City Officials Discuss Air Conditioning Regulations for Rental Units
By Grace “Gray” Reed
As temperatures rise, some city officials, including Director of Sustainability Rebecca Evans, have concerns about the lack of air conditioning and temperature regulation in some rental units across the city, with many lease clauses banning the installation of portable air conditioners by tenants.
The City’s Sustainability and Climate Justice Commission opened discussion regarding Ithaca’s air conditioning policy in rental units at their meeting on Aug. 12 after Evans raised concerns over the current guidelines.
Tenants residing in Tompkins County currently do not have the explicit right to air conditioning in their units, with many leases going as far as to ban the use of portable units even if they are purchased by the resident themself, according to Evans. Eviction due to a violation of such clauses is a protected right of a landlord under the recently passed Good Cause Eviction legislation.
Evans initiated conversation on the matter due to concern about rising average temperatures in the area, citing recent heat waves and air quality issues experienced from last summer’s Canadian wildfires as reasons for addressing the current policy.
Two pathways were proposed to potentially address the situation: require landlords to provide air conditioning units in their rental properties or ban lease clauses prohibiting the units. No vote was held on the matter, with commission members only discussing the benefits and downsides of action as well as raising any questions or concerns.
Potential benefits to requiring landlords
THE WEB
to provide units in their rental properties include public health improvements — especially among those with chronic health issues and the elderly — and possibly moving people closer to heat pumps, which use less energy and are overall two to three times more efficient than a majority of fossil fuel-based heat systems.
There are however concerns that a requirement or ban may impose cost burdens for landlords, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, potential stress on the grid and a possible rent increase on the units affected.
If the city banned lease clauses that prohibit air conditioning units, Evans said there could be a similar marginal increase in public health among those who can
T ake n ote
afford the units and marginal electricity load increases. Downsides included cost burdens for tenants, the affordability of the units, a possible increase in rent and the likelihood of insufficient units. When opened to discussion some members of the commission admitted to not having previously heard of the issue, prompting suggestions of collecting data about medical services that have been required as a result of extreme heat. Others noted safety concerns over whether some older structures would be able to handle the addition of the units as well as suggestions of examining alternatives to find the most eco-friendly solution.
Continued on Page 10
X Tompkins Learning Partners Announces Twelfth Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition
Ithaca, N.Y. — Another Ithaca tradition that the pandemic couldn’t even slow down: Our Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition is back again, and, as with last’s year’s event and before the pandemic, the FLCC will be held solely in person. From 1-4 PM, on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, we will again meet in the Boynton Middle School Cafeteria to compete with our friends, neighbors and other crossword enthusiasts in support of Tompkins Learning Partners. We are very proud to dedicate this year’s event to Dave Smith, who is retiring after 25 years as TLP’s Executive Director. This is a much
earned recognition and appreciation of his leadership, guidance, and friendship. Under Dave’s leadership, TLP has grown and greatly expanded its mission to help adults who live or work in Tompkins County meet their personal goals, free of charge, by improving their ability to read, write, speak English, and use math and computers If you’ve played with us before, you’ve been notified by email that the website is live and registration is open. If you are not already on the crossword mailing list and would like more information or to register, go to CrosswordCompetition.com.
F r EE lan CE rs : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, and Arthur Whitman
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(1972–1978) and The
Currently, landlords in Ithaca have the right to ban tenants from using portable air conditioning units in their buildings. The city is considering an ordinance that would either require landlords to provide air conditioning, or ban lease clauses prohibiting air conditioning units. (Photo: Matt Dougherty)
PHOTOGR
By Mark Syvertson
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: WHAT BACK-TO-SCHOOL ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS?
“Be nice to your friends even if they fight with you.” – Ellie
“Read
“Try
Ithaca Common Council Explores Ranked Choice Voting, Open Primaries After Petition Falls Short
By Matt Dougherty
The Ithaca Common Council is considering major changes to the city’s election process, including the potential adoption of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and open primaries. The discussion follows the submission of a citizen-led petition that, despite receiving more than double the required number of signatures, was procedurally unable to be certified.
During a recent council meeting, City Clerk Alan Karasin explained that the petition failed to meet certification requirements under New York State’s Municipal Home Rule Law. While the petition included necessary elements like proper service, valid signatures, and clear legislative language, it lacked crucial information regarding the financial implications of implementing the proposed changes.
“The missing piece here is the financial impact,” Karasin said. “Ranked Choice Voting would require changes in voting equipment, training, counting methodologies, and staffing. Because the petition did not address how these costs would be covered, I could not certify it.”
Ranked Choice Voting is an electoral system in which voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. If a candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, they are declared the winner. If no candidate secures a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes for that candidate are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on voter preferences. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority.
On the other hand, open primaries allow voters to participate in any party’s primary election regardless of their party affiliation. This contrasts with closed primaries, where only registered party members can vote in their respective party’s primary. The petitioners proposed a form of open primaries that would involve an all-candidate primary, where all candidates, regardless of party, compete in a single primary, and the top candidates advance to the general election.
The campaign behind the petition was spearheaded by a group of local independent and centrist political advocates. Their goal was to increase political participation and competition in Ithaca politics, which has been dominated by the Democratic
Party for decades.
“In 70 out of 78 elections for city office in the last 20 years, only a quarter were contested by anyone at all,” said Tom Clavel, one of the organizers behind the campaign. “We want to see more candidates and more voter engagement.”
Council members expressed a mix of support and skepticism regarding both ranked-choice voting and open primaries.
Alderperson Patrick Kuehl, who signed the petition, voiced strong support for the measures. “I am in favor of Ranked Choice Voting as well as numerous other changes to our elections in the city of Ithaca. It would be wise to explore a legislative path forward to address these concerns at the city level,” Kuehl said.
Alderperson David Shapiro echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of exploring all possible options. “Given that there is substantial public support—over 800 people signed this petition—we owe it to our constituents to consider Ranked Choice Voting. However, we should also investigate open primaries, as they represent a significant shift in how we conduct elections,” Shapiro noted.
However, not all council members were entirely on board. Alderperson Ducson Nguyen pointed out the potential pitfalls of open primaries. “I want to make a distinction here. Open primaries, where any voter can vote in any party’s primary, could have unintended consequences, such as members of one party influencing the primary of another. I’m more open to exploring an all-candidate primary system, where the top candidates advance to the general election,” Nguyen said.
City Attorney Victor Kessler further complicated the matter by noting that while Ranked Choice Voting is feasible under New York State law — since New York City has already implemented it — open primaries might pose more significant challenges. “Ranked Choice Voting is definitely doable. However, open primaries would require more research to determine whether they align with New York State election law,” Kessler explained.
Alderperson Margaret Fabrizio, while supportive of exploring the proposals, questioned the practicality of Ranked Choice Voting in Ithaca’s local elections. “We rarely have more than two candidates running in any given ward. While I support the concept of Ranked Choice Voting, we need to consider how it would play out in our local context,” Fabrizio said. She also stressed the importance of considering the 30% of Ithaca voters who are unaffiliated with any political party, many of whom are currently unable to vote in primaries.
Alderperson Tiffany Kumar added, “Given that the deadline has passed for implementing this in the current election cycle, we have the luxury of time to thoroughly research and consider these changes. It’s essential to take our time and ensure that any new system we adopt is well thought out and benefits all Ithaca residents.”
Recognizing the need for further exploration, Mayor Robert Cantelmo proposed creating a working group to gather more information about the potential change in Ithaca’s electoral process. “It is clear that there is interest in moving forward, but we need to be process-oriented and ensure that we have ample time for public engagement and education.” Cantelmo added that he plans to propose the formation of a working group during the September meeting to explore the possibility of implementing Ranked Choice Voting and potentially open primaries.
In a previous statement to the Ithaca Times, Cantelmo said, “From an institutional perspective, ranked choice voting has
“Find something you like about your classroom.”
John
as many books as possible.”
Enzley
to have fun with your friends and be prepared for class.”
Cole
“If you put a hot, wet towel on your forehead, you can fake a fever.”
Charles
The City of Ithaca’s Common Council will be voting to create a working group at their September meeting to further study how adopting Ranked Choice Voting and Open Primaries could impact local elections in Ithaca. (Photo: Tompkins County/Provided)
The Talk at
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RE: Remembering Al Gantert
“Mr. Lawrence, thank you for honoring my long-time neighbor and friend, "Mr. G." He was a dynamic character, full of life, energy, and spirit.
When I moved in next door, he was delighted that he had another motorcyclist in the area, and I had the privilege of riding some of those machines in his everrotating collection.
He was a constant presence at our various holiday gatherings, usually filled with fellow motorcycle riders, all of us a bit younger, who were enthralled with his stories of being on the road.
It’s somewhat ironic and bittersweet that I was speaking to him just a few hours before he headed west on his usual summer trip, and we had planned to have a group ride on his return. He extolled the virtues of that BMW and wanted me to test ride it, as long as he got to take my sport tourer for a spin as well.
His occasional gruff demeanor was
always softened when he asked about my daughter and how she was doing in swimming, high school, college, and grad school. This same kindness was expressed when I lost both of my parents, who he had met at one of those gatherings just a few months apart. He would attend the summer series at Myer's Park when my band played, and he would just walk up at the end of the show, smile, wave and ride on.
I will miss the crunch of the gravel in my driveway as he rolled in to say a "quick" hello, that we knew would turn into a much longer conversation due to the AGDF (Al Ganter Delay Factor).
Ride on to clear skies and windy vistas, Mr. G. You will be missed.” — Ro-Ro
“Thank you Steve for such a beautiful and well written tribute to my best friend, Al. I live in Prescott , Arizona which was Al’s winter and summer destination. Summers he’d ride one of the motorcycles out here and winter it was the truck. I actually rode out from Ithaca one summer, across the country with him on our bikes. It was an epic trip!
I visited him many times in Ithaca. We would take the bikes and ride all over the beautiful north eastern countryside. Great adventures. On some of his westbound rides I would meet him in Colorado. We visited so many amazing places there. Quaint little mountain towns, hot springs,
the amazing rocky mountain roads. Al had done this so many times that he knew all the cool places: fantastic hikes, where to stay and all the great restaurants. He was the ultimate tour guide.
