell will be the only program with two four-time champs (Kyle Dake won four titles in four different weight classes and is the only grappler to do so.)

The NCAA Championships get underway in two weeks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. ● ● ●

Onto spring sports... another Big Red athlete has picked up where he left off last season, and junior men's lacrosse player CJ Kirst opened the season — and many eyes — with a six goal outburst in Cornell's openingday 12–10 win over University at Albany. He followed that up by finding the net three more times in Saturday's home opener, a

Cornell

12–5 win over Lehigh University. The Big Red defense really stepped up in the second half, holding their opponents scoreless.

Kirst and teammate Gavin Adler — a senior — are among 50 players on the prestigious Tewaaraton Watch List. The Tewaaraton Trophy is the lacrosse equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy, and it was last won by a Cornell player when Rob Pannell won it in 2013. Prior to that, Max Seibald took the honor in 2009.

#2 Cornell had just a few days off before traveling to Geneva, New York, to take on Hobart College (1–1) on Tuesday, Feb. 28. That score was not available when we went to press.

University Lacrosse Player CJ Krist (Photo Provided)

She is the Very Model of a Modern Major General

Updated Pirates of Penzance at Ithaca College

By Barbara Adams

Arollicking Gilbert and Sullivan evening is just what we needed in this draggedout winter season. Regretfully, Ithaca College’s recent pleasing production ran only one weekend — but both performers and audiences were glad to be back in the Hoerner Theatre again.

Director Ben Robinson (of Opera Ithaca) took a new twist on “The Pirates of Penzance,” setting it in a contemporary seaside resort town — a splendid reason to bring out canvas chaises and patio umbrellas and drench them in stunning sunshine (courtesy of Daniel Zimmerman’s scenic design and Steve TenEyck’s lighting).

Onstage, behind a sandy scrim, Christopher Zemliauskas’ orchestra gamely animated Arthur Sullivan’s music. And no one missed his clever, hilarious lyrics, because (with the help of supertitles), the sound mix was just right.

In W. S. Gilbert’s libretto, the tale begins as Frederic, at 21, is about to be released from his long indenture to a gang of pirates. (His hardof-hearing nursemaid, Ruth, had thought she was apprenticing him to be a pilot.) But since he was born in a leap year, Frederic discovers he technically owes quite a few more decades

to the crew — a great discouragement, since he’s just fallen in love with Mabel, one of the Major-General’s many daughters.

An absurd situation is the lusty heart of most comic opera, and here the subtitle tells all: “The Slave of Duty.” In farcical British fashion, Gilbert and Sullivan are sending up a passel of Victorian conventions, duty being just one of them. Frederic loyally reenlists, and the push and pull continues — pirates vs. the local constabulary, eager young pirates vs. blushing young maidens.

A lively cast of 20, colorfully and amusingly clad, spills across the stage. Costumer Amanda Gladu gives each of the pirates uniquely funky casual wear, especially short shorts on the Pirate King, a tall and charmingly boyish Nick Jones.

The young ladies are equally diverse, in one scene all aflutter in frothy pastel peignoirs.

True to traditional gender roles, the sisters are both interested in and wary of the men; only Mabel is bold and follows her heart when Frederic asks for someone, however homely, to love him.

The ensemble work here is excellent, but Anchal Indu Dhir’s Mabel inevitably stands out: she’s vivacious, dynamically present, and vocally dazzling.

No surprise that Frederic (well played by Nick Capodilupo and Ty Benners on alternating nights) is enamored. But while wooing Mabel, he

repeatedly has to escape the comical clutches of his excessively passionate former nanny (played alternately by Athena Rajnai and Emily Gregonis).

Beyond the beachfront setting, the main surprise here is that the Major-General is a woman; so effectively, her protecting her bevy of daughters makes sense. Grace Sawyko is humorous in the role (especially when getting that spa massage). But unfortunately, she’s placed too far upstage for the famous “Major-General” song, and her voice, though sweet, is so small that this showpiece is diminished.

While the romantic pursuits are underway, the Major-General tricks the tender-hearted pirates, who, all being orphans, never harm one of their own. They must tussle with the clumsy cops, who bang about in a beach car. Police sergeant Tynan Butler shines, as does the Pirate King’s lieutenant, a handsomely voiced Matthew Amori.

The gentle pirates prove more honorable than most and are finally vanquished by the demand that they honor their queen. But as they’re all conveniently expat noblemen, they’re welcomed back into the commonwealth and will be rewarded and mated. At tale’s end, Frederic joyously weds Mabel, who wears a beach towel veil. All’s well that ends well — and we are delightfully entertained.

& Entertainment

Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College.

For one rollicking weekend, a contemporary update of Pirates of Penzance commandeered the Ithaca College Hoerner Theatre stage. (Photo by Dave Burbank Photography)

Pop Culture Inspires Art at Ink Shop’s “Casino”

By Arthur Whitman

Ribbons and cones; rounded, stonelike shapes; jagged spiky stars — all dance and shout within the hectic, ambiguous spaces of Erin Miller’s recent mixed-technique print collages. Brushed and marbled textures add to the vertiginous feeling, keeping the viewer continuously off-balance. Bright colors, bordering on the garish, intertwine with more somber and restrained hues.

Miller, a 2022 Cornell University M.F.A. graduate, is based in Ithaca and Houston, Texas. She is the 2022–2023 Kahn Family Fellow at The Ink Shop Printmaking Center. An exhibition concluding her residency, “Erin Miller: Casino,” (February 3 through March 22) currently fills the Shop’s modest two-room gallery-studio space. The show — with one important exception — consists of moderately sized pieces variously combining screenprint, monotype, paper marbling and collage. She

porary art alike — of taking inspiration from popular culture. As she writes in a statement, her current work draws feeling from “sites of entertainment like casinos, honky-tonks and arcades.” In particular, she cites the carpeting of gambling houses, with their calculated use of sensory disorientation and their linking of “chance and control.”

One can certainly imagine a sinister element behind Miller’s self-evident joie de vivre, perhaps a cautionary tale about the dangers of compulsion and excess. Still, this is not cynically kitschy or politically driven work.

