N ews line
Ithaca Launches DRI Local Planning Committee
By Grant Terwilliger
The city of Ithaca announced the creation of its Downtown Renaissance project and planning committee in a press release from July 7 after the City received a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant in April.
Ithaca’s DRI Local Planning Committee will guide the planning of the DRI area and its projects, receive community feedback and help in the creation of projects that reflect the priorities of the community, the city’s press release said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul created the New York Forward program in 2022 that restores downtowns of rural communities. The DRI grant was created in 2016 by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the grant provides $10 million to promote downtown restoration in one city in each region of New York each year.
According to the press release, the LPC will be co-chaired by Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo and Tom Schryver, a member of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council. The committee will include local residents, business owners and community leaders.
Last year, the city ofIthaca was denied a DRI grant for the eighth time. The city had hired a grant writing consultant for $40,000 to strengthen applications focusing the DRI area on the West End and West State Street Corridor.
Past feedback from grant reviewers has suggested that Ithaca’s continued economic activity and connection to Cornell University has made Ithaca a lower priority compared to other applicants. Binghamton was awarded the DRI grant last year, and the village of Dryden was chosen for a $4.5 million NY Forward grant last year.
“Our proposal focuses on the Downtown Corridor, an underdeveloped and underutilized area with unmatched potential,” Cantelmo said in a letter included in the DRI round nine application. “This corridor connects the Route 13 Corridor to the Commons along West State/MLK Jr. Street and sits at the intersection of higher education, the waterfront, and regional transportation routes.”
The DRI area includes the Commons, West State Street and MLK Jr. Street corridor, including the blocks on either side of West State Street and MLK Jr. Street. The DRI area may be amended by the LPC during the planning process.
The timeline of the project started in April with the announcement of the grant.
In June the LPC was formed and a downtown profile was started. The LPC will meet once a month until the end of the year.
There will be two public workshops, a community survey and tabling at local events, the press release said. Ithaca DRI will accept local project submissions for funding consideration through an open call for projects in August.
Shryver said that the original application is a starting point for projects in the DRI plan, and that they may have changed since then. The open call for projects allows other projects that weren’t thought of to be included in the DRI project.
“I think it’s really important that the process be open to input and that the LPC has a chance to come together after it’s collected to then come to a consensus.
Continued on Page 4
X Sen. Lea Webb Launches 4th Annual Back to School Supplies Drive for Teachers
By Mikayla Rovenolt
O n July 13, New York State Senator Lea Webb launched her 4th Annual Back to School Supplies Drive for Teachers. This initiative is focused on providing essential school supplies to educators and their students as they gear up for the upcoming academic year. The supplies drive will take place from July 13 through Aug. 10.
Sen. Webb announced 11 collection points across Senate District 52, which includes Tompkins County, Cortland County and part of Broome County. These collection points will ensure that teachers and students have access to the tools they need for a successful year of learning.
The collection locations for Tompkins County include Sen. Webb’s District Office (Ithaca), 217 North Aurora St, STE. 110, Ithaca; the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County, 50 Graham Rd W, Ithaca; and Ulysses Philomathic Library, 74 E Main St., Trumansburg.
“Teachers show up for our students every single day, often spending their own money to make sure their classrooms have the supplies children need to learn,” Webb said. “My fourth annual Teacher Supply Drive is an opportunity for our community to show up for them in return. Thanks to the incredible generosity of residents across Senate District 52, we collected thousands of school supply donations last year, making a meaningful difference for
educators preparing for the school year. I hope we can build on that success again this year.”
“Teachers invest so much of themselves in helping our children learn and succeed, and too often they’re purchasing classroom supplies out of their own pockets,” Gunnar Madison, Regional Executive Director, YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County and Cortland County Family YMCA said. “This school supply drive is a simple but meaningful way for our community to give back to the educators who give so much every day. The YMCA is proud to partner in this effort and help ensure local teachers have the resources they need to create welcoming, successful classrooms for every student.”
LIV / NO. 45 / July 22, 2026
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A view of downtown Ithaca. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)
IN UIRING PHOTOGR PHER Q A
By Mark Syvertson
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
“ALL THESE PICTURES WERE TAKEN ON THE SAME STREET IN DOWNTOWN ITHACA. THE QUESTION: WHICH STREET?”
NOTE: If readers wish to participate in the Ithaca Times’ Inquiring Photographer column, contact Mark Syvertson at marksyvertsonphotography@gmail.com
New York Governor Kathy Hochul Signs Nation’s First Moratorium on Data Centers
By Mikayla Rovenolt
On July 14, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an Executive Order to create a oneyear moratorium on new hyperscale data centers. New York is the first state to issue such a moratorium, which establishes standards for data center development.
The moratorium temporarily pauses New York state environmental permits for up to one year in order to build a regulatory framework that protects ratepayers, the environment, the energy grid and communities across the state, according to a press release.
“New York has always been at the forefront of innovation and change but we’ve also always guaranteed that New Yorkers benefit,” Gov. Hochul said. “As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead. New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too.”
According to the press release, New York state is experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for data center development driven by artificial intelligence and other computing operations. The increase in demand has led to proposals across the state for the construction and operation of data centers that could require massive amounts of energy and water to run and cool thousands of computer servers.
Earlier this year, the Hochul directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to begin the Energize NY proceeding, which will require data centers to either pay more for their energy or supply their own, allowing the state to keep energy more affordable for New Yorkers.
As part of that proceeding, the governor is also directing DPS to develop a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) for data centers to ensure new data
ITHACA LAUNCHES
continued from page 3
Please see the July 29 edition for the correct answer, and tag the Ithaca Times on social media with your guess. That to me is such an important part of the process,” Shryver said in a statement to
centers coming online are held to consistent standards. During the development of this GEIS, which will take up to a year, a moratorium will be in place and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete.
