February 7, 2024 by Ithaca Times

F R E E / F e b r u a r y 7, 2 0 2 4 / V o l u m e X L I I I , N u m b er 7 5 / O u r 5 2 n d Y e a r

Online @ ITH ACA .COM

Almost Halfway There Ithaca’s Green New Deal Approaches Benchmark Year PAGES 8-9

INHS BRINGING ITHACA YOUTH AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUREAU APPOINTS TO T-BURG NEW DIRECTOR PAGE 3

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CORNELL STUDENT NATIONAL ORCHESTRA ASSEMBLY REJECTS OF UKRAINE DIVESTMENT COMING TO ITHACA RESOLUTION PAGE 5

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ON STAGE IN SYRACUSE PAGE 15

2 The Ithaca Times / February 7 – 13, 2024

Newsline

VOL. XLIII / NO. 75 / February 7, 2024 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

ON THE COVER:

Village Grove Development Increasing Affordable Housing in Trumansburg

By M at t D ough e rt y

he Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) has received approval to commence construction at its latest community development, Village Grove, situated on 19 acres of land at 46 South Street in the Village of Trumansburg. This $27 million project aims to create a transformative, energy-efficient model community catering to various income levels. The development includes six affordable rental townhomes, a two-story building with 40 affordable rental apartments, and a standalone commercial building for the Trumansburg Community Nursery School. Notably, Village Grove received significant financial backing, including nearly $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Acting Executive Director of INHS Patricia Paolangeli emphasized the community-centric vision behind Village Grove, stating, “INHS strives to develop housing that is part of a larger community vision. Village Grove will provide access to critical human services and contribute to New York’s carbon-neutral future while addressing community needs identified in multiple local and state plans.” This project is designed to be INHS’s

Ithaca residents protesting in support of the Ithaca Green New Deal in downtown Ithaca.

NEWSLINE ��3-5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR �� 6 GUEST OPINION �� 7

greenest initiative to date. The development will be all-electric, Passive House certified, and utilize ground-source and air-source heat pumps and off-site community solar. This eco-friendly approach The Village Grove Development located in Trumansburg is expected to be completed by December 2024. aligns with NYSERDA’s commitment to supporting projects incorFunding for Village Grove comes from porating renewable energy and promoting various sources, including Federal and energy efficiency. Village Grove is not merely about hous- State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit ing but also community impact. Including equity, below-market-rate loans, and grants from entities like Key Community the Trumansburg Community Nursery Development Corporation, New York School in a collaborative, communityState Homes and Community Renewal, based childcare approach is a testament NYS Homeless Housing and Assistance to this. The new facility will enable more parents to pursue employment and educa- Program, Key Bank NA, and the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC). tional opportunities. The Village Grove development team, Village of Trumansburg Mayor Rordan consisting of HOLT Architects, Claudia Hart expressed appreciation for INHS’s commitment to investing in the communi- Brenner Design, TG Miller Engineers & Surveyors, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels ty, stating, “Housing demand remains sky Landscape Architecture, and Purcell Conhigh in Tompkins County, and efforts to struction, reflects a collaborative effort to meet that demand in ways tailored to suit ensure the project's success. the community is worth celebrating.” Construction of the Village Grove NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen project is expected to be completed by M. Harris commended the project's incorDecember 2024, marking a significant poration of renewable solar energy, heat pump technology, and other energy-efficient milestone in providing modern, healthy, and affordable living spaces for the resifeatures. Harris stated, “Projects like this are dents of Ithaca. part of growing a climate-friendly housing stock that is helping support the State’s goals to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.” Contin u ed on Page 12

T a k e

N o t e

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Free information sessions and exploratory workshops prepare students for the intensive three-week course and a career in healthcare. State-approved workshops that provide essential continuing education credits are also available for Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). The courses provide three to six contact hours for professionals in these fields. S everal workshops are available for

SPORTS �� 12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT �� 13 CINEMA �� 12 THEATRE �� 13 CLASSIFIED �� 16-17 TIMES TABLE �� 18-19

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t D o u g h e r t y , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 1217 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Ch r i s I b e r t, C a l en da r Ed i to r , A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m M a t t D o u g h e r t y , N e w s R e p o r t e r , x 1225 R e p o r t e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Kenneth Waterhouse, Photographer Ste ve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumn ist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 1210 j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A s s o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 1214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r ee l a n ce r s : Barbara Adams, Stephen Burke, G. M Burns, Alyssa Denger, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, and Arthur Whitman THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE C O P Y R I G H T © 2 02 3, B Y N E W S K I I N C .

X Tompkins Cortland Community College Biz Releases Spring Schedule of Professional Development Workshops Thinking of a new career, or looking to enhance your current skills for a promotion at wo r k ? Th e S p r i n g 2 0 2 4 s c h e d u l e o f professional development workshops at Tompk ins Cor tland Community College BIZ is full of ways to help you reach your professional goals. The workshops cover a range of topics including healthcare careers, state licensing, computer skills, management and leadership, and communications. In addition to the full array of microcredentials offered as credit-bearing courses, the spring schedule includes a return of the

PERSONAL HEALTH �� 10

supervisors, highlighted by the 5-Part Frontline Development Series that begins April 5 at the College’s Extension Center on the Ithaca Commons. Ideal for new supervisors, those looking to transition to a supervisory role, or seasoned leaders in need of a refresher, the series imparts the skills and confidence needed to support and guide a team. Printed copies of the Spring 2024 schedule are available on campus or by contactingbiz@ tompkinscortland.edu or 607.844.6586. Visit www.tompkinscortland.edu/biz for more details and online registration.

All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable. All copy must be received by Friday at noon. The Ithaca Times is available free of charge from various locations around Ithaca. Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $89 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607277-1012, MAILING ADDRESS is PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. The Ithaca Times was preceded by the Ithaca New Times (1972–1978) and The Good Times Gazette (1973–1978), combined in 1978. Founder Good Times Gazette: Tom Newton

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times

INQUIRING Ithaca Youth Bureau Appoints Gregg Houck as New Director PHOTOGRAPHER T N e w s l i n e

By Ke nne th Wate rhou se

HAVE YOU STUCK TO YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION, THUS FAR?

“Never stick to it unfortunately.” – Judee S. B.

“I have for over 30 years. It was to never make a resolution.” – Richard S.

“Yes. I began my journey to heal my back.” – Ryan W.

“My resolution was to get healthier, and I continue to do so.” – Nikki W.

“No I have not (quietly laughs).” – Tegan W.