This viewer at least thinks more of Matisse than casino flooring: the simplified heraldic shapes of his late cutouts repeated and overlain to a point of dizzy euphoria. Or the use of collage in an abstract expressionist context by Lee Krasner and others. Or the work of long-time Ink Shop stalwart (and 1977 Cornell M.F.A.) Kumi Korf — whose intertwinings of

The artist makes her interest explicit in “Bouba and Kiki (1–6),” a series of framed upright yellow and black pieces combining marbled paper and collage. The stark twotone is odds with the delicacy traditionally associated with paper marbling as well as the coloristic overload elsewhere in this show. “Bouba” is evoked indirectly in the melting striations of the marbling while the spiked “Kiki” stars are camouflaged, creating a strange sensation — like being pulled while underwater.

collaboration between Cornell Human Ecology professor — and Ink Shop member — Melissa Conroy, musician and electronic sound artist Anthony Dicembre and several other Cornellians. The show (which runs through March 10) occupies the Jill Stuart Gallery in the university’s Human Ecology building.

Back to the Ink Shop. Relatively large, the wide-format “Casino I” and “Casino II,” (both unframed) lack collage, giving them a flatter, less immediately tactile feeling. A central silhouetted form, resembling a pot or urn, is repeated in each, as is the all-over brushy cursive texture. Only the colors shift noticeably: with pale pink, crimson and magenta dominating the cooler colors in “I” and teal and emerald green coming more to the fore in “II.” The diptych plays with abstract pattern as camouflage and more broadly with how we register concealment and disclosure in our perception of the world. Like everything else here, they are also lovely to look at.

has chosen to present these, alternatingly, framed and pinned directly to the wall.

Named after the late H. Peter Kahn (1921–1997) — painter-printmaker, Cornell professor and polymath — the Kahn Family Fellowship offers emerging print or book artists the opportunity to develop their work within the setting of an independent communal print studio and exhibition space.

(Applications for the 2023–24 fellowship are due March 24. See ink-shop.org for details.)

Although abstract, Miller’s work here partakes in the tradition — common to high modernist and postmodern/contem-

brushy calligraphy and hard-edge shapes echo uncannily here.

Miller is interested in the psychology of perception: particularly in the synesthetic merger of sight, sound and tactile sensation latent in our embodied experience. Central to the iconography (as it were) of her recent work are shapes illustrative of the so-called bouba/kiki effect. The ongoing research project strongly indicates an association — culturally universal (or nearly so) — between words as sound patterns and abstract shapes. While “bouba” is readily identifiable as the rounded, bloblike form, diverse subjects recognize “kiki” as the spiked figure.

Though perhaps the most irresolute piece here, “Runner” deserves credit for its ambition. Covering a long corner shelf near the entrance of the Shop, it combines a stuffed, pillow-like support with pinned and stitched-on paper and fabric embellishments. The piece belongs to the tradition of soft sculpture, intended to challenge sculptural tradition with evocations of feminine craft and of soft and perishable bodies.

Viewers interested in learning more about the soft sculpture genre, or in synesthetic art, would do well to climb the hill to see “Phantom Limb.” The ambitious interactive exhibit represents an evolving

“Casino” is the Ink Shop’s first new show of the year. Although their upcoming exhibitions have not been announced, as of this writing, seasoned local gallerygoers will know to expect a diverse, well-thought-out calendar with local and far-flung print artists working in a range of techniques and styles.

“Casino”

by Erin Miller

Tues.-Fri: 1-6, Sat.: noon-4 through March 22

The Ink Shop Printmaking Center & Olive Branch Press 330 East State/MLK Jr. Street ink-shop.org or (607) 277-3884

Inspired by a pinball, this two-step mixed media collage is a highlight of Erin Miller’s pop-culture-inspired exhibit at the Ink Shop.

This colorful, bright exhibit takes its inspiration from casinos, honky tonks and arcades is at the Ink Shop through March.

“Ant-Man” is No Picnic; “Cocaine Bear” Smarter Than the Average Gory Movie

By Bryan VanCampen

You have to give Peyton Reed’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (Disney-Marvel, 2023, 124 min.) credit for jettisoning so many characters and running gags established in the first two “AntMan” movies. (If you’re a big fan of Michael Pena and his ex-con security team or Judy Greer as Scott Lang’s ex-wife, they’re MIA here)

Number three drops the gang into the quantum realm for the bulk of the film and gets more and more expansively psychedelic. The backgrounds look like seven Roger Dean “Yes” album covers duking it out with nine Peter Max blacklight posters, and is populated with more bizarre species and creatures than Dis-

ney’s recent steampunk animated feature “Strange World”: houses that move, and tote weapons and fight. When Michael Douglas sees an alien and says that it looks like a head of broccoli, he's not kidding.

All that trippy character and production design is what’s good about the movie. We’ve seen so many spaceships and weird aliens that it must be a real challenge to come up with fresh concepts, and the “Quantumania” designers have done that; the QR section of the movie is always fun to watch, as is Kathryn Newton, making her “supersuit” debut as Scott’s daughter Cassie. Paul Rudd’s befuddled everyman charm is delightful to see. (Just wait for the “probability storm” sequence.)

What’s bad about the movie?

Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Con-

queror is a pretty meh villain, just another psycho spaceman, but he’s no Thanos. You can give Kang a massive army of henchmen with glowing blue-white dome heads, but that doesn’t make him Darth Vader. A huge comedy star makes a cameo, but it’s a fizzle and a missed opportunity. And in a movie crammed with so many odd new characters, Evangeline

Lilly’s Wasp is just sort of…there, with no real arc for her character. Too bad, considering she was revealed as such a badass in “AntMan and the Wasp” (2018).

My two favorite movies of 2023 thus far are the killer doll horror movie “M3GAN” and Elizabeth Banks’ dark comedic splatter-fest, “Cocaine Bear” (Universal, 2023, 95 min.) . I saw “Cocaine Bear” opening night at Cinemapolis with the largest, loudest and rowdiest collegiate crowd in a long time, and let me tell you, that’s the way to see it.

