August 2, 2023

A Challenge For Runners

The Finger Lakes Running Club Challenges Participants to a 63 Miles of Courses

PAGES 8-9

TRANS SAFE HAVEN RESOLUTION

GUN SAFETY PROPOSAL

MICROCHIP FACILITY COMING TO LANSING

WOMEN SWIMMIN’ FOR HOSPICARE

SOUTHSIDE

COMMUNITY CENTER

DEMOCRACY

FESTIVAL

N EWS LINE

Council Discusses Resolution to Make Ithaca a Safe Haven for Transgender Individuals

By Matt Dougherty

As a handful of states around the country such as Alabama, Florida, and Oklahoma, have enacted legislation that would e ectively ban people from seeking transgender healthcare such as gender a rming surgeries and therapy, the City of Ithaca is considering passing a resolution that would make the city a “safe haven” for transgender individuals.

e Trans Safe Haven Resolution is being proposed by Fourth Ward Alderperson Jorge DeFendini. DeFendini has said that he resolution was inspired by a similar resolution that was approved by the Common Council last summer which made Ithaca a sanctuary city for people seeking abortions.

In a recent interview DeFendini said that people with “gender dysphoria who identify as transgender or gender nonbinary have a dramatically better quality of life when they can have access to this health care.” According to DeFendini, “I think cities and states that have the political will to do so should do everything in their power to make it accessible and are for folks who are trying to receive this health care.”

In response to criticism of the resolution that has questioned why the city needs to involve itself in national political battles, DeFendini said that many issues that manifest on the national level are also important to address locally. “I’m a big advocate for public safety reform and housing reform. A lot of those issues manifest on the national level, but if you ask an Ithacan on the streets a lot of those issues are the same,” DeFendini said.

He continued saying that he doesn’t buy into the wellknown local phrase that Ithaca is ten square miles surrounded by reality.

DeFendini said, “I know we’d like to convince ourselves that we have different problems… [but] a lot of the issues that I’ve seen growing up downstate are very prevalent here in Ithaca as well.”

He added that the transgender population is not isolated in one area and that many transgender people call Ithaca and its surrounding municipalities home. As laws are being passed in a growing number of states that limit the ability for transgender individuals to get their health

T AKE N OTE

care, DeFendini says that more people will seek out cities like Ithaca to get access to the health care they need.

“I think we need to do everything in our power to make sure that those folks can feel welcome and safe here. at they won’t have to worry about if the government is going to be collaborating to potentially get them in trouble with the law.” DeFendini said. He continued saying that even though these issues are manifesting nationally, “we as a city absolutely need to get involved and make sure that our constituents and our neighbors are safe.”

e resolution was introduced and discussed during the June meeting of the City Administration committee and DeFendini is hoping that it will be voted on in the upcoming committee meeting on July 26. If the resolution is approved by the City Administration committee it will be sent to the Common Council for a nal vote in September.

X Fall 2023 Tourism Grants Available

The Tompkins County Tourism Program is o ering three grant programs for the fall of 2023: Community Celebrations, Tourism Advancement, and Tourism Capital grants.

Community Celebrations Grant: This grant is for up to $2,500 to support community events that showcase the culture, history, and diversity of Tompkins County.

Tourism Advancement Grant: This grant is for up to $15,000 to support projects that promote

Tompkins County as a tourist destination.

Tourism Capital Grant: This grant is for up to $100,000 to support major investments in visitor-generating projects.

Applications for all three grant programs are due by August 31, 2023. For more information, visit www.tompkinscountyny. gov/tourism/grants.

New this fall: Applicants for the Community Celebrations Grant can now submit an audio or video recording in place of a written grant application. Guidance on how

to record your proposal and attach it to your application is available in the grant guidelines.

The Tompkins County Tourism Program annually invests local hotel room occupancy tax dollars in community-based tourism to promote economic development and enhance quality of life. This program is guided by the Strategic Tourism Planning Board. Tourism grants have supported the activities of dozens of local organizations contributing to local tourism and community vitality. Learn more at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tourism.

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Alderperson Jorge DeFendini has proposed a resolution that would make Ithaca a sanctuary city for transgender individuals seeking health care.

(Photo Credit: Aaron Fernando)

“We as a city absolutely need to get involved and make sure that our constituents and our neighbors are safe.”

— Alderperson Jorge DeFendini

IN UIRING PHOTOGRPHER Q A

By Michelle LaMorte

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM TO GET AT YOUR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET?

City Officials Debate Feasibility of Gun Safety Legislation

By Matt Dougherty

In response to the increasing threat of gun crimes both locally and throughout the country, Alderperson Robert Cantelmo has proposed legislation that would provide directions for gun-owners regarding how to safely store their rearms. If approved, failure to follow the guidelines would result in ne and potential for civil legal action if the unsecured rearm is used to harm another person or commit a crime.

e proposal states that a rearm will be categorized as a “device designed to be used as a weapon from which a projectile is expelled from the barrel by force of explosion or other form of motion. It does not include any antique rearms…” According to the proposal, “ rearms must be stored or disabled in a manner that a reasonable person would believe renders an inaccessible to unauthorized user, it is a violation of this prohibition if the key or code to unlock the container or locking device is reasonably accessible to someone other than the owner.”

A violation of the proposal is punishable by a civil ne of $500 for the rst o ense, and the ne would increase to $1,000 for additional violations in a one-year period.

While many local o cials said that gun safety is a top priority, some questioned whether or not it would be possible to enforce the proposal without placing an undue burden on local law enforcement. During the June City Administration meeting, Alderperson Kris Haines-Sharp asked Acting Chief of Police Ted Schwartz about who would be responsible for enforcing the proposal, and if IPD has the resources to enforce it.

Acting Chief Schwartz responded saying, “We honestly cannot proactively enforce this.” He added that the proposal would make a violation a city code violation that would “essentially be the same seriousness as jaywalking or riding your bike on the sidewalk.” According to Schwartz, “Most of the time when we’re dealing with

guns, they are either lawfully owned and it’s not an issue, or if the gun is an issue…we’re talking about a misdemeanor, usually felony level, so it wouldn’t even address the city code violation.” Schwartz continued saying that proactive enforcement would be di cult due to the fact that police would need to have probable cause to enter a home before being able to investigate whether or not a rearm was being stored securely.

Alderperson George McGonigal asked Chief Schwartz if he thinks that the City should approve the proposal, but the Chief declined to answer directly saying, “I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to be weighing in from a police department perspective about legislation… we are called to enforce laws and not to take a personal stance.”

Due to the questions regarding feasibility of enforcement, Mayor Laura Lewis asked “how do we promote gun safety in a responsible way that doesn’t involve a legislative enforcement arm that seems to me very challenging to be able to enforce?” Lewis added, “I have a question about whether this is best residing within city legislation or if it’s best at the state level?”

Even though enforcement of the proposal seems to be di cult, Cantelmo said that approving it would “create a standard of compliance for what the safe storage of rearms are in the city.” He continued saying, “I think setting the standard of what it means to be a responsible gun owner in the city is not beyond the reasonable scope of what we should be considering.”

Alderperson Jorge DeFendini said that he views the proposal as a precautionary measure similar to laws that prohibit things like double parking or running a red light. According to DeFendini, if the proposal were approved it would “give somebody a moment to second guess something in order to correct their behavior. If not, then a ticket is there as a consequence.” He added that enforcement and punishment is not so much of a priority of the proposal as setting standards and educating the public about the importance of safe rearm storage.

Following the debate surrounding the proposal, Cantelmo offered to table the proposal and invite representatives from communities that have approved similar gun safety proposals to further discuss how similar proposals have worked in their communities.

"There are so many things... Tomatoes, Eggplants, Peaches, and a good Baguette."

– Kate B.& Will

"Blueberry Scones."

– Simone & Cindy S.

"Veggies."

– Leslie E.

"Pea shoots."

– Laura O.

Victoria – "Fresh blueberries." Sidney – "Crepes."

– Victoria B. & Sidney F.

In an effort to raise awareness about gun safety, Alderperson Rob Cantelmo has proposed a resolution that would enforce guidelines for the state storage of firearms within the city. However, some officials do not think it would be possible to enforce the proposal.

“I have a question about whether this is best residing within city legislation or if it’s best at the state level?”

— Mayor Laura Lewis

“I think setting the standard of what it means to be a responsible gun owner in the city is not beyond the reasonable scope of what we should be considering.”

— Alderperson Robert Cantelmo

UPS DOWNS&

Microchip Facility to Bring 100 Jobs to Tompkins County

By Matt Dougherty

Manufacturing jobs in Tompkins County took a hit earlier this year when BorgWarner announced that they would be closing part of their facility in the Town of Lansing. However, recent developments in New York’s move to become a “global microelectronics manufacturing hub” — spurred by the CHIPS & Science Act — will help o set the losses of BorgWarners decision to move.

On July 11, United States Senator Chuck Schumer announced that Menlo Microsystems is investing over $50 million to build its rst domestic microelectronics fabrication facility in Tompkins County. e facility will be located at 36 ornwood Drive in the Village of Lansing. According to Schumer, the facility will create “100 new goodpaying jobs.”

Schumer credited the CHIPS & Science Act — which he sponsored — as the driving force behind Menlo’s decision to invest in Tompkins County. e act was signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, and provided $280 billion in new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors. e primary goals of the act has been to make production of semiconductors in the United States more appealing to manufacturers that have previously outsourced to countries like China.

“I applaud Menlo Micro for this major investment that will help drive Tompkins County and America’s economic future in tech manufacturing.” Schumer said. He continued saying, “ e greater Ithaca area is unquestionably leading the charge in research and development and building the future of technology, and Menlo Micro will help further supercharge the region’s leadership.”

Following the announcement Governor Kathy Hochul said, “I am excited to

welcome Menlo to New York’s chip-making ecosystem as we continue our work to attract the innovative, 21st century businesses that will provide good-paying jobs, grow our advanced manufacturing sector, and move our economy forward.”

Menlo Micro CEO, Russ Garcia, has said that the company’s move represents the rst step towards increasing the domestic production of microelectronics to “further strengthen America’s technology stronghold.” Garcia continued saying, “We believe this fab modernization project is in 100% alignment with the presidential directive on bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States.”

