October 25, 2023 by Ithaca Times

F R E E / O c t o b er 2 5 , 2 0 2 3 / V o l u m e X L I I I , N u m b er 6 1 / O u r 5 1 s t Y e a r

Online @ ITH ACA .COM

MOU Approved City, Cornell Reach 15-Year Agreement to increase the university’s contribution to Ithaca PAGES 8-9

COUNTY MUNICIPAL TCAT LEGISLATURE TABLES BROADBAND ANNOUNCES MORE STATEMENT ON COMING TO DRYDEN ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR SERVICE CUTS PAGE 3

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SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN EVENTS

TICK, TICK, BOOM AT THE KITCHEN THEATRE

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Pack the back-to-school snack loved by generations of students. Look for our new packaging at your local market.

Find your favorite Polly-O cheeses

2 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

Polly-O Cheese, Made in New York since 1899

Newsline

VOL. XLIII / NO. 61 / October 25, 2023 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

ON THE COVER:

Assembly Passes Bill Supporting Dryden Municipal Broadband

What’s the deal with crime in Ithaca?

NEWSLINE ��3-5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR �� 6 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS �� 7

By Sta ff R e p ort

stepping up for Dryden and getting this important legislation across the n October 2, the New York State finish line.” Assembly passed bill A1260, Assemblymember which promises to reshape the Anna Kelles stated, “I am telecommunications landscape, ushering in a new era of connectivity and economic delighted that municipalities like Dryden can opportunity for residents across the state. continue to grow and ofAssemblymember Anna Kelles sponfer municipal broadband sored the bill and represents a bold and Assemblymember Anna Kelles helped pass a bill that will allow the Town of Dryden to move forward with their to residents in the town visionary step forward in the state’s commitmunicipal broadband program. (Photo: WHCU) and more rural areas. In ment to addressing the digital divide. The a market that has long bill recognizes the indispensable role that Dryden is an excellent example of this been an oligopoly of a few large providers, broadband and related telecommunications effort, where municipal fiber optic cable enabling muinfrastructure will allow 400 megabytes per second nicipalities to play in today’s upload and download speeds starting at bond the coninterconnected $45 per month. Additional options allow struction costs world. With a upload and download speeds of 1 gigabyte of laying fiber primary focus per second, both upload and download, optic cable on extending for $90 per month. Dryden Fiber aims infrastructure broadband acto reduce these costs as more and more will create cess to underresidents sign up to participate in the a necessary served and rural program. shift towards areas, A1260 Senator May, the Senator sponsor of broadband as sets a course for this bill, stated, “High-speed broadband a public good, a more inclusive service is a 21st century necessity, critical not a right of and prosperfor learning, business, and entertainment. the privileged. ous future for — Assemblymember Anna Kelles Access to inter- All New York residents must have access to all residents of it. This bill expands the financing options net service is New York. for a proven model of delivering broadessential, particularly after the pandemic, Dan Lamb, Deputy Town Supervisor band directly by municipalities. This will where our work, education, and even of Dryden, said, “Dryden Fiber could not social lives shifted significantly into digital especially help in areas not currently being happen without strong support from our served adequately, and I encourage all spaces. I am proud to work with local state partners,” stated Deputy Supervisor governments to ensure equitable access to Dan Lamb. “We’re grateful to Assemreliable broadband.” blymember Anna Kelles for, once again, Contin u ed on Page 7

“In a market that has long been an oligopoly of a few large providers, enabling municipalities to bond the construction costs of laying fiber optic cable infrastructure will create a necessary shift towards broadband as a public good.”

T a k e X Support the Southside Community Center The Southside Community Center has issued a press release announcing that Third Ward Alderperson Donna Fleming is proposing to Defund Southside Community Center in the 2024 budget. Southside Community Center is a thriving historically Black institution that has been serving the Ithaca community for nearly 90 years. It provides low cost/free licensed child care, food pantry, community meals, pet clinic, and one of the oldest community bike shops in

N o t e

the country. In addition, it serves as an overall hub for community and cultural events, such as Juneteenth & Kwanzaa. O n We d n e s d ay, O c t o b e r 2 5 a t 5:15 pm in person (or 9am online instructions to follow) to speak for 3 minutes and share your Southside Story! Why is the Southside Community Center important to you? Why is the Southside Community Center important to Ithaca, New York? What unique services and experiences have you had at Southside Community Center?! Could you imagine if Southside Community Center were gone? Who would this impact? Who would this hurt?

Bottom-line, the root of this attack is political retaliation. The use of anti-Black racist rhetoric and the attempt to divide and conquer Black and Brown resources is the strategy along with other criminalizing language to describe this thriving Black organization. We are seeing in real time the ways in which the government negatively responds to uplifted and empowered Black voices. The Southside Community Center works to affirm, empower, and foster the development of self-pride among the Black American residents of greater Ithaca...and everyone else is welcome too.

SPORTS �� 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT �� 11 STAGE �� 12-13 FORUM �� 15 TIMES TABLE �� 16-17 CLASSIFIED �� 18-20

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t D o u g h e r t y , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 1217 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Ch r i s I b e r t, C a l en da r Ed i to r , A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A n d r e w S u l l i v a n , S p o r t s E d i t o r , x 1227 Sports@flcn.org M a t t D o u g h e r t y , N e w s R e p o r t e r , x 1225 R e p o r t e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Michelle L aMorte, Photographer Ste ve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumn ist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m L u c y A l l e n , F r o n t D es k F r o n t @ I t h a c a T i mes . c o m J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 1210 j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 1214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r ee l a n ce r s : Barbara Adams, Stephen Burke, G. M Burns, Alyssa Denger, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE C O P Y R I G H T © 2 02 3, B Y N E W S K I I N C . All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable. All copy must be received by Friday at noon. The Ithaca Times is available free of charge from various locations around Ithaca. Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $89 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607277-1012, MAILING ADDRESS is PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. The Ithaca Times was preceded by the Ithaca New Times (1972–1978) and The Good Times Gazette (1973–1978), combined in 1978. Founder Good Times Gazette: Tom Newton

O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

INQUIRING County Legislature Votes PHOTOGRAPHER By Miche l l e L a Mor te WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN?

to Table Statement on Israel War

T “Either Scar from The Lion King or Spiderman.” – Oliver M.

“Ghost Face from Scream.” – Sariah A.

“Pennywise.” – Miasia M.

“Alice from Wonderland.” – Grace Q.

“Barbie.” – Maddie M.