Based on a true story from 1985 about a bear that got its snout into a bunch of lost nose candy, “Cocaine Bear” is that rare comedy horror flick that really delivers on the yuks and the yucks. As much as the cokedout bear is an engine of violence and chaos, the human characters – drug dealers, kids and local park rangers – all seem to have guns, and most of them are bigger threats than the bear. The whole movie is like the part of a Stephen King novel where everything goes horrifyingly wrong in a matter of minutes.

The cast is loaded with ringers like Keri Russell (“Mission: Im-

possible III”), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (“Straight Outta Compton”), Alden Ehrenreich (“Hail, Caesar!”), Margo Martindale (TV’s “Justified) and the late Ray Liotta in his final film role. I’ve always enjoyed Elizabeth Banks as an actress in pictures like “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001), “The LEGO Movie” (2014), “Brightburn” (2019) and Sam Raimi’s “SpiderMan” trilogy. I was pleasantly surprised at how game Banks is as a horror director. I wouldn’t be surprised if she returns to the genre.

“Cocaine Bear” is very bloody, but it’s also bloody funny.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” playing at Regal Stadium 14.

“Cocaine Bear” playing at Cinemapolis and Regal Stadium 14.

RIP: Stella Stevens (“Girls! Girls! Girls!”, “The Nutty Professor”, “The Poseidon Adventure”)

RIP Richard Belzer (“The Groove Tube”, “Fame”, “Café Flesh”, “Author! Author!”, “Night Shift”, “Freeway”, “The Big Picture”, “Mad Dog and Glory”, “North”, “The Puppet Masters”, “Girl 6”, “A Very Brady Sequel”, “Species II”)

Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglas add star power to the Marvel Ant-Man sequel.

“Cocaine Bear”, based on a real-life event, is nothing to turn your nose up at.

Revelry Yards

By Henry Stark

As a longtime observer of the local restaurant scene, I had become saddened that in the recent past several establishments had closed, more had ceased serving lunch, and even more had stopped serving indoors and were offering takeout only. And then, finally, comes some good news: a new restaurant — Revelry Yards — opens on Aurora Street (“restaurant row”). But wait there’s more…. it’s not just a new restaurant…. it’s a restaurant with chefs who are utilizing an innovative mix of herbs and spices to kick up the other ingredients to a high level.

I found the menu itself a bit unusual. It’s heavily skewed to smaller dishes in contrast to larger more entrée size portions. There are a dozen and a half items to “Share” and eight items including a cheeseburger, cobb salad, and a sandwich made with the meat of a chicken thigh. There are only three “Chef’s Features”: one poultry, one beef, and one seafood. From a

macro point of view, it reminds me of one of the tapas restaurants I used to frequent in Spain. In fact, the size of the portions of the items to share, that I’ve tried, could serve as a light lunch.

One of these, “Fried Brussels” ($12) was interesting as well as tasty. It was a pleasant mixture of warm, (the sprouts) and cool (raw onion slices, and small bits of purple cabbage). It was served in a sweet (very) and spicy (not very) sauce.

Another tapas type dish to “share” was “Spicy Garlic Shrimp” ($15). There were five large shrimp that seemed to have been grilled, served in a delicious brown sauce. The menu said I’d get a baguette with it. What I received were three large hunks of crusty bread which served as wonderful conveyors of the rich sauce. I enjoyed the dish which was neither “Spicy” nor “Garlicky”.

My companion and I did share an item listed as an “Entrée”, “Brisket Sandwich” ($20). The portion of the house smoked brisket was so copious it reminded me of the sandwiches I used to order in New York City. It was served on two thick slices of toasted bread along with a cabbage slaw and some mildly spicy pickles. My server offered me a choice of sides: fries

Grant Cooper, Interim Music Director

or salad. I chose the salad and was pleased to receive a hearty portion of fresh field greens although I would have preferred less vinegar in the dressing.

If you like fried chicken but don’t enjoy a greasy breaded coating, Twice Fried Chicken ($13) may be an option. There were eight nuggets coated in a thick honey-soy glaze atop sliced white cilantro cabbage. I feel sure the chicken had been previously marinated and there were Thai spices to add just a tiny bit of heat to the flavor profile. You’ll also find that in the Share section.

I’ve enjoyed are And Beyond and Bulldog Wheat, both $6. A light alcoholic cider I’ve enjoyed is South Hill Old Time ($8). It had a mild apple flavor without being cloying.

The wine menu is comprehensive and covers a wide range of grape varieties and regions. I was surprised to see there are five times more wines (47) than beers (10) on offer as the owners operate their own onsite brewery. Since the atmosphere of the restaurant is rustic and informal, and a significant portion of the menu is devoted to comfort-type food, I only drink beer there.

I like Revelry Yards, a lot. The menu selections, ‘though not extensive, are replete with innovative items utilizing an interesting and unique collection of ingredients. And everything I’ve had there has been cooked perfectly.

M o z a r t M o z a rr t M o z a r t M o r e M o r e M o r e

a n d a nn dd a n d

S a t u r d a y , M a r c h 1 1 @ 7 : 3 0 p m

F o r d H a l l , I t h a c a C o l l e g e

P r e - c o n c e r t C h a t 6 : 3 0 p m

S t r a v i n s k y , M o z a r t , R o m a n i F o l k S o n g s

And finally in the Share section, I ordered Oklahoma Sliders ($17). I didn’t know why it was “Oklahoma” and when it was delivered to the table it was basically three small beef burgers with grilled onions and a slight bit of American cheese. As you can guess from this description, it was like having three small cheeseburgers with onions. They were very good.

The beverage menu is extensive. The beers ($6-8) are almost all from their own brewery so don’t expect a Miller Light or a Bud. Their names are actually confusing: Fasten Up, Layed Back, Bring the Boys, Pot Hole to name four of the dozen however there are clear explanations that go with each. I prefer “hoppy” beers and two

Revelry Yards

111 N Aurora St, Ithaca

Open every day 10:45-10 (607) 793-4132

Tid Bits:

Desserts are not served.

There are two modern restrooms for women and one for men and all three are handicap accessible.