To support the construction of Menlo’s new facility, Empire State Development will provide $6.5 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits in exchange for 122 new jobs at their Ithaca facility. As with all Excelsior Jobs projects, Menlo Micro will receive the credits a er demonstrating that they have met their job and investment commitments.

e building in Lansing where Menlo’s facility will be located has already begun the retro tting process, and the company expects manufacturing to begin sometime in 2024. e renovation of the building is expected to cost around $50 million.

e President of Ithaca Area Economic Development, Heather McDaniel has said, “ is is a tremendous investment in the

Ithaca area and a testament to the local, state, and federal partners that worked together to bring Menlo Micro’s fab to our community.” McDaniel added, “It’s not o en that we have a vacant building that is just perfect for a semiconductor related company.”

According to McDaniel, this move could represent the beginning of more good things to come. “To the extent that we can provide shovel ready building sites and existing vacant buildings, companies will look to locate in Tompkins County,” McDaniel said. She continued saying that the county expects to attract companies that are “heavily based on research and development” because of the area’s proximity to institutions like Cornell University and the resources the university has to o er.

Tompkins County Legislator, Deborah Dawson, has said that “ is is a big development for all of us in the county… is company will employ over 100 people in very well paying jobs, which is a real boost for our local economy.” She added that the glass that will be used in the production of microchips is going to be produced in Corning, and that the microchips will be used in semiconductors in Syracuse. “So locating here is a really logical place…I hope this bodes well for our development as part of a regional semiconductor hub,” Dawson said.

Tompkins County Legislator Mike Signer said, “It’s amazing that this is happening to us…I know people that are already slated to work at the new chip factory.” He added that, “It’s really a testament to the area that we have people who have the kind of skill level that they are ready to take over those jobs.”

Ups

Local artists Maro Kariya and Werner Sun’s newest exhibition, “Pieces of Sky,” will be opening at MIX Art Gallery on Friday August 4th from 5-8 P.M.

Downs

On July 19, Ithaca resident Keith A. Rowser Jr. was charged with Murder in the Second Degree for killing his father Keith A. Rowser Sr.

HEARD SEEN& Heard

As of August first, the visitor center at Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology will be closed for the next 10 months for a multimilliondollar redesign that will add new hands-on exhibits and other visitor amenities.

Seen

KeyBank opened a new, full service branch in Downtown Ithaca located at 604 South Meadow Street on July 31. As part of the opening of this new branch, KeyBank is consolidating its branches located at 300 North Tioga Street and 2315 North Triphammer Road into the new location.

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

N

How much do you think Ithaca’s first City Manager should be paid?

80.0% $130,000–$170,000

8.6% $170,000–$200,000

11.4% $200,000+ N

How many cannabis dispensaries should Ithaca have?

Visit

The new Menlo Microchip facility is planned for 36 Thornwood Drive in the Village of Lansing.

“This is a tremendous investment in the Ithaca area and a testament to the local, state, and federal partners that worked together to bring Menlo Micro’s fab to our community.”

— The President of Ithaca Area Economic Development, Heather McDaniel

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Residents of NY’s Third Congressional District Call on Rep. Molinaro to Stop Lying

Rep. Marc Molinaro speaks about representing his constituents in NY-19. Doesn’t he think the 700,000+ residents of NY-03 are entitled to the same representation? Molinaro’s actions demonstrate he does not. Molinaro tells his constituents he wants George Santos expelled, that he expects the Ethics Committee to conduct a swi review. Yet he votes contrary to his public statements. Earlier this year, Molinaro said Santos’ dishonesty has eroded his ability to serve in the House, and that Santos should be removed from o ce. In March, Molinaro said he is being forced to respond to Santos’s very existence in the House of Representatives instead of serving his constituents. So why did Molinaro vote against expulsion and instead send the Santos problem BACK to the House Ethics Committee where it has languished for months? Why is Molinaro continuing to

protect the criminally indicted fraudster George Santos?

NY Republicans have it in their power to ensure that the Ethics Report is issued and then to move immediately to a vote for expulsion. It is a foregone conclusion that Santos meets all the criteria for expulsion. e GOP needs to address the Santos problem BEFORE they break on Friday, July 28th. If he can’t honor his promise to expel Santos, how can anyone trust Molinaro?

Concerned Citizens of NY-03

Response to “Storm Causes Extensive Damage in Ithaca”

Sounds as though storm drains on Stewart Ave. and University Ave. were overwhelmed. Could this have to do with all the new construction in collegetown? at water was probably headed to Cadcadilla Creek, but if it hops the storm drain it will head down the street to Fall Creek area storm drains and overwhelm them in turn. Engineering is important.

Barham Lashley

Response to “Josh Riley Prepares for a Rematch in NY-19”

Riley is a typical liberal with the lines tax the rich, it’s corporations to blame for high prices, and Republicans want

Continued on Page 7

Housing is a Human Right — We Need to Recognize It

By Farrah Hassan

In the wealthiest country on the planet, too many people still lack access to housing.

e pandemic revealed the full extent of the U.S. housing crisis. Where were the roughly 580,000 people living unhoused in 2020 to go under “stay at home” orders? And what about those facing eviction?

At the same time, the pandemic proved that federal intervention could ease the crisis. Eviction moratoria and unemployment relief helped keep more people housed, fed, and secure. But these initiatives ended too quickly.

Li ing federal pandemic eviction protections in 2021 put as many as 17 million people at risk of becoming unhoused. And last year, the number of unsheltered individuals increased by 3.4 percent from 2020 — and many times that in some areas.

ere’s a misconception that homelessness is primarily caused by addiction and mental illness. But a new study in California — where over 171,000 people experience homelessness every day — found that poverty and high housing costs are the driving forces.

e median monthly income for people who became homeless was just $960, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) report found. Prior evictions, poor credit history, and systemic discrimination further prevent people from re-entering housing — and even shorten their life expectancy.

ese are national problems. Nearly half of all tenants now spend 30 percent or more of their income on rent, which has risen 18 percent nationally over the past ve years.

Housing is fundamental to every person’s life, health, and security. We need to recognize it as a human right and transform our country’s approach. While this may sound lo y, it’s not as far-fetched as it seems.

International law already treats housing as a human right.

e 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights codi ed housing as essential to human dignity and an adequate standard of living. e covenant doesn’t guarantee

that everyone will have access to housing immediately, but it does obligate countries to work progressively toward that goal. e U.S. signed this binding treaty but never joined with 171 countries in ratifying it. Still, the “right to housing” movement is deeply rooted here. In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt urged Congress to adopt a second Bill of Rights focused on economic rights, including housing. e movement has regained momentum since the pandemic. e “Housing is a Human Right Act of 2023” introduced in Congress this past March would provide over $300 billion for housing infrastructure and combating homelessness. And California could become the rst state to legally recognize a right to housing.

Critics o en invoke the high cost of building a ordable housing. But during a time of extreme wealth inequality, as Institute for Policy Studies expert Chuck Collins has argued, the problem isn’t supply — it’s who owns that supply.

Large corporations and private equity rms like Blackstone have been buying millions of units, including single-family homes, driving up both rents and home prices. Other investors have converted units into short-term rentals, which removes them from the market and drives rents higher for everyone else.

Reforms like rent control and eviction moratoria can help, but ultimately we need local homeownership and permanently a ordable rental housing. Housing should belong to families, nonpro t groups, and community housing authorities — not Wall Street banks and real estate speculators. A right to housing could help rein in third-party pro teers and hold governments accountable for housing failures.

Housing is more than a roof over our heads. It determines our ability to stay healthy, get an education, build wealth, and live longer. It is not merely a luxury commodity limited to those who can a ord it. It is a right — and our government should start recognizing and treating it as such.

Farrah Hassen, J.D., is a writer, policy analyst, and adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at Cal Poly Pomona. is op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

The Waiting Game

By Charley Githler

News story: e City of Ithaca has prevailed in its legal battle against City Court Judge (and Champion of the Untidy) Seth Peacock. In January, 2022 Judge Peacock had dismissed, sua sponte, some 1,654 Exterior Property Maintenance Orders (EPMO), some dating as far back as 2018, issued by the City. (EPMO tickets deal with violations of Section 178 of the Ithaca’s Municipal Code: Exterior Property Maintenance, including such issues as vegetation blocking sidewalks, unmowed grass, snow and ice removal.)

Judge Peacock’s reasoning, that the City’s delivery method of using rst class mail to property owners was insu cient notice, was not directly addressed in the decision of County Court Judge Joseph R. Cassidy. Rather, the cases have been remanded to City Court for separate consideration of each individual ticket on the theory that Judge Peacock didn’t have the authority to summarily dismiss all the tickets in a single decision. 1,654 years-old property maintenance tickets brought back to life. is could take a while. (June 16, 2023)

I have a neighbor, who wishes to remain anonymous, that might charitably be described as an unfastidious property owner. To her, having a triple canopy jungle surrounding her downtown house and extending over the sidewalk is a First Amendment issue. ere may or may not be a number of vehicles located on her lot. She calls it the “motor pool”, but none of them have been road worthy since Carolyn Peterson was mayor. Our letter carrier disappeared into the brush last fall, and we hope she has been able to survive by her wits since then, since she hasn’t re-emerged. My neighbor is

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

continued from page 6

to destroy social security. ose lines may play in Ithaca but the southern tier of NY is not that liberal to buy into those lines. Restricting oil development as Biden has done is why oil prices are up. e very rich are few enough that taxing them more yields little actual revenue. And the question about Riley’s contributions isn’t how many were small but how many came from NYC? Molinaro has the advantages now of incumbency and campaign funds. Ithaca seldom prevails alone in

the star of one of the recently-resuscitated EPMO tickets, and she’s nervous. I’d like to draw her attention to the following story to back up my advice to her: be patient.

On Sunday, August 1, 1915 Leon Burling, who lived on the corner of North Tioga and East Tompkins Streets in Ithaca, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. He was arraigned the next day in Ithaca City Court. ere’s no telling at this remove what shenanigans Leon was up to that summer Sunday. He was a 24-year-old stage hand at the Star eatre on Seneca Street at the time. Youthful high spirits? Perhaps he was over-stimulated by the screening of “ e Death Cloud”, 7th installment in the “Romance of Elaine” series starring Pearl White, which included a number of scenes shot at Taughannock Falls. We can only speculate.

In any event, his case was still pending 33 years later in November, 1948 when his wife Laura applied for a license to sell beer in her grocery store behind their house on East Tompkins Street. (By the way, there were 52 businesses in Ithaca that identi ed themselves as “grocers” in 1948. Totally irrelevant to this story, but that’s a lot of grocers.) e Alcoholic Beverage Control Board uncovered Leon’s unresolved case and it was restored to the Ithaca City Court calendar. By then the arresting o cer was unavailable, having died in 1928, and the case was dismissed. Mr. Burling’s good name was restored, unblemished by any consequences resulting from the 1915 incident.

us I say to the defendants in the pending cases, herea er referred to as the “EPMO 1654”, do not panic. Wait it out. Time is on your side.