N e w s l i n e

By M at t D ough e rt y

he Tompkins County Legislature voted to table a resolution in support of Israel by a margin of 12-2 during a meeting on October 17. The resolution was crafted in response to the ongoing war being waged by Israel Dozens of residents attended the October 17 meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature to speak out both in favor and against a resolution in support of Israel in response the ongoing war in the Middle East. (Photo: File) against Hamas — which has resulted in the collective punishment of the entire both in support and opposition to the that Tompkins County had any say in the population of Gaza. If passed, the legislaresolution — with those in opposition beconflict. Legislator Deborah Dawson said, ture would have displayed the Israeli flag “I don’t think anybody who has any control ing in the majority. alongside the Ukrainian flag for one year. Ithaca resident Sarah Gunther said over this issue cares what the Tompkins Legislator Greg Mezey authored she attended the meeting “as a Jew and a County Legislature thinks. We have no the resolution, but moved to table the mother sharing heartbreak about what’s control over this. We have no say in this.” proposal as events unfolded and more happening in Palestine and Israel.” GunLegislator Randy Brown agreed, sayinformation on the war became available ther continued by ing, “I’m not going to to the public. saying she was “deeply “This resolution that I originally submit- support the resolution grateful that [the because I don’t believe ted was in response to the terrorist attack legislature] tabled the we should have the on October 7 and was to express our resolution for tonight.” Ukrainian flag up here, support and sympathy for those affected,” Gunther added and I don’t think we Mezey said. He continued, “I realized that that she “respectshould have the Israeli over the last several days, this conflict in fully disagreed” with flag here either.” He the region has evolved and continues to Dawson’s comments continued saying, “I evolve. And the resolution as it’s submitthat nobody cares ted needs to be pulled back.” Mezey added think that these are about what County actions that we have that the County “needs to take a moment — Legislator Greg Mezey Legislators say about to rethink a more nuanced resolution call- no control over. It’s international affairs. been centuries that ing for a ceasefire from all sides.” “What we do here deeply matters. Israel is there’s been war in that region, and the Others said that they wouldn’t support in the process of committing genocidal people who suffer are typically innocent.” the resolution because they didn’t think actions against Palestinians,” Gunther said. While a majority of the Legislature was She continued, “As a mother and Jew, I’m in support of tabling the resolution, Legterrified for what’s going to happen to all islator Mike Sigler said that he supported introducing it for a vote. Sigler states, “The those babies and children and families.” According to Gunther, “There’s terrifyresult makes it very clear that it is not a ingly genocidal language being used by the condemnation of Palestinians, but a constate, and the US government is providing demnation of Hamas.” diplomatic cover. The US government proSigler said the Legislature should vote vides unconditional military support, and on the resolution because “Right now, we I’m here as a Jew to say not in my name.” have 200 hostages being held by Hamas, (Gunther is referring to the $3.3 billion in over 20 of those are American citizens.” aid that the United States gives to Israel He added, “We have 10,000 sailors in the annually.) She added, “I truly believe that Mediterranean right now, 2,000 soldiers the only path to peace is to end the vioheaded there, and President Biden is lence and oppression that the Israeli state headed there.” is committing against Palestinians.” Ultimately, the Legislature voted to Mahmud Burton, President of the table the resolution by a margin of 12-2, with Legislators Mike Sigler and Lee Shur- Al-Huda Islamic Center — Tompkins Legislator Greg Mezey wrote the resolution, but moved to tleff voting to include it in the agenda. County’s only Mosque — addressed table it saying that a new resolution calling for a ceasfire Following the vote to table the resolufrom all sides would be more appropriate. (Photo: File) tion, dozens of public members spoke Contin u ed on Page 14

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“[The County] needs to take a moment to rethink a more nuanced resolution calling for a ceasefire from all sides.”

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e

TCAT Announces More Service Cuts Blaming National Driver Shortage By M at t D ough e rt y

Ups

State Senator Lea Webb has secured over $100,000 in funding for local organizations serving victims of domestic violence.

and on the road faster.” The statement added, “TCAT’s aim is to restore service for the next service period, starting Jan. 21, ompkins County Area Transit 2024.” (TCAT) has announced more In response to the cuts, TCAT General service cuts that will remain effecManager Scot Vanderpool has apologized tive until January 20, 2024. The cuts were to residents negatively affected by service announced in an October 10 statement reductions. “We deeply apologize to the which said, “the agency continues to contend with driver shortages and limited bus many riders whose daily lives have been continuously disrupted by our inability availability.” to provide the service they deserve, and This comes just one month after a TCAT General Manager Scot Vanderpool says that the agencies budget is all good, but driver shortages hope these more strategic changes over September 14 announcement that TCAT are continuing to cause service cuts. (Photo: File) the current emergency cuts will lessen would be making week-day service cuts as some of those “part of a shortbenefits, and the opportunity for bus inconveniences,” term strategy operators to be an essential part of transsaid Vanderpool. to help free up portation solutions for our community.” He continued, some buses for He added, “We’ve also changed the driver “Our planners higher-demand schedule to create more work-life balance made every effort trips whose riders and provided a referral bonus.” Still, the at cutting trips have suffered lastwhere there are al- agency remains 14 drivers short. Accordminute service ing to Vanderpool, TCAT aimed to start ternatives, though cuts ever since fall service with 70 drivers but currently not as convenient, TCAT’s fall service has just 56. will still enable went into effect on — General Manager Scot Vanderpool “The bottom line with reducing service riders to get to August 21.” is — we can’t continue the limited number and from their It also came of bus operators we have available to work destinations. It’s always difficult to reduce six days before another statement was on their day off week after week, or we will any service, but our priority must be to released announcing that TCAT and lose some of the bus operators we have,” ensure that we stick to the schedules that Cornell University approved a service Vanderpool said. “We had no choice but to we say we are running.” agreement for a four-year term that will reduce service once again.” According to Vanderpool, although see the university pay the bus company Vanderpool continued, saying, “We TCAT has continued to roll out service more than $3.3 million per year. Adare currently going to hold job fairs at our reductions, the agency’s budget is in good ditionally, the deal includes scheduled Green Street Stashape. “Service increases in years 2, 3, and 4 — if specific tion (hub) once a reductions are all requirements are met. month to bring in about recruiting For example, the new service agreedrivers. The next drivers, which is a ment with Cornell establishes target serjob fair will be nation-wide probvice levels and incentivizes TCAT to meet held on November or exceed those service levels. Payments in lem.” Vanderpool 8th.” He added, added, “All transit the final three years of the new deal could “We are doing agencies in NYS be altered depending on actual service on everything we can five Cornell campus-oriented routes — 10, are in the same to try to turn this situation.” 30, 81, 82, and 90. Cornell would pay an trend (that started Vanderpool has additional amount if the service exceeds with the panan agreed-upon level; the university would said that TCAT demic) around and will continue to receive a credit or refund if the service get back to where emphasize driver falls below the level. we can bring back recruitment and According to the October 10 state— General Manager Scot Vanderpool the service that has retention heavily ment, the latest changes “include strategic been reduced over but that the multireductions to urban, campus, suburban the course of the past several months.” year deal with Cornell “has nothing to do and rural service.” It continued, “The next TCAT has asked riders to check its with our ability to hire or retain drivers.” three months will give staff the time to Bus Tracker for the status of their routes. Regarding TCAT’s struggle to attract rebuild the ranks of drivers and for the The Bus Tracker includes passenger alerts more drivers, Vanderpool said, “TCAT agency to fully benefit from improved has tried everything, including going door streamed on the red banner across TCAT’s maintenance protocols, which are already home page. to door with posters about our wages, getting more buses maintained, repaired,

“Service reductions are all about recruiting drivers, which is a nation-wide problem. All transit agencies in NYS are in the same situation.”

“We are doing everything we can to try to turn this trend (that started with the pandemic) around and get back to where we can bring back the service that has been reduced over the course of the past several months.”

Downs

Two men hit by a vehicle died in Tompkins County Friday night after a man pulled over to help a motorcyclist who crashed.