P a u l N e u b a u e r , v i o l a / C h r i s t i n a B o u e y , v i o l i n

T i c k e t s a v a i l a b l e i n a d v a n c e o r a t t h e d o o r

C C O i t h a c a . o r g

D o n ' t m i s s o u r n e x t F a m i l y C o n c e r t & S t o r y t i m e !

F r e e A d m i s s i o n - A l l a g e s w e l c o m e !

@

T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 9 4 : 0 0 p m

T o m p k i n s C o u n t y P u b l i c L i b r a r y

Amid the flurry of closing restaurants in Ithaca, Revelry Yards opens on Aurora Street’s “Resturant Row” (Photo By: Josh Baldo)

viding safe, reliable, and affordable transportation via personal bicycle ownership. This is why it deeply hurts us to suffer what feels like planned theft of our facilities.

What can you do right now to reduce bike theft in our community? Our fi rst recommendation is to use your social media, list servs, and personal community connections to spread awareness of programs already in place to serve folks in need of bicycles. One excellent example is GO ITHACA’s Easy Access (EA) program, which provides additional commuter benefit options for folks with income at or below 150% of the US Federal Poverty Guideline. GO members who qualify for EA can get discounts on TCAT and Ithaca Bikeshare memberships, have a Bike Walk Tompkins and RIBs refurbished bike completely paid for, or use benefits in the purchase of walking shoes, warm winter clothes, and much more to help with one’s transportation needs.

Our second recommendation is to safeguard your personal bicycles as best you can by:

1) parking them indoors whenever possible;

2) using heavy chain locks and u-locks to affi x your bike’s frame to something with a sturdy foundation such as a bike rack and railings/fences with concrete bases; 3) investing in an Apple tag or similar gps tracking devices that can be attached to your bike; and 4) keeping record of your bike’s serial number, make/ model, and aesthetic features via bikeindex. org and in your personal records in case your bike is stolen. Bike Walk Tompkins has a knowledgeable team that can help individuals locate their bike’s serial number, get them setup on the Bike Index, assist in attaching a GPS tracker, and provide low-cost bike locks. Additionally, local bike shops have access to a larger variety of locking mechanisms and are great resources for on-going bike maintenance and support.

Our last recommendation would be to engage with your local community bike shops! RIBs and BWT are on the front line in expanding our bicycling community in the greater Ithaca area. Support can look like fi nancial and in-kind donations, attending or volunteering your time at our events, and advocating for programs, projects, and policies that enable vulnerable road users like bicyclists and pedestrians to feel safe traveling in our community. Learn more about how to get involved by visiting Bike Walk Tompkins website (bikewalktompkins.org) and Southside Community Center’s website (sspride.org). Thank you.

CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM

continued from page 3

Kane continued saying that she was concerned about having people respond to calls who don’t report to the same person.

However, McGonigal said that under the current plan from the reimagining public safety committee the position of Deputy City Manager which the city is planning on hiring will have oversight of the police department and the division of unarmed responders.

“That person will be responsible for overseeing how the two groups interact and how they work together,” said McGonigal.

EN D OF EXTRA SNAP BENEFITS

continued from page 4

13,000,000 meals to people struggling with hunger in the region every year.

According to the press release, “Program cuts like these amplify the importance of the Food Bank’s continued advocacy efforts.”

The Food Bank’s Vice President of Community Impact Randi Quackenbush said, “At a time of record high inflation

He continued saying, “And that person will answer to the city manager and will oversee IPD and the Crisis Response people, which will be very small and they may in the future, have supervisory responsibilities for the fire department and the LEAD program.”

According to McGonigal, “Yes, and particularly we’re looking for someone who is knowledgeable and committed to public safety practices that are more community inclusive. Someone who communicates well, not only with police officers, but with people in the communities particularly black and brown and LGBTQ communities.”

This structure is modeled after the

and demand for food bank services, New York State stands to lose $228 million in federal funds per month. We will do our best to address the increased need, but the reality is that charity alone cannot fill this gap.”

He continued saying, “SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger, and we urge our legislators to listen to and learn from those who have greatly benefited from the additional SNAP benefits throughout the pandemic. These funds are spent directly in communities,

county, where the County administrator oversees all departments, including the sheriff ’s office. McGonigal said that he would argue that the city manager can do that too but at least for now there’s going to be a Deputy City Manager and “that pretty much comes out the remaining recommendations.”

He continued saying, “maybe we won’t need that after a while if we get the culture of IPD where we want and relationships are improved…maybe we take the money that goes to that salary and use it for more unarmed people.”

According to McGonigal, “my argument is I’d rather have boots on the ground than butts in the chair.”

and for each $1 in SNAP, over $1.70 is generated in local economic activity.”

According to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, advocating for a fullyfunded SNAP Outreach program statewide, along with pushing for universal school meals for all K-12 students, and funding for programs such as Nourish New York and the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) are at the forefront of the Food Bank’s efforts in helping alleviate food insecurity.

Music

Bars/Bands/Clubs

3/1 Wednesday

Rongo Band w/ Richie Stearns | 5 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

3/2 Thursday

willie b x keir neuringer x josh oxford | 7 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St. | $10.00

3/3 Friday

Freight and Friends pay tribute to Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger | 5 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

Friday Night Music - Austin MacRae and Friends | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Farms and Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd

Diana Leigh Quartet at Seven Of | 7 p.m. | Seven Of, 106 S Cayuga St | Free

Sim Redmond Band | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | $14.00 - $20.00

Johnny Dowd Trio | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St. | $10.00

3/4 Saturday

Live Music feat. Rachel Beverly | 2:00 p.m. | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road, King Ferry

Ryan Vanderhoof & Field Trip | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St. | $10.00

THIS WEEK

3/5 Sunday

Gabriel Tavares | 7 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St.

Concerts/Recitals

3/1 Wednesday

Midday Music for Organ, David Yearsley: CU Music | 12:30 p.m. |

Anabel Taylor Chapel, 548 College Ave | Free

Piano Studio of Charis Dimaras | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Regina Spektor | 8 p.m. | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St

3/2 Thursday

Cornell Concert Series presents Quartetto di Cremona a | 8 p.m. | Bailey Hall, 230 Garden Avenue | $19.00 - $34.00

Faculty Recital: Rachel Schutz, soprano | 8:15 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

3/3 Friday

Ulysses Quartet Masterclass | 4 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Ithaca Music Forum | Nabenhauer Recital Room | 5 p.m.