By M at t D ough e rt y

he City of Ithaca has recently announced the appointment of Gregg Houck as the new Director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB). Houck previously served as the Senior Director of Community Impact at the United Way of Tompkins County. The statement announcing Houck’s appointment said he brings “a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in recreation, community impact, and youth development.” In his most recent role at the United Way, where he served for the past two years, Houck demonstrated a deep commitment to making a positive difference in the community. His extensive background includes senior leadership positions within the YMCA movement in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Ithaca, showcasing a consistent dedication to youth development and community engagement. Additionally, Houck is a graduate of the SUNY Cortland Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Studies Department. In expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Houck said, “I am honored to be entrusted with this opportunity and look forward to working alongside the IYB staff as, together, we continue to build and grow opportunities for area youth and their families.” Houck added that he is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for the youth and families within the Ithaca community. Houck officially assumed his position in January and is eager to engage with the

IYB community. His proactive approach to collaboration and community involvement is evident in his words: “I eagerly await the chance to listen and learn from staff, local youth, volunteers, local leaders, community members, collaborators, potential collaborators, supporters, and any other interested stakeholders as we develop a shared vision for future success.” The City of Ithaca welcomes Houck to the helm Gregg Houck has recently been appointed as the new Director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau. (Photo: Provided) of the Ithaca Youth Bureau with confidence in his ability words but also in his actions. As a member to lead the department to new heights. His of the Board of Education for the Candor commitment to serving all area youth aligns Central School District and through his perfectly with the values of the IYB, emphaprevious roles, he has actively contributed sizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. to creating educational environments that Houck's extensive experience makes embrace and celebrate differences. him a valuable asset to the Ithaca comThe IYB community has already begun munity, and the city anticipates positive to feel the positive impact of Houck's outcomes under his leadership. leadership. Staff members, local leaders, Houck elaborated on his vision for the and collaborators have expressed optiIthaca Youth Bureau and his aspirations mism about the future under his guidfor the community, saying, “My focus is ance. One staff member noted, “Gregg on creating an inclusive and empowering brings a fresh perspective and a genuine environment for our youth, where they can thrive and develop their full potential.” passion for youth development. We’re excited about the innovative ideas he He added, “I believe in the transformative power of community engagement and col- brings to the table.” With a track record of laboration. By listening to the needs of our commitment to inclusivity and passion for making a difference, Houck stands ready youth and working together with various stakeholders, we can shape a vibrant future to lead the Ithaca Youth Bureau toward new heights, building a foundation for the for Ithaca.” success and well-being of the area’s youth Houck’s dedication to diversity, equity, and families. and inclusion is evident not only in his

Taste of the Finger Lakes’ Launches Grant Funding Process to Combat Food Insecurity

By M at t D ough e rt y

n its third year, “Taste of the Finger Lakes,” a community-driven initiative based in Ithaca, NY, is inviting local nonprofits to apply for grants to address the growing concern of food insecurity. The volunteer committee behind the event has opened a request for proposals, offering funding of up to $10,000 to organizations dedicated to increasing food security in the region.

4 The Ithaca Times / February 7 – 13, 2024

The decision to initiate this open grant application process stems from the rise in reported food insecurity across the Finger Lakes region. The demand for funding has surged, accompanied by the emergence of new organizations working towards this cause. This inclusive approach aims to provide support to both established and newly formed nonprofits. Applicants have the flexibility to seek funding for ongoing expenditures or specific projects slated for 2024. The funding awards will hinge on the

success of the Taste of the Finger Lakes annual food and beverage showcase event. Scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 11th, 2024, at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market, the event serves not only as a fundraiser but also as a platform to celebrate the vibrant Finger Lakes food and beverage industry. Since its inception in 2022, Taste of the Finger Lakes has made a significant impact, donating a total of $75,000 to organizations addressing food security in the region. Past beneficiaries include noteworthy entities such as Healthy Food For All, The Youth Farm Project, The Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and the Friendship Donations Network. Contin u ed on Page 7

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e

Cornell Student Assembly Votes Against Resolution to Divest from Weapons Manufacturers

By M at t D ough e rt y

n February first, more than 200 students packed into Willard Straight Hall on the Cornell University campus, where the Student Assembly debated Resolution 51, a controversial resolution that called on Cornell University’s Board of Trustees to divest from weapons manufacturers that have been identified as being complicit in Israel’s military actions against Palestinians. These actions have been described as a “plausible” genocide by the United Nations International Court of Justice. Following a two-hour debate, the Student Assembly ultimately voted 14-4 against the resolution, which was proposed by the Coalition for Mutual Liberation (CML). However, earlier in the meeting, the Assembly passed Resolution 50 as a “compromise” to establish an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee to conduct further research on Cornell’s investments and make divestment recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Supporters of Resolution 50 argued that it provided a pathway for divestment from military contractors and other objectionable companies in a way that did not single out or alienate Israel or Israeli students. They saw it as a more moderate and inclusive approach with a better chance of being approved by the Board of Trustees. According to one member of the Student Assembly, “If you’re going to try [to get Cornell to divest from weapons manufacturing], why not do it without singling out the country of Israel?” Supporters of Resolution 50 explained that other countries engaged in acts that could be considered genocidal should be included as well. Another member of the Assembly said, “The only material difference [between resolution 50 and 51] at the end of the day…is that 51 mentioned Israel and inflames tensions on campus.” However, supporters of Resolution 51 argued that the ESG committee proposal was not a true compromise and that they had no input in developing it. They wanted the assembly to vote on their resolution, explicitly calling for divestment from companies involved in acts of apartheid, genocide, and violence against children

Ups

committed by the Israeli military against Palestinians. Despite one member of the Student Assembly claiming to have met with organizers from the Coalition for Mutual Liberation (CML) to discuss the compromise resolution, CML organizers said that no such discussion took place. “I don’t think that [assembly The Cornell Student Assembly voted to create an ESG Committee to conduct more rsearch on divestment, but declined to approve a resolution member] would be to divest from weapons manufacturers because it singled out Israel. able to point to a (Photo: Matt Dougherty) single person on this side of the room and One student who spoke in opposition say that they consulted them in makto Resolution 51 on the grounds that it ing the ESG resolution,” said one CML represented BDS said, “BDS is illegal in organizer. New York State, so even if the administraIn response to criticisms from the tion wanted to adopt this resolution, they Assembly questioning why Resolution 51 singled out the State of Israel, another legally cannot.” The student continued, CML organizer said, “We point out Isra- saying, “Various reports, including one from the UN, have shown a correlation el specifically because they are the ones between the adoption of BDS on a colactively engaged in war…we say Israel because it has revealed the contradiction lege campus and increased anti-semitism towards Jewish students on campus. This so clearly in our university guidelines… cannot be tolerated.” but if you what it divest from other In response to claims that Resolution countries as well, we’re not opposed to 51 was a BDS resolution, a CML orgathat at all.” nizer said, “We keep hearing that this is Another member of the Assembly a BDS resolution, but this is explicitly agreed with the necessity of passing Resolution 51, saying, “The International Court not a BDS resolution. We are calling for divesting from overwhelmingly American of Justice has said Israel may be committing genocide. Our guidelines say to divest companies that are profiting from Israel’s onslaught.” They added, “To not vote for from genocide, so the only rational action this resolution is anti-Palestinian because is to vote in favor of resolution 51.” you will continue to permit an environA common theme among speakers in ment that allows for the mass killing of opposition to Resolution 51 was to claim Palestinian people.” that it represented a Boycott, Divestment, A Jewish student who spoke in support and Sanctions (BDS) effort against Israel. Similar efforts to leverage economic power of Resolution 51 said, “I condemn antisenitism in every form. I also condemn were used to pressure South Africa to cynical claims of anti-semitism used to end its system of Apartheid in the 1990s silence legitimate criticism of a State’s (According to CML, Cornell University actions.” The student continued saying, never formally divested from Apartheid “Until Cornell divests completely from South Africa). However, the State of Israel weapons manufacturing companies, my has labeled BDS efforts calling for an end Jewish values will never be supported by to Israel’s system of Apartheid — which this university.” has been documented by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, & B’Tselem — as anti-Semitic. Contin u ed on Page 7

Ithaca Loves Murals will be holding their first annual fundraiser on the third floor of CSMA on 330 E. MLK St. from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on February 10. Organizers suggest donations of $5-100 to support and uplift the artists who create all of Ithaca’s wonderful murals.