The press release states that the state will use the GEIS to assess the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of data centers in the state, including their effect on energy demand, water use and quality, and air quality.
Once the state finalizes these standards, the release states the moratorium will be lifted, allowing new data center projects to proceed as long as they follow state, zoning code and other local approvals.
Gov. Hochul also directed Empire State Development (ESD) to issue a community investment framework (CIF) within 60 days, which will provide clear guidance to local entities to help them negotiate community benefits as part of any large-scale data center deal, including local infrastructure improv ements, child care investments, and direct financial support for their community.
The CIF will also establish frameworks that provide organized labor a seat at the table and prioritize prevailing wage standards and project labor agreements for data center construction, local hiring, apprenticeships and workforce development to maximize economic benefits. This framework will additionally include a formula to help communities assess where to begin investment negotiations.
An outline of the CIF is currently available on ESD’s website, and Hochul encourages the public to submit feedback.
Additionally, the Gov. Hochul is directing DPS to consider creating a New York Grid Acceleration Fund to require data centers to invest in the state’s aging grid infrastructure and energy needs so all New Yorkers benefit from responsible development.
The fund could support the procurement of new clean energy supply and
establishment of an insurance pool to which developers may need to contribute to protect against speculative large loads that create uncertainty and increase costs.
DPS will also consider approaches to require data centers to fund new clean electric generation dedicated to their operations, including but not limited to customer-sited distributed energy resources and battery storage.
Gov. Hochul is also pursuing legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for massive data centers across the state.
This executive order comes a month after members of No Data Center FLX presented a petition to the Lansing town board on June 17 opposing TeraWulf’s planned data center in the former Cayuga Power Plant at Milliken Station.
No Data Center FLX was formed in September 2025 by FLX Strong, Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now and Sustainable Finger Lakes, among other local organizations, to oppose TeraWulf’s proposed data center by Cayuga Lake.
“While we are pleased to see the Governor responding to the groundswell of public opposition to data centers, there are significant and meaningful differences between the Executive Order she issued and the moratorium bill passed by the legislature, and we will continue to advocate that she sign the legislature’s bill as written,” Kenneth Wolkin, president of FLX Strong, said in a statement to the Ithaca Times.
“We are currently gathering more information as to precisely how this executive order will impact upon Terawulf’s ecocidal development intentions in Lansing, though we expect this will cause significant delays in certain aspects of the permitting process.”
the Ithaca Times. “We want to solicit and be open to a variety of different perspectives and voices, not just the loudest and certainly not just our own.”
The LPC will meet once a month to
review conditions, priorities, goals, proposals and work towards creating the final plan known as the Strategic Investment Plan. The meetings are open to the public and will include a 10 minute public comment period.
Governor Hochul holds a roundtable with Upstate Leaders & Businesses on Nation Leading Action on Data Centers (Photo: Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
Ithaca Common Council Approves $1.7M Purchase of Former Army Depot for Possible Housing Development
By Philip O’Dell
The City of Ithaca acquired a former military site on Ithaca’s West Hill with plans to transform the property into affordable housing.
The Ithaca Common Council voted 9 to 1 to purchase the former SSG Reynold J. King U.S. Army Reserve Center at 101 Sunrise Road for $1.7 million during its July 8 meeting.
The resolution authorizes the acting city manager to sign the purchase offer, subject to approval by the city attorney.
Mayor Robert Cantelmo said the city plans to transform the 5.67-acre former Army depot into housing. The property became available after the U.S. General Services Administration designated it as surplus and offered it to New York state, Tompkins County, and the City of Ithaca. Cantelmo said the July 8 meeting was the time for a public debate to occur before the vote took place.
“This is our opportunity to discuss it, because it’s a very prescribed process how the federal government divests property,” Cantelmo said.
Cantelmo said the city will make an initial $170,000 money deposit using its general fund balance. This deposit will provide the city controller’s office with the necessary time to assemble a complete financing and funding package before the final transaction is executed.
Once the acquisition is complete, the city plans to issue a request for expression of interest to attract developers, Cantelmo said.
An REOI is a formal notice that solicits qualified vendors before a competitive bidding process begins.
Cantelmo said the city will vet proposals to ensure they align with local housing goals before the city or its designee selects a winning bid.
Cantelmo said if the city declined the offer, the property would have gone to a public auction and been purchased by the highest bidder, leaving the city with no say
UPS DOWNS&
By Kaeleigh Banda Ups
World Cup watch parties taking place in venues across Ithaca have helped raise over $4,000 for Ithaca Welcomes Refugees. Ithaca Welcomes Refugees is a community initiative and nonprofit organization that aims to build support for refugees and at-risk immigrants in Tompkins County.
Downs
A fox reportedly acted erratically and bit a person on July 10. Tompkins County Whole Health reported that a suspected rabid fox was captured in the Stone Quarry/Elmira Road area, and is believed to be the same fox as reported prior. The fox was tested for rabies at the State Lab, and the test came back positive for the rabies virus on July 16. If any person or pet has made contact with a fox in that area, Tompkins County Whole Health recommends calling its Environmental Health Division at (607) 274-6688 and asking to speak with someone on the rabies team. A small number of rabid animals are confirmed in Tompkins County every year. Taking caution around unknown animals is always recommended, as the rabies virus is a potentially fatal disease.
in its redevelopment.
Alderperson David Shapiro cast the sole dissenting vote due to concerns over the price and the city’s ability to plan large redevelopment projects. He said the city’s purchase of the former Bowl-O-Drome property in 2025 still lacks a development plan. Shapiro questioned the logic of acquiring another major property.