Choral Concert at Ford Hall | 7 p.m.

Only The Beginning Tour | 7 p.m. |

First Baptist Church of Johnson City, 1321 Reynolds Rd

Junior Recital: Sarah Flynn, trumpet | 8:15 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

3/4 Saturday

Junior Recital: Megan Burghdorf, trumpet | 12 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Junior Recital: Olivia Hutchings, violin | 2 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Junior Recital: Pax Jones, clarinet | 4 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Guest Recital: Ulysses Quartet | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

The Wood Brothers | 8 p.m. | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St Jazz Ensemble | Ford Hall | 8:15 p.m.

3/5 Sunday

Symphony Orchestra at Ford Hall | 4 p.m.

Junior Recital: Anchal Dhir, soprano | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Dakhabrakha | 8 p.m. | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St | $25.00 - $45.00

Emily Scott Robinson / Alisa Amador / Violet Bell | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St

3/6 Monday

Faculty Recital: Martha Guth, soprano; Javier Arrebola, piano | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd

Percussion Ensemble at Ford Hall | 8:15 p.m.

3/7 Tuesday

Jiarui Han, piano | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Gym Rd Concert Band | Ford Hall | 8:15 p.m.

3/8 Wednesday

Vanessa Carlton | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St Wind Symphony | Ford Hall | 8:15 p.m.

Stage

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE | Dillingham Center | 8 p.m., 3/1 Wednesday | Open Mic Stand Up Comedy Night | 7 p.m., 3/7 Tuesday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St | First and third Tuesdays of the month! Kenneth McLauren hosts Open Mic Stand Up Comedy Night at The Downstairs. | Free Lansing High School - “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” | 6:30 p.m., 3/8 Wednesday | Lansing Middle School Auditorium, 6 Ludlowville Rd. | Lansing High School’s performance of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” | $5.00 - $10.00

ComedyFLOPs Presents All You Can Eat Improv | 7 p.m., 3/8 Wednesday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St | ComedyFLOPs presents All You Can Eat Improv, a live, entirely made-up show based on your suggestions. We do our shows in support of local non-pro t organizations so join us for laughs and music as we raise money to support a local organization. | $5.00

Art

Erin Miller: Casino | 1 p.m., 3/1 Wednesday | The Ink Shop, 330 E. MLK/State St | The Ink Shop Printmaking Center is pleased to present “Casino”, an exhibition of recent collages by 2022-2023 Kahn Family Fellow, Erin Miller. | Free 2023 Invitational Exhibit at State of the Art Gallery | 12 p.m., 3/2

FAMILY WORKSHOP AT THE JOHNSON MUSEUM: STORIES AND STORYWORK

SATURDAY, MARCH 4TH FROM 10AM-NOON

John Museum of Art, 114 Central Ave, Ithaca | Listen to cultural educator and traditional storyteller Perry Ground of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, then explore the new related Museum exhibition. This free family program is appropriate for ages 3+. (Photo: Provided)

Thursday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street | Eight artists will Show their work by invitation at the State of the Art Gallery: C. Ann Carter, Robert Grant, Linda Fazzary, Rob Licht, Claudine Metrick, Jari Poulin, Emma Pure, and Lauren Reid. | Free

Pliny the Elder: Art and Nature in Ancient Rome | 5:15 p.m., 3/2

Thursday | Johnson Museum of Art, 114 Central Avenue | Join the Johnson Museum of Art and Dr. Verity J.

March Gallery Night at Grayhaven Motel | 4 p.m., 3/3 Friday | Grayhaven Motel, 657 Elmira Rd / Rt 13 | Join us at Grayhaven from 4-7pm on Friday, March 3rd for Sue Stocum’s solo exhibition, Landscape: A Witness to Light. | Free

Gallery Night Ithaca - First Friday of Every Month | 5 p.m., 3/3 Friday | Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, Center Ithaca Box 107, 171 East State St | Gallery Night Ithaca is a walkable tour of art openings and other special cultural events in and around downtown Ithaca, New York from 5:00-8:00 PM on the rst Friday of every month.

Planned Chaos | 5 p.m., 3/3 Friday | CAP ArtSpace, in downtown Ithaca at 110 N. Tioga Street, on the Ithaca Commons, 110 N. Tioga Street | Do not miss this art opening. | Free CREATIVE CORTLAND A Community Visual Arts Exhibition

Theme: “CONNECTION” | 5 p.m., 3/3

Friday | Cortland Repertory Theatre - Downtown, 24 Port Watson St. | CRT Downtown proudly presents our 5th Annual Creative Cortland Visual Arts Exhibition, showcasing some of Cortland’s best visual artists! This juried exhibition continues to evolve as a platform for artistic and imaginative expression and appreciation. |

$5.00 - $10.00

Gallery Night (First Fridays in Downtown Ithaca) ( | 3/3 Friday

| The History Center in Tompkins County, 401 East State Street | The History Center is a regular participant inFirst Friday Gallery Nights

The Gallery at South Hill presents Brian Arnold’s “Bright, Bright Day” | 12 p.m., 3/4 Saturday | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Road

| The Gallery at South Hill presents Brian Arnold’s “Bright, Bright, Day”. A one person exhibit of photographs by internationally renowned artist Brian Arnold. www.southhillbusinesscampus.com/gallery-at-shbc | Free

Drawing Workshop: Museum as Atelier | 12 p.m., 3/4 Saturday |

Johnson Museum of Art, 114 Central Avenue | Sharpen your basic drawing skills in shading, creating shadows, mark-making techniques, and more using works from the Museum’s collection and the Cornell Plaster Cast Collection .

