Feb. 4, 2026

Take Control of Your Heart Health—

Know Your Numbers

High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and many don’t know it. It has no obvious symptoms, but it can raise the risk of major cardiovascular health events.

“Blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common causes of heart attack, heart disease, heart failure—everything related to the heart,” says Dr. Ahmad Morshed, Interventional Cardiologist at Arnot Health, a Member of Centralus Health.

Blood pressure is the result of two forces. The first force, systolic pressure, happens as blood pumps out of the heart and into the arteries. The second force, diastolic pressure, is created as the heart rests between heart beats. These two forces are each represented by numbers in a blood pressure reading. A normal blood pressure reading is under 120/80.

“Nowadays, the guideline is to treat those with a blood pressure of 130/85 or more.”

High blood pressure can affect all age groups: children, young adults, adults, and older adults. People should check their blood pressure often if they have high risk factors like obesity, family history, or already have high blood pressure.

“Most high blood pressure is asymptomatic, meaning people don’t have any symptoms. After the age of 40, you need to check your blood pressure often. If you see it’s persistently high, even one time, you should talk with your primary care doctor to get it treated and controlled,” says Dr. Morshed.

Dr. Morshed is certified by the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology and National Board of Echocardiography

When blood pressure is high for too long, it can damage the walls of blood vessels, causing them to develop tiny tears. To fix these damaged areas, the body sends special cells that stick to the site. Over time, substances such as cholesterol and fats may also build up at these damaged spots, forming plaque.

“Once it’s uncontrolled, your heart is working against high pressure, and you can end up with heart failure or a heart attack.”

Lifestyle changes help, but medication often becomes necessary to reach target blood pressure levels and protect vital organs long-term, as untreated hypertension strains the heart and damages vessels. Dr. Morshed says that patients often feel they no longer need medication once they get their blood pressure under control. However, stopping medication can cause blood pressure to gradually increase again, causing dangerous side effects. Consulting a doctor before stopping blood pressure medication is crucial in preventing those rebound effects.

“We, the physicians, should see if the blood pressure is dropping with the medication or not, and then cut the medication if needed,” says Dr. Morshed.

Certain devices can help you stay on top of monitoring your numbers. Smartwatches can monitor heart health by using lights and sensors to track heart rate, detect irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation, offer on-demand ECGs, and provide insights through heart rate variability and activity tracking. This alerts users to potential issues like high/low heart rates or palpitations, prompting timely medical consultation, though they don’t replace a professional diagnosis.

“More and more people are wearing devices, like Apple Watches. People are getting data they didn’t have 10, 15 or 20 years ago.” says Dr. Lynn Swisher, Medical Director of the Cayuga Heart and Vascular Institute at Cayuga Health, a Member of Centralus Health.

Dangerously high blood pressure requires immediate medical help. Symptoms to look out for are severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, confusion, dizziness, numbness, nausea, vomiting, back pain, difficulty speaking, or blood in urine, indicating potential organ damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, or eyes.

“Along with those symptoms, if their heart rate is elevated or irregular, that would be the time to seek medical care,” says Dr. Swisher.

Cayuga Heart and Vascular Center has been providing cardiac services for 40 years and has more than a decade of experience in invasive cardiac care. Cayuga Health’s Heart and Vascular Centers are located at 201 Dates Drive, Ithaca; 40 Catherwood Road, Ithaca; and 220 Steuben Street, Montour Falls.

Whether you need critical care in a crisis or preventative care to improve your heart health, the most qualified specialists are waiting for you at Arnot. Arnot Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute is located at 600 Roe Avenue, Elmira.

Entrance to Arnot Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute

ews line

‘ICE Out’ Protest Draws Hundreds Condemning Immigration Crackdowns, Fatal Minnesota Shootings

By Philip O’Dell, photos by Mark Syvertson

As part of a nationwide day of action, hundreds of demonstrators packed the Ithaca Commons Friday afternoon to protest the immigration crackdowns and fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The “ICE Out of Ithaca” rally held at Bernie Milton Pavilion saw multiple attendees displaying anti-ICE signs and voicing opposition to the Trump administration. Demonstrators marched down Seneca Street, shouting chants that included “No ICE! No KKK! No Fascist USA!” Rally attendees condemned federal agents for killing Good and Pretti, whose deaths sparked nationwide Ice Out rallies over the weekend and a general strike on Friday.

Attendee Siobhan Hull said creating stronger community networks is needed to build resilient communities that are not reactionary. Hull urged local officials to eliminate Flock cameras in Ithaca as she fears ICE might access the devices.

“We need to be proactive in the face of imposing fascism and ongoing acts of U.S. imperialism,” Hull said.

Attendee Sriram Parasurama said community organizing is the only way to “slow the gravity of fascism that’s bearing down upon us.” He is not worried Ithaca will face the same scale of ICE enforcement seen in Minnesota. However, he maintained that community support networks would ensure residents are prepared to resist if necessary. He said more systemic action is needed to address oppression nationwide.

“ICE is just a symptom of the same disease that spit out the police system, slavery, genocide,” Parasurama said. “All of these things come from the same root. If we are

T

ake n ote

X Town of Ithaca Contributes $110,000 to Support City Parks

By Lorien Tyne

At the Ithaca Town Board’s Jan. 26 meeting, the board unanimously approved a monetary gift to the city of Ithaca to support Cass Park and Stewart Park.

The town’s adopted 2026 budget includes a $110,000 contribution toward city parks, of which about $68,000 would result in a “special benefit” to town residents and the remainder would be considered a gift. In exchange for the town’s contribution, the city will offer town residents a discount on recreation programs, which the local law states is valued at about $68,000.

Town Supervisor Rod Howe said that the town has to pass a local law to be able to give

another municipality a gift. Since the town’s contribution exceeds the monetary value of the discounts received in exchange, a public hearing and local law are necessary.

“We’ve been doing this every year for as long as I’ve been around,” Howe said. “It’s just something we do on an annual basis.”

Town Clerk Paulette Rosa said the contribution amount has been consistent over the years but did increase in the 2026 budget by about $6,000.

The money will support recreational facilities at the city parks, such as Cass Park’s pool and skating rink. The resolution states that these parks are used by town residents and serve a public purpose for the town.

not acting towards tearing that root disease out, then there is no point in being out here.”

The Ithaca event was organized by a coalition of organizations that included the Cornell Young Democratic Socialists of America, Ithaca DSA, and Tompkins County Workers’ Center. A previous Ice Out event in Ithaca was held on Jan. 10. Organizers encouraged residents to avoid shopping and attending work and school as part of Friday’s nationwide strike. Some local businesses, including Buffalo

Continued on Page 6

The town board also authorized a contract for concept level design and cost estimates for work extending the South Hill Recreation Way trail from Burns Road to Banks Road.

Through the Tourism Capital Grant program, Tompkins County is providing the town with financial assistance for the concept level designs and cost estimates.

In late November, the town received six proposals from interested contractors, which have been reviewed by town staff.

The town board approved a contract with MJ Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Land Surveying at a fixed fee not to exceed $34,336.

R o V enolt , r EP ort E r mack @ ithacatimes com

J ake S exton , a d M inistrativ E c oordinator jake @ ithacatimes com

M a R k S y V e R t S on ,

& M ark E ting lisa e @ ithacatimes com a nna l ee , a dv E rtising & M ark E ting anna @ ithacatimes com

f r EE lanc E rs : Barbara Adams, Charley Githler, Stephen Burke, Bill Chaisson, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Peter Rothbart, Austin Lamb, Clement Obropta, Jake Sexton, Kira Walter, Vasant Alex Laplam, and Ceili Ayoung

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IN UIRING

PHOTOGR PHER

Q A

By Mark Syvertson

QUESTION

OF THE WEEK: “WHAT PIECE OF GEAR IS A MUST-HAVE FOR ITHACA WINTERS?”

NOTE: If readers wish to participate in the Ithaca Times’ Inquiring Photographer column, contact Mark Syvertson at marksyvertsonphotography@gmail.com

Longtime Educator Charley Githler Appointed Tompkins County Historian

By Maddy Vogel

Longtime local educator Charley

Githler has been appointed as Tompkins County’s newest county historian. Having taught history to generations of students at the Newfield Central School District, Githler will guide the local record keeping and historical programming for the next three years.

Githler was unanimously appointed by the Tompkins County Legislature during its Jan. 21 meeting. He succeeds Laura W. Johnson-Kelly, who had a brief stint in the role, and longtime county historian Carol Kammen, who retired from the role in 2023.

“These are big shoes that I have to fill,” Githler told the legislature. “Carol Kammen is a titan in the local history world.”

For regular readers of the Ithaca Times, his name may ring a bell. Githler authors the popular satirical political column “Surrounded by Reality” and occasionally writes “From the Archives” pieces spotlighting artifacts and moments from local history. He has written for the Times for over 20 years, and shared the news of the publication’s transition to new ownership after over half a century in circulation last year.

He moved to Tompkins County in the mid 1990s for his teaching gig at Newfield and remained an educator in the district until his retirement in 2021, a decision he said was driven by the pressures of pandemic-related teaching demands. He primarily taught American history, but taught classes that focused on local history as well.

“I was very glad that I wound up in Newfield,” Githler said in an interview with the Ithaca Times. “I feel like I had a greater impact in a district that size.”

But Githler has always been interested in history, even before studying and teaching it. He recalled that the first chapter book he ever read was a biography of Babe Ruth.

“People become more interested in history as they get older,” Githler said, “but I started out right out of the box interested in history.”

“Important issues require looking back at what has been done in the past.”

Githler grew up in Rochester and spent time in Ithaca in his youth. He graduated from Cornell University with his history degree in 1978 and attended SUNY Buffalo for law school shortly after. After 10 years practicing law, his lifelong familial ties to the finger lakes brought him back to the region.

He has served as a member of the Newfield Historical Society’s board of directors and has spent the past two years as a voting member of the History Center in Tompkins County. After assuming his new role, Githler plans to step down as a voting member but remain a member of the board’s committees. New York State law dictates that each county and municipality appoint a local historian. Githler said that because the language of this law is vague, the role of a county historian can vary widely across the state. In Tompkins County, Githler’s predecessor set the stage for the historian to play a crucial role in local history preservation.

“[Kammen is] a huge figure, nationally, really, in local history,” Gither said. “She turned [being a] Tompkins County historian into a pretty substantial thing. She had no real guidance going into it, she sort of built it over the years.”

Githler will Chair the county’s historical commission and the committee of municipal historians. He will also act as a liaison to the Tompkins County Legislature and coordinate efforts with historians in surrounding counties. He said he hopes to increase collaboration between municipal historians during his time in the role.

Preserving local history helps communities make better decisions by learning from the past, Githler said.

“Every community faces reoccurring issues,” Githler said. “Contextualizing the recurring issues, I think, is very important for a historian.”

In Tompkins County, environmental battles are just one example of historically reoccurring issues. Githler believes county historians should bring attention to many of the ongoing efforts to push back against developments that can cause environmental damage.

“Here’s the thing about the finger lakes: it’s kind of off everybody else’s radar,” Githler said. “We think it’s the center of the world, but it’s not. It’s a place to stash landfills, crypto-mining facilities, AI data centers and nuclear power. We need to push back on that and we do have a history of doing it, but I think it’s important for a historian to say, ‘Hey, we’ve had to jealously guard these resources in the past and we need to keep doing that.’”

“A solid pair of insulated gloves.”

Adam

“A thick, warm hat. Preferably wool.”