“I do question both the idea of the expense and our capacity to plan projects to
Continued on Page 12
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Does Ithaca need a more diverse restaurant scene?
Yes.
No.
I don’t care.
Do you support the city's purchase of the former military site on West Hill for housing development? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
HEARD SEEN&
Heard
Annie Ol’ Thyme is performing 6-8 p.m. on July 23 at Danby Food and Drink. The band performs a mix of traditional bluegrass, old-time tunes and originals. The music trio is known for highlighting three-part harmonies with fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo and a “lingerie board.” There is a suggested donation of $5 to $10 for attendees, and all proceeds go to the artist. Attendees will also have access to purchase sandwiches, snacks, draft beverages and non-alcoholic options inside. Food or drink from off-site is not allowed.
Seen
The City of Ithaca launched a new online tool that is designed to help people easily report and track building code, property maintenance and habitability concerns. Residents, tenants and community members can use the tool, and it can connect users to the City’s Building Division. The tool aims to improve the quality of the user experience through transparency. The person who submits the complaint can view and track how and when City of Ithaca Building Division staff respond. Some examples of uses are reporting no heat or warm water, code complaints, exterior maintenance issues and more. The tool can be found through the “Get Help” menu on the City of Ithaca website.
IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write editor@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”
Pictured is the former Army Reserve Center located at 101 Sunrise Road in Ithaca. The Ithaca Common Council approved the property’s purchase for $1.7 million during its July 8 meeting. (Photo: Provided)
The former SSG Reynold J. King U.S. Army Reserve Center is located at 101 Sunrise Road in Ithaca. On July 8, the Common Council voted 9 to 1 to purchase the property for $1.7 million. (Photo: Provided)
The Talk at
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Ithaca Times Readers
Potholes Are Harmful to Unsuspecting Motorists
“As a public service, I warn all unsuspecting motorists travelling south on Taughannock Blvd. in the left lane waiting on the green arrow toward Pete’s Laundry on W. Buffalo St., be mindful of a new (to me anyway) pothole...the kind that rattles your bones even at 4mph. My 2 dogs and I were returning home after our very first free rein runabout in about two months because one of them had to have a toe amputated and her little emulooking foot had finally healed.
It was then that the pothole struck as we were leaving that congested-at-anytime-of-day inter-section and in less than 5 blocks I realized we were riding on the wheel, it’s tire flapping about on the breeze. I always keep my treads properly inflated, especially in 90 degree heat. Or it could be only fifteen degrees, like it was just this past January, when the other front tire met
the same fate, only then we (again the dogs and I) were doing more like 60mph on route 96 headed to Jacksonville. But there are some pretty hefty roadholes as you leave the city on 96 as well. Of course there are.” —
Lynn Metrulis
Ithaca Common Council Must Support Worker Protections
“Without anyone saying a word, you can feel what it’s like to work somewhere: it’s the difference between a staff that’s relaxed and easy with each other and one where everyone’s on edge and looking over their shoulder. You can practically sense it the moment you walk through the door. I worked in food service in Ithaca fifteen years ago, and I can still read that room. I saw plenty of good bosses, but I also saw terrible behavior: wage theft, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment — including a young woman threatened with termination for turning down a manager’s advances. Too often, these workers felt they couldn’t speak up for fear of losing their only income. That silence is exactly what just-cause worker protections are built to break, and it’s why I’m urging Ithaca to pass them for every worker in this city, without exception.
I understand the concerns of our small business owners: the economy is fraught, margins are thin, and one more rule or mandate can feel like more than they can handle. Many local business owners have
claimed that these protections are unnecessary because they already treat their workers well and give them security and dignity. I am glad to take them at their word, and those upstanding employers will have nothing to fear from this statute: a just-cause standard will ask nothing of a workplace that already follows it, and it stops the bad actors from undercutting them. Just cause is a shield against unfair competition.
A carve-out, however, would leave too many workers exposed. Much of the worst treatment I witnessed wasn’t at large employers; it was at small shops, with no formal HR policies and owners who answered to no one but themselves. An exemption would abandon many of the workers who need these protections the most.
I’ve sat on the other side of this issue as well. As a manager, I have had to let people go — something I never took lightly, doing it only after naming the problem, working with the employees, and trying to help them course correct (which they usually did). A just-cause standard asks for nothing more than a reason and a record. What it forbids is arbitrary dismissal and retaliation — the kinds of behaviors I witnessed later in my career in renewable energy construction, where I saw hard working, diligent people pushed out for fighting against wage theft or unsafe working conditions — or simply for having basic boundaries like refusing to answer emails and texts at all hours of the evening or on weekends. One, a top performing salesperson, was forced out after asking for a schedule adjustment to care for her sick child.
The reasons they were fired were all
illegal, but the stated reasons were always something else. Just-cause protections will strip away that pretext, allowing workers to finally assert their already existing rights.
I also know that doing the reverse pays: when I became a front-of-house manager at a restaurant, investing in the well-being of my staff cut turnover and raised sales per customer by more than a third. The same practices later dramatically lifted output per labor hour in the renewable energy sector too. Treating workers with dignity and giving them security isn’t just decent — it’s also better for business.