But there was so much more to Al than just motorcycling. He managed a career at Cornell for 41 years. He was instrumental in building the Equestrian Center and the Sailing Center. He was an amazing athlete having taught Triathlon and participating in over 100 of these grueling endeavors.
There is so much more I could say about this unique individual, but it would take volumes. So let me just say thank you, Al, for sharing all those wander and exciting adventures I never would have done had it not been for you. And thanks for all the wisdom and and wonderful conversation we had, from Buddhism to Quantum Physics. You were bigger than life. All of you many friends here in Prescott are in shock as to your passing. Take care my friend.” — Jeffery Weisel
RE: UAW Strike at Cornell
**Note: The Ithaca Times does not endorse the illegal union busting activity advocated for by some in this comment section**
“At the democratic convention Shawn Fain spoke of the strike by UAW local 2300; exposing Cornell to the rest of the country as the bad corporate actor that we here in Ithaca know it to be.
Cornell Must Pay. Pay up to the essential workers who keep the school running, pay them a living wage. Further, pay Fare Share to the city that hosts you, your reputation depends on it.
Continuing on the course you've been on is bad for business, bad for your employees, bad for the students and bad for the citizens of Ithaca.
Sooner or later Cornell Must Pay.” — Lee Rogers
“If you think you’re being underpaid then just find someone else to hire you who will pay you more. No person or thing is forcing these folks to work for Cornell. Maybe these protesters will end up with no job if Cornell just fires them all. Remember what happened to Ithaca Starbucks employees who unionized?” — Richard Ballantyne
“Cornell’s VP of HR also sent a message to Cornell retirees, asking them to "help out" by crossing the picket line to work on a temporary basis. This is disgusting behavior. Why yes, I WOULD like to scab and undermine other members of the Cornell community! She should be ashamed.” — Jeff Truelsen
“Richard Ballantyne — Starbucks is facing legal action over their illegal firing of union organizers and the punitive closing of the Ithaca locations. Why are you holding their actions up as an example? Do you support businesses breaking the law?” — Jeff Truelsen
“People and organizations face legal action all the time. That doesn't mean they're guilty. Has there been a court ruling in the Starbucks case? Just because someone is convicted doesn’t mean they're guilty or bad. Innocent people sometimes get wrongfully convicted. Not every law is good, just, and fair. Certain laws still on the books should be repealed. By the way, you become and employer when you hire someone to cut your hair. Imagine if the government forced you to hire a really bad overpriced barber to cut your hair who always complained that you didn’t shampoo it properly that morning, threatened to sue you if you wanted to switch to a different barber, or force you to use a variety of expensive hair products in your own hair. Why is it not OK to force employees, but totally OK to force employers? Keep electing politicians who oppress employers and watch how much faster those employers outsource operations overseas in more friendly jurisdictions. Watch them also replace USA and NY based human employees with systems like AI, kiosks, automation, robots, and other human labor saving devices. Also watch their compliance costs increase along with the prices you pay!” — Richard Ballantyne
“Cornell has hired hundreds of “DEI Administrators” over the past several years. They do no research, teach no classes, plow no snow and serve no meals. They boss others around and earn six figure incomes. Get rid of them and pay people who do actual work for peanuts — like adjunct professors and these union members. If you are a donor, stop contributing to this train wreck.” — Steven Baginski
“Monday night at the democratic convention, Cornell was put on notice by Shawn Fain. Cornell you are no better than the republican candidate who is also known for cheating his employees. "The whole is watching." CU you have an opportunity to step up and do what is right, pay UAW local 2300 workers what you owe them, and while you’re at it pay your host city as well.” — Lee Rogers
UPS DOWNS&
Ups
The Campus Advisor has released its list of the “30 Best College Towns in the United States for 2024,” ranking Ithaca, NY, 8th overall and 1st for public transportation.
Downs
The Ithaca Police Department is investigating an assault that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 17, in the 100 block of Cascadilla Street. Authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime due to derogatory comments made by the suspect about the victim’s gender identity.
HEARD SEEN&
Heard
The Tompkins County Workers’ Center will hold the 38th Annual Labor Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, September 2nd, in Ithaca’s Stewart Park Main Pavilion. This year’s Picnic theme will be: Women and Gender Non-Conforming Workers and Labor.
Seen
In honor of Women’s Inequality Day, The League of Women Voters of Tompkins County has made a donation of menstrual products to the Menstrual Equity Center, run by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance. The Menstrual Equity Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The center is closed on Sundays. It is located at 171 East State St. on the Commons.
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
Do you support the UAW workers at Cornell who are on strike for a fair contract?
86 3 % Yes . 11.9% No.
1.8 % I don’t care.
W eek ’s Q uestio N : Should landlords be allowed to ban tenants from using portable air conditioning units? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
UAW Strike Spotlights NY-19 Candidates’ Position on PRO Act
By Matt Dougherty
Negotiations between the UAW and Cornell Administration have stalled once again after momentarily restarting on Thursday.
In a Friday morning post on X (formerly Twitter), the UAW stated, “Last night, Cornell University's negotiators left the table without making a counterproposal while our bargainers were ready to stay and negotiate through the night. The university is also refusing to meet today. We’re committed to reaching a fair contract. Is Cornell?”
Then, at around 4 p.m. on Friday, Cornell Administration released a statement thanking volunteers for replacing striking workers, and highlighted that union demands for a “tier-less wage” system were met. However, it blamed the UAW for not accepting offers to use a mediator and said that the union “[put] back on the table numerous and costly demands that they had previously agreed to set aside.”
Since the strike began on Sunday night, both Republican Congressman Marc Molinaro and his Democratic opponent, Josh Riley, have released statements in support of striking UAW Local 2300 workers at Cornell University. Molinarino and Riley are campaigning to represent New York’s 19th Congressional District, which is considered a toss up race rated as R+1 by the Cook Political Report.
In a statement to the Ithaca Times, Molinaro emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of UAW workers at Cornell, stating, “UAW workers are the soul of Cornell. Not only do they deserve to be heard—they deserve a fair contract that respects the work they do to make Cornell a world-renowned university.”
His opponent, Josh Riley, echoed this sentiment in his statement to the Times and went on to criticize politicians who fail to follow through on their promises to workers after being elected.
“No one who works hard should struggle to put food on the table or a roof over their kids’ heads. UAW members at Cornell are the heart and soul of the campus, and they deserve good wages, good benefits, and a fair contract,” Riley said. “Too many politicians talk the talk on workers’ rights, then sell them out at every turn.”
Riley’s actions have matched his words since the strike began. He is the only candidate in the race to have attended a picket line with striking UAW workers at Cornell and
has made a definitive statement about how he would vote on the PRO Act if elected.
“I’ll never take a penny of corporate PAC money, and I’ll vote to pass the PRO Act on day one, because workers’ rights should never be for sale,” Riley told the Times.
Supporting workers’ rights is increasingly becoming a necessary part of winning elections, regardless of party affiliation. In the race for New York’s 52nd Senate District, both Democratic incumbent Lea Webb and her Republican opponent Mike Sigler have attended picket lines and released statements in support of striking UAW workers at Cornell.
Despite rhetorical support crossing party lines, there remain critical differences in how Molinaro and Riley approach legislation like the PRO Act — which aims to strengthen workers’ rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining.
Key provisions include simplifying the process for forming unions, increasing penalties for employers who retaliate against union activities, and requiring binding arbitration if employers and unions cannot reach a contract agreement. The act also seeks to repeal state-level “right to work” laws, which allow workers to benefit from union representation without paying dues, and controversially extends certain labor rights to undocumented workers.
Molinaro is one of only four Republicans in Congress who has spoken in support of the PRO Act, and told the Times that he “support[s] the vast majority of PRO
Act's provisions” and is “totally opposed to right to work laws.” Molinaro continued saying, “Like the PRO Act outlines, if a union wins an election, I believe there should be a contract, even if it’s settled through binding arbitration.” He added, “If employers cheat in the election process or engage in unfair labor practices, there should be stiff penalties levied by the NLRB.”
However, he does not support every provision in the bill. Molinaro’s primary concern is a section of the bill that he says would make it easier for undocumented workers to form unions, which he argues should be a right reserved for American citizens.
In his statement to the Times, Molinaro said, “In my view, and in the view of many Republican and Democrat lawmakers I’ve talked to, these rights were meant to be extended to American workers only.” He has added that he is focused on negotiating a version of the PRO Act that could pass both chambers of Congress.
On the other hand, proponents of extending union rights to undocumented workers argue that these individuals already have the same labor rights as other workers under the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), regardless of immigration status. They contend that helping undocumented workers form unions is essential for protecting them from exploitation and ensuring fair labor practices across the board.
NY-19 Candidates Marc Molinaro (left) and Josh Riley (right) have both expressed their support for striking UAW workers at Cornell Univeristy, highlighting their contrasting views on the PRO Act. Riley says he would vote for the PRO Act on day one, while Molinaro is concerned that it would extend union rights to undocumented workers. (Photo: File)
An Open Letter to Ezra Cornell: UAW Staff Calls for Real Leadership and Fair Wages
By Cornell UAW Staff
Dear Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White,
As the founders of Cornell University, you aspired to create an institution where “any person can find instruction in any study.” This noble vision shaped a university that has long stood as a beacon of higher education, innovation, and public service. Yet, today, we write to you with a heavy heart, for the university you founded has strayed from its guiding principles.
The hypocrisy of Cornell University’s current leadership is glaring. While proudly proclaiming a mission to educate “any person,” the institution fails to provide a living wage for those who perform the essential tasks that keep the university running. How can the children of staff members, who themselves face food and housing insecurity, be expected to succeed in their studies? How can they focus on learning when their families struggle with the most basic of needs?
It is a sad paradox that, even in the wealthiest nation in human history, we live in a state of scarcity. This scarcity is not born of necessity but of a system driven by corporate greed and the insatiable demands of the billionaire class. As they amass ever more wealth, working people are left struggling to afford even the basic necessities for a decent life. This disparity is not just an economic failure but a moral one, and it’s a failure that institutions like Cornell should be actively working to rectify, not perpetuate.