HEARD&SEEN Heard

Don’t forget to vote! Election day on November 7 is right around the corner. Early voting starts on October 28 and lasts until November 5. Get out there and cast those ballots!

Seen

Cornell University has placed history professor Russell Rickford on an indefinite leave of absence after he made comments in support of the Palestinian resistance during a rally on October 15.

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 think the City will be able to hire a City Manager before January 1, 2024? 22.7% Yes . 43.2% No . 34.1% I don’t care .

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Do you think the City should do more to keep sidewalks clear of snow during the winter? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR November 7 Endorsements

“

With democracy under assault both here and throughout the world, it is essential that we exercise our fundamental duty to vote on November 7th. Voters in Tompkins County have a number of elective posts to fill. I strongly urge all Tompkins County residents to vote for Deirdre Hay for Supreme Court Justice. A longtime community volunteer, an accomplished litigator and a leader in the local legal community, Deirdre will be a fair and impartial judge. I live in the City of Ithaca, and I also will be voting for Robert Cantelmo for mayor. In my home Third Ward, Democrats David Shapiro and Pierre SaintPierre also have earned my votes. Like, Robert, David and Pierre are engaged, empathetic and intelligent community advocates who listen to all voices. They are well prepared to help Ithaca as it navigates the challenges we face.” — Ann Sullivan

“

We encourage you to join us in supporting Kayla Matos, the Democratic and Working Family Party candidate for Common Council First Ward. She demonstrated her leadership skills and hard work when she and her team knocked on over 1,000 doors before the primary. She energized the electorate, increasing voter turnout by sixty percent, and beat Cynthia Brock, the incumbent, handily in the primary. As city employees for over 35 years, we have had a close-up view of the Common Council and the inner workings of the city. Cynthia Brock has been an engaged member of Council. Previously, we were supporters, but our position has changed. During the Reimagining Public Safety (RPS) process Cynthia maligned Mayor Myrick, the RPS Working Group, Dorothy Cotton Institute, and the Park Foundation. The city spent a great deal of time and money investigating Cynthia’s claims, and, in the end, found no ethics violations. Equally troubling, Cynthia invalidated the input from Black and Latino community members that informed the recommendations of the working group. Cynthia may be experienced, but experience does not equal good judgment; her decisions have been clouded by personal vendettas and ego. She trafficked in fear and conspiracy theories, blaming outside organizers for influencing RPS recommendations and her primary loss.

This is an insult to Ithacans. Kayla Matos is about making sure all voices are heard and building community. We believe Kayla will bring a fresh, energized, and engaged perspective, sure to improve and enhance the Common Council.” — Karen Friedeborn Marcia Fort Baum

“

I am proud to support Cynthia Brock for Common Council. Having worked with Cynthia on a number of intermunicipal issues of importance, I can attest without reservation to her diligence, her preparedness, her independent voice, and the countless hours she devotes to City residents. I have been particularly impressed with her steadfast protection of the environment as evidenced by her leadership of the governing body that oversees our wastewater treatment facility. Cynthia has been instrumental in protecting our lake with a common-sense, science-based approach that is forward looking and fiscally responsible. Retaining Cynthia’s leadership and experience is essential during what is likely to be a significant transition in City government. Cynthia tells it like it is. No politically expedient fluff. No going along to get along. Just honest governance for the good of Ithacans. Please keep her in office.” — Rich DePaolo, Deputy Supervisor, Town of Ithaca

Response to “Cornell Professor Receives National Attention for Comments Supporting Palestine”

“

Elements of the Left have consistently failed to understand how (wellearned) Holocaust trauma continues to make it almost impossible for most Jews to come to terms with how the brutal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza incites the quality of maniacal rage that empowers Hamas brutality. Desperate people often support desperate behavior, as is evident in the callousness of Hamas leadership willing to reign down a genocide on its own people, while Netanyahu expresses no grief for the slaughter and kidnapping of his own people, and sends a previously unknown emissary to blame the Israeli ‘ravers’ for the unspeakable tragedy. Instead of sending more murderous military ‘aid’ the US needs to help broker a ceasefire so that those who have even slightly emerged from their trauma on all sides can help one another bury the guns and bombs, the only ‘once and for all’

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that makes any sense. And the ultra-Left needs to take a break from speeches that begin with the effort to educate about history, and end with explosions of rage and grief that are actually about their inability to produce change.” — Barbara Regenspan

Response to “DeWitt Park — Ithaca’s Oldest Park”

“

60 years ago my grandfather and I spent a lot of time in the park where he told me many, many stories. He was a very proud Army man and I am so lucky to have been able to spend so much time in the beautiful park with someone I loved. Did you know we had a full size Christmas manger there every year?” — Martha Dickens

Response to “DPW Says No to Sidewalk Snow Removal Program”

“

Pretty simple solution. Raise taxes, hire enough staff. Keep them on year round to handle the DPW work that isn’t getting done. So far , from what I read the only reason it can’t be done is because there is not enough staff. There is no other way to resolve the problem than to hire more staff or find volunteers.” — John Butler

“

But John, how do we implement this ‘simple solution’ when once again Cornell has shut their bulging purse ($10M + endowment) to the city that hosts them? Superintendent Thorn has given very specific financial reasons why we have no city finances for snow removal. Should our taxes amount to triple mortgages to cover city services rather than the almost double in our mortgages that we pay now? With imagination, or if you will, putting yourself in another’s boots, you can see how working people (whether homeowners or renters) will be snowed under by these excessive taxes. Cornell needs to pay for the use of our roads, sidewalks, fire department etc. or else for the next 15 years city services will be breaking the backs of our people. There is a movement afoot to remove the tax-exempt status of the big red robber on the hill — our common council, including the candidate for mayor Robert Cantelmo, have promised to take this issue to Albany to lobby ending the taxexempt status of our very own untouchable ivory tower. The spirit of the people of Ithaca is a giving spirit but we are not

fools. BE KIND don’t you just love that sign all over town?” — Lee Rogers

“

Suggestion, simply empower the parking police to also hand out tickets for failure to remove snow from the sidewalk. They are already walking the streets, pad in hand.” — Eddie Coyle

“

Oh if only it were that simple Eddie. The DPW, as stated in this piece, is understaffed. It’s understaffed because it’s under funded. Why? Because of 20 years and now another 15 years of the miserly MOU that Cornell ‘contributes’ to our city. So take it up with the new mayor and hope he’s more ‘understanding’ than our present mayor and common council members. With the exception of Cynthia Brock who voted NO on the limp MOU from the bully on the hill.” — Lee Rogers

Response to “MOU Approved”

“

The MOU is a complete disgrace, and even now, the inability of people to state the obvious is troubling, moving forward: Cornell University blackmailed the city and inspired a new level of cynicism among those of us, including many of its faculty and students, struggling to trust the possibility of integrity in relationships between the more powerful and the less powerful that democracy requires. Cornell has trampled on its own stated educational mission and deserves the reasoned response of researchers like Davarian Baldwin in the current Chronicle of Higher Education. Read this article, and let’s generate more of them. There is a national movement building against the abuse by wealthy universities of the cities that host them, and that movement can teach us the negotiating skills currently lacking locally. We are more powerful ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL

contin u ed from page 3

municipalities to see if this option makes sense for them. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing this critical bill and Assemblymember Anna Kelles for your hard work in moving it through the Assembly.” Senator Lea Webb said, “The passage of this legislation marks a significant stride towards bridging the digital divide in New York. In an increasingly interconnected world, access to broadband, especially in rural communities, is not just a

than we think we are when we find that we are not alone!” — Barbara Regenspan

“

It seems strange that the members of the City Council believed that they couldn’t get a better deal from Cornell despite Cornell having already improved the ‘final’ deal within the past two weeks. Perhaps City Councilors should have mandatory training in negotiating strategies.” — Peter Wissoker