Dominic

“A ski mask. It really helps keep the wind off your face.”

Griffin

“I have to say a long parka. Something that comes down to mid-thigh.”

Aidan

“Waterproof boots with good insulation and good grip.”

Connor

Charley Githler is the Ithaca Times columnist behind “Surrounded by Reality.”

(Photo: Barbara Adams/Ithaca Times)

Newly-appointed County Historian Charley Githler said that Ithaca must study its response to past issues to tackle many of its current ones. (Photo: History Center in Tompkins County)

Former Collegetown Fire Station Site Slated for $16.5M Apartment Development

By Philip O’Dell

The Ithaca City Planning Board has taken the lead on a new Collegetown redevelopment project that aims to transform the site of a former fire station into an apartment complex.

During its Jan. 27 meeting, the board voted to serve as the lead agency for the 309 College Ave. development project. By electing to serve as the lead agency, the board takes full charge of the environmental review and verifies the project follows all state and local laws.

The 309 College Ave. property is the site of the former East Hill Fire Station prior to its relocation to 403 Elmwood Ave. Following the 2024 sale of the original station, the city celebrated the grand opening of its new fire facility on June 25, 2025. City officials opted for new construction after determining the renovation cost would exceed the price of a brand-new building.

The board held a design review that featured developer Nick Robertson and Modern Living Rentals owner Charlie O’Connor presenting their development project during the meeting. Robertson said QPK Design will serve as the project’s architectural consultant.

Robertson said the proposed building will include eight stories with 77 units and 112 bedrooms on floors two through eight. The proposed development will feature a mix of residential options, in-

cluding four-bedroom and two-bedroom units, as well as studio and one-bedroom apartments.

According to the site plan review application, the project includes 55,000 gross square feet that includes 8,669 square foot lot size and a 6,701 square foot building footprint or ground floor area. The application says the total construction cost is estimated at $16.5 million during the anticipated period of October 2026 through July 2028.

Robertson said the project is located within the mixed-use 2 district and is being developed entirely “as-of-right”— meaning the building plans already fit within the city’s zoning rules–so the developers will not be seeking any variances or special exceptions.

The proposed ground floor will include a vestibule and central lobby that leads to a large retail space, mail room, and

specialized common areas. The layout transitions from a communal lounge featuring a community table into a more formal lounge centered around a fireplace feature wall. The design extends into dedicated study rooms, a wellness room, and a fitness center.

Robertson said feedback from younger individuals led to the inclusion of both private and open-concept study environments within the building's design. The project’s dedicated wellness space is a highly requested amenity with specific programming still to be determined.

Robertson said the building's 1,500-square-foot retail allocation and adjacent game room remain flexible as developers negotiate with a potential retailer seeking a larger 2,000-square-foot space.

To mitigate risks to neighboring

Continued on Page 18

UPS DOWNS&

Ups

Ithaca’s Sciencecenter released its 2025 Annual Report, which gives an overview of the museum’s accomplishments. In the past year, the museum added new features like a 900-pound coral reef exhibit, achieved its third consecutive accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, developed and distributed STEM kits to 33 libraries and much more.

Downs

According to Tompkins County Whole Health, Flu cases are on the rise, with 108 new positive flu cases reported last week. It said this spike is keeping with seasonal trends, and added that 22 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported last week.

HEARD SEEN&

Heard

Ithaca College’s Park Productions is accepting short film submissions until Feb. 12 for the 10th Annual Ithaca Short Film Festival. The festival showcases work from filmmakers in the U.S. and internationally, including college students. The festival will be hosted at Cinemapolis on April 15, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Seen

In an annual ranking of 100 “core based statistical areas,” SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, has named Ithaca the sixth most artsvibrant community in the U.S. In the past five years, Ithaca has consistently been included in the ranking.

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Does Ithaca need more affordable housing services like INHS to serve its residents? 67.5% Yes.

No.

I don’t care.

N ext W eek ’s Q uestio N : Is the City of Ithaca doing enough to tackle its housing crisis? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

Pictured is the proposed design for the 309 College Ave. development project in Ithaca. (Photo: Provided)

Pictured is a rendering for the proposed apartment complex at 309 College Ave., a redevelopment of the former East Hill Fire Station currently undergoing environmental and regulatory review by the Ithaca City Planning Board. (Photo: Provided)

Developers shared this nighttime rendering of the proposed apartment complex at 309 College Ave. during the Ithaca City Planning Board’s Jan. 27 meeting. (Photo: Provided)

‘ICE OUT’ PROTEST

continued from page 3

Street Books, closed shop in solidarity. GreenStar Food Co-op donated all profits that day to Ithaca Welcomes Refugees, a local nonprofit that assists displaced individuals and families resettling in Tompkins County.

“We see our neighbors, friends, family members getting disappeared and murdered by these federal stormtroopers,” coalition member Adam Hart said.

Addressing the crowd, Hart said unity is needed because ICE’s actions have become impossible to ignore. He accused both major political parties of dishonesty and lying to the public.

“They think we are too stupid to believe what we are seeing with our own eyes,” Hart said. “However, we see clearer than ever and we are prepared to say enough is enough.”

CNY Communities for Justice representative and former Ward 1 City Alderperson Phoebe Brown led a moment of silence in remembrance of the individuals

killed by ICE agents.

Brown admitted she previously felt unafraid because “we’ve been here before,” but her perspective has recently shifted to one of heartbreak and fear. She shared her anxiety for future generations who might have to witness acts of violence from the federal government. Brown connected the current protests against ICE to the Civil Rights movement, particularly the Montgomery bus boycotts.

“I sit back and I think about being a little girl watching people who look like me having dogs sicced on them,” Brown said. “It makes me so sad because it’s still happening today.”

Brown challenged attendees to question the effectiveness of a shutdown if daily commerce continues and dialogue ends once the event is over. She urged people to speak with their neighbors and community leaders to sustain the movement. Brown argued that activism must extend beyond opposing ICE. Citing the death of Robert Brooks at the hands of state corrections officers, she said acts of systematic

oppression are interconnected and a larger commitment to all human rights is needed.

Maria Bulla, an Ithaca resident from Colombia, said local Rapid Response Network group chats help protect local immigrants. Bulla said she feels safer knowing her neighbors actively monitor and communicate about ICE activity in the area. She urged the community to check on immigrant friends who may be afraid to leave their homes for work or groceries.

“I feel safer because I know that people will reach out to me to check that I am safe,” Bulla said.

No More Tears/No Mas Lágrimas founder Ana Ortiz said people need to support each other and care for their neighbors and children. Ortiz encouraged residents to speak with their elected representatives, especially alderpersons on the Ithaca Common Council. She also noted people’s commitment to attending the event despite the freezing conditions.

“It can be snow, it can be rain, it can be a storm next to us, and we are going to come out and fight for our rights,” Ortiz said.

Fourth Ward Alderperson Robin Trumble said the event encourages residents to stand up for their values even before a direct threat arrives. Trumble said if more cities hold similar demonstrations, mass participation can lead to a "domino effect" of positive change.

“The more we do here in Ithaca, the more support somewhere like Minneapolis can get,” Trumble said.

Trumble said demonstrations like the Friday rally allow residents to engage in community networking and learn about local organizations. He described the gathering as an ideal starting point for building connections and getting involved in local activism.

County Reports Routine Peak of Flu and COVID-19

By Lorien Tyne

Tompkins County Whole Health’s (TCWH) most recent report of disease activity in the region shows a significant uptick in flu cases between the third and fourth week of 2026. In a social media post, TCWH stated that the data shows “routine peaks” of COVID-19 and flu cases for this time of year.

In week four of 2016, there were 108 new positive lab-confirmed cases of the flu in Tompkins County. Flu cases peaked at the end of December 2025 at 129 new cases before falling in the first few weeks of 2026. Reported data shows 113 cases in week one of 2026, 91 cases in week two and 61 cases in week three.

There were also 22 new positive labconfirmed COVID-19 PCR and Antigen cases in week five. This is a decrease of COVID-19 cases from the past few weeks with data showing 24, 27 and 41 cases in weeks two through three, respectively. The first week of 2026 had just four new cases.

While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) flu season runs from October through May, TCWH tracks and publicly posts flu

and COVID-19 cases reported to the New York State Department of Health throughout the year. The dashboard’s data is shown by week, which varies slightly in dates between COVID-19 and flu tracking because COVID-19 cases are updated each Sunday and flu cases are updated each Saturday. The county also reports RSV cases on a monthly basis, which peaked in December at 13 cases and has not yet been updated for January.

TCWH reminded the community that

there are free COVID-19 test kits available at the TCWH offices. The kits can be picked up during weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Home test results can be anonymously self-reported online at makemytestcount.org but are not included in the NYSDOH’s reports.

TCWH also stated that it is not too late to get vaccinated for these respiratory illnesses. The CDC recently approved a new COVID-19 vaccine standard allowing everyone ages 6 months and older to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines can be taken at the same time as a flu shot and RSV. The flu vaccine is widely available at pharmacies and healthcare provider offices. Whole Health encourages everyone ages 6 months and older to receive a flu vaccine each fall. The RSV vaccine is recommended for infants up to 11 months, those who are pregnant, adults ages 75+, and for adults ages 65+ who have pre-existing health conditions. Call a local pharmacy or talk to a healthcare provider about vaccine availability.

Tompkins County Whole Health Releases Updated Community Health Assessment

By Lorien Tyne

Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) announced in January that it has updated the Community Health Assessment (CHA), which is required by New York state public health law to be updated every five years.

The CHA is a countywide report that assesses conditions that impact the health of individuals who live and work in Tompkins County. The examined conditions are broken down into five prevention agenda domains: economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and built environment, health care access and quality, and education access and quality. According to a TCWH press release, the

CHA is the foundation for the 2025-2030 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Over the course of 2026, the Community Health Improvement steering committee will continue to review the CHA as it develops goals, objectives and interventions that will be outlined in the CHIP.

“We encourage community partners and engaged citizens to read through the Community Health Assessment and use it to inform your work, whether that be a need for program development, grant writing, or other organizational purposes, or just for deeper personal understanding about the topics you care most about,” TCWH Commissioner Jennie Sutcliffe stated. “Our staff and partners have done the work of pulling all this together; there is a lot of really great

information in there to help us work together in shaping a healthier community.”

The steering committee is made up of many community organizations, including Tompkins County Youth Services, Tompkins County Office for the Aging, Cayuga Health/Centralus, Civic Ensemble, Community Justice Center, Cornell University MPH Program, Skorton Center at Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (CCE-TC), Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Tompkins-Cortland Community College and the YMCA of Tompkins County.

The CHA states that the most prominent health challenges facing the county are intersectional issues of economic pressures,

behavioral health needs and structural inequities. While the document touches on many factors, it highlights these issues as the “backbone” of many health challenges. “While Tompkins County performs better than state averages and benchmarks in some areas, these successes coexist with persistent inequities in poverty, food security, housing stability, mental health, oral health, and chronic disease burden,” the CHA states. “The overarching picture is one where economic stressors, service access barriers, and social inequities interact to create disproportionate health risks for specific populations and neighborhoods. These interconnected challenges underscore the need for coordinated equitycentered approaches across sectors.”

