Cayuga Medical Center’s orthopedic surgeons are using the newest generation of robotic assisted technology for total and partial knee replacements and revision knee joint surgery. The new CORI Surgical System provides patients with prosthetic knee replacements that are matched and aligned to their joint anatomy for improved outcomes.
Advanced camera technology, better surgical tools and improved mapping software to build 3D models of the joint result in faster surgical procedures compared to previous systems, which CMC has used since 2019. Both robotic-assisted surgical systems are made by Smith & Nephew, a leading global manufacturer of joint replacement systems, wound-care products and sports medicine technology.
“This is another major investment by Cayuga Health that brings advanced medical technology to provide the best care to our community,” says Deidre Blake, MD, who heads the hospital’s orthopedics program.
CMC surgeons use a hand-held instrument to gather information on the patient’s knee anatomy to create a detailed, customized digital model of the patient’s joint. The model is made without exposing a patient to the potentially harmful radiation of a CT scan that other robotic systems use, or the cost of an MRI, which some insurers do not cover, Dr. Blake says.
The robotic technology brings an unparalleled level of accuracy and precision to partial and total knee replacement surgery and joint surgery revisions that were more typically available at larger hospitals many miles away from Ithaca.
“Having this advanced technology will allow more patients in our community to stay right here for their knee replacements. Our orthopedic program has a record of excellence equal to or better than many large medical centers. Now we’re adding the latest jointreplacement technology to improve the care local patients can find close to home,” says Dr. Blake, who led the efforts to start the CORI and NAVIO programs at CMC.
While the term robotic-assisted knee surgery may prompt some to wonder how large of a role the robotic equipment has in the operating room, Dr. Blake emphasizes the surgeon is always in control. The systems provide the surgeon with information to plan the procedure and deliver an extra margin of safety during surgery, but it is the surgeon who manages the procedure.
The robotics joint replacement program offers several important benefits for patients:
• The surgeon uses the mapping data to plan the surgery and conduct a virtual run-through before the actual procedure starts. When the surgery begins, the surgeon has a precise view of the
procedure’s progress and can adjust the surgical plan if needed. Digital mapping tools allow the surgeon to fit, align and balance the replacement joint accurately.
• The small incisions used with robotic surgery’s minimally invasive techniques reach areas of a joint with reduced blood loss and trauma to muscles, nerves and tissues, which can improve healing.
• Advanced technology gives the surgeon a high-definition view of the surgical site. The CORI system’s improved software rapidly refreshes the view, providing the surgeon with a crisp, second-bysecond look at the surgery’s progress.
• The surgeon controls the robotic tool’s cutting tip. As an extra safety precaution, the tip instantly stops and retracts when it moves outside the designated cutting space.
• The bone surface for the implant is prepared with millimeter precision. The new CORI system removes diseased bone quickly and can reduce time in the operating room.
• Computerized assessments of the prepared joint are made and adjusted to assure the precise location for implanting the prosthetic joint. The CORI system’s advanced software helps place and balance the implant based on the patient’s specific anatomy and disease state.
• When implants are customized to the patient and placed with precision and accuracy, the patient will walk without pain –often for the first time in years – and the prosthetic joint will have more than a 90 percent chance of lasting 10 or more years. National registries that track replacements show roboticassisted surgery for knee joint replacement is more accurate than traditional surgery. There is data to suggest there are fewer failures of robotic-assisted knee replacements than with standard replacements. This may reduce failure of the joint and the need for revisions.
Dr. Blake along with Ashley Anderson, MD and Benjamin Donohue, MD are the three board certified surgeons at Cayuga Orthopedics using CMC’s robotic systems for knee joint procedures.
To Learn more about the joint-replacement robotics program at CMC visit cayugahealth.org/orthopedics
Funding was approved by the Common Council to conduct a conditions assessment into preserving the Ithaca Gun Smokestack during a meeting that took place on June 7. The Smokestack towers above Fall Creek and is the last remaining physical reminder of the Ithaca Gun Company, which was in operation from 1883 to 1989.
The measure has made $15,000 to $30,000 available to conduct the conditions assessment, and the cost is expected to be split evenly between the City of Ithaca and the Visium Development Group, who is overhauling the former factory site to construct a new market-rate housing project called “The Breeze”.
Third Ward Alerperson Rob Gearhart has said that “this is just a study about the condition of the smokestak to make sure that it is still stable…this is only step one.”
First Ward Alderperson George McGonigal, who moved to Ithaca while the Ithaca Gun factory was still in operation said that “This is a culturally and historically important symbol of this community… And I very much would like to see it at least studied to see if it can be preserved.”
McGonigal explained that the community took a “big hit” when Citizens Savings Bank, the entity that owned the factory’s debt, closed Ithaca Gun and sold it to Remington Arms in 1988. At that time, McGonigal said that the factory employed roughly 100 community members who “were highly skilled craftsmen” that were all put out of work.
Executive Director for Historic Ithaca, Susan Holland, said that the Ithaca Gun Smokestack was identified as having historical and architectural value in the 1990 Renaissance level survey of historic resources.”
Holland continued saying that “education is key in preservation in this case, learning about the structure and about its condition are the two first steps in saving it.”
A survey conducted by the city found that 92% of the 1200 people who responded were in favor of saving the smokestack.
Another online poll conducted by the Ithaca Times in January found that 66% of respondents were in favor of protecting the smokestack, while 17% were in favor of allowing the developer to demolish it, another 16% were more apathetic about the issue, saying they didn’t care what happens.
Those in favor of getting rid of the smokestack are of the opinion that gun culture has negatively impacted the United States, and that preserving the smokestack would serve as a reminder of the obsession that the United States has had with guns and violence throughout history.
That opinion has perhaps been best summed up by Ithaca resident Bruce Lane, who wrote a letter to the editor that was previously published in the Ithaca Times saying, “part of me loves the chimney. Another part of me remembers the first visit
Continued on Page 19
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Downtown Ithaca business groups and property owners are working to fill vacant retail and office space.
Photo: Matt Dougherty.
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X Your Chance to Pick a Sticker!
Following a contest including submissions from middle and high school age students in Tompkins County, the Tompkins County Board of Elections is inviting County residents to vote for their favorite “I Voted” sticker design. The final eight design submissions are listed online at: https://tcgov.co/2023sticker where residents can submit their vote. The deadline for voting is July 9, 2023.
Flyers featuring the eight designs will be posted at polling locations for the June 2023 primary election.
The Board of Elections will hand out stickers featuring the design that receives the highest number of community votes to voters in the November, 2023 general election.
Republican Elections Commissioner Alanna Congdon stated, “Thank you so much to the students who submitted their artwork for this contest. The designs are wonderful and I can’t wait to see the community’s response.” Congdon continued, “Our goal with this program is to increase civic participation and voter turnout — thanks to everyone for engaging with this contest.”
Democratic Elections Commissioner Stephen Dewitt stated, “These submissions are very creative and I think we’ll see voters come out in the primary and general election to be a part of this. I encourage everyone to share the contest with your friends and family, and remind everyone to vote in every election.”
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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On June 15 local elected officials held a press conference in front of the Tompkins County Legislature building in Ithaca to call on Governor Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed rate increase by New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) which would result in a 62% increase in electricity prices and an 18% increase in gas prices for consumers over the next three years.
NYSEG and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are both owned by Avangrid and together supply power to a population of approximately 3.7 million people in upstate New York. Customers in NYSEG and RG&E service areas currently have no choice in their electric and gas suppliers, which creates an effective monopoly that enables them to arbitrarily increase energy prices.
The initial press release announcing the rate increase stated that there would be a 22% increase in electricity prices and a 6.1% increase in gas prices. Assemblymember Anna Kelles has called those initial figures “misleading” because the figures include estimated supply costs, which dilute the company’s actual rate increases on the delivery costs that they control.
“As New Yorkers are struggling under the burdens of inflation and increased housing costs, the rate increases are unconscionable and should be denied,” Kelles said.
According to Kelles, “Given the company’s track record with delivery and service issues combined with record level dividends to shareholders, NYSEG leadership needs to focus on fixing their egregious billing errors and rebuilding the trust of its customers rather than pri-
oritizing executive salaries and catering to shareholders.”
Kelles added, “Now is not the time for crippling rate hikes for families and individuals, especially for the many in upstate New York who live on fixed incomes.” She continued saying that the rate hikes will lead to “an increase in the number of people losing their homes and people are going to have to start deciding between feeding their children or paying their electricity bill.”
A U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey found that roughly 38% of households in New York have decided not to purchase necessities like food and medicine in the past 12 months just so they will have enough money to pay an energy bill.
The U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey determines the percentage of consumers sacrificing necessities like food and medicine to pay for their energy costs. According to the survey, 37.6% of households in New York say they reduced or skipped necessities like food and medicine to afford their energy bill.
These rate hikes are also coming at a time when customers have been reporting ongoing problems related to billing and customer service. These issues include instances of double billing, inaccurate meter readings, unexpectedly high bills, and inadequate customer service.
In January, Ithaca resident Michelle Porter told the Ithaca Times that in one week she received three separate bills. The first was for $700, then a day later another arrived for $1,200, and the next day another bill arrived for $1,500. During the press conference, Kelles said that she has received several calls to her office from constituents with bills of $8,000.
As a result of customer complaints regarding NYSEG billing errors, an investigation was initiated into the energy monopoly by the New York Department of Public Service. In 2022, the number of consumer complaints against NYSEG and RG&E increased to more than 4,700, 60 percent more than the two previous years combined. That investigation is still ongoing.
Tompkins County Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black said that increases in energy costs for the county are ultimately passed on to taxpayers. “We estimate that the county will see a $400,000 increase in utility costs to operate our facilities. This translates to a roughly $10 increase in the annual county tax bill for
“As New Yorkers are struggling under the burdens of inflation and increased housing costs, the rate increases are unconscionable and should be denied,”
— Assembymember Anna Kelles
Ithaca Car-Share is one step closer to making a return as bill
A.05718/S.05959 that would allow Risk Retention Groups (RRG’s) that are not domiciled in New York State to provide auto insurance to nonpro t organizations within the state has passed in both chambers of the state legislature. Now Governor Kathy Hochul just needs to sign the bill into law.
The bill was sponsored by State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles who worked to pass the legislation for months before it was approved by the legislature and sent to the Governor’s desk early in the morning on June 8, the last day of the legislative session.
