November 22, 2023 by Ithaca Times

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

ITHACANS MARCH FOR GAZA PAGE 3

SPEAKEASY: WORKERS CENTER PRESERVING HISTORY ANNOUNCES NEW IN TOMPKINS COUNTY LIVING WAGE PAGE 4

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OPENING OUR WORLD TO ART

GOOD GREEK IN CORTLAND

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2 The Ithaca Times / November 22 – 28, 2023

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VOL. XLIII / NO. 65 / November 22, 2023 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

Ithacans March for Gaza — Dozens of Local Groups Unite to Honor Children in Gaza & Call for Ceasefire

By M at t D ough e rt y

ozens of local organizations and more than 250 Ithacans united on November 18 to call for a ceasefire and march in honor of children who have been killed in Gaza since October 7. The march began at the Bernie Milton Pavillion on the Ithaca Commons and ended at the “Peace Triangle” intersection of South Meadow Street and South Fulton Street on Route 13. A flier for the event encouraged participants to call for justice "for the thousands of children intentionally killed by Israeli forces and the many more who remain in harm's way." Ithaca's marchers joined millions worldwide calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, including those at a childrencentered march in Washington, D.C., that marched to the White House. During the march, children waved posters that said "Safety for all kids, from Ithaca to Palestine" and "Everybody's got a right to live!" as the large crowd stopped traffic for several minutes. When asked what the march meant to her, Nezha Oubella, a long time İthaca community member and mother to three children born in Ithaca, said, "Our prophet, Mohammed (SAW) said, 'Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand, and if he is unable, then with his tongue, and if he is unable, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.'”

Oubella, who was part of organizing the march, continued, “To me, using our voices to help those who haven't been heard around the world and to condemn apartheid is a vital part of my faith and my identity as a human." The march came ahead of the United Nations World Children's Day on November 20th and more than a month after a Hamas attack killed 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds More than 250 Ithacans marched across the City of Ithaca on November 18 to call for a ceasefire and honor Children in Gaza. (Photo: Provided) more as hostages to Gaza. The Hamas the monthly average of civilian deaths attack resulted in a series of retaliatory air reported in Syria (100), Afghanistan (56), strikes from Israeli military forces that Yemen (41), and Iraq (19). In addition, involved the targeting of civilian infradata from the United Nations indicates structure like hospitals, universities, and that Israel has killed more children in refugee camps. Following the bombing Gaza (4,609) in one month than Russia campaign, Israeli military forces launched killed in Ukraine (560) in a year. Presia ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. Since dent Biden has accused Russia of genocide Oct. 7, more than 11,000 Palestinians have in Ukraine, but he has refused to conbeen killed in Gaza. The Washington Post has reported that demn Israel similarly. 4,609 children have been killed in Gaza over the last month. That’s higher than Contin u ed on Page 13

T a k e

N o t e

X Tompkins County Public Library Announces RFID Project Tompk ins Count y Public Librar y has embarked on a months-long project to encode materials with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve the speed and accuracy of circulation and shelving. RFID uses radio waves, also present in remote access car keys and highway toll tags, to identify objects. Each TCPL item is currently being encoded with an RFID tag, which will work in a variety of ways to benefit patrons and staff: • New self- check machines for easier checkout

• New gates to help alert patrons when an item hasn’t been checked out • Eventual introduction of a phone app that will allow for mobile checkout in the stacks • Faster inventorying by staff to help find missing materials and ensure accurate loan status The project ’s initial phases, including vendor selection, budget appropriation, and preliminary scheduling began several years ago under previous TCPL leadership. Project expenses were anticipated and included in the 2022 and 2023 operating budgets.

“I appreciate the planning by previous library leaders to introduce RFID to enhance library services. This technology has been successfully implemented in libraries across the world for decades and creates a smoother, more efficient patron experience. It will make our catalog more accurate and increase our efficiency in processing materials. I cannot wait to introduce RFID—and new self-check machines—to our patrons,” said Librar y Director Leslie Tabor. More information about the project, along with FAQs for patrons, can be found athttps:// www.tcpl.org/RFID-project.

ON THE COVER:

The City of Ithaca is considering implimenting legislation to regulate short-term rentals.

NEWSLINE ��3-5 GUEST OPINION �� 6 ITHACA NOTES �� 7 SPORTS �� 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT �� 11 DINING �� 12 TIMES TABLE �� 16-17 CLASSIFIED �� 18-19

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t D o u g h e r t y , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 1217 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Ch r i s I b e r t, C a l en da r Ed i to r , A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m 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

November 22 – 28, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

INQUIRING “Preserving Tompkins County’s Rich History” PHOTOGRAPHER L

N e w s l i n e

By Ke nne th Wate rhou se WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THANKSGIVING DINNER?

“Ohhh…the mashed potatoes.” – Jose B.

“Homemade stuffing.” – Laura C.

“Fresh cranberry salad.” – Elke S.

“Pumpkin-mousse pie.” – Ellie S.

“Stuffing, smothered in gravy.” – Joe B.

By Nic ol e Wi l l i a ms

aura W. Johnson-Kelly, whose roots run deep in Tompkins County, assumed the role of Tompkins County Historian in Spring 2023, succeeding Carol Kammen upon her retirement. With a background in archaeology, a commendable tenure as the Town of Ithaca’s historian from 2004 to 2015, active engagement with the History Center of Tompkins County, and extensive experience as a curator at Cornell University, Johnson-Kelly is exceptionally well-prepared for this significant role. In this Q&A article, we explore her enthusiasm for history, her vision for the county, and the critical importance of preserving its rich heritage.