Last week, 108 new flu cases were reported. (Photo: Tompkins County Whole Health)

Last week, 22 new COVID-19 cases were reported. (Photo: Tompkins County Whole Health)

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

By Ithaca Times Readers

RE: Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership: Thank You, Deb Mohlenhoff

“I appreciated reading Mr. Allen’s recent Guest Opinion, “Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership: Thank You, Deb Mohlenhoff” in which quotes from a number of people who worked closely with Deb spoke to her long-standing dedication, leadership, and expertise. Deb has been recognized throughout her professional roles as well as through her public service by increased levels of responsibility. Examples include her promotions in previous roles at Ithaca College and TC3 where her last position was Associate Vice President for Community Relations/Chief of Staff to the College’s President. While earning increased degrees of responsibility in her “day job,” Deb continued to make significant contributions to our city as 5th Ward Alderperson for eleven years, during which time she served as Acting Mayor and as

chair of the City Administration Committee. Her record of service is long and deep, one that is worthy of recognition. I also write to clarify the process by which the City of Ithaca transitioned to a new Council/Manager structure of government. In 2021, a working group of council members reviewed the governmental structure at the time, one comprised of a part-time non-voting Mayor who nevertheless supervised staff she did not have the authority to terminate, and to make recommendations for revisions. Council voted resoundingly in late 2021 to put before voters a Council/Manager form of government which has proved successful in numerous municipalities. This was based on the belief it would result in better overall efficiencies. Such a change legally required a public referendum whereby voters would decide. The November 2022 referendum confirming the proposed structural change passed overwhelmingly. The process by which this change would best be achieved, as council unanimously agreed, was hiring an independent consultant, and a Request for Proposals was issued. The selected consultant collaborated with a search team in 2023 comprised of members of council and senior staff, including the Director of Human Resources and myself as Mayor. Interviews with applicants for City Manager, including the finalists, were open and transparent.

The ultimate selection of Deb Mohlenhoff, following an extensive national search, was based on her full record. It was a decision made with a near unanimous vote by the Common Council, not by a single individual. Deb stood out as an exceptionally strong candidate to oversee the management of a complex organization that included 400+ city employees. The duties were indeed to “stabilize operations, modernize policies, and build lasting systems that will serve Ithaca for years to come” as noted in Allen’s column. I relay this history because last year’s council members may not have recalled the process undertaken by the city and its voters. It was disappointing to watch the rush to judgment, in my opinion, and the impact of council’s late fall decision. In my view from outside city government since December 2023, but as a taxpayer, it is that such a significant government transition could not fully be accomplished in less than two years. My belief remains firm that a Council/Manager structure offers the greatest opportunity to manage an organization of our city’s size, and that Deb was making strides to realize the full potential of this model. For many reasons, I wish to offer my gratitude to Deb Mohlenhoff for her contributions to making our community a better place to live, work, and play.” — Laura Lewis (Alderperson 5th Ward, 2018-2022. Mayor City of Ithaca 2023.)

Water Spouts on Cayuga Lake

“Before the storm early morning of 1/24, for a brief while, waterspouts were lined up, 4-6 at a time, moving south on Cayuga. Most common on tropical seas, they sometimes occur on the

Great Lakes, and rarely the Great Salt Lake, in bands of lake effect snow.” — Wesley Adams, Ithaca NY

State Policies on Energy Should Fit New York’s Conditions

“While Tompkins County hunkers down in this week’s dangerous cold snap, the energy ‘roadmap’ championed by Assemblymember Anna Kelles has officially frozen over.

In September, Kelles formally urged the Governor to block the NESE pipeline, labeling it an ‘unnecessary’ project. Yet today, the Iroquois pipeline is under transmission restrictions just to maintain

Continued on Page 10

In a 2000 interview with the Ithaca Times, then-Mayor Alan Cohen said,

“Are we doomed to repeating the mistakes of the past, or are we going to understand the impact of not allowing development to happen in the urban core, pushing it out to the extremities, and further exacerbating the sprawl conditions that already exist in this community?”

Voices Through the Gorges

Multiple Closures Among Downtown Eateries

By Stephen Burke

Asurprising number of Ithaca eateries have recently announced their closings.

Some are new; some have existed for years.

The most recently closed was the most recently opened, in August 2024: Asempe Kitchen, on W. Green St., which featured West African fare and “plant-forward traditions,” with ingredients such as cassava, black-eyed peas, okra, palm nut and plantains. Its “Afrobeats Brunch” menu typically featured five vegan entrees.

A few doors away from Asempe, the Rashida Sawyer Bakery has closed after a relatively short existence. The shop was a family business centering on creations by its namesake, Loraine Rashida Sawyer, a baker for many decades for other Ithaca enterprises, renowned especially for her renditions of classics such as cheesecake, carrot cake and fruit tarts. The shop offered carry out, catering, special orders and delivery, as well as table service for slices and beverages.

Red’s Place has closed after years on downtown’s “Restaurant Row,” off the east side of the Commons. Red’s Place was a dining pub featuring burgers, flatbreads, soups and salads, with a wide variety of beers and other beverages, and both indoor and outdoor seating.

The Watershed, a half-block west of the Commons, steps away from the State Theater, closed in December after almost a decade. It was more a bar than an eatery, but had a menu of about a dozen food items to complement its primary offerings of specialty crafted cocktails. Part of the operation was the Downstairs, below the main bar, which presented music and other live events at night.

The number of closings so close together might be coincidental, or might have common causes. When the Watershed and Downstairs closed, owner Ashley Cake wrote a public notice that suggested reasons relating them.

Some issues are specific to Ithaca. Cake wrote that local government is not doing enough to welcome people to downtown Ithaca in general, and the Commons in particular. She mentioned “scaremongering about panhandling and drug use on the Commons,” and wrote of the need for

“public bathrooms, no-to-low barrier hospitality including food and places to rest, volunteer outreach workers, bystander intervention trainings and other alternatives to police intervention.”

Cake further cited high housing costs in the city which have many people moving to the outskirts, where they are less likely to frequent downtown, instead commuting home in the evening after work in town or on the campuses.

Cake’s businesses were particularly focused on evenings, and even late nights, but for most eating and drinking establishments nighttime population and trade are crucial.

Cake also cited broader social factors. The “cost of living skyrockets,” she wrote, while “wages stagnate or decline.”

Cake’s concerns find similar voice in the Asempe Kitchen’s closing announcement. Owner Kuukua Yomekpe described “the challenges of the current economic climate — rising costs and changing spending habits,” and “a continued lack of foot traffic.”

The lack of foot traffic dates back considerably to the onset of Covid, from which many businesses have yet to recover, particularly restaurants and bars.

There are newer political disruptions, with the Trump administration’s kidnappings and killings of residents, focused on politically liberal locations — a designation that certainly includes Ithaca — keeping people out of public places.

Close to home politically for some time now in Ithaca, as Cake writes, are Cornell’s “continuing capitulation to the [Trump] administration’s craven demands,” creating “university-wide budget cuts [and] lay-offs,” and the school’s “outrageous… persecution of students who protest the state of Israel’s genocide in Palestine,” leading to “such an atmosphere of apprehension” that many Cornellians stay inside, don’t come downtown, and leave Ithaca as soon as they can.

In Cake’s statement, she says “one of my bartenders said it perfectly: It’s not about the money, we need customers.” Cake writes, “What my places need to flourish is nothing less than our collective liberation. I need folks to have child care, stable housing, basic income…[for] places where people can gather spontaneously”

A NATION SPEAKS: A CELEBRATION OF GREAT AMERICAN VOICES

The Enduring Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr — 1963

Curated by Roy Allen: Director of Strategic Partnerships — Ithaca Times, Finger Lakes Community Newspapers, www.ithaca.com

Many voices have shaped the nation we call America but few have national holidays named after them. This week we pay tribute to one of those few — an American icon — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by including his now famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963 to more than 250,000 people gathered in front of the steps to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. In a time of deep division, voices from the past remind us to continue striving toward a brighter future. These speeches were not delivered in silence—they were spoken across great physical and philosophical divides, sustained by courage, and often at the risk of life itself. Dr. King lost his life just 5 years later in 1968 when a gunman assassinated him in Memphis, Tennessee. Today, many Americans believe we are more divided than ever. This is far, far, from the truth. America, since its founding has made much progress by sacrifice of time, talent and treasure. The future will be no different and its path will require many voices and much action.

“I Have a Dream” — 1963 — Dr� Martin Luther King, Jr Washington, DC

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years

later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.”

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the

(Photo: History.com)

Familiar Face, Historic Win for Cornell Hockey

By Steve Lawrence

While perusing the internet, I came across a headline that was, to any Cornell hockey fan, very misleading.

The headline read, “Cornell Hockey Wins 10th Game in 11 Contests Under First-Year Head Coach.” Well... I suppose that’s all true, but another headline seemed to paint a different picture: “Casey Jones Wins 250th Game as a Head Coach.”

Let’s tie these headlines together... Yes, Casey Jones, a former Cornell player from the class of 1990, is indeed in his first season as the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Hockey. However, Jones knows his way around East Hill. After playing in front of the Lynah Faithful for four years, he stayed on as an assistant coach from 1991–93. He moved on to work as an assistant on the staff at Ohio State from 1995–2004, and stayed on four more years as an associate head coach for the Buckeyes. From there, he returned to Cornell as an associate head coach from 2008–2011. Then came Jones’ big opportunity to become a head coach, as he was hired to coach the Golden Knights of Clarkson University. Over the course of his 13 seasons in the North Country, he led the team to six 20-win seasons, and amassed a record of 234-185-56.

When Mike Schafer announced 2 years ago that he would be behind the bench for one more season, a savvy move was made to assure the smoothest possible transition.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

system integrity. Simultaneously, Kelles is championing a $4 billion ‘Upstate Upgrade’ funded by a $25 monthly rate hike on your utility bills, all to move renewable energy that provided a mere 10% of our power for just a few hours yesterday.

During the dangerous night-time freeze on Sunday, wind was non-existent. We stayed warm thanks to the dual-fuel and nuclear plants Kelles has spent her career trying to shutter or regulate out of existence via the NY HEAT Act. It is fiscally reckless to force families to pay for a multi-billion dollar “highway” for energy that disappears when it’s 10

Jones resigned his position at Clarkson, signed on to become the associate head coach at his alma mater for one season, then took the reins from Schafer. In the often tumultuous world of collegiate athletics, that move made for some very healthy continuity, and in this — his first season as Cornell’s head coach — Jones’ has led the Big Red to a 16-5-0 record, making Saturday’s road win over Brown his 250th career win as a head coach. (That milestone makes Jones one of 15 active head coaches to reach that number.)

While the weekend’s road wins over Yale (5-2) and Brown (4-2), Big Red fans are even more excited about the team's return against Colgate on Saturday night. (There is another reason for fans to look to the future with high hopes in that Freshman Gio DiGiulian scored two goals in one period for the #10 ranked Big Red, which swept that Southern New England road trip for the fourth consecutive season.) Cornell’s last home games — against Dartmouth and Harvard — packed the rink, as usual, and the hosts fed the frenzy with a convincing sweep. Regarding that game — and any other home game — tickets can be hard to come by. They are sometimes offered on social media, and some season ticket holders might offer seats for sale at times, but there is another great option: Go to a Big Red women’s hockey game. High level play, and plenty of tickets. Go Big Red.

degrees outside. We need a policy that works in New York’s actual conditions, and not just in a press release.” — Alex Panagiotopoulos, New York Energy Alliance, Kingston NY

Strong Community Front Needed to Push Back on Immigration Enforcement

“This is not like Lexington, or Gettysburg, or even the Battle of the Bulge with the enemy in front of us. This, this that we are facing today, is more like an infection that takes hold of a spot on the leg, spreads about the body, an arm here, the left shoulder there, an ankle, a kidney until the whole-body braces for the next attack.