Following the passage of the bill, Executive Director of Ithaca Car-Share Liz Field said that “It feels great. We worked very hard to pass those bills for many months.”
According to Field, the bill passed the Senate on June 5, but was stalled in the Assembly and “we were afraid they were gonna let the bill die there.” In response to the inaction from the Assembly, Field said that a phone relay was organized and 221 people called the Assembly Speakers o ce to get the bill to the oor for a vote where it was nally approved.
Regarding the phone relay, Field said, “I think we really drove the point home that this was an important bill, not just for car-shares in New York, but for all nonpro ts in the state.” Field has thanked members of Ithaca Car-Share for speaking out and said that legislation would not have been able to pass without their support.
Field added that the nal hurdle the bill needs to overcome is getting a signature
Early voting has begun Ithaca Common Council primary races. If you haven’t cast your ballot already, get ready to vote in person on the official primary election day on June 27.
Downs
from Governor Hochul.
“We’re hopeful that she will, there’s really no reason why she wouldn’t sign it at this point,” Field said. According to Field, once the bill is signed into law by the Governor, “it will also save all the other car-shares in the state.”
In New York, a bill sent to the Governor’s desk while the legislature is still in session must be signed by the Governor within 10 days or else it faces an indirect “pocket veto”. However, under these circumstances where the bill was sent to the Governor outside of the legislative session, the Governor has 30 days to either sign or veto the bill before it is subject to the pocket veto.
According to Field, other carsharing services in the state have expressed interest in becoming nonpro ts but haven’t been able to because they wouldn’t be able to receive insurance as a nonpro t under current state regulations. Now that changes to those regulations have almost become law, more car-sharing services can start the move towards becoming nonpro ts.
Field continued saying that the past few weeks have been rough as Ithaca Car-Share has been forced to go on pause, leaving thousands of residents without access to their services.
According to Field, even when the bill does get signed into law, it would not result in the reopening of Ithaca Car-Share overnight. A er receiving the Governor’s signature, Ithaca Car-Share would still have to wait six months to re-open so the DMV can update their system to allow
out-of-state RRG’s to write insurance for nonpro ts.
Field said that the waiting period was initially one year, but Senator Webb was able to negotiate that down to six months. While that represents an improvement, Field said that “being able to stay open for six months without revenue from carshare is another hurdle that we’ll have to gure out.”
Despite the six month waiting period, Field said, “we plan to weather this pause and re-launch in the winter presuming that [the Governor] signs the bill this summer.”
According to Field, “We’re gonna gure out how to keep people employed, how to keep funding going so that we can focus on other things other than getting this bill passed, such as buying electric vehicles and expanding our eet and improving our service.” She added, “But rst, we just need to get the governor to sign the bill and then we can move forward with all these other initiatives.”
Over the next three years, Ithaca Carshare is slated to receive $315,000 from New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) to purchase 9 electric vehicles, several of which will be placed in low income neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the organization won’t be able to do any of this and the NYSERDA money will go to waste if the Governor does not sign the bill into law.
Field says that once the bill is signed into law it will solve a problem that carshare has been dealing with for years and “hopefully we will not have any insurance roadblocks in the future.” She continued saying, “When we re-open this winter we will be better than ever.”
On June 19 at 2:15 a.m. Ithaca Police Officers responded to a report of a stabbing that occurred in the area of Cecil A. Malone Drive. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.
The Ithaca Police Department and New York State AFL-CIO are holding a forum to improve community engagement at the Southside Community Center on June 21st starting at 5 p.m.
Seen
Last week New York State Police and the Office of Cannabis Management raided Zaza’s Exotic Market and Black Leaf NY, located on the Commons, for selling cannabis without a license.
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.”
How do you feel about Ithaca’s flood mitigation plans?
27.8% Good, I think they might work.
58.3% Bad. Flooding is inveitable.
7.1% I don’t care.
N
Have you been impacted by NYSEG billing errors?
Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
“We plan to weather this pause and re-launch in the winter presuming that [the Governor] signs the bill this summer.”
— Executive Director of Ithaca Car-Share Liz FieldThe bill to save Ithaca Car-Share has passed the State Legislature and is awaiting a signature from Governor Kathy Hochul. (Photo: Josh Baldo)
On Friday, Workers United Upstate New York announced the endorsement of all five Solidarity Slate candidates — Kayla Matos, West Fox, Nathan Sitaraman, Phoebe Brown, and Jorge DeFendini — for Ithaca Common Council. Best known as the founders of the national Starbucks Workers United campaign — in which Ithaca became the only city in America to have all its Starbucks stores unionize — Workers United also represents workers at Gimme! Coffee, Ithaca Sciencenter, and the Ithaca Health Alliance.
In July 2022, incumbent Solidarity Slate candidates Jorge DeFendini and Phoebe Brown introduced and passed a resolution declaring City support for unionizing Starbucks workers and calling on the National Labor Relations Board to investigate charges of illegal union busting, including the alleged retaliatory closure of the Collegetown location. In November, the NLRB ruled that Starbucks had committed several
labor law violations in its attempts to squash the union, and that it must reopen the Collegetown location and reinstate fired workers with backpay. Starbucks has refused, and in May closed the remaining two Starbucks stores in Ithaca while the NLRB continues to litigate the company’s labor law violations.
Workers United Upstate NY Manager Gary Bonadonna Jr. said, “Workers United Upstate New York is proud to endorse these five champions for working people and organized labor. The Solidarity Slate has set the standard for local officials supporting workers’ rights and dignity, showing up on picket lines, writing legislation, and using their positions to shine a light on mistreatment of workers and the need for accountability. These candidates stood with Ithaca workers when Starbucks illegally shut down their stores, and we’re proud to stand with these candidates now.”
Cynthia Brock has received endorsement from the TompkinsCortland Building & Construction Trades Council (TCBCTC) for re-election as 1st Ward Alderperson of the Ithaca Common Council. Brock has been separately endorsed by Local 241 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 785, and by the United Auto Workers Region 9 Central New York State Community Action Program.
Brock, who is in her fourth term on Common Council, has a longstanding interest in City infrastructure and began
her political career serving on the Board of Public Works.
Todd Bruer, Business Manager for IBEW Local 241 said “I, my IBEW Local 241 Electricians, and the 13 Trade Unions that make up our Local Building Trades Council (TCBCTC) are extremely happy to see Cynthia run again and will support her in any way possible. We all wish there were more politicians like Brock who put the lives of their local community before any political agenda someone or some party may have. Cynthia has always stood strong in her beliefs, and we value her leadership in so many ways!”
When Cynthia Brock decided to seek another term serving on the City of Ithaca’s Common Council, she began by going door to door in the neighborhoods that are new to the reconfigured First Ward. Meeting and talking with residents of the Northside, Southside and South of the Creek neighborhoods, and learning what issues are important to them, was her purpose.
This does not surprise me. For twelve years Cynthia’s commitment to her constituents and to tackling challenging issues have been the cornerstones to her service to the City. She reaches out to residents and to City staff alike. She does her homework.
Councilmember Brock understands the difficult challenges facing the City of Ithaca. Our infrastructure is not being maintained adequately, to put it mildly. Several City departments are understaffed, undercompensated, and underfunded. The lack of affordable housing and consequent problems of gentrification and homelessness, reimagining public safety, funding for recreational and youth services, and the complexities surrounding the Green New Deal all cry out for reasonned, experienced attention by Common Council. Cynthia is keenly aware of the pressures these issues place on the City budget, and on City taxpayers. Choices will have to be made.
Cynthia Brock’s service as Chairperson of the Special Joint Committee for Ithaca Area WasteWater Treatment Plant, and more recently as Chair of the Tompkins County, has been invaluable — unheralded, but hugely important. She will bring similar focus and attention to the new draft FEMA flood maps, and the consequent issue of flood insurance so important to our low lying neighborhoods on the Flats.
Regarding the Ithaca Police Department and the Reimagining Public Safety process, Cynthia has been upfront in her criticism of IPD when criticism is warranted. She clearly supports the reimagining efforts Council is now undertaking, including the need to hire new progressive leadership at IPD. She is committed to hiring a contingent of unarmed public safety workers. She recognizes that better relationships with marginalized people and true community policing efforts are unlikely to succeed if the new public safety workers and our police department remain understaffed and over-extended.... with too few local officers of color.
For the past two years, Cynthia has been working hard to improve the lives and safety of people living houseless in the First Ward, particularly in the encampments. She has also advocated for people living close by, particularly at
Karim was born in Tuskegee, Alabama where his father worked as a farm hand at the Tuskegee Institute. As part of the visionary, loving Baha’i worldwide community, Karim’s parents moved the family to Ecuador when Karim was six. There, the family supported Baha’i community activities for six years. When Karim was 12 his family moved to Ithaca, so his parents could be closer to their families of origin in NYC and in Syracuse.
After graduating from the Alternative Community School (ACS), now known as the Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS), Karim worked for a year in Ithaca and volunteered the next few years with the Baha’i community in Ecuador and Israel. Three and a half years after finishing high school, Karim returned to Ithaca to study Education at Cornell.
After graduation, Karim taught in an inner-city bilingual school in Philadelphia, and then volunteered for a year in Equatorial Guinea, a Spanish-speaking country in Africa. From there, Karim moved to Colombia, South America, where he worked for a Baha’i-inspired rural education organization. In 2004, he met his wife-to-be, Alba Sancho, with whom he lovingly parents their sons, ages 12 and 15.
Returning in the summer of 2010 to Ithaca, Karim completed a Master’s in
Regional Planning, and then took a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension. Working with the Get Your Greenback initiative, Karim worked with hundreds of volunteers and scores of community partners to help businesses and community members conserving energy in transportation, in building energy use, in waste reduction and support food in ways that support local jobs. “Working collaboratively for 12 years with outstanding community partners, I gained new insights into how we can conserve our environment, save money, support the local economy, while creating living wage jobs.”
Karim mentions the ReUse Trail, where 40 stores worked together to market each other and bolster reuse and reduce waste. Karim worked alongside others to promote Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a mutually supportive relationship between local farmers and consumers, where consumers pay for a crop “share” in advance, guaranteeing farmers a market for their goods. In return, growers supply shareholders with fresh, quality produce on a weekly basis throughout the growing season.
Through Get Your GreenBack Tompkins, Karim worked with others to establish Bike Walk Tompkins and Streets Alive, and developed Energy Navigators, a program where volunteers help community members learn about ways they can
In a June 1, 2023 Guest Opinion in this publication, Sandra Zwerger once again made several factual misstatements.