Q: Can you tell us about your background and journey to becoming the Tompkins County Historian? Laura W. Johnson-Kelly: I have a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology from Cornell University and a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. My career has been diverse, from working with museum collections at Cornell University to serving as a conservator with skills in digital archives management. This journey led me to become the Town Historian for the Town of Ithaca for 11 years and an active member of the Municipal Historians of Tompkins County group since 2004. I also collaborated on producing a local history book, "Tompkins County, New York: Images of Work and Play," in 2009, and in 2023, I was appointed Tompkins County Historian. Q: What are your primary responsibilities as the Tompkins County Historian, and why is this position so important? Laura W. Johnson-Kelly: The role of Tompkins County Historian is multifaceted. I curate and preserve historical collections, documents, photographs, artifacts, and records relevant to the founding and growth of Tompkins County. My responsibilities also include researching, writing, and making public presentations on various aspects of town history, serving as a resource to the community. While I collaborate with the History Center of Tompkins County, this position is employed by the county itself. The importance lies in maintaining an accurate record of our history and making it accessible to the public.

4 The Ithaca Times / November 22 – 28, 2023

Q: What are your goals and vision for your tenure as Tompkins County Historian? Laura W. Johnson-Kelly: I hope to shine a light on lesser-known aspects of the county’s history, such as its industrial past. For example, Ithaca had gun companies, but it’s also known for its airplane factory. Additionally, I’m passionate about exploring the historical role of women in society. It’s not just about industry; it’s about what people did at home. Quilts, for instance, provide fascinating insights into women’s efforts. I also want to delve into the history of the Tompkins County King apple tree. There are so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Q: How do you plan to engage the community and foster interest in history during your tenure? Laura W. Johnson-Kelly: Above all else, my role is to foster an interest in history and teach people about their hometown or vacation destination in a way that ignites their curiosity. I aim to engage people’s interests and make history come alive. I’ve had experience in program management, planning lecture series, outreach programs at local schools, history-themed events, and academic conferences. With the recent pandemic, I believe learning about past responses to pandemics can be informative and resonate with those who’ve experienced COVID-19 quarantines.

Q: How do you plan to incorporate indigenous history and the history of marginalized communities in Tompkins County into your work? Laura W. JohnsonKelly: The history of Tompkins County would be incomplete without a discussion of the indigenous peoples who originally settled here. It’s essential to recognize Q: Laura, you’ve exand explore the history pressed your passion for of marginalized comdelving into lesser-known munities. My goal aspects of Tompkins Counis to ensure that ty’s history. Could you elaboall aspects of our rate on your interest in history, including the smaller rural towns Tompkins County Historian, Laura W. Johnson-Kelly. (Photo: Michelle LaMorte) the indigenous and villages in the county history and the and how they contribute stories of marginalized communities, are to the unique character of Tompkins appropriately documented and shared County? Laura W. Johnson-Kelly: I’m genuinely with the public. enthusiastic about the smaller rural towns Q: In what ways do you see the and villages in Tompkins County. Each historian’s role evolving or adapting to place has its distinct history, traditions, contemporary needs and interests? and contributions that make Tompkins Laura W. Johnson-Kelly: People often County a truly unique and vibrant region. relate to the past through the present. As a These communities offer a rich tapestry historian, I see it as my responsibility to of stories, and my goal is to shed light facilitate opportunities and provide means on their unique attributes, ensuring that for people to connect with history. I want to their history is preserved and celebrated alongside the more well-known aspects of our county’s heritage. Contin u ed on Page 14

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e

Workers Center Announces Updated Living Wage for Tompkins County

Ups

By M at t D ough e rt y

disparities: 41% of women make less than a living wage, compared with 34% of men. he Tompkins County Workers “The increase in the living Center announced the updated wage is unprecedented in the living wage for Tompkins County Director of Ithaca Co-Lab Ian Greer, Director of the Tompkins County Workers Center Pete Meyers, and Alternative Federal Credit Union CEO three-decade history of local during a press conference at the Plumbers Kevin Mietlicki at the press conference announcing the new living and Steamfitters Union Hall (701 W. State/ living wage calculations, and wage for Tompkins County on November 8. (Photo: Matt Dougherty) it reflects recent increases in MLK St., Ithaca) on November 8. The new living wage for Tompkins County is $18.45 the cost of living locally, most It’s important to note that the study per hour, an increase of nearly $2 from last importantly the cost of housing,” said Ian is based on a basic needs assessment for Greer, director of the Ithaca Co-Lab. “Livyear’s living wage of $16.61. The new living wage study was conducted ing wage-certified employers have one year an adult in Tompkins County. The living wage costs skyrocket as soon as the numby the Workers Center with help from Alter- to adapt, which will not be easy for some. ber of people in a household increases. In Russell Weaver, director of research natives Federal Credit Union and representhe future, researchers plan to produce at the ILR Buffalo Co-Lab, calculated tatives from Cornell University’s School of the report annually, with updates every the wage using an updated methodology International Labor Relations (ILR). November. incorporating more Experts from Cornell’s ILR school have The Workers geographically calculated the 2023 living wage for TompCenter created the detailed spending kins County at nearly 10% higher than in nation’s first Living data that captures 2022, which makes it the highest increase Wage Employer the difference in three decades. According to the study, Certification probetween Tompkins the most critical factor driving the ingram in 2006 and County and other crease in the living wage is the increased certifies 127 emparts of New York cost of housing. ployers in Tompstate. ResearchAccording to the living wage study, the kins County as ers worked with cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartLiving Wage Emment in Tompkins County increased from Alternatives Federal ployers. According Credit Union and $1,127 in 2022 to $1,276 in 2023, accordto the center, those the Tompkins ing to the Department of Housing and 127 Living Wage County Workers’ Urban Development (HUD). Employers employ Center to develop The report estimates that roughly — Ian Greer, director of more than 3,500 18,000 workers living in Tompkins County the new methodolthe Ithaca Co-Lab people. ogy. earn less than the living wage. The study However, Work“What we were states, “The likelihood of earning a living ers Center Treasurer Nathan Sitaraman able to do this time was use the power of wage in Tompkins County is systematiCornell University’s premium data subscrip- has warned that due to the increase in the cally linked to a worker’s race-ethnicity living wage equating to a roughly $3,000 tions to generate estimates that are more and gender.” The racial disparities are increase in the total salary of a worker, the specific to Tompkins County, as opposed to stark, with 59% of Black workers earning workers’ center is at risk of losing about a using national or statewide data from more below the living wage compared with 35% third of their living wage employers, mainconventional sources,” Weaver said. of white workers. There are also gender ly in sectors of child care and elder care The wage is calculated by generating an where finances are tight. Sitaraman says, “These employers are going to struggle to annual basic-needs pay a living wage going forward because budget made up of the cost of rent is increasing so rapidly.” nine categories, inHe continued saying, “If there’s no cluding food, housing, action taken to change this trend of rental transportation, comprices and the cost of living increasing munication, recreation, and health care, faster than inflation, issues that already exist, such as scarcity of child care and and then dividing elder care that broadly affects everyone in that figure by 2,080 hours — 40 hours per our community…are going to get worse week over 52 weeks — because the people who are doing the to compute an hourly essential work will no longer be compenAt $18.45 Tompkins County has the highest living wage of any county in the sated at a level where they can afford to wage for a full-time Southern Tier. (Photo: Tompkins County Workers Center Living Wage Study) live here.” worker.