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Performing in Pretty Woman the Musical

“

Recently, two ironic contrasting events occurred. Charles Feeney, the renowned generous philanthropist, the largest donor to Cornell University to the tune of nearly 1 billion dollars, passed away at 92. Also, the City of Ithaca and Cornell reached a 4 million dollar 15 year agreement on the MOU. According to the Ithaca Times coverage of the common council meeting, this miserly deal was struck under the threat of Cornell welching on a 2024 payment, and/or not paying anything at all. In short, this seems like an example of class warfare. As I understand it, in the Macrocosm, the people of the world are enslaved to Capitalism, an immoral monster that is literally destroying the planet. In our microcosm, Ithaca is in a parasitic relationship with Cornell, a smaller Capitalistic, immoral monster. I wonder what Cornell’s financial responsibility to Ithaca would be under a Democratic Socialist system? I wonder how much Cornell would pay to Ithaca if Charles Feeney himself were at the helm of the University? I encourage residents to not let this issue fall off the radar for the next 15 years. Diligently contact your State Legislators and demand a change to the Universities tax exempt status.” — Ann Franklin

convenience; it’s an essential lifeline for education, business, and daily life,” said Senator Lea Webb. “This bill underscores our commitment to ensuring that every resident, regardless of their ZIP Code, has the opportunity to thrive in this digital age. I commend Governor Hochul for signing this pivotal bill, and I extend my gratitude to Senator May and Assemblymember Kelles for their dedication in advancing it through the Legislature. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all New Yorkers.”

(Left to Right) Amanda Norton (mother), Anthony Henry (brother), Christian Henry, Chandra Henry (twin sister), Franklin Henry Jr. (father) celebrating Christian’s graduation from Ithaca College. (Photo: Lesley Greene)

M a rjor i e O l d s

ranklin Henry, Jr. renowned Ithaca musician and community hero, is the father of three remarkable young people, Anthony, Christian and Chandra. Franklin knew from a very early age he would grow up musical and also wild, a surprise to his dignified parents, pillars of Ithaca’s esteemed Black Community. Franklin told his children, “I don’t care what you do, as long as you’re happy.” And like his parents, Franklin led with love, no matter what. Christian Maxwell Henry, paused for this interview between rehearsals in Syracuse for his national tour performing in Pretty Woman The Musical. “I understood as a kid that I loved all things musical—singing, dancing, acting. I also understood that natural talent is a gift, but talent alone is not enough to make it. I believe my success required resilience, passion, dedication, and kindness. This belief drives me to keep skill building in my craft as a performer.” “We all grew up at a young age. Often living with one parent, we had to pitch in and go about our lives without much supervision. By the time Chandra, my twin, and I were 11, and Anthony was 12, we were all little adults, with our sched-

ules and projects. We had lots of freedom and we hung out where we wanted; however, we were acutely aware of the consequences of our choices. And none of us wanted to falter. And through it all, we knew our parents were proud of us, trusted us, and loved us.” Christian spent lots of his time developing his skills as a performer. “My first show with Running to Places was Annie, when I was in the eighth grade. My favorite musical as a kid! We performed at the State Theater, with, I almost 1000 people attending the shows. I loved my time with R2P!” “After Annie I realized “I can really do this.” I knew I had some special challenges—finances, resources, living with one parent. But my Father always said, “You may not be rich in money. But you will always be rich in love…” There was never any question that my entire family loved me. But as kids when we wanted to go after something, we had to figure out ways to earn money and do it ourselves.” Christian received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College, one of the most competitive Musical Theatre conservatory programs in the country. When Christian began Ithaca College he Contin u ed on Page 14

O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

Ithaca’s Crime Transparency Problem

hen the City of Ithaca set out to reimagine public safety more than three years ago, building a better relationship between residents and police was the top priority. As part of that effort, the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) developed an online dashboard to visualize IPD data and gave the public access to it on June 8, 2022. However, the CEO of the independent crime reporting organization SpotCrime, Colin Drane, has said the dashboard does not give the public a transparent view of IPD’s actions. Despite repeated attempts to contact the Ithaca Police Department for a statement, the Ithaca Times did not receive a response. The dashboard can be found on the City of Ithaca website at https://www.cityofithaca.org/752/Community-Dashboard and is supposed to include up to date information about police calls, responses, and arrests going as far back as 2019. The dashboard also provides the public with information regarding response locations and the average number of officers working per shift. The number of officers working per shift has decreased from around 5.7 in 2019 to just 4 in 2023. According to the dashboard, “This metric is calculated by dividing the total daily amount of officer hours worked (at a straight rate) by 8 (hours per shift) and then again by 3 (shifts per day).” This is an example of worsening staffing shortages at IPD. President of the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association (PBA), Tom Condzella, has said that the IPD needs around 80 officers to be fully staffed but has only 44. Thankfully, Mayor Laura Lewis has said that the City is in the process of hiring several new officers, and funding for the position is being included in the 2024 budget. At the time of writing, the dashboard indicated that since January 2023, there have been 15,240 total calls made to IPD, and 606 (4%) of them have resulted in arrests being made. The overwhelming majority of calls so far this year, which according to the dashboard is 14,635 (96%), have not resulted in arrests being made. The dashboard shows that the days which saw the most crime take place so far in 2023 were on May 10 — when IPD reported 153 total incident interactions, 81 calls for service, and eight arrests — and on

By M att Dougherty

The Ithaca Police Commu nity Dashboard went live in August 2022. It was supposed to increase tr ansparency over the actions of IPD, but some say that it has failed to live up to those goals. (Photo: City of Ithaca) September 4 — when IPD reported 196 increase on the Commons “since the pan- Peters — a clothing store on the Commons cident interactions, 62 calls for service, and demic.” During a September 27 meeting — said he must clean “human poop” off his between about 50 local business owners storefront. four arrests. Kurzweil says that people have a lot of While talk of increases in local crime rates and IPD, Kurzweil said that her business has spread, and business owners downtown lost roughly $20,000 last year due to theft, different perspectives about crime downand she’s “on track town, but the one theme that remains the have spoken out to [lose] the same same is that “People feel the sense that about how crime again this year.” there’s nothing that we can do about it, has impacted their Kurzweil says that there’s no one to call.” lives, the data in the A common consensus among those in the cost of theft has dashboard shows a “never been small” attendance was a desire for more help from decrease in crime but that “$20,000 law enforcement and sympathy for the decompared to data is more than dou- partment's staffing struggles. In response to from 2022, which ble what happened questions about possible negative percepshowed that a total before COVID-19.” tions of police officers on the Commons, of 19,650 calls were According to Kurzweil said, “I didn’t sense any of we don’t made with 808 Kurzweil, discus- want you around because we don’t trust you (4.1%) resulting in — Colin Drane, Spotcrime CEO sions at the meet- to behave yourselves kind of attitude.” arrests, while 95.9% IPD has previously dispatched an officer ing consisted of the calls did not result in any arrests being made. However, mainly of general safety concerns, issues to walk the Commons, but Acting Chief of the 2022 data represented increased crime with crime, and “all the different versions Police Ted Schwartz says that the departof people feeling unsafe.” Several attendees ment has been too short-staffed to allocate compared to 2020 and 2021. While the dashboard indicates that spoke about problems with people drink- an officer to the Commons for several years. crime has decreased over the last year, the ing, doing drugs, relieving themselves, and “We cannot do that right now because we owner of Sunny Days Ithaca, Deirdre Kurz- panhandling in the Commons. During the need to have people in a car to respond to weil, has said that she has seen crime in- meeting, Sam Parlett, owner of Benjamin emergencies,” Schwartz said.