Ms. Zwerger accuses Democratic leaders of writing to the “District Attorney requesting residents in our community be criminally charged for switching parties.” The facts are that I, in my role as Tomp-
kins County Democratic Chairperson, wrote to Republican County Chair Mike Sigler and the District Attorney to make them aware that there had been an abnormally high number—74 of party switches at the beginning of 2023, and that 53 of those who changed party affiliation signed the petitions of three Democrats running for Town Board against the current incumbents.
There were also no petitions filed for Republican candidates for the Caroline Town Board during this recent petition-
reduce their energy use and transition to renewable energy. Six years ago, his work with residential energy education and advising expanded throughout the 8-county Southern Tier region through a series of NYSERDA grants, including the present funding as the Regional Clean Energy Hub for the Southern Tier, known as Smart Energy Choices
Over the years many of Karim and his partners’ projects prospered, and expanded and were replicated in other communities.
So much of Karim’s inspirational work has been focused through the lens of our environment, so essential to all living beings. But inside, his spiritual life has been his moral rudder. “Perhaps deep inside each of us is the longing for justice and peace. I observe so many people who are consciously working for a better world, who believe in the oneness of the human family. For many more, there may be an innate longing to be of service to humankind. I see my work as creating spaces where such people can translate these beliefs and longings into practice, and providing training and support to help us all grow increasingly effective in our work to improve our communities.”
Karim mentions learning that the focus on individuals taking steps in their own lives to reduce energy use while important, is not sufficient. “The kind of
ing period. This was in my opinion, “party raiding,” which may be a violation of NYS Election Law 17-102-5. Party raiding is not the simple act of assisting others to change their party registration, but a fraudulent attempt to alter the results of an election, in this case the Democratic primary in the Town of Caroline on June 27.
The misstatements of fact are that this was the action of “party leaders,” the fact is that this was my action. I did not ask that anyone be criminally charged, particularly the 74 people who switched parties. I merely pointed out that this might be party raiding. I thought this because I saw the video that had been posted on Facebook “Caroline Hates Zoning” page in which Peter Hoyt stated that “We’ve got a little DINO thing (Democrats in Name Only) going on,” and urging people to change their party registration. He also said, “You can always change
changes we need require a more holistic approach, where individuals act not only to make changes in their own household, but to help others do the same and learn from others, and take action collectively, including by influencing their places of work, and the various levels of government.”
As Karim and his community partners continue their devoted work to enhance our lives, our environment, Karim also continues to ponder how we can work together, help each other, and through those caring relationships make our civic engagement even stronger and make more employment opportunities available to people who have hit barriers before.
To celebrate the dozen plus years of Get Your GreenBack Tompkins, Karim is collaborating with Ithaca Murals and sponsoring over two dozen artists to create murals around Ithaca that illustrate a vibrant community in which the health of the environment and the well-being of each human member can thrive.
And On July 8th at Stewart Park Karim, and team are celebrating 12 years of Get Your GreenBack Tompkins, all the good work that continues in the areas of food, waste reduction, transportation and building energy, and they will launch the Regional Clean Energy Hub, with a clean energy workforce component.
(your registration) back.” Notably this video was then removed from the Facebook page.
I made no attempt to disenfranchise voters, not to intimidate any of the people who changed their party at the urging of Mr. Hoyt. Lastly, Ms. Zwerger also asserts that “We have put forth our own longtime Democratic candidates from the Town of Caroline to challenge them (the incumbents).” The fact is that while two of Ms. Zwerger’s candidates have been registered Democrats for some time, but one, Megan Slatoff-Burke, changed her registration from Republican to Democratic this year.
Ms. Zwerger is neither a resident nor a registered voter in the Town of Caroline or Tompkins County. I understand that she has family in Caroline. I hope that the physical distance from Tompkins County will not prevent her from checking her facts in the future.
Communities from San Diego to St Louis to Syracuse are continuing to recover from the lasting impacts of the pandemic that forced businesses in nearly every sector of the economy to close down. The pandemic exacerbated what was already a growing trend toward online commerce, which has negatively impacted commercial districts across the country. Many small businesses couldn’t take the hit and had to close permanently at no fault of their own.
That story is no different in the City of Ithaca. As Ithaca’s downtown continues its recovery effort, the city is looking to fill about 52,000 square feet of vacant retail space and 87,000 square feet of vacant office space in the downtown business improvement district (BID).
The Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), Gary Ferguson — who is retiring at the end of this month after 25 years with the organization that works to attract and retain businesses in the BID — told the Ithaca Times that there are sev-
eral initiatives underway to help attract new businesses to the area and provide aid to existing businesses in their recovery efforts.
Ferguson said that there are two grant programs currently in place. “One is a minigrant program that provides anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for businesses to do collaborative marketing in a way that will help them strengthen themselves in the marketplace,” Ferguson said. He continued saying, “Secondly, there’s a downtown grant program that will provide grants for 10 different businesses for $8,000 to help strengthen their position and be more effective in navigating this post-pandemic period.”
Ferguson explained that the DIA works “in conjunction with properties to provide a supplemental assistance effort, but the businesses themselves have to lead [in the recovery] effort.”
According to Ferguson, the DIA is also in the process of working with a company to commission a market study for the retail sector not just in Ithaca’s downtown, but in the entire city. “The goal here is to better understand what the future likely holds and what strategies we should be looking at to strengthen that sector,” Ferguson said. Preliminary aspects of the study should begin
later on in June, a site visit will take place sometime in August, and Ferguson says that results are expected to come early in the fall.
As the market study unfolds in the months ahead, Ferguson says that the DIA will continue “doing recruitment visits with different communities looking at different types of business and continuing to try to attract different folks to come to town and invest in Ithaca.”
The DIA has also submitted an application to the Tompkins County Tourism Board seeking $60,000 in funds to help attract new businesses to the area in the aftermath of the pandemic. Ferguson said, “Coming out of the pandemic we’ve had more vacancies and we’re trying to work on that.” He continued saying, “We’d love to have some incentive funds to help encourage businesses to locate here. We haven’t had that previously and have relied on the market to do its thing. This is an effort to help curate and craft what we want to see in the community.”
Some of the businesses Ferguson hopes to attract with the help of the numerous
grants being offered by DIA and potential funds from county tourism are in sectors such as apparel, footwear, and home goods. In addition, Ferguson said that he would like to see someone open a wine bar, as well as a classic tea house. Above all, he wants to see more family-friendly entertainment make its way to the city’s downtown. “They are things that resonate with locals, but are also things that resonate with visitors.”
When asked if vacancies could have something to do with the rising costs of living in the area, Ferguson said “relative to other towns around us Ithaca’s rents are higher, but that’s nothing new. Our traffic is also higher.” He continued saying, “I think the new variables have certainly been coming out of the pandemic.”
According to Ferguson, throughout the pandemic “retailers really rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to survive and get through it, and it took a financial, physical, and mental toll, and for some it’s really like, okay, that’s enough. And I think you’re seeing some of that play out.” Ferguson continued saying, “To
the general public it’s like the pandemic’s over, let’s move on, but to the business community they’re still working through those physical, mental, and financial tolls that they incurred during [the pandemic] and they haven’t gone away.”
for people who can help curate an experience.”
The Chief Operating Officer of the Ithaca Renting Company (IRC), Nathan Lyman, agreed with Ferguson regarding the shift towards online commerce saying, “Buying habits have changed significantly in the past 15 years with the growth of convenience delivery services and the internet.
According to Lyman, “During the pandemic, consumers became used to shopping from their couches, and having packages delivered to their doorstep. That has not shifted significantly post-pandemic as a general pattern.”
has seen times of higher and lower vacancies since he began doing business in Ithaca. “Retail in the BID was a challenge before the pandemic due to changing demographics, and has remained a large concern since the state of emergency was lifted and interest rates have gone up,” Lyman said.
He added that retail vacancies were “a challenge in the 1970s as well, which is no doubt what led to the original Ithaca Commons and creation of the BID.” However, Lyman did say that “the business climate is more challenged post-pandemic than earlier this decade because there is a tightening of revenue streams, increased interest rates, and the cost of labor and services has gone up significantly in the past two years.”
Lyman told the Times that the IRC currently has six first-floor retail vacancies in the BID, not including the old Masonic Temple on 117 North Cayuga Street which has long remained vacant. Lyman also said that the IRC has two vacant retail spaces in Collegetown.
When it comes to vacancies in the office sector, Lyman said that “you only need to look at NYC vacancy rates to understand there has been a fundamental shift in… how office space is being utilized.” He continued by saying that, “so many people now operate over Zoom that they feel the need for in-person meetings may not offset the higher costs related to designated office space.”
Ferguson has said that office vacancy rates have decreased since last year because there has been a conversion of some office space to residential and retail space. According to Ferguson, “the former Gateway Plaza building was an office building that is now being converted into residential,” and the property at 121 North Cayuga Street is being converted from office to retail space by Urban Core LLC with funding from the Restore New York grant program.
Ferguson also said that the Harold Square building and the Bank Tower building which came on the market during the pandemic have struggled to fill office space, but that “They’re seriously ramping up their efforts to try to get more people to reach out and market their property.” The Bank Tower building is owned by the IRC and has office space available on the upper floors, according to Lyman.
Ferguson continued saying, “We have wonderful spaces of all types in the center of our community with amenities all around. So it’s a good opportunity for people who are looking to try something different, who want to break into our community, or who want a place to do their work that’s right in the heart of the community that’s got all these assets all around them.” He added, “that’s the kind of rationale for why I think over time downtown office space will continue to be valuable and will fill back up like it was in the past.”
He added, “Even getting employees has changed as a result of the pandemic. You see this not just in Ithaca, but throughout the country.”
Ferguson also explained that “as the internet becomes more and more prevalent, there are just fewer and fewer examples of people doing things,” such as opening up retail stores. As a result, Ferguson says that “We’re really looking for people who get the idea that in today’s world, it’s not enough to just open your door and say okay customers, come on in. We’re looking
Lyman said that additional factors such as a lack of low-cost and easily accessible downtown parking and a loss of police presence which has caused undesirable activity on the Commons could also be negatively impacting the BID. However, Lyman said that he is “hopeful that the new conference center will bring in new traffic, which can better support the retail community as well as the hotels.”