Johnson Museum: Birds of a Feather | 3:30 p.m., 3/8 Wednesday | New eld Public Library, 198 Main Street | Join us Weds, 3/8 at 3:30 pm for “Birds of a Feather.” Look at birds in art and life, and make your own bird masterpiece. With printmaking and an origami apping bird! More info: 607-564-3594. | Free

Film

Cinemapolis

120 E. Green St., Ithaca

March 3-March 9. Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes. New lms listed rst.*

One Fine Morning* | Sandra is a widowed young mother raising her daughter on her own, while also caring for her sick father. At the same time, she reconnects an old friend, now married, with whom she begins a passionate a air. | 112 mins R

Close| The intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi’s mother..| 104 mins PG-13

Emily | Emily imagines the transformative, exhilarating, and uplifting journey to womanhood of a rebel and a mis t, one of the world’s most famous, enigmatic, and provocative writers who died too soon at the age of 30.| 130 mins R

Cocaine Bear | An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converges in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine. | 95 mins R 2023 Oscar Shorts | The collection of 2023 nominations in the Animation, Live Action and Documentary short lms will be shown on various dates.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon | 2000 lm starring current Oscar nominee for Best Actress, Michelle Yeoh.| 120 mins PG-13

25TH ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF IN DOWNTOWN ITHACA

MARCH 4TH FROM NOON-4:30 PM Downtown Ithaca Commons | Enjoy chili from 40+ restaurants, and delicious drinks and chili-inspired snacks from regional craft breweries, local cideries, wineries, and local favorites as well! Chili makers are vying for Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian, or Vegan Chili, as well as being crowned The People’s Choice! (Photo: Provided)

Cornell Cinema

All lms are shown at Willard Straight Hall on Cornell campus. The Runner| 3/1, 7:00PM | Part of Cornell Cinema’s ongoing series on Revolutionary Visions in Iranian Cinema and Restorations & Rediscoveries. Amiro is an 11-year-old orphan living alone in an abandoned tanker in the Iranian port city of Abadan. He survives by shining shoes, selling water, and diving for deposit bottles, while being bullied by both adults and competing older kids.

Matter Out of Place | 3/2, 7:00PM | Over four years and several continents, lmmaker Nikolaus Geyrhalter followed the track of garbage (in cities, on shores, on mountains, in oceans), its collection, its transport and its disposal—often to remote corners of the planet.

nds herself back in her childhood home, tasked with planning a traditional, Ghanaian funeral and having inherited a lively, Christian bookstore despite her plan to move to Ohio with her married lover.

2023 Oscar Shorts: Live Action | 3/4, 5:00PM

Princess Mononoke | 3/5, 2:30PM| Part of our Studio Ghibli series. Screened in English dubbed version.

2023 Oscar Shorts: Animation| 3/5, 5:30PM

Special Events

cideries, wineries, and local favorites as well!

Sports

Ithaca Women’s Lacrosse vs SUNY Cortland | 4 p.m., 3/1 Wednesday | Higgins Stadium |

Cornell Men’s Polo vs Texas A&M University | 7 p.m., 3/3 Friday |

Ithaca, N.Y., Oxley Equestrian Center |

Ithaca Men’s Lacrosse vs SUNY

Geneseo | 12 p.m., 3/4 Saturday | Higgins Stadium |

Ithaca Women’s Lacrosse vs FDU-Florham | 3 p.m., 3/4 Saturday | Higgins Stadium |

rst Thursday of each month at 7pm is Zine Night at The Downstairs. Come get crafty. Learn from skilled makers of all kinds. Learn something new or bring current creative projects. Suggested donation: $5-$10/PWYC

101 East Green Street | Bring your own favorite STEM cartoons by your favorite artists to the Comic Book Club meeting, and we will check out deep questions such as why every gathering is a family gathering, the real reason(s) the dinosaurs became extinct, and what Einstein is thinking when he reads a Superman comic strip. | Free

Kids

Winter Baby Storytime | 10:30 a.m., 3/3 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Caregivers and their babies are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books. Following storytime each week, we’ll have a baby playtime from 11 am - noon.

Family Workshop: Stories and Storywork | 10 a.m., 3/4 Saturday | Johnson Museum of Art, 114 Central Avenue | Listen to cultural educator and traditional storyteller Perry Ground of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, then explore the exhibition Storywork: The Prints of Marie Watt .

Crankies for Kids! | 10:30 a.m., 3/4

Saturday | The Cherry, 102 Cherry St. |

Public Library, 101 East Green Street | TCPL is inviting families to a weekly LEGO build night! Buckets of LEGO will be provided for participants to borrow for their builds.

Tween Book Club | 4:30 p.m., 3/8 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children ages 9-13 are welcome to join our Tween Book Club! Book Club will meet virtually via Zoom. Participants are welcome to bring suggestions for future books or genres to read together!

Notices

Public Works | 7 p.m., 3/1 Wednesday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St. | Public Works is free event in the style of Nerd Nite but designed just for Ithaca! | Free

Spiritual Wellness Fair at the 1890 House | 11 a.m., 3/4 Saturday | 1890 House Museum, 37 Tompkins St, Cortland | Learn the lost arts of Victorian Spirituality, Divination, Journaling and Healing in a historic Victorian Mansion.

Cornell Men’s Basketball vs Columbia University | 3/4 Saturday | Ithaca, NY, Newman Arena at Bartels Hall |

Two crankies with live music and puppetry: meet the Snail in Dreamland and hear the tale of The Biggest Beet in this dynamic show for kids! | $4.00 - $12.00

Family Storytime | 11 a.m., 3/4

Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills every week at Family Storytime!

Families Learning Science

Together | 1 p.m., 3/4 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | COMIC RELIEF - FAMILY FRIENDLY COMEDIAN, DAREN STREBLOW |

YWCA Cortland’s 21st Annual Girls Day Out | 8:45 a.m., 3/4 Saturday | Tompkins Cortland Community College, 170 North St | YWCA Cortland’s Girls Day Out to Take Place at TC3 on 3/4 for girls in 6th-9th grade | Free Family Health Community Cafe | 10:30 a.m., 3/4 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Free event for pregnant and parenting persons to learn about Moms PLUS+ Program and receive free giveaway items! Film showing of local lm maker Shira Evergreen’s “Helpful Help”, including panel discussion with lm participants. Pop in for a warm drink or stay for awhile! | Free Ithaca Chess Club | 12 p.m., 3/5 Sunday | DeWitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga St | The Ithaca Chess Club meets every Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm, at the Dewitt Mall ( rst oor above the shops, o ce area). The club is free and open to everyone, all ages and all skill levels. Play other chess lovers, and get free chess instruction. Details at the club website: IthacaChessClub. com. | Free

Lola Montes | 3/2, 9:00PM; 3/3, 7:00 PM| Director Max Ophuls’s nal lm, his rst in color and Cinemascope, is a daring evocation of the life of the scandalous 19th century courtesan Lola Montès.