“Of the police agencies in your area, Ithaca College, Cornell, Tompkins County Sheriff, the Ithaca Police Department is the only one no longer producing a public blotter.”

8 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

IPD used to have an officer deployed on the Commons, but staffing shortages have prevented IPD from deploying an officer on the Commons for sever al years. (Photo: File)

through email by the sergeant of records at quated PDF format.” He continued by saying that “Spillman/Motorola allowed their IPD that the log no longer exists. SpotCrime has mapped roughly 80,000 mobile app to expire years ago” and that crimes in Ithaca since 2010. According to this threatens the ability of the public and Drane, before the City stopped publishing press to share crime data. In addition, Drane has said that another a crime log, it reported an average of approximately 20 crimes a day on its log, and drawback of the current dashboard is that roughly 7,500 crimes were reported a year. it does not offer a feature to map the data. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Drane “This is not a big number to manage and resaid, “Microsoft BI has a port to your public,” known limitation of not said Drane. providing actual data for He continued, the public to download. “Ithaca is becomIf you can’t inspect the ing less transparent data, how can you trust in terms of crime it is correct? This is not data for the public.” transparent.” This is at odds with In response to comthe department’s atments made by Drane, tempts to increase First Ward Alderperson transparency by devCynthia Brock said, “A eloping an online decision was made by dashboard that conIPD staff to focus on the tains information dashboard which allows about police calls, rethe previously-provided sponses, and arrests data and additional ingoing as far back as — Cynthia Brock formation to be posted 2019. and refreshed to reflect The crime dashboard was designed to increase commu- new and updated information as it comes in.” According to Brock, “Prioritizing accunity oversight of IPD, and the data shown on the dashboard has been compiled from racy over immediacy so that our residents IPD’s InTime timekeeping software, the de- can have a clear view of what is happening partment’s Spillman records management in our city is important.” However, Brock software, and is operated using Microsoft concluded by saying that she agrees with having the City and County provide inciPower BI. Even though the department said trans- dent information that organizations like parency was the goal of creating the dash- SpotCrime can more easily collect. The Ithaca Police Department did not board, Drane said that Ithaca’s police department has made access to police blotter respond to repeated requests to comment data “extremely difficult by using an anti- on this story.

“A decision was made by IPD staff to focus on the dashboard which allows the previously-provided data and additional information to be posted and refreshed to reflect new and updated information as it comes in.”

Schwartz also said that bail reforms en- has been attempting to raise awareness acted by New York State in 2019 have in- about how the Ithaca Police Department creased crime, but data regarding the corre- has been reporting crimes that occur in the lation between bail reform and crime rates city but says he has had trouble communicating with IPD. remain inconclusive. According to Drane, The most common “No PDF log has been response locations are posted on the police webthe West Village apartsite since September 2022, ments, Walmart, Ithaca and no press release has Arthaus, 7-Eleven, the been posted since March St. Johns Center, We2021.” He continued, “Of gmans, and the Ithaca Commons. While arrests — Colin Drane, the police agencies in your area, Ithaca College, Coraren’t made often, most Spotcrime CEO nell, Tompkins County occur at Walmart, folSheriff, the Ithaca Police lowed by 200 Eddy Street, Wegmans, 7Eleven, FastTrac Market, the St. Department is the only one no longer proJohns Center, Ithaca Arthaus, West Village ducing a public blotter.” Drane said that a member of the staff apartments, and Byrne Dairy. Sergeant Mary Orsaio presented the at SpotCrime requested to receive access dashboard to the Common Council’s Rei- to the log on Feb. 7, 2023, and was told magining Special Committee in 2022, explaining that when the Ithaca Police Department is listed as a response location, as it is in the most significant number of calls (750), it is because the call was made to the IPD or someone physically came into the IPD. The dashboard was designed to increase community oversight of IPD and allow community members to gain an understanding of the types of calls officers respond to, as well as the volume of calls. It was also meant to provide information about where calls come from and how many calls result in arrests. However, the dashboard fails to include information about how many arrests were made during an incident or how many charges were filed. It consists of a disclaimer noting, “The number of arrests in the dashboard represents the number of incidents resulting in arrest. It does not reflect the number of people arrested or the number of charges filed.” Business onwers on the Ithaca Commons say that they have experienced The CEO of independent crime reportan increase of crime since the pandemic. (Photo: File) ing organization SpotCrime, Colin Drane,

“Ithaca is becoming less transparent in terms of crime data for the public.”

O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

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10 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

ICS, HIS, Cornell, All Score Football Victories By Ste ve L aw re nc e

have recently referenced the Meatloaf song “Two Out of Three Ain't Bad” when describing the collective fortune of our three local football teams, but this week Cornell, Ithaca College and Ithaca High pulled off a rare Trifecta. All three teams put up Ws, and while Cornell will not play in any post-season games (no Ivy schools will), the other two are looking good as the close of the regular season draws near. First up, Cornell’s 36-14 hammering of Ivy foe Brown, who came into Schoellkopf Field with a vaunted offense. The Bruins were ranked #1 (in the FCS) in passing, #9 in total offense and #25 in scoring, but those numbers were irrelevant, as Cornell put it on them early in moving to 3-3 overall and 2-1 Ivy (in a 4-way tie for the league lead). The Big Red will host Princeton this weekend. Ithaca College and its opponent, the University of Rochester — sputtered for three quarters, entering the final stanza tied at 3. The visiting Bombers would outscore the hosts 21-7 in the fourth to run their winning streak to six games. The game would also see the first time since 2012 that a Bomber running back went over 200 yards, as Jalen Leonard-Osbourne went for 208. Ithaca is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Liberty League, and will host the University of Buffalo this weekend. Finally, it has been a long time since Ithaca High had won five games in a row, but after the Little Red’s 20-0 win over Newark, they are achieving a magical season. When a program changes head coaches less than two weeks before the opening game, there is usually some justifiable concern that the transition period might cause problems. In Ithaca’s case, the fact that the new head coach played for Ithaca High (class of ’17), then Ithaca College (’21), then served as a Little Red assistant for