While downtown is working to fill vacancies, Lyman says that this is nothing new and that he
“To the general public it’s like the pandemic’s over, let’s move on, but to the business community they’re still working through those physical, mental, and financial tolls that they incurred during [the pandemic] and they haven’t gone away.”
— DIA Executive Director Gary Ferguson
By Steve Lawrence
Well, I suppose that is one way to describe it... “A truly gratifying and spiritual experience!”
So said Jamal Diboun, a er completing the World’s End 100-K race in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. I wrote about Jamal a while back, as he was ramping up his ultra-marathon running career, and he’s really making progress. He won a local Ultra, and in this race, he took h place overall, covering the 65 miles — with 12,000 feet of climbing — in 12 hours, 53 minutes. Jamal is a Girl Dad — and he gave a big shout out to his awesome wife, Daura, and their four daughters for “crewing for me all day!” In Jamal’s words, “ ese experiences are so epic and adventurous for me and I’m so blessed and grateful to be able to take part.”
Casual fans are accustomed to perceiving certain sports as “Fall sports,” “Winter sports” or “Spring sports,” but those who really pay attention know that sometimes, a sport is tied to no calendar.
It was another big showing for Cornell wrestlers at the X Finals — to determine who represents Team USA at the World Championships at the World Championships in September. — and Kyle Dake and Vito Arujau punched their tickets to Belgrade, Serbia, It was business as usual for Dake, who already has four World Freestyle championships on his resume, and he made it clear that he intends to stay on top of the mountain by dominating Jason Nolf by shut-down scores of 6-0 and 3-0 in the best-of-three match up. (Dake also has an Olympic Bronze to his credit, and he intends to return to the Olympics
and get the gold he has worked for his entire wrestling life.)
It was easy to root for Dake, as he took on a Penn State guy, but Big Red supporters had a bit of a con ict, as Arujau took the mat against fellow Cornellian Nahshon Garrett (also a former national champ), with Vito prevailing by tighter score of 6-5 and 13-10. Arujau is reaching the peak of his game, and he won his rst NCAA championship in March.
● ● ●
I have to hand it to the young women suiting up for the TC3 so ball team. e team had a really tough season — one that would have made many college athletes say “No thanks” and hang up the gloves and cleats before the season ended — but the Panthers gutted it out and held their heads high.
One of the “Cs” in TC3 stands for “Community,” and on some of the rosters of community colleges, one is hardpressed to nd a single local athlete. e rosters are o en stacked with players from elsewhere, and while I am fully aware that a coach’s job is to put the best eligible players on the court — or eld, or pitch, or mat — and if those players happen to be from elsewhere... well... so be it. But
this so ball team roster is full of players from the communities in Tompkins and Cortland Counties.
Hailing from Cortland County are Sara Cargen (Homer), Karissa Wilbur (McGraw) and Marybeth Ortlieb and Elizabeth Cobb (Cortland). Tompkins County sent Hannah Forehand (Groton) and Adrianna Royce (New eld to suit up for the Panthers, and from just down the road, Tioga sent Austyn Vance, and sisters Abby and Gabby Foley. I commend head coach Ed Dow and his sta for working hard to bring TC3 back to a competitive level, and the program won the NJCAA Division III national title in 2009. Until then, I hope they all realize that Panther Pride goes beyond wins and losses.
The Cancer Resource Center (CRC) has announced that it will be moving from its longtime location at 612 West State Street to a new location in Cayuga Heights as a result of inaccessibility due to a lack of parking space and people feeling unsafe entering the building.
A memo released by the CRC executive committee said that since the fall, CRC staff “have endured and witnessed increasing incidents of vandalism, violence, verbal and drug abuse on the premises,” in addition to “belligerent interactions, attempted break-ins, and public urination.”
The memo continued saying that despite continued response from the Ithaca Police Department, the “undesirable activity” has continued to increase as the weather warms and staff “no longer feel safe” working at the property. According to the CRC Board, “the situation has become untenable.”
The Chair of the CRC Board, Jerry Deitz, recently told the Ithaca Times that “the problems that have plagued the west end of the town with the homeless population has made it very uncomfortable, even unsafe for the staff and clientele of the resource center.”
Deitz said that moving from the building that the CRC has occupied for the last 20 years has been a “very hard” decision that represents a real “face up to it moment” after working to effect change and bring a sense of dignity to the unhoused population in the community.
Deitz said that he has found used needles around the property along with
people shooting up and pounding on the doors insisting on getting access into the building. He also said that someone had recently broken into the fenced area behind the building and stole a bike. “This has gone on for months and has gotten steadily worse,” Deitz said.
The increased interaction with the unhoused population likely comes as a result of the fact that the CRC building is located two doors down from the St. John’s Community Services building that provides shelter and a food pantry for unhoused individuals. Despite what the public might think, Deitz wanted to make clear that the move “is not a condemnation of anything. This is a move to ensure that our staff can continue to offer services to people that really count on the Cancer Resource Center for a lot of help.”
According to Deitz, the CRC will be relocating staff to the Village Green at Community Corners at 840 Hanshaw
Road Suite 5, across the parking lot from the Cayuga Heights Police department. Deitz said that the CRC has been given the entire month of June to make the transition and that the new lease will officially start on July 1.
In response to accessibility concerns, Deitz said that the CRC chose a location
that was accessible through public transportation and had plenty of parking for both clients and staff. Additionally, the new location is right across the street from the Cayuga Medical office complexes, “so there’s a lot of pluses to it,” Deitz said.
Since the CRC provides service to individuals free of charge, the move has created concerns regarding additional bugitary expenses for a lease, which the CRC hasn’t paid in years because they own the State Street property. However, the memo said that the landlord at the Village Green has provided the CRC with “a favorable price for the location to make as little impact on the budget as possible.”
According to Deitz, the CRC budget is made up of a variety of grants, contributions from Cayuga Medical, and a lot of donations. Deitz said that as soon as the letter went out announcing the move and the need for help to cover the rent, the CRC received even more donations. “We have nearly covered the first years worth of rent with donations that have come in in just the last couple of weeks,” Deitz said.
Regarding what will happen to the former CRC location on State Street, Deitz said that it will continue to be discussed among the board. He said that some people have expressed interest in renting the space, but that the CRC “may not want to get into the landlord business.” He also said that a potential option would be to sell the building, but that there has not yet been a concrete decision.
The memo announcing the move said that the new location would be temporary and that the CRC was still looking for a permanent location. According to Deitz, the lease that will begin on July 1 is for one year and that “we’re gonna see what happens…but that isn’t to say that it may not become a more permanent solution.”
The move “Is not a condemnation of anything. This is a move to ensure that our staff can continue to offer services to people that really count on the Cancer Resource Center for a lot of help.”
— The Chair of the CRC Board, Jerry Deitz
No Violations:
• Adam’s Corners Cafe (6/17/2022)
• Adelina’s (8/23/2022)
• Agava (11/03/2022)
• Antlers (6/02/2023)
• Applebees (4/04/2023)
• Asia Cuisine (5/12/2022)
• Beacon Hill Events & Catering (4/27/2023)
• Benn Conger Inn (12/13/2022)
• Bickering Twins (10/04/2022)
• Biz & Benny’s Juice Company (11/03/2022)
• Boatyard Grill (12/21/2022)
• Bravo (8/04/2022)
• Burger Hub (4/25/2023)
• Cayuga Blue Hotel (12/13/2022)
• Celebrations Banquet Facility (10/07/2022)
• Chanticleer (10/03/2022)
• Ciao! (1/31/2023)
• Cinemapolis (9/01/2022)
• Gimme Co ee, Cayuga Street (1/05/2023)
• Gimme Co ee, Trumansburg (1/20/2023)
• Glenwood Pines Restaurant (10/26/2022)
• Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine (4/06/2023)
• Hideaway (8/31/2022)
Violations:
• Andelhearts Diner — Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions (5/17/2023)
• Arby’s, Elmira Road #5127 — Item 10B- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth nish); (1/19/2023)
• At e Ridge — Item 15C- Premises littered, unnecessary equipment and article present, living quarters no completely
separated for food service operations, live animals, birds and pets not excluded; (3/02/2022)
• Bayou Kitchen — Item 11D- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean; (2/28/2023)
• BibbiBowl — Item 6B- Critical Violation [RED] Enough hot holding equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained and operated to keep hot foods above 140°F.; (12/21/2022)
• Bun Appetit Bakery & Cafe — Item 8E- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures; (5/16/2023)
• Capital State Kitchen Ithaca — Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); Item 8E- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures; Item 11D- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean; (2/01/2023)
• Carrozza Pizza Company — Item 11BWiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; Item 11D- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean; (11/02/2022)
• Casca Deli @ e Rink — Item 14AInsects, rodents present; (10/22/2022)
• Casper’s Kitchen — Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; Item 11D- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean; (1/31/2023)
• Chili’s Grill & Bar — Item 5E- Critical Violation [RED] Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45°F as required.; Item 12E- Handwashing
facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper xtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing; (2/28/2023)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill #1661 — Item 6A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140°F during hot holding.;
• Cinnamon Shoppe & Deli — Item 2C- Critical Violation [RED] Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.; Item 5A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45°F during cold holding, except smoked sh not kept at or below 38°F during cold holding.; Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (3/23/2023)
• Collegetown Bagels, East Hill Plaza — Item 5A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45°F during cold holding, except smoked sh not kept at or below 38°F during cold holding.; Item 6A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140°F during hot holding.; Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (5/19/2023)
• Copper Horse Co ee Kitchen — Item 8B- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored; Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (10/26/2022)
• Creola Southern Steakhouse — Item 2E- Critical Violation [RED] Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.; Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers
Continued on Page 13
She has worked in marketing since 2011, joining the Tompkins Trust Company as a Marketing Communications Business Partner in March of 2016.
An entrepreneur, she owned and operated three successful small businesses before moving back to Ithaca in 2022 to become the new owner of Moosewood Restaurant.
For the last ten years Phil has been working in the non-pro t nancial services industry.