GUEST OPINION Looking for a Few Good New Police Officers

By Ithaca Police Benevolent Association

The Ithaca Police Department is hiring, and the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association, the labor union representing Ithaca’s law enforcement professionals, wants everyone to know. Anyone interested can begin the application process at www.ipd-recruit.com1. e deadline to apply is August 7th, 2023 at 4:30 PM. ere is no residency requirement to take the exam.

e President of the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association, omas Condzella, said, “We’re looking for the next generation of o cers to serve our great community. We want the best and brightest to apply.” Condzella described the Ithaca Police Department as a “small department with big opportunities” and said he even encourages those who are unsure about a career with the Ithaca Police, or in law enforcement in general, to still apply for the exam and consider the opportunity. “Everyone from every background has something to bring to the table,” he said.

the law enforcement training community, both statewide and nationally. Condzella said, “Ithaca PBA members not only receive some of the best law enforcement training available, they’re also then given the opportunity to become experts in a topic if they desire, to train their colleagues and other police o cers in the region, this isn’t common in other agencies of our size. e training we get here not only ensures the best outcomes on the street, it helps keep both the police o cers and our community members safe.” Some instructor level opportunities at the Ithaca Police Department include reality based training, defensive tactics, emergency driving, EMT, rearms, implicit bias & procedural justice, and crisis negotiations to name a few.

“ is can be a tough job, sometimes dangerous, with long hours required at times, but it’s rewarding work and different everyday. Regardless of what you decide to do during your career at IPD, you can rest assured that you’re helping to better your community, everyday. at’s the best part of the job,” said Condzella.

a big congressional district that is mostly rural. Riley will likely lose again.

Henry Kramer

Response to “County Studies Potential for Municipal Broadband While Working to Increase Access to Underserved Communities”

Given the estimated costs for a municipal broadband system (speaking to one that serves the

Continued on Page 18

“IPD o ers many opportunities that other agencies of similar size don’t. Ithaca Police O cers aren’t just driving patrol cars and responding to calls for service, they have options and access to di erent types of work within the profession,” said Condzella. “In addition to a leadership track through the ranks of Police O cer, Sergeant and Lieutenant, all represented by the PBA, Ithaca PBA members can apply to become an Investigator in the Criminal Investigations Unit or the Special Investigations Unit. ey can also apply for several ancillary and specialty assignments such as the K9 unit, crime scene unit, tactical team, crisis negotiations team, tra c crash reconstruction team, recruitment team, bike patrol, honor guard, etc.,” said Condzella. Many of the opportunities available at IPD are highlighted in the new 2023 Ithaca Police Department Recruitment Video, a piece which also emphasizes IPD’s commitment to community policing and engagement.

According to Condzella, even despite recent sta ng challenges, the IPD has also maintained status as a pinnacle in

Ithaca Police O cers reach a top annual salary of $89,884 a er three years of service, with ample overtime opportunities. Experienced lateral transfer o cers may be eligible to be hired at higher pay rates up to and including top pay. Excellent Excellus Blue Cross / Blue Shield health and dental bene ts are also available. An O cer who retires with 20 years of completed service will also receive a pension through the New York State Police and Fire Retirement System. ere are many other bene ts including a free membership to a local gym.

Condzella commended the City Administration for continuing to work with the PBA towards a successor labor agreement, improved working conditions, and better wellness initiatives for employees. “Providing the gym memberships is a sign that City Hall cares about their police o cers, they want us to be healthy, and to go home safely to our families at the end of our shi s. e new wellness incentive has also been helpful in motivating o cers to stay on top of

Continued on Page 18

A Challenging Run In The Finger Lakes

By Christopher Walker

Renowned for its scenic views, forested trails and cavernous gorges enjoyed by hikers, backpackers and pedestrians alike, the Finger Lakes region has a lot to o er its residents and visitors. e Finger Lakes Runners Club Challenge, operated by its titular club, makes use of this regional beauty, taking challenge participants on a ten-course tour of the area–albeit a physically demanding one.

e FLRC Challenge tasks runners with the goal of completing ten courses scattered across the Finger Lakes region ranging in length and terrain. e courses — which stretch through locales such as the Finger Lakes National Forest, the Lime Hollow Nature Center and Cornell University — vary in distances from 1 mile to 13.1 miles, totaling 63.4 miles for those who complete the challenge by its nal day, August 13th. Beginning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which neutered the possibility

of the typical in-person races, the FLRC Challenge was originally intended to ll the 5k-sized hole in the Ithaca running community. Adam Engst, the FLRC president and FLRC Challenge creator, sought to use virtual technology to bring community back to running. Like many pandemic-born ideas, however, the FLRC challenge stuck around and has reoccurred yearly since its inception in 2021.

In line with his goal, Engst populates the FLRC forum with boards dedicated to each of the ten courses, allowing participants in the FLRC Challenge to discuss courses and organize group runs. Each week, Engst uploads a challenge update, shouting out challenge nishers and notable moments.

“[ e forum is] really meant to bring people together, and with running as an excuse. One of the things that I’ve found is that [people getting together] is happening less these days. COVID was a problem,

but it’s so easy to do everything online,” Engst said. “You just get sucked in [and] it does bad stu to mental health— It certainly doesn’t do anything for your physical health. So, if you can use the online aspects to support the in-person aspects, it’s just a huge win.”

Liz Hartman, who has completed all three iterations of the FLRC Challenge, says that the challenge’s varying course selection is what keeps her coming back year a er year. Although Hartman prefers road running, the challenge has forced her to engage more with trails.

“One thing that I really like about it is that it provides an incentive to try out di erent courses in the area that I wouldn’t have necessarily otherwise run,” Hartman said. “ e rst time I did the challenge, it got me out on trails [and] I am glad that I’ve expanded my trail experience.”

For those who do not nd the original challenge di cult enough, Engst o ers what he has entitled the “FLRC 100k Ul-

tra Challenge,” an accelerated version of its source material. In order to complete the Ultra Challenge, runners must run all ten courses within the span of a single 24-hour day. To recognize this great achievement, Ultra Challenge nishers receive not only the FLRC Challenge medal but also a personalized sign, resembling the FLRC Challenge signs used to mark the courses.

Over the FLRC Challenge’s rst three years, the Ultra Challenge has only been completed 22 times by just 13 di erent people.

FLRC VP of Trails Pete Kresock, who has completed the Ultra Challenge four times — twice in 2021, once last year, and again during this year’s challenge — says the reason why he initially joined the FLRC and stuck with it is because of its supportive community.

“I found the Ithaca running community very welcoming. When I rst arrived here, … I t right in,” Kresock said. “It felt like I knew a lot of these people my whole life within months a er meeting them.”

Adam Engst after hiking the Ellis Hollow Creek Crossing course. (Photo: Adam Engst)

Melissa Plank, Matthew Plank and Courtney Pure at the starting line of the Dryden Lake Lollipop course, which they hiked for 13.1 miles.

“One thing that I really like about it is that it provides an incentive to try out different courses in the area that I wouldn’t have necessarily otherwise run.”

— Liz Hartman

“[Engst] did a really, really good job of making something that really anyone could do, whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out.”

— Banyan Love

While Kresock and Hartman are highly experienced runners, not everyone in the challenge is. Engst and other FLRC runners encourage this diversity through the challenge’s motto “Cover the Ground,” a slogan plastered on the backs of the FLRC Challenge’s t-shirts. It doesn’t matter how fast you run, so long as you complete all ten courses.

e FLRC Challenge includes a wide range of participants with varying abilities, including a seven-year-old introduced to the challenge by his mother and a few runners in their 70s. Banyan Love, a 17-year-old high school student, is one of the challenge’s youngest competitors. Love wishes more people around his age took part in the challenge due to its structure providing both accessibility and motivation via the challenge’s leaderboard.

“[Engst] did a really, really good job of making something that really anyone could do, whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out because the distances go from a very short distance to a very long distance, and you can easily progress up through it,” Love said. “For young people in general, I would say sometimes it can be hard nding inspiration to do stu … [and] motivation to go out there every day. I’d say [the FLRC Challenge is] a good

way to [stay motivated] because there’s a leaderboard, [which] you can get kind of competitive with.”

e personal challenge has allowed younger children, like seven-year-old Simon Woods, and people with physical limitations, such as one participant with complications from a stroke, to participate by amending the challenge’s completion standards to t their capabilities. Due to the FLRC’s commitment to inclusion, participants can negotiate with Engst to reform the challenge goal into something more realistic for them— though Engst is sure to keep the “challenge” distinction apt.

“If anyone writes to me and says … ’I want to sign up for this but I can’t do X, Y, or Z because of this reason, or here’s how I would like to set [my goal].’ Okay, good enough,” Engst said. “It’s not just like agreeing with them actually, you know. I’m trying to make sure this is a challenge. Last year, we had a particularly di cult 13-mile course and people were whining about it nicely … I was like, ’If it was easy it wouldn’t be a challenge! I’m not trying to make it easy for you.’”

And indeed a challenge it is. In the FLRC Challenge’s rst iteration, 193 people registered— only 87 nished. In 2022, of the

160 who registered, only 111 nished, for an average completion rate of 57 percent over two years— a statistic not accounting for those who registered, but did not begin the challenge at all.

Aside from completing all of the challenge courses or conquering the 100k Ultra Challenge, Engst o ers other accolades for especially dedicated runners. One such measure is the “most points” calculation, which awards runners up to 100 points for each of the ten courses, depending on where their best time places them amongst other runners of their gender.

Additionally, prizes are doled out to the runner with the most total mileage, and the ten runners with the most “community stars” — a point earned each time an FLRC competitor runs with a fellow participant. A litany of other prize categories are celebrated, providing the opportunity for runners of all skill levels to reign victorious.

Standings are tracked by a sprawling online leaderboard that automatically populates with new data. e site details the leaders for each category along with a plethora of statistics and detailed pro les for each individual participant.

“I came up with this idea of a leaderboard that would have lots of di erent ways to compete,” Engst said. “In the running world, … the fastest people just win everything. And the fastest people train more so they can o en run more, so they can win the most amount, [and] so it just ends up really focusing on a bunch of people— just the really, really talented people. So, I wanted to come up with ways that would split that up.”

Beginning just over two years ago, the Finger Lakes Runners Club Challenge is still in its infancy. Even still, Love and others can’t wait to see what direction the running event will take next.