“The increase in the living wage is unprecedented in the three-decade history of local living wage calculations, and it reflects recent increases in the cost of living locally, most importantly the cost of housing.”

The Rotary Club of Ithaca has awarded $10,000 in grants to 11 community nonprofits for projects ranging from cleaning up litter along Cayuga Lake to purchasing an accessible picnic table at a public park.

Downs

Ithaca Police arrested an individual on November 17 on charges of arson for purposefully setting a fire off in an Arthaus apartment.

HEARD&SEEN Heard

The abductor of Ithaca resident Tatiana David is scheduled to face abduction and murder charges in a Virginia court in December. The announcement comes seven months after David was abducted from her home at 110 West Hill Circle in the Town of Ithaca and killed in a gunfight between her abductor and Virginia State Police.

Seen

TCAT’s administrative offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. Routes 90 and 92 will end service earlier on Nov. 22. Route 90 will end at Seneca St. Station at 9:15 p.m. and Route 92 will end at Hasbrouck Apartments. at 10:07 p.m. Administrative offices will be open during normal weekday business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Nov. 24 there will be no service on routes 10; 81; *82; 90 and 92. Additionally, Maple Ave. riders will be served by route 51 that will be running in both the inbound and outbound direction. Administrative offices will be re-open for normal weekday business hours.

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

What’s the best part of Thanksgiving dinner? 16.0% Turkey . 44.0% Mashed Potatoes . 40.0% Avoiding political

conversations whith family. N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Do you think Patrick Kuehl’s secret writein campaign against Jorge DeFendini in the Fourth Ward was undemocratic? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

November 22 – 28, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

GUEST OPINION

Millennials and Gen Z Flexing Political Muscle in Ithaca By Fr e d S choe ps

t’s been a fascinating couple of weeks. Much has been written in the last few days about the last-minute candidacy by Patrick Kuehl who appears to have successfully unseated Jorge DeFendini in Ward 4. Many residents are yelling “The sky is falling!” and “It’s unfair!” Patrick Kuehl showed the type of tactics that are available to any student candidate

against another student candidate. And for that we should be thankful. Patrick isn’t the only one who used the power of the absentee and affidavit ballot to unseat a sure win for the Ward 4 incumbent. Clyde Lederman in Ward 5 also used late minute absentee/affidavit ballots from students against his opponent that enabled Lederman to win. It shouldn’t be a surprise. The rise of the politically active student has been happening for years on the Cornell Cam-

pus. The movement represented by Cornell Votes is one of hundreds of “Campus Votes” universities. The movement has become mature. The student vote has snowballed and is making a difference in State and National elections and here in Ithaca at the local level ever more so. (https://cornell.campusgroups.com/cornellvotes/home/) Unless someone has Cornell affiliations most likely one doesn’t know about the Student Assembly. Go to the website and scroll down. There you’ll find Patrick Kuehl and Clyde Lederman in leadership roles. In past years several student alderpersons on Council had been officers or members. The Cornell Student Assembly is a great practice run for anyone interested in running for a City seat.

“The SA represents the undergraduate student population with an elected body of thirty members, and deals with quality of life issues relating to undergraduate students, making sure that student issues are heard and addressed.” (https://assembly.cornell.edu/student-assembly) Why not take the next step? Run for City office and deal with quality-of-life issues at the City level not just at Cornell? After all, half of the residents living in the City are also undergraduate and graduate students. Do a LinkedIn search for Tiffany Kumar, Clyde Lederman, Tiffany Kumar, Robert Cantelmo, Jorge DeFendini and Patrick Kuehl. Look at the About, Experience, and Education sections. These are committed young people walking the talk, in context of who they declare themselves to be and in terms of political action. I would expect that all will have political roles in some form at the State and/or National level after Ithaca. Contin u ed on Page 7

GUEST OPINION

Bike Walk Tompkins Continues Safe Street Advocacy By Ni k i Fr isk e

t has been one year since a candlelight vigil was held for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Attendees gathered at the Bernie Milton Pavilion to hear personal recounts of near-death experiences and heartbreaking testimonies from our neighbors and friends about what we hope to never endure: losing someone to traffic violence. Petitions were

signed and Ithaca electeds and municipal staff reassured the community of their commitment to our safety. And on that sobering November evening, I left the vigil grateful to witness a moment of unity that could ensure that Ithaca is indeed a place that values the lives of all community members. Throughout 2023 I have witnessed firsthand significant progress in the education Contin u ed on Page 14

Attention Ithaca! Readers’ Writes Is Here! Since 1981, the Ithaca Times has closed every year with the “Readers’ Writes” issue, featuring submissions from the most diverse writing staff at our disposal: you.