As the founder of Circus Culture and the Hupstate Circus Festival, Amy is honored to own a business that both brings people downtown and facilitates cross collaboration between downtown businesses.
continued from page 12
double stacked); Item 12E- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper xtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing; (5/12/2023)
• Crossroads Bar & Grille — Item 8AFood not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination
(e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); Item 12E- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper xtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing; (4/27/2023)
• De Tasty Hot Pot — Item 5C- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved pre-cooling procedures (room
John Guttridge is the founder and managing partner of Urban Core LLC and the energetic visionary who drives daily operations, nds new opportunities, and maintains long term direction.
temperature storage).; Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); (3/16/2023)
• Dolce Delight — Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food
containers double stacked); (4/19/2023)
• Dos Amigos Restaurant — Item 6A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140°F during hot holding.; Item 9A- Inadequate personal cleanliness; Item 12E- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper xtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing; (3/07/2023)
• D.P. Dough Ithaca — Item 8E- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures; Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (9/13/2022)
• Eta Pie — Item 8E- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures; (3/28/2023)
• Four Seasons — Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); Item 11BWiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (5/05/2022)
• Gimme Co ee, State Street — Item 8E- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures; Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (1/05/2023)
• Gorgers — Item 8A- Food not pro-
tected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); (4/10/2023)
• Groton Pizza — Item 10B- Nonfood contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth nish); Item 12C- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and oors not properly drained; Item 12E- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper xtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing; (2/28/2023)
• Ha Ka Cha — Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); (5/25/2023)
• Hound & Mare — Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (11/16/2022)
• Ithaca Saigon Kitchen — Item 8F- Im-
proper thawing procedures used; (2/16/2023)
• Ithaca Yacht Club — Item 2C- Critical Violation [RED] Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.; Item 5C- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved pre-cooling procedures (room temperature storage).; Item 6A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140°F during hot holding.; Item 12E- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper xtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing; Item 15A- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces; (9/23/2022)
• Jack’s Grill/Pronto — Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on oor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked); Item 9BTobacco is used; eating, drinking in food preparation, dishwashing food storage areas; Item 10B- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed,
constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth nish); Item 11BWiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (3/09/2023)
• Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches — Item 11D- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean; (3/31/2022)
• Ko Ko Restaurant — Item 3C- Critical Violation [RED] Food workers do not use proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods.; Item 5A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45°F during cold holding, except smoked sh not kept at or below 38°F during cold holding.; Item 5C- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).; (3/06/2023)
• Kung Fu Tea, Collegetown — Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions; (2/02/2022)
• Loco/Ithaca Ghost Kitchen — Item 12C- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and oors not properly drained; (6/09/2023)
By Vee Cipperman
On June 23 and 24, Ithaca Reggae Fest will return to Stewart Park for its h year. e festivities will include renowned reggae acts from the local and international scene, alongside a skateboarding competition and creative community activities. Marketing director Russ Friedell emphasized the festival’s focus on community and ecological preservation. He said that the event aims to incorporate New York reggae with the international scene.
“Ithaca Reggae Fest is dedicated to the protection of Cayuga Lake through a conscious celebration of Ithaca’s legendary reggae community and its history,” Friedell said. is year’s headliner is the Rochester-based Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. Friedell noted their connections to Ithaca, as several band
Stewart Park
free welcome party Friday 5-9 p.m. Saturday’s ticketed 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are available
$30 including fees online at Eventbrite
$35 at the gate or downtown at Ithaca Guitar Works.
members performed at Castaways (now Deep Dive) while they attended Ithaca College.
Jamaican producer Scientist will live mix the band’s Saturday set and perform a solo DJ set on Friday. e other musical acts include Double Tiger, Sundub, New Planets, the Analogue Sons, and a roster of local DJs.
Reggae Fest will include several Villages with non-musical o erings, from yoga to skateboarding to collaborative art. Jay Stooks, a program coordinator with the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, will lead both the Youth and the Art Villages in all-ages cra s and games.
Visitors can learn about protecting Cayuga Lake’s ecosystem at the Education Village, organized in partnership with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, the Community Science Institute, and Discover Cayuga Lake. is Village will feature local scientists and activists, along with themed interactive activities.
e Yoga Village, coordinated with Yoga Farm Ithaca, will lead 108 Sun Salutations at nine a.m. to kick o Saturday’s festival. Following this sequence, traditionally used to mark a new season, they will o er dance and meditation events.
e Skateboard Village, located at Stewart Park’s tennis courts, will feature the 2nd annual Flat Attack US Pro/Am Championships of Flatland Freestyle Skateboarding. On Friday,
it will host an open skate event, and the formal competition will take place on Saturday.
Co-founder Michael Mazza launched the festival in 2017 and has organized it annually since, skipping 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Friedell, the festival honors the vibrant reggae history of the Finger Lakes and greater New York area.
In the late 80s and early 90s, Ithacan venues e Haunt and e State eater featured in uential reggae acts including John Brown’s Body, the Gladiators, and Toots and the Maytals. Many famous bands have formed in or near Ithaca, including the 2023 headliner.
Before the pandemic, Reggae Fest organized a erparties and shows at e Haunt. Since the club’s closure, they pivoted to add the Friday welcome party in 2022. Friday’s event has expanded this year to include a Gayogohó:no˛´ Cultural Celebration and a performance from dance troupe GIAC Jumpers.
Children under 16 can attend the festival for free with a parent or guardian. Folding chairs, umbrellas, and coolers are permitted, but outside alcohol and plastic disposable bottles are not allowed. e organizers encourage guests to bring reusable bottles to ll up at the festival’s water stations.
Friedell said he expects between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees based on last year’s numbers.
“It really is a community-wide event, and that’s the mission and the goal,” he said. “With four years of experience, we’re just so grateful for how the community has shown up, and we’re looking forward to another great weekend.”
Over the past two weeks, Ithaca celebrated Pride Month with its most centralized and expansive event series to date. Ithaca Pride Week, produced by a committee of local organizers in collaboration with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), included over 20 events, from parties and parades to book clubs and comedy shows.
Ithaca Pride Week is part of Pride Month, a nationwide designation to commemorate and celebrate the LGBTQ community each June. Pride-themed events have taken place in Ithaca for decades, but according to Pride Committee chair Tilia Cordata, this year marked a milestone for the organization.
“The exciting thing about this year is the fact that it was so much more collaborative,” she said.
Pride Week featured a range of events accommodating diverse identities, times, and community interests. This past weekend, the DIA sponsored a Pride Parade, Block Party, and vendor fair after postponing them for a week due to dangerous air conditions. On Tuesday, Crissi Dalfonzo from Cornell’s LGBT Resource Center held a workshop on healthy relationships. Deep Dive hosted a Pride send-off party on Friday, featuring local performer Femme de Violette and Cornell-based organization Pole Posse.
Cordata, a local organizer and drag performer has taken the lead on central-
izing Ithaca Pride for the past five years. In the summer of 2019, she coordinated Pride-related events alongside relevant organizations, including Finger Lakes Pulse, Planned Parenthood, and the LGBT Resource Centers at Cornell University and Ithaca College.
Over the next two summers, Cordata oversaw virtual and hybrid Pride events. The DIA got involved for the first time with 2022’s in-person events. This year, Cordata led the Pride Committee as they organized the official 2023 Pride Week.
“The committee fostered a lot of collaborations and a lot of relationships that I don’t think would have automatically happened,” she said, “because it did connect the two universities and the local organizers, which don’t often cross-pollinate.”
The committee included LGBTQ community members and representatives from collaborating organizations. Cordata described it as an “open group,” which met every two weeks this year to plan Pride events. They developed a program with the DIA and collected safer sex supplies to hand out, but the organizations and leaders involved planned their specific events independently.
Comedy on the Commons offered “Stand-Up for Pride,” a group show of LGBTQ comedians, on June 13. It featured headliners Madeleine Smith and Kendra Dawsey, acclaimed performers based in New York City, alongside local acts. According to Comedy on the Commons organizer Kenneth McLaurin, the event was the largest at Cinemapolis that night.
Arielle Johnson, who hosted and performed, said that she pitched the idea of LGBTQ standup for this year’s Pride. Comedy on the Commons co-organized several events with local LGBTQ organizations before the pandemic. McLaurin expressed that affinity-themed comedy shows can draw the Ithaca community together.
“It’s a great way for people who don’t have a lot of experiences around LGBTQ issues to come and hear personal experiences,” he said.
Johnson stated that LGBTQ comedy shows allow people to share their own stories in an entertaining, inclusive way.
“I think the way to get the most interesting, most original comedy about an identity group is to have people who are from that identity group doing the comedy,” she said, “because they actually know what it’s like to experience being that person and what’s funny about it.”
Although Johnson organized and sponsored the event through Comedy on the Commons, she expressed appreciation for the central Pride Committee. Their collaboration contextualized “Stand-Up for Pride” within a larger program and helped to promote the show.
Elisabeth Nonas, a local author and creative writing educator, hosted the first of three LGBTQ fiction writing workshops during Pride Week. Nonas has published five books, including several novels and the writing manual Story Workout; she taught about screenwriting and emerging media at Ithaca College. Her wife, Nancy K. Bereano, founded the famous feminist and lesbian publisher Firebrand Books, previously headquartered in the Ithaca Commons.
Since her retirement in 2019, Nonas has led workshops at the Tompkins County Public Library. She proposed an LGBTQ writing workshop in response to the national rise of anti-LGBTQ legislation this year.
“Given what’s going on around the country, I felt I had to do something,” she said. “And since I’m a writer and a teacher of writing, it felt like this was a political act for me.”
Nonas clarified that the Pride writing workshops operate like any other. They don’t focus solely on LGBTQ themes within the writing.
“It’s about creating a space for LGBTQ people to come and tell whatever story they want to tell,” she said.
Next year, Cordata said that the Pride Committee wants to start planning even earlier. They hope to register as a formal organization with the capability to manage their inventory and finances. They’ve put together an online merch store that will run throughout the year, funding future Pride events.
Cordata stated that the committee wants to make Pride as inclusive as possible and recognize the centrality of LGBTQ people of color. She noted that the first Pride parade in New York City took place a mere 53 years ago; creating Pride
When Michelle Yeoh rode “Everything Everywhere All at Once” to Oscar glory, Hollywood succumbed to multiverse mania. Now every superhero seems to be fragmenting and bringing back studio IP that reminds us all just how long these characters have been around in so many iterations and media, played by so many di erent actors.
I was thinking about all this pop culture clash insanity while trying to
(Warner Bros, Pictures-DC Studios-Double Dream-The Disco Factory, 2023, 144 min.)
playing at Regal Stadium 14.
process the nutzoid twists and turns that drive Andy Muschietti’s “ e Flash”, when Batman — yeah, the 1989 model, Michael Keaton, now retired and looking like e Big Lebowski — grabs a few strands of uncooked pasta and explains the ick’s bugnuts storyline.