Downs

Nine children were taken to the hospital and diagnosed with chlorine poisoning following a birthday pool party at the Holiday Inn Express on Elmira Road in Ithaca that took place on December 16, 2023. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

HEARD&SEEN Heard

Sealed Bids for the 2024 Sidewalk Improvement District Work project located in the City of Ithaca, New York will be received by the office of the City Controller at 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, NY until February 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the City Controller Office. The bids will then be publicly opened and read aloud in City Hall Second Floor Conference Room.

Seen

Cook Street between Eddy St. and Blair St. will be temporarily closed during Storm Pipe Installation from February 5, 2024, through March 22, 2024, between the hours of 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sidewalks will not be affected by this construction. Emergency vehicles and local residents will have access to driveways though-out the duration of the project. Some parking will be accessible.

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

Should Governor Hochul shut down the Seneca Meadows Landf ill? 75.0 % Yes.

22.7% No. 2.3% I don’t care. N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Do you support the Common Council removing the Pledge of Allegiance from their meeting agenda?? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Biden’s Own Logic Says US Responsible for War on Gaza

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Following the recent drone strike on a US military base in Jordan, killing three and injuring many more, President Biden said that he held Iran responsible for the strike because “it provided the weapons to the militants involved in the attack.” The US government has provided approximately 80% of the weapons Israel has used in its war on Gaza, killing over 26,000 Palestinian citizens and displacing 1.7 million others, the majority of them women and children. Using President Biden’s logic, who should be held responsible for the horrific destruction of Gaza and the mass killing of Palestinian citizens? The US Congress is presently considering a bill which would send $14 billion in military assistance to Israel, a $10 billion increase over its normal annual appropriation to the country. Our tax dollars are largely responsible for

the financing of the Israeli war on Gaza, and by Biden’s logic not only are we complicit but also responsible.” — Garry Thomas

What Happens if Seneca Meadows Landfill Closes?

“

Dear Senator Lea Webb, I’m responding to the news that you are rejecting the current Seneca Meadows proposal. Humans produce garbage. You produce garbage. I produce garbage, even though I’m a conscientious shopper and recycler. Archaeology shows us that garbage has been part of human existence since our very beginnings. The question is, what to do with it? Prior to your tenure as senator, a proposal to build a processing plant to use trash as a fuel to generate power for the grid was rejected. This was unfortunate, because it could have solved two problems at once. Research from other communities shows that the main issue with trash power plants is keeping up with the chimney scrubbers. People assume landfills are inert, but all of them, including Seneca Meadows, are emitting toxic gasses into the air and leaching ground pollution in an uncontrolled way, which is actually worse than incineration. Whether trash slowly degrades in a landfill or is burned, the effect on the environment is the same, in the long-run.

The only remaining alternative is for us to dump our garbage on some remote community and destroy their environment, in true n.i.m.b.y. fashion. Is this what you are proposing? If not, please share your ideas or a plan on what can be done with our trash. In appreciation for your service.” — Eva Marques

RE: Mike Sigler State Senate Campaign

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Jobs and young people are fleeing to other states.” DING DING DING. Think of all the fossil fuels you will burn flying to TX to visit your grandchildren.” — Steven Baginski

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We finally have an advocate for the people in Leah Webb. Once again, we have Mike Sigler trying to become a senator. Peter Principle Extraordinaire. Here we have a person who was incompetent as a legislator — notice no mention of slumlord in his bid to become a senator — who is trying to act like #1 he will know or care about what he is doing; or #2 will actually do something for the people in this area. He never did. He won’t. Some things don’t change. A leopard doesn’t change its spots. Stick with Webb!” — Elisabeth Hegarty

“

It’s amazing how this paper pretends to be balanced. But it’s politics right? It’s okay? It’s a newspaper right? They have opinions too right?cherry picking data to try to disprove statements while in other articles simply cheerleading the other side? I don’t partake in the stupidity of a two party system but it is fun to watch and not the hypocrisy and flat out bigotry. On. All. Sides.” — Ray Wheeler

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For those who aren’t aware: Mike Sigler (along with Rep. Elise Stefanik and others) is suing to stop early mail in voting in NY state. Why would he not want people to vote? For more information democracydocket.com.” — Carol LaBorie

Democracy vs. Dictatorship

“

The contrast between the personalities of the two leading candidates for President is so striking that it seems to have eclipsed the bigger issue which is the choice between democracy and dictatorship. As someone who was born during the second world war, it seems utterly astonishing that people would actually choose to elect a fascist leader, and, like

6 The Ithaca Times / February 7 – 13, 2024

Hitler, one that would use Christianity to try and legitimize their objectives. Aside from his plan to “weaponize” the Dept of Justice and direct it to persecute those who have criticized or pursued him legally, how he would govern has not been that clear. But we do have a statement about what he wants for America in the form of a document called “Project 2025.” Formulated by the Heritage foundation and other conservative groups, it describes leading the U.S. to Autocracy and giving Trump absolute power over the executive branch. Other elements include dismantling the FBI and the departments of Education and Homeland Security. A good summary of Project 2025 can be found on Wikipedia along with some commentary — Donald Ayer (for instance) Deputy attorney under George H.W. Bush: If Trump were to be elected and implemented some of the ideas he is apparently considering, no one in this country would be safe.” — Gillian Peterson-Krag

Pessimistic About Our Climate and Progress Towards Taming it?

“

Pessimistic about our climate and progress towards taming it? You’re not alone. However, there are several reasons to be hopeful. First, the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, is a significant investment on the part of our government to fight climate change. Second, the organization, Environmental Voter Project, seeks to encourage environmentalists to vote, because, sadly, many do not, perhaps out of the same skepticism that real progress can happen. Since 2021, EVP has helped turn 97,923 low-propensity environmental voters into consistent supervoters in New York alone. Third, there are a lot of Climate Change organizations to work with, such as Climate Reality Project, Sustainable Tompkins, Sunrise Ithaca and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Citizens’ Climate Lobby empowers everyday people to directly lobby Congress on climate policy. The Black poet and activist Cornelius Eady, said that “cynicism is a form of obedience”. What he means is that by doing nothing we are actually supporting the status quo. We become part of the problem. According to the most recent Yale Climate Opinion survey, 72% of Americans think global warming is happening and 74% want to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. Imagine if a significant portion of these Americans rolled up their sleeves and joined forces with a Climate Change organization? In other words, whatever you do, don’t become obedient.” — Ronald Liso