“[ e challenge] is one of the best ways to get out there and go run and have fun with running,” Love said. “I really can’t wait to see it evolve over time in Ithaca as more people get into it.”

Christopher Walker is a reporter from the Cornell Daily Sun working on the Sun’s summer fellowship at the Ithaca Times.

An FLRC group run of 23 challenge participants at the Lakefront Loops 5K course. (Photo: Adam Engst)

Ludlowville Falls at the 11-mile Ludlowville Loop course. (Photo: Sarah Giesy)

“[The challenge] is one of the best ways to get out there and go run and have fun with running. I really can’t wait to see it evolve over time in Ithaca as more people get into it.”

— Banyan Love

Women Swimmin’ Prepares to Make a Splash

By Christopher Walker

For its twentieth annual iteration, the Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare event will once again take to the waters of Cayuga Lake this August. e fundraising event, held by Hospicare, raises money for the nonpro t organization, which is dedicated to helping ill people and their families cope with lifethreatening illnesses.

In comparison to other fundraisers, Women Swimmin’ is highly unique. e event forgoes the ubiquitous fun run format, instead sending participants to the water. Each year, around 325 lake swimmers and 120 volunteers, joined by their supporters, congregate at Cayuga Lake for a 1.2-mile swim. is year, the swimmers will disembark from Bolton Point at the

lake’s east shore, completing the swim at the Ithaca Yacht Club on Saturday, August 12th.

Roughly 20 percent of Hospicare’s funding comes from fundraising, half of which is derived from the Women Swimmin’ event. In 2022, Women Swimmin’ raised a total of $607,000, surpassing that year’s fundraising goal by roughly $150,000. is year, the organization hopes to raise $500,000 and is currently well more than halfway there at $365,000 as of early this week.

e money raised from Women Swimmin’ and other Hospicare fundraisers goes towards maintaining Hospicare’s residences and making its spaces more accessible. Although hospice care is expensive, the non-pro t has a policy of accepting anyone in need of their services, regardless of nancial status— an initiative made possible by fundraising.

See you soon!

“Our director has a policy of not turning people away for [ nancial reasons],” said Emily Hopkins, the director of development and community relations at Hospicare. “Hospicare is a really important part of our local healthcare system… because we all die, and we all grow old, and most people, when asked, say that they would like to die at home, not in a hospital bed… [Hospice care] is an important service and we wouldn’t be able to be like we are without the over 1 million dollars a year that we get from donors.”

Women Swimmin’ organizers and founders are adamant about the event not being a race. Rather, it is an opportunity for those impacted by hospice care, from Hospicare and beyond, to express their support. Joe Sammons, the executive director of Hospicare, has seen the

community-building event’s impact rsthand. For many of the Women Swimmin’ participants, the swim is more than just a fundraiser.

“I had made a joke one year where a woman who was getting out of the water was really exhausted… [and said], ‘Well, you know, next year you could just write us a check. You don’t have to swim 1.2 miles across the lake,’” Sammons said. “[She replied], ‘I don’t do it for that… I’ll write you a check anyway.’”

When you have a concern about skin care, it is important that you can get it addressed quickly before it can get worse.

The 20th annual Women Swimmin’ event will take place on August 12 to help fundraise for Ithaca Hospicare.

Bernie DePalma leaves after decades as Cornell trainer

By Steve Lawrence

When I took a position with Cornell Athletics in 1981, I learned a lesson about relationships in a college town. Being a small-town-bornand-raised guy in my mid-20s, I had many friends I had known since kindergarten — or earlier — and it was easy to take them for granted.

At Cornell, it was di erent, I noticed that people had their guard up, knowing that from year to year, their circle of friends would change. Young coaches took di erent jobs — voluntarily or involuntarily — grad assistants completed assignments and le , people wrapped up internships and went on to the next chapter of their lives. I understood putting my guard up when making friends.

Bernie DePalma was one of the rst guys I met that summer. He was the same

age as me, but he sure had a lot more letters a er his name. He was a member of the Athletic Training sta , and the old guard welcomed his energy and his insight. He brought a lot to the sta , and to the Athletic Department, and they all hoped he would stick around.

I sat down with Bernie on Friday, three days before his last o cial day as the Associate Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine and the Doc Kavanagh Head Athletics Trainer. Many people have come through that training room — as sta members, coaches and athletes — and 42 years sure ew by. I asked Bernie to refresh my memory as to how it all started for him, and he said, “I had gone to Quinnipiac University for my undergrad work (athletic training) then to the University of Virginia for my Masters (in athletic training and sports medicine) and Dr, (Russ) Zelko (Cornell’s director of sports

medicine) was at a conference and saw Joe Gieck, my curriculum director at UVA, and it came up that Russ was looking for someone with both athletic training and physical therapy credentials.” Bernie added, “ ose two things were uncommon at the time, but ironically, Kent Scriber was one of the best people in the country to have both, and he was at Ithaca College.”

e stars aligned, as when he was wrapping up his master’s degree, DePalma was serving as the lacrosse trainer for UVA, which made the NCAA Finals, versus Johns Hopkins. e venue: Schoellkopf Field, Cornell University. UVA lost in double overtime, but Bernie was hired at the place he would spend the next 42 years.

A er joining the sta , it didn’t take long for DePalma to climb the ladder. e head trainer at the time was a WWII P.O.W. and a highly respected — make that revered — fellow named Tom McGory, and he — like the wise man he was — got out of the way. “Tom and I became friends,” Bernie recalled, “and he saw that I wasn’t trying to push my way in. He just let me do what I wanted to

do in terms of implementing new things.” Already emotional with all the reminiscing, Bernie added, “One of the highlights of my career was when Tom asked me to give his induction speech when he went into the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame.”

Another de ning moment came in 2004, when lacrosse player George Boiardi was hit in the chest from 10 feet away with a ball traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. George did not survive, and the Athletic Training sta was subjected to intense scrutiny. e sta response was scrutinized, equipment was inspected thoroughly, and lacrosse trainer Jim Case — one of DePalma’s closest friends who passed on in 2020 — emerged from the tragedy looking like the consummate professional he was. “We were invited to Las Vegas,” Bernie o ered, “to give a presentation at the Collegiate Athletic Trainers’ Society on emergency response.” DePalma, Case, the sta , and all the investigators knew they did everything possible, but most importantly, so did the Boiardi family. “George’s parents were just awesome,” Bernie told me.

DePalma’s high points include watching some student-athletes go on to great careers in sports medicine, winning a truck load of awards, and, of course, seeing his daughter and son come through as Big Red athletes. Taylor played women’s basketball and Turner was a football player, and they both did their parents proud.

What’s next? Some per diem work in P.T., “helping athletes rehab post-surgery,” and spending some time rehabbing his own shoulder, having just had surgery himself. “What I’ll miss most, Bernie said, “is seeing 18 year-olds arrive here as kids and leave as adults.”

● ● ●

A post-script. When I had a serious surgery in April, one of the rst calls I got said, “Hey... it’s Bernie... need anything?” Yep... that 42 years went by quickly.

Bernie DePalma has helped thousands of Cornell athletes as a beloved trainer.

DEMOCRACY FEST

A new celebration commemorates legislation, encourages participation

By Christopher Walker

In celebration of the anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Rejoice the Vote, a local foundation dedicated to increasing civic engagement, is holding a new public event that will begin in the Ithaca Commons and continue at the Southside Community Center, 305 S Plain St. Entitled Democracy Fest, the celebration held Sunday August 6 will include an introductory march, speakers, entertainment, and free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Democracy Fest will kick o at 2 p.m. at the MLK, Jr. statue in the Ithaca Commons, from which attendees will march to the Southside Community Center and hear from speakers such as New York State Senator Lea Webb and the Rejoice the Vote founder, Je Furman. Additionally, entertainment will be provided by Taili Mugambee, a spoken word artist, and local performers such as the Southside Jam Band and DJ Double A, among other entertainers.

Furman, the brains behind the operation, was inspired by the young people who he works with around the country to promote civic engagement, along with the political fervor characteristic of Gen Z-ers.

“I’ve been doing a lot of work around democracy and voting around the country with young people,” said Furman. “I just got really caught up in their energy … so, I decided I was going to do something here in the community and try to look at the whole democracy, voting, civic engagement [as] something we should celebrate— [it] should have a joyful part.”

According to Furman, Democracy Fest could not have come at a better time. With

Democracy Fest

2 p.m. Sunday Augusrt 6

Starting at the MLK, Jr. statue on the Ithaca Commons, then Southside Community Center 305 S Plain St. rejoicethevote.org/democracy-fest-2023/

voting restrictions passing in states such as Florida, Texas, and others, voter education is highly relevant.

As especially timely as Democracy Fest is now, however, Furman wants to use the opportunity to act on his belief that voter education and civic engagement should not be xed to singular moments in time. Rather, they should be practiced yearround— not just during historic moments or election periods.

“One of the reasons I got involved in this is that every two years in October everybody starts talking about [voting]. ‘You gotta register to vote, get people out,’ and I came to the conclusion that you have to do this work all year round,” said Furman.

Furman’s life of public service was catalyzed during his early days at Ben & Jerry’s, through which he engaged in a multitude of outreach programs. As an original member of the company, Furman was a part of the ice cream company’s very rst activist endeavors and his devotion has remained over many decades.

In that spirit, Furman’s event will celebrate e Voting Rights Act, which was passed on August 6. 1965 with bipartisan support in Senate during the Johnson administration. In the nearly 58 years since that moment, the impacts of the landmark legislation continue to be both felt and challenged.

As such, Furman wants to use Democracy Fest as an opportunity to recognize the history of the Voting Rights Act — both its triumph and initial struggle — due to his belief that the ght for voting rights in America is an everpresent process.

“I was talking to a [young person] who’s running a place called GenVoter New York.. and she said ‘Well, what are we going to do a er we get [legislation] passed?’ And I said, ‘You’re going to be doing this work until you look like me,’” said Furman. “ at’s the nature of it because you will not de nitely win it; there will always continue to be this struggle.”

Moreover, Furman asserts that understanding the history of voting rights in

America puts current threats to su rage into perspective.

“People know the headlines: ‘All men are created equal,’ except only white men with property could vote. [ e United States] never started o as a democracy,” said Furman. “Women met in New York— It took 72 years from when they met to get to vote. e Native Americans have only [in] 1924 became citizens of New York. You know, you have to have that understanding of the history to put it in some perspective … the struggle is still going on.”

Aside from Democracy Fest, Rejoice the Vote has encouraged civic engagement in other ways. Namely, the Votingest County Challenge aims to increase voter turnout in New York State by awarding the New York county with the highest voter turnout with a trophy honoring past voting rights champions. In 2020, Albany won the prize for larger cities, with an eligible voter participation turnout of 75 percent.