Having established e Flash/Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) as an ensemble hero in previous DC movies, this is his rst starring vehicle. ings start o crazy when Barry has to juggle being late for work, a slow server at the co ee shop, and saving a collapsing hospital that results in a literal baby shower. (Words don’t do the baby shower justice, and there’s a plummeting rescue dog thrown in because it’s that kind of movie.)
With that opening catastrophe taken care of, Barry then runs backwards in time to change one small moment that might prevent his mother’s murder and the incar-
ceration of his father, even though Batman — yeah, Ben A eck, the current keeper of the character — warns him it’s a bad idea.
As you might imagine, it only takes a couple of minutes for Barry’s good intentions to unravel all of existence, and he nds himself in an alternate dimension where he has to pair up with his younger self, loses his speedy powers (the twinning e ect of the two bickering Barrys is awless), has to get his powers back, and winds up in a story that darn near incorporates every conceivable variation on the entire DC stable of heroes.
As they chase Marvel’s success, DC movies been a mixed bag. I really dug James Gunn’s “ e Suicide Squad” (2021) and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in “Birds of Prey” (2020), while “Black Adam” (2022) was a gloomy slog. ankfully, “ e Flash” is so over the top in the surreal scope of its story, told with such a welcome goofy sense of humor, that it makes for one of DC’s most entertaining live-action movies in quite a while. It has something funny or thrilling for everyone from the casual newbies to the die-hard fan folk.
ey even bring back versions of characters that brought their franchises to screeching halts, and make you feel better about them by reminding us that, good or
e Flash stars for the rst time his own movie but don’t be surprised when two or three Batmen and a couple Supermen join in
bad, that version of the character is…well, they’re family.
RIP Glenda Jackson (“Women in Love”, “A Touch of Class”, “House Calls”, “Hopscotch”, “ e Rainbow”)
RIP Treat Williams (“ e Ritz”, “Hair”, “1941”, “Prince of the City”, “Once Upon a Time in America”, “ ings to Do in Denver When You’re Dead”, “Mulholland Falls”, “ e Late Shi ”, “ e Phantom”, “ e Devil’s Own”, “Deep Rising”, “Hollywood Ending”, “Miss Congeniality 2”, “127 Hours”)
RIP editor Glenn Farr (“Harry and Tonto”, “ e Right Stu ”, “Nothing in Common”, “Career Opportunities”)
Do you remember Plum’s on “restaurant row” on Aurora Street in downtown Ithaca? A er Plum’s demise the site became Mahogany Grill on August 1, 2002 and recently, April 13,
2023, a new restaurant emerged on the same site: Creola Southern Steak House.
Creola is a pretty place with tile oors, lots of wood, a lengthy banquet, ivorycolored so chairs, lanterns, and unusual chandeliers. ere are also modern eclectic artsy pictures scattered throughout the restaurant. Also noteworthy is a large, well equipped, three level, interior lit bar with stools for a dozen imbibers.
e rst thing that I noticed when I looked at the attractive leather-bound menu was the prices of the food.
For example, let’s look at the seven steak o erings: a 20 ounce, 35-day dry aged bone-in ribeye is $75. A cowboy ribeye and a porterhouse are each $69, a 14-ounce NY striploin is $55, and a let mignon is $52. If you want to add
continued from page 4
homeowners of a median-valued home in Tompkins County,” Black said. In an attempt to block extravagant rate hikes, Kelles said that the state legislature should pass the New York Heat Act, which would require that the state keeps electricity utilities affordable. According to Kelles, “what is considered affordable is 6%, this rate hike would double that.” She continued saying that the Heat Act would also stop allowing NYSEG to make ratepayers subsidize the buildout of natural gas infrastructure.
NYSEG representatives have said that billing errors and poor customer services can be attributed to staffing shortages
continued from page 3
to Ithaca from my Argentine relatives, who took a look at the chimney and said, ‘In Argentina we all know the name Ithaca Shotguns. The police used them regularly to kill protestors on the streets.’”
Lane continued saying, “It is good to remember the hunting legacy of Ithaca Gun, but the harsh reality, which should be important to Ithacans, is that those
continued from page 18
one of four sauces, like Bearnaise, which come in small metal ramekins, add $2. All the steaks are a la carte which means none come with any form of sides, each of which costs an additional $10 to $12, which I think is a lot of money for a half dozen grilled asparagus spears, (I ordered them because I wanted a green with the filet), candied rainbow baby carrots, or cream style sweet corn. I also found myself a bit irritated that, when I was asked to spend $52-$75 for an entrée without any vegetables or salad, the Bearnaise sauce couldn’t have been included without an additional charge of $2.
With prices like these you’d expect the food to be really good, and it is.
I ordered the 9 oz Filet Mignon, and it came just as I had asked, rare/medium rare and it was tender and juicy. I would have liked it even better if the surface hadn’t been salted so much but it was really an excellent piece of beef, beautifully cooked.
caused by the pandemic and that rate hikes are the result of inflation leading to increased costs of fuels used to produce electricity, specifically natural gas. Despite the inflationary pressures, last year Avangrid was still able to pay its CEO a salary of $4,849,986.
Fossil Free Tompkins coordinator Irene Weiser said “The proposed rate hikes are unaffordable to the point of being unconscionable. Meanwhile, billing problems still exist, the companies have not committed to reducing their customers’ fossil fuel use or greenhouse gas emissions, and they have not made any specific plans to address impacts on disadvantaged communities as required by our State’s climate law.”
According to Weiser, “It is outrageous that the Governor’s regulators co-signed this proposal to raise rates this high instead
guns were marketed to customers to kill people too.”
Holland said that she is aware of the controversy surrounding Ithaca Gun but that, “This is a story of the people not the products.” She added, “History is about people, their lives and their influence on the landscape.” According to Holland, “There are few markers and monuments to workers history and as we move forward to hopefully save this structure, we can look much more deeply into the narrative.”
Former Tompkins County Historian
To keep my price down I once ordered one of the seven entrées, which were primarily priced from $25-$34. The Cajun Mushroom Cassoulet was interesting but wasn’t like any cassoulet I’ve ever had. This one was vegetarian and featured lima beans, and black-eyed peas. The top was dotted with homemade corn bread dumplings and parsley bits. It was different because every cassoulet I’ve had in Southwestern France, where it was developed, was a stew and featured meat, usually bits of pork, mutton, duck, goose, or lamb and, being a stew, was more moist. Despite the difference, this “cassoulet” was pleasant enough.
On another visit I chose another entrée that was less expensive than the steaks: Crispy Chicken Under a Brick ($28). Original chicken under a brick recipes are made by butterflying a chicken to be able to expose as much skin as possible to a sauté pan. The goal is to achieve extra crispy skin. My server told me the chicken offered here was cooked in the oven and was only pressed at the end of the cooking process. Like the cassoulet, it was another named dish that didn’t seem authentic but was very good.
of siding with consumer advocates to send the utility back to file a proper and reasonable proposal. We call on Governor Hochul to intervene and deny this rate hike.”
Issues with private utilities like NYSEG and RG&E have resulted in increased support for publicly owned utility options. Supporters of public utilities say that NYSEG holds customers hostage with arbitrary rate hikes since there are no viable alternatives for where to get energy.
To combat NYSEG’s energy monopoly and follow through on Ithaca’s green energy goals, the Town and City of Ithaca are working on establishing a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program. The Town of Ithaca website explains that CCA would allow residents to “choose where they source the energy that powers their homes” by creating a “bulk purchase program that leverages collective buying
Carol Kammen said that she strongly supports protecting the smokestack “as long as it is maintained and poses no safety issues.” Kammen added, “The smokestack… is one of the few reminders that the City of Ithaca and this area was built by working people.”
“To remove the unique smokestack because of the word gun is to attempt to erase the past, but in doing so, we also erase the working history of this community that allowed it to grow and prosper,” Kammen said.
And finally, I selected Duck Confit and Peach Waffle ($34). Confit refers to a meat that is cooked in its own fat and is usually quite “juicy”. This duck leg was not “juicy” and had a breaded crust. It was on a full waffle which was accompanied by sliced peaches, a slightly spicy maple syrup, and some melting honey lavender butter. If you stay away from duck because it’s sometime has a gamey taste, you might like this one which actually tasted like chicken.
There are five desserts, all at $10. One evening I tried blackberry and peach cobbler. It was made with a brown sugar oat crust, vanilla ice cream, and had fresh fruit although the whipped cream was squirted out of a can.
The wine menu is comprehensive and complete. ($10-$13 glass/$33-$135 bottle) and there are a dozen interesting cocktails.
Everything I’ve ordered here, no matter what it was called, was beautifully cooked, well-seasoned, and attractively presented.
The Creola Southern Steak House is a welcome addition to Ithaca’s restaurant row — a worthy successor to Plum’s and Mahogany Grill.
power to secure better pricing on energy.” This would allow residents to source energy from local solar and wind farms, which would create a more competitive utility market.
During the press conference, Alderperson Robert Cantelmo said, “This proposed rate increase on top of the customer service and the billing issues is too much for Ithacans to bear. I would urge all Ithacans to take advantage of the comment period to make their voice heard. Let [the Governor] know how this change impacts your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Let [the Governor] know it’s far too much and we say no.”
Customers have 120 days to submit their concerns with their NYSEG bills or the proposed rate increases to secretary@ dps.ny.gov with the subject line “NYSEG Rate Case” as soon as possible.
continued from page 6
Nate’s Floral Estates, and for West End business owners dealing with increasing, largely drug-related, crime.
This is a complex and frustrating situation, requiring both human empathy and real action. The work has been agonizingly slow, but Cynthia continues to engage in the effort.
Ithaca’s city government will be very different in 2024. There will be a new city manager and several new city department heads. There will be a new mayor and a largely new Common Council. Retaining a Council member with extensive knowledge of the City’s workings and institutional history will be hugely important.
I strongly recommend that my fellow First Ward Democrats vote for Cynthia Brock in this week’s primary election.
By George McGonigalcontinued from page 16
traditions and fighting for LGBTQ rights is an ongoing process.
Cordata expressed that Ithaca is developing its version of Pride, rather than copying major cities. She stated that organizers have paid attention to what Ithaca’s specific LGBTQ population wants and where the city may fall short.