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

Dream a Little Dream cene: We’re in the Ithaca office of psychotherapist SALLY NECESSITER, PsyD. Sage green walls are decorated with two Beau Frank seascapes while an indoor fountain burbles on a small table in the corner. DR. NECESSITER is sitting with her laptop on an upholstered chair facing a matching couch, upon which is perched her patient FRANCHOT “FRANK” CORNSTARCH. DR. NECESSITER: Good morning, Frank. I’m not supposed to say this, but you look terrible. In our last session, you were bothered by nightmares. I’m hoping you were able to bring your dream journal with you. CORNSTARCH: They’ve been getting worse, Doctor. I barely slept at all last night. I have them all right here. [CORNSTARCH held up a small notebook.] DR. NECESSITER: All right, then. Let’s get started. CORNSTARCH: Well, last night’s was a doozy. I feel like I’m going crazy. I dreamt that Elon Musk was starting to put microchips in people’s brains. I mean, I know it’s obviously preposterous. Demented billionaire implanting chips in people’s brains! It’s like the premise for a sci-fi movie. Still…there was something so real about it. I woke up drenched in sweat. DR. NECESSITER: Frank…I… CORNSTARCH: I know what you’re going to say. It’s just a dream and it could never happen. DR. NECESSITER: Actually, I was going to ask what you were doing before going to bed. CORNSTARCH: I guess I kind of drifted

off while scrolling through my news feed. DR. NECESSITER: I thought so. We’ve talked about this, haven’t we? Frank, that was real. It’s true. Elon Musk’s company did in fact implant a chip in a human test subject’s brain last week. [NECESSITER flipped her laptop around to show CORNSTARCH the news story.] CORNSTARCH: Egad. DR. NECESSITER: It’s OK, Frank. Take a deep breath. Let’s stay focused on your dreams here. Why don’t we discuss another one. CORNSTARCH: All right. I’m fine. Here’s one that got to me. Night before last I dreamed that robots were writing our news stories and they all sucked. [NECESSITER turned her laptop around again to show CORNSTARCH the headline “Study Says 50 News Websites Use AI-Generated Content”.] CORNSTARCH: Sweet mother of…. Maybe that story itself was AI-generated! I don’t even know what to think any more. What about this one? I dreamed that Ithaca’s Arthaus, the $32 million project providing affordable living space and a supportive environment for artists, has been turned into a dangerous, pee-soaked heckscape of drug use, trash and crime? Surely, that can’t be true in real life! Doctor Necessiter? Can it? [NECESSITER slowly closed her laptop and folded her hands in what she hoped was a consoling manner.] DR. NECESSITER: Maybe it’s time we talked about medication. I find that Knapp Vineyards Limoncello works for me…

GRANT FUNDING

not only for its commitment to combating food insecurity but also for its unique approach to fundraising. The initiative serves a dual purpose — supporting organizations dedicated to improving food security across the region while highlighting the dynamic Finger Lakes food and beverage industry. For those seeking more information about the event or the grant application process, visit tasteofthefingerlakes.com. In conclusion, the Taste of the Finger Lakes continues to play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

contin u ed from page 4

Nonprofits interested in securing funding have until February 29th, 2024, to submit their applications. The selection process will follow, with funded projects receiving notifications in April. Disbursement of funds is scheduled for August. To access the application form, along with eligibility details and the funding process, interested parties can visit tasteofthefingerlakes.com/participate. This user-friendly portal provides comprehensive information for potential applicants. “Taste of the Finger Lakes” stands out

Ithaca, the City of Jazz By Dav e Woh l h u et e r

By C h a r l ey G i t h l e r

GUEST OPINION

he City of Ithaca was once again jumping on Sunday, Feb. 4, as the Seventh Annual Ithaca Big Band Summit was held at Ford Hall on the Ithaca College Campus. As it has in the past, the Summit performers were jazz ensembles from Ithaca High School, Ithaca College and Cornell University. A large audience nearly filled the hall to hear these three excellent groups perform. And perform, they did. The IHS band, led by Mike Treat, with an IC degree, kicked off the festivities with a great performance of Neal Hefti’s “Splanky” featuring a number of excellent soloists. Two more selections set the stage for the Cornell Jazz Ensemble under the CORNELL STUDENT ASSEMBLY contin u ed from page 5

The CML, which consists of more than forty Cornell-based organizations representing thousands of students from marginalized communities, is advocating for divestment from weapons manufacturing companies such as BAE Systems, Boeing, Elbit Systems, General Dynamics, L3Harris Technologies, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, and ThyssenKrupp. Resolution 51 stated that these companies had been directly involved in military attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, which are actions that have been labeled as plausible genocide by the International Court of Justice. According to a CML statement released in the weeks before the meeting, “Cornell’s association with companies involved in the production of weapons used against civilians raises ethical concerns and questions the university’s commitment to social responsibility.” CML’s demands included divestment and an end to corporate partnerships with any weapons manufacturers involved in military aggression. Additionally, the coalition called for a ban on the research and development of technologies used by the Israeli Forces at the Jacobs CornellTechnion Institute on the Cornell Tech campus.

direction of Paul Merrill, another IC degree holder. This band has really come on in recent years under Merrill’s superb guidance. The band has never sounded better. Next on the stage was the always fantastic Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble that Mike Titlebaum continues to lead at the highest level. The program concluded with the Combined Summit Big Band consisting of seniors from the three institutions. Many thanks to Greg Evans, a former IC faculty member who heads up the jazz program at Binghamton University, who’s idea it was to inaugurate this fine event. It has provided many hours of enjoyment for the entire City of Ithaca. We can be so thankful and proud of the high quality of musicianship found at these three schools. Following a meeting with the Chief Financial Officer in December, CML’s research committee examined Cornell’s ties to companies involved in military attacks on Palestine. The committee then produced a comprehensive document detailing Cornell’s alleged violation of guidelines established by the Board of Trustees in 2016, which say that divestment should be considered from companies that are engaged in morally reprehensible acts, including genocide, apartheid, and systematic cruelty to children. CML argues that Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza constitute all of the above. The coalition contends that each specified weapons manufacturer directly contributes to these acts, asserting that Cornell’s investments in these companies violate the university’s stated principles and values. The statement released by CML in the weeks leading up to the meeting said, “Cornell’s financial associations with entities engaged in morally reprehensible actions are a clear violation of the university’s standards for divestment, necessitating an immediate reassessment of these connections.” As a result, the CML continues to insist that the Board of Trustees adhere to their procedures and commence the divestment process. A former Cornell student actively involved in human rights advocacy said, Contin u ed on Page 14

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times

City of Ithaca Unveils Major Stride in Green New Deal with Electrification Initiative By M att Dougherty

he City of Ithaca has an- enthusiasm for the city’s progress, saying, nounced the first phase of ’It’s a vote of confidence that communibuilding electrification proj- ty leaders, like those represented in this ects as part of its commit- cohort, take this big step in decarbonizment to following through on ing their operations, and I’m sure many the goals of the Ithaca Green New Deal will follow in their trailblazing footsteps.” Evans highlighted the (IGND). The IGND collaborative effort inwas initially passed by volving the City of Ithathe Common Council ca, BlocPower, and varin 2019 and provides ious community partan outline for the City ners. to achieve carbon neuThe electrification initrality by 2030. tiative is a significant On February 2, Ithaadvancement for the ca’s Office of Sustain“Built Environment” asability announced and pect of the IGND, as showcased a portfolio D i r e c t o r o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y f o r t h e C i t y o f It h ac a outlined in the Ithaca of 10 commercial build— Ethan Bodnaruk R e b e c c a E va n s ( P h o t o : F i l e) Green New Deal Scoreings set for full electricard. This component fication in the coming During 2023, the city focused on nonmonths, representing a noteworthy $1.9 covers all aspects of where residents live, work, and socialize, emphasizing homes, residential buildings to capitalize on a remillion investment in clean energy. Director of Sustainability for the City offices, businesses, hospitals, places of wor- cently expired incentive from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) as part of of Ithaca, Rebecca Evans, expressed her ship, schools, stores, and more.

