F R E E J U L Y 1 7, 2 0 1 9 / V o l u m e X X X I X , N u m b e r 4 7 / O u r 4 7 t h Y e a r
PAGE TK
TKTK TKTK TKTK
TKTK
TKTK
PAGE TK
TKTK TKTK TKTK
TKTK
TKTK
PAGE TK
TKTK TKTK TKTK
TKTK
TKTK
PAGE TK
TKTK TKTK TKTK
TKTK
TKTK
Online @ ITH ACA .COM
PAGE TK
TKTK TKTK TKTK
TKTK
TKTK
GrassRoots! AN ORGANIC
SHINE
PERSONAL
COMMONS
Labor Board investigating GreenStar
Diamond’s celebrating 26th year
Planning for the Future
Cornell cuts ties with football boosters
Moroccan is back on the menu
PAGE 5
PAGE 17
PAGE 11
PAGE 10
PAGE 19
UNION
BRIGHT
FOUL
KITCHEN
THINKING ABOUT SOLAR? times@etmsolar.com (607) 785-6499
IthacaSews
NOW IS THE TIME. 30% federal tax credits gone next year!
Sales and service of sewing machines old and new 112 N Cayuga St. downtown Ithaca ithacasews@gmail.com 607-391-0340
AWARD WINNING CANCER CARE
“When you’re going through something as scary as cancer, you want to feel like you’re not just a number. From the minute I walked into Cayuga Medical Center I felt it was as personal to them as it was to me.” Donna Wilczynski
Ithaca, New York
Cayuga Cancer Center With Clinical Support from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center • Nationally certified oncology nurses • Comprehensive individualized cancer care • Oncology nurse navigators guide patients through the cancer continuum of care.
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
Medical Oncology (607) 272-5414 Radiation Oncology (607) 274-4060
110 North Cayuga St., Ithaca
cayugahealthsystem.org
2 T
Cayuga Cancer Center:
repstudio.com • 607-272-4292
2 0 1 9
JU
Newsline
VOL.X X XIX / NO. 47 / July 17, 2019 Serving 47,125 readers week ly
Grassroots Preview ��������������������� 8 The wackiest weekend in town.
Feds Watching
Diamonds at 26 ����������������������������� 17
Report: Cornell’s international ties under federal investigation
Local buffet fave still going strong
NE W S & OPINION Newsline ��������������������������������������������������3-9 Sports �������������������������������������������������������� 21 Business ������������������������������������������������ 11-16
ART S & E N T E RTAINME N T
T
he Department of Education is alleging that Cornell University has failed to disclose foreign gifts and contracts from Qatar and China, according to a report by the Associated Press. The department, through letters to university presidents, alleged that Cornell, along with Texas A&M, Georgetown University and Rutgers University, did not tell federal officials about particular gifts and contracts. Two universities’ letters have been released publicly, while two more are expected to be released sometime next week. Cornell spokesman John Carberry shared the following statement: “On July 3, Cornell University received a letter from the Department of Education, requesting records related to previously submitted federally required reports. Cornell takes our reporting requirements seriously. We are currently reviewing the request and plan to fully cooperate with federal officials in this effort.” The University has received over $65 million in contracts and gifts from Qatar between 2012 and 2018, according to data from the Department of Education. Universities are required to report contracts and gifts greater than $250,000 per year. Cornell also notes that it has a “significant international educational presence, including Weill Cornell Medical College’s campus in Doha, Qatar,” in its 2017 990 tax filing. “Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar has trained and graduated hundreds of young physicians from the Middle East, Asia and many other countries (including the U.S.), enabling the ongoing transformation continued on page 7
Stage �����������������������������������������������������������18 Dining �������������������������������������������������������� 19 Stage ���������������������������������������������������������� 20 Art �������������������������������������������������������������� 21 TimesTable ������������������������������������������22-25 Classifieds ������������������������������������������26-28
Commons R ally
Lights for Liberty rally draws large crowd opposing detention camps
P
inpricks of light filled the Commons as the sun set and as attendees of the Lights for Liberty vigil held small white candles dwindling down after more than two hours of speeches, songs, chants, and tears. Ithacans stood, sat and spoke out to protest current border policies and immigrant detention centers which have come under scrutiny and evoked outrage, especially in the last several months. The event kicked off with music as people began to filter in, followed by a note of recognition, acknowledging that the land of Ithaca was stolen land from indigenous people. Over the two-hour event, more than 15 speakers took to the stage, including students, activists, and musicians. One common theme
throughout the night was a sense of deja vu: people were getting used to rallying. Shannon Gleeson called the border policies “as American as apple pie.” Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton sighed, saying, “So, here we are again. I’ve lost track.” Lifton, in a unique move, asked listeners to talk in small groups about why they were there and how they were feeling. This interaction was moving and unusual, attendee Christine Balance noted, who said she’d attended more than 20 rallies in her life. “I’m appreciating the realtime kind of interactions,” Balance said, “versus just looking at Facebook, and thinking all I can do is post on Instagram or something.” For Balance, who had family members who were undocumented immigrants, her attendance was motivated
T a k e
▶▶ Found Flea - Spend Sunday picking out vintage trinkets and finds at a monthly outdoor antique and vintage flea market. The “Found Flea” market, which typically has a gallery with over 40 dealers, will have more than 70 additional vendors selling in the parking
M a t t B u t l e r , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 224 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m J a i m e C o n e , E d i t o r , x 232 SouthReporter@flcn.org E d w i n J . V i e r a , S ta f f R e p o r t e r R e p o r t e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C a s e y M a r t i n , S ta f f P h o t o g r a p h e r P h o t o g r a p h e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , C a l e n d a r E d i t o r , x 217 A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A n d r e w S u l l i v a n , S p o r t s E d i t o r , x 227 Sports@flcn.org Steve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumnist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m M a r s h a l l H o p k i n s , P r o d u c t i o n D i r ec t o r / D es i g n e r , x 216 P r o d u c t i o n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A u s t i n L a mb , C o p y e d i t o r , S o c i a l M e d i a AL a m b @ i t h a c a t i m e s . c o m Maryan Zafar , Inter n M Z a f a r @ i t h a c a t i m e s . c o m E r i n S t e w a r t , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 220 E r i n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L i s a B i n g a m a n , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 218 l i s a @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , C y n d i B r o n g , x 211 A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Chris Eaton, Distribution J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 210 j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r e e l a n c e r s : Barbara Adams, Rick Blaisell, Steve Burke, Deirdre Cunningham, Jane Dieckmann, Amber Donofrio, Karen Gadiel, Charley Githler, Linda B. Glaser, Warren Greenwood, Ross Haarstad, Peggy Haine, Gay Huddle, Austin Lamb, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Lori Sonken, Henry Stark, Dave Sit, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman
THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPY RIGHT © 2019, BY NE WSK I INC.
continued on page 7
will perform on Friday, July 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Cornell’s Arts Quad. The Ithaca-based group will send out their celestial tunes with vocalist Arthur B, Jessie Baldassari, Angie Beeler (of Miss Angie’s Music) and Karen Wyatte. The open-air concert will be free.
J u ly
JUMP TK
ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000
by both personal and historical interest. According to organizers, nearly 800 people came out Friday evening to the Bernie Milton Pavilion. Some were there to hear a professor speak, others were longtime organizers, and a few were there because they had just walked by and decided to stay. Attendees held signs calling to “Abolish ICE,” and reading “Seeking asylum is not a crime.” The main event continued as speeches, poems, and songs continued. Russell Rickford, a professor and advocate, criticized both political parties for being “culpable” for current conflicts, and also called for the drop of charges against Rose Degroat and Cadji Ferguson. Congressional candidate Tracy Mitrano made a thinlyveiled speech targeting current representative Tom Reed, saying “if children in cages don’t
N o t e
lot at 227 Cherry Street Road. Admission and parking are free, and attendees can purchase coffee and snacks at the market while they shop. The event will be on from 9-3 p.m. on July 21, rain or shine! ▶▶ R&B Artist Arthur B and The Planetary Mix-
Cover: Photo: Jeff Folkins
The crowd at the Lights for Liberty vigil outside of the Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Commons. (Photo by Maryam Zafar)
1 7 – 23 ,
All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable. All copy must be received by Friday at noon. The Ithaca Times is available free of charge from various locations around Ithaca. Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $69 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607-277-1012, MAILING ADDRESS is PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. The Ithaca Times was preceded by the Ithaca New Times (1972-1978) and The Good Times Gazette (1973-1978), combined in 1978. F o u n d e r G o o d T i m e s G a z e tt e : Tom Newton
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
It h ac a T im e s 3
INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER By Mat t Butl e r
WHAT IS YOUR SONG OF THIS SUMMER?
N e w s l i n e
Building Up
New infill guidelines seek to address housing loopholes
“Freaky Feedback Blues” - by Benji Hughes - Casey M.
Local architect John Barradas at his house on West Seneca Street, showing off his bridge connecting the two structures. (Photo by Sam Fuller)
“Love on Top” - Beyonce - Gabby S.
A
nyone who has ever seen the Longest Night Solstice Towers, the property at 504 West Seneca Street, has certainly noticed their peculiar design. This isn’t to say the buildings are ugly, but rather the design is the result of technicalities, infill design and toying with the city’s zoning regulation. It is the design of local architect John Barradas, who acquired the lot and saw the potential for unique housing. The idea started in his backyard studio at his residence, which is located elsewhere on
Summer Breeze” (Philip Steir Remix) - Seals & Crofts - Dave Dietz
Waterfront Future
“Memories” - David Guetta
Public gives feedback on proposed Waterfront Neighborhood Plan
- Julian M.
A
s the formulation of neighborhood plans continue by the City of Ithaca Planning Department, the city’s Waterfront area seems next on the agenda. During a recent public feedback session, held on July 11, residents got
“Ghost” - Anthony Kannon - Wesley O.
4 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
Seneca Street and is designed similarly to the Longest Night Solstice Towers. The design of the towers, which are three stories high and connected by a wooden bridge, makes them stand out from most other buildings in the area. Barradas managed to use some technicalities in designing the buildings so they would fall within the range of what is considered a single-structure duplex, making his unique tower design legal though unconventional. Since the two towers are built on one foundation, have a shared deck and the connect-
/
July
17– 23 ,
to examine certain elements of the development future of the Waterfront neighborhood, presented as questions and goals on presentation boards attendees could view. New zoning regulations put in place in 2017 divide the
ing bridge is unrestricted by a door or lock, the two towers are technically one singular structure. Barradas’ design may clash with the neighborhood’s aesthetic but he managed to find an interesting way to remain within the zoning, something that is emblematic of the control the city holds over development and the exceptions that may always exist. JoAnn Cornish, head of the Planning Department, has been working on new infill guidelines with her department’s staff, trying to craft rules that foster density development while preserving neighborhood character; in other words, the age-old question in Ithaca. Cornish has found some infill questions that continue to deadlock city officials. “I think the two biggest sticking points for infill development are owner occupancy and whether or not to allow two primary structures on one lot,” Cornish said. “Those are the things we seem to keep coming back to when we have these discussions. [...] The consensus is [Common Council wants infill development] but they want to see it done appropriately.” Cornish has found that as a planning tool, infill housing is a positive idea and will have plenty of benefits for the city, many of which work toward the goals set out by the City of Ithaca’s comprehensive plan that deal with developing more densely. Within the new plans, the City of Ithaca is looking to close the two most significant loopholes: accessory dwelling units and the size of primary structures on properties. These go to the core of the infill question. Cornish said the city already has strict guide-
lines for accessory dwelling units, which are often used as same-property rental or guest structures. These rules have helped stem the spread of accessory dwelling units, which can only be one-third of the size of the property’s primary structure. The more pressing current issue, though, are those primary structures, which currently exist in a way that can be “gamed,” so to speak, as Barradas did. “What we don’t have any control over is the primary structures,” Cornish said. “You can own a house in the city and you can build a house, larger, on the same lot, if the lot’s big enough, and that’s what we’ve been seeing on Aurora Street and the First Street projects on Monroe Street.” In the Town of Ithaca, residents are only allowed one house per tax parcel, which is where problems lie for city infill guidelines. The city will be looking to change that guideline to allow an additional structure, which would not be as large as the primary structure. Along with the new infill housing guidelines, there will be an accompanying set of design guidelines, which will eliminate the idea of buildings designed like Barradas’ Longest Night Solstice Towers of being able to be built again, like rules about street-facing doors and roof slope. Cornish is looking to have the new guidelines ready to circulate to the public by September, with Common Council being able to vote on something concrete by November.
waterfront region into four districts: the Newman District, the Cherry District, the West End/Waterfront District, and the Market District, something meant to spark economic and residential development while ensuring the city could maintain some control over future construction. While the move was mostly celebrated at the time as a necessary preparation to a potential wave of development in the West End, it was known even then that more specific plans were going to be necessary for the neighbor-
hood plan, a more focused document that expresses what the City of Ithaca wants to encourage in certain city areas. One item that received a great deal of feedback at the neighborhood plan event was the section for mobility and transportation. The question people responded to the most was, “Do you think boat ferries and water taxis between the waterfront destinations would be widely used?” Plenty of comments argued both sides
E dw i n J. Vi er a
continued on page 7
2 0 1 9
JU
UPS&DOWNS
N e w s l i n e
All Organic
GreenStar workers claim management interference during unionization push
Members of GreenStar’s organizing committee, from left to right: Alessandro Powell, Melissa Smith, Mike Amadeo, Gnu Quintal and Yarra Berger. (Photo by Matt Butler)
T
he newly-formed GreenStar union organizing group is beginning a public push to unionize all employees of the organic grocery store to combat what they say are unfair and unreasonable actions by management and to fight for more equitable workplace practices from the company. The effort has been ongoing for over a year, as employees have begun to raise complaints regarding what they feel are instances of discrimination along racial and gender lines, unequal wages and inconsistent personnel policies, to name a few. These problems, they said, have been exacerbated as their efforts have gained momentum among staffers. They took their efforts to a new level last week when they filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against GreenStar management. The charges filed with the NLRB include six instances of what the organizers allege are examples of unfair labor practices and attempts to squash the unionizing: the firing of former employee (and organizer) Alessandro Powell, threats from managers and human resources staffers, a promotion in exchange for withdrawal from union support and the withholding of a promotion due to union support, all of which are purported to have happened in June. “GreenStar categorically denies all claims of unfair labor
practices and characterization that GreenStar’s management team is behaving in any way but professionally, while ensuring that we respect the rights of workers to organize,” GreenStar General Manager Brandon Kane wrote in an email. Kane and Human Resources manager Erin Durdon are both named in the NLRB complaint. Kane further said that if a unionization vote is held and “gives all eligible staff the opportunity to participate in an anonymous and democratic process and the result of that vote is in favor of a union.” GreenStar “respects the rights of employees to act together to address conditions at work, with or without a union,” he wrote, and that it is up to solely the employees to choose whether or not to unionize. Five of the organizers spoke with the Ithaca Times about their experiences and concerns, four of whom (Yarra Berger, Gnu Quintal, Michael Amadeo and Melissa Smith) are still employees at the locally beloved grocery store cooperative, which recently announced West End expansion plans. Powell, as previously mentioned, is now a former employee although he is still involved in the organizing efforts. He was recently terminated by GreenStar after just a month of employment, which he believes was a result of his open unionization sympathies and his work with the organizers. Powell said
GreenStar’s stated reason for firing him was a discrepancy on his resume, although he is convinced it is because of his organizing. His situation, they say, illustrates the precarious nature of GreenStar workers’ employment status, another grievance the workers hold that they hope unionizing can cure. (The workers say they are at-will employees, which mean they can be fired without cause, although Kane disputed this in response to questions from the Ithaca Times.) “GreenStar itself has a variety of personnel policies—even though we are at-will [employees], they do have policies,” Berger said. “The issue is that those really aren’t enforced across the board—it depends on situation to situation. So, you don’t really have a lot of job security there unless you have a lot of friends in higher management and you fit into the culture in a certain way. So, because of that, it’s left some marginalized groups more vulnerable than others.” The organizers said those marginalized face discrimination and poor treatment from management and customers without sufficient help from within GreenStar to properly deal with those situations, another thing they intend to address during any further unionization and negotiation effort. Berger, and other members of the bargaining committee, all say that in some way or another they’ve felt excluded at work because of the unionization. Quintal said he felt his employment was threatened by an overheard conversation about “going after” unionizers; Smith said she was told that she would face disciplinary action if she continued to distribute union materials. Quintal also said he’s heard several members of GreenStar management advise his co-workers who aren’t openly part of the unionization efforts to “stay away from the talk,” which he said was clearly code to avoid the organizers. There are other incidents as well, ranging in size and severity. Eventually, it culminated in the decision to file charges with the NLRB. The anti-union actions would certainly go against the public posture GreenStar has struck. In a letter sent to employees by Kane expressed
some measure of support for the unionizers. “We believe that working together toward common goals is an important process,” reads the letter, signed by Kane. “We also voluntarily accept responsibility to provide workers with good working conditions, competitive wages and benefits, and fair treatment. Our goal is not to try to convince anyone one way or the other. Each employee’s choice is their own. Our goal is to make sure that employees have factual information to make an informed choice.” While the message, addressed to the GreenStar community, seems outwardly supportive, the bargaining committee claims their experience during the organization process has been quite different. Beyond their initial reasons for organizing, they each seem to have a different negative story about their time at GreenStar since their unionizing became more well-known. Perhaps most notably was a letter that followed Kane’s letter, written by Durdon and sent home with paychecks, which appears to discourage the unionizing and diminish the value it would bring to workers at GreenStar. Durdon apologized for the note in a subsequent letter, and Kane said her words were intended to “provide a professional opinion, not to offend anyone or come across as antiunion.” The tension between unionizers and GreenStar administration even roped in the Gimme! Coffee baristas union, who issued a letter in response to Durdon’s note that rebuked GreenStar for “trying to get into your head about the union question.” Kane said he believes this is the first time GreenStar workers have attempted to unionize. When asked, he wouldn’t directly comment on whether the upcoming expansion in the West End would include cashier automation, something the unionizers allege and which would theoretically result in cutting down on staffing. He said the expansion would improve the work environment and make jobs easier.