We are poised like that, we in Ithaca

I have been following — and writing about — the Ithaca High hockey team's solid season, and a few columns back, I wrote about the Swarthout brothers, Aiden and Morgan. Aiden (one of fifteen seniors on the Little Red’s roster) experienced a couple of scrapbook memories over the past few games. First, he reached the coveted goal of scoring 100 points (combined goals and assists) in his varsity career. Second, he assisted on his (sophomore) brother Morgan’s first varsity goal.

and Trumansburg and Minneapolis and Maine. We fear the infection, then catch a bit of it, watch it fell our fellow citizens, and we rage. But we also fear and feel numb with our individual inability to make change: so we write letters, we beat drums, honk horns and feel anger and fear.

We look for a vaccine to stem the infection but the Department of Health, meant to aid us, has turned its back, and so an infection spreads. We look to the Department of Justice and admire actions of the lower courts, but fear what a loaded supreme court will do with its witless, senseless rulings giving presidential immunity for anything done in the name of the president.

While the president and his minions,

The Little Red went into the weekend ranked #1 in New York State, and got their long Northern road trip off to a good start with a 5-2 win over Salmon River. Ansel Cosgrove put two pucks in the net, and Griffin Levine celebrated his 18th birthday by contributing three big points with a goal and two assists.

The following day, Ithaca dropped a very physical 3-2 decision to Canton. It is likely, I was told, that the two teams would very likely meet again in the post-season. Go Little Red.

or his handlers Miller and Voight, plot to send out more infections, city by city, cloaked in masks and with orders that are constitutionally illegal to arrest, tackle, barge into doors, and shoot. And so, they have shot five people over the past year, terrorized children, broken doors and car windows.

Our recourse has got to be standing firm to the US Constitution, to the rule of law, and to each other—offering aid, money, food packages, loud noises on whistles of warming, and grasping each other’s hands.

We can only come through this awful disease, this dark time, together.” — Carol Kammen, Ithaca NY Continued

Casey Jones surveys his new domain from behind the bench. (Photo: Provided/Cornell Athletics)

Is Black History Month Enough?

Alternatives Federal Credit Union on Economic Power and Community Wealth

Each February, Black History Month reminds Americans to celebrate the achievements and struggles of Black communities. Yet celebration alone does not close the economic gaps that persist today. Nationally, the median White household holds nearly eight times the wealth of the median Black household—a disparity that highlights why reflection without action falls short. Yet there is a question that deserves attention: is celebrating civil rights progress by itself enough? Martin Luther King Jr. believed it was not. By the last years of his life, King had come to see that civil rights victories alone could not secure lasting freedom. Political gains, he argued, were fragile without economic power and strong community institutions to sustain them.

King famously urged Black Americans to “strengthen Black institutions” and encouraged depositing funds in Black-owned banks. His idea, sometimes called the “bank-in” movement, was simple but profound: circulating money within the community builds wealth, power, and self-determination. At Alternatives Federal Credit Union, a federally chartered Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), this principle guides their work every day. Readers interested in how community-centered finance translates these values into practice can learn more about Alternatives’ mission and membership opportunities. In 2025, 82% of all Alternatives loans went to low-income households and communities” (CDFI certification requires 60%). For Alternatives, supporting underserved communities through access to capital, financial education, and institutionbuilding is a direct continuation of the values King championed.

Making History Actionable

Black History Month is often celebrated symbolically, with lectures, events, and media coverage highlighting historical figures and milestones. While this recognition is important, leaders such as Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman have questioned whether confining Black history to a single month risks turning remembrance into ritual, or even complacency. Their critique mirrors King’s own concerns: moral victories and recognition alone do not guarantee lasting equality. At Alternatives, Black History Month serves as a launch point rather than a conclusion. Our organization uses this time to

spotlight historical context, explain current disparities in economic opportunity, and engage the community in ongoing programs. By combining reflection with action, Alternatives seeks to honor history while ensuring that the lessons of King’s vision translate into practical, measurable outcomes.

Expanding Access to Capital

King’s “bank-in” movement was about more than symbolic protest; it was about redirecting financial resources to strengthen local economies. In today’s context, a CDFI like Alternatives achieves the same goal by providing loans, savings programs, and financial services to those historically underserved by mainstream banks. Each year, Alternatives reinvests millions of dollars locally, supporting first-time homebuyers, entrepreneurs, and families building long-term financial security. This includes homebuyers who may face traditional credit barriers, entrepreneurs starting small businesses, and families building long-term financial security. Through flexible lending criteria and relationship-based banking, Alternatives enables communities to create and retain wealth locally. Just as King emphasized economic self-determination, Alternatives helps ensure that money supports opportunities within the neighborhoods that need it most. This strategy is not only practical but also symbolic: financial empowerment strengthens civic participation, resilience, and community autonomy.

Building Knowledge as Infrastructure

Economic power is about more than access to money. Knowledge, guidance, and confidence are equally essential. Alternatives partners with local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations to provide financial education programs, workshops, and financial coaching on topics such as credit building, homeownership, small-business finance, and cooperative ownership. Credit union membership is not required to access these services. These programs reflect King’s broader understanding that true freedom requires both political rights and economic infrastructure. By equipping individuals and families with practical tools, Alternatives helps communities transform opportunity into sustainable outcomes. It is the financial equivalent of King’s moral and political vision: empowering people to act for them-

selves while strengthening the institutions that support them.

Supporting Institutions and Scale

While Black-owned banks continue to play a vital role, their scale and capitalization often limit impact. Here, Alternatives’ role as a CDFI is critical. Our credit union participates in collaborative lending programs, provides technical assistance, and reinvests deposits into local initiatives, strengthening the broader financial ecosystem that supports historically excluded communities.

This approach acknowledges a pragmatic reality emphasized by Black economists such as Walter Williams and Thomas Sowell: institutions succeed when supported by sustainable practices and sufficient resources. Alternatives work ensures that these principles translate into community impact, providing practical backing for King’s vision while addressing the structural barriers that small institutions face.

Extending Black History Month Into Year-Round Action

Honoring Black history must not be a one-month effort. King’s legacy and the ongoing work of CDFIs like Alternatives remind us that economic empowerment requires sustained attention and action. Each program, loan, workshop, and initiative reinforces the idea that financial access, education, and support are not optional—they are fundamental to equality and freedom.

Alternatives leverages Black History Month to highlight these issues, but the organization’s work continues throughout the year. Programs designed to build homeownership, support local entrepreneurship, and strengthen financial literacy all aim to create longterm, measurable impact, helping households improve credit outcomes, increase savings, and launch or sustain local businesses. In doing so, Alternatives demonstrates that honoring history involves more than reflection—it requires investment, action, and stewardship.

Why This Matters Today

Despite progress in civil rights, the gap between political rights and economic opportunity remains significant. Many families and businesses in underserved communities still face systemic barriers to capital, wealth creation, and financial stability. Organizations like Alternatives exist

to address these gaps, providing the tools, guidance, and resources that historically marginalized communities need to thrive. By applying King’s economic vision to today’s context, Alternatives highlights the enduring relevance of his work. Political equality is crucial, but without institutions capable of supporting community wealth, gains can be fleeting. For Alternatives, Black History Month is an opportunity to educate, inspire, and act—but the work extends far beyond February. It is a reminder that economic empowerment is a continuous process, rooted in community-centered financial institutions and reinforced through consistent engagement.

Conclusion

Martin Luther King Jr.’s advocacy for Black-owned banks and community wealth was not a historical footnote—it was a strategic effort to translate moral and political victories into sustainable economic power. At Alternatives Federal Credit Union, this vision shapes every program, loan, and educational initiative. Black History Month offers a moment to reflect on King’s legacy, but Alternatives’ work ensures that action, empowerment, and institutional support continue every day of the year. Through practical programs, ongoing lending, and financial education, Alternatives demonstrates that economic power is not just symbolic—it is a tool for freedom, dignity, and lasting community resilience. In other words, Black History Month is important, but building the institutions that sustain opportunity is essential. Readers who want to put these values into action can support community wealth year-round by becoming a member of Alternatives Federal Credit Union.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This article was sponsored by Alternatives Federal Credit Union that is also a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) providing financial services to members and communities highlighted in this feature. Locations: 125 N. Fulton Street Ithaca, NY 14850 and 1275 Lexington Ave. Rochester, NY 14606. Email at: Info@alternatives.org or call (877) 273-2328 for more information.

President Lyndon Johnson signs the 1965 Voting Rights Act as Martin Luther King, Jr., other Civil Rights Leaders and Congress members look on — National Archives Photo.

Your Voice Matters—Now More Than Ever

Become volunteer readers for Sounds of Democracy , a new, community-driven media literacy and civic engagement initiative that turns local journalism into shared listening.

As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026—and continues through September 2037, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution— Sounds of Democracy will create a living audio archive of essays, letters to the editor, and news stories originally published in our local papers.

In an era of social and political dis-ease, Sounds of Democracy offers a simple but powerful act: listening to one another . Please contact Roy Allen , Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Roy@ithacatimes.com for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.

— The Ithaca Times, Trumansburg Free Press, Ovid Gazette, Interlaken Review, News Chronicle, Tompkins Independent and Prime Times.

Finger Lakes Community Newspapers

While digging through the Ithaca Times archives, we stumbled on a sweet tradition from years past: inviting readers to submit their own Valentines. This Valentine’s Day, we’re bringing these heartfelt messages back.

Send us your Valentine (anonymous or signed, your choice), keeping it to 30 words or fewer. We’ll share a selection with our readers in our Feb. 11 issue.

Submit your valentines by Friday, Feb. 6 to editor@ithacatimes.com or by mail to Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, New York 14850

Leading the Library

Newly-appointed director Emerson DeMeester-Lane outlines his mission and vision for the Tompkins County Public Library

By Mikayla Rovenolt

The Tompkins County Public Library Board of Trustees recently appointed Emerson DeMeester-Lane to be the next library director. With a focus on community engagement and support, DeMeester-Lane is now at the helm of the county’s central public library system, helping guide its next chapter.

DeMeester-Lane comes to Ithaca from Tucson, Ariz., where he was the Deputy Director of Public Services and Customer Experience at the Pima County Public Library (PCPL) since 2024. He had worked for PCPL for 17 years before this in various roles. His appointment to lead TCPL was finalized in December during a Board of Trustees meeting, concluding a nationwide search.

DeMeester-Lane is originally from New York, being born near Albany and visiting the region frequently throughout his youth, spending time with New York relatives after his family moved to Arizona.

DeMeester-Lane succeeds Kat Savage and Susan Currie, who both served terms as interim director after the library received local criticism regarding its leadership last year, which prompted former director Leslie Tabor’s resignation. Savage has returned to her role as Youth Services Manager.

“The Board of Trustees is appreciative of Kat and her willingness to lead the Library during this transition,” TCPL’s board wrote in a statement. “The Board is also grateful to former Library Director Susan Currie for coming out of retirement and stepping down from her role in the Tompkins County Legislature to lead TCPL again in a time of need in the spring and summer of 2025.”

After a cross-country move back to the Finger Lakes Region, DeMeester-Lane began in-person work at the library on Jan. 27 though he had been working remotely for two weeks before that. He said he has spent his time getting to know staff and listening to the community.