“The City of Ithaca continues to lay the groundwork for what a successful citywide decarbonization movement looks like.”

It h ac a h a s ac h i e v e d m a n y i m p o r ta n t m i l e s t o n e s o f p r o g r e s s o n t h e I G N D s i n c e i t wa s pa s s e d i n 2 0 1 9. To r e ac h t h e g o a l o f t o ta l d e c a r b o n i z at i o n b y 2 0 3 0 , t h e c i t y i s n ow u n d e r ta k i n g t h e p r o c e s s o f e l e c t r i f y i n g a l l 6 , 0 0 0 b u i l d i n g s w i t h i n i t s g e o g r a p h i c b o u n d a r i e s . ( P h o t o : F i l e) 8 The Ithaca Times / February 7 – 13, 2024

B l o c P ow e r P r o g r a m M a n ag e r E t h a n B o d n a ru k ( P h o t o : F i l e) its NYS Clean Heat Rebate Program. This incentive facilitated the installation of heat pumps in gas-constrained areas, aligning with the city’s broader electrification goals. The financial backbone of this initiative comes from BlocPower, the designated clean technology partner working with the City of Ithaca. Over the last year, BlocPower has successfully implemented several building electrification projects and weatherization upgrades throughout the City. BlocPower program manager Ethan Bodnaruk said, “The City of Ithaca continues to lay the groundwork for what a successful city-wide decarbonization movement looks like. This movement, and the city, are crucial to inspiring other cities and jurisdictions.” One of the pivotal aspects of this electrification initiative is the substantial financial support provided to building owners. Of the $1.9 million clean energy investment, nearly $1.4 million is subsidized through eligible state and federal incentives. This translates to significant savings for building owners, covering two-thirds of the installation and upgrade costs. For the buildings where data is available, these energy upgrades are estimated to result in the avoidance of nearly 680 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, according to EPA estimates.

The Ithaca Green New Deal, represent- involves Community Choice Aggregation ing the city’s commitment to addressing cli- (CCA), which involves residents purchasmate change, social injustice, and economic ing energy in bulk to lower energy pricinequality, strives for carbon neutrality and es. Ultimately, CCA aims to create a local climate justice by 2030. Notable achieve- micro-grid that powers the community ments include the adoption of the Ithaca En- through carbon-free energy. However, Evans has said that progress ergy Code Supplement, mandating net-zero on CCA has been stalled energy requirements for as the community is “waall new buildings by iting on regulatory pro2026, and launching the cesses that are managed Electrify Ithaca program. by the state…so we’re in In addition to the a little bit of a holding electrification initiative, period for now for that the IGND has completprogram.” Despite the ed comprehensive gresetback, Evans expresenhouse gas inventories, — Rebecca Evans sed optimism that once capturing the entire lifeCCA is launched, it will cycle of methane and emissions from the electric grid. Evans said substantially reduce emissions. When asked about how emissions are the City hired sustainability planner Savanmeasured, Evans explained a straightfornah Vega to lead this initiative. As the city enters the six-year mark from ward calculation. By converting energy its 2030 deadline, Evans said, “2030 feels use data, whether from vehicle miles travcloser and closer every day, and I’m start- eled, natural gas burned for heating, or electricity use, into metric tons of carbon ing to feel the heat on my feet.” Evans emphasized the importance of dioxide equivalents, the city can quanticompleting the Climate Action Plan, which fy its carbon footprint. This method prolays out existing conditions, drivers of cli- vides a comprehensive understanding of mate change, and mitigation strategies. greenhouse gas emissions beyond just According to Evans, “It outlines how to carbon. Evans explainachieve and successfully implement those strategies.” The plan is anticipated to come ed why the year before the committee and council within 2030 was set as the next two months, providing a roadmap the target year for carbon neutrality. for achieving carbon neutrality. Another pivotal aspect of Ithaca’s strat- She referenced the egy for significant emissions reductions 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, highlighting the global need for immediate action. The report emphasized the critical nature of keeping global temperature rise under 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid severe consequences. In that report, 2030 was identified as the decisive year for significant emissions cuts. According to Evans, “The United Nations’ Coalition on climate change put out a report that…said that we need to keep the global temperature rise under one and a half degrees Celsius [by 2030] or we’re going to be facing some scary consequences all over the world.” Evans also touched upon the concept of climate justice, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the benefits of cliTh e G i m m e C o f f e e b u i l d i n g l o c at e d o n 5 0 6 We s t S tat e S t r e e t mate action are shared equitably across i n d ow n t ow n It h ac a i s o n e o f t h e e l e v e n p r o p e r t i e s all communities. The city’s plan, Justice 50, s e l e c t e d f o r e l e c t r i f i c at i o n . ( P h o t o : F i l e) prioritizes underserved communities, and

The names and locations of the commercial buildings selected for electrification exemplify the diversity of the initiative: 1. Gimme Coffee, 506 W. State St. (café and roastery) 2. Significant Elements, 212 Center St. (nonprofit architectural warehouse) 3. Historic Ithaca, 210 Center St. (nonprofit cultural organization) 4. Ithaca Piercing & Tattoo, 120 S. Cayuga St. (retail) 5. First Baptist Church, 309 N. Cayuga St. (place of worship) 6. St. James AME, 116 Cleveland Ave. (place of worship) 7. Lifelong Senior Center, 119 W. Court St. (nonprofit) 8. Aeroplane Factory, 120 Brindley Street (office spaces) 9. Circus Culture, 123 W State Street (cultural organization) 10. Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant Administrative Building, 525 Third St. (municipal building) 11. Petrune and Home Green Home, 126-128 E State St (retail) Evans emphasized the city’s collective efforts in laying a foundation for the electrification program and highlighted the tangible results of this initiative. She stated, “Electrify Ithaca has come a long way since 2022, and we’re finally seeing the results of the hard payoff.” Evans credited the collaboration with BlocPower and numerous community partners for the success, underscoring their dedication to building a sustainable future for Ithaca.

“2030 feels closer and closer every day, and I’m starting to feel the heat on my feet.”

Evans encouraged community involvement to advocate for these populations. Additionally, Evans said, “Within our Justice 50 plan, it also prioritizes direct financial investment in those communities.” According to the Ithaca Green New Deal scorecard, “The City has committed to direct a minimum of 50% of IGND funds invested to Climate Justice communities.” However, the scorecard indicates that Justice 50 is currently “stalled” because “the City has not achieved the second subgoal to establish Justice50 Implementation Guidelines. These guidelines will determine how the City will ensure that 50% of IGND investment is directed to Climate Justice Communities.” Addressing the broader community, Evans highlighted the need to normalize conversations around climate change. Rather than prescribing individual actions as the solution to this global issue, the focus should be on identifying the most significant contributing factor and working to address it. “There’s no prescription of how to mitigate climate change,” Evans said, “It’s more of how do we bring the climate conversation to the dinner table? How do we make this a regular conversation so it’s not about something scary and depressing.” In addition, Evans said that by translating existing passions and skills into climate work, everyone can contribute to the broader goal of saving the environment. “It’s more of a translation of what you already — Rebecca Evans care about into a new or different context,” Evans said. The City of Ithaca is making progress on its ambitious Green New Deal initiatives, and these electrification projects stand as a testament to the city’s commitment to creating a sustainable community. The progress made in electrifying these commercial buildings not only reduces carbon emissions but also sets a precedent for other cities and jurisdictions to follow in the pursuit of a greener future. As Ithaca strives for carbon neutrality by 2030, the City is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable practices, contributing to the broader global effort to combat climate change.