R E A DE R S ’

W RITES

IS SU E D e a d li n e DE

Stories, poems, drawings and photographs are all welcome and complete artistic freedom is in your hands. It’s a platform for you to be heard beyond the letters page.

This year’s theme is “If I could I would…” As tradition dictates, any interpretation of what this prompt means to you is fair and, of course, a wide range of submissions will be accepted — just as long as you stay under 600 words. If you’re interested in participating in Readers’ Writes, send your submissions to Attn: Readers’ Writes, the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, New York 14850 or email them in with a subject line of “Readers’ Writes“ to editor@ithacatimes.com.

C 17

6 The Ithaca Times / November 22 – 28, 2023

GUEST OPINION

ITHACA NOTES

Don’t Rake the Leaves

Tell Me a Story

By A non y mou s

By St e ph e n Bu r k e

bright and shining example of the suicidal absurdity of technocapitalist society occurs across the country at the same time every year. Raking the leaves — the chore that makes everyone ask, what’s even the point? Well, it might shock you to find out that there isn’t one, and our current leaf disposal methods are actively undermining our environment. Deciduous trees spend all Spring taking nutrients out of the soil to make leaves, which photosynthesize all Summer and Fall. When the cold comes, those leaves fall (the technical term is “dehisce”) and the trees go dormant for the Winter. All across this great land, people proceed to fire up specialized machines called “leaf blowers”, which burn irreplaceable fossil fuels, pumped out of the ground at great expense, to produce, in addition to carbon monoxide and noise, powerful blasts of forced air. They blow the leaves into immense piles, and then rake them into huge bags MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z contin u ed from page 6

More and more students are modelling political engagement and are bringing national and state level skills and capabilities to campaigning and canvassing. These experiences and skills have and will continue to change the local political scene. Student politicians are demonstrating and leveraging State WFP resources, reawakening the local DSA community, setting up advocacy groups such as ITU, Sunrise. They grow their skills and networks as members and officers of such political “clubs” as Cornell Dems, Cornell Progressives. Cornell student candidates can tap into the more than sixty fraternities and sororities through friends or through joining. Student undergraduate candidates spend time living in dorms. Dorms are in many ways like gated communities. Access to non-students is limited. Students can practice politics at the dorm level, can create networks of friends living across the many dorms on campus and can tap into hundreds of voters. The impact of absentee/affidavit ballots was illustrated

made of polyethylene, a byproduct of fossil fuel refinement which will take longer to decompose than the geologic processes which produced the fuel to begin with; a very, very long time. These bags full of leaves are then loaded onto trucks which, burning fossil fuels, move them to giant areas called “landfills” — where the leaves, trapped in plastic, undergo anaerobic decomposition, and, rather than releasing their nutrients back into the soil, turn to slime and sulfurous gasses. This entire process means that, wherever modern humans congregate, the soil quickly becomes impoverished, as the nutrients required for cyclic leaf production are removed, rather than stored in the ground, producing a kind of gray, dusty soil that when I was a professional gardener we immediately recognized and referred to as “blower disease”. It is all so astonishingly pointless and debased and wasteful that it would probably be better not to spend too much time contemplating it. Alas, let us turn our attention to more pleasant things. in the November election. absentee and affidavit ballots win elections. If we haven’t done so already it’s time to wake up to this evolving reality. Thinking of Ithaca in terms of long-term residents, taxpayers, local employees who rent here, homeowners, business owners, and retirees as the “real” citizenry doesn’t cut it. Time to understand the new political scene and welcome the student candidates as partners in the political process. Across all five Wards candidates won’t be able to rely on the past traditional election scenario. We’ve seen that in Ward 1 and Ward 3. The traditional candidate in the past didn’t need to muster a hundred folks to go out and campaign for him/her/ they. Civility as a given isn’t necessarily enshrined in stone going into the future, if it ever was as we may wish to believe. Politics has come to a tipping point in the City. Millennials and Gen Z bring their own game books to the table. They are after all the children and grandchildren of the older generations still in power and now as adults are seeking seats Contin u ed on Page 14

t seemed like a fad at first: themebased storytelling contests. But after a quarter-century or so, the competitive events have become an entertainment standard in public performance and the media. The phenomenon began when writer George Dawes Green moved to New York in the 1990s and missed nights of relaxed conversation on the porch of his house in his native Georgia. He gathered a group of friends for storytelling in his city apartment and gave a name to the occasion, invoking the presence of a moth flitting around porch lights. The Moth is practically an industry now, with a radio show on over 500 stations, a weekly podcast and best-selling books. Of course, such success hatches progeny, and Ithaca has an example: the Trampoline series at the Downstairs in the Watershed bar. The name Trampoline is telling. It indicates fun, but a measure of risk, like HighWire Act. Storytellers are not allowed to use notes. A time limit is enforced. Beyond the perils of flubbing or bombing, there’s the specter of empty seats. But this seems not to be a problem at Trampoline. The Downstairs promotes its capacity as 50. The November house was almost that. There was a comfortable feeling, as most attendees seemed familiar with the environment. When the host asked how many were there for the first time, few hands were raised. Even with a full house, there’s a chance the audience will be distracted or disengaged. Again, this was not a problem at the November show. The crowd was avid and attentive. There was generous laughter and applause. There were frequent shouts, like at a sports bar, although the gender balance at Trampoline seemed the stereotypical opposite. The night was playfully rowdy. A flirtatious cast to the night was surprising at first, but makes sense, as the storytellers are vying for approval: smiles and laughter from the crowd, favorable scores from the judges. In fact the evening has an aspect of a first date: a bid to impress, starting from nowhere, but with hope for connection by talking. Personally I was not attending