“Since I was working remotely, I’ve had a chance to meet with a number of my direct reports and I even attended an all staff meeting via Teams,” DeMeester-Lane said.

“I’ve been doing a lot of listening and notetaking because I wasn’t on site. It's hard to take action on certain things when you’re not there, so I’ve just been meeting with everyone, hearing about what brought them to TCPL, what they’re passionate about, what they need support in, all those things. I’ve just been trying to get to know everybody and it’s really important for me to get out into the staff community and also go out into the larger

community and spend a lot of time connecting with people.”

DeMeester-Lane says he plans on meeting with other local libraries to build relationships with them as part of his community focus. These efforts included a meeting with the Finger Lakes Library system to get communication and familiarity started, even though DeMeesterLane was remote at the time.

In addition to his community meetings, DeMeester-Lane said he is working on setting up office hours with the public. These meetings are to get a better understanding of the library’s role in the community,

people’s experiences, and how the community would like to see the library grow.

“I’m a big communicator and am focused on embedding myself,” DeMeesterLane said. “This library has a lot of stakeholders and that’s really exciting and means that everyone should be heard, and I want to make sure I connect with everybody. That’s what my next few weeks are going to look like.”

Not only will he be speaking with community members and stakeholders, but DeMeester-Lane will also be learning the lay of the land for TCPL.

Libraries are structured differently all over the country, DeMeester-Lane said. The system he previously worked in was a large system that operated libraries under its umbrella. Here in Tompkins County, there are independent libraries that work collectively together within the Finger Lakes Library System.

In DeMeester-Lane’s previous role, he worked in a large county-wide system. Instead of directors there were branch managers and regional managers. He went from being a librarian, to assistant manager, then a branch manager, and then library services manager.

It was after this aforementioned role that DeMeester-Lane became the deputy director of all of the public facing services of the library. There are 27 locations in the PCPL system and DeMeester-Lane was responsible for all the staff in his building as well as customer experience and service for the entire library system.

“It was structured differently so it was different work but I think every library system has important and nuanced work,” DeMeester-Lane said. “It’s exciting to me to get to focus on day to day operations of the library here in such an engaged community.”

Community and support are two of DeMeester-Lane’s biggest focuses, he said. Right now, he said that he is focused on supporting the work staff are already doing as he settles into his new role and home.

Emerson DeMeester-Lane is at the helm of the Tompkins County Public Library. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

He believes that it is important for library work to be done with the community in mind so he is taking time to listen to both the internal library community and external Tompkins County community as a whole before deciding on projects or new initiatives.

“To me, the most important part of starting a job like this is making sure everyone feels heard,” DeMeester-Lane shared. “Then comes making actions based on understanding the perspective and making decisions with as many voices as possible.”

Currently, the library is purchasing physical materials for circulation. Recently, TCPL added staff to the technical services team, which does the purchasing and selection of materials.

Because Tompkins County is a central location for the Finger Lakes Library System, TCPL receives state funds to purchase materials that are placed in the shared collection. DeMeester-Lane noted that he was impressed with the TCPL staff because materials acquisition can be difficult.

A major supplier of library materials, Baker and Taylor, closed in October 2025 after doing business for nearly 200 years. This ended all their contracts with libraries across the United States. DeMeesterLane shared that there are two other major companies that provide the same services, but not at the same volume as Baker and Taylor.

DeMeester-Lane said that the TCPL staff noticed the reduction in quality from Baker and Taylor before their closing, leading them to end their contract and

sign with Ingram to supply physical media in August. Staff have been adjusting to this new contract and new processes over the last few months and DeMeesterLane is focused on further supporting that work.

“I think that the departments are all doing a really great job,” DeMeester-Lane said. “They’re led by some really amazing librarians and I want to learn from them and what’s working in the communities. Making sure they have all of the things they need so we can get books in people’s hands is a priority.”

DeMeester-Lane emphasized that he is excited to be a part of the community in Tompkins County and it is energizing to see an engaged community. He added that there are many people who have come to strategic planning meetings and his public interview, showing a deep level of care for TCPL. Something, DeMeester-Lane said, has been reflected in how the community has welcomed him to his role.

“There’s a real culture of inclusivity in Ithaca that I was really refreshed by,” DeMeester-Lane said. “People are so engaged with the library and since announcing the job, I’ve had an overwhelming amount of welcome. People really really love the library in this community and it’s really been heartwarming to see. I even had folks in the library world who are from the area reach out and be excited for me.”

DeMeester-Lane’s public office hours will be announced at a later date. Interested parties are encouraged to keep an eye on the TCPL website and emails for more information.

Don’t Let Ithaca Lose Its Storytellers

Imagine the sharpest, most passionate young journalists you’ve ever met (the ones who stay late chasing a story because they believe in this town) slowly packing their bags. Not because they want to leave… but because local rents force them out.

That’s the quiet heartbreak happening right now. Our best new writers, the ones who grew up here or fell in love with Ithaca in college, are being pushed toward cheaper cities just to survive.

The Rising Star Fund rewrites their story into a happy ending by sponsoring a simple monthly housing stipend (a hand up, never a handout) so they can keep living here, keep writing here, keep falling deeper in love with Ithaca… and keep telling the stories that make this city our home.

When a young journalist can afford to stay in Ithaca, you get:

● Fresh, fearless voices loyal to your local paper

● Someone at every city council meeting who believes local news matters

● The next great Ithaca story written by someone who actually lives here

● Your $25, $50, or $100 a month doesn’t just pay their rent.

● It keeps storytellers in our community and stops local brain drain.

● When our younger generation thrives, Ithaca’s future stays bright.

Keep local talent in Ithaca by donating today to the Rising Star Fund (an initiative of Pathways to Equity, Inc a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization)

For more info: roy@ithacatimes.com

The Tompkins County Public Library plans to host office hours with its new director in the coming weeks. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Ithaca Times File)

Ithaca 5 & Dime: Late Night Casual Dining at an Old-school Venue

By Kira Walter

So often a long day of work or study ends 8 p.m. onwards, and with most kitchens closing a quarter to 9, options for a hearty sit-down meal grow sparse. Venues transition to full bars, while post-midnight c-town warriors like Wings Over and D.P Dough power through the wee hours. A cozy restaurant providing drinks, pub food staples and full service was largely a late

diner’s fantasy, until Ithaca 5 & Dime changed up the game this winter.

Tucked away at the end of West State Street, the relatively new joint was founded by former Lot 10 owner Matthew Riis in October 2024, but only added a diabolically good dineresque menu starting December 2025. Food is available from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, welcoming guests till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Decor and dining options are inspired by once prominent 5 & Dime variety stores, which dominated American cheap-eating trends from the 40s to the 70s. Lunch counters offered nostalgic sandwiches, burgers, fries, shakes and sodas: while they faded with the rise of chains and malls, owner Frank Purazzi is bringing the 5 & Dime back. As they expand business, they provide a haven where casual dining and drinking is possible, without the clamor and chaos of many divier downtown establishments.

“It’s never super loud and crazy in there. It’s a good place to have a Friday night dinner with friends that doesn’t have to feel very formal,” Purazzi said. “It can be casual but you still can be waited on or you can sit at the bar.”

After buying the business with his wife last May, the couple has worked to curate a space that transports customers back in time. With vintage tables from the former Angel Hearts location, retro booths, and quarter candy machines, the energy is immaculately old-school. 4 tops and a touch-tunes jukebox contribute to a laid-back social environment, but a new menu is certainly the crown jewel in the 5 & Dime’s development.

Frank Purazzi grew up in Spencer and has cheffed around Ithaca for two decades, directing operations at North Star Public House, Luna, Loco and Jack’s Grill. He and Lexi colaunched Babe’s Burgers, a food truck/catering business that has toured the Finger Lakes since 2022. With many celebrated wins in the Ithaca restaurant industry, their menu features Charcuterie boards, gourmet soups, dips, deli sandwiches, salads and 6 “send it to the press” paninis stirring up commotion with outstanding quality and creativity.

The Italian sub press folded over onto an actual pizza crust is a frequent order, while the french dip with 48-hour aged caramelized onions, provolone, shaved beef, herb aioli and homemade au jus bone broth is particularly popular.

“We’ve been doing things a little differently,” Purazzi explained. “We take gruyere and we fold it into the aioli. A lot of people eat one and immediately buy another, which is a pretty great response.”

Classic cocktails and mocktails also continue their residency at the 5 & Dime, with espresso martinis and cosmopolitans. A daily 4 to 7 p.m. happy hour means dollar-off drafts and five dollar well drinks, with a frequent 10 dollar cocktail special.

The menu has sparked a lot of new attention while a full calendar of weekly events attracts more than just diners and drinkers. Though many restaurants tend to concentrate solely on the food experience, Ithaca 5 & Dime incorporates recreational activities that appeal to a larger crowd, especially

Arts & Entertainment

The Ithaca 5 & Dime opened in October 2024 and has recently expanded its menu options.

(Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

Decor and dining options at the bar and eatery are inspired by once prominent 5 & Dime variety stores.

(Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

The Garifuna Collective – Central American Roots Music

By Peter Rothbart

When two Spanish slave ships wrecked on a reef off St. Vincent, an island in the eastern Caribbean, they spilled their human cargo into the sea. Survivors made it to shore where they formed their own free and independent communities. Over time, these West African natives assimilated with the indigenous Carib people and other free and enslaved Africans on the island. In 1797, after winning control of St. Vincent from the French, the British exiled these mixed race “Black Caribs,” as the Garifuna people came to be known, to Roatán, an island off the coast of Central America. They eventually settled in what is now Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. They remain a small but distinctive subgroup within the Central American population.

The European nations at that time were not interested in land without gold or silver, so the Garifuna people of Central America were relatively untouched by outside empires and therefore able to retain much of their heritage, a blending of African and Carib/Arawak cultures.

The Garifuna Collective, a musical and dance group co-founded by Andy Palacio to preserve, protect, and promote the culture of the Garifuna people, brings its unique sound to Cornell’s Dallas Morse Coors Concert Series in Bailey Hall on Friday, Feb. 6.

That the music of the Garifuna people has survived virtually intact for over 400

Garifuna Collective

Dallas Morse Coors Concert Series

Friday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Bailey Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Tickets: https://www.cornellconcertseries.com

APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT

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structures, Robertson said the project will feature a minimized, centrally located basement designed to stay well clear of property lines. This conservative excavation approach would protect the shallow mat slab of the building to the south, while also reducing the need for extensive rock

years is due to the diligence and commitment of the now deceased Andy Palacio. Over 40 years ago, he formed the Garifuna Collective with the stated purpose of preserving this unique culture’s music and dance by bringing it to the world stage.

In an interview before he died, Palacio explained that “we also have music for the body, the mind, and the spirit. I wanted to draw in lesser-known forms of Garifuna music before it disappears.” In 2001, UNESCO recognized the importance of preserving the Garifuna culture, describing the Garifuna language and culture as, “a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity.”

Garifuna music differs from Spanishinfluenced Latin or Afro-Cuban music in several ways. True, they share a common African musical heritage with defining traits such as interwoven and complex rhythms, group singing and individual vocal interjections. But the African continent is a big place that embraces hundreds if not thousands of indigenous local and regional cultures, each with its own language, lyrics, instruments, and musical forms.

Anchoring Garifuna music is an array of percussion instruments, notably the primero drum for melody and improvisation, and the segunda drum to provide the bass and a steady rhythm. They are aided by maracas (a gourd filled with seeds or stones), turtle shell drums, a variety of rattles, and an occasional blown conch shell. Improvisation is part of the music making and listeners often engage the beat by clapping.