▶▶ Thumbs Down Blue-green algae blooms have sprouted up around town, closing swimming at Taughannock Falls State Park and the Ithaca Yacht Club, and cropping up throughout Cayuga Lake. The harmful algal blooms have toxins that can cause skin rashes when contacted and fatal liver or nervous system toxicity if ingested. Swim elsewhere, and report potential blooms to the local HABs hotline. ▶▶ Seen - Mayor Svante Myrick and the members of the Common Council sent a letter to the District Attorney referring to the April 11 arrest of Cadji Ferguson and Rose de Groat. The signatories expressed concern about potential “undue long lasting negative effects on these young people,” and referenced an offer by DA Matthew Van Houten to de Groat to drop felony charges with participation in mediation. According to the letter, she had not yet accepted the offer.
IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own grievances or praise, write news@ithacatimes.com, with a subject head “U&D.”
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
By M a r s h a l l Ho p k i n s
If the City of Ithaca installed universal downtown WiFi, what would you use it for? 7.1% Bitcoin mining 21.4% Online shopping 42.9% Trolling the mayor online 7.1% Binge-watching Stranger Things outside 21.4% Unlimited FaceTimes with friends
N ext Week ’s Q uestion :
M att Butler J u ly
JUMP TK
▶▶ Thumbs Up - Ithacans supporting each other: after a heartbreaking holiday weekend injury, the community has shown an outpouring of support for Cornell lacrosse player Ryan Maloney, who suffered from a spinal cord dislocation. Teammates and community members have raised over $180,000 to help alleviate his medical costs, and his parents say he’s been making steady progress.
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
/ T h e
It h ac a T im e s 5
H
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
ITHACA NOTES
Finding Your Way J
Winning Ways
By M a rjor i e Z . O l d s
By St e ph e n P. Bu r k e
In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Judy udy Stock figured out what made her happy in fourth grade when she learned played with the Busted String Band and a bluegrass band. In 2002, the band Hot to play clarinet; later, singing in her school choir, she had her happiest moments Canary was on her playlist. Over the next 10 years Judy also making music amongst friends. “I didn’t travelled three times throughout Europe, mind auditioning, being on stage—I was a middle child and I liked the attention,” Judy with no plan in place and no one waiting with open arms. For Judy’s third trip to laughs. Europe, she made Graz, Next came guitar Austria her “home lessons at the tiny base.” Golden Ring Folk“I busked for my lore Center where a money on the streets of husband and wife Austria, playing guitar, taught folk music for getting tips from the the guitar, banjo and people passing by,” she other folk instruments said. “I met a jugglerin their modest home. fellow busker who Judy started playing played the flute, and music in bars and when the juggler was lounges near her home given a car and tent in Sheboygan, Wisconby departing Amerisin. cans headed home, I “I played the Eagles went with him on the and other popular road. We travelled all radio songs in Ground across Italy, and then Round Restaurants all Judy Stock with my Graz friend to over the state,” she said. Greece […] It was a fine “Remember the peanut shells strewn on the floor?” continued on page 7
thaca is a town with a passion for politics, from the minutiae of local committee meetings to grand issues of the nation and world. Upon consideration, then, it’s surprising that Mayor Svante Myrick had no challengers for the upcoming election until the last day of eligibility, when Adam Levine, a newcomer to electoral politics, petitioned to be on the ballot. (Levine’s petition, hastily gathered in a few weeks, actually failed to meet the minimum of signatures necessary; but Myrick declined to oppose it, a magnanimous gesture which allowed for an actual election.) The reluctance of any experienced politician to run against Myrick might have more to do with his popularity than any lack of ambition among potential rivals. No Ithaca mayor has served longer than Myrick. A victory this year would make him the longest-tenured in city history. He won his first campaign against three competitors. He won his second with 89 percent. Defeating an incumbent is daunting, but can be done, as shown by Alan Cohen in 1995. Cohen ran as an Independent against two-term Democrat Mayor Ben Nichols and won. Nichols was old-school, in his 70s, gruff and rumpled, but intelligent, effective, and respected. Cohen had attributes of youth (in his 30s) and charm, but was an apparent Republican, a detriment here. He rejected that identity, but the transparent reality made his candidacy a longshot. One afternoon that campaign season, Cohen knocked on my door and introduced himself. I greeted him and said I appreciated his effort, but was a Democrat who supported Nichols unequivocally. I shook his hand and wished him well on his next stop of the day. He was gracious about the brush-off. A few weeks later, he was back on my porch. I said hello, but what gives, don’t you remember or record having been here before, and me saying thanks but no thanks? He said yes, but was back again to ask for my vote. He said he went to every house in Ithaca the first time, and was doing it a second time. “Every single house?” I asked. He said yes. And I realized Mayor Nichols, Democrat or not, incumbent or not, good leader or not, was in trouble. Cohen won the election. In 1999, against a different Democrat, Cohen won again.
6 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
I
The lesson is that it’s not enough to be the best choice: you have to be the best campaigner, willing to work to win, no matter what; the one most dedicated to the game. Another instance of Ithaca mayoral history might amplify the point. In 2003, after two terms, Mayor Cohen was calling it quits. It should have made things easy for the Democrats, not facing an incumbent; but two independents had announced candidacies, each with distinct constituencies. A three-way race could turn what otherwise might have been a walk for the Democrats into a full-throttle run. At primary time, the Democrats had two competitors for the party’s support. Both were good candidates. The party establishment would have a tough time deciding which to support. Somehow, I was invited to a meeting where this decision might occur. I wasn’t writing for newspapers then, which would clearly have excluded me. I suppose I was invited as a small business owner (then), and general community guy. (Among other things, at the time I was president of the Board of Directors of Ithaca Hours, the local currency system, which then was thriving.) Like most meetings, it was long. I didn’t say anything, just listened. Finally I figured I had to speak, as a bad conclusion (I thought) was neared: that no decision would be made that night, but another meeting would be scheduled, with the two candidates attending (at separate junctures), to make cases personally for their selection. I said that another such meeting seemed to me extraneous. And I don’t know if anyone here is a sports fan. I am, and one who likes to bet. And the Yankees are about to play the Florida Marlins in the World Series. And if you want to pick a winner to bet on, you don’t interview the two teams and ask if they think they are best. What will they say? No? Bet on the other? You have to decide yourself who has the capacity and the will to win. Then you bet on them, push in your chips, and go all in. Bet. That’s all there is to it. I didn’t know if anybody got me, till I heard a bang, a hand slapped on the table, and a brusque yell. It was Ben Nichols. “That’s right,” he said. “That’s exactly right. It’s a bet. He’s right. We do it here tonight.” Maybe his loss, years before, fired him up that night. Anyhow, that night an agreement was reached. Carolyn Peterson was chosen. Among other attributes, she would be Ithaca’s first woman mayor. In a three-way race for president in
2 0 1 9
JU
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Contin u ed From Page 6
adventure.” Over the years, in between adventures, Judy spent time working in group homes with children and adults who were unable to live at home. During those stints, she continued performing in the evenings. For one of her gigs, she sang for younger kids at a library and discovered she loved that setting and that audience. By the time Judy left Wisconsin to move to New Orleans to live with a friend, she was ready to make music with kids her career. “I love kids and they love all the instruments I bring along—guitar and banjo, washboard and spoons,” she said. “Kids are so open to try anything, and so am I if it makes people happy […] In New Orleans I tried my hand doing music for the summer reading programs. My singalongs with kids in the library system was a success. My children’s musician career was launched.” Judy happened to see a flyer looking for artists to work with children through Very Special Arts. “Eventually, the New Orleans VSA school offered me a position as music therapist; alas, I had no degree,” she says. “Instead, they gave me the title ‘folk music specialist.’ I served for 10 years, doing six to eight music classes per week at different schools for preschool-age special education students.” After work and weekends, Judy performed her music in coffee houses and bars, in churches and at social events. Eventually she teamed up with a puppeteer. The highlight was annually making music with kids at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival since 1987. This past May, Judy made music with kids as they all celebrated the 50th year of the Jazzfest. “I’ve performed with kids now for 35 years in school assemblies, libraries, childcare centers, as an artist in residence, and at teacher workshops,” she said. “I encourage everyone that they can make music and can play instruments. I’ve done zillions of kindergartens through eighth grade assemblies. I love to make music and I love to make people happy, so my life has been lively and colorful, even though unplanned.” After New Orleans, when Judy visited Ithaca in 2009, she decided this was the place to settle down. During the past 10 years, Judy has spent lots of time with kids: “I was pleased three years ago to be hired as [a] museum greeter at the Sciencenter. Another terrific job was Wandering Minstrel, bringing music into the Sunday School classrooms for young children at the Unitarian Church”. If you missed Judy’s performance in New Orleans, hope you can sing with her in the Kids Area at GrassRoots. This summer, Judy has created a relaxed setting for babies and toddlers at the Tompkins County Public Library, and everyone has a ball. Come sing along every Monday at the Library at 4:00 p.m. through August.
ITHACA NOTES Contin u ed From Page 6
1992 among Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr., and Ross Perot, Clinton won with 43 percent of the vote. The hope here was that Peterson would do at least as well in a three-way mayoral race. She won with 62 percent. In 2007, she won a second term, unopposed. A new campaign in Ithaca starts now. No doubt it will hold lessons for the future on commitment, support, and DETENTION CAMPS Contin u ed From Page 6
move politicians from office, then we will remove them,” to cheers from the crowd. As the scheduled performances continued, individuals in neon “race official” vests were also hard at work in the crowd. Some were handing out candles and others were collecting donations to cover event costs. A banner was being signed, attendees Joni Landau was registering people to vote and Tziona Szajman ran out of postcards for people to send to their congressperson. The Ithaca event was just one of more than 700 individual events which were held across the country and over five continents. After reports by major news outlets of deaths and sordid living conditions of immigrants in holding facilities, the group began organizing in Ithaca in June. The work will continue, Michael Margolin, a descendant of holocaust survivors, said at the end of the night, “until the words ‘never again for everyone’ feel true.”
CORNELL Contin u ed From Page 7
of patient care, biomedical research and quality of life in the region and around the world,” continued Carberry’s statement. Cornell’s Qatar campus was established in January 2001, and has since operated in a relationship with Weill Cornell Medicine, which is based in Cornell’s New York City campus. It is one of six U.S. schools that have branches in Qatar. Cornell has also received $12.5 million worth of contracts and gifts based in China. Over $5 million of that money was from contracts with Huawei, a technology company listed by the federal government as one that is denied sensitive technology because it is a danger to national security. The $5.3 million payment, spread over two research contracts in 2017, was the largest payout to an American university in the last six years, the Cornell Daily Sun reported. M arya m Z afar
YOUR LETTERS Quakers against Cages
I
n recent weeks, we have been presented with horrific descriptions of what is happening to families and children at the border between the United States and Mexico. In the past people wanting to enter the U.S. have been mostly men from Mexico who were looking for work to support their families back home. Now unprecedented numbers of people, mostly families with children or unaccompanied children are coming to the border to ask for asylum. They are fleeing violence or extreme poverty or both and most of them come from the small countries to the south of Mexico, namely Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. The journey is dangerous and they often have to wait a long time in the border cities in Mexico where the situation is just as treacherous. Unfortunately, our government instead of being welcoming has reacted in a very venal and xenophobic manner. The first action was to separate children from their parents. Now we see that childern are being held in crowded conditions often not receiving enough to eat or to keep themselves clean. Children are getting sick and some have died. The United States is a wealthy and resourceful country. We should be able to handle this crisis with love and generosity and a welcoming spirit. The Peace and WATERFRONT Contin u ed From Page 4
of the issue, with some saying water taxis and ferries could be hazardous for the consistent traffic on Cayuga Inlet. Others said water taxis, a fun idea, should come to Ithaca, which could have heavier use than bikes and pedestrian traffic on the inlet, with some suggesting that they should only run during the Ithaca Farmers Market hours. In response to the key recommendations for the plan, people emphasized that the city should focus on strengthening connections and trails between the waterfront, downtown and between the districts. Other comments on the work being done were about how the waterfront could, and should, be more of a public asset. Alderperson George McGonigal wants more feedback on the plan from Waterfront business owners but would also want to see some changes made to the area’s zoning, particularly something that would preserve green space at Cherry Street and, as always, keep the West End distinct from downtown. Those in attendance were quite interested in protecting the waterfront as a public asset, with people saying the city should focus on the bicycle and walking trails. One person commented, “A thriving waterfront depends on clean water. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an increasing concern. The city and watershed municipalities should implement the best practices in streamside buffers, wetland J u ly
JUMP TK
1 7 – 23 ,
Social Justice Committee of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is holding a vigil every Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In front of the Public Library on Green Street. We want to keep this issue in the public eye and to energeize people to urge their government officials to take compassionate action. We welcome anyone who wishes to join us. Barbara Barry Groton, NY
Toxic Lawns
A
fter weed-killer was applied on the lawn in my apartment complex, ornamental plants died and crab-apple trees were affected. Evidently, the herbicide was very toxic. It will end up in ground water and in the lake! Vinegar and hot water are a safer alternative to herbicides.Herbicides are not the only negative effect of lawn care; like gasoline-burning cars, lawn movers emit polluting gases to the atmosphere. Yet, there are grasses that don’t need to be mowed. If you check the internet for “short grasses for landscaping”, you’ll see that there are grasses that don’t need to be mowed.If landscapers were to choose that type of ground cover, we would slow down the progress of global climate change. Ritva Cederstrom Ithaca, NY protections, ditching management, and nutrient application/management.” Another board showed points about community livability, which examined aspects of public safety such as developing water safety education opportunities and establishing an emergency shelter on the west side of the railroad tracks. For housing on the waterfront, the city is looking to encourage construction of various types of housing for all income levels and lifestyles. People responded to the housing portion of the board by saying the idea of condos has never really worked. Instead, comments said condo properties become rentals, with prices going from affordable to unreasonably expensive. Other boards looked at methods to support the waterfront’s economic vitality. Some include supporting the creation and expansion of business opportunities with a focus on those relating to tourism. Another said to embrace the unique characteristics of the waterfront area in order to support businesses in the area. Many of the challenges for each of the districts that make up Ithaca’s waterfront include working with TCAT so residents have better access to public transportation, working to make the railroad crossings safer, and seeking more business opportunities for the waterfront. With this being the first of many public meetings about the Waterfront Plan, the recommendations and feedback from this presentation will be worked into the plan. Further meetings on the plan have yet to be announced. E dw i n J. Vi er a
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
It h ac a T im e s 7
W
S w b n L a
T 1
Grassroots Preview Annual music in the ‘Burg
By E dw i n J. Vi e r a and Jaime Cone
G
oing into their 29th year, the Grassroots Festival has plenty of new bands and new events in store for this year’s event. Groups such as the Taj Mahal Quartet, Rising Appalachia and Todd Snider will be joining the yearly roundup of bands who come to play the annual Trumansburg gathering. This year’s festival plans to offer the familiar spirit and music as in previous years, according to Festival organizer and member of Donna the Buffalo, Jeb Puryear. The festival will be held at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds from July 18 to July 21. Tickets for the four-day Culture Camp cost $165 for adults and $75 for youth. Single-day Culture Camp admission is $60 for all. Camping is allowed at the festival but is now only available in the field across from the festival. Field camping is $75 and is tent only. Large site camping for vehicles and campers, across from the festival, is $195. Festival tickets for adults, ages 16 and up, cost $155 while youth, ages 13-15, admission is $75. Single-day tickets are available as well. Thursday tickets are $58, Friday tickets are $62, Saturday tickets are $67, and Sunday tickets are $47. Tickets can be purchased at Wegmans, Collegetown Bagels, Ithaca Bakery’s downtown location, Ithaca Guitar Works, the Trumansburg Market or online at grassrootsfest.org. Kids ages 12 and under are admitted for free. For more information, people are encouraged to call the main office at (607) 387-5098 or visit grassrootsfest.org. THE ARTISTS AND ACTIVITIES
b ac k s tag e at t h e g r a n d ta n d s tag e ( P h o t o : J u n s t i n B e r g m a n n) 8 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
The Taj Mahal Quartet is a blues group whose music has influences from the South Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean. Rising Appalachia is comprised of the Atlanta based sister duo, Leah and Chloe Smith with their Appalachian-music stylings. Todd Snider will rock the festival with country songs with some as a tribute to pain and others sung in fable. With the festival entering its 29th year, the festival has had fewer challenges to deal with than
in years past. Other bands include Viva Mayhem, an Ithaca-based, avant-garde Ska band, Drank the Gold, an American-Irish duo with North Atlantic songs played on the fiddle and the guitar. They bring fresh eyes to Celtic classics. Throughout the festival, there will be an assortment of workshops held. That includes the Moon and Stars Hoop Dance on Thursday at 3 p.m., which will teach people how to groove with a hula hoop. There will be various yoga and meditation sessions to help people recharge and enhance their time at the festival. On Friday, there will be the first of several QiGong sessions which is a meditative dance created to provide self-awareness and ground people in their bodies, allowing them to focus on the present. Saturday will have a Reiki Circle Attunement and Practicum. This will allow those who are interested in learning to channel their Reiki healing energy. Reiki practitioners givers and receivers are encouraged to join in. There will also be a songwriting workshop with Atlanta based songwriter, Barb Carbon. This workshop is designed to allow people to write music based on experiences of their lives, using any genre. Carbon will be discussing how to write captivating lyrics while remaining true to yourself. She’ll also delve into how she went from feeling stuck to acknowledging songwriting can be an exciting journey with numerous destinations. Finally, comes a workshop about women’s chanting and drumming, led by Shanti Starr, an internationally touring multi-percussionist and vocalist. She uses traditional West African and Afro-Cuban rhythms within her music. This workshop is designed to have women awaken their feminine divinity through the power of the drum. Men are welcome to come and join in on the dance as well. Generally speaking, the sessions are meant to establish safe spaces for those who wish to participate. All of these will be available in the Workshop Tent with maps and guides available throughout the festival. Closing out the festival is the Happiness Parade which meets on Sunday at the Art Barn Headquarters at 1 p.m. This parade
2 0 1 9
JU
want to get away from next door and come in and have a cocktail or breakfast or dinner,” she said “It’s a good spot for them to come in and relax and suck up some cold air.” CAMPING
P h o t o : Te r e s a M o g i l encourages positive expressions and will have musicians, jugglers and stilt walkers among the other participants. However, he’s noticed that those who come for the first time after only hearing about it enjoy themselves. In previous years, there have been a variety of highlights that make Puryear glad to see the festival have such a lively crowd. For him, those moments include having people like Merle Haggard and George Jones. “There are always five or six things that are these moments that come together between people and the bands,” Puryear said. “There are just lots and lots of beautiful times. [...] You’ll meet somebody you know and you’ll rave about something you’ve seen.” SETTING THE STAGE
Grassroots packs a lot of action into a short time, which obviously requires a massive amount of preparation. As the Ulysses area gears up for the 2019 Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Dance & Music, the many volunteers that set up beforehand were busy building stages and all the necessary infrastructure on July 10. It was a hot afternoon, maybe the hottest of the summer so far, but the volunteers were enthusiastic. “I love the atmosphere,” said Chris English, of Rochester, who will also be performing during the festival. “We’re pretty much a family here.” True, of Ithaca, is newly in charge of the infield stage this year. He is also director of the Congo Square. His mission is to diversify the volunteer staff and vendors at the festival. “We have a diverse, festive group who enjoys Grassroots,” True said. He gestured toward the volunteers working on the stage.