Khiry Brown in his days as an Ithaca College Bomber. (Photo: Provided)

two seasons served to allay those concerns to a degree. Khiry Brown said, “The fact that I have an established relationship with the players — and I am relatively close to their age — makes my job easier.” He added, “It makes the connection feel more genuine.” As a college player, Brown played in the Bombers’ defensive backfield (as a cornerback), and he said that his tri-captains “have totally bought in.” In Brown’s words, “Danny Parker, Nick Talbot and Kaleb Kerfoot are providing great leadership, and given they plan to play in college gives them incentive to work even harder to take their game to the next level.” A five-game win streak is unfamiliar territory to all, and in retrospect, the decision to appeal to the Section IV Football Committee to play in an independent division seems like a very wise one. According to Section IV’s Director, Bill Bryant, “It’s the intent of the committee to maintain healthy programs (in terms of wins and losses and roster numbers) and based on the status of where the program has been, the request was approved.” Bryant added, “The committee will evaluate the situation at the end of the season and determine how it will impact Ithaca’s status next year.” I asked Coach Brown how he plans to bolster the feeder programs, and he said, “Given I was hired 12 days before the season began, my focus thus far has been entirely on my players,” but he added that he has solid connections at the Youth Bureau, and that the wheels are in motion to breathe some new life into the effort to strengthen the developmental system. He plans to accept an invitation to address a group working to establish a fifth and sixth grade program, and he said, “We plan to discuss all parts of what it will take to jump start the youth programs and the JV program.” The rookie coach — who is now employed as a Teachers’ Aide at Ithaca High — said, “I plan to stay here as long as I can. Being with these guys is definitely the best part of my day.”

Spooktacular Events Set for Halloween Week

By LA Bourgeois

pine-tingling chills, cozy thrills, and epic costume parties await you during this spooky season. Ithaca has offerings for everyone from the kiddos to dancing fiends to Great Aunt Alice who loves local history.

For the kids: Trick or Treat in Downtown Ithaca, Ithaca Commons, on Oct 27, All Day. Join the tiny goblins and wee witches as they prowl the streets for candy! Free event. Corn Maze at Moore Family Farm, 570 Auburn Road, Groton, NY, Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Get lost in the corn maze and solve a puzzle based on this year’s theme, “Cortaca Jug.” Tickets start at $16.95. Pick Your Own Pumpkin at Indian Creek Farm, 1408 Trumansburg Road, TuesdaySunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Select your perfect jack ‘o lantern. Prices vary based on pumpkin size. Halloween Walk ‘n’ Wag at Dryden Lake Park, W. Lake Road, Oct. 28, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy a costumed pet parade and support the Sunshine Kids Foundation. Day of the Dead, a special Spanish Storytime, at Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St. Oct. 30, 5-6 p.m. Children and their families are welcomed to learn the Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead. Wear your costumes and enjoy this event sponsored by Mayor Potencial. Looking for a scare? Haunted History Tour of Ithaca begin at the Ithaca Commons, 110 N. Tioga St., Oct. 26-28. Tours begin at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and, only on 10/28, 9 p.m. The History Center sponsors this spooky tour of Ithaca’s haunted spaces. Suitable for 16+. $15/person, pre-registration required. Haunted Church at the First Baptist Church of Ithaca, 309 N. Cayuga St., Oct. 28, Family-friendly version 6-7 p.m., At your own risk 8-10 p.m. Take a walk among the spirits infesting the church on this one haunted night of the year. Tickets $5/child with free admis-

Bonus Activity! Pick up a copy or download the Cemetery Scavenger Hunt booklet from The History Center to explore your favorite local graveyard with the family this Halloween weekend. (Photo by LA Bourgeois)

sion for parents from 6-7 p.m., $8/person from 8-10 p.m. Asylum Haunted House at the Dryden Fire Hall, 26 North St., Dryden, NY, Oct. 27 & 28, 6-9 p.m. with a special lights-on for the younger children from 4-5:30 p.m. on 10/28. Will you survive your trip through the haunted asylum? Free admission with donations for the Dryden Food Pantry and Toys for Tots. Dig your costumes out of your haunted attic for these dates: October 25 Halloween and the Pleiades Connection at Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Rd., 6-7 p.m. Learn about this constellation and its connection to the dead and our survival. Suggested donation $5-10. October 26 Awesomely Queer Horror Night at Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St., 6:30-7:45 p.m. Watch “The Old Dark House,” a queer-coded gem of early movie making. Free. Registration is encouraged. October 27 Ensemble X, “Ghosts and Monsters”: CU Music at Barnes Hall, 129 Ho Plaza, 7PM. Program includes George Crumb’s Black Angels for electric string quartet and H.K. Gruber’s Frankenstein!! Free. Emo Night: Halloween at Modern Alchemy Game Bar, 619 W. State St., Suite B, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Mix emo hits with a costume contest and enjoy a special cocktail. Free. Annual Monster Mash Halloween Dance Party at Liquid State Brewery, 620 W. Green St., 9 p.m.-1a.m., Put on a costume and come party with live DJs. Free. Discoween w/ Comb Down & Marcus Rezak Guitar Head Band at the Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., 8-11:55 p.m.

Funky beats give way to jazzy rock on the stage. Tickets start at $22. October 28 Wicked Wolverine Halloween Bar Crawl across Ithaca, Check in 5-7 p.m. Enjoy specialty cocktails as you visit haunted hotspots. Tickets $12.50 available at EventBrite. Location revealed with ticket purchase. Dizgo: Halloween Show at The Upstairs, 106 S. Cayuga St., 7-11 p.m. Dance to dizzying disco with a spine-tingling theme. Free. The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Costume Party at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, 5 McLallen St., Trumansburg, NY, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Don your craziest costume and dance while enjoying this cult classic. Tickets start at $15. Beats from the Crypt 2023 at Forest City Lodge 180, 536 W. Green St., 8 p.m.-1 a.m. This annual Halloween Rave keeps you dancing with ten DJs. Tickets start at $10. Halloween Party at the Range, 119 E. State St., 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Dance in the midnight hour with the Fall Creek Brass Band. Tickets start at $10. October 30 La Paliaccia: a few clowns short of a Halloween Circus, curated & performed by Penelope Voss at the Downstairs, 121 W. State St., 7 p.m. Pop on a costume and join this eclectic performance for treats and tingling spines. Tickets $10. October 31 Boogie Monster Bash: a 70’s themed Halloween party hosted by SingTrece and Kenneth McLaurin at the Downstairs, 121 W. State St., 7-9 p.m. Find those spooky retro duds for the costume contest and get your dancing shoes on. Tickets Pay-what-you-can/$10 suggested.

Arts&Entertainment

HALLOWEEK!