In the future, Furman plans to hold other similar events. Namely, for International Day of Democracy, which occurs on September 15th, he is developing a global celebration in the Ithaca Commons complete with cuisines from ve di erent nations. Furman believes that celebrating democracy also means celebrating diversity.

“Voting is one way we can participate in civic society and one part of democracy; democracy is one way we can be truly human and responsible to each other,” said Je Furman.

Arts & Entertainment

Christopher Walker is a reporter from the Cornell Daily Sun working on e Sun’s summer fellowship at e Ithaca Times.

Tompkins County Office of Human Rights Director and Democracy

Fest speaker Dr. Kenneth Clarke, Southside Community Center Executive Director Chavon L. Bunch, and Rejoice the Vote Founder and local Democracy Fest Creator Jeff Furman at Southside Community Center. (Photo by Christopher Walker)

You Might Like It

Outdoor musical version of Shakespeare at Cherry Arts

By Ross Haarstad

Past the gravel of the parking lot beside the Arthaus is a spacious tent, like those for grand wedding celebrations. Tree branches hang over the tiny square of stage, mulch-strewn, with a few sawhorses also sprouting branches. On the side an actor strums his guitar. Director Sam Buggeln presides over the chaos of preparing a show, in this case the Cherry Arts Collective’s rst Shakespearean

“As You Like It”

the Cherry Arts Collective

102 Cherry St, Ithaca

August 3-Aug 13 (thecherry.org).

foray, an outdoor musical production of the comedy As You Like It, opening ursday, August 3 and running two weekends.

In part, the play’s a fairy tale: A nasty duke has usurped the old duke, who lives in exile in Arden forest. e old duke’s daughter, Rosalind, is fostered in the court in sisterly a ection with the princess, Celia. Orlando, younger son of a banished lord, festers under the rule of his elder brother. Paranoia and danger at court causes those three to ee Arden’s woods.

It’s city ways versus country ways, as well as one of Shakespeare’s great crossdressing comedies featuring a lively woman in the lead. It’s also a complex dive into gender and sexuality, which are key to Buggeln’s vision.

I chat with Sylvie Yntema (Rosalind) and R.J. Lavine (Celia).

Achieving a Dream Hangar

heads for season 50 with musical retrospective ‘Impossible Dream’

By Barbara Adams

Abittersweet truth about live theatre is how ephemeral it is — witness the nal show of the Hangar eatre’s 49th season, which was staged for a mere ve performances last weekend. But for audiences who saw it, “ e Impossible Dream,” billed as a “Broadway pops concert, 49 Years of Hangar eatre History,” countered that transience — in tribute to the past half-century of work produced by this cherished local theatre.

ree men and three women captured the spirit of the celebration, splendidly singing their way through 26 di erent songs from musicals previously produced

at the Hangar. Sometimes the songs were original, sometimes tweaked in context, to refer to Hangar’s past. Overall, the performers sketched a narrative of this institution, from its bold beginnings to the present.

is engaging personal story was conceived and co-directed by Brown University alum and choreographer Jessica Natalie Smith and Hangar artistic director Shirley Serotsky. e open set from “Billy Elliot” remains, with the screens above ashing photos of the original Hangar landscape, posters from earlier shows, and a few key players in the theatre’s history.

R.J. speaks of “leaping into the character” as part of her process: working to nd the spine in Celia who she says is too o en played as “naïve, simple, and childish.” Her Celia instead is a socialite who must o en hide her actual intelligence.

She’s also still working lines. (She and Sylvie share a loud laugh.) ey’ve been in rehearsal just two and a half weeks: “intense” but also “quite fun.”

“In the beginning of the play. Rosalind doesn’t say much,” explains Sylvie. “She’s down in the dumps from the situation she’s been forced into. What changes things is that in the necessity of survival she dons men’s apparel and goes into the woods. ere she really opens up and blossoms. She relishes … her power in being seen as a man. She can move about the world in a very di er-

ent way than she did as a woman: telling people her opinions and what to do, orchestrating things.”

Yet there’s a balance to gure out. “When she nds Orlando there, she’s really there also to pursue him and to nd out if

At the Hangar Theatre

Performances concluded last weekend

One of these, duly honored, is Robert Moss, who shaped and guided the Hangar’s work and reputation during his creative 14 years as artistic director. (Alas, the show doesn’t mention his Shaw productions, which we still miss.) Nor is there time to acknowledge everyone, but founding board member Tom Niederkorn gets his just due.

What we now know as the Hangar began around 1965 with the ambitious idea for an “Ithaca Festival eatre,” meant to be a regional performing arts center seating 1,600. Niederkorn appealed to Governor Nelson Rockefeller, who personally contributed $100,000 to the project, which a er years of hopes and planning, ultimately had to be scaled down drastically. No new construction was a ordable, but a local airplane hangar from 1934 was retooled, and the rest is … history. is show’s birds-eye view of those 50 years necessarily lacks detail (there’s no mention of the myriad struggles, like the perennial ooding). But then, the aim

is simply to remind loyal theatre-loving audiences that they’ve been part of this transformative experience for many decades — and to recall some of those productions through music.

Slade Rosen’s small band — including Alex Durr, Magda Kress, and Dan Greenleaf — provides vigorous backup for the six singers, who open with the bouncy, adventureseeking prologue of “Into the Woods.” And we’re o on this trip through time.

For 80 delightful minutes these excellent performers evoke our favorite musicals, in a series of amuse-bouches

Continued on Page 18

“The Impossible Dream”

A musical retrospective last weekend celebrated 49 years of musical theatre at the Hangar Theatre. (Photo by Rachel Philipson Photography)

Eric Brooks (Touchstone), Sylvie Yntema (Rosalind) and R.J. Lavine (Celia) are outdoors and musical in the Cherry Arts Collective’s production of As You Like It.

AUGUST 2–19

Pretty in Pink

Living doll “Barbie” is more than just a pretty face

By Bryan VanCampen

BY

Ticket sales at:

CRT Downtown & Box Office 24 Port Watson Street Cortland, NY

Performances held at: The Little York Pavilion 6799 Little York Lake Road Preble, NY

800.427.6160 • 607.756.2627 • www.cortlandrep.org

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”, concocted with her husband, lmmaker Noah Baumbach, is one of the funniest, smartest, most incisive pu s of cotton candy you’re likely to see anywhere. (I was at Cinemapolis to help with Jay Craven’s “Martin Eden” Q&A, and “Barbie” heads were just pouring in the door, most dressed in some shade of pink or magenta or both.) Like “ e LEGO Movie” (2014) and “ e LEGO Batman Movie” (2017), “Barbie” is proof positive that movies based on established corporate I.P. don’t have to be soulless 90-minute toy commercials.

On the contrary, it’s clear that Gerwig and Baumbach dug deeply into Mattel’s les, really researched all the ins and outs of the Barbie doll empire — all the di erent iterations of Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling), all the variations on the Barbie Dream Houses, and then actually dared to cra a screenplay that isn’t all easy laughs and cheap shots, and has a sharp POV on the subject that’s actively critical of certain aspects of the Barbie corporate image that haven’t dated very well.

Narrated by Helen Mirren, “Barbie” kicks o with a “2001: A Space Odyssey” parody that establishes a world where little girls only have baby dolls to play with, about to have their worlds rocked by the introduction of Barbie, who could be your mom, your best friend or a sibling sister. All the Barbies and Kens live in BarbieLand, a candy-colored beach town where

the fun ows like clockwork. (Common Barbie complaint: they smell like “basement”.) en Robbie’s female gurine shows signs of cellulite, and she actually entertains thoughts of death. On the advice of another Barbie played By Kate McKinnon, Barbie must travel via car and boat to nd her true identity in “ e Real World”, where goofy Mattel CEO Will Farrell — another connection to “ e LEGO Movie” — holds sway over a silly sta of male toy executives.

Greta Gerwig backed into show business by acting in mumblecore movies, moved up the casting ladder via movies like the Russell Brand remake of “Arthur” and recently directed a terri c 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”. Generally speaking, Noah Baumbach makes spiky NYC-based romantic comedies, although he also co-wrote 2004’s “ e Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” and “ e Fantastic Mr. Fox” with Wes Anderson; their plasticized, colorful vision of “Barbie” clearly springs from that Anderson stylized look at the world. I can’t wait to see what they do next as a palette cleanser.

And it must be said that as brilliant as Margot Robbie is here as Barbie, and as much as “Barbie” celebrates a smart, woke vision of girl power, the comic balance wouldn’t be right without Ryan Gosling as Ken. Gosling wears a di erent, ridiculously elaborate Ken costume in nearly every scene, and his clueless narcissism and directionless desire for Barbie — he loves her despite the fact that neither Barbie nor Ken have genitals. (In terms of comedic equilibrium, their relationship is closer to a buddy comedy than a rom-com, and reminded me of the loving chemistry between Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal in “ e Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”.)

L. FRANK BAUM MUSIC AND LYRICS BY HAROLD ARLEN AND E. Y. HARBURG ADAPTED BY JOHN KANE FOR THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Detailed research and dazzling costumes help give Margo Robbie’s Barbie and Ryan Gosling’s Ken their infectious energy.

“Barbie”

(Warner Bros. Pictures-Heyday Films-LuckyChap Entertainment-NB/GG Pictures-Mattel Films, 2023, 114 min.) playing at Cinemapolis and Regal Stadium 14. RIP Jane Birkin (“Blow Up”)

Barbecue Benefit

Cookout Helps Running to Places Continue to Run

By Marjorie

Olds

Fourteen years ago Emily Dowd, a senior at Lehman Alternative Community School, joined a brand new theater troupe called Running to Places, landing the starring role in their production of Sweet Charity. Emily and her mom, Jyl Dowd, knew Joey Steinhagen from his days at the Tin Can Factory (at the original Ithaca Youth Bureau headquarters in Stewart Park). Emily had loved the acting

Running to Places

Annual Summer BBQ Bash Fundraiser

Sat. August 12, 1-4 p.m.

the large pavilion at Stewart Park Tickets: adults $25, students/seniors $15 Runningtoplaces.org

classes, the friendships, and the performances.

Although Emily moved away a er the rst season of R2P, Jyl continued to stay involved out of sheer love for the organization and their mission. She currently serves on the R2P Board, provides her Photo Booth (free) at all events, and volunteers her services in various ways (helping with o ce work, scanning tickets at shows, running errands, etc.) But her favorite contribution is fundraising! R2P is busy planning their 2nd Annual Summer BBQ Bash Fundraiser on 1-4 p.m.Saturday, August 12, in the large pavilion at Stewart Park.