“Not too many get to see this right here,” he said. “I’m opening the opportunity up.” While they worked, Elaine Springer, Grassroots co-coordinator and volunteer coordinator, took a moment out of her jam-packed schedule to mention what she is most looking forward to about the festival. “That feeling you get,” she said with a smile, “when the gates open.” ECONOMIC IMPACT
More than just a festive way for out-oftowners to experience Trumansburg and locals to have a good time, Grassroots is a major economic driver. The event attracts as many as 7,000 people on a busy day, according to Springer. “From grocery stores to hotel stays and wineries, it is definitely is part of the tourism machine,” she said. Since the festival is in Ulysses Town (not Trumansburg), Rordan Hart, Trumansburg Village mayor, said the Village is mostly a bystander to the festivities, lending support where it can without being directly involved in most of logistics. “The biggest impact is just the number of people,” Hart said. “I know that some locals skip going out that weekend,” he said, “and then people from out of town might make up that difference. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. From year to year it can be different.” The weather makes a huge difference as well, Hart added. Some years it drives festival goers inside local stores and restaurants, and other years people prefer to enjoy the weather outside. “We love it,” said Carol VanDerzee, whose family owns The Falls Restaurant, which is right next door to the festival. “There are definitely people that just
There are about 1,200 camping spots, most of them at the area behind the ShurSave grocery store. Dubbed the “Across the Way” campsite, the large plot of land behind the store was purchased by the festival as a replacement for both “off-site” and “next-door” camping, as well as parking. There are still some sites available for purchase. According to the Grassroots website, Across the Way woods camping is sold out. Across the Way field camping (tent only) is still on sale for $75, and Across the Way large site vehicle camping is available for $195. Onsite tent camping tickets, which were $100, went on sale online on Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. and sold out in about five minutes, Springer said. For those looking for another option close to the festival site, the VanDerzee family is once again offering parking and camping near the family’s Falls Restaurant. It is first-come, first-serve for the $125 camping spots, which include one tent and one vehicle. It is $40 per additional tent. The campgrounds open at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 18. It might be a risk, but those who get there early enough get a prime spot from which to enjoy the festival. “It’s literally right next door,” VanDerzee said. “There’s a fence between us, and it’s just over the fence.” People can park their car on a campsite, but cannot move their vehicles around during the festival once parked, according to Carol VanDerzee. REGULATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
VanDerzee said that this will be the second year she has had to comply with additional regulations imposed by the Tompkins County Health Department in order to provide camping on her private property. “There are a lot more rules and regulations about lot size; it has to be a certain size,” she explained. “Being a wooded area—if you had a big square field dividing it up would be easy, but it’s a little more awkward. There are lots of trees involved.” “[The county] determined that the festival is a mass gathering last year,” explained Elizabeth Thomas, Ulysses Town supervisor, who said that she has no real concerns about the upcoming event. “There were J u ly
JUMP TK
1 7 – 23 ,
a lot of different regulations and permits, and it requires [festival organizers] to do a lot more coordination among different agencies. It was a little bumpy in the last couple years, but even that seems to be settling out really well.” Festival co-coordinator Springer said organizers have worked to develop a new emergency response plan. “Weather is really the biggest threat to us,” she said, “but we’re very good at monitoring it.” Trumansburg Police Chief Joe Nelson said coverage by the police will be about the same as previous years. Grassroots gave Trumansburg Village $4,000 for an increased police presence during the festival; the contract between the Village and the festival was approved by the Trumansburg Village Board of Trustees at the board’s July 8 meeting. Police presence in the village will increase by two on-duty officers, and there will be officers patrolling 24 hours per day (which is not standard for the police department). Nelson said that because this is his first year as chief, he’s looking forward to seeing how things go. “Next year, we can see if we need more or less manpower,” Nelson said. “I don’t like to be wasteful.” He said signs have already been put in place indicating where people cannot park or they will be towed. “It’s to help with traffic flow—emergency services and traffic safety,” he explained. Thomas said there is one aspect of the law enforcement that she would like to see change. “I don’t think people realize that when they park on the side of the road they have to have all their wheels off the road,” Thomas said. “Otherwise, they will tow.” She said she wishes the Tompkins County Sheriff ’s Department would just issue tickets rather than towing vehicles. “I don’t like it,” she said. “Certainly the town is not asking the sheriff ’s office to tow those cars. It makes me anxious.” She said she has heard from families who returned to their cars at 11 p.m. only to find them gone. If they don’t have the money to get their cars out of the cash-only impound lot, they’re stuck. “One family I know from Syracuse—it was a nightmare,” Thomas said. “They ended up having to borrow money.” That being said, she said she always looks forward to the festival each year. “I hope everybody enjoys it and that they are safe, and I’m really grateful,” Thomas said. “We have a big history here.”
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
It h ac a T im e s 9
Gorge Danger
CU Footbal
Binghamton student drowns in Buttermilk State Park Cornell severs ties with booster group
I
t was confirmed on Monday that a 19 year old man found in Upper Buttermilk State Park last night has died after drowning in the gorge. Calistus Anyichie has been identified as the victim. Anyichie was a Binghamton University student set to enter his sophomore year, was a member of the men’s basketball team and was majoring in political science. More information will be published when it becomes available. According to a press release from the Ithaca Fire Department, crews responded around 5 p.m. Sunday night to an unconscious man in the water at Upper Buttermilk State Park. The man, later identified as Anyichie, was recovered from the water as medical attention was provided as he was brought up a 15-foot bank. He was handed over to paramedics from Bangs Ambulance. Guthrie Air, Park Police for New York State and the Tompkins County Sheriff ’s Office were all on the scene and are investigating. No other information about circumstances had been released as of publication time. Anyichie’s coach, Tommy Dempsey, offered this statement on Twitter expressing the team’s devastation at the tragedy. “There is no blueprint for how to deal with such a painful loss,” Dempsey wrote. “We all loved Calistus so much. He was such a special young man. We are devastated.” There has been an outpouring of support online from other universities as news of Anyichie’s death spread. Aniyichie’s high school, St. Mary of the
Assumption in New Jersey, also passed along a heartfelt message on social media mourning his passing. His hometown is listed as Short Hills, New Jersey. The following message was sent by the Binghamton University administration to students earlier today. “The campus is saddened to learn of the accidental drowning death of Binghamton University student-athlete Calistus Anyichie (pronounced uh-NEE-chee), 19, who was entering his sophomore year at Binghamton. Originally from Nigeria, Anyichie was a member of the men’s basketball team and was majoring in political science.” Included in the statement was a quote from Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. “A talented young person has been tragically taken from us,” Stenger said. “This is a heartbreaking loss for our community. We will do all that we can to be there for his family, for the team and everyone who knew Calistus.” Anyichie is the first drowning victim reported so far this year, but it follows a long history of tragedy in the Ithaca gorges, particularly among young people. In 2017, incoming Cornell freshman Winston Perez-Ventura drowned while swimming in the Ithaca Falls gorge. Earlier that year, Aalaap Narasipura was found dead in Fall Creek, though it was never announced if he had drowned or not. In 2018, the body of Avram Pinals was found in the Fall Creek Gorge shortly before he was set to graduate from Cornell University. M att Butler
T
he Cornell Football Association (CFA) has long been strongly connected to the university’s football program, acting as a booster to help raise funds for program expenses. However the money raised by the group will no longer go to the team, according to an email from Athletic Director Andy Noel that was sent on July 2 which announced the end of the affiliation. The termination stems from the CFA’s refusal to sign an agreement with the university, one that Noel called “onerous but minimally necessary to establish institutional control as prescribed by the NCAA,” though in an interview Noel was vague about the parameters of those institutional controls. The organization functioned as a fundraising and publicity branch, keeping alumni in the loop, selling apparel and other merchandise marked with the official Cornell Football logo, and soliciting donations in a tiered membership program. Now, the group is no longer allowed to use or print the Cornell name and logo. In less than five years, the group accumulated over 700 active members, many of whom have donated or pledged sums over the past few years. It developed a fiveyear plan with Cornell in late 2017 to raise $3 million for the football program, and continually hosts fundraising events for the team. The charge to sign an agreement between Cornell and the organization began after the CFA became an independent nonprofit in 2015. Leadership in the CFA was “adamant about wanting, needing to know what their annual contribution covered,” Noel said, and so decided to shift the structure from a university organization, which is overseen by university personnel,
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY JULY 20 10-2 P.M.
Come see maintenance-free living! Enjoy refreshments on our rooftop patio and tours of our luxurious community. 1 6 C i n e m a D r i v e • C a y u g a Vi e w. c o m • 6 0 7 - 3 1 9 - 0 9 4 9 10 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
to a completely independent group. Although the CFA Board of Directors said the move was done “with the full support of the University,” Noel disagreed, saying that the change was done with his permission, but not his support. Others at the university were not involved in the shift, Noel said. After the group became an independent non-profit, it worked within NCAA rules and met with university compliance personnel, the CFA said. But Cornell still wanted a formal agreement, citing that the NCAA holds Cornell President Martha Pollack responsible for attesting to “institutional control” over any group that supports athletics, like the CFA. The two sides discussed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) multiple times, but the leadership of the CFA refused to sign. “Ultimately, we chose not to give up complete control of all our activities, affairs and finances,” the BoD wrote in a letter on July 10. According to their site, the CFA continually discussed the prospect of the MOU, and had a February meeting to discuss the MOU. Eventually, though, the discussions were unsuccessful, and Cornell served the fundraising group with a cease-and-desist order on June 19. Since the CFA hadn’t signed on, it can’t use Cornell’s name or logo and its funds can’t go to the football program. Leadership of the CFA did not respond to multiple requests for comment. “While we are not happy with the university’s position, and their unwillingness to accept any financial support, we have decided to maintain our independent status,” the BoD wrote. “Naturally, we will comply with their request and hope that the University will find a way to work collaboratively with us in the future.” The group will continue its presence online, promoting the “camaraderie” of Cornell Football, but will not and can not give money to the program. The CFA highlighted that “results matter,” noting that since 1999, Cornell’s winning percentage was 35.6 percent, but only 28 percent in the last 10 seasons. In 2018, the team finished seventh in the Ivy League and the football program raised $1,070,915 last year. “We will not donate any money to our football program until the university goals align with our own and a proper plan is laid out to reach this objective,” the BoD wrote. “There isn’t going to be a time in the future where we align, because we’ve done everything we can to align,” Noel said. In the future, Noel countered, he hopes that a new CFA can be formed that focuses on the social aspects of the game, and fundraising for the team itself goes through the university’s donation program. “I would like the CFA to be an organization that focuses on fellowship, networking, sharing time with old friends [and] making new acquaintances,” Noel said.
2 0 1 9
JU
BusinessTimes
▶▶ Steve Hoyt passes torch. ▶▶ Ithaca’s economy remains steady
Re-Defining Downtown
I
DIA EXAMINING DOWNTOWN’S NEXT DECADE WITH 2030 PLAN By Edwin J. Viera
n the coming months, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) will continue work on their plan for Ithaca’s future over the next decade. With a first draft expected by the end of this year, the plan seeks to make numerous changes to the fabric of downtown Ithaca. In late 2018, the DIA held a kick-off meeting to understand what Ithaca residents want to see in the plan. For now, they have been boiled down to certain specific concepts: housing, growth and density, tourism, defining downtown, connectivity and street character. The plan is being developed in conjunction with the City of Ithaca’s Downtown Comprehensive Plan. DIA Executive Director Gary Ferguson said he’s looking forward to gathering feedback from the public on these topics. Each issue has its own level of complexity, he said, which will force the community to consider tough questions. Ferguson said that a committee of stakeholders has been convened, and that meetings are being held (charettes, in this case) among that group and the public to gather feedback about plans and goals for downtown. “We have a goal to do 25 to 30 [public meetings] over the course of the next four months or so,” Ferguson said. “That’ll be with everyone from neighborhood groups to special interest groups to merchants to people interested in historic preservation—any and all people who have an interest in the life of downtown.” Not only does Ferguson want to hear from people downtown, but also from both Cornell and Ithaca College, residents of the neighboring towns, and those living in the area surrounding downtown. Since the area is a community hub, he wants to ensure every voice is heard. Part of the plan will address potentially expanding what is considered downtown. Since there
are so many ways people define downtown, this can be a source of confusion for many. “Right now, our technical definition of downtown is our BID [business improvement district] which is 22 blocks,” Ferguson said. “If you ask a person on the street, you’ll probably get a different answer from different people [...] One of the things we can say with some certainty is [that] we are evaluating what a new definition of
downtown should be. It doesn’t mean we’ll expand the BID, but it means we certainly will think of what we do and how we do it.” Ferguson has found that downtown’s success is significantly based on connectivity. In terms of the 2030 plan, this section will discuss public transportation as well as how people navigate downtown from other neighborhoods and outlying towns. “We sort of know that for downtown to
Downtown Ithaca Alliance’s 2030 Plan will likely have lasting impacts for local economic development and housing construction, among other aspects of the city.
We Know SMALL BUSINESS.