O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

Stage

Earhart in Air Heart Soaring Aerial One-Woman Show Tells Earhart’s Story By Barbara Ad am s

hen aviatrix pioneer Amelia Earhart disappeared over the western Pacific on the last leg of her 1937 flight around the world, a mystery was born. Endless speculations about what went wrong have absorbed people for decades. And even here in Ithaca we occasionally wonder, especially when we pass the grainy black and white photograph of her in the Hangar Theatre lobby — proof that Earhart visited this old hangar at some unknown time. “Air Heart,” a stunning one-woman performance piece by Mara Neimanis, stirs up some of the old questions. But more importantly, it provides an intense encounter with an imagined Earhart, both physically and lyrically. The Cherry Arts space is a perfect venue, its hangar-like interior rising high above the central object: a large sculpture,

a monoplane (created by Tim Scofield). Its thick steel skeleton moves, and spins, and dips, all at the slightest touch. On the wall behind it, a huge global map features the cities where Earhart refueled on her final global adventure. Clad in brown slacks, an ochre camisole, and heavy boots, Neimanis first performs a flight ritual, placing white feathers encircling the sculpture. With her dark blond hair tousled and short, she easily resembles Earhart, and once she’s lifted herself into the plane, she reaches down to add the iconic leather jacket, cap, and googles, completing the transformation. This is a fascinating acrobatic, aerialist performance, as Neimanis continuously moves intro, over, and through every space of the machine’s structure — all the while narrating as Earhart. Her motions are smooth and strong, all the more impres-

sive as she’s a woman in middle age. (Earhart was almost 40 when she died.) Complementing the story, the lighting shifts continually — from near-darkness to liberating sky-blue to perilous red-orange. And a haunting soundscape shifts throughout — a chorus of women’s Mara Neimanis acrobatically tells the story of lost aviatrix pioneer Amelia Earhart. (Photo: Provided) voices, sweet and mystical, as if a seaside cortège of nuns is nearby. of publicity). She’s also willful, determined And crackling over a loudspeaker, we to do as she pleases, and what pleases her hear original recordings — from the radio most is flying. It’s a freedom she can’t live show Earhart never would arrive for, or the without — a solitary, aesthetic, and exhilagarbled transmissions when she and her rating experience. navigator were struggling to find Howland And Neimanis conveys this not only by Island and land. her non-chronological narration but by her Sounds of seabirds and ocean waves movements, muscular and graceful. The bring us closer, but it’s Neimanis’ compelphysicality of her actions is so riveting that ling presence that mesmerizes us. Her you tense in affinity as you watch. At Earhart’s Earhart is confident and fearless; saucy, most dangerous moments aloft, Neimanis saluting, and posing (she knows the value is completely upended, arms outstretched, a veritable arrow pointing toward earth. We learn about the multiple world records Earhart set (starting with being the first woman to fly across the Atlantic); her feminism and ardent support of women in aviation; her friendship and sympathetic correspondence with Eleanor Roosevelt. We watch as she gives endless public speeches, especially to women’s groups, in order to spread the gospel and raise funds for future flights. Neimanis beautifully shows her increasing exhaustion and fading spirits. On July 2, 1937, having flown her Electra 22,000 miles, and with only 7,000 to go, Earhart loses communication and vanishes. For her, she reminded us earlier, falling and flying are “twin sisters,” both the daughters of gravity. Ethereal voices flood the darkness, and we are left alone, with a visceral new understanding of both passion and courage. Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College.

“Air Heart,” created and performed by Mara Neimanis. Original direction by Bryce Butler. Cherry Arts, 100 Cherry St., Ithaca Oct. 26-28 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets at https://thecherry.org/tickets/ 12 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 2 5 – 3 1 , 2 0 2 3

Stage

Tick, Tick…Boom! Creatives in the 80’s Face Choices Turning 30 By Barbara Ad am s

he Kitchen Theatre’s “bold relationship between the actors and the audience” just got even bolder: its current production seats people on all four sides of the playing space as well as on several comfy couches right inside the set. And with three actors racing around every available path, there’s no lack of connection.

“tick, tick…BOOM!” Kitchen Theatre, 417 W. State St., Ithaca. Oct. 25-28 at 7 p.m.; with 2 p.m. matinees on Oct. 26 and 29. by Jonathan Larson, directed by Jennie Hughes. With Alex Parrish, Iris Rodrigo, and William Bailey. For tickets: kitchentheatre.org/tickets or (607) 272-0570.

This exciting event is a high-energy production of Jonathan Larson’s semiautobiographical musical “tick, tick… BOOM!” Larson wrote and performed this as a solo show in 1990, the same year he began working on “Rent”. After Larson’s death in 1996, playwright David Auburn redrafted it into a three-person piece. That’s the version we see here, in an impressive collaboration with the Forager Theatre Company, a New York-based nonprofit creative collective that was founded during the pandemic. Forager itself previously produced this show, and its three original performers all appear here. Along with the director, Jennie Hughes, two of the actors are Forager cofounders: Alex Parrish (Jonathan, also the music director) and Iris Rodrigo (Susan). William Bailey, as Jonathan’s best friend, Michael, rounds out the cast. Their familiarity makes for a fluid, dynamic ensemble.

The story: Jonathan, living on little in a SoHo flat (this is the late ’80s, after all), anxiously approaches his 30th birthday, obsessing over what his creative life has added up to so far. His clock is ticking ominously, and Jonathan, who’s about to rehearse his funky new musical, “Superbia,” suspects everything will blow up in his Iris Rodrigo as Susan, Alex Parrish as Jonathan and William Bailey, as Jonathan’s best friend, Michael bring 80s angst to life in the tick, face (that’s the intick…Boom at the Kitchen Theatre. (Photo by Rachel Phillipson) evitable “boom”). His best friend every wall in the room shouts ’90s artsy and acting co-conspirator since childhood, Michael, has guiltlessly opted for a more 20-somethings — strings of cds, band albums, posters, script pages, tinsel and lucrative career in marketing, complete with Gucci belts and a snazzy BMW. Susan, Jonapop kitsch (co-scenic design and lighting by Tyler Perry). That four-sided atmothan’s dancer girlfriend, is growing tired of spheric backdrop shrinks the already small living marginally; she’s considering teaching space, confirming the pressure Jonathan is ballet somewhere that doesn’t require daily feeling. Yet amidst the crowded furniture, sacrifices and endless commutes. In the Kitchen, there’s a lively small band tucked into a rear corner, and Contin u ed on Page 14

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COUNTY LEGISLATURE VOTES contin u ed from page 4

the Legislature, saying that their words matter and warning against contributing to increasing Islamophobia. “The impact of a one-sided presentation of the situation, completely ignoring context, creates such things as the news of the six-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago being stabbed 26 times.” Burton continued saying that members of his Muslim community in Ithaca have been harassed and made to experience difficult situations on campus “for the sake of raising their voices to talk about the cause of the Palestinians in this particular instance.” TICK, TICK…BOOM! contin u ed from page 13

the actors somehow sail trunks and an upright keyboard in and out with remarkable aplomb. Their energy is infectious; their personalities irresistible; voices joyous. Each one charms us repeatedly — Parrish’s goodnatured Jonathan crackles with electricity; Rodrigo’s Susan vamps voluptuously; and Bailey does multiple winning turns (my favorite when he plays Jonathan’s predictably practical dad). They sing solos, duets, trios, from the truly silly but catchy “Green Green Dress” to “Sunday,” Larson’s nod to his hero, Stephen Sondheim. This briskly paced production is dazzling, though the themes feel dated and