It is particularly troubling to witness this failure in a university with an endowment exceeding $10 billion and tuition fees surpassing $60,000 per year. Cornell admits that it has the funds to sign a record contract with its union staff, yet it refuses to do so out of fear of being out of step with other institutions. This reasoning is unworthy of a university that prides itself on its leadership. If Cornell truly aspires to lead in science, technology, and beyond, then it must recognize that leadership in these fields is meaningless if it does not also seek to improve society. The university could do more for the public good, right here and
now, by ensuring that its staff are paid fair wages, wages that allow them to live with dignity and afford homes in the community they serve.
What has become of the institution you founded? It seems that Cornell has transformed from a center of learning dedicated to the greater good into yet another billionaire corporation, filled with highly paid administrators whose task is to keep low-wage employees working for as little as possible. In some cases, these wages are so low that people working full-time jobs at Cornell qualify for state benefits like food stamps and Medicaid. In this way the university effectively outsources the cost of supporting these workers to the taxpayers. This is truly shameful behavior from an institution that enjoys tax-exempt status and, as such, does not contribute its fair share to the local communities it relies upon.
We must express our profound disappointment in Cornell for its failure to reach a fair contract with its unionized staff. How can a university that claims to be “the preeminent educational institution in the world focused on work, employment, and labor” fail so spectacularly when it comes to bargaining with its own workers? Is this what they consider “improving the lives of workers and transforming the future of work”?
To sit for days on end, week after week, in unproductive foot-dragging?
Rather than negotiating in good faith, Cornell sent a committee of highly paid lawyers, negotiators, and administrators — many, no doubt, with salaries pushing six-figures — to stonewall the UAW bargaining team. This team, made up of everyday workers from dining, building care, and other departments, came to negotiate a contract that would lift the lowest-paid employees on campus out of poverty. The university’s failure to negotiate now leaves the union no alternative but to strike, heaping more economic distress on those least able to endure it.
We sincerely hope Cornell can return to the table with an offer that will end
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
George Mann Shares Si Kahn’s Music with Us on “Labor Day”
By Marjorie Olds
What better way to celebrate workers of the world than to listen to the songs they hold dear. And just in time, local musician-labor organizer George Mann celebrates the 80th birthday of Labor hero Si Khan, also a musician, who is turning 80.
Together George and Si have created a jubilant, strident, lyrical celebration for this Labor Day!
George Mann and Si Kahn’s “Labor Day” album, “A Tribute to Hardworking People Everywhere “, is being released just in time for the Labor Day weekend.
Both prolific composers, Si and George have known each other for years, but this is their first album. George is a local singer-songwriter whose CDs feature many of Ithaca’s fine musicians, and he has recorded at Will Russell’s Electric Wilburland Studio for more than 15 years.
George: “Si Kahn is a revered folksinger, organizer and educator who has authored five books and released 19 albums. He got his start during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, and worked with the United Mine Workers in Harlan County during the bitter Brookside Strike chronicled in Barbara Kopple’s Academy Award-winning documentary “Harlan County, USA.”
“Now retired from performing, Si is creating the “Si Kahn Living Legacy” archive and website, and “Labor Day” is the first new project being released through it. He began talking with me last summer about recording a new album of his songs that focused on workers and the union movement.”
George has pulled off an amazing feat with this project: blending new songs recorded at Wilburland with recordings by some of folk music and bluegrass’s legendary artists. George: “I wanted to produce an album to honor Si and his songs on his 80th birthday, and that would also give the labor movement a new collection of songs about workers, unions, and the struggle for a better world.”
As the project came together George took on the role of producer, and Si consulted on most decisions regarding the album. George produced and arranged the nine songs recorded at Wilburland. George: “When Si and I began talking seri-
ously about making this album, there were two guiding principles: getting a bunch of Si’s unreleased songs and recordings out there, and including selections from some of the many great artists who have recorded Si’s songs over the years…We also wanted to keep the focus on songs of workers, work, and the trade union movement, that is so dear to both of us.”
George reports that together he and Si waded through more than 100 songs written by Si Kahn and recorded by other artists. They chose 10 previously recorded Si Kahn songs featuring folk and bluegrass legends Peggy Seeger, Kathy Mattea, Michael Johnathon and Odetta, Magpie, Tom Chapin, and the Chapin Sisters, to name a few of the stars. British folksinger Billy Bragg recorded “We’re the Ones,” a previously unreleased song of Kahn’s, and John McCutcheon recorded an a cappella version of “Go to Work on Monday.”
Recording sessions began in May at Wilburland, and George called on the musicians he has worked with for many years: Michael Wellen on drums, Doug Robinson on bass, Molly MacMillan, and Chad Lieberman on piano and keyboards, and Rich DePaolo on various guitars and vocals. George: “They added instruments and harmonies to five songs that Si had recorded years ago with just acoustic guitar and vocals. The result is a powerful blend of rabble-rousing labor anthems and songs that tug at your heartstrings.”
“The album opens with Si singing “Back When Times Were Hard,” backed by Molly MacMillan on piano, Doug Robinson on bass, and Magpie and Joe Jencks singing harmonies. It leads into “Solidarity Day,” a rocker featuring the full band, and then introduces the listener to the many different artists and types of songs on the album.”
“We were able to create a duet on “Solidarity Day,” Mann says, “by electronically lifting Si’s vocal track from his original recording. We recorded the new version at the same speed as Si’s original, and the amazing Will Russell was able to put Si’s voice into the mix.”
“The final step was blending the 11 new recordings (all done under union
Future of Cargill’s Salt Mine Remains in Limbo as Advocates Warn of Potential Mine Collapse
By Matt Dougherty and Maddy Vogel
Over a year after Cargill began their attempt to sell their salt mine on Cayuga Lake, its future remains uncertain. Advocates have been warning of a potential mine collapse that could impact Cayuga Lake’s wildlife and water health, while the speculated future closure of the mine could impact dozens of families employed by Cargill.
The Ulysses town board is considering taking action to prevent Cargill from dumping brine into an abandoned portion of their mine after Cargill applied for the project in July of 2023. After hearing environmental concerns, the town is looking to take action in an effort to prevent a potential mine collapse.
The project, pending approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), would allow Cargill’s salt mine under Cayuga Lake to store lake water that has long been leaking into the mine inside a 150-acre under-
ground abandoned portion of the mine on the southern end of the lake.
Advocates, including the group Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now (CLEAN) say the project could have a disastrous impact on the surrounding environment and have been warning the state not to approve Cargill’s application.
CLEAN’s primary concern is that Cargill wished to dump excess brine into an abandoned portion of the mine, which CLEAN says was abandoned several years ago due to geological instability. They have concerns that the brine disposal and the instability of the storage space could lead to a potential mine collapse.
Cargill has owned and operated the salt mine on Cayuga Lake since 1970, and is one of three “deicing technology locations” that the company operates. The mine is located in Lansing and spans 2,300 feet under the surface of Cayuga Lake. It produces approximately 2 million tons of road salt for the northeastern United States each year,
including salt for many local municipalities in Tompkins County.
Cargill put their mine up for sale last June, but George Patte, member of the steering committee of CLEAN, said there have not been any solid buyers, leading him to believe that Cargill may shut down and permanently close the mine.
Earlier this month, 14850 reported that Cargill had cut a significant number of employees at the mine, laying off roughly 13% of staff with plans to reduce salt production. The mine now has 165 total employees.
In a statement to the Ithaca Times, Lansing Town Supervisor Ruth Groff outlined the impact that these layoffs have on Lansing families.
“The recent layoffs affected 25 families, and it's always difficult to see any family negatively affected by circumstances beyond their control, so we hope Cargill fulfills their commitment to assist those employees in finding other employment,” Groff wrote.
Although she said that the health of Cayuga Lake is “paramount” the future of communities that neighbor the lake, Groff believes that a shut-down mine could have serious impacts on families who are employed by Cargill.
“Speculation of the mine closing down or being sold has raised concerns on several levels, environmentally as well as economically,” Groff wrote. “If the mine were to shut down, more than 200 families would be affected, and that’s a substantial and unacceptable number for any community to endure.”
Groff added that specifically for the Town of Lansing, a shut-down mine would mean finding a new source for road salt, which she believes could become much more costly without a source that is as close in proximity as Cargill is to the town.
“All in all, the greatest economic impact to Lansing would be the loss of jobs and the loss of a community-minded organization that has generously contributed to our town,” Groff wrote.
Cargill ’ s plans to expand brine storage in the Cayuga Lake salt mine, despite efforts to sell or potentially close the facility, have raised fears of environmental damage such as a mine collapse and economic fallout for local communities. (Photo: File)
of flooding in this seismically-unstable area of the mine would result in an immediate 95% weakening of the first 15 feet of roof rock above the S3 areas being flooded,” CLEAN representative Stephanie Redmond wrote in a public letter.
Cargill has since changed consultants, hiring Agapito Associates, a firm with no prior experience with the Cayuga Salt Mine, to reassess the situation. Agapito Associates concluded that the water would eventually provide some support to the roof rock once the area is fully flooded, but this overlooks the substantial risks during the 15-year flooding period.
The DEC has reviewed Cargill’s application to modify their mining permit and deemed it incomplete, and have requested additional information from Cargill.
Ulysses zoning code, Patte says he believes the town could have a code enforcement officer send a notice of violation to Cargill for “nonconforming use.” CLEAN says that Cargill is currently operating on an expired permit, as the last permit application to operate was granted in 2021 by the DEC.
The DEC has since allowed mining to continue without an official renewed permit, while they await additional information from Cargill for the storage facility application.
“I think that this is a very serious issue,” Ulysses Town Supervisor Katelin Olson said. “I think that a collapse would be catastrophic. One of my concerns is that Cargill doesn’t respond to [the] New York State [DEC], who is a much bigger fish than we are.”
a statement to the Ithaca Times that Cargill only owns the land that the operations sit on, not the land underneath the lake which they mine into.
“According to a 1913 Opinion from the NYS Attorney General, mines owned and leased by NYS are not considered real property,” Franklin wrote. “Cayuga Lake is owned by NYS. Thus, the area that Cargill has a license to mine from NYS is then not considered real property. [...] Cargill is only assessed for the land upon which their operations sit and not any interest that they have in the actual mine under the lake.”
A moratorium would have to go through the local law process, typically lasting one year and being put in place until zoning changes are made.
In September of last year, CLEAN started a petition that has gathered over 4,000 signatures, calling for increased state supervision and environmental risk mitigation at Cargill’s mine.