on a first date, but could see it would be an easy, weight-off setting for anyone who was: Someone else is doing all the talking. Even the burden of reacting is shared. The presence of alcohol adds buoyancy. Meanwhile the large number of participants negates the potentially problematic issue of who is drinking the most on this date. With 40 other people there, and the raucous laughter as evidence, it’s probably neither of you. The theme for November was “nemeses” — sources of harm or opposition — and not all the stories were primarily funny, nor meant to be, although all had flashes of humor, at least, which is probably advisable for audience favor. One was poignant, involving childhood distress. One recounted a trip to Cuba that included attendance at a speech by Fidel Castro that turned from vibrant excitement to insensate torpor as the clock’s hour hand moved four times. The two winners of the competition had coincidentally similar slants: nemeses that mix love and hate. Love might seem an unexpected component of such a topic, but actually hate was the surprise, as the subject of one story was a dog, and the other the Indigo Girls: both inadvisable targets, maybe, in sensitive, liberal Ithaca. But the stories worked. The Indigo Girls story told of the disillusionment of a lifelong fan so put off by the Girls’ boorish aloofness at a long-awaited concert at the State Theater (especially long-awaited: it had been postponed twice) that she ended up in the hospital. The dog story told of wrathful canine Toby, whose temper erupts at “neighbors, cars, other dogs, pictures of dogs, and wind,” and bangs violently against the living room window at goings-on outside, one day crashing through it. The storyteller said she had to reinstall the window with a protective layer of plexiglass against it, which is now so scratched by Toby’s rages that “it’s like I live in a subway car.” A writer once said that after food and drink, storytelling is perhaps the most fundamental desire of humans, as no one chooses to live in silence very long. Trampoline’s publicity affirms this in urging the community to join in “doing what humanity has always done best, gathering to share stories.”

November 22 – 28, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

City Officials & Residents Discuss Future of Short-Term Rental Policy By M att Dougherty

Lisa Nicholas, Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Ithaca. (Photo: Stella Fr ank)

n November 16, the City of Ithaca held an open house to inform residents about plans to implement legislation to increase short-term rental (STR) regulations in the City. This comes roughly one year after the Town of Ithaca passed similar legislation. The City has been contemplating the idea of implementing a STR policy since before the pandemic, but the process has been complicated since any STR policy would have to balance the competing needs of residents who use STRs as a vital source of income that helps them afford the increasing cost of living in Ithaca, versus the needs of residents who struggle to find affordable housing as more and more units are taken off the long-term rental market and placed on the short-term rental market. Research conducted by the Harvard Business Review Across the US found that shortterm rental companies like Airbnb are having a negative impact on housing stock as it encourages landlords to move their properties out of the long-term rental and for-sale markets and into the short-term rental market. The effect of STRs on communities has

Tom K nipe, Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Ithaca. (Photo: Stella Fr ank)

Megan Wilson, Deputy Director of Planning for the City of Ithaca. (Photo: Stella Fr ank)

been compared to the impact of gentrifica- members. While the definition of a shorttion in that it slowly increases the value of term rental is not in the city’s code, Nicholas an area to the detriment of the original resi- said that it is commonly understood to be a dents, many of whom are pushed out due to dwelling unit rented in whole or in part for less than 30 consecutive days. “Most shortfinancial constraints. term rentals in the city During the meetare Airbnb, but other ing, representatives platforms exist,” Nichofrom the City of Ithalas said. ca’s planning departNicholas says there ment gave a presenhas been much interest tation and answered in some regulation for the public’s questions short-term rentals since about how the city is before the pandemic. considering impleAccording to Nicholas, menting short-term the City has taken severrental regulations. The al steps since early 2022 Director of Planning “to understand better the and Economic Develmarket and how it is regopment, Lisa Nicholas, — Lisa Nicholas ulated in different placwas joined by Deputy es.” She continued saying Director of Economic Development, Tom Knipe, and Deputy Di- that a set of potential goals for the STR policy were proposed to the Planning and Economrector of Planning, Megan Wilson. Nicholas said the meeting was organized ic Development Committee in Spring 2023, to share the nature of short-term rental ac- “and they agreed that staff should investigate tivity in the city of Ithaca, discuss a proposed options to achieve those goals.” Nicholas has said that the goals of the approach to short-term rent rental regulation, and gather input from community STR policy are intended to support the fact

“Although affordability is the first objective, it is heavily correlated with the second objective of allowing residents to generate additional income from their home.”

8 The Ithaca Times / November 22 – 28, 2023

that short-term rentals are a valued part of the community that improves the quality of life for residents in many ways, while also supporting efforts to increase the amount of affordable housing in the City. Knipe has said that “the short-term rental market in the city has a positive economic impact on our community through visitor spending and revenue to local hosts.” However, he has also said that communities that become oversaturated with STRs have seen housing prices skyrocket. According to the Tompkins County visitor profile study, the average visitor party spent $366 per day in 2019, and thousands of visitors book stays at short-term rentals every year, with hosts bringing in millions in combined revenues. Knipe said, “This host revenue figure is likely at least $10 million annually.” Nicholas continued saying that the effort to introduce regulations “touches on several areas, but is mainly in response to the difficult housing market characterized…by high rents and high purchase prices of homes, coupled with a meager supply of single-family and duplex homes.”