Queen of Glory | 3/3, 9:30PM; 3/4, 7:00PM| 1Sarah Obeng’s life as a doctoral student at Columbia feels worlds away from her Ghanaian-American roots in the Bronx. But when her mother unexpectedly passes, Sarah

Downtown Ithaca Chili Cooko | 3/4 Saturday | Ithaca Commons | The Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-O returns for its 25th year as an in-person outdoor wintertime festival! Enjoy chili from 40+ restaurants, and delicious drinks and chili-inspired snacks from regional craft breweries, local

Ithaca Gymnastics vs Spring eld College - Senior Day | 1 p.m., 3/5 Sunday | Ben Light Gymnasium |

Books

Reading by Victoria Chang | 5 p.m., 3/2 Thursday | Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium (G70 Klarman Hall), 232 Feeney Way | Free

Zine Night | 6 p.m., 3/2 Thursday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St. | The

Local Author Story Time | 11 a.m., 3/4 Saturday | Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library, 106 First Street | The Odessa Library is pleased to welcome local author, Maria Antonio to read her new book, If Dreams Could Fly at the library. Maria is a teacher and author of two inspiring books. | Free Barbara Page book signing and lecture | 4 p.m., 3/5 Sunday | Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, 1 Congress St | Author Barbara Page will be giving a talk about her book Book Marks: An Artist’s Card Catalog and her process. All proceeds from this event will bene t the Conservatory. Refreshments will be served. This free event kicks o our Women’s History Month celebration. | Free Poetry & Prose Open Mic with Jimmy Jordan | 7 p.m., 3/6 Monday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St | Jimmy Jordan hosts the Poetry & Prose Open Mic. Every First Monday of the Month | Free CBC Meeting: Cartoons About the STEM Fields | 7 p.m., 3/7 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library,

7:00pm., 3/5 Sunday | Thrive , 318 Johnson Rd | Family Friendly Comedian Daren Streblow as seen on Disney and Universal coming to Ithaca at Thrive Church! | $10.00 - $20.00

Early Readers Book Club | 2:45

p.m., 3/7 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children in grades K-2 are welcome to join our Early Readers Book Club.

LEGO Build Night for Families | 5 p.m., 3/7 Tuesday | Tompkins County

Career Exploration Week | 3/6 Monday | The Forum, TC3, Dryden | Week-long Events with a di erent focus each day: Mon- STEM Careers; Tue- Business, Hospitality, and Law; Wed - Communications and Creative Arts; Thurs - Health, Human Services, and and Wellness; Fri - Education and Childcare.

Trumansburg Winter Farmers Market | 4 p.m., 3/7 Tuesday | Trumansburg Fire House, West Main St. |

DAKHABRAKHA

SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH AT 8:00PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 4TH AT 8:15PM

Ford Hall, Ithaca College | The IC Jazz Ensemble’s

“head

Provided)

State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 W State St.| DakhaBrakha is a Ukrainian folk quartet which combines the musical styles of several ethnic groups. DakhaBrakha is a project of the DAKh Center for Contemporary Art, led by Vladyslav Troitskyi and born as a live theater music crew.

ITHACA COLLEGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE THIS WEEK

IC JAZZ ENSEMBLE

annual

chart” concert, featuring music of Thelonious Monk. For this concert all the music is learned by ear and memorized. (Photo:

(Photo: Provided)

Classifieds

Internet: www.ithaca.com

Mail:

MAKE-A-WISH DONATIONS

Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: (877) 798-9474. Car Donation Foundation dba Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes. org. (NYSCAN)

100/Automotive

CASH FOR CARS!

We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too! Call 866-535-9689 (AAN CAN)

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE FOR CHILDREN!

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200/Buy / Sell / Trade

ORGANIC BEEF SHARES AVAILABLE

Whole, half or quarter beef $5/pound hanging weight. Certified USDA Organic, vacuum sealed, labeled and ready for your freezer. Valley View Organic Beef Farm Knoxville, Pa call/text 607-857-3545

270/Pets

SPECIAL EDUCATION SUMMER SCHOOL

PUPPIES READY TO GO HOME END

OF MARCH

4 boys and 6 girls available. Family raised, vet checked, 1st shots, dewormed. Call today to reserve your forever friend! Email fetchdoodles88@gmail.com or call 585-626-8409.

300/Community

NEWSPAPER DELIVERY

Ithaca Times, Inc. seeks individual who resides in Spencer but works in Ithaca that would be able to deliver newspapers to the ShurFine Food Mart located in Spencer.

400/Employment WEGMANS

NOW HIRING

Love what you do at Wegmans Food Market. 607-277-5800, Ithaca, 500 S. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850

SPEECH THERAPIST –PART TIME

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for a part-time Speech Therapist, to be located within Onondaga and Cortland County area. Successful candidate will provide direct speech and language therapy services to students enrolled in school aged programs based on creative implementation of research based best practices. NYS Licenses in Speech Pathology required. Experience working with school aged students preferred. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www. olasjobs.org/central. For additional information, visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

TEACHING ASSISTANT

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for a part-time Teaching Assistant in the STAR program at Cincinnatus Central Schools, Cincinnatus, NY. Successful candidate will provide programming to students with special needs under the direction of the Special Education teacher. NYS certification as a Teaching Assistant required. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply by at: www. olasjobs.org/central. For information please visit our website at www. ocmboces.org EOE

SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS NEEDED

SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS

OCM BOCES has the need for the following summer school staff from July 10, 2023 through August 18, 2023 and set up day on July 6, 2023.