The prospect of a mine-induced flood, potentially elevating the already high salinity levels in Cayuga Lake, has propelled calls for rigorous assessments, including an environmental impact statement (EIS) and the imposition of a substantial financial bond to be paid by Cargill.
Liz Kreitinger, the executive director of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, stated, “An EIS for this mine, including a thorough, fully transparent evaluation of the risks associated with its current operations, is decades overdue.”
CLEAN believes that potential buyers are deterred by the mine’s profitability issues, including the need for an environmental bond that could amount to billions of dollars due to the risk the mine poses to the lake’s long-term health.
“Even if it shuts down today and is flooded, that’s a vast reservoir of brine which may begin seeping up into the lake, further salinizing it,” Patte said.
The corporation is also looking to divest from the Whiskey Island Salt Mine near Cleveland, which mines salt underneath Lake Erie.
The decision to attempt to sell the mine came roughly one year
after Cargill closed and intentionally flooded their Avery Island salt mine in Louisiana. Before the decision to close the Avery Island mine, a roof collapse killed two workers at the facility. As a result of the incident, federal regulators cited Cargill for “aggravated conduct constituting more than ordinary negligence” at the facility.
In their application, revealed to the public through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request submitted by WaterFront publisher Peter Mantius in January of this year, Cargill stated that the storage project at Cayuga Lake is necessary to address persistent water leakage into the mine, estimating that approximately 1.3 million to 1.8 million gallons of water will be stored in the underground cavern every month.
Over the years, water inflows have been accommodated in a section of the mine’s Level 4. This storage space has been approaching its capacity, as highlighted in recent annual reports. The application for the new storage project lacks specific details regarding the current leak rates at the mine or any indication that recent developments necessitated additional water storage.
CLEAN has warned that the storage of brine or intentional flooding of the abandoned portion of the mine can have serious impacts.
“Cargill’s consultant, RESPEC, has warned that commencement
Patte and CLEAN went to the Ulysses town board to encourage the board to take action, believing that the town may be able to halt at least some of Cargill’s operations because portions of their mine lie underneath Ulysses’ lake shore zone, on the west shore of Cayuga Lake.
Since brine storage is not explicitly allowed in the town of
Multiple town board members asked who owned the land that Cargill operates on, but no one knew the answer. Olson said they could issue a moratorium on mining, but if the state owns the land that Cargill mines on, the moratorium would not have any standing.
Tompkins County Director of Assessment Jay Franklin said in
Although multiple board members expressed support for CLEAN’s efforts, the town board ultimately said they plan to speak with attorneys to find out who has jurisdiction over the land that Cargill mines on before moving forward with a moratorium or other resolution.
Cargill did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
CLEAN’s primary concern is that Cargill wished to dump excess brine into an abandoned portion of the mine, which was abandoned several years ago due to geological instability. They have concerns that the brine disposal and the instability of the storage space could lead to a potential mine collapse. (Photo: File)
Some of Cargill’s mining takes place underneath the borders of the Town of Ulysses, specifically in the lake shore zone. (Photo: Clean)
Sports Experienced Players, New-ish Coaches
At Cornell, IC, IHS, Coaches Settle in
By Steve Lawrence
For football coaches, there is what I like to call a Twilight Zone sort of period, a time when a program is... well... sorta theirs, sorta not theirs.
At Cornell, Dan Swanstrom is smack dab in the middle of that zone in that he is a first-year coach and virtually every player he will put on the field was recruited by someone else. It’s difficult to gauge a coach's effectiveness when he or she has a system to operate, and it takes a while to put the pieces of the puzzle in place to make all the moving parts function.
As Swanstrom takes the helm, the Big Red will try to prove wrong the pundits that have picked the team to finish seventh in the Ivy League. In 2022, Cornell was picked to finish last, but the players had other ideas, putting together a solid run and actually contending for the title before ending up two places higher than where they were anticipated to finish. Cornell brings back four pre-season All-Ivy picks, with senior signal caller Jameson Wang leading the way, joined by wide receiver Davon Kiser, offensive lineman Jackson Bradley and Luke Banbury. Cornell begins the season on September 21 against Colgate.
As he enters his third season at Ithaca College, Mike Toerper is more on the fringe of that zone, with one foot in and one foot out. The Bombers’ upperclassmen were there under the previous coach — ironically, it was Swanstrom — but a large
CITY OFFICIALS DISCUSS
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Currently, Ithaca is set as having moderate risk from heat according to First Street as a result of an increase in local “feels like” temperatures. Earlier this summer, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that would set the maximum temperature for classrooms across the state at 82 degrees. If the temperature is met, action must be taken to cool down
portion of the roster was brought in by Toerper and his staff.
The Bombers won the Liberty League title in both of Toerper’s first two seasons, going 12-1 and 9-3. The team is ranked 20th by D3Football.com, And will bring back a whopping 70 returnees, including 25 who saw significant playing time.
Big things are expected from returning running back Jalen Leonard-Osbourne, picked as a third-team pre-season All American. Last season, LeonardOsbourne piled up 1,400 yards of total offense and accounted for 14 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,055 yards (averaging 6.2 yards per carry and scoring 11 touchdowns), and caught 42 passes for 401 yards and three more TDs.
Ithaca opens its schedule with two home games — #8 Johns Hopkins on September 7 and #18 Endicott a week later. They will then face Curry, Hobart, Rochester, RPI, Buffalo State, Union and St. Lawrence before traveling to Cortland for the 65th Cortaca Jug game. The Red Dragons — ranked #2 — won the D3 national title last season, and any ticket to see them play will be worth the price.
At Ithaca High, Khiry Brown is right in the middle, as he is about to start his second season at the helm. That program is definitely in a Twilight Zone of sorts, as the Little Red, after a few very tough seasons that saw numbers drop to a dangerously low number, shifted to an Independent schedule last season and put up seven wins.
the space and if it breaches 88 degrees occupants must leave the room.
As of now there is no set timeline for finding a solution, but as the summer comes to a close, the commission will have more time to further discuss the options for a policy and how to best address the issue.
Grace “Gray” Reed is a student journalist from the The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University working as an intern for The Ithaca Times.
After putting up big numbers last season, Jalen Leonard-Osbourne of Ithaca College was selected as a third team preseason All American by D3Football.com. (Photo: Provided)
This fall, Ithaca has transitioned back to Class AA, and will play against Oswego, Dryden, Elmira, Binghamton, Windsor, Newark Valley and Corning. In 2023, Ithaca was not eligible to participate in the playoffs as an Independent program, but this year, post-season play is possible.
I have always been a sappy sort, feeling sorry for the Bill Buckners and Scott Norwoods of the world. While those guys both had solid careers, each is remem-
AN OPEN LETTER TO EZRA CORNELL
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the years of stagnant wages and be a true example for the world of how to collaborate with labor to find solutions to difficult economic problems and restore dignity to the essential work these people perform.
Cornell University must step up and sign a fair contract with its unionized
bered most for their miscues on the big stages, the World Series and the Super Bowl.
When a kid from the USA took a called third strike with the bases loaded in the championship game of the Little League World Series, I wondered how that would play out for him. When the USA tied the game, it became a moot point. Then, a kid from Chinese/Taipei neglected to cover first on a bunt, the throw went into right field, and it was game over. One can only hope that the sports-viewing public in that part of the world is kinder than it is in ours.
employees. Doing so would not only restore the institution’s reputation as a force for the greater good, but it would reaffirm the values upon which it was founded. Mr. Cornell, Mr. White—if you were here today, we believe you would stand with us, demanding justice and dignity for all who contribute to the success of this great university.
Sincerely, Concerned Cornell UAW Staff
NEWCOMERS GUIDE 2024
Ithaca is Books: A Roundup of Ithaca’s Bookstores
By Carlin Reyen
As a town bookended by university campuses, it is perhaps only fitting that Ithaca is home to an abundance of bookstores.
This fall, the Ithaca is Books Festival will be occurring September 12–15, put on by Autumn Leaves Bookstore, Odyssey Bookstore, and Buffalo Street Books, and will feature a book fair on the Commons with appearances from publishers and other bookstores, as well as open mic night and a DJ at The Downstairs, read aloud events, and visits from authors, including Jonathan Lethem, author of Brooklyn Crime Novel
“There’s an awful lot of mutual support. Everybody has the same dream. When you own a bookstore, run a bookstore, work in a bookstore, and it’s all about sharing the love of books and dating and keeping it all going. It’s a great community to be a part of,” Lisa Swayze, general manager of Buffalo Street Books, said.
Swayze said that the average profit for an independent bookstore in the region,
which includes New York City and Washington, DC, was 1.2% in 2022. Yet, despite these narrow margins for success, a variety of independent bookstores in Ithaca and the surrounding region remain open for business. The Times visited these local bookstores to hear what makes Ithaca’s book scene so special.
Autumn Leaves Bookstore
Located on the Commons, Autumn Leaves sells primarily used books, says Ramsey Kanaan, a buyer for the store, noting that the store currently has about 60,000 titles.
“We have the space, fortunately, to go deep into the various genres of categories that we’re more than happy to stock,” said Kanaan, citing the store’s “massive” kids section among a multitude of available genres.
Autumn Leaves hosts a variety of instore book-focused events, as well as visiting author, speaker, and activist events. “We’re an unabashedly more left-leaning bookstore,” Kanaan said, pointing out that Autumn Leaves’ events tend to reflect this viewpoint.
Odyssey Bookstore
Odyssey Bookstore, which opened in 2020, only carries one copy of each specific book, says owner Laura Larson, which makes it possible for the store to stock a wide variety of titles at their West Green Street location, from the nationally popular to the more esoteric.
“We really take seriously that by having just as many copies of someone who is less well known, who might be a lot more obscure to find, kind of in the general ethos, takes up just as much space as that New York Times bestseller that’s got that big publishing house behind it,” Larson said. “It’s our way of trying to create space and feel a little more inclusive for the books as well.”
Larson shared the ability of independent bookstores to reflect the personality of the town where they are located and of the specific tastes and interests of their employees.
“Each independent bookstore has its own really gorgeous, beautiful personality, which I love,” Larson said. “Anytime you travel, going to the local independent bookstore is a wonderful way to kind of connect and check in with what’s happening in that town... I think when you walk into Odyssey, you feel that you’re walking into a space that has a real, definite personality.”