Jyl: ”With generous support from Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Gregar & Vicki Brous, delicious food of all varieties (vegan, gluten free, meat lovers, healthy, & not-so-healthy!) will be served, while live performances by current company mem-

bers are presented throughout the event.” ere will also be face painting, a decal stand (bring a shirt or bag to iron on), Jyl’s Photo Booth, and more.

We come to this annual event to eat and have fun with our friends and family. But we also come because Joey Steinhagen’s R2P welcomes all kids and all audience members to be a part of R2P at no cost, no fee, no entrance requirements! (You can bring all your kids and their friends. When we see theater, we realize we want to have theater in our lives.) R2P also o ers free classes at GIAC, and R2PTOGO performs at nursing homes free of charge as well. e next show on the books will be James and the Giant Peach, Jr. at the Kulp Auditorium at Ithaca High School on Sat & Sun, October 14 & 15.

It takes money to have a theater company that does not charge for classes and performances, costumes, and expenses. e BBQ bene t will help keep magical performance free for every kid and every community member.

Enjoy delicious food, great performances, and have lots of fun, so that other families, other kids you don’t even know yet, will be able to attend the next play, (and maybe even be in it!), because 100% of your BBQ ticket is paying for this amazing theater group to continue to survive.

Jyl Dowd and Joey Steinhagen help keep Running to Places … running.

Hospicare’s profound impact on families transforms the swim into something greater for its participants. Many of them, like Kaycee Nedrow, have personal connections to hospice care. Nedrow’s late family members, such as her grandmother, bene ted from hospice care, which motivated her to take the plunge into Cayuga Lake six di erent times.

“My rst year I didn’t really understand exactly what I was doing and raising the money for but then as soon as you nish the swim, it’s so clear what the money does and it’s just so rewarding,” Nedrow said.

Kelly Zayac Greene has had two di cult experiences of losing her parents to cancer, both of which have been alleviated with the

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

continued from page 7

entire county, not just areas without high speed access now) is a very bad idea. Spectrum has invested millions in cables and is a state of the art high speed internet company. Why duplicate its services or drive out a tax paying entity that provides jobs? Having the government try to compete with the tax paying private sector in favor of tax guzzling government entities is a socialist concept that usually allocates resources uneconomically. But the idea may be popular in Ithaca. It should not be in the rest of us in Tompkins.

Henry Kramer

his love is true; so I’m trying to nd also these vulnerable moments.”

Wit abounds in the play, most especially in the duo of the melancholy Jacques (“all the world’s a stage) and the antic fool Touchstone.

Carolyn Goelzer plays Jacques (and doubles as the ancient Adam, traditionally seen as a role Shakespeare himself played.)

“I’ve never played Jacques before and it’s my dream role.… He’s so mysterious to me. Actually we’re approaching Jacques as a ‘they’.”

She’s worked out her own backstory for Jacques: “What went down… that made them a pariah, a traveler?”

“I think Jacques the counterpoint to Touchstone, [who is] sunny, upbeat, witty and Jacques is more interior, distressed.”

aid of hospice workers. Despite not being a swimmer, she swims for Hospicare due to a love of what she refers to as “super nurses.”

“I think in part, It is the ability to tell people the great experience that I had, even for one of the most di cult saddest moments of my life,” Greene said. “I do it for… [the] super nurses out there that show up and comfort [you], and make you laugh, and just become a part of your family for a short moment of time. [It’s] super empowering for me.”

For those who are ineligible of being a swimmin’ woman — either because they are not strong enough swimmers or not women — Hospicare o ers the ‘Go the Distance’ option, which allows anyone to support Hospicare’s e orts when they set an activity or service goal to achieve before the swim. Beginning as a result of the pandemic, Go the Distance has stuck around due to its ability to get more of the

GUEST OPINION

continued from page 7

their health and manage their stress. As we continue to negotiate with the City, it’s clear they want to keep the important job we do competitive with other municipalities, and attractive to new hires and lateral transfer o cers,” said Condzella.

e current labor agreement between the PBA and the City expires at the end of 2023. Condzella said that he is optimistic that the City and the PBA will reach an agreement on a new contract before the end of the year.

“Like many police departments across the nation, IPD is short sta ed, we have

Much of the melancholy she believes is because Jacques is facing his imminent dying.

Eric Brooks plays Touchstone. “He’s fascinating. I’ve played Shakespeare clowns twice before professionally. He’s de nitely the most complicated.” One of two key lines about Touchstone he is working from: “In his brain… he has strange places crammed with observations the which he vents in mangled form.” So on the one hand, he observes the others and comments on them. On the other, “he’s constantly assessing and evaluating and speaking in a stream of consciousness…”

As the day’s ‘stumble through’ commences. a silky red curtain has been drawn across the back of the tent (later to open to actual nature) and a patterned rug covers the stage. We are in the court. A singer walks up to a microphone and commences “Give Beauty All Her Right.”

e Cherry reached out a few local musicians to create new settings of

community involved and increase fundraising for Hospicare.

Similarly to the titular Women Swimmin’ event, Go the Distance also provides its participants with a sense of ful llment, allowing them to nurture habits that have otherwise evaded them. Laurie Damiani, a long-time fundraiser, has elected to walk one hundred miles by the day of Women Swimmin’. Moreover, Hopkins herself has endeavored to write and publish a story every day until the swim.

“I’m trying to write a story and publish it every day between now and August 12th. So far I’ve written 20 stories in 32 days,” Hopkins said. “Like most writers, [I] have the same problem of ‘what are my standards going to be? when is [a story] done?’ Having [writing] set as a daily goal has forced me [to write].”

In the past, Women Swimmin’ has had a profound impact on everyone involved,

about 15 funded vacancies with several more retirements in the coming months. We need new o cers to help shape the future of not just IPD, but also our union that prides itself on giving back to our community. Together, the Ithaca community and the o cers have been through some very di cult times, but we all want the same thing, a safe and vibrant place that we’re proud to call home, we want a better tomorrow for our children. We need more good police ocers to apply so we can continue working together to accomplish that goal. Start the application today, take the exam and join us, you won’t regret it,” said Condzella.

Shakespeare’s lyrics in this song- lled comedy: Evan Friedell (Jimkata), Nate Silas Richardsoon (Sim Redmond Band), Jennie Lowe Stearns, Maddy Walsh and Mike Suave ( e Blind Spots), and Mandy Goldman and Samuel B. Lupowitz (Noon Fi een). Carolyn mentions how much “texture and avor” the music lends.

John Drinkwater is the singer. One of two NYC-based actors, the combo of guitar, singing and acting (he’s Amiens (the singer) and the love-smitten shepherd Silvius) drew him to audition. He is getting a kick out of being “really upstate,” bringing along his kayak and shing gear.

“Everybody in this group is so pro… right away we clicked… and I think that comes across in the show which is how all these people get along.” As to the six di erent songs: “Are these all going to t? …[but] it was almost magic, how they all kind of t this perfect arc…I can’t wait to do them.”

nurses included. In the swim’s rst year back a er going virtual due to the pandemic, the new nurses of Hospicare experienced a heartfelt introduction to the fundraiser, which Sammons believes illustrates its gravity. is year’s event promises more of the same.

“ ere [the nurses] were, sitting on the side of the lake on a beautiful summer morning, and [there were] 300 women swimming towards them with hundreds of kayakers and paddlers and the band playing,” Sammons said. “ ey didn’t feel alone on that day and they felt that there was more than just a paycheck involved with working here. And that, to me, is what makes Women Swimmin’ so special.”

ACHIEVING A DREAM

continued from page 15

that just make you hungry for more. A towering Kris Coleman (2018’s Billy Flynn in “Chicago”) revisits “All I Care About Is Love,” while the angelic-voiced soprano Kyla Stone (Johanna in 2021’s “Sweeney Todd”) takes us way back with “It’s DeLovely” from “Anything Goes.” en she coyly steams up the room with “Whatever Lola Wants” from “Damn Yankees.”

Molly Samson (the only one new to the Hangar) catches the buoyancy of “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” (“Gypsy”) and later the tenderness of “I Miss the Mountains” (“Next to Normal”). Recent Ithaca College grads Liz Gilmartin and Daniel Mejil shine in multiple numbers, especially their duet “Suddenly Seymour” (“Little Shop of Horrors”).

Danny Bolero, full of presence, brings to life 2016’s memorable staging of “In the Heights” (which le me, for one, playing the original cast album for weeks). His “Inútil” remains heartbreaking.

e three women deliver a rousing “Cabaret,” and the entire ensemble takes o in several numbers, like anthems from “Hair” and the nostalgic “Seasons of Love” from “Rent.”

e show’s 80 minutes go by all too quickly, evoking a surfeit of feeling yet a hunger for more. To seek impossible goals, to become a mecca of professional regional theatre — that’s been the Hangar’s mission. Aptly, the Hangar opened in 1975 with “Man of La Mancha” — and this retrospective ends on the cast singing “ e Quest.”

Christopher Walker is a reporter from the Cornell Daily Sun working on e Sun’s summer fellowship at e Ithaca Times.

Barbara Adams, a regional arts journalist, teaches writing at Ithaca College.

Music

Bars/Bands/Clubs

8/2 Wednesday

Sim Redmond & Jen Middaugh | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd | $10.00 - $50.00

Concerts on the Village Green: Dana Twigg| 6:30PM| Village Green, Homer | Free

Galactic Wednesday! Star Wars Edition! | 9 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | $10.00

8/3 Thursday

Community Concert Series: Hank Roberts Trio | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

Downtown Ithaca Summer

Concert Series: City Limits| 6 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavilion, Center Commons

Atwater After Hours: Scott Tremolo | 6 p.m. | Atwater Vineyards, 5055 State Route 414 | Free

Music in the Park: The Destination | 6:30 p.m. | Myers Park

Queen Flash - A Tribute to Queen! | 7 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Cielle On Solid Ground | 7 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St.