Burton added that as terrible as the October 7 Hamas attack was, the response from Israel has been a brutal violation of human rights. According to Burton, “To imagine a response that would shut off food, water, electricity, medical supplies to 2.2 million civilians, to bomb residences, hospitals, United Nations shelters, schools, and mosques, is itself an insult to the idea of human dignity, as well as a violation of international law.” Other public members disagreed, saying that the Legislature should have voted to include the resolution supporting Israel in the meeting’s agenda. Ithaca resident and Republican Mayoral candidate Janice Kelly said that

the legislature should pass the resolution to show support for the local Jewish community. “I spent a lot of the last week on the phone and WhatsApp, communicating with Jewish friends here and in Israel, who are horrified and shocked and stunned by what's going on and how little support they feel.” Kelly added, “These are people in our community, and they’re scared.” While Kelly said that she agreed that Tompkins County doesn’t have a role in passing proclamations on global affairs, she did say, “It is the role of the county board to be concerned with the safety and well-being and sense of community of our people here.” Ithaca resident Edward Wiseman also

spoke in favor of the resolution, saying, “In March of 2022, this body passed a resolution supporting Ukraine and its war against Russia. Under the current circumstances, it's highly appropriate that this body passed this resolution to support the State of Israel and its current war with Hamas.” Yuval Grossman, who grew up in Israel before moving to Ithaca in 2007, told the Legislature, “We should all stand for peace. If you are here saying that it is only Israel’s fault, you are supporting war. It’s Hamas’s fault, and it’s Israel’s fault, it’s everybody.” He added, “If you cannot stand up and say that what Hamas did was the worst thing ever, then you are not standing for peace.”

Jonathan’s preoccupations, however typical, somewhat small. He wants to write innovative music that will “wake up a generation,” but he’s worried that he faces 30 with “nothing in his life.” A youth of the Reagan era, he bemoans that his generation “never grew up,” experienced no Depression or World War to mature them. (This in the AIDS era!). His self-absorbed musings border on cliché — “Is this real life? … Why blaze a trail when a well-worn path is so inviting?” Young creatives today may be asking similar questions, but their own larger world is too omnipresent, undeniable. “tick tick…BOOM!” offers spirited entertainment…with a bit of retro time travel.

PRETTY WOMAN

goals. I provide individualized wellness programs including improving stability, mobility, weight loss, nutrition coaching, and even modified dance and yoga.” Becoming a personal trainer provided him with the flexibility and financial security he needed, while auditioning and performing in plays and musicals at well-respected regional theaters and national touring companies. Each fitness client has now transitioned to a new trainer as Christian is ensconced in a month of Syracuse rehearsals for a national tour of Pretty Woman The Musical. Tickets are already being purchased in theaters around the country. Christian will be performing 8 shows a week, 6 days a week, from October 2023 to May 2024. You can follow the tour at https://tour. prettywomanthemusical.com. “Now that Anthony, Chandra, and I are adults, we are finally beginning to live the lives we wanted to live. Nothing was easy; we’ve overcome so much together. We are at different stages of our journey, with our different goals and dreams, but we are each happy with our choices.” “I am currently living the life that I used to dream about as a kid. Living in New York City. Getting the opportunity to perform for thousands of people all across the country. I am grateful for my loving, resilient family, and for the special community members who encouraged me early on, stuck with me, and supported me to gain the skills and experiences I needed to make my dreams tangible. I would not be where I am were it not for the kindness and loyal support of Kerry Quinn, Mihal Ronen, Kristin Zaryski, Fatima Sowe, the R2P Family, and most importantly Lesley Greene and Robbert Van Renesse. Trust me when I say, “It does take a village.”

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

contin u ed from page 7

noted most of the other kids came from wealthier families. Some had taken Meisner drama classes or years of professional dance and voice training. Even though Christian lacked those advantages, he knew he had the potential and drive to thrive. “There’s no One Way to succeed.” After taking Ithaca College Theater by storm and performing regionally in other productions, Christian launched the next step of his plan. After graduating in May 2021, Christian became a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. “I’ve had amazing clients and they say I have offered amazing support based on their skills, needs, and

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How’s the Water? Public Forum Nov. 3 Shows How to Check Water Quality By Robe r t Riege r

nce Kristen Avery decided she wanted to swim near the dock behind the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, her first step was to find out about the water quality in the inlet. She relied on the Water Quality Database developed by the Community Science Institute (CSI). “It’s an amazing and easy way to check the health of a swimming spot,” said Avery, who works as a laboratory technician at the Ithaca Wastewater Treatment Facility. “I make sure there are no algal blooms or e-coli contaminations reported.” To encourage greater public awareness and use of the database, CSI is sponsoring a Water Quality Data Jam on Friday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Tompkins County Public Library. Popular in other cities, a data jam allows participants to expand their familiarity with raw data by asking and answering questions on teams using datasets that are provided. CSI will feature its Water Quality Database, which contains twenty years

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Nov. 3, 10 a.m. - noon Tompkins County Public Library 101 E Green St., Ithaca Registration is required at: https://www.tcpl.org/event/data-jam-communityscience-institute

Celebrate Spring with U O

Water Quality Data Jam

of data on local surface water. CSI offers the database (see database.communityscience.org) to any user free of charge. The organization maintains an extensive network of Community Science Institute volunteer Alice King collecting Community Science Institute samples on Milliken Creek. Data collected are included in volunteer Ken Riemer collects trained volunteers who an area water quality database, which will be the subject of a sample on Johnsons Creek. collect water data across (Photo by Peter Gregoire) several focused programs. CSI’s “Data Jam” on November 3. (Photo by Hilary Lambert) The resource includes investigate water quality as part of their Another goal is to open discussion information from streams and lakes in the research and teaching. about the complexity of determining Cayuga Lake watershed on levels of water Ithacan Cynthia Brock, who serves as what is “good” water quality. One part of nutrients, bacteria, chloride, and alkalinFirst Ward Alderperson and also as Chair scientific literacy is gaining familiarity ity. Other data come from streamside chemistry tests on water quality indicators with the complexity of science. “Good and of the Tompkins County Water Resources bad water quality are not always black and Council, is grateful for what CSI provides to like dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, area municipalities. She used the database white,” said Haynes. “Instead, there are and hardness. The database also identifies in her interactions with NYS DEC around many factors that make up the health of a where and when harmful algal blooms the issue of possible water contamination of given lake or stream.” (HABs) have occurred over the past six the Flood Relief Channel behind Wegmans. Many residents already use the datayears. HABs data includes the level of mi“With the benefit of the data provided by base to check on water prior to visiting crocystin toxin, area covered, and density CSI, NYS DEC was able to launch a larger streams or lakes for swimming, fishing, of the blooms. investigation,” said Brock. and boating. In addition, government “We are holding the data jam to give Like Avery, Brock also uses CSI’s dataagencies and other area non-profits rely on people with water quality questions or base for HABs monitoring. “It’s an incredthe database to inform decision making. concerns an opportunity to use our data ible, user-friendly resource.” Area educators, such as at Cornell and IC, with active support from staff to help improve data literacy,” said Grace Haynes, Thanks for choosing New Delhi Outreach and Programs Coordinator at CSI. for Best Indian Food & Best Buffet for 2010! Order online: NewDelhiDiamonds.com Haynes said they want area government New Delhi officials and residents to become more No dine in. Order takeout by phone. Dinner menu 7 days 5-10pm Delivery through Doordash and IthacaToGo. familiar with CSI’s database, feel empowMon-Sun: 11:30-3:00 p.m. Dinner: 4:30-9:00 p.m. ered to explore data on their own, and find Call for takeout: 607-272-1003 • 106 W. Green St. • 607-272-4508 • Open every day answers to water quality questions.

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