The traditional punta is a secular song form and dance originally based on a Garifuna funeral ceremony while a dugu is derived from a ritual healing ceremony. The paranda is similar to the punta but faster and includes a guitar. Two traditional a cappella vocal genres (and dances), arumahani and abaimahani, rely on

removal during the earthwork phase.

QPK interior designer Erin Primerano described the project as a contemporary, upscale building featuring a kinetic, asymmetrical facade designed to create dynamic window patterns. Primerano noted that the exterior material and color choices were specifically selected to remain sensitive to the surrounding street-level alignments.

Board member Andy Flick said the project would be a great addition to

personal stories and experiences, moral dilemmas, and even erotic yearnings. They are a form of cultural transmission that has survived for generations.

But Palacio’s vision was not just to treat the Garifuna culture as a petrified historical curiosity. He understood that cultures grow through exposure. This led him to the development of punta-rock, a Garifuna-rooted musical style with the addition of electric guitars, electric bass, keyboards, and even western brass and woodwind instruments. He describes punta rock as, “…a mix of Garifuna rhythms with a little bit of reggae, a little bit of R&B, and a little bit of rock and roll.” It has evolved into a contemporary Belizean dance style.

Listen carefully and you can hear modern African influences and Western elements creeping in. Listen for the reggae beats and bass lines, R&B drum licks and fills, rave-like repetitiveness forms, and

Collegetown, praising the interior and illuminated entry. He said acquisition of a retailer in the building would enhance the neighborhood.

“It absolutely has a dynamic feel,” Flick said.

Board member Max Buckhoff welcomed the proposal, noting the project would be a "cool" and "nice addition" to the neighborhood by replacing the concrete driveway that had occupied the site for years.

even rock ‘n roll harmonies. You can hear group chanting and singing in Garifuna–not Spanish–which is derived from the Arawak language. You can recognize the call-and-response vocals and the similarity to the field hollers of enslaved rural southern Black Americans. You can hear the tapestry-like intricate and intertwined rhythms that are the soul of the AfroCuban sound.

Despite the inevitable influence of other forms of music making, Garifuna music remains audibly close to its roots, more so than most other cultural artifacts that populate the world’s soundscape.

Peter Rothbart is a Professor Emeritus of Music at the Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre, and Dance where he taught electroacoustic and media music for 40 years. He remains active as a classical, jazz, and pop musician.

MULTIPLE CLOSURES

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in “reciprocal relationships.” She needs — we all need — people to show up because they are able to show up. What goes around comes around, and who comes around — or doesn’t — defines that. Without a broad commitment to change, the troubles and losses of downtown businesses are probably only beginning.

The Garifuna Collective focuses on the roots of Garifuna tradition in its music. (Photo: Jeremy Lewis/Provided)

“Sky Stories”: Aerial Art Takes Flight at Cherry Arts

By Barbara Adams

If the oppressive cold has you feeling cramped and confined, watching “Sky Stories” at the Cherry Arts will inspire release. In two different aerialist productions, on alternate nights, performers remind you how far the body can be liberated.

In the premiere of “Round Time,” two women pass through stages of relationships — the elder, Mara Neimanis; the younger, Morgan Mincer. Their patterned movement on the bars and ropes suggests

mother/daughter, mentor/novice, sisterly and even lover relationships. Their short white costumes hint at childlike innocence, somewhat at odds with the gravity of the skits.

Directed by Claire Marie Mannie, their entwined movements are accompanied by voiceover narratives, different women describing their connection to elderly women “really special” in their lives. But these anecdotes are too predictable, rather long and unedited, often overly loud and scratchily recorded. And they’re far too literal against the subtlety of abstract choreography —

the aerialists’ movements alone are more than sufficient to convey the story.

In “International Lover,” itself a confusing title, the thematic captions are superfluous; words also aren’t needed here when the movement is so eloquent.

Creator Troy Lingelbach performs as both aerialist and actor, expressing moods to some 23 songs, from Jim Morrison to Nina Simone to Prince.

Lingelbach begins with a genuine childlike joy in everything, each discovery of an object or movement. This playful spirit also carries over into the later numbers exploring various gender transformations. A few of the floor pieces are a bit long, but the sketches are engaging and the interaction with apparel (ties, vests, g-strings, bustier) is always amusing. And

if you’ve never seen someone on a trapeze bar in 8" transparent platform shoes, now’s your chance.

With seemingly effortless control, Lingelbach’s aerialist work is immaculate. It’s expressive, continuously graceful, and perfectly timed. Lingelbach's taut physique and long flowing hair call to mind Leonardo’s Vitruvian man, the ideal of proportion and harmony. Balanced yet fluid, aerialist artistry is essentially as abstract as dance, yet the idea of each sketch here is conveyed clearly through exquisite motion and expressive acting.

You can see these celebrations of the human body at the Cherry Arts, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca. Day and evening performances through Feb. 8. Tickets at thecherry.org/tickets/.

Creator Troy Lingelbach performs as both aerialist and actor in “Sky Stories” at the Cherry Arts. (Photo: Provided/The Cherry Arts)

Aerial artists perform “Sky Stories” at the Cherry Arts through Feb. 8. (Photo: Provided/The Cherry Arts)

tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges. But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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RE: Tompkins County Legislature Urges State to Deny Water Permit for Lansing Data Center

“NY State is taking away the county and local sales tax revenue, now 4%, 1% a year over the next four years, at which time it will be gone. A data center would carry a huge property tax assessment Tompkins residents will sorely need, aside from the jobs the center building and operation would require, many high paying. Two dozen people showing up at a legislature meeting out of about 105,000 county residents is hardly an overwhelm-

people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: “For Whites Only.” We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest — quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cit-

ing objection. TC, already not affordable for many, will become less affordable unless we change our attitudes toward development.” — Henry Kramer, ithaca.com

RE: Cantelmo Outlines Housing, Climate, and Audit Priorities in 2026 State of the City Address

“His number one priority should be to bring economic development to Ithaca. Surviving on Federal and state grants is not a plan. Great build more ‘affordable housing’ but if the people moving into these affordable homes can't find a job then the rest of us overburden[ed] tax payers are supporting them.” — Ragnar, Ithaca.com

ies, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone

RE: Cornell University Set to Increase Financial Contribution to Ithaca School District

“50k? Is this a joke? Anyone who has ever worked outside academia in a large company knows that “austerity” is usually a ruse used to cut fat. And anyone with simple math skills can calculate the massive wealth Cornell’s multi-billion dollar endowment has and is accruing in the market. Cornell’s endowment is growing, not shrinking. It dribbles a crumb and icsd leadership folds. Maybe they can’t do the math. Can we please get someone else as board president and superintendent? Given current inflation rates and poten-

of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Next week, we will publish Malcolm X ’s 1964 speech — “The Ballot or the Bullet” who, like Dr. King, lost his life by an assassin’s gun in 1965.

tial stagflation it’s a stretch to call the 50k and the annual % “increases.” Unlikely to even match inflation. Unbelievable that this can be perceived as a good faith act by Cornell. They should be paying tens of millions like every other land-grant ivy league.” — Ingalls, Ithaca.com

RE: The Importance of Supporting a Free and Independent Press

“Couldn’t help but notice thst while you mention “free” and “independent” you failed to mention factual, unbiased, fair, impartial, and honest.” — John Butler, Ithaca.com

Obituary: Thomas H. Mann

Thomas H. Mann, 73, of Ithaca, New York, passed away on January 2, 2026.

Born Thomas Harvey Mann, February 21, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tommie was raised in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. Over the years he lived in Trumansburg, New York; Washington, D.C.; and ultimately made Ithaca his home in 1997, where he remained deeply rooted, his 6'4'' frame and shoulder-length blond hair a distinctive presence in the community.

Tommie was known to many as “The Sober Guy,” proudly sober since June 12, 1989. His recovery shaped much of his life's work and purpose. He was a major figure in the founding of Ithaca Community Recovery, a nonprofit organization operating since 2000 that provides space for twelve-step and recovery-related groups. Tommie served on the ICR board from 2001-2003, as President of the Board from 2004-2006, and later as Fundraiser and Director of Development from 20072008. He remained a passionate advocate for recovery throughout his life.

ITHACA 5 & DIME

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following post-pandemic trends.

“It feels like you don’t just go out to drink anymore,” Purazzi said. “When I was growing up, we just met at a bar and drank. Post COVID, that’s not so much the vibe anymore. People need something to do or a reason behind it.”

From drag brunches to Tuesday trivia, anyone seeking an occasion with friends or the opportunity to meet new faces can easily find one via 5 & Dime’s social networks or word of mouth. Local DJ’s are hosted over the weekends, while themed bingo nights are all the rage whether burlesque or for the kids.

A self-made businessman, Tommie ran a successful interior and exterior painting business beginning in 1993. Before that, his working life included stints as a bartender, landscaper, construction laborer, cab driver, fundraiser, and even helping repair all the furniture in Cascadilla Hall on the Cornell University campus. He also ran a children's summer soccer camp for three summers.

Tommie enjoyed writing, dabbling in journalism with a particular love for sports and American culture topics. His writing appeared in The Ithaca Journal, Ithaca Times, Trumansburg Free Press, Tompkins Weekly, and Ithaca Child. Music was another lifelong passion. Since its inception in 1990, Tommie worked with the GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, where he oversaw site security and planning and served on the board of directors. Though all music interested him, he had a deep knowledge of jazz, especially its early history, and blue grass.

The Purazzi’s have also begun to explore renting out the space for baby showers, birthday parties, personal events, and live performances. Following the Watershed’s closing, they are trying to create a location where musicians can still congregate and share their compositions.

“I feel like we’re missing a chapter house sort of vibe that we once had in this town,” he said. “A place where instruments are just up on the wall so that if you’re a guitar player, you can take it down and fiddle with it while hanging with friends. It wouldn’t be a big deal.”

Reggae nights and Wednesday songwriter circles provide an outlet for the music community: on Thursday nights, well-known guitarist London McDaniels

An accomplished and enthusiastic athlete, Tommie loved most sports and considered himself an authority on Major League Baseball, although his heart belonged to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played tennis, golf, and slow-pitch softball, grew up playing soccer, and once tried out for the Pittsburgh Miners of the American Soccer League. Though he didn't make the team, he never lost his love of the game. He was a ranked USTA tennis player at age twelve and played nearly every sport imaginable—some better than others, as he cheerfully admitted. He also loved to cook, crediting cooking with helping him to stay sober, and enjoyed eating it with equal enthusiasm.

Tommie attended Sewickley Academy for K-12 and studied at Syracuse University, University of Pittsburgh, Allegheny College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and SUNY Empire State College. He often joked that despite all this schooling, he never earned a degree.

Tommie supported many causes, including Doctors Without Borders, The Fresh Air Fund, Citizens for Global Solutions, The Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and The Alzheimer’s Association.

He is survived by his daughter, Amelia Burns; his siblings Susan Flanders, Marjorie Mann (Don Baier), Robert Mann (Mary), and Christina Schmidlapp (Ellis); and eight beloved nieces and nephews.

plays funk and jazz with a group called Lava from 7 to 9 p.m.

The future of 5 & Dime is also very music oriented, as expansion plans include transforming the back parking lot into an urban beer garden. Constructing an outdoor stage is a pivotal part of the Purazzis’s vision: folks can bring charcuterie boards outside or grab a bite from Babe’s Burgers stationed in the back. With the weather warming up, An insideoutside model offers more dining variety on the West End. Far from the commons, the garden may serve as somewhat of a local sanctuary, away from crowds and too much ruckus.