“The United Nations’ Coalition on climate change put out a report that…said that we need to keep the global temperature rise under one and a half degrees Celsius [by 2030] or we’re going to be facing some scary consequences all over the world.”

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times

Personal Health

Guthrie Health Clinic Expands OB/GYN Services into Ithaca By Mat t D oug he r t y

o address the increasing healthcare demands in the region, the Guthrie Clinic has expanded its OB/GYN services into Ithaca. The move follows the successful launch of an OB/GYN Clinic in Cortland in the fall of 2022. Guthrie’s Cortland location identified a need to extend its reach further to accommodate the growing patient load, with women from Tompkins County being among those seeking care. Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair at The Guthrie Clinic, J. Manuel Arreguin, emphasized the organization’s dedication to identifying gaps in healthcare coverage and promptly filling them. “Our ongoing assessments confirmed that women in Ithaca and Tompkins County were search-

ing for additional options for care close to home, so we took quick action to open an office in Ithaca to meet our patients where they are,” Arreguin said. The expansion comes as a response to the community’s demand for accessible and comprehensive women’s health services. Guthrie recognizes the importance of providing localized care, and the decision to open an office in Ithaca aligns with its commitment to bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring that patients have convenient access to essential services. Effective immediately, certified midwives from the Cortland Clinic will be extending their services to Guthrie Ithaca City Harbor. This expansion brings a range of crucial healthcare offerings closer to residents, covering women’s health, gyne-

cological procedures, maternity care, prenatal care, family planning, infertility services, menopause support, and contraceptive management. Arreguin continued by saying that this expansion will address the specific healthcare needs of women in Ithaca and Tompkins County. “Our priority is to ensure that our patients receive the care they need in a timely and accessible manner,” Arreguin said. He added, “By bringing certified midwives to Guthrie Ithaca City Harbor, we aim to enhance the range of services available locally and provide comprehensive support for women at every stage of life.” Jessica Allison (left) and Tara Fitzgerald (right) are two certified midwives who work out of Certified midwives are wellGuthrie’s Ithaca office. (Photo: Provided) positioned to play a vital role in offering personalized care and support to women. Their expertise ning, infertility treatments, menopause covers various aspects of women’s health, management, and contraceptive counselmaking them valuable contributors to ing. the expanded services now available in To schedule appointments at Guthrie Ithaca City Harbor, individuals can reach Ithaca. Patients can benefit from their out by calling 1-866-GUTHRIE or proficiency in gynecological procedures, maternity and prenatal care, family plan607-753-1340.

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Heart Healthy Reasons to get your Hearing Checked in 2024 By Christine Linnenbach, Au.D. Most hearing loss occurs gradually - so much so that many people don’t realize how much they are missing. If your hearing abilities have changed, chances are your family, friends, and certainly your partner, notice it every single day! Hearing is critical to effective communication, and communication is key to healthy relationships. Makes sense, right? Because of the way it builds communication barriers, and even isolates those afflicted, hearing loss can have negative effects on those closest to us and can create tremendous strain in an otherwise loving relationship. And it’s not just relational and emotional health that we should be aware of. Research has associated hearing loss with numerous other physical, mental, and emotional health conditions. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, cause 17.3 million deaths each year. Our ears, supersensitive to blood �ow, act as silent alarms for potential issues. The inner ear is so sensitive that it is possible that abnormalities in the cardiovascular system such as inadequate blood �ow and trauma to the blood vessels of the inner ear, could be noted here earlier than in other, less sensitive parts of the body. Conversely, studies show that a healthy cardiovascular system – a person’s heart, arteries, and veins – has a positive effect on hearing. In fact, the evidence showing a link between cardiovascular and hearing health is so compelling that some experts have said the ears may be a window to the heart. In one study, cardiovascular disease was primarily associated with worsened low-frequency hearing and with accelerated hearing loss. In another, coronary artery disease was associated with hearing loss at all frequencies. Individuals with heart disease are eight times more likely to experience hearing loss, suggesting that monitoring your hearing health could be an unexpected ally in maintaining heart health.

W h a t co u l d t h i s m e a n ? Tre a t i n g u n d e r l y i n g cardiovascular disease may prevent or slow the progression of hearing loss, and conversely, hearing loss may suggest an underlying cardiovascular disease. That is why preventive screenings are key. And because the jury is still out on exactly why there is a connection and which comes �rst, it behooves those age 55 and older to get their hearing tested as a routine part of their medical care. Also understanding that healthier lifestyle choices can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health, like diet and exercise that can impact diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and of course quitting smoking, could have positive results for the associated hearing loss. But it’s not all bad news! Advances in the technology inside of today’s prescriptive hearing solutions can improve not just social connections and emotional well-being, but also cognitive function and physical health. And that is an important distinction. You don’t have to suffer in silence. If you, or someone close, are experiencing hearing difficulties, or are due for your annual hearing checkup, contact one of our offices today! Timeless Hearing (Ithaca, NY): (607) 327-4711 Cortland Hearing Aids (Cortland, NY): (607) 327-4712 Southern Tier Audiology (Elmira, NY): (607) 327-4714 Tri-City Hearing (Vestal, NY): (607) 327-4713 Christine Linnenbach, Au.D. joined Timeless Hearing in 2023. She received her Bachelor's in Communication Disorders and Sciences from SUNY Plattsburgh (2018) and her Clinical Doctorate of Audiology from Syracuse University (2022). She can be reached in our Ithaca office at (607) 327-4711. Source: Better Hearing Institute

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times

Sports

Cold Comfort Swimmer’s Polar Plunges Raise Funds, Awareness By Ste ve L aw re nc e

hen I learned that Ithacan Gary Cremeens jumped into Lake Ontario over the weekend — and will jump into Lake Michigan early in March and into Cayuga Lake later in the month — I had to find out why. “These Polar Plunge events,” Cremeens told me, “are fundraisers for Special Olympics NY, and the amount of enthusiasm present, and the positivity people experience is so contagious.” Cremeens shared that he is so passionate about raising money for Special Olympics, because “it creates many opportunities, and fosters so much inclusivity,” and he offered, “It’s not just me asking for donations, it really does make a difference.” Cremeens shared a sweet moment from last weekend’s Special Olympics fundraiser, saying, “One of the athletes approached

me and said, ‘You’re the big guy that runs marathons!’” Gary’s response: “Not as much as you inspire me! His desire to help others reach their potential and maximize their experience might stem from the fact that he has reinvented himself. Despite once weighing in at a quarter of a ton — literally — Cremeens is preparing for his fifth marathon. He now puts a lot of energy into bringing people together for the greater good (he has played a big role in growing the First Day Hike at Taughannock Falls from a handful of participants at the initial event several years ago to drawing over 2,000 last month).” Of the Polar Plunge events, Cremeens said, “You get to connect with people that bring extreme enthusiasm to this.” The common belief, he added, is that “It’s not about us.” It’s about “a lot of like-minded people,” who believe that together, they