Ithaca prides itself on leading with its values. We have a chance to write some of our most closely held ones into law: that no one’s livelihood should hinge on another’s mood, that standing up for what’s right should never cost you your job, and that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If you share those convictions, please tell your Common Council members plainly: pass just cause employment protections for every worker in Ithaca, without exception. Too many workers have been forced to stay silent for fear of losing everything — but we can break that silence for them.” — John King, Ithaca NY
A Change in Expectations Can Prevent Youth Incarserations
“I volunteered for over 30 years in maximum security prisons with the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP/ NY), including Auburn CF. It was there
Things To Do and Not Do in Business
By Stephen Burke
Last time in this column we looked at entrepreneurship in Ithaca, a town with many attributes but also limited job and housing markets. Many enterprising residents here try to build livelihoods, or at least make rent, through creativity and hustle. The hustle of the gig economy helps make ends meet, and maybe you have noticed the large number of people at Wegman’s or Greenstar pushing carts around while studying phone screens, because they are getting paid through Instacart to do other peoples’ shopping. But for someone aiming to do something more, to build a real business of their own, Ithaca is a promising place, vibrantly creative for its size. The town’s appreciation of creativity is helpful to visionary strivers, and its small size makes promotion, networking, and getting started in the first place easier than in bigger places like, say, Brooklyn. (A lot of transplants have come to Ithaca after giving up on scenes in Brook-
Sports
lyn like Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint, while also finding other New York locations like the Catskills and the Hudson River Valley forbiddingly expensive and generally unwelcoming.)
Alternatives Federal Credit Union in Ithaca is a great resource for entrepreneurs, with classes and programs on business and financial skills, particular concern for lower-income and traditionally underserved communities, and favorable loan terms.
Thirty years ago I came to Ithaca from Washington DC with plans to open a business, and got advice, training and a loan from Alternatives. A six-week class in creating a business plan was particularly helpful.
I opened the business, Small World Music, and it lasted about a decade, until what might be called shifts in supply chains. The store sold GrassRoots Festivaltype music, as well as some mainstream CDs, and did all right even after the advent of Amazon, but when eventually almost all music, even the most exotic, became available through streaming, people stopped buying CDs, so bands stopped making
them, and that was the swan song.
But while the business was successfully running, Alternatives asked me, as an alumnus, to come speak to their business plan class about my experiences, which I was happy to do.
I think the main thing I had to impart, or the most specific main thing, was the paper weight: that is, the burden of paperwork. Almost everything you’ll do in your business, I told the class, will involve paperwork. Every transaction, agreement, work contract, purchase and sale — all money in, all money out — will require a record that will have to be written, categorized, and organized in a way that makes sense and will always make sense and be easy to retrieve.
It’s a lot of work that you don’t expect or think about in advance, before you must think about it, and worse, do it. It’s a lot even in a simple, humble business, I said, like mine, and even for sole proprietors, like me. If you have a business partner, you have to align your styles and priorities and understand your mutual responsibilities to record-keeping. If you have employees, multiply this warning by infinity, or what will seem like it.
So, I said, if you have a great aversion to paperwork, think twice about owning a business. Not to scare or discourage anyone, but the fact is you’ll have to overcome
Two Locals Gear Up for the World Lacrosse Women’s Championships, Tokyo
By Steve Lawrence
The world of women’s lacrosse is, in some ways, a small world and many of the elite players have played against one another at many different levels. High school, club teams, college, and sometimes at the international level. In fact, as of very recently, we can add the pro level (Women’s Lacrosse League, or WLL) to that list.
Veering away from the “Small World” narrative, how ironic it is that many of the players who have been a part of that small world will be playing with — and against — one another next week in... wait for it... Tokyo.
The World Lacrosse Women’s Championships will get underway on July 24 and run through August 8. Several local
folks are gearing up to go to the games, and I was able to speak with two players and three parents. I have joked with Todd and Cristin Baker for years that their retirement gets delayed every time their daughter, Shea (Ithaca High 2022), moves up a level, and I have yet to hear any hint that they wish that was not the case. After chasing Shea around the state in high school and club lacrosse, then around the country when she was an All-American at Boston College, then to Hong Kong in 2024 for the Junior World Games, then around the country again now that Shea plays professionally, they are packing to head to Tokyo for this summer’s event. I asked Todd about that delayed retirement, and he laughed and said, “In a way, this is helpful because it really teaches us how to plan.” Todd is self-
that aversion, or take on the expense of hiring professional help, to be successful and happy.
The end of the class was for questions, and I remember a particularly valuable one.
A woman in the class asked me, “How long did it take you to do it?”
I asked, “You mean how long was it from the time I first got the idea to when I actually opened the doors?”
She said yes. I had to think about it.
Finally I said, “About seven years.” And she said, “Oh, thank God,” which made me laugh.
“Why do you say that?” I asked. “Because you’ve been thinking about it a long time and you’re worried about progress?” She said yes.
I said, “It’s a really great question, then, about something I didn’t think to address, but I’ll prioritize if I ever speak to another of these classes.
“It’s a really important point, maybe the most important: Don’t give up.
“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been thinking about it or how long it’s taking. “The only thing that matters is that you keep going.”
employed, and he addressed the trade-offs, saying, “It would be nice to get a paid vacation someday, but the flexibility is cool.”
The Bakers will fly into Tokyo on the 24th, and do their best to get to the Opening Ceremonies that day. They will watch Team USA play at least four games, and if all goes as planned, and they advance through the pool play, knockout round, quarterfinal, semifinal and title game, they will definitely get more for their money. In Todd’s words, “It will be great to reconnect with the families we know from the college teams — several of whom are on the World Team — as well as families from the WLL and some we met in Hong Kong.”
Given Shea will also continue her pro season, then play in the North American Championships in Canada, and try out
for the Olympic Team, the Bakers’ rocking chairs will have to wait.