“We’re not trying to model our pride off of New York City’s Pride or Chicago Pride or anything like that,” she said. “We’re trying to create something unique to our community that supports our community in a way that we need.”
Bars/Bands/Clubs
6/21 Wednesday
Make Music Day: Ithaca Ukulele
Jam and Ageless Jazz Band | 4 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavilion, Center Commons | Free
Paul Merrill Quartet | 7:30 p.m. |
The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St. | $5.00 - $15.00
Galactic Wednesday | 9 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd. | $5.00
Homer Summer Concerts on The Green: Cortland Old Timers|Village Green, Homer | Free
6/22 Thursday
Community Concert Series: Rongo Band | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road
East West Blues Band | 6 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd. | $5.00
The Fiddlewitch | 7:00 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St. | $10.00
Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series: Mosaic Foundation | 6 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavilion, Center Commons
Brewhouse Blues Jam | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road | Free
Darkwine | | Six Mile Creek Winery, 1551 Slaterville Road | Free
6/23 Friday
Four and Twenty Blackbirds | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road
Raised on Radio | 6 p.m. | Treleaven Winery, 658 Lake Rd
Friday Night Music - The Notorious Stringbusters | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Farms and Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd
Friday Sunset Music Series - ft.
Stratcat Willie & The Strays | 6:30 p.m. | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State
Route 414
Drew Kiddoo Album Release! | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd. | $10.00
Whistlin’ Dyl | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St.
6/24 Saturday
Rachel Beverly | 1 p.m. | White Springs Winery, 4200 Route 14, Geneva, 14456
Punk Rock Happy Hour w/ The Fatalitees, Calabungus Flats, and Nancy Babich | 4 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd. | $5.00
Wingnut | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St.
Flying Object - Ithaca Reggae Fest
After Party | 9 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd. | $10.00
6/25 Sunday
Jazz Guitar Brunch with Dennis Winge | 10:30 a.m. | Antlers Restaurant, 1159 Dryden Rd. | Free
Shawn Halloran | 2 p.m. | Treleaven Winery, 658 Lake Rd
6/26 Monday
Jazz Monday with Dave Davies
RhythmMakers | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road
Heavy Cream: an evening of songs by Penelope Voss w/s/g Colleen Countryman| 7:00 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St. | $10.00
6/27 Tuesday
Southern Old Time String Band Jam Session | 6 p.m. | Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd.
6/28 Wednesday
Deep Dive House Big Band hosted by Professor Greg Evans | 7 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | Free Midweek Melancholy with NFW and Friends | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St | Free Homer Summer Concerts on The Green: Chasing Neon | | Village Green, Homer | Free Concerts/Recitals
6/21 Wednesday
Yo La Tengo - SOLD OUT | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St
6/22 Thursday
Santana | - CMAC | 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua Toad the Wet Sprocket w/s/g Marcy Playground |Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua
6/23 Friday
Merkley & Morgan w/s/g Jenna Noelle | 7 p.m. | Rose Hall, 19 Church Street | $10.00
Kenny Chesney | 7 p.m. | En-Joie Golf Club, 722 W Main St, Endicott Collie Buddz w. special guest Sammy Adams | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St
DOWNTOWN ITHACA CONCERT
SERIES: MOSAIC FOUNDATION
THURSDAY, JUNE 22ND AT 6:00PM
6/24 Saturday
Eric Gales | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St Darius Rucker | - CMAC | 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua
6/25 Sunday
Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh) | 7:30 p.m. | Six Mile Creek Vineyard, 1551 Slaterville Rd | $34.00 - $109.00
6/27 Tuesday
Vieux Farka Toure | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St
6/28 Wednesday
Brig Juice Brass Band | 7 p.m. | Wells College Field House, 170 Main St. | Free
Concerts in the Park Kick O : The Kirby Band + Fireworks | 7:30 p.m. | The Hickories Park, 359 Hickories Park Rd., Owego | Free Jimmie Vaughan | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St
Xanadu | 6/21 Wednesday | Little York Lake Pavilion, 6288 Little York Lake Rd | This Tony-Award-nominated, roller-skating musical adventure is based on the 1980 cult classic movie starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly! Runs 6/21-6/30.
Kiddst Outdoors: Crisscrossing the Galaxy... | 10 p.m., 6/22 Thursday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | Shows at 10am and noon.
What the Constitution Means to Me | 7:30 p.m., 6/23 Friday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | Ends June 24 at the Hangar. 15-year-old
Heidi paid her way through college by debating the merits of the U.S. Constitution. Now, as an adult, she is reexamining her teenage convictions in a witty and relevant piece of theater.
Participatory Contra Square Circle
Dancing on the Commons | 6:30 p.m., 6/27 Tuesday | Trolley Circle |
LIVED EXPERIENCE | 11 a.m., 6/21
Wednesday | Corners Gallery, Corners Gallery | Lived Experience features pastel landscape drawings by Diane Newton and oil paintings based on family photographs by Terry Plater. On view through July 29. | Free Hannah Law | Day to Day | 1 p.m., 6/21 Wednesday | The Ink Shop, 330
E. MLK/State St | Hannah Law’s art focuses on scenes from everyday life; countrysides from her hometown in upstate New York, wildlife, and domestic still lives. | Free
34th Annual Juried Photography Show | 12 p.m., 6/22 Thursday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street | 34th Annual Photography Show features artists from all corners of New York State. | Free The Gallery at South Hill Exhibition of Molly Lunn and Zachary Scotton | 5 p.m., 6/23 Friday | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Road | The Gallery at South Hill presents Molly Lunn and Zachary Scotton. Molly Lunn and Zachary Scotton are a married artist duo that use paint and patchwork fabric to create. Inspiration is taken from retro signage in Southern California, as well as gestural quality of spray painted gra ti. | Free Art Show/Sale | 10 a.m., 6/26
Monday | Satori Salon, Ithaca, 840 Hanshaw Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 | Art show/Sale ...Original oil painting and stained glass works | Free
Awesomely Fab Movie Night at TCPL: Kiki | 6 p.m., 6/22 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Join us at TCPL in June for a series of lms showcasing the LGBTQIA+ community.
Cinemapolis
120 E. Green St., Ithaca
June 23-29. Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes. New lms listed rst.*
Asteroid City* |Following a writer on his world famous ctional play about a grieving father, who travels with his tech-obsessed family to small rural Asteroid City, to compete in a stargazing event. Only to have his world view disrupted forever. | 104 mins PG-13
L’Immensita* |The story of love between Clara and her children, set in Rome in the ‘70s. w/ Penelope Cruz.| 99 mins NR
Last Rider* |The incredible story of the greatest cycling race in history, the 1989 Tour De France, and how American Greg LeMond faced down betrayal, childhood sexual abuse and death completing one of the most inspiring comebacks in history.| 98 mins PG-13
Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse | Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must rede ne what it means to be a hero. | 140 mins, PG You Hurt My Feelings | A novelist’s long standing marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband giving his honest reaction to her latest book. | 93 mins R
1064 Clark Street Road, Auburn Gate opens one hour before the movies begin. Schedule for Friday, 6/23 through Sunday, 6/25.
Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse (9PM); Elemental (11:15PM) | - June 23rd
Elemental (9PM); Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (11:15PM)| - June 24th & 25th
Elemental |Follows Ember and Wade, in a city where re-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. | 103 mins PG
Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse | Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must rede ne what it means to be a hero. | 140 mins, PG
CRISSCROSSING
FOR
GALAXY AT FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT FOR A HUG
FRIDAY, JUNE 23 THRU SUNDAY, JUNE 25. SHOWS AT 10AM AND 12PM (FRI & SAT); 12PM (SUN). Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca | The Hangar kicks o the KIDDSTUFF series this weekend! (Photo Provided - Rachel Phillipson)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher.
Community Relations & Outreach Committee Mtg | 3:30 p.m., 6/21
Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street |
T-burg Farmer’s Market: | 4 p.m., 6/21 Wednesday | Trumansburg
Farmer’s Market, 69 W. Main St |
Live music each Wednesday thru October.6/21 - Tim Ball & Friends; 6/28 - Venissa Santi
Mindful Living Toolkit | 6 p.m., 6/21
Wednesday | Lifelong, 119 W. Court St. | This 6-week class o ers tools to manage stress more e ectively. Includes a toolkit of basic mindfulness practices drawn from MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, weekly (in-class) check-in, group support and techniques for tapping nature’s resources to optimize wellbeing. | $150.00
Bridge Club of Ithaca | 10 a.m., 6/22
2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods Open: Wednesday, June 21 | 8 a.m., 6/21 Wednesday | En-Joie Golf Course, 722 W Main St | | $15.00
SAHLEN’S SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN
| 9 a.m., 6/22 Thursday | Watkins Glen International Speedway | IMSA Race with Corvette Corral that includes track laps, and much much more.
Ithaca Reggae Fest | 5 p.m., 6/23 Friday | Stewart Park | This year the family-friendly event celebrates the meeting point of Jamaican and NYS reggae as legendary Jamaican producer, Scientist, performs his own set on Friday evening before live mixing Rochester’s own great reggae big band, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and Ithaca’s own, Double Tiger.
1st Annual Cortland County Bull Bash | 6/23 Friday | Cortland County Fair Grounds, 4292 Fairgrounds Dr | Southern Soul Rodeo Productions presents the 1st Annual Cortland County Bull Bash! Join us for two nights of Bulls, Barrels, Bands, and Family fun.
17th Annual Broome County Parks Triathlon | 9 a.m., 6/24 Saturday | Dorchester Park, 5469 NY-26 | 17th Annual Broome County Parks
TriathlonDorchester Park – Whitney Point, NY
LGBTQ+ Fiction Writing Workshop
| 5:30 p.m., 6/21 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | This practical workshop will help you develop a work-inprogress or begin a new project in a safe, encouraging environment.
Book Sale | 10 a.m., 6/22 Thursday | Montour Falls Library, 406 W Main St | Book Sale
Poetry Reading: Tim Carter - Remains | 4 p.m., 6/23 Friday | Bu alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street
| REMAINS is “the work of a lifetime,” exploring the life and death of the poet’s mother using photos, paintings, and letters, as well as years of interviews with friends and family who remember her. | Free
Clay and metal teen after school | 6:30 p.m., 6/21 Wednesday | Metal Smithery, 950 Danby Road | Join us for the exciting after school program for middle and high schoolers at The Clay School and The Metal Smithery!