Nicholas added, “Although affordability is the first objective, it is heavily correlated with the second objective of allowing residents to generate additional income from their home.” Residents who will be impacted by STR legislation submitted comments during the open house that said, “Why are we targeting STRs for rising housing costs when the Ithacan and other new apartment buildings have $2,800 a month one bedroom. This is the problem.” Another commenter talked about how they realized “how much housing was off the market and being used as vacation rentals instead of homes” after cleaning STRs for extra cash as they tried to save up and find an apartment. Nicholas says that the City’s STR policy would aim to reduce the negative impacts of STRs on communities, such as a decreased housing supply. Currently, Knipe says that there are around 150 singlefamily homes that are being rented out as short-term rentals at least 70% of the time. Knipe says that when implemented, the STR policy would place those 150 homes, primarily used as shortterm rentals, back on the market for longterm tenants or homeowners. “We typically build 10 or fewer for sale homes each year, so placing 150 homes that are mostly used as short-term rentals back on the market will be equivalent to about 15 years of home construction activity in the City.” The regulations would return those homes to the long-term housing market by mandating that hosts purchase one of three

The City is considering creating three short-ter m rental per mit types as part of its proposed regulations. (Photo: City of Ithaca) STR permit types. Wilson said that the first type of permit is a primary residence permit, the second is a seasonal permit, and the third is an occasional permit. According to Wilson, “Primary residence is generally defined as someone who lives on the property for at least 185 days.” A primary permit would allow a host to use a property as an STR for an unlimited time as long as the host is a primary resident of — Tom Knipe the property. The seasonal permit would allow hosts to rent out their short-term units for an unlimited time between the peak STR period from May 15 to August 14. However, some residents have said that this timeframe would interfere with the move-in and move-out dates for college students in the area. The occasional permit would allow hosts to rent their STR for up to 14 days a

“In 2022, registered short-term rental properties paid a total of $15,000 in revenue tax…but that's less than 5% of what it should be.”

When housing markets become overly satur ated with short ter m rentals, housing prices increase. Housing prices are already high in Ithaca as 58% of Tompkins Cou nty renters are cost-burdened and 37% are severely cost-burdened. (Photo: Stella Fr ank)

The goals of the short-ter m rental policy are aimed towards preserving housing stock and affordability while also allowing residents to gener ate income from their property. (Photo: City of Ithaca)

year. According to Wilson, “This has been “Our current regulations do not make a a particularly strong market in our com- distinction based on the length of a rental munity because there are people that come period, so long-term and short-term rentin and want to rent their home for gradu- als are treated the same under these reguation weekend or homecoming weekend, lations.” She continued, “Currently, hosts but otherwise aren’t interested in rent- must rent an entire housing unit, not ining it as a short-term rental.” Wilson add- dividual rooms. This is because if you rent ed, “This would be the only type of permit individual rooms, you'd have to meet the that wouldn’t require the routine housing requirements for a ‘rooming house,’ which inspections and certificate of compliance… is not allowed in any of the zones where we And the permit fee would likely be lower see short-term rentals, or you would have to apply for a special permit to become a for this type of permit.” Nicholas said that cost estimates for the Bed and Breakfast.” Wilson added, “Short-term rentals are permits are not yet available since the STR policy is still in the preliminary public out- also required to maintain a certificate of compliance [which] is the same as longreach phase. While Knipe says precise data is difficult term rentals.” Wilson said that all STRs are required to undergo reto come by, Knipe esgular housing inspectimates that there are tions and maintain a about 458 STR listings certificate and a certiin Ithaca. He says this ficate of compliance for represents a little less the entire period of renthan half of all STRs in tals that the host offers. Tompkins County. Ac“We know that there are cording to the Ithaca many short-term rentBoard of Realtors, as of als in the community Nov. 2022, there were that do not meet these about 1,217 active STR requirements,” Wilson listings in Tompkins said. County, of which 653 In response to quesare entire residences. tions about why the Knipe said that the City can’t enforce the City of Ithaca currentregulations already on ly has a 5% hotel room — Megan Wilson the books, Wilson said, occupancy tax, which “We have housing oblocal short-term rentals are responsible for paying. City room tax jectives and other policy objectives that the revenue supports projects such as the down- proposed policy is outlining, and the [curtown conference center. Knipe said, “In 2022, rent regulations] don't necessarily meet registered short-term rental properties paid those objectives.” Wilson stressed that new regulations a total of $15,000 in revenue tax…but that's less than 5% of what it should be.” He added, would not immediately go into effect after be“We have a lot of room for improvement in ing passed by the Common Council. “There will be a minimum of a six-month grace pecompliance with our local tax law.” Wilson said that while the City does riod in which current or new hosts can apnot currently have a STR policy, that does ply for permits, federal housing inspections not mean there aren’t any regulations that and prepare to prepare for the occupancy tax STRs must follow. According to Wilson, that must be remitted,” Wilson said.

“There will be a minimum of a six-month grace period in which current or new hosts can apply for permits, federal housing inspections and prepare to prepare for the occupancy tax that must be remitted.”