I also spoke to Alan and Rebecca Joffrey, whose daughter, Elizabeth (Ithaca High ’21), will suit up for the Israeli team in Tokyo. Alan said, “The International teams are always looking for players that are in some way connected to the country, and given Elizabeth’s Jewish heritage, she
From Ithaca High to Colgate University to Team Israel, Elizabeth Joffrey stays in the game she loves. (Photo: Provided)
Inside the Seneca Street Garage’s Decline — and What’s Next for the Site
By Philip O’Dell
Following the permanent closure of the Seneca Street Parking Garage due to severe concrete deterioration, city officials are preparing to reopen the adjacent sidewalk and restore regular service to the bus stop.
Acting City Manager Dominick Recckio told the Ithaca Times via email on July 7 that city officials are working in the short term to remediate concrete issues, which will include installing scaffolding and reopening the adjacent sidewalk. Scaffolding construction is scheduled to begin in late July and finish mid-August. The next phase would involve assessing demolition options and engaging an engineering firm to provide a cost estimate for future planning.
Recckio said city officials maintain that existing downtown parking garages and onstreet spaces provide capacity to meet current demand. He said the Cayuga Street Garage was constructed with the Seneca Street Garage’s “end-of-life plan” in mind.
“This closure, though brought on quickly with the emergency circumstances, is something the community has been preparing for since 2005,” Recckio said.
According to Recckio, downtown features around 2,068 public parking spaces and 1,000 private spots. The two active garages offer 1,135 spaces and maintain an average utilization rate of roughly 60%. Recckio said city officials plan to conduct further analysis to track use by time of day.
“The city is working on the project outline and scope for conducting a further detailed inventory of downtown parking spaces, and we will share more information about that as it becomes available,” Recckio said.
The city announced on May 7 that the garage’s permanent closure was due to structural safety concerns, following an initial temporary closure on April 10. The initial shutdown occurred after reports of concrete debris falling from the third floor to the sidewalk below. A subsequent inspection by city personnel revealed severe deterioration and a high risk of failure across several areas of the facility, prompting a third-party engineering review. At a May 6 Common Council meeting, Recckio said the structure suffered from concrete spalling, a condition
caused when water freeze-thaw cycles break apart the material as temperatures rise.
Recckio described the downtown garage as an advantageous and well-situated location that could easily be adapted for numerous possibilities.
“This is an attractive and well-positioned redevelopment site in the heart of the city, and I could see it having any number of productive uses.” Recckio said.
ACTING MANAGER’S JULY REPORT
According to Recckio’s July financial and vacancy report, the regular bus service on the Seneca Street Garage block is anticipated to return in September.
“If and when the garage is demolished, there will be bus service and sidewalk impacts during demolition,” the report says. “City staff are planning for those consider-
ations, and more information will be available when the engineering estimate on demolition is available.”
The report says city staff weighed temporarily moving intercity buses from Seneca Street near the Hilton Garden Inn, but engineers advised against the shift. Officials noted the move would have limited impact on TCAT transit service and would unnecessarily disrupt commuter locations just before the surrounding block is scheduled to reopen.
The report says Mayor Robert Cantelmo appointed Common Council alderpersons to deliberate the future redevelopment of the Seneca Street Parking Garage property, with city staff awaiting recommendations.
According to the City of Ithaca’s 2024 Capital Report, a total of $1.5 million was approved for structural repairs to the Seneca Street Parking Garage. The engineering
allocation schedules $500,000 for 2024, followed by annual funding of $350,000 from 2025 through 2027. The report indicates no additional funding for 2028 and the total cost would not be covered by reimbursable funds.
The 2024 Capital Report says the then48-year-old garage was nearing the end of its 50-year design life expectancy. The engineers’ planned scope of work for the facility consisted of repairs to concrete slabs, vertical and horizontal surfaces, and slab/beam tendons, alongside deck coatings and associated rehabilitation work. The structure had last undergone significant maintenance in 2018 when crews installed a shoring post and column system on the Beam 8 level 2-3 section. Prior to that, workers completed concrete slab, surface, and deck coating repairs in 2015, which followed carbon fiber reinforced polymer repairs on two beams in 2013.
The Seneca Street Garage was shut down in May due to safety concerns.
(Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times File)
PREVIOUS ENGINEERING ASSESSMENTS
Engineering assessments obtained by the Ithaca Times through Freedom of Information Law requests show the Seneca Street Parking Garage underwent mandatory inspections in 2019, 2022 and 2025. The reports say parking garages must receive structural condition evaluations at least once every three years under New York State regulations.
The WGI engineering firm completed a limited engineering condition assessment of Ithaca's 10-level garage in 2022 and 2025. Built in 1974, the 425-space downtown facility underwent the evaluation in accordance with New York Codes, Rules and Regulations.
According to WGI’s 2025 report, the garage was considered in a “poor-to-fair” overall condition, with several structural and waterproofing components showing “wear, deterioration and isolated failures.” The assessment said multiple components are no longer performing as intended and require routine maintenance or repair. To keep the facility in service for the next 10 to 15 years, the report recommended addressing these issues within the next one to two years.
The 2025 assessment identified one unsafe condition—requiring repairs to the basement wall of the elevator room—which the report recommended addressing within six months. During the inspection, engineers found that the room’s retaining walls and overhead slab areas were unsafe, noting
extensive concrete spalls and delamination presented structural concerns. However, the report noted the area was shored up and being maintained in a temporarily safe condition under the direction of the city’s engineering department.
The report outlines nine recommended structural and waterproofing fixes, including concrete repairs to driving surfaces, ceilings, walls and columns, alongside repairs to post-tensioned beam strengthening and concrete spalls, as well as deck coating. Upgrades to the vehicular barrier system, façade cleaning and new pavement markings were also listed as optional improvements.