TCPL Robotics Club: Autonomous Robot Racing | 4 p.m., 6/22 Thursday
| Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | It’s robot racing time! TCPL is inviting youth 8+, Teens, and families to a weekly robot race in the Makerspace!
Somewhere WAY Over the Rainbow | 10 a.m., 6/23 Friday | Sciencenter, 601 1st Street | An extraordinary multi-sensory art installation created by Ivy Stevens-Gupta. This unique STEAM project aims to engage and inspire individuals of all abilities, including those with vision or hearing loss, mobility issues, and neurodiversity. Free with admission.
Summer Baby Storytime | 10:30 a.m., 6/23 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Caregivers and their babies are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St. Lego Club | 10 a.m., 6/24 Saturday | Ulysses Philomathic Library, 74 E Main Street | Drop in and show o your building skills at this open Lego build. For children of all ages. | Free Summer Family Storytime | 11 a.m., 6/24 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!
FRIDAY, JUNE 23RD AND SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH
Stewart Park, Ithaca | This year the family-friendly community event celebrates the meeting point of Jamaican and New York State reggae as legendary Jamaican producer, Scientist (pictured) performs his own set on Friday evening before live mixing Rochester’s own great reggae big band, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and Ithaca’s own, Double Tiger. (Photo: Provided)
Journey of Water - Water Quality Cruise on Cayuga Lake | 2 p.m., 6/25 Sunday | Discover Cayuga Lake, MV Teal, Ithaca Farmers Market dock at Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd Street | Explore the natural history of Cayuga Lake from the water while learning how to use Secchi disks, Van Dorn tubes and Plankton nets to sample water quality in the lake. Results will add to CSI’s long-term, publicly-accessible water quality data sets. Register at communityscience.org/4h2o/ | Free LEGO Build Night for Families | 5 p.m., 6/27 Tuesday | Tompkins County 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.
Spanish Storytime | 4 p.m., 6/28
Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome to join us for Spanish storytime - songs, rhymes, stories, and crafts - completely in Spanish!
Virtual Mid-Day Mindfulness
Meditation | 12:15 p.m., 6/21
Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | This is a 30-minute meditation session led by Anna Salamone RN, LCSW, certi ed
Sunday Morning Meditation | 9 a.m., 6/25 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road | Sunday morning meditation, free and open to all.
Dance Church | 11:30 a.m., 6/25 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Rd | Dance Church Ithaca continues in person — and online — every Sunday from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at the Foundation Of Light. Come join the dance!Masks are required, and air puri ers are running inside. Dancing on the lawn is encouraged! | Free Ithaca Chess Club | 12 p.m., 6/25 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
Thursday | Bridge Club of Ithaca, 16 Cinema Drive | Bridge Club of Ithaca o ers casual play with instruction for players at all levels Fridays 9:30-12pm at the Club, 16 Cinema Drive ($5 fee) | $5.00 - $7.00
Candor Community Farmers Market | 3:30 p.m., 6/22 Thursday
| Candor Town Hall Pavilion, 101 Owego Road | This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Candor Farmers Market, which gives local vendors and farmers a place to come together, and for the community an opportunity to interact with growers and craftsmen at a one-stop social shopping experience. | Free Montour Falls Farmers Market | 4 p.m., 6/22 Thursday | Fireman’s Field, 301 Clawson Blvd | June 15 - October 12 • Thursdays, 4-7pm 301 Clawson Blvd, Montour Falls, NY 14865Local Produce, cheese, owers, food, live music, community resources & more!
Botanic Gardens Highlights Tour | 11 a.m., 6/24 Saturday | Cornell Botanic Gardens, 124 Comstock Knoll | Take a relaxing stroll with a Garden Guide through the gardens around the Nevin Welcome Center and discover the beauty and diversity of our cultivated plant collections. Tours are o ered every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., June 17 through October 1. | Free Food Pantry | 12 p.m., 6/24 Saturday
| GYM-Southside Community Center, 305 S Plain St |
XANADU
The Landlords Association of Tompkins County | 4 p.m., 6/26 Monday | Virtual, Ithaca | The LATC now holds virtual meetings on the 4th Monday of each month. Events are for members only. Rental property owners interested in these meetings are invited to join. For more information go to https://landlordsassociation. com or email LATC@LandlordsAssociation.com
Pendulums and DowsingHarnessing Your Inner Wisdom | 7 p.m., 6/26 Monday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Rd | Bring your curiosity, wonder and playful spirit to an engaging, hands-on introductory class in using the pendulum and dowsing rods to harness and apply our inner wisdom, with Renee Guidelli from the Heart Center in Wellsburg, NY. | $20.00 - $25.00
How to Become an Amateur Photographer | 6:30 p.m., 6/27 Tuesday | New eld Public Library, 198 Main Street | Become an Amateur Photographer Tues, 6/27 6:30pm at New eld Library, 198 Main St. How to improve your photos--past & future shots. Photo assignment & short follow-up meeting later. Info: 607564-3594 | Free
American Red Cross Blood Drive | 10 a.m., 6/28 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | To schedule an appointment to donate call 1-800 RED CROSS. Walk-ins are welcome!
SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH SHOWS
AT 2:00 AT 7:30PM.
Little York Lake Theatre & Pavilion, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble,| Cortland Rep’s second show of their summer season is billed as “A Pop Musical “Hilarity on Wheels!” This Tony-Award-nominated, roller-skating musical adventure is based on the 1980 cult classic movie starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly and lled with songs you will remember! (Photo: Provided)
FAST FREE PICKUP. Maximum tax deduction. Support Patriotic Hearts. Your car donation helps Vets! 866559-9123
JOHN W AGARD, JR
80, Wake, VA. You may view the obituary at: https://www.faulknerfuneralhcs.com/
OCM BOCES has a need for a Coordinator of MTSS and Community Schools. Successful candidate will lead the implementation of the Regional MTSS Framework, Regional Community Schools Initiatives, and Regional Suicide Prevention professional development projects. Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of ISS. To apply, send cover letter and resume to: recruitment@ocmboces.org or register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. Visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org for more information. EOE
garage Ithaca home with very nice garden. Buffalo and Corn street. Excellent heating, low utilities. 2000 $ and utilities.
oboratav@gmail.com
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 a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pick-up - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755. (NYSCAN)
V70 automatic for sale. Leather heated seats, sunroof, excellent condition. No rust. Well-maintained. Only 3rd owner. 276k miles. 3200 $ cash only. Serious inquiries only. Oboratav@gmail.com
270/Pets
Friendly, Lovable pups, cream color, litter of 9, Vet Checked and vaccinated. Mother on site, Adult size 25-35lbs. Ready for forever home. $799 OBO. Dundee 607-243-5294
TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office
BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME
With energy efficient new windows! They will increase your home’s value & decrease your energy bills. Replace all or a few! Call now to get your free, no-obligation quote. 844-335-2217.
OCM BOCES Career and Technical program has an anticipated opening for a Culinary and Pastry Arts Instructor at the Cortlandville Campus in Cortland, NY. The Culinary program prepares 11th & 12th grade students in the areas of: safety and sanitation, food prep, cooking, restaurant management, hospitality, customer service, menu planning and marketing in conjunction with professionalism, communication, problem solving and teamwork. NYS teaching certification, or willingness to obtain teaching certification, is required. Experience in a related field is necessary. Register and apply by 06/30/2023 at: www. olasjobs.org/central. For more information, visit our website at www. ocmboces.org. EOE
Is hiring outgoing people to work in the tasting room of Cayuga Lake’s Oldest Winery. Full & Part Time positions. Apply online at www. lucasvineyards.com or pick up an application in person at 3862 County Road 150, Interlaken, NY.
Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440.
(M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required. (NYSCAN)
420/Computer
APPEAL! If you’re 50+, filed for SSD and denied, Our attorneys can help get you approved! No money out of pocket! Call 1-877-707-5707
COMPUTER
Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk
Professional now! Now offering grants & scholarships for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192
(M-F 8AM-6PM ET) (NYSCAN)
You may qualify for a substantial cash award - even with smoking history. NO obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-888-553-5089
DIRECTV
New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with Choice Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918.
Starting at $59.99/Month! 1 Year Price Lock! 155+Channels Available. Call Now to get the Most Sports on TV! 844-719-8927
DISH TV $64.99 FOR 190 CHANNELS + $14.95
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
American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/ $100OFF POPULAR PLANS Call 877-707-5518 Monday-Friday 8:30am to 8:00pm EST
HOME HEALTH CARE
In your own home. I’m Tommy I have been doing home health care for over 23 years. I do all health care showers, hygiene, meds, appointments, cooking, cleaning, run errands, shopping. ect. If needed you can contact me at 607-377-6770
NEED NEW FLOORING?
Call Empire Today® to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today! 855-721-3269
Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 888-320-1052
SAVE YOUR HOME!
Are you behind paying your MORTGAGE? Denied a Loan Modification? Threatened with FORECLOSURE? Call the Homeowner’s Relief Line now for Help! 855-721-3269
805/Business Services
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES
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)
BCI WALK IN TUBS ARE NOW ON SALE!
Be one of the first 50 callers and save $1,500! CALL 844-514-0123 for a free in-home consultation.
BEST SATELLITE TV
With 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 (NYSCAN)
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)
830/Home
Finish Carpentry and Fine Woodworking - Cabinet installation, door repair & installation, stairs, molding, cabinets, plumbing, electrical, water filters, and more. La Jolla Woodworks - Patrick 858-220-4732
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
For rates and information contact front@ithactimes.com 277-7000
FLYITHACA.COM
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LAMP REPAIR
Call Steve
607-351-3540
LOOKING FOR WORK
WE ARE HIRING VISIT US ONLINE
www.wgaforchildren.org
or call 607-844-6460
THE WILLIAM GEORGE AGENCY
Boost your Business This Summer!
Call Larry at
607-277-7000 ext: 1214
Find out about great advertising ad packages at: Ithaca.com & Ithaca Times
Men’s and Women’s Alterations for over 20 years
Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair. Same Day Service Available
John’s Tailor Shop
John Serferlis - Tailor 102 The Commons 273-3192
PIANOS
Rebuilt, Reconditioned, Bought, Sold, Moved, Tuned, Rented Complete Rebuilding Services
No job too big or too small Ithaca Piano Rebuilders (607) 272-6547
950 Danby Rd, Suite 26 South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca
REAL LIFE CEREMONIES
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
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