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can make a difference. Using a nautical metaphor — appropriate for a man who just jumped into Lake Ontario — Gary said, “If a ship moves just two inches, that’s better than zero inches.” The Ithaca Polar Plunge will be held on March 23, and Cremeens shared this on his personal fund-raising page: “Help me reach my fund-raising goal as I take the plunge for Special Olympics NY. Your donations mean more now than ever before. Your support will directly affect the ability for the athletes of Special Olympics NY to participate in training, activities, and competitions at no cost to them or their caregivers.” For more details, visit www.nyso.org It was nice to see an athlete with local ties listed in Gary Cremeens, when he’s not running marathons dives into icy waters in Ithaca and beyond. the field for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials last weekend at the Carmel Marathon (which was only Parley Hannan — one of Ithaca Col7 seconds slower than her personal best lege’s most dominant athletes over the of 2:33.36). On Sunday, she finished in past decade (or more) — is a member of 2:35:13, which did not qualify her for the the Bombers’ class of ’21. She won three Olympics, but put her in the top third of national titles in cross country and track, the field. and her career was shortened when the Congrats to the Ithaca High girl’s Covid pandemic resulted in the cancelvarsity ice hockey team for making it to lation of the season when Hannan was at the playoffs in the program’s first year back the top of her game. She made the news again recently when after not putting a team on the ice last year. The program’s future looks bright, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Marathon Trials, which were held on Sun- and there is still some hockey action to come as the Little Red boys are gearing up day. Parley qualified for the Trials nearly a to make a deep playoff run. year ago, when she cranked out a 2:33.43 HOUSING PROJECT contin u ed from page 3

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Despite an Ongoing War, the National Orchestra of Ukraine is Visiting Ithaca Saturday on Its Tour of the United States By Peter Rothbart

It has been a challenge bringing 80 musicians out of Ukraine to Ithaca and around the US.

hen the National Orchestra of Ukraine began its current tour of the United States, it faced the usual logistical problems of moving 80 or more musicians from country to country, city to city. Everyone needs a passport and visa (from Ukraine). Flights, ground transportation, lodging and food must be secured at each stop on the tour. Fragile and valuable instruments (think string basses as well as violins and oboes) must be packed, carted, unpacked, and acclimatized. Add in the fact that the orchestra is traveling from an active war zone, where transportation can be life threatening and rehearsals and concerts are continually interrupted by air raid sirens and bombs. Audience attendance in the orchestra’s home, Lysenko Column Hall in Kyiv is limited by the hall’s bomb shelter’s capacity. Several regular orchestra members have left to serve in the armed forces defending the country and its cultural heritage. Everyone knows someone who has died or is fighting. Alexander Hornostai, the NSOU’s managing director has said, “Whilst this war has had a dramatic impact on Ukrainian lives, we took the decision early on that we had an important role to play in continuing to perform, in order to protect and showcase Ukrainian musical culture and show that there is more to our country than just the conflict.” Additionally, programming in which the musical selections can be interpreted as carrying ideological or political connotations guarantees an extra-musical significance that adds gravitas and fervor to the perfor-

mance which influences in turn, concert goers. Saturday afternoon’s upcoming Cornell University Concert Series performance by the long-esteemed National Orchestra of Ukraine under the direction of GRAMMY Award-winning conductor Volodymyr Sirenko promises to be a profound statement of resiliency and enduring humanity, despite the political zeitgeist that surrounds their performance. Despite the myriad of worries, the music produced promises to be exhilarating. The orchestra, founded in 1918 as the Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra (just after another European war as well as the Russian Revolution) is one of the most recorded in Eastern Europe. They may not be as well known in the United States as western European orchestras, but Sirenko has led the ensemble along with such major artists as Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Artur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, David Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, and even Andrea Bocelli. The opening work, “Sinfonia Concertante in Bb Major” by Dmitry Bortniansky reflects the geopolitical ambiguity of the Russia-Ukraine relationship. Born in Ukraine of Cossack parents, Bortniansky was educated in Russia, then Italy and had a successful career in Russia. He left a large legacy of Eastern Orthodox liturgical music, much of it heavily influenced by the contrapuntal style of Palestrina. Still, the orchestra claims him as their own. Franz Josef Haydn was neither Ukrainian nor Russian, but cellist Natalia Khoma, the only Ukrainian musician to have medaled at the renowned International Tchaikovsky

Competition (held in Russia), will perform his “Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major.” Among her other international accolades and awards, including from the Budapest Pablo Casals International Competition, Khoma has a local connection, having served in 2011 as the Artistic Advisor and Program Coordinator of the Music and Art Center of Greene County, New York. Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’s “Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52” rounds out the program. Many consider it a transitional work as Sibelius moved from a Romantic to Classical phase. The three-movement work is short and more lighthearted than his first two symphonies. Still, the work is Nordic as is Sibelius’s nature, perhaps shining a bit of northern musical light on an orchestra performing with a renewed purpose but under duress. Peter Rothbart is a Professor Emeritus of Music at the Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre and Dance where he taught electroacoustic and media music for 40 years. He remains active as a classical, jazz and pop musician.

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine Saturday, February 10, 3:00 p.m., Bailey Hall, Cornell University. Ticket prices range from $17 for Cornell students and $19 for general public students to between $39 to 54 for general public adults. https://vivenu.com/event/national-symphony-orchestraof-ukraine-gzfrbd

Arts&Entertainment

NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times

Cinema

Poor Things Reminiscent of Frankenstein but Who is the Monster? By C athy L e e Crane

oor Things has been lurking in theatres since November, it won a couple Golden Globes, and has now been nominated for 11 Oscars. It’s the kind of film that really should be seen on the big screen for its relentless cinematic tricks put us squarely in the Gothic past in a glorious return to cinema as preverbal language. In fact, language and its mysteries frame the entire journey of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) from syllabic

Poor Things Rated R starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Margaret Qualley, Willem Dafoem Ramy Youssef currently playing at Regal Ithaca Mall 40 Catherwood Road, Ithaca

utterances to matters of fact, language whose apparent lack of nuance calls forth its metaphoric absences in what makes the film humorous. The first words take a while to come. In fact, the first utterance gives voice not to words but to a bubble of digestion. We are inducted into the film’s Frankenstein echo chamber almost immediately through the laboratory and its scientist godhead named Godwin. The Doctor, a eunuch played by Willem Dafoe, has a face we are asked to study at some length, a scar freeway made from an overlapping lower lip before spanning the cheekbones with off-ramps of deep lines. Who could have thought that face could be made even stranger, and ironically, increasingly familiar. These kinds of twists litter the film’s visual world, designed to take its viewers on a train through discoveries of cinematic perception.