The 2025 report says repair costs have an estimated base total of around $3.39 million, which includes $57,600 for unsafe conditions, about $2.26 million for recommended repairs and $1.07 million for optional upgrades.
The 2022 assessment highlighted three unsafe conditions requiring action within three months, including sagging vehicular barrier cables on the third level that risked vehicle and facade damage unless retightened to original specifications. On the ninth level, two exposed post-tensioned tendons required surrounding concrete repairs to protect them from vehicle impact and prevent structural failure if they break. The report recommended repairing large concrete column spalls on the third level, caused by low concrete cover over steel reinforcement, to safeguard the facility’s structural integrity and halt further deterioration.
The 2022 report outlined several recommended structural and maintenance repairs to be completed over a two- to three-year timeframe, aimed at keeping the parking garage operational for another 10 to 15 years.
In the report, listed priorities included repairing around 9,000 square feet of driving surface concrete damaged by moisture and deicing salts, along with fixing underlying post-tensioned tendons. Inspectors said workers needed to patch about 100 square feet of deteriorating overhead ceiling and soffit concrete to eliminate falling hazards.
Recommendations included maintaining roughly 40 beam pocket areas to clean and coat exposed steel, adding external post-tensioned strengthening to beams with five or more released tendons on the third and seventh levels, and repairing localized spalls on about 100 square feet of curbs and 75 square feet of walls and columns. Contractors were expected to completely remove and replace 30,000 square feet of protective urethane deck coating on the exposed eighth and ninth levels, while recoating 200,000 square feet across levels one through seven.
The report also listed optional safety and aesthetic upgrades that could have been paired with the structural work. These enhancements included upgrading the vehicle barrier system from older prestressed ropes to modern cables and contemporary pedestrian fall protection. Other suggested improvements involved cleaning and applying a breathable coating to the precast concrete
facade panels, restriping faded pavement markings throughout the entire garage, and conducting a comprehensive power wash to remove performance-inhibiting chlorides and deicing salts.
According to the 2022 report, the total estimated project budget was set at over $3.66 million, which included a base construction cost of around $2.94 million. That base budget allocated $13,250 for unsafe conditions, about $2.46 million for recommended repairs and $482,500 for optional repairs. Additional projected expenses included $293,800 for construction mobilization and general conditions, a $161,600 construction contingency and $271,500 in engineering fees for design, bidding and construction administration.
In 2019, Ithaca-based Elwyn & Palmer Consulting Engineers PLLC issued a structural component investigation report on the Seneca Street Parking Garage, following inspections conducted during June and July of that year.
For the facility’s beams, the report recommended performing a structural capacity analysis on all seven locations where three or more post-tensioned tendons had been released. For the five locations with four or more released tendons, inspectors noted that an analysis must determine remaining capacity and any required structural reinforcing. To strengthen those compromised beams, the firm recommended a Fiber Reinforced Polymer wrapping system, such as TYFO or Sikawrap, with rough budget estimates projected at $100,000 for one beam or $175,000 for two beams. The report advised establishing a monthly monitoring protocol for beams with four or more released tendons by measuring distances from the underside of the beam to the floor deck to track sudden physical changes.
The 2019 report outlined several concerns from an interior visual check of the garage decks, beams and walls. Inspectors found numerous tears in the protective membrane of the exposed upper deck, along with concrete that had spalled into potholelike depressions and severely deteriorated to expose reinforcing steel, prompting engineers to recommend immediate repairs to address active corrosion. The western below-grade basement wall under the Tioga Street stairwell entrance was cracked roughly two-thirds of the way up and noticeably bowed inward, which required further investigation and a monitoring and repair plan.
The 2019 report said cracking on the north walls of the eastern stairwell at parking levels two through five that extended downward from where the overhead beam framed into the wall, alongside a crack near the railing, and advised monitoring the areas for future crack growth.
Officials are weighing potential redevelopment plans for the Seneca Street Garage site. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times File)
Arts&Entertainment Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Dares to Defy the Gods (And Your Attention Span)
By Clement Obropta
Strangely enough, Hollywood has never produced a big-budget adaptation of Homer’s “Odyssey,” one of the foundational texts of Western literature. Until now — three years after the triumph of “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan returns with another complex portrait of a broken man in a world hurtling headlong into a Charybdis whirlpool of disaster.
Homer’s “Odyssey” is one of those texts that most people know — though, in an age of increased illiteracy and shorter attention spans, that might no longer be the case. The tale follows Odysseus, hero of the Trojan War, as he struggles to get home to Ithaca (presumably motivated by a love of Collegetown Bagels and Apple Fest). He and his crew encounter murderous Sirens, giant cannibals, cruel witches, and a Cyclops shepherd, pissing off the Gods every step of the way.
Back home, a small army of sniveling suitors has occupied the king’s palace and attempt daily to goad Odysseus’ son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), into a fight so that they can kill him and seize power. Anne Hathaway is phenomenal as Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, delivering a fiery monologue to Telemachus about the impossible position she’s in and the sacrifices incurred by her obstinate belief that Odysseus will one day return home.
Leading the suitors is Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson at maximum sleaze.
When Antinous and the suitors’ divine comeuppance finally arrives, Matt Damon channels an ancient Greek John Wick for a violent, sweaty, breathless brawl. Despite the satisfying and brutal combat in the finale, the fight scenes throughout “The Odyssey” all suffer from Nolan’s habit of obscuring action with quick cuts and erratic camera movements.
One can feel the tensions inherent in the filmmaker’s desire to create indelible cinema and his embrace of a film format, IMAX 70mm, that is so bulky, it can only record three minutes of footage at a time.