Adding a relaxing venue that doesn’t require much planning ahead seems to be

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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“Roy, thank you for the article...an appropriate “meta” reminder in these interesting times of unnecessary polarization. Mr. Butler’s comment, though its attempt to be clever

rather than thoughtful causes it to almost entirely miss your friendly, positive point about the value of the local public sphere conversation, does remind us that qualities like “factual,” “unbiased,” “fair,” “impartial,” and “honest” each all too often require achieved agreement more commonly than revelation. It is

true that reality is under no obligation to conform to the way anyone might wish it to be. But it is also true that facts, biases, fairness, partiality, and honesty—like reality—are most often best identified first in conversation with others you may know in real life, rather than through merely channeling the shrill ignorance of

A celebration of his life will be held this coming summer, with the date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tommie’s memory to Ithaca Community Recovery 518 W.Seneca St., Ithaca, NY.

Tommie lived fully, honestly, with humor, generosity, and conviction. He loved music, and loved being part of the Ithaca community. He will be deeply missed.

a motto for the 5 & Dime, with the focus on mellow laid back energy and community engagement.

“We’re happy to offer a place where it’s not a bunch of drunk people yelling about shots or playing pool. Sometimes, after a long day, it’s just not what you’re looking for,” Purazzi said. “You might want someone to make you a drink. You’ve had a long day. You might just want to be pampered a little bit.”

When work runs late, home cooking is dreadful or to-go boxes lose their appeal, the Ithaca 5 & Dime is a West End paradise. With projected growth and innovative minds, here is a restaurant meeting unfulfilled food demands on a local and communal level.

those national level interests which are best served having you as an unthinking and divisive tool. I take your article to be a good beginning of a conversation about the most useful direction—local to national vs. the opposite—this process should take. Thank you again.” — Kevin Caffrey, Ithaca.com

Thomas H. Mann. (Photo: Provided)

Bars/Bands/Clubs

2/4 Wednesday

Firefly Trio | 6:30 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd. | Fre e

2/6 Friday

Busking for Justice: Tom Mank & Sera Smolen with Laura Branca and Rich DePaolo | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Café Dewitt, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca | Free; donations encourag ed

2/10 Tuesday

Marc Devo Quartet | 7 p.m. | Bike Bar Ithaca, 314 E. State Street | Free

Concerts/Recitals

2/4 Wednesday

Rachel Lee Priday, violin | 7 p.m.| Hockett Family Recital Hall, Ithaca College

Midday Music for Organ: Jeffrey Snedeker (CU Music) | 12:30 p.m. | Anabel Taylor Chapel, 548 College Ave. | Free

Miri Yampolsky, piano and Sergey Ostrovsky, violin (CU Music) | 7:30 p.m. | Barnes Hall, 129 Ho Plaza | Free

2/5 Thursday

Good Witch / Bad Witch | 7 p.m. | Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY

2/6 Friday

SoulShine — An Allman Brothers Experience | 7 p.m. | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St., Auburn, NY Garifuna Collective | 7:30 p.m. | Bailey Hall, 230 Garden Ave | $17.00$39.00

The Henhouse Prowlers | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St., Homer, NY

2/7 Saturday

Guest Recital: Steven Wilson, voice | 7 p.m.| Hockett Family Recital Hall, Ithaca College

Cornell Glee Club presents New York Lower Voices Sing (CU Music) | 5 p.m. | Sage Chapel, 147 Ho Plaza | Free

2/10 Tuesday

Folk at the Farmhouse — Notorius Stringbusters | 7 p.m. |

The Farmhouse at Grist Iron Brewing Company, 4880 New York 414, Burdett, NY | $23.18

2/11 Wednesday

Arts and Empowerment Student Recital | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Ithaca College

Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years In Concert | 7 p.m. | Merry-GoRound Playhouse, 17 William St., 2nd Floor, Auburn, NY | $50.00 - $60.00

An Intimate Evening with JJ Grey & Mofro | 8 p.m. | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St.

Stage

Sky Stories | 1/29 Thursday – 2/8

Sunday. Check website for times. | The Cherry Arts, 102 Cherry St. | Two aerial pieces, Internatioal Lover and Round Time. | $15.00 - $65.00 | thecherry.org

Ithaca Ballet Presents: WinterDance 2026 | 6:30 p.m., 2/7 Saturday | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St. | Ithaca Ballet’s contemporary ballet performance marking 65 years of the ballet | $15.00 - $30.00

Art

Members Show: The Returning Light | Thursday-Sunday 12-5 pm | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W State St. | Celebrate the new year with a selection of work from fourteen of our artist members. Featuring paintings, photos, sculpture, and fiber arts representing a broad spectrum of styles. | Free

(my)BODY POLITIC: WA(L)KING in BED | 5 p.m., 2/6 Friday | Media Arts Collective + Resource Exchange [MACRE], 415 N Tioga St. | an inter-art performative installation | Free

Ithaca Gallery Night | 5 p.m., 2/6 Friday | Downtown Ithaca | Ithaca Gallery Night is a monthly event happening on the first Friday of every month where galleries and art venues present new art exhibitions.

Participating venues can be found on the website at www.ithacagallerynight.com. | Free

Film

The Settlers | 1 p.m., 2/7 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St. | Join us for a viewing, discussion, and teach-in of The Settlers, a 2025 BBC documentary film by Louis Theroux about the growing community of religious-nationalist, illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank and their increasingly violent actions to displace Palestinians living there. | Free

Books

Poetry, Paint & Sip | 3 p.m., 2/6 Friday | Ithaca Writing Studio, 1729 Slaterville Rd. | An Evening of Poetry, free-form Painting and Wine | $15.00 - $25.00

Inspiration Will Fail You | 2 p.m., 2/7 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St. | Whether you have or only wish you had a disciplined routine, our discussion and in-class writing exercises will provide tools for keeping up your creative momentum past this workshop.

Ithaca Trans Center Book Club | 2 p.m., 2/8 Sunday | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N Cayuga St. | Join us to

discuss ‘So Many Stars ’ by Caro De Robertis! | Free

Sports

C ornell Men’s Polo vs Montana State University | 7 p.m. 2/6 Friday

Oxley Equestrian Center, Cornell University

Cornell Women's Ice Hockey vs Rensalear | 5 p.m. Friday 2/6 | Lynah

Rink, Cornell University

Ithaca Women’s Basketball vs St. Lawrence University | 5:30 p.m. 2/6 Friday | Ben Light Gymnasium, Ithaca College

Ithaca Men’s Basketball vs St. Lawrence University | 7:30 p.m.

2/6 Friday | Ben Light Gymnasium, Ithaca College

Ithaca Men’s andWomen’s Track Tri-Meet | 10 a.m. 2/7 Saturday| Glazer Arena, Ithaca College

Cornell Men’s Swimming & Diving vs LeMoyne College | 11 a.m. 2/7 Saturday | Cornell University

Ithaca Women’s Basketball vs Clarkson University | 2 p.m. 2/7

Saturday| Ben Light Gymnasium, Ithaca College

Ithaca Men’s Basketball vs Clarkson University | 4 p.m. 2/7

Saturday| Ben Light Gymnasium, Ithaca College

Ithaca Gymnastics vs Cortland and SUNY Brockport | 2 p.m. 2/8

Sunday | Ben Light Gymnasium, Ithaca College

Ithaca Gymnastics vs Cortland | 6:30 p.m. 2/11 Wednesday Ben Light Gymnasium, Ithaca College

Special Events

Garifuna Collective presents a participatory drumming workshop | 12:30 p.m., 2/5 Thursday| Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell University

Garifuna Collective presents a moderated conversation | 12:30 p.m., 2/6 Friday | Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell University | Hosted by Victoria Xaka and the Music and Sound Studies Colloquium | Free

Kids

SingSong Music Class Series | 10 a.m., 2/4 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St. | SingSong is a fun-filled class for little ones and parents/caregivers to enjoy music together in a circle setting.

Science Together: Flower Dissection | 10:15 a.m., 2/4 Wednesday | Sciencecenter, 601 1st Street | Practice using tools and making observations as we look at all the parts of a flower! Science Together activities are designed for ages 0-4.

Family Playgroup — Winter’26 Round #1 | 3 p.m., 2/4 Wednesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Ave. | Free 6 weeks series, January 7 – February 11 Animal Feeding | 4 p.m., 2/4 Wednesday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St. | Join an Animal Keeper to observe snakes, lizards, frogs, and fish snacking on their preferred prey. Story + Craft | 4 p.m., 2/5 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St. | Story + Craft is our weekly reading + creating event for children!

ITHACA GALLERY NIGHT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6

FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

171 E. State St. | Ithaca Gallery Night is a monthly event happening on the first Friday of every month where galleries and art venues present new art exhibitions. Ithaca Gallery Night is free and open to the public and participating venues can be found on the website at www.ithacagallerynight.com or contact sampson1969@yahoo.com for more information. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times File)

FESTIVAL OF FIRE & ICE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M.

Ithaca Children’s Garden, 121 Turtle Lane | The Festival of Fire & Ice is a joyful, all-ages celebration of winter’s magic and the power of coming together outdoors. During the Festival, the Garden transforms into a glowing winter wonderland filled with warmth, wonder, and community spirit. This beloved seasonal celebration invites families and friends to embrace winter through hands-on activities, storytelling, and dazzling performances that light up the Garden as day turns to night. (Photo: Ithaca Children’s Garden)

Join us for a read-aloud, followed by art-making or a guided craft.

Baby & Toddler Storytime | 10:30 a.m., 2/6 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St. | Caregivers and their children are invited to join Cassie for music, rhymes, movement and books. Storytime will be followed by a playtime from 11-12.

Preschool Projects Take & Make | 2/6 Friday | Cortland Free Library, 32 Church St. | Supplies available on a first come first serve basis on the First Friday of the month for ages 3-5 years old.

Math Fun with MathHappens! | 10 a.m., 2/7 Saturday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St. | Join us for playful, informal math learning with the MathHappens Foundation! Families and kids can explore hands-on activities that make math fun, creative, and connected to everyday life.

Study Buddies | 10:30 a.m., 2/7 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St | The study buddies program is brought to you for Ithaca students, by Ithaca students. High school student volunteers will be matched up with younger students for homework help and general tutoring.

Positive Parenting Program Series | 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. 1/7 Saturday | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St Newfield NY | Join educators from Triple P- Positive Parenting Program on the first Saturday of FebruaryMay. Childcare and pizza provided. Registration required

Community Math Day | 1 p.m., 2/7 Saturday | Williams Hall (3rd Floor), Ithaca College, 953 Danby Rd. | The

Ithaca College Mathematics Department invites students grades PreK-5 and their entire families to explore mathematics together through games, puzzles, music, art, and more! | Free Festival of Fire & Ice | 3 p.m., 2/7

Saturday | Ithaca Children’s Garden, 121 Turtle Lane | Fire performances, snow play, puppets, storytelling, and hot chocolate light up the Children’s Garden at the Festival of Fire & Ice. | Free “Li’l Sprouts” Waldorf class for Babies & Toddlers | 9 a.m., 2/9

Monday | Ithaca Waldorf School, 20 Nelson Road | A weekly Waldorf gathering for babies and toddlers with their parent/caregiver, led by master teacher Karen Lonsky. |

$30.00 - $175.00

Family Open Play | 9:30 a.m., 2/9

Monday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Ave | Free space for families to come with their children — ages 0 to 4 years old — to play and socialize with other families.