Buffalo Street Books
In 2011, the decades-old bookstore site on North Cayuga Street was purchased by the community as a co-op with the mission of reinventing the way indie bookstores can serve their community, said Lisa Swayze, general manager of Buffalo Street Books.
“We as bookstores help push that envelope and promote more authors from communities that haven’t always gotten the attention,” said Swayze. “Absolutely everybody needs to read outside of their own experience a little more. That’s my advice to the world.”
Swayze referenced the co-op’s reading room as a community space that hosts a diverse array of events, including craft markets, drag story hour, queer salon night, and Ithaca College’s New Voices Festival. “We are the bookstore where anyone in the community can walk in and feel comfortable and see themselves,” Swayze said. She added that Buffalo Street Books frequently makes book donations in the community and has worked with local nonprofits on various projects, including creating signs for the Alex Haley Pool and at Southside Community Center.
Odyssey Bookstore is a fairly new arrival in Ithaca, as they opened up their storefront on West Green Street in 2020. (Photo: File)
Autumn Leaves Used Books is located on the Ithaca Commons and provides the community with a wide variety of anti-establishemnt content to consume. (Photo: File)
A Newcomers Guide to the Infamous “Ithaca is Gorges” Slogan
By Maddy Vogel
If you’re new to Ithaca, you may notice the phrase “Ithaca is Gorges” plastered on t-shirts, hats, mugs, and plenty of bumper stickers on cars. Although you may already understand its meaning, knowing the story behind it is crucial if you hope to become a true Ithacan.
At face value, the iconic phrase is simple — a play on words that describes how Ithaca’s beauty lies within its well-known gorges that are home to some of the most charming waterfalls in our region. The slogan, most commonly seen in a white font with a very distinctive green background, has gained plenty of traction since its creation roughly 50 years ago.
Created by long-time Ithacan, Cornell graduate and later Ithaca College professor Howard S. Cogan, the sloganeer’s contributions to the Ithaca community range far past what became the most recognizable symbol of the area.
Cogan, who was the owner of a small advertising business downtown in the 1970s, created the logo in just 15 minutes after local tourism officials tasked him with finding a way to attract visitors to the city.
Since then, it has become a widely recognized symbol of Ithaca, gathering plenty of playful community adaptations, assisted by the fact that Cogan never trademarked it when it was created.
In locally-owned tourism shop Sunny Days of Ithaca on the commons, dozens of stickers with various versions of the phrase can be purchased, notable ones including “Ithaca is Cold,” “Ithaca is Expensive,” “Ithaca is Love,” “Ithaca is Taxes,” “Ithaca is Kind” and many more.
“He loved Ithaca; he never wanted to live anywhere else,” Helen Cogan, Howard’s late wife told Cornell University in a 2021 interview. “The slogan was his gift to the city. He didn’t want to make any money on it.”
The famous “Ithaca Is Gorges” slogan was created 50 years ago by long-time Ithacan, Cornell graduate and later Ithaca College professor Howard S. Cogan. (Photo: File)
Beyond the community adaptations, Cogan also allowed businesses to use the slogan for advertising, in hopes of fulfilling the true goal that it was created for- to attract more tourism to the area.
In some cities, tourism can cause a rift between locals and visitors, but for Ithaca, the unique symbol that Cogan created connects them. With tourists and the community’s adoption of the phrase, seeing it creates a sense of collective pride to call this place home — or at least have visited for a little while.
Cogan’s creation has been seen across the world, especially with how common it is to see a “Ithaca is Gorges” bumper sticker. It’s a tagline that can start a conversation between two complete strangers who just happen to have visited or lived in Ithaca. Those who aren’t familiar with
Exploring Ithaca’s Coffee Shops
By Alyssa Denger
Ithaca is home to a variety of coffee shops, each offering its own unique vibe and menu. Whether you’re searching for a cozy nook to relax in, a lively spot to connect with friends, or just a delicious cup of coffee to start your day, this town has something for everyone. Here are a few local gems that are definitely worth a visit.
Gimme Coffee
Gimme Coffee is an Ithaca staple with multiple locations across town. Known for its unique coffee blends, tasty baked goods, and a variety of non-caffeinated beverages, it has something for everyone. The iced maple oat latte, made with creamy oat milk, maple syrup, and espresso, is a fan favorite. Perfectly sweet and smooth, it adds a jolt to your day with a fun twist on a classic latte. If you are tired of a classic cup of coffee, then order orange cardamom espresso tonic. You read that right! This perfect summer
drink combines the body of espresso with the lightness of citrus and carbonation. A truly refreshing pick-me-up.
Gimme coffee can be found at 430 North Cayuga Street, and at Community Corners on Hanshaw Road from 7:30 a.m. –3:00 p.m. If you are looking for a brew later in the day, their location at 506 West State Street is open from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or at 7 East Main Street in Trumansburg from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Press Cafe
Located in Press Bay Alley, Press Cafe delights customers with coffee, and provides crucial space for connection.
Inspired by “Great coffee, beautiful plants, and a vibrant community,” Press Bay hosts a wide variety of local events. Spanning from open mic nights to hosting artist’s galleries, this coffee shop enhances the voice of all local artists, giving them a platform to share and connect.
And did I mention they serve coffee? With a hot, iced and special menu, you
can anything from a cortado to a gingerbread vanilla latte. Take it to go or enjoy the modern cafe seating with plants and art galore. Stop in on weekdays starting at 8:00 a.m. and check out their Instagram page to see upcoming events.
Botanist Coffeehouse
Nestled in the quiet streets of Fall Creek, Botanist Coffeehouse is a great place to hang out with friends, study for an exam, or grab a latte before walking to
Ithaca Falls, located just blocks away.
In partnership with FLORISTRY — by Ithaca Flower Shop, Botanist is filled to the brim with an abundance of plants. House plants, dried bouquets and succulents are available for sale in the shop along with local goods and art.
Along with their coffee menu, Botanist offers a daily selection of baked goods. Check their social media for the latest
The Gimme Coffee located on Cayuga Street near Triangle Park is one of many locally owned coffee shops in the City of Ithaca. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
An Ithaca Independent Bookstore since 2020.
Nightlife in a College Town
By Carlin Reyen
For those looking for nightlife in Ithaca, the city boasts a variety of eclectic spots to drink, dance, and socialize until the early hours of the morning (usually 1 a.m., as stipulated by Tompkins County’s liquor laws).
Here are a few of the spots.
Bar Argos
Bar Argos, the bar component of the historic Argos Inn on East State Street, is furnished with antique furniture throughout and a sizable chandelier. During summers, the “Carriagehouse” back patio bar is open, while nextdoor venue Argos Warehouse can be a noisy spot Thursday through Saturday. Jazz Night on Wednesdays from 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Rabecka Smith, barback, said that Argos’ staff is especially receptive to chatting with customers about their cocktails and about new combinations.
“We’ll have so much fun talking to you about the drinks, what we put into the drinks and the process,” Smith said.
Smith said that patrons are welcome to bring outside food and that while the atmosphere is that of a high end cocktail bar, “we want people to feel comfortable to come as they are.”
Tres Leches
Located below burrito hotspot Dos Amigos, Tres Leches introduces a speakeasy feel to the Collegetown bar scene. Low lighting and sofa seating generate a low-key atmosphere for the bar perfect for catching up with friends while grabbing a drink.
Bike Bar
Owner Steve Gelb’s brainchild was a space half bike shop, half bar, where bikers could grab a drink while their bike was being serviced. From the idea grew Bike Bar, located on East State Street downtown.
Gelb noted that while he brings in live music to the bar on weekdays, patrons often just want to come to Bike Bar and have a conversation or work on their laptops.
“We’re trying to appeal to a crowd of people who want to come somewhere that’s not necessarily a wild party setting,” Gelb said.
Pete’s Cayuga Bar
Located on South Cayuga Street, with pool tables, darts and sports on television, Pete’s Cayuga Bar has something for college students and locals alike.
Ithaca is a collegetown, and that means theres no shortage of events to keep students and locals alike up late at night. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
Improv Groups Build Community in Ithaca
By Carlin Reyen
Marietta Synodis said that there is often a cyclical feeling with the improv scene in Ithaca, partially generated by population turnaround associated with Cornell University and Ithaca College.
“[When people move to Ithaca they often think,] “I should start improv”. And so they'll have the energy and the conviction and the commitment to kind of spearhead a group. And so then there'll be this wave of, oh, things are happening here,” Synodis said. “And then three years later, when their partner finishes Cornell, they move away, and then it kind of dies again… I feel like I've gone through three iterations of that.”
When Ben Hummel moved back to
meetups for other interested community members, dubbing them “improv jams.”
Eventually, Hummel and friend Mads Ziomek cofounded Third Place Theater, a local longform improv theater, last year. Ziomek said of the theater’s mission: “It’s to create a space where adults can learn to play again.”
Synodis echoed the sentiment in talking about improv. “There’s organized sports, and there’s going and having a drink, but nobody’s saying, you should make time to play improv, freeze tag with your adult friends, right?” she said.
In addition to having an in house performance group, Third Place Theater hosts regular jams in the community room at Jillian’s Flowers. Ziomek said that the jams are completely open to the community — while a small donation is requested to pay for the
“At the community jams, we do emphasize more the headspace, especially for new improvisers, Hummel said. “The first step is not to think about any of those skills or rules, but just get comfortable
saying things in front of people and and trusting that you’re not going to get judged or ridiculed.”
Ithaca’s newest improv group, the Third Place Theater, was founded last year by local residents Ben Humel and Mads Ziomek. (Photo: Provided)
Transportation Tips to Make Travel Easy
By Norma Guterrez
Need help getting around Ithaca & Tompkins County? Way2Go and the 2-1-1 Call Center are here to connect you with up to-date information about the available transportation options and resources in the area.
2-1-1 Information Call Center
Call 2-1-1 anytime 24/7 (toll free 877-211-8667) or text your zip code to TXT211 (898211) for general information on transportation services and resources including rides to medical appointments, referrals to food delivery programs and more. You can chat online or find more information at HSCT.org/211tompkins
Way2Go Transportation Information
Visit Way2Go.org to find transportation information, timely service updates, as 20 well as tips and videos such as how to load your bike on the bus, and more. Way2Go provides translated resources in
Chinese and Spanish by request.