? Apply for a business loan wherever you are, whenever you want - with the community bank you know and trust. Visit our website to learn more about our small business special offer. All loans subject to credit approval.
Ju ly
JUMP TK
1 7 – 23 ,
be successful, we need to have great connections with Cornell and Collegetown, with Ithaca College, and with the waterfront, for example,” he said, noting that he would like to see shuttle service between those areas and downtown to be more frequent. “We do those to varying degrees of success.” There has been substantial progress made to connect people to downtown and Cornell who may not have a car. However, Ferguson said there is still plenty of work to be done on getting people to Ithaca College, where there is a bus that goes there every hour. Other things Ferguson wants to improve include the retail throughout downtown Ithaca: With the Ithaca Mall losing retail tenants, he wants to ensure Ithaca’s retail future can remain healthy. Several consultants will be brought in to help the DIA discover solutions to the current problems of the flailing retail industry. In the coming weeks, a survey will be sent out from the DIA about the plan. Ferguson is hoping to have a finished draft done by the end of the year, though that timeline depends on the feedback process. While balancing the development of workforce and affordable housing, sustaining retail and the like, Ferguson is looking to make downtown a communal neighborhood for anyone and everyone to enjoy. “Downtown should be something that everybody has some relationship with in some way or not,” Ferguson said. “Whether you live in a neighborhood, whether you live downtown, whether you live in the town of Ithaca or Schuyler County, people have different relationships with downtown and we want to capture as many of those as we can. We want to make sure it works for everybody. We don’t want to try to put together a strategy that we look back and think if we did it differently we could have made it more user-friendly for this group or that group.”
TompkinsTrust.com/small-business 2 0 1 9
/ T h e
I t h a c a T i m e s 11
B usiness T imes
Moving On AFTER 30+ YEARS, STEVE HOYT HANDS OVER THE REINS
F
By Matt Butler
or better or worse, Ithaca is changing. The city is evolving beyond the quaint hippie-town it is known as, even as it tries to retain those same sensibilities in a new era. Steve Hoyt has had a front row seat to Ithaca’s changes, and even been involved with several of them himself. He retired in March from Tompkins Trust Company, where he had spent the previous 33 years working in the commercial lending department for the bank, ascending to senior vice president of the bank’s Credit Administration Division. Georgia@ithacatimes.com x220 Hoyt, who607-277-7000 grew up in Dryden, said he watched for a long time as the area develNewspaper: oped quite slowly before things began to change in the 1990s. “It was kind of frustrating that there wasn’t a lot of development here,” Hoyt said. “A lot of [the change] was a result in the change in our political climate here, locally. There was a new mayor here in the city and there was just more reception here to development.” That trend has clearly continued,
particularly since the election of Mayor Svante Myrick. As localities grow, it is the bank’s duty to grow along with it while maintaining the flexibility to help both the entities that are expanding as well as those that remain locallybased and focused, an aspect of his role that Hoyt said had particularly significance to him. “I don’t believe [the development boom] really changed the work at all—we’ve had a very consistent lending philosophy and credit culture here at the bank,” Hoyt said. He gave quite a bit of Client: credit to that culture, which he said included a commitment to involvement in the community. Hoyt and his longtime colleagues Karen Parkes and Thomas Evans are all widely involved in community boards. With his tenure now ended, Tompkins Trust is surely undergoing a brief period of
Ithaca Times/Fingerlakes News
Kendal at Ithaca
Vital for Life
by Betsy Schermerhorn Director, Marketing and Admissions
KICK UP YOUR FEET! If you want to stay physically active and healthy, dancing is a form of exercise that is both beneficial and very enjoyable. In fact, dancing may decrease the risk of disabilities that affect daily activities more than other popular forms of exercise. When researchers studied the effects of dancing and 15 other activities (including calisthenics, jogging, and yoga) on over 1,000 women between the ages of 70 and 84, they found that dancing was associated with only a 4% risk of developing an activity-of-dailyliving disability compared with 13% for non-dancers. Over an eight-year period, dancing was found to be the activity that best preserved a woman’s ability to walk,
eat, bathe, dress, and perform toiletry chores.
The health benefits of dancing do not depend on doing a specific type of dance. Any style of dance can help maintain or even improve muscle strength, balance, endurance, and other forms of physical health in older adults. Call the marketing team at (607) 266-5300 to schedule a tour to see our facilities and learn more about lifecare at Kendal at Ithaca. Find us on the web at http://kai.kendal.org/
Ithac a T imes
/
July
THE CAREERS OF
Kate Pierce, CNM Lorene Jump, NP AND
Please join us to share our appreciation. Where: Pavilion D Myers Park When: July 28, 2019 12-4pm a member of
R.S.V.P. www.ithacaobgyn.com
(607) 266-5300 Toll Free: (800) 253-6325
Website: www.kai.kendal.org Email: admissions@kai.kendal.org
h e
e t a r b Cele
P.S. Dancing requires strength, balance, and endurance while incorporating cognitive abilities such as adaptability, concentration, artistry, and memory for choreography. 2230 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850-6513
12 T
Steve Hoyt, Karen Parkes and Thomas Evans of Tompkins Trust Company. (Photo by Matt Butler)
17– 23 ,
2 0 1 9
JU
B usiness T imes transition, but it’s one that upper management believes they are capable of bridging because of those who will carry on Hoyt’s work. “Steve Hoyt has been an outstanding leader of our commercial credit team during a period of significant growth for Tompkins Trust Company,” CEO Greg Hartz wrote in an email. “We are very deliberate about our succession planning,
not just for me, in terms of lending culture and nuances of lending policy, but for lenders across the corporation, Steve is the go-to guy. He knew policy better than anyone.” As for the future, Hoyt said the transition since he retired, at least from his outside perspective, has been seamless. Part of that is because of the lessons he imparted during his time at the bank. Evans spoke
Choose Eagle Envelope as your printer and become part of our Envelope Company, Inc.
Environmental Program a Forest Stewardship Council Certification a Rain Forest Council Certification a Green-e Wind Power Certification
Everything at Eagle Envelope is printed with 100% wind power that is generated in New York State and produces zero carbon dioxide emissions.
(607) 387-3195
Envelopes Everything You Put Inside.
www.eagleprint.com
Together—we can make a difference! bhlawpllc.com SYRACUSE • ITHACA • NEW YORK CITY
New location. Same dedication. Bousquet Holstein has opened a law office in Downtown Ithaca, building on more than 50 years of experience and support for the communities in which we live and work. Call or visit us online today to learn how we can provide innovative and practical counsel to help you achieve your goals.
Counsel from a fresh perspective.®
121 East Seneca St. • 3rd Floor • Ithaca, NY 14850 • 607.273.8500
Attorney Advertising
NON-TOXIC FLEA AND TICK SOLUTIONS that won’t harm your Pet! ONLY
$2598 + FREE Shipping
Steve Hoyt (Photo by Matt Butler)
and we are very fortunate to have Thomas Evans with more than 10 years of experience under Steve’s direction, together with Karen Parkes who has more than 25 years of experience working with Steve, and a commercial banking team that includes several people who have 10, 20, or 30 years or more, to carry the team forward.” Parkes, who works as the senior vice president in commercial banking, said Hoyt’s influence on the company was felt daily. She said his influence extended past even their branch of the company as he evolved into a stellar resource for information from the company’s other three branches as well. “He was a significant influence,” Parkes said, who started at the company six years after Hoyt began. “He won’t tell you that, but he was [...] If there’s a sounding board,
to that, saying that even though Hoyt was in a position which likely involved quite a bit of rejection, he encouraged those working for him to try to find ways to balance that out. Evans said that was the type of mentality he wanted to implement as he begins his time in the position. [Hoyt] was in the role where, as chief credit officer, you find a way to say ‘no,’ you look at what’s wrong with a deal and the risk associated with it,” Evans said. “But [Steve], on more than one occasion when I was a lender, he’d help me look at how I could get a deal. Look at what could be advantageous to the customer, that might even be beyond what they were asking for, for us to get the deal but also better for them [...] There’s nothing better than going back to a customer and giving them more than what they asked for.”
Your dog can get sick from flea and tick products that contain deadly pesticides and chemicals. These chemicals can also be harmful to your pets, family and the environment. Spray our powerful, all-natural solution directly on your pet, their collar and leash, bedding or anywhere they rest to prevent infestations and repel fleas and ticks. Use our eco-friendly flushable DEET-free wipes to provide an added layer of protection, especially on the face and around the mouth where spraying can be difficult.
Pura Naturals Pet Flea & Tick products are an effective SAFE SOLUTION: • Kills & Repels Flea and Ticks with NO Harsh Chemicals • Free of pyrethrin and permethrin • Made with USDA Certified Organic Oils • Natural skin soothing oils that will keep your dog’s coat soft and smelling fresh!
Order now at PuraNaturalsPet.com/MBAW or call 1-866-240-4106 Order Item #PN852 and mention code MBAW for this special offer. ONLY $25.98 plus FREE Shipping Satisfaction completely guaranteed Safe for dogs 12 weeks and older. Offer good for shipping to the 48 contiguous states. Limited time offer, good while supplies last. Not valid with any other offer.
Ju ly
JUMP TK
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
I t h a c a T i m e s 13
ITHACA INDEX
LOCAL AFFORDABLE EXPERIENCED 604 WEST GREEN STREET • ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 Open Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
QUALITY PRINT SERVICES SINCE 1965 Postcards • Rack Cards • Flyers • Magazines Newsletters • Catalogs • Posters • Brochures Pocket Folders • Calendars • Envelopes of all Sizes Quick Color Copies AND MORE...
GET YOUR FAST, FREE ESTIMATE TODAY! TELEPHONE: 607.272.7800 OR EMAIL AT: INFO@ARNOLDPRINTINGCORP.COM
REDUCTION NOW
ithaca.com
Ithaca’s economy remains steady as year continues By E l i a K ac a py r
Read the review online!
Sidewalk Sales % off
30-70
THROUGHOUT ENTIRE STORE
SUITS • SPORTCOATS • SHORTS • SANDALS • SHIRTS We are out on the Sidewalk on THURSDAY • FRIDAY • SATURDAY!
Benjamin Peters Suits • Sportcoats • Sportswear • Shoes
120 Ithaca Commons • Mon-Sat 10-6 • Thurs 10-8 • 607-273-1371 • www.benjaminpeters.com
FREE STAIRLIFT GUIDE • FREE STAIRLIFT GUIDE
NEED A STAIRLIFT? Call now for your free stairlift guide! This FREE GUIDE from Acorn Stairlifts will answer all of your questions on buying a stairlift, such as: • When can a stairlift help? • What options are available to me? • How safe are stairlifts?
Call now for your free copy!
14 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
1-855-642-9527 /
July
17– 23 ,
T
he Ithaca metropolitan area added 200 jobs in May bringing the total number of jobs to 66,300. All the figures in this report are seasonally adjusted so that any month can be compared with any other without regard to seasonal factors. Ithaca’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent. The comparable unemployment rates for New York State and the nation were 4.0 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. Ithaca’s labor force held steady at 51,000 persons. Anyone residing in Ithaca with a part-time or full time job is in the labor force. In addition, anyone residing in Ithaca without a job, but actively seeking employment, is also included in the labor force. A larger labor force means more economic potential. Retailing is a slow-growth sector in Tompkins County. Sales volume was up 1.2 percent in May, but still 3.6 percent lower than a year ago. Our estimates of sales volume include online sales that are placed with retailers located in Ithaca. The average work week in Ithaca fell to 32.3 hours in May from 32.5 hours in April. This figure is indeed an average that includes both full and part-time employ-
ees in the private sector. Compared to May 2018, the work week was 20 minutes shorter. Although some people may enjoy a shorter work week, it is a sign of reduced economic activity. Home sales in Ithaca improved 26.6 percent in May. An increase of this amount is not unusual for this volatile indicator. Comparing May 2019 to May 2018, home sales were up 44.8 percent. However, the median home’s price sagged a bit between those two months, falling to $257,050 in 2019 from $285,000 in 2018. Help-wanted advertising slowed 5.3 percent in May. Compared to May 2018, helpwanted advertising was up 49.5 percent. Increases in help wanted advertising can foretell increases in employment. Ithaca’s economy boomed the first five months of 2019. April was especially strong and now May has added on to the trend. Job creation and labor force growth have been the main propellants of the expansion. Almost all of the new jobs have been in our main industry: educational and health services. Just over half of the jobs in continued on page 15
2 0 1 9
JU
the local economy are in this sector. The other half of our jobs are spread out rather evenly over the other sectors: utilities, leisure and hospitality, retailing and food services, government, and manufacturing. Our job profile is very similar to other great American college towns. In January 1985 the Ithaca Business Index stood at 100.00. In May 2019 the Index reads 179.64. This means that the Tompkins County economy has grown 79.64 percent in those 413 months. From 1985 until 1988, the Ithaca metro region grew at a rapid clip. The average annual growth rate was 5.4 percent. The Ithaca Business Index reached a peak of 130.34 in March 1989. A recession brought the Index down to a level of 110.98 in April 1992. This 36 month slide was much longer and more severe than the national recession which lasted only 8 months. Since then, the County economy has recovered, but annual growth rates of 1.5 percent are more typical these days. There was a less severe version of the Great Recession here in Ithaca that started in April 2008 and ended in July 2009. The most recent recession began in March 2014 and ended in March 2015. There was no national recession during this time, but economic activity in Ithaca fell 0.2 percent in 2014 and 1.4 percent in 2015. The Ithaca economy has been expanding since the summer of 2015. The Ithaca economy grew 2.2 percent in 2016, 3.8 percent in 2017, and 1.0 percent in 2018. The all-time high for the Ithaca Business Index is 179.64, its reading in May 2019.
Business Briefs Tioga State Bank opens new Ithaca location for mortgage services
Tioga State Bank has announced the opening of an additional location to “serve the mortgage needs of the community.” Tioga State Bank has opened a location at 140 Seneca Way in Ithaca, NY. Jessica Boynton, of the Tioga State
Bank Mortgage Origination team, will relocate her office to this new location. Boynton has been a Mortgage Originator at Tioga State Bank since 2015. Prior to joining TSB, she had an additional seven years of experience in mortgage origination. Boynton will handle the origination of residential mortgages for purchase, refinance, or new construction at Tioga
State Bank. “I am enthusiastic about this new location and the opportunity to better serve the mortgage needs of the residents of Tompkins County and surrounding counties,” Boynton said. “This new location is
convenient and will make our mortgage lending process that much easier.”
Tompkins Trust Company hires new VP of Commercial Banking Relationships
John Bauda
John Bauda has been hired by the Tompkins Trust Company in the role of vice president, Commercial Banking Relationship manager.
Home of the Finger Lakes ONLY Super Charger for electric vehicles
Offering full repairs and service on foreign and domestic vehicles The Gang at Diane’s Downtown are smart, caring and professional ... making Diane’s Downtown Automotive an easy choice for all your vehicle and tire needs.
CFCU’s Newest Branch • Same great services you’ve come to expect from a CFCU branch • Knowledgeable and friendly staff ready to help
And More • Showcases emerging technologies, with the opportunity to provide your feedback
Now Open on the Ithaca Commons
Banking for THIS moment
We’ve all been on the other side of the counter... feeling that anxiety and uncertainty waiting for the laundry list of repairs so many shops hand out every single visit. At Diane’s Downtown, we pride ourselves on doing the repairs and services that are necessary to make our customers’ cars safe and reliable. We place a premium on making those cars and trucks run the best they can to protect both our customers and the environment. And we do so with full explanations, competitive pricing and repairs done on time! As we celebrate our 13th year as Ithaca’s only woman-owned and operated repair shop, stop in the see what a difference this can make!
Call us at 607-257-8500
Transforming generations and communities. Simply. Personally.
Winners of the Best of Ithaca “Best Car Repair Shop” Ju ly
JUMP TK
435 W. State Street, located in Ithaca’s West End
607-272-AUTO (2886)
www.dianesdowntownautomotive.com service@dianesautorepair.com Open M-F 7:30-5:30
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
I t h a c a T i m e s 15
NEW YORK TION S ASSOCIA ES R P
r
Award Winne d Design an Statewideal Contest ri Edito April 2019
ithaca com
Finger Lakes Community Newspapers
BEST FRONT PAGE SECOND PLACE Marshall Hopkins; An intriguing array of layout presentations that shows a passion for creativity. Each page is notably different than the others, yet they each offer something dynamic in terms of grabbing the attention of readers. When I saw the layouts, I could tell they were among the best.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP HONORABLE MENTION Marshall Hopkins; Making it simple for young people and everyone else in the community to register to vote is fulfilling a civic duty every newspaper should endorse and try in their own communities.