Nolan cites the work of visionary Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky as one of his chief inspirations, yet as a consequence of shooting entirely on IMAX 70mm, he can use none of the long takes that make Tarkovsky’s work so spellbinding. “The Odyssey” instead speaks chiefly through montage, which has essentially robbed Nolan’s later work of its most arresting images in favor of the associative power of a bunch of unremarkable shots and movements crammed together.
Were it not for career-best work from composer Ludwig Göransson, “The Odyssey” might not work at all. His nontraditional score comprises bronze gongs, scrap metal, lyres, Greek auloi, and vocals, including the odd appearance by rapper Travis Scott, who cameos as the bard recounting Odysseus’ story to the people of Ithaca. Christopher Nolan’s enduring professional relationship with Scott remains one of the greatest mysteries of modern cinema.
When the film slows down enough to spend a few minutes in the Cyclops’ cave, or at the sacking of Troy, or in the forest with the Laestrygonians, “The Odyssey”
stands up with the best filmmaking of Nolan’s career. For a director briefly tapped to helm “Troy” with Brad Pitt before Warner Bros. reassigned Wolfgang Petersen to the project and handed Nolan “Batman Begins” as a consolation prize, “The Odyssey” very much feels like the culmination of two decades of work. It’s also the first and only mythological epic since the deaths of producers Charles H. Schneer and Ray Harryhausen that surpasses the best of its forebears.
Nolan boldly reimagines Odysseus as a cruel, sadistic plunderer who is supposedly more clever than anyone else on the beaches of Troy yet not smart enough to add wheels to the Trojan horse. He can’t resist sinking one arrow right in the eye of the Cyclops Polyphemus as he and his men escape — partly payback, partly for the love of the game, and partly because this version of the hero can be a real scamp sometimes. The fondest memories that his most faithful servant, Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), has of Odysseus involve both of them chucking puppies off a cliff.
Nolan brings a modernist post-colonial angst to the story, casting Odysseus’ men as thugs who have, in the words of the sea-witch Circe (Samantha Morton), “pillaged their way across the world.” Odysseus’ journey becomes a metaphor for the penance paid by conquerors and the acidic guilt wrought by years of ruthless exploitation. (Ironically, “The Odyssey” is also the first major Hollywood film to shoot in the illegally occupied Western Sahara.)
It’s impossible to deny the spectacle of “The Odyssey.” Even if the costume and creature design embody Nolan’s trademark unimaginative minimalism. Even if the film is less interesting in its ponderous dialogue than in a scene where Polyphemus smacks a dude so hard that he does three backflips. It’s an incredibly ambitious, rousing, and awesome achievement, and though it has its flaws, scholars of ancient Greek heroes will tell you that heroes are nothing without their flaws.
film
Clement Obropta is a
columnist for the Ithaca Times.
Odysseus (Matt Damon) armored beside his loyal crewmates. (Photo: IMDb/Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures)
‘Daddy Long Legs’ Delivers Heartfelt Charm at Cortland Rep
By Barbara Adams
If “Daddy Long Legs” calls to mind Fred Astaire spinning Leslie Caron and crooning “Something’s Gotta Give,” it’s time to switch pictures. Shift from Paris to rural New England, and instead of a May-December romance, imagine a wealthy young man and an 18-year-old orphan girl whose college education he’s anonymously funding.
That’s the less glamorous but far more genuine and moving premise of “Daddy Long Legs,” the stage musical, with book by John Caird and music and lyrics by Paul Gordon. Since its 2009 premiere, productions have ranged from London’s West End to Russia, Korea, and Japan. The show opened Off-Broadway in 2015, yet the next production in New York State is only now at our own Cortland Repertory Theatre. And as sensitively directed by Mark Reynolds, what a delightful discovery it is. All versions of the story are based on the 1912 young adult novel, “Daddy-Long-Legs,” by Jean Webster, which was so popular that it led to numerous adaptations, including Korean and Indian movies and Japanese anime. Gordon and Caird’s is the most recent and preserves the epistolary nature of the original: the one-way correspondence from Jerusha Abbott — “The Oldest Orphan
“Daddy Long Legs,”
Music and lyrics by Paul Gordon; book by John Caird.
Based on Jean Webster’s novel “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Directed by Mark Reynolds, with musical direction by Nicholás Guerrero. At Cortland Repertory Theatre, Little York Lake Road, Preble, N.Y. Through July 24 at 7:30 p.m.; plus 2 p.m. matinees on July 21, 22, and 23. For tickets: https://cortlandrep.org/ or 800-427-6160.
WORLD LACROSSE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS, TOKYO
continued from page 7
was eligible to be one of the four noncitizens to be on the roster.” The Joffreys added that playing at that level with and against former teammates (like Shea and Jamie Lasda, who played for Latvia against Elizabeth in the 2024 European Championships) “is a great experience.” One
in the John Grier Home,” as the first song reveals — to her unknown benefactor.
Jervis Pendleton, the other character in this two-actor tale, has progressive values and feels at odds with the entitlement of his patrician family. Paying a monthly trustee visit to the orphanage, he’s seen leaving only as a tall, spindly shadow, which leads Jerusha to nickname him “Daddy Long Legs.” She never meets him, but her amusing essays have prompted him to support her education so long as she writes to him regularly without ever expecting a response.
The year is 1908, and he hopes she’ll become a famous writer. This seems quite a reach, but then, remember who’s penning the story.
At Cortland, Eleanor Kephart’s successful set is simply divided so each character has their defining space: at left, Jervis’ study, all dark wood, flock wallpaper, and imposing library, lit in shades of green. And at right, the plain but remarkably sunny room that serves as the orphanage, the college dormitory, and Lock Willow Farm, where Jerusha’s sent between semesters. Eric Behnke’s lighting beautifully describes not only the duo’s spaces but their moods.