Ways to Get Around
Combining walking, biking, riding a bus or sharing rides can help to save you money, go green, and improve your physical and mental health. If you have limited income or mobility, there are resources available to those that qualify. We have a few tips for you as you plan your next outing, grocery trip, or commute.
GO ITHACA is a membership-based incentive program that provides sustainable and affordable transportation solutions to improve your commute and complete errands while supporting a healthy lifestyle, reducing vehicle pollution, and decreasing traffic congestion in our community. Membership is FREE! Sign up at GoIthaca.org
Walking
Walking within well-lit areas, on pedestrian ways, cross walks, and trails helps
you get safely to your destination. When sharing the road, walking against traffic can help you to see and be seen by people driving cars and riding bikes. Increase your visibility by wearing bright colors, a reflective layer, or flashing your smart phone or key light after dark. Consider ways to make your walk more comfortable, like wearing weather appropriate shoes, attire, packing an umbrella for the rain, and bringing along a bag or fold-up cart to carry your groceries or heavier items.
Ithaca is Trails
A walkable trails map can be found at IthacaTrails.org
Biking
When biking, wear a helmet and bright or reflective attire to be most visible. Stay safe by riding with traffic, following road rules, and using hand signals when turning or changing lanes. Use bike lanes or
Ithaca offers a wide variety of public transportation options, including TCAT Bus system and the Ithaca CarShare and BikeShare programs. (Photo: File)
boulevards whenever possible. Don’t forget to bring a reliable U-lock to secure your tire and bike to a rack once you arrive at your destination.
Bike Walk Tompkins
Learn about walking and biking activities, resources, maps, bike shops, and DIY bike repair at BikeWalkTompkins.org
Ithaca Bikeshare
Download the Ithaca Bikeshare app at IthacaBikeshare.org to use Ithaca’s electric bike network, find a bike near you, and find tips on how to ride safely.
Buses & Paratransit
Enjoy a short bus ride to popular
destinations in and around Tompkins County. Paratransit may be an option for you if you can’t access TCAT fixed route service due to a disability.
Tompkins
Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT)
The local TCAT bus service is an affordable option to get around campus, to downtown shops, and around Tompkins County. TCAT provides safe and secure wheelchair accommodation and a bike rack for up to two bikes. Get a new TCAT Smart Card or get more information about the Tfare Mobile app. View updates, routes and schedules, or download a real-time app at TCATbus.com
TCAT’s FreeRyde Pass
Youth 14-18 can ride TCAT free with a FreeRyde Pass to distinguish them from college students. They can acquire one from TCAT or through their school. Learn more at TCATbus.com/fare-pass-options
Bus Connections
New bus connections are available in Dryden for those commuting between Cortland and Tompkins transit systems. Find more bus information at Way2Go.org or MoveTogetherNY.org
Intercity Bus Lines
Intercity bus lines are available to travel to cities like Elmira, Binghamton, Syracuse, Philadelphia, and NYC. Find more Intercity bus information at Way2Go.org
Gadabout ADA Paratransit
An ADA certified service, providing rides to persons with disabilities and their families as well as to those 55 and over. Call 607-273-1878 or visit GadaboutBus. org to apply. See other accessible options at Way2Go.org
Carshare Membership and Car rental
Ithaca Carshare
For local trips that require a car, Ithaca Carshare is a great option! Find more information about membership and plans at IthacaCarshare.org
Enterprise, Budget and other car rental agencies
An option for local and long-distance travel or multiday trips to and from other cities. Find more information about these services at Way2Go.org
Ride hailing and Ridesharing
Local Cab & Taxi Services
Whenever possible share the ride with
friends or fellow travelers to lower the cost of cab or taxi ride. A wheelchair accessible van is available through Collegetown Cab if requested days in advance. Call Collegetown Cab (607) 588-8888 or Ithaca Dispatch (607) 277-7777 at least a half an hour in advance to increase the likelihood that you arrive to your destination on-time. Find more cab information at Way2Go.org
Lyft and Uber Ride-Hailing Lyft & Uber are ride-hailing services in the area. Those of you who are used to
finding a quick ride through Lyft or Uber in other areas may find these ride-hailing options have longer wait times due to limited drivers available in this area. Go to Lyft.com or Uber.com to download the App and sign up as a driver or to find a ride.
Finger Lakes Rideshare Ride-Matching Platform
To find a potential ride-match with someone going to a similar destination sign up at FingerLakesRideshare.org, a platform powered by 511NYRideshare. Drivers who make a daily scheduled trip
should post regularly and in advance to provide the best potential ride-matches to ride seekers headed the same way.
This article is not an endorsement, it is purely educational to inform our community of the available transportation options for traveling and commuting in, to and from Ithaca and Tompkins County. Students are also encouraged to check in with the school, college, or university transportation office.
Remember, you can find transportation information, updates, and more at Way2Go.org Travel Safely, The Way2Go Team.
Janet and Cindy who clean my cottage are so cheerful, they're a big upper to my Tuesdays. Everyone in the resident health center is
INFAMOUS “ITHACA IS GORGES” SLOGAN
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the Finger Lakes region may even see the phrase and think it’s an unintentional misspelling.
Cogan later went on to found the Ithaca College chapters of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and the Public Relations Student Society of America while teaching Advertising
ITHACA’S COFFEE SHOPS
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treats, which may include favorites like hot honey cheddar scones, traditional shortbread cookies, and classic cinnamon rolls. Pair your treat with a cold brew, drip coffee, or a sweet and creamy matcha latte for a satisfying start to your day. Need a caffeine boost? Try the Falcon, the cafe’s take on a red-eye, and you might just soar! Botanist is open Monday – Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and is located at 1201 North Tioga Street.
IMPROV GROUPS
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Synodis explained that the team aspect of improv assisted her in getting past potential feelings of embarrassment while performing.
“You want to work with the person you're you know, the person that you’re on the stage with you,” she said. “You want to make them shine. Because in making them shine, it makes you shine.”
Not sure you could get up and improvise? That’s normal among some members of the jams at any given time, Synodis said.
“There’s such a strong wall of reservation. But at least they’ve come to laugh, to be a part of it,” Synodis said. “[They’re thinking], ‘There’s some barrier there that I just can't bring myself to be the one to do it, but I'm here and I’m having fun.’ So I think that's the first step.”
“It’s really different from stand up comedy,” Hummel said. “This is a team sport. If you find yourself flailing and not able to come up with any ideas on stage, you’ve got all these people on the back lines. We’re ready to jump in and save you and make you look good.”
Hummel said that local venues, including Deep Dive and Liquid State Brewing Company, have been instrumental to supporting Third Place Theater’s community performances.
there. He was AAF’s Educator of the Year in 1987, and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor’s Bureau in 2005. In addition to the award, an annual award for important contributions to tourism and community service in the region was created in his name.
Although Cogan passed away at 78 years old in 2008, his legacy will forever live on through the logo that Ithacans far and wide continue to embrace.
Alley Cat Cafe
Prefer to enjoy your coffee next to a furry friend? Alley Cat Cafe may just be the place for you! In partnership with the Browncoat Cat Rescue, Alley Cat Cafe is home to many cats and kittens that are up for adoption. The only exception to this rule is the queen of the cafe, Marigold, who lives in the cafe permanently.
Alley Cat also has an eclectic menu of delightful beverages. Enjoy a catpucchino with some avocado toast or sip on a royal cat latte while looking at royal cats! The food menu consists of a wide variety of salads,
“[Deep Dive and Liquid State] have been allowing us to do shows for free,” Hummel said. “And in return they get a lot of traffic on a Tuesday when they might not otherwise get any people there. So we hope it's been kind of a symbiotic thing.”
“We have different contingents of our community, our friends and then other people who just happened upon it,” Ziomek said. “I think those three groups really helped make it sustainable…
In the jams, we have people from every walk of life in Ithaca.”
“Ben and Mads are great like that. They really are fostering a really lovely community of people around it,” Synodis shared. “There is something about collective laughter… being in a room with other people who are all sharing in humor together compounds that sense of comfort.”
John Fracchia is the sole original cast member of the Comedy Flops, a local shortform improv troupe, still remaining in the group since its 2011 inception. Fracchia said the group grew out of another improv group whose director had left the area.
The Comedy Flops hold auditions in the spring for their cast. Fracchia said that one former cast member joined when she was in high school
“I would say, for anybody who just wants to experience it, be brave. Go to a class,” Fracchia said. “Give it a try. It's okay to be silly.”
NIGHTLIFE IN A COLLEGE TOWN
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Moonies
Moonies serves a variety of cocktails, its location on the Commons convenient for the student population of Ithaca, Ithaca College in particular. The main room’s dance floor populates with patrons dancing to DJ music, with a pool table in the back of the bar.
sandwiches and baked goods, including a plethora of vegan and gluten free options.
Alley Cat Cafe is open Tuesday –Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. They can be found at 112 N Cayuga Street, and they have a variety of community events that you can find on their website.
Coal Yard Cafe
Coal Yard Cafe is the definition of tiny, but mighty. Located at 143 Maple Avenue, Coal Yard has a diverse menu of inspired brunch dishes. Go with a classic breakfast
Hummel, Ziomek, and Synodis all credited Erica Marx as being one of the pillars of the improv community in Ithaca’s recent history.
“I just want to give a nod to her, because throughout the last decade, she has kind of been consistent in keeping it here and keeping it alive in Ithaca,” Synodis said.
Marx said that when she moved back to Ithaca roughly a decade ago, she wanted to take an improv class but was unable to find one. Then, she says, she gathered a group of those interested in improv to take a class with her. Eventually, she began teaching improv herself, focusing on applications of improv skills in a variety of settings outside of performance, from business to relationships.
To Marx, improv is a way of seeing the world through the eyes of others and practicing listening, especially to those with the least power in the setting.
“The thing that I feel is so profound about [improv] is that it teaches, it raises our capacity to work with diverse groups and come up with emergent and creative solutions,” Marx said. “It fits so well with the culture of Ithaca, because Ithaca is very collaborative, generally speaking.”
“How do you how do you create together when the conditions are entirely uncertain and when you’re completely interdependent on each other?” she said.