Live Music at Six Mile: Radio London| | Six Mile Creek Winery, 1551 Slaterville Road | Free

8/4 Friday

Joe Crookston | 5 p.m. | South Hill

Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

THIS WEEK

Summer Sundays Music Series: Brian Hughes | 5 p.m. | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414

Janet Batch | 5:30 p.m. | Three Bears Park Gazebo, 7175 Main Street | Free

Friday Night Music - The Common

Railers | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd

Metasequoia | 6 p.m. | Factory by Beer Tree Brew, 511 Reynolds Rd

Didgeridoo Down Under: Austra-

lian Music and More! | 6:30 p.m. |

The Pavilion behind New eld Masonic Temple, 198 Main Street | Free

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

8/5 Saturday

DJ Mateo & Dijon spinning Vinyl | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

Atwater After Hours - Anthony Mans eld | 6 p.m. | Atwater Vineyards, 5055 State Route 414 | Free

High and Mighty Brass Band, with Kelsey Blackstone and Gōst

Pepper | 7 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | $14.00 - $20.00

Illium Works | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St.

8/6 Sunday

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

Gone Acoustic | 2 p.m. | Finger Lakes

Distilling, 4676 State Rt. 414 | Free

Hannah T & PJ & Dan Levine | 6:30 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 West M.L.K. Jr. St. | $5.00

8/9 Wednesday

Shakey Graves w/ Abraham Alexander |Lincoln Hill Far, Canandaigua

Stage

Gypsy | 7:30 p.m., 8/2 Wednesday

| Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St | Regarded by many theatre professionals as the nest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother ghting for her daughters’ success –while secretly yearning for The Wizard of Oz | 8/2 Wednesday

Human Resources | 6:30 p.m. | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Road | Free

8/7 Monday

Mondays with MAQ | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road Sound Pressure Mondays! | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | $10.00

8/8 Tuesday

Lionsgate Pre-Party | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | $10.00

8/9 Wednesday

Concerts on the Village Green: Doc Weismore w/ Real Country | 6:30PM | Village Green , Homer| Free Deep Dive House Big Band | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Concerts/Recitals

8/2 Wednesday

Ageless Jazz Band | 7 p.m. | Danby Community Church, 1859 Danby Road | Free

Concerts in the Park Finale: Caviar & Grits | 7 p.m. | The Hickories Park, 359 Hickories Park Rd., Owego | Free

8/3 Thursday

Ruthie Foster | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St Skaneateles Festival: Aaron Wunsch; Julia Bruskin; Kearstin Piper

GYPSY

AUGUST 4TH & 5TH AT 7:30PM; AUG. 6TH AT 2:00PM Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S. Main St., Homer | Regarded by many theater professionals as the nest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother ghting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own.The celebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim boasts one glorious hit after another. (Photo: Facebook)

Brown; Hamar Zorman | Check website for speci c venue and time. | Godsmack and Staind | St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview | 7:00 p.m. | 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse |

8/4 Friday

Ithaca Community Band | 7 p.m. | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Drive | Free

Skaneateles Festival: Aaron Wunsch; Julia Bruskin; Kearstin Piper Brown; Hamar Zorman | Check website for speci c venue and time. | Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

|Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands

Performing Arts Center: CMAC | 8:00 p.m. |

The Wall owers | Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua

8/5 Saturday

Skaneateles Festival: Kelli O’Hara | Check website for speci c venue and time. |

Brewfest 2023: Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass ft. The Hillbenders | Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua

Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe: The World Tour -| JMA Wireless Dome | 5:45 p.m. | 900 Irving Ave, Syracuse | $48.50 - $754.00

8/6

Sunday

Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic | Dwyer Memorial Park, 6799 Little York Lake Road | The oldest bluegrass festival in New York State, Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic is back!

local organization. $5.00 suggested donation. | $5.00

Art

Seeing Ithaca - Ink Shop Member Exhibit 2023 | 5 p.m., 8/4 Friday | Ink Shop Printmaking Center, 330 E.State / MLK Street (2nd oor CSMA bldg) | The Ink Shop Printmaking Center will show member work, either Ithaca inspired or created here, featuring contributions from several new members. | Free

| Little York Lake Theatre & Pavilion, 6347 Little York Lake Rd | Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow to CRT’s own unique telling of this beloved tale! Ever since the classic movie rst delighted audiences in 1939, this glorious musical fantasy continues to thrill kids and adults alike worldwide. Spamalot! | 7 p.m., 8/3 Thursday | The Arena Theater, 9706 Congress St Ext | Encore Players Community Theatre performs Monty Python’s Spamalot! Thursday-Saturday @7:00, Sunday matinee @ 3:00, All ticket sales will be pre-sale and online. There will be no “at the door” purchases. https://www. eventbrite.com/o/encore-playerscommunity-theatre-8266291810

Next Generation presents: Shrek the Musical Jr. | 10 a.m., 8/4 Friday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | Shows at 10am and noon.

International Folk Dancing | 1 p.m., 8/5 Saturday | Just Be Cause, 1013 W. State St. | Join the Ithaca International Folk Dancers for fun and energetic folk dancing, primarily from eastern Europe and the Mideast. Most dances are taught, and no experience is needed. Free to all. | Free Poetry & Prose Open Mic Night | 7 p.m., 8/7 Monday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St | Come share poetry, prose, share a story, perhaps a brief performance or just to enjoy the night and meet others with a love for language and expression. Open to all! Song, show-and-tell, or some other kind of performance is welcome. | Free ComedyFLOPs Presents All You Can Eat Improv | 7 p.m., 8/9 Wednesday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St | ComedyFLOPs presents All You Can Eat Improv, a live, entirely made-up show based on your suggestions. We do our shows in support of local non-pro t organizations so join us for laughs and music as we raise money to support a

CAP ArtSpace “A Season of Ithaca” Opening Reception | 5 p.m., 8/4 Friday | CAP ArtSpace, 110 N. Tioga St. | “A Season of Ithaca” opening reception on First Friday Gallery Night by local artist Carlton Manzano. | Free Opening Reception for “Pieces of Sky” by Werner Sun & Co | 5 p.m., 8/4 Friday | MIX Art Gallery & Event Space, 156 E. State Street (2nd Floor) | A MIX multimedia installation with projection mapping and geometric paper forms incorporating images of the natural beauty around Ithaca. | Free

Ben Frank Moss: A Retrospective | 5 p.m., 8/4 Friday | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Road | Ben Frank Moss: A Retrospective is a selected exhibition of the paintings and collages of Ben Frank Moss (19362019). In uenced by the landscape of the paci c northwest, Ben Frank Moss’ abstract works on paper are imagined landscapes in oil and acrylic. More info at www.thegalleryatsouthhill. com | Free

Gallery Night (First Fridays in Downtown Ithaca) | 8/4 Friday | The History Center in Tompkins County, 401 East State Street | 6/2

Arts O Main Festival | 10 a.m., 8/5 Saturday | Court Street from Main Street, to Church Street | Court Street will be closed to vehicle tra c between Main Street and Church Streets and will be transformed into a familyfriendly celebration of Cortland’s art and creativity and of our IN OBSERVANCE: Opening Reception | 4 p.m., 8/5 Saturday | Corners Gallery, Corners Gallery | Join us for the reception for IN OBSERVANCE, new work by Jack Elliott, Greg Page and Jari Poulin on Saturday, August 5, from 4-6pm. | Free Dora Donovan Opening Reception | 7 p.m., 8/5 Saturday | Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, 1 Congress St | The exhibit will run in the Main Gallery through October 1, 2023 Gal-

“PIECES OF SKY” OPENING RECEPTION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4TH FROM 5:00-8:00PM MIX Art Gallery, 156 E. State Street, 2 nd Floor, Ithaca | It’s Gallery Friday this weekend and many local galleries are opening new shows, including downtown’s MIX Art Gallery. In this show, Maro Kariya and Werner Sun present a multimedia installation with projection mapping and geometric paper forms incorporating images of the natural beauty around Ithaca. (Photo: Facebook)

lery Hours: Fridays and Sundays

1-5pm  CLOSED LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Film

Movie Under the Stars - “The Bad Guys” | 7 p.m., 8/2 Wednesday | Courthouse Park , Cortland| Tompkins Chamber Movies in the Park | 7 p.m., 8/4 Friday | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr | https://www.cityo thaca. org/calendar.aspx?EID=5325

Movies in the Park : Ghostbusters|

7:30 p.m., 8/4 Friday | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr | The community is invited to bring a blanket or chairs to Stewart Park and enjoy the sunset while waiting for the movie to begin. All movies are FREE and familyfriendly, and CNY Attractions will be onsite with movie snacks & drinks to purchase. | Free

Cinemapolis

120 E. Green St., Ithaca

August 4th Openings only. Contact Cinemapolis for additional shows and showtimes.

Theater Camp* |The eccentric sta of a rundown theater camp in upstate New York must band together with the beloved founder’s bro-y son to keep the camp a oat. | 92 mins PG-13

Shortcomings* | A trio of young Bay Area urbanites--Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim--as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships, traversing the country in search of the ideal connection.| 92 mins R

FingerLakes Drive-In

1064 Clark Street Road, Auburn Gate opens one hour before the movies begin. Schedule for Friday, 8/4 through Sunday, 8/6.

Barbie | (9:00PM) |Barbie su ers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence.| 114 mins PG-13

No Hard Feelings| 10:30PM| On the brink of losing her home, Maddie nds an intriguing job listing: helicopter parents looking for someone to bring their introverted 19-year-old son out of his shell before college. She has one summer to make him a man or die trying.| 103 mins R

Special Events

181st Annual Chemung County Fair | 8/2 Wednesday | Chemung County Fairgrounds , 170 Fairview Rd. | August 1-6, 2023.

112th Spencer Picnic | 8/2 Wednesday | Nichols Park | A community fair held each year with lots of food, fun and friends!