Bauda joins the company with 13 years of experience in financial services. According to a press release, his responsibilities with the commercial lending team include all facets of bank relationship management: real estate and construction financing, providing working capital solutions, structuring financial transactions to support mergers and acquisitions, guidance on depository and cash management services, and client relationship building with affiliate partners in Tompkins Financial Advisors and Tompkins Insurance Agencies. The release said Bauda recently moved from Buffalo to Ithaca with his wife and two daughters. He is the former treasurer and chair of the loan committee for Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI), a certified development financial institution, based in Buffalo. “We are excited to have John join our team, as he brings many years of experience and expertise in the industry,” said Karen Parkes, senior vice president of commercial banking.
at the Transformation Center. While Jeff Dobbin, VP of business lending; and Mark Kenjerska, business loan originator and the rest of the business team. “We’re excited to bring CFCU’s famous service and value directly to downtown Ithaca residents, students, and businesses,” said Lisa Whitaker, president and CEO of CFCU. “Their feedback on the Transformation Center’s new banking technologies will be crucial, as the CFCU leadership team continues to identify the ever-changing needs and technology preferences across the credit union’s service area.”
Chamber of Commerce hires two new members
CFCU opens new Transformation Center on the Commons
THOMAS G. BUTSON AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE/IN-DEPTH REPORTING SECOND PLACE Matt Butler; Good reporting and strong corroboration throughout the piece.
NEWS STORY SECOND PLACE Matt Butler; Complete reporting using multiple sources. Topic challenging but efforts paid off. Amber Harris
HONORABLE MENTION Nick Reynolds
FEATURE STORY THIRD PLACE Nick Reynolds; The story is well-written, dives into the nuance of the situation and includes a range of voices. Using lines from the musical instead of subheads was clever, and each fit its spot well. Great work. HONORABLE MENTION Austin Lamb; This is a great story. The reporter did an excellent job of showing the reader how Oxford’s life has changed, and how it’s not all roses. Oxford gets frustrated with his situation and his abilities. That he acknowledges those struggles make him human, and that really shines through in this piece.
EDITORIAL CARTOON SECOND PLACE Marshall Hopkins; The Bingo game board is a fun way to comment on national bike sharing company LimeBike dropping 200 brand new yellow and green bikes all over Ithaca. If everyone in town wasn’t already buzzing about the event, this editorial cartoon surely got them talking. Great originality!
BEST SPECIAL SECTION COVER FIRST PLACE Ithaca Times, Marshall Hopkins; Great shot for the Apple Harvest Festival. There was no question about what it was for.
16 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
CFCU Community Credit Union’s Tranformation Center
CFCU Community Credit Union recently opened its new, state-of-the-art Transformation Center and administrative offices in the Bank Tower building on the Ithaca Commons. CFCU’s Transformation Center features new banking technologies including but not limited to, palm readers for identity verification and interactive touch tables ready to be explored. This new space also provides 24-hour access to virtual teller machines and a drive-up ATM. The Transformation Center presents opportunities for members to deliver feedback regarding their experiences in times of continuous changes. CFCU’s executive leadership team is joined by Missy Park, mortgage associate; Doug Schmidt, business development officer; and Frank Torelli, wealth advisor;
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of two new people to its team, Amber Harris and David Walton. Harris will serve as event and program manager for the Chamber, while Walton will be meeting and conference sales manager for Visit Ithaca. Harris joins the chamber after working for local internet provider Haefele Connect. Prior to that, Harris served as the executive director for the Ithaca Montessori School and worked as program director for the Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance. Beyond that, she worked as an American Sign Language interpreter for seven years. Walton will join Visit Ithaca to focus on “growing meeting, sports, conference and retreat group business to Ithaca and Tompkins County,” according to a press release announcing the hiring of Walton and Harris. Walton recently arrived in Ithaca from San Francisco, where he worked as director of operations for a Destination Management Company. He’s also previously worked as a school administrator in the Bay Area, catering to underprivileged youths.
2 0 1 9
JU
Diamond’s holding strong in 26th year
D
By M a rya m Z a fa r
iamonds, they say, are forever. And the Indian restaurant New Delhi Diamond’s is living up to its namesake, tallying up its 26th anniversary this year. The Green Street sit-down was Ithaca’s second Indian restaurant when Baldev Singh Sekhon, his sister, and her husband opened it together in 1993. Back then, a wall separated out a bar and a smaller sit-down area. “We never thought we would go this long, but people’s love,” Baldev said before Kamaldeep Kaur Sekhon, his wife, chimed in. “Their love and support has kept us going,” she said. After marrying in India in 1995, Kamaldeep joined her husband in managing the restaurant. The two first lived in New York City for a while, and bounced around the country a bit before settling in central New York. Ithaca was friendlier, cleaner and safer than NYC, Baldev
noted. And, he said, Ithaca’s parking tickets were cheaper, too: just $3 to New York’s $30. The restaurant started as a modest business venture. “The first three years were...so-so,” Baldev remembers. Newspaper and television advertisements were the main publicity methods, but both were too expensive at the time. The restaurant relied on word-of-mouth endorsements, and so Baldev, who studied economics, and Kamaldeep, who studied sociology, combined their knowledge to focus on maintaining their food’s quality and reliability. Most of their recipes are sourced from home, with time-honored formulas brought along from Punjab, India. The dishes themselves haven’t changed too much over time, although some entrees are officially added to the menu after being vetted by a trial run with the buffet crowd. Even some customers have stayed the same. Around 15 or 20 years ago, Baldev said, a band of college-aged kids came to Diamond’s and enjoyed themselves so often that they cooked up a song in honor of the channa masala. Even now, one former band member still swings by the restaurant, accompanied not by
his bandmates, but by his three kids. “Most of them are regular customers,” Kamaldeep said. “That’s why we survived, actually.” The overall demand, though, has changed a bit, Kamaldeep noted. Now, there’s more people asking for vegetarian and vegan dishes, and due to the price of meat, Diamond’s has abandoned beef dishes altogether. Evidently, the adaptations have paid off, as the restaurant won the Ithaca Times’ “Best Lunch Buffet” Award in 2010 and 2018. The restaurant’s involvement in the community goes beyond its daily buffet, though. It has catered meals for different events at Cornell, like iftars during the month of Ramadan and meals for different student events. It also caters weddings and holidays for other communities in Ithaca and Corning. Although the restaurant is pretty stable now—Baldev doesn’t anticipate any big changes on the horizon—the couple wasn’t always confident that things would work out. “You never knew,” Kamaldeep said. “Will it work out or not? [...] We work hard. We pray to god. I don’t know how we get success.”
Ju ly
JUMP TK
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
Arts&Entertainment
Diamonds
Baldev Singh Sekhon and Kamaldeep Kaur Sekhon, owners of New Delhi Diamond’s, enjoying the comfort of one of the dining room booths. (Photo by Maryam Zafar)
I t h a c a T i m e s 17
stage
Isabelle Dickey and James Counihan in the Ithaca Shakespeare Company’s production of “Pericles.” (photo by Stephen Ponton)
Something old, something new
“Midsummer” and “Pericles” solid efforts for Shakespeare Fest By Barbara Ad am s
I
thaca Shakespeare Company has moved deeper into the woods this summer, to a broad grassy space at upper Treman State Park. Trail construction at the marina prompted the shift from its traditional location, but this new one affords a leisurely, cool walk down a forest path to reach the site. Action on the threetiered stage is easily seen, as are “offstage” players in the surrounding field, heading purposefully to their next entry. This embowered locale is even more magical than the marina, an apt setting for the antics of both “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream” and the seldom-staged “Pericles, Prince of Tyre.” Both plays run in repertory through the end of July. Shakespeare’s “Midsummer” is so overly familiar it perhaps takes extra skill to draw us in again. This production, directed by Amina Omari, is serviceable but uneven. There’s far too much stage busy-ness and exaggerated movement and action; the pacing is a bit off; and some actors deliver more winningly than others. Ross Haarstad shines as the officious Bottom, in love with his own voice and trying to assume every part. From his donkey-
h e
Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College.
Buy · Sell · Trade
GREEN IDEAS 18 T
head transformation to his role in the laborers’ play as the lamentable Pyramus, he’s an unrepentant scene-stealer. You’ll recall that this play is about lovers being thwarted first by an authoritarian father, then by the purple juice that Puck (an impish Erin Lockett) misapplies, forcing some to flee and others to chase. But the wider authority belongs to the more reasonable Theseus, wonderfully played by Jahmar Ortiz; he’s well matched by Kylie Heyman as his bride-to-be, the Amazon queen Hippolyta. They’re a dazzling pair (they even duel as sport), both so forceful and expressive that others pale around them. They also assume the roles of fairy king Oberon and his queen Titania, brawling over her page boy; all the fairy scenes (fabulously clad in feathers and gauze by Elizabeth Kitney) are entertaining. Those with the mismatched couples are less sure: Omari’s choice to cast a woman as Lysander just doesn’t work: Samantha Sloma’s faint speech and stance is more feminine than her beloved’s—as the rejected Hermia, Lucia Veccio is a veritable
termagant of love. A more consistently engaging show can be found in “Pericles,” directed thoughtfully by Stephen Ponton. A late (1607) tragicomedy of Shakespeare’s (with a co-author), this morality play is one where truly terrible things happen to good people but all’s made well at the end. The noble and good are so darn decent you want to weep, and Ponton’s pacing of the action gives their speeches dignity and measure. This is especially true for Pericles, the young Prince of Tyre, who’s delightfully both handsome and humble, as splendidly conveyed by James Counihan. His delivery is articulate, audible, eloquent, nuanced and heartfelt; he conveys much of the storyline and emotional pull. The large cast of 18 persuasively renders multiple characters, both high and low. To cite a few: Isabelle Dickey as Pericles’ daughter Marina; Emma Taylor as his wife; Ross Haarstad as his loyal advisor; Chris Nickerson as him in old age; Jahmar Ortiz as the governor who wins his daughter; and Judith Andrew as an icy, vengeful mother. There’s plenty of onstage action, including charming dances, choreographed by Karen Koyanagi. Swordfights (orchestrated by Jacob Lehman) are frightening, and storms at sea roar and swell before us. Perhaps the only distracting note is the narrator (Sloma), whose unmodulated high delivery is precious and studied as well as insufficiently distinct. And even though events in this episodic play traverse a few decades as well as several Mediterranean city-states (ancient Antioch, Tyre, Tarsus, and more), the complicated tale is easy to follow. It opens with father-daughter incest (to be punished by the gods); the voyage continues through love gained and denied, lives lost and resurrected, friends steadfast and false, prostitution defeated and redemption reaped. As compellingly dramatic as any Netflix series, Ithaca Shakespeare Company’s production of “Pericles” amply rewards its audience.
Used Furniture, Housewares, & Home Decor
Stop in for sustainable gift ideas! Now offering free gift bags Mimi’s Attic · 430 W. State St. (607) 882-9038 @mimisatticithaca
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
2 0 1 9
JU
Dining
Commons Kitchen
After restart, Moroccan food succeeds downtown By He nr y Stark
T I
he Commons Kitchen got off to a sputtering start with a bit of an identity problem. nitially, they offered traditional American breakfasts, including eggs, pancakes, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches. As lunch hour approached, they switched to American sandwich fare, and then at dinnertime, it morphed into an exclusively Moroccan restaurant. After about nine months, the chef became ill and the restaurant closed completely for about two months. Then, in late spring, the restaurant reopened with a new formula eschewing American breakfasts and lunches and serving exclusively Moroccan dishes. The same menu applies for both lunch and dinner, so there’s no upcharge for dinner. The only major difference worth mentioning is that real water glasses are offered at dinner instead of the plastic ones served at lunch. The Commons Kitchen has a comfortable ambience, starting with a waiting area by the windows fronting on the Commons. Two plush couches surround a small circular table with four backless stools, which can be used as a dining area for customers looking for a more authentic Moroccan experience. The Moroccan specials on the menu are tagines, pitas, couscous and four specials, including a veggie plate of stewed vegetables with falafel and baba ganoush. Not familiar with Moroccan food? Maybe you’d enjoy the Mezza appetizer ($11.99), a sampler of zaalouk, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, baba ganoush, falafel, feta, and olives. It’s large enough to be a small entrée and could be a practical introduction to North African food. The largest group, with five choices, is tagines. Tagine in Moroccan cuisine has a double meaning: it can refer to the North African cookware, made from ceramic or clay and shaped as a dome, as well as the food that is cooked inside it. In Morocco, tagines are often beautifully decorated and thought of as art. The idea of the dome is
to trap condensation and have it drop to the bottom, where it adds moisture to the food that’s cooking. The food is usually slow-cooked and is basically a stew composed of poultry, meat, or fish combined with vegetables or fruit. I’ve ordered the Marrakech tagine ($16.99), a whole lamb shank including the bone, combined with peas and potatoes. It was delicious, and the dome top, which the server removed and returned to the kitchen, certainly did its job of keeping the meal moist and flavorful. Their most popular tagine is a berbere tagine, which also includes a lamb shank; however, this one is accompanied by prunes and apricots and is therefore sweeter than the Marrakech. There is also a tagine that includes stewed seasonal vegetables accented with herbs and spices, which could be perfect for vegetarians looking to escape the often boring soups and salads posing as vegetarian offerings at other restaurants. Another section includes authentic couscous, a North African dish made of small pellets of durum wheat semolina often topped with a stew, as it is here. There are three, made with lamb shanks, marinated chicken, or vegetables, and accompanied with seasonal vegetables. They’re all perfectly cooked and tasty. If you have room for dessert, I recommend the homemade baklava rather than the chocolate cake, which is not homemade and is a rather common dessert in other restaurants. I had to use a knife to cut through the layers of phyllo (filo), which I mean as a compliment even though it wasn’t flaky like others I’ve enjoyed.
430 West State St, Ithaca, NY | 607.273.8807 | www.bishopscarpetone.com
Tidbits There is no liquor license and none has been applied for. This is based on the philosophical and religious orientation of the owners. Patrons can order Moroccan mint tea or are welcome to bring their own beer or wine with no setup charge. There are large unsightly soda machines near the kitchen; however, there are plans to remove these and still offer the sodas. The Moroccan owners, who are spending the summer in their home country are expected to return from Morocco in about two months after purchasing many items to dress up The Commons Kitchen. Included will be native carpets which will soften the noise, although it’s not excessive now anyway, and add to the authentic ambience, which already includes Moroccan music. It is expected that several additional items will be added to the menu in autumn.
JULY 19-AUGUST 3 BUY TICKETS NOW!
Media Sponsor
HangarTheatre.org • 607.273.ARTS 801 Taughannock Blvd in Cass Park
Ju ly
JUMP TK
Premier Sponsor
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
I t h a c a T i m e s 19
stage
A Window to the Past
Large cast carries “Grand Hotel” at MGR By Barbara Ad am s
M
ention the high life in Berlin after World War I, and the seedy nightlife of “Cabaret” probably comes to mind. Set in 1929-30 at the rise of Nazism, the 1996 musical was based on a play itself based on a 1939 novel, Christopher Isherwood’s “Goodbye to Berlin.” But a decade earlier, another novel, “People at a Hotel,” by the Jewish Austrian writer Vicki Baum, had chronicled the comings and goings of 1928 Berlin high society and those who served them. A play followed, then a star-studded 1932 MGM movie (with Garbo, Crawford, the Barrymores). Baum’s own life, from Vienna to Hollywood, as a musician, journalist, prolific novelist and daring boxer, deserves a film itself. Much later, in 1989, came the inevitable musical. With book by Luther Davis and music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest (plus more from Maury Yeston), “Grand Hotel” garnered five Tony Awards. Ninety years later, we’re far from the original compelling socio-historical events, but there’s a glimmer of them in the current production at Auburn’s MerryGo-Round Playhouse. Brett Smock ably directs this show and also choreographs, assisted by Elle-May Patterson. An elegant old hotel’s grandeur is costly to come by, and Ed Chapman’s set of slender painted wood verticals doesn’t quite evoke such luxury. Adam Honoré’s interesting lighting uses spots and color
washes to shift focus and mood, with the stage often dramatically dark in some areas. The choice seems emotionally correct, yet had the effect of distancing me from events rather than being swept into them. But Tiffany Howard’s handsome period costumes (complemented by Alfonso Annotto’s wigs) bring considerable emotion and life to the scene: from elegant evening clothes to the hotel staff ’s uniforms. The stage is complete with Brian Cimmet’s fine orchestra, positioned on the balcony level, just where you’d expect the hotel’s musicians to be. The story itself is diffuse: Unlike “Cabaret,” there are no central figures to focus on; we’re invited by a jaded, veteran, self-drugging physician (Neal Benari) to join the human flux passing through that central revolving door. People come, people go––some thrive, others die, life goes on. However existentially valid, that awareness itself is detaching. The large cast is talented, with some outstanding voices. As the impoverished Baron Felix Von Gaigern, threatened by creditors, Patrick Cummings seems at first opportunistic and shallow. But he gradually reveals himself to be generous, warm, unprejudiced, and capable of great love. Cumming’s singing “Roses at the Station” may leave you breathless. The surprising object of his affection is the Russian prima ballerina, Elizaveta Grushinskaya, long past her prime, financially needing to perform but shamed
Grushinskaya (Michele Ragusa) and her manager Sandor (Jake Mills) during the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival’s production of Grand Hotel. (Photo by Ron Heerkens Jr./GFMedia)
at her waning abilities. Michele Ragusa effectively portrays the aging dancer emotionally (though not in balletic stance). She too at first seems merely a diva, but reveals depths of character and insight; her “Bonjour Amour” is moving. Another unlikely couple is the typist aspiring to Hollywood and the financially desperate textile mill manager desiring her services—and more. Samantha Sturm’s Flaemmchen (“Little Flame” or “Baby Blaze”), as she’s renamed herself, is lovely, energetic, and dazzling, even in her naiveté. It’s no surprise that Mark Hardy’s towering Hermann Preysing preys on her; his increasingly creepy demands feel even more invasive today, if possible. (Hardy’s broad American accent is distracting, though, hardly conveying an urbane European businessman.) Among the staff, standouts include the overworked assistant concierge, Erik (a personable, well-voiced Sam Stoll), awaiting news of his wife’s delivery, and African-American entertainers known
collectively as the “two Jimmys.” Wesley Barnes and Darius Jordan Lee’s nimble dance number is so brilliant you’ll want to put it on repeat. Of all the hotel denizens whose paths intertwine, the most fascinating is Otto Kringelein, a frail and stooped Jewish bookkeeper, splendidly played by Dino Nicandros. Facing a terminal illness, he arrives with his life savings, determined to live out his last days in the luxury of the grand hotel. Otto transforms from ostracized nebbish into something very like a gentleman hero, blossoming under the friendship of the Baron and Flaemmchen. And in turn his own Menschlichkeit, or humanity, spreads to them as well. From gangster to bellhop, money may preoccupy everyone at the Grand Hotel, but it’s love and classless friendship that they really need––as this musical production, with its human comedy parade, successfully affirms. Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College.