To be freed from the laboratory, Bella must first go outside which starts on the roof, moves by carriage, involves embarking with lawyer Duncan (Mark Ruffalo) to Lisbon, then onto a kidnapping by ship to Alexandria. Duncan insists their journey is designed to free her from the legal binding he himself drafted for the doctor’s approved mate, the lab assistant. But Bella doesn’t need the Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things. (Photo: Provided) law to free her from the kind doctor, for she herself the wealthy will never be enough to offset possesses will and can therefore “plot her a world built on the inequity of wealth. The course to freedom.” Don’t be too quick only solution is “to be the means of one’s to think this film a feminist anthem. The own production” which for Bella means question running throughout this film whoring; what one could argue Yargos is persists: who is the monster? The baby in himself up to. Sample the tart in one bite. the womb, the scientist, the lawyer, the Emma Stone is no Hanna Schygulla creature herself: Bella, or perhaps polite and Yorgos is no Fassbinder. It will not society which will be declared as that be enough to strip the façade from civil which “will destroy us.” society. We learned the emperor has no The stories from Yorgos Lanthimos are clothes at least as late as the 1980s. The a form of shock therapy. His audacity is to argument has been made before that surprise us which does not mean that the obscenity is clear in the conventions of film does not partake in the mixed and civilization itself. What to do when what’s heady brew of all the monsters described left of the corpse of these conventions is here as lies: capitalism, socialism, religion. consumption as such; like eating and buyAll will arrive intact as deliberate declaing and belching. This film is a consumer’s rations of a philosophy of ethics on the paradise of visual stimulation, a pleasure ship’s foredeck after we meet Martha and while riding the rail of disgust, for science, her companion Harry. The former played and ultimately mortality revolves around in cameo by Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s the flesh we can barely live with. Like the muse, Hanna Schygulla. story she will be told about her fictional On the stop to Alexandria, it is Harry parents “live past the boundaries of what who shows Bella how the world really is: is known.” Or as her first husband comes dead babies in the scorching heat; roped, robbed, raped. Her first idea is to give Dun- to realize “talk and talk until nothing is left but to pull a gun.” can’s money to the poor. But the excess of CORNELL STUDENT ASSEMBLY contin u ed from page 7

“Cornell’s handling of this situation will set a precedent for how academic institutions respond to calls for divestment and ethical considerations in their financial engagements.” Advocates of Resolution 51 insist that Cornell’s precedent for divestment was set in 2006 when the university divested from Sudan in response to the Darfur genocide. Even though the Student Assembly voted 14-4 against Resolution 51, the CML is continuing to urge Cornell to choose 14 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / F e b r u a r y 7 – 1 3 , 2 0 2 4

between remaining complicit in what it terms “unconditional U.S. support for the genocide of the Palestinian people” or establishing itself as a leader among elite educational institutions. Still, with the passage of the “compromise” Resolution 50, the newly established ESG committee will conduct further research on Cornell’s investments and make divestment recommendations to the Board of Trustees, which the President of the Student Assembly will present at a later date that has yet to be determined. The names of individuals in this story have been withheld to protect them from any form of doxxing, targeting, or harassment.

Theatre

Clyde’s Heat and Spice on the Menu in Syracuse Dramedy By Barbara Ad am s

he kitchen of a truck-stop diner outside Reading, Pennsylvania, where four ex-cons are trying to eke out a living and some meaning, despite constant abuse from their tyrannical boss. That’s the setting of Lynn Nottage’s “Clyde’s,” currently featured in Syracuse Stage’s 50th anniversary season. (The show is creatively co-produced with Portland Center Stage in Oregon, where it will run this June.) This riotous yet painful comedy — the most-produced play in the 2022-23 U.S. theater season — presents a multicultural crew of service workers, all former felons. Nottage, the only woman to twice win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama — for “Ruined” (2009) and “Sweat” (2017) — is drawn to the stories of working people: “In all my plays, I’m trying to figure how someone who feels marginalized, invisible, can at the same time be powerful and selfpossessed.” (Nottage is further quoted in the program, which at Syracuse, is always a rich publication. This one also includes information on Project Mend, a writing enterprise with formerly incarcerated people in the area.) In Syracuse’s production of “Clyde’s,” director Chip Miller has expertly marshalled a talented cast and fine designers. Britton Mauk’s kitchen is functional and bleak, hinting at the workers’ sense of imprisonment. But the flashy neon and faded painted signs screaming “Clyde’s” above them add color and life, as does Marika Kent’s hot lighting design, which at times reminds us that being trapped is simply hell. But before we encounter the metaphors, we meet the workers. There’s lively, excitable, romantic Rafael (a hilarious Pascal Arquimedes), who’s crushing on

“Clyde’s,” written by Lynn Nottage. Directed by Chip Miller; co-produced with Portland Center Stage. Syracuse Stage 820 E Genesee St, Syracuse. Through Feb. 18. Tickets at www.syracusestage.org/ or 315-443-3275.

Letitia (Tish), a 29-year-old mom who’s equally upbeat and vibrant (a sparkling Lauren Steele). Their food prep routine (and Latino cultural ease) is altered with the arrival of a new hire, Jason (a nuanced Orion Bradshaw), a dubious white dude with white supremacist tattoos. Not surprisingly, he’s given a hard time as the outsider. The dynamic changes once again with the presence of Montrellous, a large man who calmly towers over them all. In non-diner mentality (unless you count The Bear), he’s focused on food as art and self-expression, a way to transcend the mundane. Steadily, over the course of the play, his outlook affects all the other cooks, who each seeks to perfect the ultimate sandwich. Rafael fittingly describes Montrellous as a kind of “Buddha, if he’d grown up in the hood” — this peaceful giant exists on another plane. He’s played with intense presence by Setareki Wainiqolo, whose Fijian given name aptly means “pure in heart.” Jason is gradually accepted into the kitchen community, and each worker shares the story of their past mistakes. Within their limited options and frustrated efforts, each moves haltingly toward a kind of renewal, autonomy, and personal freedom. Their personalities and situations are compelling and honest, and our sympathies are enlisted from the start. But their slow progress is thwarted repeatedly by Clyde, the Black woman who owns the diner. She’s tall, commanding, and fierce, and the endless order slips she delivers are accompanied by her taunts, insults, and rage. Tellingly, Clyde never eats, spurning their offerings and hurling the food to the floor. She’s humorless, only deriving a sadistic pleasure in humiliating others. In total darkness herself, Clyde asserts her control and dashes their hopes. Tall and buxom, she’s played by Andrea Vernae as a seething dominatrix, at each entry sporting a garish new outfit — flashy, skin-tight, and hyper-sexualized. Clyde is clearly spending her profits on tacky glamour (courtesy of Dominique Fawn Hill’s costumes and Dylinn Andrew’s wigs). The play moves forward in a series of mini-conflicts, with Clyde blocking the

cooks’ small pleasures and progress again and again. Their thirst for freedom and a shred of dignity pushes to an inevitable conclusion, and in the final moments, when all hell breaks loose, there’s no doubt that Clyde is both devil and damned soul. As in “Sweat,” set among factory workers, Nottage focuses here on social, racial, and economic Setareki Wainiqolo and Andrea Vernae in the Syracuse Stage production of “Clyde’s,” on stage through February 18. inequities in the (Photo by Michael Davis, courtesy of Syracuse Stage) workforce. Her five characters are all believable, but at moments the tale with the understanding that while society itself feels too close to a morality play. And may unfairly entrap us, we’re still capable the ultimate mood is gloomy. We’ve easily of entrapping — or freeing — others. grown fond of the cookstaff, but Clyde remains disturbing, her presence both Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts comical and punishing. Perhaps we’re left writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College.

February 7 – 13, 2024 / The Ithaca Times