Self Defense for Teens & Adults

| 5:30 p.m., 8/3 Thursday | Zanshin Dojo, 300 Rachel Carson Way | Self defense class for teens and adults to learn practical strategies and techniques in a fun and safe environment.

| $30.00 - $45.00

Ithaca Community Latch | 10:30 a.m., 8/5 Saturday | Ithaca Children’s Garden, 121 Turtle Lane | The Ithaca Community Latch is a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) -- honoring breastfeeding, chestfeeding and pumping for our babies and kids. | Free Sterling Renaissance Festival | | Saturdays and Sundays 10am-7pm, July 1-Aug 13. Rain or shine. The Sterling Renaissance Festival is one of the oldest and most successful producers of professional interactive entertainment in the world. | 15385 Farden Rd, Sterling Democracy Fest 2023 | 2 p.m., 8/6 Sunday | Southside Community Center, 305 S. Plain St. | Celebrate the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act! March and Block Party! Meet at the MLK sculpture on the Commons, march to Southside Community Center and enjoy speakers, entertainments

MOVIES IN STEWART PARK: GHOSTBUSTERS (1984)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4TH AT 7:30PM

Stewart Park, Ithaca| Movies are back in Stewart Park this summer! This throwback was the most requested movie this year and is the second of ve outdoor movies the Tompkins Chamber is hosting at Stewart Park. All movies are FREE and family-friendly! In the case of rain, head over to GIAC the same night for a free viewing in the gym starting at 7:30pm. Follow “Movies in the Park” on Facebook for updates if the weather is questionable. .(Photo: Provided)

Finding a Broader Context for Shaping your Narrative Poem | 11:30 a.m., 8/9 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | What quality distinguishes a good story told in a well-constructed narrative poem from a good story told in a well-constructed narrative poem that is likely to impart wisdom to its intended

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

Kids

and free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream there. | Free Tioga County Fair | 8/8 Tuesday | Marvin Park, 50 West Main St. | $15 Unlimited Daily Access Pass - Includes Rides, Grandstand, and Parking. Special Painted Post Champion Rodeo Event Tuesday 8/8. | $15.00 Business After Hours at Atlas Bowl (August 2023) | 5 p.m., 8/9 Wednesday | Join us for our August Business After Hours at Atlas Bowl Located just minutes from Taughannock Falls, Atlas is the perfect social dining destination, complete with elevated comfort food for | $15.00

Books

Writing Urban Speculative Fiction through Role Playing Games | 4 p.m., 8/3 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | TCPL is inviting teen patrons to a month-long role-playing game and world-building workshop!

Tarot and Tasting with Brighit May | 5 p.m., 8/4 Friday | Bu alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | Join Brighit May, Oracle Chocolates, and the Bu alo Street Books community for an evening of tarot reading and tastings. Entry is free and all access tickets for a 10-minute tarot reading are $20. | Free

Farmer’s Market, 69 W. Main St | Live music each Wednesday thru October.

Public Works | 7 p.m., 8/2 Wednesday | The Downstairs, 121 W. State St. | Public Works is free event in the style of Nerd Nite but designed just for Ithaca! | Free

Bridge Club of Ithaca | 10 a.m., 8/3 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

Family Eco-Cruise | 10 a.m., 8/4 Friday | Ithaca Farmer’s Market, Steamboat Landing - 545 3rd Street | Kids enjoy learning about the world that lies beneath Cayuga Lake with interactive and engaging activities led by our Youth Crew. Best for ages 5 and up. | Free

Sing Me A Story! Read Me A Song! with John Simon and Cal Walker |

10 a.m., 8/5 Saturday | Visions Federal Credit Union - Amphitheater, 408 Elmira Road | Sing Me a Story! Read Me a Song! with John Simon and Cal Walker is a collection of songs to encourage and support families in reading and singing to their children every day. Children will singalong to children’s books with the famous duo. | Free Sit! Stay! Read! | 3 p.m., 8/7 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children are invited to practice their reading skills by sharing a story with a truly nonjudgmental listener -- a dog! Reading sessions will be held Mondays from 3-4 p.m.

LEGO Build Night for Families | 5 p.m., 8/8 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.

Notices

T-burg Farmer’s Market: | 4 p.m., 8/2 Wednesday | Trumansburg

DEMOCRACY FEST 2023!

Candor Community Farmers Market | 3:30 p.m., 8/3 Thursday | Candor Town Hall Pavilion, 101 Owego Road Montour Falls Farmers Market | 4 p.m., 8/3 Thursday | Fireman’s Field, 301 Clawson Blvd | Summer Community Circus Show 2023 | 6:30 p.m., 8/3 Thursday | Press Bay Alley | World Rhythms Universal Drum Circle | 6 p.m., 8/4 Friday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road | Explore Rhythm and Spirit in Community!

Learn new rhythms and vibe in the universal pulse. All ages and levels. BYO drum, though there may be a few to borrow. Suggested donation: $5-10. | $5.00 - $10.00

Homer Community Blood Drive | 9 a.m., 8/5 Saturday | Homer First United Methodist Church, 16 Cayuga Street |

Historic Ithaca Walk and Talks: Brookton Cemetery | 9 a.m., 8/5 Saturday | Brookton Cemetery, 205 Lounsberry Rd | Learn about some of Brooktondale’s famous residents as we tour the historic Brookton Cemetery. After the talk participants will be able to visit the local Brooktondale Farmer’s Market at the Brooktondale Community Center (524 Valley Rd with on-site parking.)

Botanic Gardens Highlights Tour | 11 a.m., 8/5 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 Ithaca Chess Club | 12 p.m., 8/6 Sunday | DeWitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga St | | Free

Downtown Ithaca Farmers Market | 3 p.m., 8/8 Tuesday | DeWitt Park | EBT/SNAP cards can be used for eligible purchases from vendors. | Free

DOWNTOWN ITHACA MARCH FOR VOTING RIGHTS AND CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6TH AT 2:00PM

Ithaca Commons to Southside Community Center |

In honor of the anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, the NY State Senate has passed a bill to commemorate August 6th. Please join Rejoice the Vote and host Southside Community Center for a celebration of what we have accomplished and a call to action to ensure voting rights for all. (Photo: Facebook)

THIS WEEK

Classifieds

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR, RUNNING OR NOT!

TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS!

MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office 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)

SEEKING DENTAL HYGIENIST

TEACHER – SPECIAL EDUCATION

OCM BOCES SKATE K-2 Program has the need for a Special Education Teacher, located in Cortland County. Successful candidate will provide academic and behavioral instruction to elementary aged students with autism. NYS SWD Birth-2 or 1-6 certification required. Applications only accepted online. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central.

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

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

TEACHING ASSISTANT SUBSTITUTES

420/Computer

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM!

Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk

Professional now! Now offering grants & scholarships for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8AM-6PM ET) (NYSCAN)

100/Automotive

DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER:

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)

FAST FREE PICKUP. Maximum tax deduction. Support Patriotic Hearts. Your car donation helps Vets! 866559-9123

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 866-859-0894

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR???

DONATE IT TO PATRIOTIC HEARTS. Fast free pick up. All 50 States.

300/Community

Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 844-875-6782.

1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 877-589-0747

400/Employment

Our dental office is seeking to hire a full time Dental Hygienist. Duties include: prophylaxis, sealants, taking digital x-rays. Benefits included: dental care , health insurance, paid holidays and vacation. $35.00-40.00 an hour. Please send a resume to: tburgfamilydentist@ yahoo.com or call 607) 387-7821.

Teaching

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for Teaching Assistants and Substitutes at the Cortlandville Campus, Cortland. Successful candidates will provide support and individual programming to K-12th grade students in our centerbased programs with a variety of special needs.  NYS certification as a Teaching Assistant required. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For information please visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

OCM BOCES Special Education program has the need for Teaching Assistants and Substitutes at the Cortlandville Campus, Cortland. Successful candidates will provide support and individual programming to K-12th grade students in our center-based programs with a variety of special needs. NYS certification as a Teaching Assistant required. Applications accepted online only. Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central. For information please visit our website at: www.ocmboces.org EOE

800/Services

$10K+ IN DEBT?

Be debt free in 24-48 months. Pay a fraction of your debt. Call National Debt Relief 844-977-3935.

DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY?

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

Mathematics Teacher

OCM BOCES Cortlandville Campus is in need of a dedicated Career and Technical Education Math Teacher working with students in 11th & 12th grade. This is an opportunity to address the age-old question from students, “When am I ever going to use this?” by collaborating with CTE teachers to create and deliver engaging math lessons relevant to their content areas, developing CTE-aligned math curricula, fostering critical thinking, providing personalized support, and demonstrating the real-world applications of mathematics. NYS Certification in  Math 7-12 required. Register and apply at: w ww.olasjobs.org/central. For information please visit our website at: www. ocmboces.org EOE

DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER?

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

DON’T PAY FOR COVERED HOME REPAIRS AGAIN!

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

HEARING AIDS!!!

Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry and Run Errands. You can contact me at 607-377-6770

WE CLEAN BASEMENT AND CELLERS PROFESSIONALLY.

CALL GENE 607-8633425.

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.

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

High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Time and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-Day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898

HELP FIND SENIOR LIVING

My Caring Plan has helped thousands of families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call 866-386-9005

HOME HEALTHCARE CAREGIVER

I’m Tommy, I am a caregiver I do home healthcare in your home. I have been doing this for 23 years. I do Meds, Showers, Hygiene, Appointments

HUGHESNET

Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 888-6690615

NEVER CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS AGAIN!

Affordable, professionally installed gutter guards protect your gutters and home from debris and leaves forever! For a FREE Quote call: 844947-1470

SECURE YOUR HOME WITH VIVINT SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY. CALL 855-621-5855 TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN GET A PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM WITH $0 ACTIVATION.

SHOP W/ A VIASAT EXPERT

For High Speed Satellite Internet. New Customer Deals In Your Area. Nationwide Service. New Service For 2023. 855-822-5911

805/Business Services

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)

FINANCES

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

ROOF ? WINDOWS ?

Do you need a Roof or Energy Effi cient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Prgrams. (NYSCAN)

SHOWER & BATH UPDATES

Updates in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime Warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636 (NYSCAN)

BackPage

AAM

ALL ABOUT MACS

Macintosh Consulting

http://www.allaboutmacs.com

(607) 280-4729

*Acupuncture Works*

Peaceful Spirit Acupuncture

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

www.peacefulspiritacupuncture.com

607-272-0114

For rates and information contact front@ithactimes.com 277-7000

CLEANING SERVICES

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

JANITORIAL* FLOOR * CARPET

INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP

607-227-3025 / 607-697-3294

FLYITHACA.COM

Convenient-Clean-Connected Get e New Ithaca

Times Mobile App

Available in Appstore & Google Play

ANIMALS

LAND & SEA

FingerLakesAnimalRights.org

ITHACA NEWS

Delivered to your inbox every day

Ithaca Times Daily

Text ITHACA to 22828 to Sign up

Looking to Boost your Business is

Summer? Call Larry at

607-277-7000 ext: 1214

Find out about great advertising ad packages at:

Ithaca.com & Ithaca Times

Ooy’s Cafe & Deli

201 N. Aurora Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

(607) 319-4022

PIANOS

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

Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair.

Same Day Service Available

John’s Tailor Shop

John Serferlis - Tailor

102 e Commons

273-3192

New, Used & Vintage Instruments & Accessories

ITHACA GUITAR WORKS

DEWITT MALL

607-272-2602

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

Complete Rebuilding Services

No job too big or too small

Ithaca Piano Rebuilders

(607) 272-6547

950 Danby Rd, Suite 26

South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca

REAL LIFE

CEREMONIES

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

Steve Lawrence, Celebrant 607-220-7938