FIND OUT WHAT’S. . .
My Bank
puts the wind in my sails. Bruce, Owner, The Electricians “I am a busy father of two boys and run my own business, and I love to squeeze in the time to sail my boat Serenity on Cayuga Lake. My bank helps me keep my personal and business banking in order and worry-free so I have the time to slip the lines and set the sails. Thank you Elmira Savings Bank!” Bruce is the owner of The Electricians in Ithaca and an avid sailboat captain.
s
i ered ithaca com pow : by
1-888-372-9299 | ElmiraSavingsBank.com |
20 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
and Community Newspapers Finger Lakes
2 0 1 9
JU
sports
Ithacan influence on professional lacrosse By Ste ve L aw re nc e
T
he Major League Lacrosse (MLL) All Star Game will be televised on ESPN 2 on Saturday, July 27, and once again, Cornell will be well represented. It is no surprise that Rob Pannell will take the field, as he is the MLL’s reigning MVP and has been an All Star many times during his seven-year MLL career, and Big Red fans were delighted to learn that Jake Pulver (class of 2018) was also selected to play. Pannell is widely regarded as one of the world’s preeminent players, and he graduated from Cornell in 2011 as Division 1’s all-time leading scorer with 354 points. He won the Tewaarton Trophy that year (the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman) and was Cornell’s first-ever ESPY Award nominee for the best collegiate athlete in the country. Pannell set an MLL single-season record last year with 78 points, and he led his New York Lizards to the MLL championship. Pulver, now in his second season with the Dallas Rattlers, will play in his first MLL All Star Game. The two-time Big red captain helped Cornell to the 2018 Ivy League tournament title, the 2015 Ivy League championship and two NCAA appearances. Jake presently leads MLL in caused turnovers. I sat down with Richie Moran, who was among the nation’s best collegiate players when his University of Maryland team won the national championship in 1959. He then coached at Cornell for 29 seasons, led the team to three national titles, and the Big Red’s 42-game winning streak remains the best-ever. I asked the Hall of Fame coach if playing professional lacrosse was even a pipe dream when he played, and he said, “No, the big option then was
to continue to play at the highest level. Today, the world’s best players get a paycheck, but it remains a fraction of what other pro athletes make, and virtually all of the MLL players have other jobs. “When I was coaching,” Moran offered, “it was my assistant coach and me. Now, the collegiate programs have much bigger staffs, and there are a lot of opportunities for the MLL players to coach as well.” I asked Richie if Pannell was in the conversation as one of the top three players in the world, and he said, “I don’t know who is better. Rob is an extremely durable player—he’s a 60-minute man—and he is
had to say about Pulver, and he stated, “What an athlete! He is definitely one of the top defensemen ever to play at Cornell.” ****** A reminder: I wrote in late 2018 that Robert “Baby Lou” Reed had passed on, and the gathering celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Moakley House on Warren Road. Reed graduated from Ithaca High in ’71, and went on to captain the Cornell golf team, graduating in ’75. He worked in the hospitality industry for many years
Rob Pannell, shown here playing for Cornell’s lacrosse team, can be seen next weekend on ESPN in the MLL All Star Game. (Photo from Cornell Athletics)
to play for the prestigious club teams in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. We played for the prestige, and for the networking opportunities. It was a pipeline into the business world for many of these players.” Even the great players like Eamon McEneaney and Mike French had no opportunity to go pro, but they made the most of their opportunity
continually among the top scorers in the league. He is the 2018 MVP, and he goes hard all the time.” Moran, who has seen every elite lacrosse player to pick up a stick in the last 60 years, added, “Rob creates things on the field that are sometimes astonishing. In my opinion, he is the top pro player” I also asked the retired coach what he
(a highlight was hosting Elvis Presley and his entourage in one of his hotels), and he ultimately settled in Florida, where he pursued his passion for managing golf courses and teaching the game he loved as a PGA member for over 25 years.
It’s easy to see why you should choose GEICO. With great rates to save you money, access to a licensed agent anytime 24/7, and a 97% customer satisfaction rating, there are a lot of great reasons why GEICO is the easy choice for your insurance needs.
Get a fast, no-obligation quote and nd out for yourself.
geico.com | 1-800-947-AUTO | Local Office Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. Customer satisfaction based on an independent study conducted by Alan Newman Research, 2018. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076 © 2019 GEICO
Ju ly
JUMP TK
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
I t h a c a T i m e s 21
Next of Kin | 8:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett
7/21 Sunday Gerard Burke | 1:00 PM, | Red Newt Cellars Inc, Hector Melody Rose & Andrew Carroll | 1:00 PM, | Treleaven Wines, King Ferry Sam & Mandy | 2:00 PM, | Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Ithaca
Music
Scott Adams & Doug Robinson | 2:00 PM, | Grist Iron Brewing, Burdett
Bars/Bands/Clubs
Ithaca Jazz and Blues Jam | 4:00 PM, | Mix Kitchen and Bar, Ithaca
7/17 Wednesday
The Tarps | 4:00 PM, | Americana Vineyards, Interlaken
2019 CFCU Summer Concert Series - El Rumbon | 6:00 PM, | Bernie Milton Pavilion, Ithaca | *NOTE SPECIAL NIGHT*
Sean Farley | 4:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett Bound for Glory - Kora Feder | 8:00 PM, | Anabel Taylor Hall, Ithaca
Open Mic | 7:00 PM, | Ithaca Coffee Company, Ithaca
7/22 Monday
Scott Adams | 7:00 PM, | Stonecat Cafe, Hector
Canaan Jam Session | 7:00 PM, | Canaan Institute, Brooktondale
HR & the Human Rights with special guest Wingnut | 8:00 PM, | Sacred Root Kava Lounge &Tea Bar, Ithaca | $20
Open Mic | 8:30 PM, | Agava, Ithaca
7/23 Tuesday Music in the Hollow 2019 | 6:00 PM, | Ellis Hollow Community Center, Ithaca | Fall Creek Brass Band
7/18 Thursday The Six Mile Creek Boys | 6:00 PM, | Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Ithaca
Professor Tuesdays Jazz Quartet | 6:30 PM, | ZaZa’s Cucina, Ithaca
Woodshed Prophets | 6:00 PM, | Grist Iron Brewing, Burdett
7/24 Wednesday
Dishonest Fiddlers | 6:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett
MYERS PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Thursdays thru August 22 at 6:30 PM | Myers Park, 1 Lansing Park Rd., Lansing | The Lansing Parks & Recreation Department invites you to bring your lawn chairs and enjoy pleasant Thursday evenings on the lake listening to terrific local musicians, with food and drink trucks on site! Coming up this Thursday is Tailor Made (pictured). In coming weeks, the series will feature Smoking Loons, City Limits, The Destination Band and more. (photo: Facebook)
Myers Park Summer Concert Series - Tailor Made | 6:30 PM, | Myers Park, Lansing Funk Night ft.The Phryg | 9:00 PM, | The Range, Ithaca
C-4 | 7:00 PM, | Grist Iron Brewing, Burdett
Lina Tullgren, Friendship, Tender
Steve Southworth & The Rocka-
Cruncher | 8:00 PM, | Sacred Root
billy Rays | 5:00 PM, | Eldridge Park,
7/19 Friday
Katherine Aelias Band | 7:00 PM, | Farmhouse Brewery, Owego
Kava Lounge & Tea Bar, Ithaca
Elmira
Jimmy Jam Band | 6:00 PM, | Americana Vineyards, Interlaken
Raised on Radio | 7:00 PM, | Boathouse Beer Garden, Romulus
7/20 Saturday
Hot Dogs & Gin| 6:00 PM, | Ameri-
Brass Inc. | 6:00 PM, | Treleaven Wines, King Ferry
The Frontier | 8:00 PM, | Two Goats Brewing, Burdett
Firecreek | 5:00 PM, | Boathouse Beer
Blue-Eyed Soul | 7:00 PM, | Grist Iron
Garden, Romulus
Brewing, Burdett
22 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
cana Vineyards, Interlaken
Newfield Music Series at Mill Park | 6:00 PM, | Mill Park, Newfield | Erin & The Backwoods Blues Project Whistling Dyl | 7:00 PM, | Stonecat Cafe, Hector Juice w/ Stephen Day | 8:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca | $15/$17 Concerts/Recitals Blink 182 & Lil Wayne | 7:00 PM, 7/17 Wednesday | Darien Lake Amphitheater, 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center |
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad | 7:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | East Side Park, 1 S. Broad Street, Norwich | Part of Free Thursday Summer Concerts in East Side Park, Norwich, NY Cortland Main Street Music Series | 5:30 PM, 7/19 Friday | Cortland Main Street Music Series, 64 Main St., Cortland | Enter the Haggis; The Old Main; Starma Brothers Arthur B. and the Planetary Mix | 7:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Cornell University Arts Quad , Ithaca | Rain location: Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium at Klarman Hall Thomas Rhett | 7:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Darien Lake Amphitheater, 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center | 311 & Dirty Heads | 5:45 PM, 7/20 Saturday | Darien Lake Amphitheater, 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center | Taughannock Falls State Park Summer Concert Series | 7:00 PM, 7/20 Saturday | Taughannock Falls State Park, 2221 Taughannock Park Rd, Trumansburg | Johnny Russo and the East Hill Classic Jazz Band | $5 parking All the Glory! | 7:30 PM, 7/20 Saturday | Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way, Corning | Part of the Endles Mountain Music Festival. Navarro - Paconchita Overture; Peck Glory and Grandeur for Percussion and Orchestra; Tchaikovsky - Symphony # 1 ‘Winter Dreams’ Music at Fishs Eddy presents-Klenengan: A Musical Gathering with Javanese Gamelan | 2:00 PM, 7/21 Sunday | Old Pioneer Church, 669 County Rd. 28, Fishs Eddy | Javanese master Darsono Hadiraharjo will lead an ensemble performing on the traditional bronze percussion instruments. Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra presents “Perfect Fifths!” | 3:00 PM, 7/21 Sunday | South Seneca High School, 7263 Main St., Ovid | In celebrating the 5th Season, the concert will include the Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Theme from Schindlerís List by John Williams, Mother Goose Suite by Maurice Ravel,
2 0 1 9
JU
Art
“Tompkins Trust Company understands our needs and how we run our business.” After 48 years as a family-owned, leading manufacturer of case packing and robotic palletizing solutions, Schneider’s senior management wanted to acquire the company.
TURNING POSSIBILITIES into REALITIES.
“We looked at a lot of banks, and Tompkins Trust Company really stood out,” says Bob Brotzki.
SCHNEIDER PACKAGING EQUIPMENT CO., INC. Bob Brotzki President
TompkinsTrust.com
Wiz Khalifa | 6:00 PM, 7/21 Sunday | Darien Lake Amphitheater, 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center | Rob Thomas | 7:00 PM, 7/21 Sunday | Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC), 3355 Marvin Sands Dr, Canandaigua | Emperor’s Dinner Music - Mozart to Beethoven | 2:00 PM, 7/22 Monday | Rockwell Museum Of Western Art, 111 Cedar St, Corning | Hosted by Endless Mountain Music Festival. John White Quintet, an Evening of Latin Jazz | 7:00 PM, 7/23 Tuesday | Cornell University, Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium, Klarman Hall, Ithaca | Celebrated pianist John White of Ithaca College brings along four other gifted musicians, who all happen to be music educators in the Finger Lakes region. Lionel Richie | 8:00 PM, 7/23 Tuesday | Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC), 3355 Marvin Sands Dr, Canandaigua | Rob Thomas | 8:00 PM, 7/23 Tuesday | Lakeview Amphitheater, 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse |
Concerts in the Park | 7:00 PM, 7/24 Wednesday | Hickories Park, 359 Hickories Park Rd., Owego | 7/17 - The Jazz Happens Band; 7/24 - Mike Davis & The Laughing Buddha Episodes Caribe All Stars | 7:00 PM, 7/26 Friday | Cornell University Arts Quad, Ithaca | Come out for a free Latin dance party on the Arts Quad with Jorge T. Cuevas and the Caribe Jazz All-Stars. Featuring some of the regionís best jazz musicians, the All-Stars play an irresistible mix of originals and jazz standards in the styles of salsa, cha cha, bolero, samba, and merengue. Rain location: Rhodes Rawlings Auditorium in Klarman Hall. Lake Street Dive & The Wood Brothers | 7:00 PM, 7/26 Friday | Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Rd , LaFayette | | $50-55
Stage Grand Hotel | 7:30 PM, 7/17 Wednesday | Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 6877 E Lake Rd, Auburn | Thru 7/31. Mamma Mia! | 7:30 PM, 7/17 Wednesday | Little York Lake Pavilion,
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 6:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday & 7/20 Saturday| Robert H. Treman State Park - Upper Entrance, 129 Upper Park Road, Newfield |
Kinky Boots | 8:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca | Thru 8/3. As Charlie Price struggles to save his familyís failing business, help arrives in the unlikely form of Lola, a drag queen in need of some eye-catching new stilettos.
My Big Fat Italian Comedy Festival: Joe DeVito | 8:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St, Auburn | | $15/20
My Big Fat Italian Comedy Festival: Tammy Pescatelli | 8:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St, Auburn | | $15/20
The Trump Card | 8:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Kitchen Theatre, 417 W State St, Ithaca | Thru 7/28 Thur-Sat @ 8PM. Civic Ensemble’s Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr. will perform Mike Daisey’s edgy, funny, and provocative monologue. An exploration of Trump’s life story, influences, and his ascent to political power.| $25
The Producers | 8:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | The Central New York Playhouse, 3169 Erie Blvd. E., B201 , Syracuse | $28-30
6799 Little York Lake Rd, Preble | Thru 7/27.
Pericles, Prince of Tyre | 6:00 PM, 7/19 Friday & 7/21 Sunday | Robert H. Treman State Park - Upper Entrance, 129 Upper Park Road, Newfield | Damn Yankees | 8:00 PM, 7/19 Friday & 7/20 Saturday | Civic Centers Theaters At Oncenter, 421 Montgomery St, Syracuse | Sex, sports, and second chances. Syracuse Summer Theatre at The Oncenter presents the Tony-winning musical. | $32
My Big Fat Italian Comedy Festival: Rocky LaPorte | 8:00 PM, 7/20 Saturday | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St, Auburn | Unicorn Girl | 10:00AM & 12:00 PM, 7/25 Thursday thru 7/27 Saturday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca | When 8-year-old Emma gets bullied at school for having two dads, she sets on a fantastical journey to raise awareness. Emmaís stuffed unicorn joins her on this journey of discovery, during which she meets people-like animals, animal-like people, and the President of the United States! World premiere. | $9
Emerging Artist Series: Maxwell Wood | Ongoing| Cayuga Museum, 203 Genesee Street, Auburn | Wood’s photography has led him to some of the most remote, wild, and beautiful places in America. The galleries will be filled with his nature scenes, from the Milky Way to morning in the Grand Tetons. | $5/members free
Summertime | Ongoing | North Star Art Gallery, 743 Snyder Hill Road, Ithaca | The newest exhibition of Brian Keeler’s works of Summer. The Ink Shop Member Exhibit 2019 | Ongoing | Ink Shop Studio Gallery, 330 E.State / MLK Street, 2nd floor of CSMA building, Ithaca | Features Ink Shop artists using a wide range of printmaking techniques The Arts Along the Canal | Ongoing | Seneca County Arts Council Gallery, 109 Fall Street, Seneca Falls | Thru 8/16, a juried show. All Access Art Club | 1:30 PM, 7/23 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Art Club Series for People of All Abilities. Teen and adult artists are invited to this weekly inclusive art experience led by Laura Rowley.