Baby & Toddler Playtime | 10 a.m., 2/9 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St | Baby & Toddler Playtime is an unstructured play and social time for children and caregivers offering a warm, child-friendly space with books and age-appropriate toys.

Homeschool Get Ready To Read | 1 p.m., 2/9 Monday | Cortland Free Library, 32 Church St., Cortland, NY | Mondays at 1 p.m. A program for emergent readers ages 4-7 yrs.

Ready, Set, Read! | 6 p.m., 2/9 Monday | Cortland Free Library, 32 Church St | Mondays at 6 p.m. A

program for emergent readers ages 4 – 7 yrs.

Tween Book Club | 4 p.m., 2/10

Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St | Join us for monthly meetings of the TCPL Tween Book Club - the second Tuesday of every month. We will read and discuss great books together, play games, eat snacks, and laugh a lot.

Science Together: Baking Soda and Vinegar | 10:15 a.m., 2/11

Wednesday | Sciencecenter, 601 1st Street | Explore the process of experimentation as you create chemical reactions with baking soda and vinegar! Science Together activities are designed for ages 0-4.

Notices

Medicare Counseling by Appointment | 9 a.m., 2/4 Wednesday | Lifelong, 119 W. Court St. | Lifelong’s Health Insurance Information

Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) offers free assistance to persons of all ages with navigating their Medicare coverage.

Pet Clinic | 6 p.m., 2/4 Wednesday | Southside Community Center Gym, 305 S Plain St | Pet Clinic

Tabletop Role-Playing Game

Brainstorming Group | 6 p.m., 2/4

Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St | A gathering of the gaming community to support each other’s creativity.

Trivia! | 7 p.m., 2/4 Wednesday | Liquid State Brewery, 620 W Green St | Grow your brain or just show it off to a loveable bunch of Trivialovers. Hosted by Ithaca’s Trivia legend, Bob Proehl. Get there early as seats fill up fast! | Free

ITHACA BALLET PRESENTS: WINTERDANCE 2026

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 AT 7:30 P.M.

State Theater of Ithaca, 107 W. State St.| The Ithaca Ballet, under the artistic direction of Cindy Reid, celebrates its 65th anniversary. WinterDance 2026 is an evening of cuttingedge, contemporary choreography and dance from current and former Ithaca Ballet dancers and choreographers. Tickets starting at $18.85 for 18 & under, $24.00 for 65+, and $30.95 for general admission. For tickets and more information, visit https://stateofithaca.org/events/ (Photo: Ithaca Ballet)

Latin Wednesday | 9 p.m., 2/4

Wednesday | The Upstairs, 106 S Cayuga St | Ithaca’s longest running weekly dance party. Meet new dancers, learn new moves, and have fun!

Karaoke with Elephant Sound | 8 p.m., 2/5 Thursday | 23 North Restaurant and Bar, 23 Cinema Dr | Show off your singing chops every Thursday night during “Karaoke Night” at 23 North in Ithaca! Great food, great drinks, great FUN! | Free Art Cafe | 6 p.m., 2/6 Friday | The Clay School’s Art Room, 950 Danby Rd | The Clay School’s ART Room features an Art Cafe! | Free Friday Trivia Nights @ Treleaven | 6:30 p.m., 2/6 Friday | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road | It’s a night of tasty Treleaven wines and braintesting trivia at Treleaven...and it’s FREE to play! | Free

Playing Tunes on Appalachian Dulcimers | 9:30 a.m. 1/7 Saturday|

Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. Newfield NY |Join Wayne Harbert for a hands-on dulcimer playing workshop. Some dulcimers will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own if they have them! Registration encouraged- call, email, or stop in the library to sign up.

ComedyHOF Presents: The $100 Laugh-Off | 7 p.m., 2/7 Saturday | Envious Handbags, 123 S. Cayuga St | Eight comics. Five minutes each. One hundred bucks on the line. You laugh. You vote. They win. BYOB & all laughs. | $12.50 - $25.00

DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 7 p.m., 2/8 Sunday | Crossroads Bar and Grill, 3120 N Triphammer Rd | Join Dave every Sunday at Crossroads for DJ Trivia...where fun meets knowledge! | Free

Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission Meeting | 5 p.m., 2/9 Monday | Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor City Hall 108 E Green St |

Intro to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) | 5:30 p.m., 2/9 Monday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | This informational session for community members will dive into all things Community Supported Agriculture (also called CSA). | Free

Speed Dating Ages 25-39 in Ithaca | 6 p.m. 2/9/Monday | Liquid State Brewing Company, 620 W Green St. Ready to meet local singles face-to-face? Join us for a fun, low-pressure evening of meaningful connections!

DJ Trivia | 7 p.m., 2/9 Monday | 23 North Restaurant and Bar, 23 Cinema Dr | Join Kurt for DJ Trivia every Monday night at 23 North Restaurant and Bar in Ithaca! Bring your friends and family for an evening of amazing food, drink and (of course) trivia! | Free

Your Guide to Taking Part in the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count | 12 p.m. 2/10 Tuesday | Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd | One hour session with Cornell Lab of Ornithology staff provides everything you need to know to participate in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count

Senator Lea Webb’s Community Office Hours | 4 p.m.-6 p.m., 2/10 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St | State Senator Webb’s constituent services team will be on hand to assist the community with issues they are experiencing. | Free

Native Plant Gardening: Winter Sowing | 5:30 p.m., 2/10 Tuesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the simple and effective method of winter sowing-an easy way to start native plants outdoors during the colder months. | $20.00

Pet Clinic | 6 p.m., 2/11 Wednesday| Southside Community Center Gym, 305 S Plain St

Tabletop Role-Playing Game Brainstorming Group | 6 p.m. 2/11 Wednesday | A gathering of the gaming community to support each other’s creativity. Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St Trivia! | 7 p.m. 2/11 Wednesday | Liquid State Brewery, 620 W Green St | Grow your brain or just show it off to a loveable bunch of Trivialovers. Hosted by Ithaca’s Trivia legend, Bob Proehl. Get there early as seats fill up fast!

Latin Wednesday | 9 p.m. 2/11 Wednesday | Ithaca’s longest running weekly dance party. Meet new dancers, learn new moves, and have fun! The Upstairs, 106 S Cayuga St. PB & Jam — Jazz Jam Session | 5:30 p.m. 2/9 Monday | Personal Best Brewing Co., 321 W. State St. | A jazz jam session for instrumentalists, vocalists, and interested listeners. Forever 11 Commission Concert | 7 p.m. 2/11 Wednesday | Newfield Central School District, 247 Main St., Newfield NY | Join the Newfield bands and choirs for the world premiere of “I Remember You” by Randall Standridge, commissioned by the Newfield Music Department in loving memory of Aasen May.

MAKIKO NISHIKAZE: CHAMBER WORKS (CU MUSIC)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 BEGINNING AT 7:30 P.M.

Barnes Hall, 129 Ho Plaza | Join us for the final evening recital of guest composer Makiko Nishikaze’s visit to Cornell. A wide array of chamber works from throughout Nishikaze’s eclectic career will be performed by members of the Cornell community, as well as by the composer herself. From four-hands arrangements of J.S. Bach to forays in 9-piece open instrumentation, come and experience the multiple facets of Nishikaze’s unique artistic voice. Contact cnp32@ cornell.edu for more information. (Photo: Provided)

Country

Classifieds

Town

Phone: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fax: 277-1012 (24 Hrs Daily)

Internet: www.ithaca.com Mail: Ithaca Times Classified Dept PO Box 27 Ithaca NY 14850

In Person: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 109 North Cayuga Street

GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES

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Social Worker

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NYS certification as a School Social Worker required.

Register and apply at: www.olasjobs.org/central.

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

SERVICES SERVICES

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Who’s Your Neighbor?

A Local Directory of Faith Communities, Faith-Related Service and Interfaith Activities

Many Ithacans are seeking connections that might accurately be called faith. Some return to their roots while others seek roots they may never have experienced. We hope our directory will provide a resource residents, students and visitors find useful in their journey.

FAITH COMMUNITY

Agape Bible Church https://agapeithaca.org

Baha’i Community of Ithaca www.ithacabahais.org

Braided Root Waters Healing Sanctuary and Sacral Transformations https://sacraltransformations.com

Bread of Life Anglican Church breadoflifeithaca.org

Cedar Cabin Sangha (Buddhist, Plum Village practice) cedarcabinsangha.blogspot.com

Christ Chapel https://www.christchapelithaca.org

Christian Community Church Ithaca cccithaca.org

Christ the King Fellowship Presbyterian Church ctkspencer.org

518 Yoga Gathering suzannejanene@gmail.com

All Eyes and Ears on Racism AEER aeerforjustice@gmail.com

Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga www.catholiccharitiestt.org

Area Congregations Together breedlovejami@gmail.com

Congregation Tikkun v’Or (Ithaca Reform Temple) www.tikkunvor.org

Danby Community Church danbychurch.org

First Congregational Church of Ithaca www.fccithaca.org

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca https://unitarian.ithaca.ny.us

First United Methodist Church of Forest Home, Ithaca, N.Y. Forest Home Chapel https://www.foresthomechapelumc.org

Hillside Alliance Church hillsideithaca.org

Ithaca Monthly Meeting Religious Society of Friends https://ithacamonthlymeeting.org

Lansing United Methodist Church LansingUnited.org

FAITH-RELATED SERVICE

Finger Lakes Anam Cara: A Center for Spiritual Direction www.fingerlakesanamcara.com

Forest Hermitage – Solo, Outdoor Retreats for Women https://staceysmithhypnosis.com

Integrative Mental Wellness https://www.psychologytoday.com/ profile/1449445

INTERFAITH ACTIVITY

Greater Lansing-Ithaca Interfaith Community LansingUnited.org/events

Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard IthacaKitchenCupboard.org

Living Hope Fellowship https://www.lhfithaca.org

New Life Presbyterian Church newlifeithaca.org

St. James AME Zion Church https://www.facebook.com Stja mesamezionithaca

St. John’s Episcopal Church www.stjohnsithaca.org

St. Luke Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry stlukeithaca.org

Temple Beth-El https://www.tbeithaca.org

Trinity Lutheran Church www.trinityithaca.org

Vineyard Church of Ithaca ithacavineyard.org

Pure Essence Vibrations www.pureessencevibrations.com

Second Wind Cottages https://www.secondwindcottages.org

Wisdom’s Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies wisdomsgoldenrod.info

Ithaca Sunday Squares VisitIthaca.com

Shared Journeys sharedjourneys.net

For more information, visit www.whoisyourneighbor.org and www.madeofclay.org

Indulge in fun and tasty treatschocolate, candy, and choices that are allergy-friendly, dairy-free and Fair-Trade.

Local and imported cheeses are perfect for themed charcuterie boards. Decadent petit amors, sweet mini bundts, cupcakes, cakes, and more are in GreenStar's Bakery dessert case.

Floral and Gifts

Check out our great selection of fresh bouquets and floral arrangements and locally made gifts. Buy a GreenStar gift card in-store or online to be mailed!

Mon. Cinnamon Rolls

Tues. French Toast Bake

Wed. House-made Scones

Thurs. Turkey Gravy and Biscuits

Fri. Frittata

Plus scrambled eggs or tofu, potatoes, sausage, breakfast pizza, breakfast burritos, and more. Vegan options too!