Level B
For those looking for a traditional nightclub experience closer to Cornell’s campus, Level B on Eddy Street provides a large dance floor and poppy dance music. Fishbowl Wednesdays at Level B offer a deal on the bar’s signature drink and are typically known to be popular amongst Cornell students. For less dancing and more of a conversation-friendly environment, or for a Tuesday night karaoke session, head across the street to Hideaway.
bagel or spice things up with their Unusual Suspects menu. Falafel and egg, flap quacks, and sweet potato hash are just a few of their exciting and satiating options. To complement their brunch offerings, Coal Yard Cafe also has a drink menu that’s just as impressive. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic coffee, a refreshing iced beverage, or something with a creative twist, their drink selection has something to perfectly pair with your meal.
Coal Yard Cafe is open 8:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m. on the weekend.
To Hummel and Ziomek, improv is more about revisiting an old skill than learning a new one.
“We really think that we’re tapping into some very childlike energy and improv that a lot of adults have forgotten existed, but everyone has when they’re a kid,” Hummel said.
“A lot of them have been just doing a nine to five for 40 years and then they come to this jam and they’re like, oh, I can flop on the floor and be fish and people think that’s fun,” Ziomek said. “Seeing people come out of their shells, seeing people get better, seeing people respond to their partners and scenes and to the environment that we’re creating, it’s just so much fun to watch that happen.”
“You don’t have to be funny to do what we do. All you have to do is be willing to tap into that child ike energy and funny things will naturally emerge,” Hummel added. “I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions that will have about improv.” Hummel urged those new to the improv scene to give it a try.
“If you attend an improv show, you’ll see something that has never happened before. It will never happen again,” Hummel said. “We don’t share out recordings, we don’t redo: every single thing we do is made-up on the spot.” Marx will be returning to Ithaca to host a series.
Ithaca High School Graduate Explores Grocery Store Culture in Popular Social Media Channel
By Robert Rieger
Most consumers visit grocery stores to fill their cupboards and refrigerators. For Vanessa Anderson, a former Ithacan, food markets provide an exciting venue to document culture, community, and consumer behavior.
Now working as a private chef in Los Angeles, Anderson frequently visits grocery stores in her area. She takes videos and photographs. “I decided to start an archive of these photos and videos on Instagram. I threw the title Grocery Goblin on it because no one is immune to alliteration,” she laughed.
Anderson conducts interviews and arranges image compilations to creative and often poetic narration. She then posts her creations on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Soon after her first posts, she started receiving messages from viewers around the world who enjoyed seeing the content. Her followers often recommend other stores for her to document which she adds to an ever-growing and publicly available Google Maps list of stores.
“I think of a grocery store as a visitor center of sorts,” she said. “It’s the perfect way of getting to know a neighborhood.”
Among her eighty posted videos, she has documented in the Los Angeles area a Seventh Day Adventist market in Loma Linda, a Middle Eastern grocery in the Little Arabia district, and a dry aged fish purveyor in Sherman Oaks. Anderson currently has over 24,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram.
“I’ve received all sorts of feedback. It’s endlessly fulfilling to hear when I’ve sparked an interest or represented a neighborhood effectively,” Anderson said. She enjoys reading viewer messages about what she terms “grocery store nostalgia.” “The intersection of food and memory is extremely interesting,” she said.
Anderson was graduated from Ithaca High School in 2014. She credits a teacher, Judy Cogan, with getting her interested in photography and documentaries. After high school, Anderson attended the University of Vermont, majoring in Communications and Art History. Even during college, she had the food bug, posting restaurant reviews and similar content online. Since then, she has explored culinary experiences in New York City, Berlin and LA, including working as a line chef, events coordinator, and marketing consultant.
She scouts stores and comes up with concepts for her viral videos as she shops for her private chef clients. Anderson also leans on her community of chefs in LA for recommendations, perspective and support.
“I’ll usually visit a store once or twice before coming up with any sort of plan, then chat with as many people as possible and hang out in the neighborhood,” she said. She takes pictures and films in the store and interviews staff. Back at home, she adds narration and edits the pieces herself using desktop video software.
“I love language. I love playing with it and bending it, and I think that my videos stand out
among others because of the length of time I spend on writing the scripts,” said Anderson.
In her visit to the vegetarian grocery in Loma Linda, she highlights the power of lentil soup in promoting longevity. In Little Arabia she considered how conflicts abroad come home to strip malls in the USA.
Anderson is considering taking the show on the road, driving across the country to visit groceries along the way. “I’m on a mission to visit every grocery store on the planet,” she laughs. Soon she will visit Ireland and Greece and plans to post commentary of stores in those locales.
She is also producing a sub-series, called Morsel Movies, that focuses on favorite single bites of food. For example, foodies have shared that their best bites are the end of a sandwich or a bubble in a bagel.
Anderson recently returned to Ithaca to attend Grassroots and to see her parents, Randi Kepecs and Paul Anderson. While here, she visited her hometown Wegmans and the Ithaca Farmers Market. “If I don’t visit these places when I’m home, my parents have a legal obligation to throw me in Cayuga Lake,” Anderson joked. Her farmers market video has already been posted on Instagram.
“I am beyond grateful to have been raised in Ithaca, it is the most special place in the world to me,” she said.
Anderson’s handle on Instagram and TikTok is @grocery_goblin
& Entertainment
Vanessa Anderson, known as @grocery_goblin on social media, captures the essence of neighborhoods through her own lense, turning everyday grocery stores into cultural narratives on Instagram and TikTok. (Photo: Provided)
Exploring the aisles of a Middle Eastern market in LA’s Little Arabia, Vanessa Anderson blends food, memory, and community in her viral grocery store documentaries. (Photo: Provided)
Come One, Come All: Hupstate Circus Festival Brings Circus Performances to Town this Weekend
By Kai Lincke
Circus artists will bring trapeze, tumbling, aerial and more thrills to town this long weekend as the Hupstate Circus Festival returns to Ithaca for the fourth year.
The festival will feature five outdoor and 10 indoor shows, a circus and puppet parade through downtown Ithaca and an interactive circus area for all age groups.
The U.S. premiere of The People Watching Collective’s debut show, Play Dead, will headline the festival.
The performances will start Aug. 30 and feature circus artists from the U.S., Ecuador, Australia, Sweden, France, Colombia, South Africa, Finland and Canada.
The 2023 festival drew 4,000 attendees, including 800 out-of-state participants from 20 states and five countries. Amy Cohen, founder of the festival and president of the Hupstate Circus Board of Directors, said Hupstate is the US’s only international performance festival that incorporates all kinds of circus performances.
“Many circus community members and performance lovers will travel across the world just to get to see what is new and fresh in the circus community,” Cohen said. “What we're doing is creating an oppor-
RANKED CHOICE VOTING
proven useful in boosting voter turnout, encouraging more candidates and choice, and reducing polarization and incentives for negative campaigning. I am interested in exploring how such a change might impact our community.”
In regards to Open Primaries, he added, “I am open to learning more about open primaries as well, though I am more
tunity for people to do that in the United States, and it’s never really been done before, so we’re really proud to do that.”
Festival partners Cherry Artspace, Hangar Theatre, Press Bay Backlot, Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Community School of Music and Arts and the Allan H. Treman Marina Park strive to make the festival accessible for all. All venues meet ADA compliance and most performances will include American Sign Language interpretation.
Cohen said she and her team have planned the festival with accessibility in mind from the start. She said the festival has an access coordinator to ensure the venues and features are genuinely accessible.
“We’re really aware that a lot of times access is offered, but not thoroughly,” Cohen said. “What we’re hoping for is to sort of take it the next step, not just, oh, this is ADA compliant for the zoning and building department.”
Hupstate organizers hope to expand other forms of access as the festival grows, Cohen said.
Hupstate Circus received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2024, and has committed to promoting circus arts in the U.S. through accessible and impactful festival and residency programs. Cohen said the
skeptical.” He elaborated saying, “I think political parties should represent the values and ideals of their membership and I worry how open primaries might interact with, and possibly dilute, the formation of these positions.”
This working group scheduled to be formed in September will be tasked with researching the implications of these electoral changes, including potential costs and how they might impact voter participation. The group will also consider
nonprofit status allows the festival to receive grants and expand visibility for the festival.
“Within the circus community, we do a lot of advocacy … [because] there are a lot of assumptions made about what circus is and can be because of its history,” Cohen said. “The best way for people to kind of get that memo and see how powerful it is is to see diverse circus representation, and so being a nonprofit is going to open up a lot of doors for that for us.”
The festival receives support from the Park Foundation, Tompkins County Tourism, Community Foundation, the New
the broader context of Ithaca’s election processes and how they can be made more inclusive and representative.
If the working group’s findings are favorable, the council could vote to implement Ranked Choice Voting and possibly open primaries in time for the 2028 election cycle.
The campaign also aligns with broader state and county efforts to adopt rankedchoice voting. Assemblymember Anna Kelles has introduced a bill to implement ranked-choice voting at the state level, a move that has been welcomed by local advocates.
As the campaign progresses, supporters are encouraged to stay informed through resources provided by FairVote, an organization dedicated to electoral reforms. “FairVote has been instrumental in provid-
Cohen said Hupstate organizers are proud to bring the circus community to Ithaca and showcase the area’s natural attractions and welcoming environment.
“Ithaca has such an amazing tradition of festivals, so we’re so proud to include this and this sort of international scope in the Ithaca culture,” Cohen said. “This is sort of a destination where we want people to show up and feel really nurtured and really inspired. It's in Ithaca for a reason.”
ing advice and legal guidance throughout this process,” Clavel said.
Alderperson Kumar also spoke positively about FairVote saying, “I want to encourage us to take advantage of the resources that FairVote has offered. It's a great organization that's been on the front lines of this work across the state.” She emphasized that FairVote has a robust advocacy program at both the state and local levels and has already offered to guide the council through the complexities of various forms of Ranked Choice Voting to help determine the best fit for Ithaca. Regarding the impact Clavel hopes to have with this initiative, he said, “We hope and expect this will help voters become more engaged with the process and politicians to become more responsive to the voters.”
York State Council on the Arts and NYS DanceForce.