The Spy Behind Home Plate* | Moe Berg, an enigmatic Jewish catcher during baseball’s Golden Age, joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to spy for the U.S. on the Nazis’ atomic bomb program. | 101 mins NR Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am* | Examines the life, works and powerful themes Morrison has confronted throughout her literary career. | 120 mins PG-13 Wild Rose | A musician from Glasgow dreams of becoming a Nashville star. | 101 mins R The Last Black Man in San Francisco | A young man searches for home in the changing city that seems to have left him behind. | 121 mins R Booksmart | On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night. |102 mins R Regal Ithaca Wednesday 7/17 through Tuesday, 7/23. Contact Regal Ithaca for showtimes. New films listed first. * The Lion King* | Live action remake of the story of Simba, a young lion prince who flees his kingdom after the murder of his father, only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery. |118 mins PG Stuber | A detective recruits his Uber driver into an unexpected night of adventure. |93 mins R Crawl | A young woman, while attempting to save her father during a Category 5 hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life against alligators. |87 mins R
Film Cinemapolis Week of Friday, July 19 through Thursday, July 25. Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes. New films listed first*.
Spider-Man: Far From Home| Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man must step up
FRIDAY, JULY 19 THRU SUNDAY, JULY 21. AWARDS AND CLOSING CEREMONY AT 3:45PM ON SUNDAY
FRIDAY, JULY 19 FROM 1:00PM TO 8:00PM
Ithaca Farmers Market, 545 Third St. | The Ithaca Artist Market is a juried show and sale of work by local and regional talent that features over 75 artists, arts organization showcase booths, food, wine, beer and jazz throughout the day. (photo: artspartner.org)
Downtown Elmira | Experience one of Elmira’s finest and fastest growing summer festivals – with over 150 Street Painting Artists. Enjoy arts/crafts vendors, pop-up boutiques, pop-up art galleries, festival food, cold drinks, and three stages of live music while you stroll through downtown Elmira and watch the streets come alive with chalk art! (photo: Facebook) Ju ly
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
ThisWeek
THE 12TH ANNUAL ELMIRA STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL
ITHACA ARTIST MARKET
JUMP TK
“Form and Feeling,” a show by Ethel Vrana | Ongoing | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W. State St. , Ithaca |
Ivy Stevens-Gupta, Infinite Hues | Ongoing | The Bookery & Gallery, Dewitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca |
03/19
and Symphony no. 5 in E minor by Tchaikovsky.
The Other Side - Charles, Caesar, Harry, Sam, Pompey, Lon, and Isaac | Ongoing | Women’s Rights National Historic Park, 136 Fall St, Seneca Falls |
The Art of Self-Defense* | A man is attacked at random on the street. He enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself. | 104 mins R
I t h a c a T i m e s 23
Preschool Storytime at Southworth Library | 10:00 AM, 7/19 Friday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | A different theme every week!
Heads UP H a n g a r Th e a t r e C o m p a n y p r e s e n t s t h e regional premiere of K inky Boots.
I
THACA, NY- The Hangar Theatre Company continues its 45th Mainstage Summer Season with
Baby Storytime | 10:30 AM, 7/19 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Caregivers and babies up to 24 months.
England. Stifled by the demands of
Story Time | 10:30 AM, 7/19 Friday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | All ages - songs, games, & crafts, too.
running a factory, he finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous drag
the regional premiere of the fabulous,
queen in need of some sturdy stilet-
sparkly, feel-good musical, Kinky
Astronaut Training Camp (Grades K-2) | 12:30 PM, 7/19 Friday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Join us for a fun, active camp that includes crafts, activities and more! Must preregister.
tos. As Charlie and Lola work to turn
Boots, directed and choreographed
the factory around, this unlikely pair
by Gerry McIntyre. With music and
finds that they have more in common
lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper
than they ever thought possible, and
and book by Tony-winner Harvey
discover that if you are able to keep
Fierstein, this high-energy show runs
your mind and heart open to new ex-
from July 19 through August 3 with
periences, you can change the world.
matinee and evening performances.
The musical Kinky Boots just
Based on the 2005 film of the same name and inspired by true
closed on Broadway on April 7,
events, Kinky Boots tells the story of
2019, and the Hangar is honored to
aspiring young businessman Charlie
continue its Mainstage season with
Price, who is struggling to save his
the regional premiere of this glamor-
late father’s shoe factory in Northern
ous, wacky, and important musical
about acceptance at a time when we
and Best Score in Lauper’s first outing
need it most. The original Broadway
as a Broadway songwriter, making her
production was a smash success with
the first woman to win alone in that
six Tony wins, including Best Musical
category.
Family Science Saturday: Shark Dissection | 10:00 AM, 7/20 Saturday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | Registration required.
Kinky Boots runs July 19-August 3 at the Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. Hangartheatre.org 607-273-ARTS (Photo: Rachel Philipson)
to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever. | 129 mins PG-13 Midsommar | A couple travels to Sweden to visit a rural hometown’s fabled mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult. |140 mins R Yesterday | A struggling musician realizes he’s the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after waking up in an alternate timeline where they never existed. |116 mins PG-13 Annabelle Comes Home | While babysitting the daughter of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a teenager and her friend unknowingly awaken an evil spirit trapped in a doll. |106 mins R Toy Story 4 | 100 mins G Men in Black: International 115 mins PG-13 The Secret Life of Pets 2 | 86 mins PG
Aladdin |128 mins PG
Special Events Seneca County Fair | All Day 7/17 Wednesday | Seneca County Fairgrounds, 100 Swift St, Waterloo | Thru 7/20. The 109th Annual Spencer Picnic | 6PM, 7/17 Wednesday thru 7/19 Friday; 12:00PM, 7/20 Saturday| Nichols Park, Spencer | Kitten Karnival | SPCA of Tompkins County, 1640 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca | Weekly Wednesday Kitten Karnival through September from 4-7 PM. | $25 per Kitten Andrew Chaikin, author of “A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts” | 7:00 PM, 7/17 Wednesday | Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, Cornell, Ithaca | Awardwinning journalist and space historian Andrew Chaikin brings the Apollo 11
h e
Curbstone Festival & Sidewalk Sales | All Day 7/18 Thursday & 7/19 Friday | Various Skaneateles locations | Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival | All Day 7/18 Thursday thru 7/21 Sunday| Trumansburg Fairgrounds, 2150 Trumansburg Road, Trumansburg | The 12th Annual Elmira Street Painting Festival | All Day 7/19 Friday thru 7/21 Sunday | Downtown Elmira, | An art-filled, family fun weekend celebrating creativity! Ithaca Artist Market | 1:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Ithaca Farmers Market, 545 3rd Street, Ithaca | Sterling Renaissance Festival | 10:00 AM, 7/20 Saturday & 7/21 Sunday | Sterling Renaissance Festival, 15385 Farden Rd, Sterling | Broome County Fair | All Day 7/23 Tuesday | Broome County Fairgrounds, Whitney Point | Thru 7/28
Jane Austen Made Me Do It | 7:00 PM, 7/24 Wednesday | Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, Cornell, Ithaca | David Faulkner, with Cornell’s Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines and English, presents a lecture free and open to the public.
Kids
Books
Bilingual Storytime for Families and Children | 11:30 AM, 7/18 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca |
YA Book Club | 3:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | July book is ‘Truly Devious’ by Maureen Johnson. Books available at library. Registration appreciated. When Everything Beyond the Walls is Wild by Lilace Mellin Guignard | 5:30 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N Cayuga St, Ithaca | Subtitled ‘Being a Woman Outdoors in America,’ Guignard combines memoir with lyric essays and feminist critique.
THE TRUMP CARD
ThisWeek 24 T
mission back to life with stories about his one-on-one interviews with the first men on the moon.
OPENS THURSDAY, JULY 18 AT 8:00PM. SHOWS RUN THURS-SUN UNTIL JULY 28.
Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 W State St., Ithaca | Civic Ensemble’s Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr. will perform Mike Daisey’s edgy, funny, and provocative monologue that analyzes the first reality television star cum president as a performer rather than as a politician. Simmons performed the piece in a one-night-only performance last fall. If you missed it then, now is your chance to catch this brilliant show. (photo: Facebook) Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
Summer Children’s Art Fun | 2:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | w/ Stiller Zusman. Children aged 3 to 6, along with their caregivers, are invited to celebrate summer and create masterpieces at this drop-in program.
Movie Nights at the Cayuga Heights Fire Station | 6:00 PM, 7/17 Wednesday | Cayuga Heights Fire Station, 194 Pleasant Grove Road, | The Last Jedi; July 24- Shrek
Maker Thursdays for Teens at TCPL | 3:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Lego Club | 5:30 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | All ages welcome. Weekly challenges provided. Toddler Free Play | 9:30 AM, 7/19 Friday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | Kids can enjoy the Toddler Play Space.
Kids and Teens Learn to Create Comics at TCPL | 10:00 AM, 7/20 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | 12 and under can attend weekly from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the Library’s Makerspace, and teens may attend from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm in the Library’s Digital Lab. Registration is not required for either session, but it is appreciated for the teen session Family Fit Yoga & Fantastic Food | 10:30 AM, 7/20 Saturday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | Family Storytime | 11:00 AM, 7/20 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | LEGO Building Program | 3:00 PM, 7/20 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Open Heart Kids Yoga | 10:00 AM, 7/22 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Best suited for children ages 3 to 9, but younger siblings are also welcome.
TAUGHANNOCK FALLS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES SATURDAY JULY 20 AT 7:00PM
Taughannock Falls State Park, Route 89, Trumansburg | Maybe you would like to be Grassroots – adjacent, but not quite in the thick of it? Looking for a little less frottoir and a little more trumpet? You can enjoy grass aplenty for your picnic and the backdrop of the lake while local treasures Johnny Russo and the East Hill Classic Jazz band perform on the State Park’s stage. (photo: Facebook)
2 0 1 9
JU
Space is limited for this free program, and registration is required.
Rd, Ithaca | At this Full Moon fire we will be gifting the ‘Starkeeper’s Rites’ of the Munay-Ki for all who wish to receive.
Tuesday Morning Story Hour | 10:15 AM, 7/23 Tuesday | Candor Free Library, 2 Bank St, Candor |
Open Mic Night | 7:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Dryden Community Center Cafe, 1 W Main St, Dryden |
Family Story Time | 10:30 AM, 7/23 Tuesday | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs and fun. There is a different theme each week.
Beginner Bird Walks | 8:30 AM, 7/20 Saturday | Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca | Guided bird walks every Saturday and Sunday morning, sponsored by the Cayuga Bird Club. For more information, go to the club’s website, http://www. cayugabirdclub.org/calendar
Stories in the Park | 11:30 AM, 7/23 Tuesday | DeWitt Park, Cayuga St., | Cuddle-up Infant & Toddler Library Time | 10:00 AM, 7/24 Wednesday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden |
The Public Universal Friend: Religion and Gender in the Era of the American Revolution | 2:00 PM, 7/20 Saturday | Tompkins Center for History and Culture, 110 N Tioga St., Ithaca | The History Center in Tompkins County is excited to present the first CUP talk in its new space, with Paul, a Professor of Early American History at SUNY Brockport.
Youth Summer Reading Events: Space Crafts | 3:30 PM, 7/24 Wednesday | Van Etten Library, 83 Main Street, Van Etten |
Notices
Community Cafe Poetry Share | 2:00 PM, 7/21 Sunday | Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden Rd (Rt. 366), Dryden | Poetry Share, your own or your favorite poem.
Picnics, Potlucks and Parties | 7:00 PM, 7/17 Wednesday | The Classrooms at GreenStar, 700 W. Buffalo St, Ithaca | Learn how to make a delicious and balanced vegan meal that you can eat inside or out. Samples and recipes provided. | $10/GreenStar members; $12/non-members.
Tablet Talk | 2:00 PM, 7/22 Monday | Van Etten Library, 83 Main Street, Van Etten | Bring your device and your questions
Candor Farmers Market | 3:30 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Candor Town Hall Pavilion, 101 Owego Road, Candor | 18 Vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, jams, maple syrup, honey, tea, herbs, plants, soaps, hand crafts, tool sharpening and more! Animation Movie Night | 6:30 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | Enjoy some of the best animation from Denmark and beyond. Registration appreciated. Summer Jewish Film Festival | 7:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Temple Beth El, Social Hall, 402 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca | $8 check or cash only MUMC Check-It-Out Thrift Shoppe | 9:00 AM, 7/19 Friday | Check It Out Thrift Shop, 6609 Turnpike Road, Mecklenburg | High quality used items at reasonable prices.†Each Friday and Saturday this summer.
Free Adult Tutoring Services | 10:00 AM, 7/23 Tuesday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Learn reading, writing, math and job-related skills.† Drop-ins welcome.† Teachers provided by the Literacy Volunteers of Seneca County.
THE 109TH ANNUAL SPENCER PICNIC Wednesday July 17th thru Saturday July 20th | Village of Spencer & Nichols Park | The Spencer Picnic is one of the longest running Town/Village fairs in the US. This year is the 109th consecutive celebration! The park opens each night at 6PM and at 12PM on Saturday. This year’s theme commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Woodstock Festival. Each night of the picnic will feature theme-inspired events, foods, and demonstrations. (photo: Facebook)
Ovid Farmers Market | 3:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Papa Bear Building (Ovid Courthouse), 7175 Main St., Ovid | Unveiling Ithaca’s Living Past Tour | 4:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Tompkins Center for History and Culture, 110 N Tioga St., Ithaca | Focuses on elements
of living, working and playing in and around what we now know as The Commons from both historical and current perspectives.
60’s rock with Mario and the Alrights to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first human lunar landing. Rain or shine.
Concert on the Lawn | 5:30 PM, 7/19 Friday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | Enjoy
Community Fire Ceremony - Starkeeper’s Rite | 7:00 PM, 7/19 Friday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill
Open Hearts Dinner | 5:00 PM, 7/24 Wednesday | McKendree UMC, 224 Owego St., Candor | Come and join in the fun. Whether you are looking for fellowship or a free meal this one’s
Make Your Own Kombucha | 7:00 PM, 7/24 Wednesday | The Classrooms at GreenStar, 700 W. Buffalo St, Ithaca | Learn about the health benefits of kombucha and how to brew it at home. Samples provided. Please register. | $10/Members; $12/non-members
Health Exercise Class for Seniors | 8:30 AM, Tuesdays & Thursdays | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Take off Pounds Sensibly | 6:00 PM, 7/18 Thursday | Candor Town Hall, 101 Owego Road, Candor | Contact Jean Dewey 659-9969 or jmdewey@ frontiernet.net Sacred Sunday Community at Yoga Farm | 9:00 AM, 7/21 Sunday | Yoga Farm, 404 Conlon Rd, Lansing | All are Welcome. Discover Your Self & Awaken Your Kindest Humanity. Pray. Move. Sit. Connect. Open Meditation | 10:30 AM, 7/21 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca | Dance Church Ithaca | 11:30 AM, 7/21 Sunday | Fine Spirit Studio, 201 Dey Street, 2nd Floor, Ithaca | A free-movement and conscious dance experience for all ages held weekly. | $5 suggested donation Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous | 4:00 PM, 7/21 Sunday | Community Recovery Center, 518 W Seneca St, Ithaca | FA is a free 12-Step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating, or bulimia. foodaddicts. org. Additional meetings held Mondays @ 7pm and Saturdays at 8am. Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step meeting | 7:00 PM, 7/22 Monday | Just Be Cause Center, 1013 W State St, Ithaca |
MY BIG FAT ITALIAN COMEDY FESTIVAL
JULY 19 THROUGH AUGUST 4
Various locations including Corning Museum of Glass, Rockwell Museum and the Clemens Center | Founded by Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser after he first visited the area in 2003. Captivated by the area’s majestic mountains, he believed it was the perfect place for a classical music festival, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery. The mission the Festival is to bring world-renowned musicians to enrich the cultural, economic and educational life of the Twin Tiers region. (photo: Facebook)
THURSDAY, JULY 18 THROUGH SATURDAY, JULY 20 AT 8:00PM
Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St., Auburn | Maybe you’re in the mood to laugh this weekend? Then Auburn is the spot for you! They have three nights of comedy lined up with sets from Joe DeVito, Tammy Pescatelli (pictured) and Jeff Jena. (photo: Facebook)
Ju ly
JUMP TK
Smith Opera House Tours | 10:00 AM, Wednesdays | Smith Center for the Arts, 82 Seneca St, Geneva | The public is invited to experience a bit of Smith lore and enjoy its unique architecture and decor via a tour of the theater.