SPEECH THERAPIST – Part Time

OCM

• Special Education Teachers

• Teachers of the Deaf

• Music Teachers

• Speech Therapists

• Teaching Assistants/Interpreters

• Physical Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• School Nurses

Sites are at various locations through Onondaga and Cortland County. Interested applicants apply online at: www.olasjobs.org/central

OCM BOCES is looking for experienced Teachers and Teaching Assistants. Looking for teachers certified in the following areas: English 7-12, Math 7 & 8, Science 7 & 8, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry, Social Studies 7-11, Participation in Government, Economics, Physical Education, Special Education 7-12, Library Media Specialist, Spanish, and Health

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for a part-time Speech Therapist, to be located within Onondaga and Cortland County area. Successful candidate will provide direct speech and language therapy services to students enrolled in school aged programs based on creative implementation of research based best practices. NYS Licenses in Speech Pathology required. Experience working with school aged students preferred. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central

II, Geometry, Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry, Social Studies 7-11, Participation in Government, Economics, Physical Education, Special Education 7-12, Media Specialist, Spanish, and Health

For more information regarding this summer school posting, please visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

Sites are at the following locations: Wellwood Middle School, Cortland Jr. Sr. High School, Cicero-North Syracuse High School, and Camillus Middle School. Register and apply at:

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

Sites are at the following locations: Wellwood Middle Cortland Jr. Sr. High School, Cicero-North Syracuse School, and Camillus Middle School. Register and

ADMINISTRATIVE OPENINGS

MONTICELLO CENTRAL SCHOOL SCHOOL

Building Principal (2 positions) The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principals who can lead MCSD’s highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated and demonstrate the ability to impact student learning. Starting salary: $125,000, commensurate with experience. NYS SDA/ SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 5 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred. Please apply online by March 5th at https:// monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire EOE

SPECIAL EDUCATION SUMMER SCHOOL

OCM BOCES has the need for the following summer school staff from July 10, 2023 through August 18, 2023 and set up day on July 6, 2023.

• Special Education Teachers

• Teachers of the Deaf

• Music Teachers

• Speech Therapists

• Teaching Assistants/Interpreters

• Physical Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• School Nurses

Sites are at various locations through Onondaga and Cortland County. Interested applicants apply online at: www.olasjobs.org/central.

For more information regarding this summer school posting, please visit our website at: www.ocmboces. org EOE

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Bus Drivers Starting at $22.66/hr

ICSD Transportation Services is conducting

INTERVIEWS FOR BUS DRIVERS

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By Appointment: Call 607 274-2128

Equal opportunity employer, offering competitive wages, great health and pension benefits, paid CDL training, rewarding community work with families and children Diversity

Enriches Our Workplace

420/Computer

Teaching Assistant

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM!

Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Now offering grants & scholarships for certain programs for qualified applicants.

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800/Services

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SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS NEEDED

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for a parttime Teaching Assistant in the STAR program at Cincinnatus Central Schools, Cincinnatus, NY. Successful candidate will provide programming to students with special needs under the direction of the Special Education teacher. NYS certification as a Teaching Assistant required. Applications accepted online only.

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$59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 (NYSCAN)

BRANDON GOT YOU BEHIND?

Single Ch 7 Bankruptcy $999.00, Call Mark “The Hammer” Gugino at 144 Bald Hill Road Spencer, NY at 607-319-0766. We also do Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Auto Accident Injury, Divorce and Family Court at $150.00/hour, Wills, Estates, Real Estate Closings. E-mail BK@twcny.rr.com and www.1000islandslaw.com

FINANCES

ARE YOU BEHIND $10K OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST) (NYSCAN)

GET DIRECTV, $64.99/ MO FOR 12 MONTHS

Comes with CHOICE package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax. Showtime, Starz, and Epix included! Directv is #1 in customer satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888534-6918.

ROOF ? WINDOWS ?

Do you need a Roof or Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 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 Prgrams. (NYSCAN)

Route Driver needed for delivery of newspapers every Wednesday. Must be available 9am-1pm, have reliable transportation, and a good driving record.

Call 277-7000

High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/24. Call 1-866-566-1815

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

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

BOCES is looking for experienced Teachers and Assistants. Looking for teachers certified in the areas: English 7-12, Math 7 & 8, Science 7 & 8, & II, Geometry, Earth Science, Living Environment, Social Studies 7-11, Participation in Government, Economics, Physical Education, Special Education 7-12, Library Specialist, Spanish, and Health at the following locations: Wellwood Middle School, Jr. Sr. High School, Cicero-North Syracuse High and Camillus Middle School. Register and apply at:

Updates in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior and Military Discounts available. Call: 1-866-370-2939 (AAN CAN)

BackPage

AAM 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

ANIMALS LAND & SEA

FingerLakesAnimalRights.org

CLEANING SERVICES RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL JANITORIAL* FLOOR * CARPET INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP

607-227-3025 / 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 e New Ithaca Times Mobile App

Available in Appstore & Google Play

Hoodie & Tshirt Design Contest

$500 Prize!

Create an original design for the theme: Greenstar Food CO+OP - Celebrating 50 years!

e winning design will be selected through an online vote open to the public and screen printed on hoodies and t-shirts available for sale at the Co-Op!

Artwork and entry form must be received by April 30, 2023.

Full Details, visit: Greenstar.coop/DesignContest

ITHACA NEWS

Delivered to your inbox every day

Ithaca Times Daily

Text ITHACA to 22828 to Sign up

LOOKING FOR WORK

WE ARE HIRING VISIT US ONLINE

www.wgaforchildren.org or call 607-844-6460

THE WILLIAM GEORGE AGENCY

Boost your Business in the New Year 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 e Commons 273-3192

New, Used & Vintage Instruments & Accessories ITHACA GUITAR WORKS

DEWITT MALL 607-272-2602

Ooy’s Cafe & Deli 201 N. Aurora Street Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 319-4022

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

WEGMANS FOOD MARKET

NOW HIRING 607- 277-5800

500 S. Meadow St., Ithaca

JOB.WEGMANS.COM