November 22 – 28, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

Sports

Ice Capable Cornell Women’s Hockey Underappreciated Despite Fast Start By Ste ve L aw re nc e

or the 43rd season in a row, I made my way up to Lynah Rink to watch a hockey game, and as always, the pep band was dialed in, rocking the bannerladen rafters with some raucous, highdecibel offerings. The big screen showed way larger-than-life images of the Big Red players, and the crowd of 900 fans stood — as always — for two national anthems. Wait... 900 fans? I know, you thought Cornell hockey games drew north of 4,000, right? Well, this was a Big Red women's game, and the fact that they draw so many fewer fans has been a mystery for all of those aforementioned 43 years. The women’s roster has, over the years, been rich with elite-level hockey players — Olympic gold medalists, World Championship participants, professional players. While the crash and bang component of

the men’s game is absent (the women do not put each other into the boards at full speed, sending the crowd into a frenzy), the skill level is incredible. One Big Red player looked to take a hot pass from a teammate, in the meantime processing whether to redirect it to another teammate or gather it in and head for the crease and take a shot on goal. All this while skating at full speed... backwards. According to one of the security personnel (who asked not to be named, and told me they have been in that position for 14 years) if the low attendance numbers had held steady over that period of time and the response was, “I remember the week before Covid hit... both the men and women were ranked #1, and the women’s attendance was way up. Then everything shut down, and they didn't even play the next season. It seems the numbers never rebounded.”

While the weekCornell Women’s Hockey Team has earned support with their fast start this season. (Photo by Oscar Forester/Cornell Athletics) end was one to forget (the women dropped home games to two ible teams of a decade ago (honorees have to wait 10 years after leaving Cornell to be ranked teams—Quinnipiac and Pricneton) the 2023 version of the Big Red women were eligible). Laura Fortino (class of ’13) was a off to the best start in program history. They 3-time first-team All American, and have won ten games, tied one and lost only helped the Big Red to four consecutive Ivy one before the weekend games. Senior Izzy and ECAC titles and three Frozen Fours. Daniels has recorded at least two points in As a member of Team Canada, she won 12 of the 13 games, and has scored in every gold and silver Olympic medals. game. She has been named the ECAC ForLaurianne Rogeau (’13) was a 4-time ward of the Week three times thus far. All American and All ECAC standout, and In goal, freshman Annelies Bergmann is an imposing presence at 6’1” , and holds captained the Big Red in her senior year, the distinction of being the first woman to and Rebecca Johnston (’12) was a stellar Big Red star, and played an astounding 16 play in a men’s game in the NAHC, mindyears on the Canadian national team, wining the net for the Jamesville Jets. ning three Olympic gold medals. The Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame recently honored three former Big Red womens hockey players from the incredContin u ed on Page 15

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s a new arrival in Ithaca in 2004, Carol Hockett reached out to me to volunteer with young people living behind bars in New York State Office of Children and Family Services limited and maximum secure facilities. She had tutored for years in facilities and knew she wanted to do the same kind of work in Ithaca. Before moving to Ithaca with her husband Robert, Carol worked at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. In our second connection Carol shared her news that she was now the Coordinator of School and Family Programs at Cornell’s Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. Not surprisingly, Carol was soon headed to sessions at the MacCormick Secure, a maximum secure facility in Caroline with outreach objects from the Johnson’s education collection. Carol believes that art can be appreciated by all people of all ages and backgrounds and can be a powerful connector. Most incarcerated kids have never visited any museum, much less an art museum. Many have had interrupted educations and missed multiple years of school. Carol feels art can be a springboard for every educational interest and bring pleasure and discovery to all of us. Carol brought Asian, African and other indigenous masks from the Johnson’s outreach collection and residents were immediately drawn to the pieces. For many teens who have

Carol Hockett is the Coordinator of School and Family Programs at Cornell’s Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. (Photo: Provided)

had difficult lives they harbor deep untouchable scars (invisible to the kids themselves, much less to anyone else) from loss, grief, pain, injury. Wearing an invisible mask to hide their secrets, after discussing the Museum’s masks, the young men and their guards were guided by Carol in creating their own artistic masks. Carol, who meets people where they are, praised the teens’ willingness to try completely unfamiliar exercises with both candor and spirit. And the teens treasured the masks they made with her, and the discussion that resonated from their time with her. Now almost 20 years later, Carol estimates that she shares art with about 7,000 pre-K-12 students within a one hour radius of the Cornell campus every year. For many students this is their first art museum; their first college campus visit and their first encounter with an art object from another culture. From Newark Valley to South Seneca to the William George Agency for Children’s Services, Carol’s assessment of her first 20 years is “Busy, thrilling, expanding.” During the pandemic, Carol and her Johnson Museum colleagues Andrea Murray and Elizabeth Saggese were up and running online one week after schools closed and students were sent home. “We said we can figure out how to keep our program going online and the interactive lessons were challengCarol estimates that she shares art with about 7,000 ing and exciting.” These pre-K-12 students within a one hour radius of the days, zoom still provides Cornell campus every year. (Photo: Michelle LaMorte) a great alternative for

long distance partnerships with schools such as West Middle School in Binghamton and homebound older adults. In 2021 Carol’s position was endowed by the generous and visionary Hintsa family which has enabled her to reach an even wider population. Now as the Hintsa Family Manager of School and Family Programs, Carol’s latest endeavor is a rural library outreach program for families and adults in Newfield, Groton and Dryden, bringing artmaking materials and projects from medieval illuminated letters to Japanese fish printing. Once a month, in addition to her wide travels through the area, Carol now treks to Fall Creek Elementary and Enfield Elementary with special multi-visit programs September through June. She savors the students’ observations and recollections each month as their relationships grow with artwork—and with the Johnson. “Over 10 visits we delve deeply into artwork, exploring and expanding on many new concepts and ideas. We observe and share and make connections from earlier sessions together as we expand our understanding of art and of ourselves. Part of Carol’s wild popularity among teachers and kids, young and old, is her commitment to tailor her sessions to the audience and meet the needs of the group. For fifth graders focusing on bridges and borders that meant finding the perfect images of bridges across the world that would capture the imagination and provide a symbolic link back to the classroom plans. For another class it meant finding Depression-era photographs by Dorothea Lange and Arthur Rothstein to pair with text from the young-adult novel Esperanza Rising.