Historic Map Talk w/ Bob Kibbee | 6:30 PM, 7/24 Wednesday | Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, 7169 N Main St, Ovid | Kibbee will discuss the Military Tract Survey of the Backbone Ridge area of the Finger Lakes National Forms.
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
ThisWeek
ENDLESS MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Car Pride of Ithaca Open Club Meet | 5:00 PM, 7/23 Tuesday | Ithaca Wal-Mart parking lot, Memorial fairgrounds parkway, Ithaca |
for you. Contact: Denice Peckins denicepeckins@hotmail.com
I t h a c a T i m e s 25
Town & Country
Classifieds In Print
|
On Line |
10 Newspapers
277-7000 Phone: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm Fax: 277-1012 (24 Hrs Daily)
| 59,200 Readers
Internet: www.ithaca.com Mail: Ithaca Times Classified Dept PO Box 27 Ithaca NY 14850 In Person: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm 109 North Cayuga Street
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
BOYS IN BERRIES LLC DBA WARD’S BERRY FARM
PITTFIELD, MAneeds 4 temporary work-
ers 7/20/2019 to 10/31/2019, work tools,
cost to worker. Housing will be available
SHARON, MA needs 4 temporary worksupplies, equipment provided withou cost to worker. Housing will be available without cost to workers who cannot reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the word day. Transportation reimbursement and subsistence is provided upon completion of 15 days or 50% of the work contract. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of the workdays during the
AUTOMOTIVE
BUY SELL TRADE
EMPLOYMENT
contract period. Workers not required to work extra hours offered. $13.25 per hr. or applicable piece rate. Applicants apply at, Employment and Training Resources, 274 Prospect St., Norwood, MA or apply for the job at the nearest local office of the SWA. Job order #12185317. Work may include, but not limited to: Plant,
100/Automotive
200/Buy / Sell / Trade
CASH FOR CARS!
DISH TV
We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled
Over 190 Channels Now ONLY $69.99/
– it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and
mo! 2yr price guarantee, FREE Instal-
same day cash! NEWER MODELS too!
lation! Save HUNDREDS over Cable
Call 866-535-9689 (AAN CAN)
and DIRECTV. Add Internet as low as
400/Employment The U.S. Census Bureau
is now recruiting thousands of Census Takers in your area. Nobody knows your community better than you! Visit 2020census.gov/jobs to learn more! (NYSCAN)
$14.95/mo! Call Now 1-800-373-6508
140/Cars
425/Education
(AAN CAN)
Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free
250/Merchandise
towing and your donation is 100% tax
83” couch, dark green, very good
deductible. Call: 315-400-0797 Today!
shape, $150.00; Chaise Lounge
(NYSCAN)
(England?), good shape $50.00. 607319-1608
AIRLINE CAREERS
Start Here –Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094 (NYSCAN)
430/General
Place Your Ad
Ithaca’s only
hometown electrical distributor Your one Stop Shop
Since 1984 802 W. Seneca St. Ithaca 607-272-1711 fax: 607-272-3102 www.fingerlakeselectric.com
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
Go to ithaca.com/classifieds
cultivate and harvest various crops such as, but not limited to vegetables, fruits, horticultural specialties and field crops. Use hand tools, such as, but not limited to, shovels, hoes, pruning shears, knives, and ladders. Duties may include but are not limited to, tilling the soil. applying fertilizer, transplanting, weeding, thinning, pruning, applying general use pesticides under the supervision of a licensed applicator, picking, cutting, cleaning, sorting, packing, processing, and handling harvested products. May set up operate and repair farm machinery, repair fences and farm buildings, also may participate in irrigation activities Work is usually performed outdoors, sometimes under hot or cold and/or wet conditions. Work requires
26 T
h e
866-585-6050
supplies, equipment provided without without cost to workers who cannot
senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. 1-855-993-2495 (AAN CAN)
reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the workday. Transportation reimbursement and subsistence is provided upon completion of 15 days or 50% of the work contract. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of the workdays during the contact period. Workers not required to work extra hours offered. #13.25 per hr. or applicable
AFFORDABLE NEW SIDING!
Beautify your home! Save on monthly energy bills with beautiful NEW SIDING from 1800 Remodel! Up to 18 months no interest. Restrictions apply 855-773-1675 (NYSCAN)
piece rate. Applicants apply at Berkshire Works Career Center, 160 North St., Pittsfield, MA 413-499-2220 or apply for the job at the nearest local office of the SWA. Job order #12189939. Plant, cultivate and harvest various crops, such as but not limited to, Vegetables, fruits, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools such as, but not limited
BATHROOM RENOVATIONS
EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no-slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 888-657-9488. (NYSCAN)
to, shovels, hoes, pruning shears, knives, and ladders. Duties may include but not limited to, tiling the soil, applying fertilizer, transplanting , weeding, thinning, pruning, picking, cutting, cleaning, and handling harvested products. May operate farm machinery, repair fences, farm buildings, and set up irrigation. Work is
COMPUTER ISSUES?
FREE DIAGNOSIS by GEEKS ON
SITE! Virus Removal, Data Recovery! 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE, In-home repair/On-line solutions . $20 OFF ANY SERVICE! 844-892-3990 (NYSCAN)
usually performed outdoors, sometimes under hot or cold conditions. work is physically demanding, requiring workers to bend, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs. duties may require working off the ground at heights up to 20 ft. using ladders or climbing. At least one month experience in duties listed required.
to 50lbs on a frequent basis. Duties may
Denied Social Security Disability?
Appeal! If you’re 50+, filed for SSD and denied, our attorneys can help get you
approved! No money out of pockets! Call 1-844-218-7289 (AAN CAN)
DIVORCE $349
require working off the ground at heights
Uncontested divorce papers prepared.
up to 20 ft using ladders or climbing.
Only one signature required. Poor person
Requires 30 days experience in fruit and vegetable dutes listed.
805/Business Services
Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. 518-274-0380 (NYSCAN)
JOB OPPORTUNITY:
$18 P/H NYC - $15 P/H LI- $14.50 UPSTATE NY. If you currently care for your relatives or friends who have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible to start working for them as a personal assistant. No Certificates needed. (347)462-2610 (347)565-6200 (NYSCAN)
Professional Installation are you starting a business? A FULL LINE OF Custom VINYL made & manufactured AREPLACEMENT FULL LINE OF VINYL WINDOWS by… Let Us help You! REPLACEMENT WINDOWS Call for Free Estimate & Call for Free Estimate & Professional Installation 3/54( We have been in business since 1980 specializing in streaming Professional Installation Custom made & manufactured Custom made & manufactured 3%.%#! audio and video. Our team of experts can build you a website by… by… with features such as search engine optimization, tracking 6).9, web site visitors, listing on Facebook. Check us out on Romulus, NY 3/54( 3/54( 315-585-6050 www.ithacawebsitedesign.com 3%.%#! 3%.%#! or Toll Free at Call us at 607-272-9175 we are open Monday to Friday 9am. 6).9, to answer your questions. 6).9, 866-585-6050
www.SouthSenecaWindows.com Romulus, NY Romulus, NY 315-585-6050 or 315-585-6050 Toll Free at I t h a c a 866-585-6050 Tori m e sFree / at July 17– 23 , Toll
ers 8/1/2019 to 10/24/2019, work tools,
A PLACE FOR MOM
has helped over a million families find
workers to bend, stoop, lift and carry up
REPLACEMENT A FULL LINE OF VINYL Ithaca WebsIte DesIgn Manufacture To InstallREPLACEMENT WINDOWS REPLACEMENT Do you have a business? WINDOWS We Do Call It forAll Free Estimate & WINDOWS
YOKUN SEAT INC.
EMPLOYMENT
PIANOS
• Rebuilt • Reconditioned • Bought• Sold • Moved • Tuned • Rented
Complete rebuilding services. No job too big or too small. Call us.
Ithaca Piano Rebuilders (607) 272-6547 950 Danby Rd., Suite 26
South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca, NY
2 0 1 9
JU
SERVICES
SERVICES
SERVICES
ENERGY SAVING NEW WINDOWS!
Get DIRECTV!
ONLY $35/month! 155 Channels & 1000s
Piano/Guitar Lessons
energy bills with NEW WINDOWS from
(w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS
Beautify your home! Save on monthly 1800Remodel! Up to 18 months no
interest. Restrictions apply. Call Now 1-855-900-7192 (AAN CAN)
of Shows/Movies On Demand Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 (NYSCAN)
Finally, affordable hearing aids!!
High-quality Nano hearing aids are
You And Your Family May Be Entitled To
251-2290 (NYSCAN)
866-951-9073 for Information. No Risk.
607.272.1504 Lawn maintenance,
spring + fall clean up + gutter cleaning,
patios, retaining walls, + walkways, land-
RESIDENTIAL
Spectrum Triple Play!
ORGANIZER
Over 35 yrs. exp. Children-Adults Masters Degree Ithaca Area & Lansing Call 607-262-0256
Need a roommate?
Roommates.com will help you find your Perfect Match™ today! (AAN CAN)
scape design + installation. Drainage.
Spectrum Triple Play! TV, Internet &
Let’s mak your home a more organized,
Voice for $99.97/mo. Fastest Internet.
functional,peaceful place! Residential
100 MB per second speed. Free
organizer Leslie 607-262-4073 www.
Primetime on Demand. Unlimited Voice.
wellkeptspacesfix@gmail.com
NO CONTRACTS. Call 1-855-977-7198
us on Facebook!
ithaca.com/classifieds
(NYSCAN)
Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES
DONATE YOUR CAR
alone I’m never
One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7.
Wheels For Wishes
benefiting
Make-A-Wish ® Central New York * We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not
Help at Home with
GPS ! ®
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
Batteries Never Need Charging.
* We Also Accept Boats, Motorcycles & RVs
FIRST AID
! FREE
Help On-the-Go
KIT
* Free Vehicle Pickup ANYWHERE
WHEN YOU ORDER!
For a FREE brochure call:
1-800-404-9776 Discover the world’s best walk-in bathtub from
* 100% Tax Deductible
WheelsForWishes.org
1 2
Includes FREE American StandardRight Height Toilet
Limited Time Offer! Call Today!
518-281-6455
ABUSED by CLERGY in NEW YORK? NEW LAW! ACT NOW. If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse, New York law allows you to take action against the perpetrator and institution that protected him or her.
Begin your journey of healing today. Contact us now about the NEW YORK CHILD VICTIMS ACT.
57 West 57th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10019
888-609-0248 Receive a free American Standard Cadet toilet with full installation of a Liberation Walk-In Bath, Liberation Shower, or Deluxe Shower. Offer valid only while supplies last. Limit one per household. Must be first time purchaser. See www.walkintubs.americanstandard-us.com for other restrictions and for licensing, warranty, and company information. CSLB B982796; Suffolk NY:55431H; NYC:HIC#2022748-DCA. Safety Tubs Co. LLC does not sell in Nassau NY, Westchester NY, Putnam NY, Rockland NY.
3 4 5
Backed by American Standard’s 140 years of experience $ Ultra low entry for easy entering and exiting Patented Quick Drain® fast water removal system Lifetime Warranty on the bath AND installation, INCLUDING labor backed by American Standard 44 Hydrotherapy jets for an invigorating massage
1,50
SAVING0 S
FREE IN-HOME EVALUATION!
DEMAND JUSTICE Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy or by authority figures at school have rights.
Call:(315)400-0797
* Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. To learn more about our programs or financial information, call (213) 948-2000 or visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.
DENTAL Insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company
5 Reasons American Standard Walk-In Tubs are Your Best Choice
A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve! CALL NOW!
FREE Information Kit
1-855-225-1434
Get help paying dental bills and keep more money in your pocket This is real dental insurance — NOT just a discount plan You can get coverage before your next checkup
Don’t wait! Call now and we’ll rush you a FREE Information Kit with all the details.
1-855-225-1434 Visit us online at
www.dental50plus.com/nypress
Insurance Policy P150NY 6129
MB17-NM003Ec
community solar with Go Solar. Save Money.
No Rooftop Panels Required.
BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY SOLAR: Save up to 10% on your annual electricity cost.
No installation of any equipment on your roof or property.
Your utility will stay the same, and you can continue using a third-party supplier.
No upfront costs or long-term contracts that lock you in for years.
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY LAW HAVE EXTENDED THE TIME PERIOD IN WHICH TO FILE YOUR SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIM. ACT NOW TO GET YOUR CLAIM TIMELY FILED.
CLERGY ABUSE ATTORNEY HOTLINE 800-444-9112 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING DOUGLAS & LONDON, P.C. 59 MAIDEN LN, 6TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10038 THE MATTHEWS LAW FIRM, PLLC, 244 5TH AVENUE, SUITE 2882, NY, NY 10001 MAIN OFFICE: 2905 SACKETT STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098
Ju ly
JUMP TK
Your Ad
or visit http://tripleplaytoday.com/press
Life Alert® is always here for me even when away from home.
Snow Removal. Dumpster rentals. Find
646-493-1850
SERVICES
Significant Cash Award. Call No Money Out Of Pocket. (NYSCAN)
Four Seasons Landscaping Inc.
SERVICES
Lung Cancer? And Age 60+?
priced 90% less than other brands. Buy one/get one free! 60-day free trial. 866-
SERVICES
visit centralNY.nexamp.com to learn more or call 877-285-8264
1 7 – 23 ,
2 0 1 9
/ T h e
I t h a c a T i m e s 27
BackPage
LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!
No Health Insurance? No Problem!
Start with 30 Days of
Free Medical and Holistic Care!
cbrong@ithactimes.com
UNLIMITED Yoga for $40!
Medicaid Enrollment & Medical Debt Advocacy
277-7000 p h o n e 277-1012 f a x
Discover what
Ithaca Free Clinic (607)330-1254
everyone’s talking about!
521 West Seneca Street |www.ithacahealth.org
For rates and information contact Cyndi Brong at
Enabling youth to thrive
MIGHTY YOGA Voted Best of Ithaca
NOW OPEN ON THE COMMONS
Visii www.mightyyoga.com 272-0682
CFCU Transformation Center
4 Seasons
in school, work, and life
Landscaping Inc.
Explore Tompkins County Youth
Looking to Boost your Summer
Services Department
Business this year?
PEACEFUL SPIRIT TAI CHI
Call Larry at 607-277-7000 ext 214
Traditional Yang Style, Modified
Find out about great summer ad packages at
NEW EVENING: MONDAYS 7:30-8:30 PM
Ithaca.com & Ithaca Times
Beginning on 06 MAY 2019
607-272-1504 lawn maintenance
tompkinscountyny.gov/youth
spring + fall clean up + gutter cleaning patios, retaining walls, + walkways landscape design + installation
Enhancing the Second Half
drainage
Lifelong
snow removal dumpster rentals Find us on Facebook!
607-257-8500
Centerline Fitness, 335 Elmira Road
Love dogs?
Anthony Fazio, L.Ac., D.A.O.M. (c)
Check out Cayuga Dog Rescue!
admin@peacefulspiritacupuncture.com
119 West Court St., Ithaca
Adopt! Foster! Volunteer! Donate for vet care!
607-272-0114
607-273-1511 tclifelong.org
www.cayugadogrescue.org www.facebook.com/CayugaDogRescue
A Vibrant, Active Community Center
Independence Cleaners Corp
Men’s and Women’s Alterations
For Learning, Activities, Social Groups
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
for over 20 years
And More! For Adults 50+
Janitorial Service * Floor/Carpet
Lifelong
High Dusting * Windows/Awnings
119 West Court St., Ithaca
24/7 CLEANING Services
607-273-1511 tclifelong.org
607-227-3025
Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair. Same Day Service Available
John’s Tailor Shop John Serferlis - Tailor 102 The Commons 273-3192
AAM ALL ABOUT MACS Macintosh Consulting
& Auction Co-Find us on FB or on our website Call us 607-708-4244 THINKING ABOUT SOLAR?
NOW IS THE TIME! 30% Federal Tax Credits Gone Next Year!
ETM Solar Works 607-785-6499 times@etmsolar.com
ITHACA NEWS
MINDFULNESS
Delivered to your inbox every day
STRESS REDUCTION
Vineyard Vines
at Island Health & Fitness
Available EXCLUSIVELY in Ithaca
in partnership with Cayuga Medical Center
at Benjamin Peters
277-3861
120 Ithaca Commons
Ithaca Times Daily
http://www.allaboutmacs.com
Text ITHACA to 22828 to sign up
(607) 280-4729
The Phoenix Estate and
Ithaca news delivered to your inbox every day Text ITHACA to 22828 to sign up! 28 T
h e
Ithac a T imes
/
July
17– 23 ,
2 0 1 9