Trapezes and Tumbling are comign back to the Ithaca Commons with the return of the Hupstate Circus this weekend. (Photo: Provided)
Between the Temples
A Heartfelt Exploration of Grief and Connection
By Matt Minton
Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) is a lost man — that’s one way of describing the cantor having a midlife crisis in the new dramedy “Between the Temples.” Having recently lost his wife, Ben bides his time teaching a group of young kids all they need to know for their Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
Really, though, he’s just waiting for the clock to stop ticking. Forever.
Everything changes when his former music teacher, Carla Kessler (Carol Kane), comes crashing back into his life after Ben gets knocked out at a bar. The zany Carla wants to have her Bat Mitzvah, a tradition typically reserved for young jewish kids, and asks Ben to coach her. While Ben is initially quite hesitant, he eventually warms up to Carla’s eccentric personality and finds his life forever changed.
Director Nathan Silver has made quite a splash in the independent film scene and the Sundance critical hit “Between the Temples” — his highest profile film yet — is right in line with those sensibilities. While the film is definitively set in modern day, phones are notably absent and the
screen’s grainy look pairs quite well with the ‘70s charm of “The Holdovers.”
This is the kind of quirky, energetically awkward drama made for film lovers that will certainly push some audiences away who aren’t fully with its oddball pace. And it’s not without its pitfalls. For the most part, though, its rich aesthetics serve to enhance the story.
Watching Ben and Carla’s blooming relationship is the kind of life-affirming — if foretold — drama that speaks to the scarcity and importance of true human connection in life. The script does make the foil between Ben and Carla and their different perspectives on life feel too clean cut, but when you have veteran actors like Schwartzman and Kane delivering every line with the utmost sincerity, it’s hard not to be along for the ride anyway. Where the film shines with its quippy, overlapping dialogue, the stylistic tendencies (mainly involving the camera’s fascination for zooms and quick close-ups) do take away from some crucial scenes. At its core, “Between the Temples” is a moody character-driven dramedy, and the inconsistent cinematography often takes the focus away from the brilliant acting
Despite a national decline in the number of locations the bookstore chain has nationwide, the Ithaca location remains open to the public in the Tops Plaza on South Meadow Street. The store houses a Barnes and Noble Cafe and vinyl section as well as weekly Saturday Storytime events.
Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane bring unexpected warmth and humor to the screen in Nathan Silver’s dramedy “Between the Temples,” a heartfelt exploration of loss, faith, and unlikely friendships. (Photo: IMDB)
on screen. While the intention may have been to visually and stylistically showcase Ben’s grieving journey, some of the sudden flashes feel too jarring for how play-like many of the scenes feel.
Another one of the more interesting themes on Silver and co-writer C. Mason Wells’ mind is religious ideology and how beliefs can shift and evolve later in life. Ben’s crisis of faith as he begins forgetting the prayers he’s teaching to others is effectively juxtaposed with Carla’s eagerness to learn despite being much older.
Ben’s two mothers, played by the brilliant Dolly De Leon and Caroline Aaron, round out an excellent supporting cast and bring in external perspectives on Jewish
Ulysses Books
Located on State Route NY-227, Ulysses Books features a variety of used titles, with the shop open for business Saturday through Tuesday. A retired professor of public health, owner Michael Muilenberg brought his store from its original location in western Massachusetts to upstate New York just over two years ago, and this is evident in his collections of New England art and postcards on the second level of the shop.
Muilenberg said that the “open shop” environment and interactions with customers at Ulysses Books are especially compelling to him.
“What I like is that people ask for something or talk about something and they recommend things to me as well,” Muilenberg said.
Muilenberg noted that he and the staff at One Green Horse often work in tandem with one another to provide customers with titles that the other shop does nothave stock of.
culture and religion that enrich the film. The family dynamic here and how each mom acknowledges Ben’s depression differently had the potential to be expanded upon even more, although it still culminates beautifully in the final dinner scene.
“Between the Temples” may not be the first film to tackle this kind of rare connection — and it’s got “Harold and Maude” to thank as a precursor for exploring age-gap relationships — but it still remains moving and quite funny where it counts. Packaged with a strong cast, purposefully offbeat dialogue and an underlying sadness that gets slowly patted away, Silver proves that some kinds of stories just never go out of fashion.
One Green Horse
East Main Street in Trumansburg is home to another used bookstore, One Green Horse, open until 5 p.m. each day.
Book Barn of the Finger Lakes
A Book Barn of the Finger Lakes is located in Dryden, NY adjacent to Tompkins-Cortland Community College. The location features 2.5 miles of shelving stocked with primarily used and scholarly books between three barns.
“We’re really trying to celebrate all of the way bookish ways that Ithaca is an amazing place,” Larson said of the upcoming Ithaca is Books Festival.
This seems the general consensus amongst the area’s booksellers: a camaraderie built on respect for a diverse array of books and the desire to place books in the hands of those who seek them.
“Come in and let us recommend a book for you that will sustain you through the hard times and give you something to think about and, you know, bring you some joy,” Swayze said.
Newcomers Guide
Barnes and Noble
ITHACA IS BOOKS
Buffalo Street Books is a beloved independent bookstore located next to the DeWitt Mall in downtown Ithaca. (Photo: File)
Tompkins County Workers’ Center Prepares for 38th Annual Labor Day Picnic Amid UAW Strike at Cornell
By Matt Dougherty
The Tompkins County Workers’ Center will host its 38th Annual Labor Day Picnic on Monday, September 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stewart Park’s Main Pavilion. This year’s event is particularly significant as it coincides with ongoing labor actions in Ithaca, including the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike at Cornell University.
The picnic, a long-standing tradition in Ithaca — a city known for its strong support of workers’ rights — will carry the theme “Women and Gender NonConforming Workers and Labor,” underscoring the contributions and challenges faced by these often-overlooked groups in the workforce.
labor uprisingings, including the UAW strike at Cornell and a vote to form a uinon at Ithaca’s GreenStar Food Co-Op. (Photo: Provided)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
continued from page 5
“Cornell should just fire all UAW members who strike. I am no fan of Cornell these days but that is how you deal with unions. If you don’t like your employer, then quit and work for a different one. It is a free market. If you can’t find anyone else to hire you then that is your fault not theirs. It could be their fault too if they elected politicians that hurt the free market by increasing the size, scope, role, and power of government to punish the productive in order to reward the unproductive.” — Richard Ballantyne
Mayor Robert Cantelmo has frequently referred to Ithaca as a “union town,” a sentiment underscored by the UAW strike, where workers are demanding a $24 per hour living wage and free parking. The union has accused Cornell of refusing to negotiate in good faith, leading to the strike and the filing of seven unfair labor practice charges against the university with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The UAW strike, along with other local labor movements, will be a focal point of this year’s picnic. According to Pete Meyers, Director of the Tompkins County Workers’ Center, the picnic is not just a celebration but a platform for solidarity and action.
“This year’s picnic is especially important given the ongoing UAW strike at Cornell. It’s a time for the community to come together, recognize the struggles of workers, and show our support,” Meyers said. “We’re hoping to have a big turnout, especially if the strike is still ongoing, to show Cornell and other employers that Ithaca stands with its workers.”
Ithaca has a robust history of labor organizing, being the first city where every Starbucks location voted to unionize, only to have the company shut down all unionized stores in response. Starbucks anti-union tactics in Ithaca resulted in an NLRB Judge ruling that the company repeatedly violated federal labor laws.
Additionally, workers at Bangs Ambulance, Gimmee Coffee, and the Ithaca Sci-
UAW STRIKE SPOTLIGHTS
continued from page 6
While Molinaro’s support for parts of the PRO Act is a notable step forward among Republican elected officials, Riley’s commitment to passing the bill without alterations could position him as a stronger ally of labor in the eyes of union supporters.
As the race for New York’s 19th Congressional District continues, Molinaro and Riley’s contrasting views on labor rights and the PRO Act are likely to significantly shape the decisions voters will make in November.
encecenter, have previously voted to unionize — while workers at Ithaca’s GreenStar Food Co-op are currently in the process of voting to form a union, adding to the city’s active labor landscape.
The Labor Day Picnic will also feature an expanded awards ceremony, honoring individuals and organizations for their contributions to labor rights. Awards include the Mother Jones Award, Joe Hill Award, A. Philip Randolph Award, Dolores Huerta Award, Chico Mendes Award, Jaz Brisack Award, Karen Lewis Award, Friend of Labor Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event will also present the “Friend of the 1%” Award, adding a satirical note to the proceedings.
Last year’s picnic drew around 350 attendees, and organizers anticipate an even larger turnout this year, especially given the heightened awareness around local
GEORGE MANN SHARES SI KAHN’S MUSIC
continued from page 7
contract, by the way!) with the 10 recordings by other artists, some going back to the 1980’s…That’s a very important final step — putting these songs together in an order that creates a story in sound, so to speak, and makes the album feel whole.”
As Si Kahn looks back on a long career, George relates that Si is filled with gratitude. Si: “Labor Day, my official 80th birthday album, a joint project with my friend and fellow labor organizer George Mann, is also a love song to the many friends and allies
labor issues. The picnic is free and open to all, with attendees encouraged to bring a dish reflecting their cultural background. Free burgers, including vegetarian options, hot dogs, and beverages will be provided. Details about featured music will be announced soon.
Human service agencies, Living Wage Employers, and other organizations are invited to set up organizing tables at the event. To register, interested parties can contact Pete at the Workers’ Center via email at pete@tcworkerscenter.org, by calling 607-339-1680, or through the Workers’ Center website at www.TCWorkersCenter.org.
As Ithaca continues to navigate its role in the broader labor movement, this year’s Labor Day Picnic stands as a testament to the city’s enduring commitment to workers' rights and social justice.
who’ve helped me along this road, worked side by side with me, taught and inspired me, argued, celebrated, and grieved with me.”
The timing of “Labor Day” could not be better. When Ithacans see the empty storefronts that were once Starbucks shops, now vacant since Starbucks pulled out of Ithaca after its workers voted overwhelmingly to unionize, and drive by UAW Maintenance and Dining employees picketing at Cornell, we understand how important it is to recognize the challenges of everyday workers, on Labor Day and beyond.
For more information and to order the album, check out www.georgemannmusic. com.
The 38th Annual Labor Day Picnic will celebrate workers rights amind ongoing labor local
Picnic organizers gather at the Main Pavillion in Ithaca’s Stewart Park for last years annual Labor Day Picnic organized by the Tompkins County Workers Center. (Photo: File)