Arts&Entertainment

OPENING OUR WORLD TO ART

Contin u ed on Page 15

November 22 – 28, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

Dining

Good Greek Food at Reasonable Prices By He nr y Stark

ne of the things I like most about The Community Restaurant in Cortland is their clever use of herbs and spices. This accounts for enhancing the flavor profile of almost all their dishes. The Community specializes in Greek, with a nod to some American and Italian, dishes. It was established on the same site as the Community Coffee Shop in the early twentieth century. In 1930 a Greek family established it as a full-scale restau-

Tid Bits The artist who hand-painted the wrap around wall mural near the attractive backlit bar had lost a finger in an accident and, if you look closely, you might notice he painted all his human subjects, including dancers, minus one finger. The music is varied and subdued. If you don’t like what you’re hearing, wait a minute, the rock and roll number could quickly ease into a lovely ballad.

rant and it is still owned and operated by the same family with basically the same interior. There’s a good, and obvious, reason for this longevity: it’s the quality food, prepared with wonderful flavorings at reasonable prices. The meal starts with a complementary bread service. The bread is treated with Za’atar before it is baked. It’s then brought to the table accompanied by a ramekin with some of the Za’atar for dipping. A great way to start a meal! If you’re not familiar with Za’atar, it’s a Middle Eastern spice blend made with oil, and various mixed herbs which may include thyme, oregano, dried sumac, marjoram, and sesame seeds. If it’s made

Community Restaurant 10 Main St., Cortland Open Mon.-Weds. 4-9; Thurs.-Sat. 4-8:30 (607) 756-5441 thecommunityrestaurant.com/

authentically, there isn’t any salt. I always enjoy lamb in Greek restaurants and here, there is a choice: either choose the appetizer, (Paidakia) ($19) which management calls “lamb lollipops” * or an entrée Lamb Rib Chops, ($36). The difference, besides the obvious Cortland’s Community Restaurant has been serving tasty Greek food at the same location $17, is two more chops and for nearly a century. some Greek green beans and lemon roasted potatoes. I chose to save the $17 and was glad mpekri) ($30). I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation: a vertical pork I did. I received four beautifully seasoned, with Greek herbs and spices, plump single shank. Four inches of pork surrounded a marrow bone with the bone upright. chops. *Because of their large size, they’re I’ve never experienced such tender pork not the traditional lollipops served in and I enjoyed the exercise of “carving” other restaurants. These chops were a the vertical meat from the bone with the hearty portion and were served over four steak knife that was provided. It was acslices of pita bread with a bit of tzatziki companied by green peppers and onions. sauce on the side. Another meat I’ve enjoyed is pork as it’s served in Drunken Pork (O mezes tou Contin u ed on Page 15

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ITHACANS MARCH FOR GAZA contin u ed from page 3

According to the charity Save the Children, “The number of children reported killed in just three weeks in Gaza is more than the number killed in armed conflict globally—across more than 20 countries—over a whole year, for the last three years.” The UN has reported that 89 aid workers have been killed in Gaza in the last month and that 74% of the total fatalities reported in Gaza have been women, children, or the elderly. This led to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referring to Gaza as a “graveyard for children” as he called for a ceasefire during a press conference on November 6. Recent polling indicates that 68% of Americans support a ceasefire, including 75% of Democrats and even 50% of Republicans, but President Biden has refused to support calls for a ceasefire. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House, has said that a ceasefire would “only benefit Hamas.” Despite the reluctance of US leadership to call for a ceasefire, several progressive Democrats in the House of Representatives have been working to advance a

resolution “urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire.” As of November 17, 33 members of Congress have committed to supporting the resolution — that’s just 6.2% of Congress. Human rights organizations have estimated that in recent weeks, a child has been killed in Gaza on average roughly once every 10-15 minutes. Earlier in November, Palestinian children held a press conference outside a Gaza hospital, telling the world, “We invite you to protect us... we want to live as the other children live.” On November 19, media reported that a temporary five-day ceasefire was on the verge of becoming a reality as negotiations between Israel and Hamas seemed to progress. According to the reporting, Israel would agree to a five-day ceasefire A sign at the November 18 march called for a ceasefire amid the growing death count in Gaza that has resulted from the war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7. (Photo: Provided) in exchange for the release of hostages taken into Gaza on Oct. 7. These are the Books, Cornell Collective for Justice in same terms that Hamas requested from “Palestinian children deserve food, clean Palestine, Ithaca Committee for Justice in water, freedom from traumatizing checkIsrael weeks ago, but Israel refused to acPalestine-Jewish Voice for Peace, Ithaca points, getting to go back to homes their cept the initial deal. Democratic Socialists of America; PM families have been violently forced out of, When asked about the potential to replant olive trees settlers have burned. Press; Party for Socialism and Liberationceasefire deal, Maddie Halpert, a march Justice means so much more than just not FLX; Cornell Students for Justice in attendee member of Jewish Voice for Palestine; Tompkins County Showing Up being bombed to death.” Peace, said, “I’d cry tears of joy if that The Al-Huda Islamic Center sponsored for Racial Justice; The Cadre Journal; The happens, but ceasefire is just the beginCornell Progressives; The Ithaca Comthe march alongside the Arab Graduate ning. There was no justice for kids in munist Party. Student Association, Autumn Leaves Gaza two months ago.” Halpert added,

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