And if clothes make the man, then costumer Tori Niemiec’s worsted wool suit defines both Jervis’ class and stiffness. Jerusha has a more colorful and comfortable range of clothing, from her workday smock to increasingly stylish outfits. Her college appearance indicates her confidence — walking skirt topped by a vest and tie, quite snappy and assertive.
Jerusha is a force of nature — besides being lovely, she’s smart, spontaneous, and determined. And this girl boldly says whatever she thinks. Molly Bremer — who’s shone here previously as Eliza Doolittle, Ariel, and Belle — plays her with enormous spirit and personality. Her Jerusha is
more Small World connection: Elizabeth’s coach from her career as a 4-year starter at Colgate will be coaching the team from the Philippines. Wrapping up our conversation, Alan said, “We have been roadtripping forever, and it has been awesome.”
Elizabeth (who now works in Washington, D.C. As a medical researcher for the N.I.H.) graduated from Colgate in 2025, still works out extensively, competes in a summer league and feels ready to play.” Asked if she is looking forward to seeing
irresistible, as Jervis, reading her animated letters, begins to realize.
While Jerusha wears her heart on her sleeve, the restrained, ruminating Jervis takes all four of her college years to unthaw and rediscover his own heart. Her loquacious letters to “Daddy” (whom she imagines as a tall old bald man) fascinate him, and several times he takes pen in hand to reply, only to give up. Under the guise of being her patron’s secretary, he visits Jerusha at the orphanage and farm and even takes her (and two classmates) to Manhattan at Christmastime.
Sharing social views and a love of literature, the friends grow to know one another. But as Jervis’ attraction builds, so does his self-reproach at having started and sustained such a convoluted and dishonest situation. In this role, Mike Leadbetter effectively captures all the stages of Jervis’ complicated emotions. He nicely balances the character’s responsible-adult nature with his emerging feelings at risking love. His is necessarily a less colorful role than Bremer’s, but he partners with her harmoniously.
The special quality these two actors bring transforms a predictable love story into a beguiling, indirect romance, brimming with individuality and humor. The very shape of the play, based on the letter device, conveys a reflective quality — much of the narrative is Jerusha’s letters being spoken aloud by her composing or him reading, as well as each of them alone, speaking as if to the other. Far from feeling contrived, this creates a familiar, comforting intimacy, much like the pleasure of listening to a favorite story read aloud.
Tokyo, seeing her teammates or getting back on the field, she said, “All of the above. I love being a part of such a great group and playing against amazing competition.” She plans to stay sharp, as there will also be an opportunity to represent Israel at the 2028 Olympics. Like everyone I spoke with, she is in no hurry to see this fun ride end.
Shea Baker is three games into her pro career, and she’s looking forward to seeing her former teammate. She said,“Elizabeth
The intimacy is furthered by the music, which Mark Reynolds’s trio of musicians delivers supportively and softly. Consequently, every word of some 30 songs is clear, and since the lyrics carry most of the story here, their clarity is especially valued. Both actors have powerful, expressive voices, and Gordon’s melodies are thoroughly engaging, from the rambunctious “Mr. Girl Hater” and pensive “Charity” to the rushing sweetness of “The Secret of Happiness.” When Jervis first reads Jerusha’s writing and decides “this girl deserves a chance,” it’s because he finds she has “a brain and a wit and a fearless turn of phrase.” There’s just something terribly seductive about a romance grounded in a young man’s admiration of a woman’s mind and imagination. I’m betting cynics and antiromantics alike will succumb to the many charms of “Daddy Long Legs.”
Barbara Adams is a regional theatre and arts journalist and retired professor of writing, Ithaca College.
and I played together for 4 years on JV and Varsity, and she was a fellow defender,” Shea will also be suiting up with several Boston Guard (WLL) teammates, and with many other WLL players. I asked her if she plans to play until she’s in her mid-30s, like some of her World Team teammates, and whether her parents were looking forward to another decade of travel. Her response made me think that the Baker family is not looking to do this for another decade. They’re hoping for two.
Michael Leadbetter as Jervis Pendleton and Molly Bremer as Jerusha Abbott in Cortland Rep’s production of “Daddy Long Legs” running July 15–24. (Photo: Ben Wells/Cortland Rep)
State Sen. Webb Presents Rasa Spa with Empire Award
By Mikayla Rovenolt
On July 10, state Sen. Lea Webb presented Rasa Spa with a New York State Empire Award. The Empire Award is the highest award a New York state senator can give businesses and organizations in their district. Sen. Webb’s district is District 52 which includes Tompkins County, Cortland County, and part of Broome County.
According to a press release from Webb’s office, Rasa Spa has “long stood as a leader in holistic wellness and integrative health in the City of Ithaca and across the Finger Lakes region.”
Rasa Spa is located at 310 Taughannock Blvd #2a in Ithaca and is a luxury day spa. Their website says their goal since 2006 has been to bring each client toward optimal, whole health, according to their website. Their mission is “to serve the well-being of the whole person through healing, client empowerment, fostering a mindful community, and cultivating a tranquil, beautiful atmosphere.”
PURCHASE OF FORMER ARMY DEPOT
continued from page 5
move forward in this way,” Shapiro said. Shapiro said the site should not be used for temporary city operations or relocating staff there. He urged the city to put the property on the market immediately rather than using it as a temporary municipal holding space.
In response, Cantelmo said the city is clearly defining its goals for the site before it will sell the property to a developer. He said this strategy ensures the parcel will
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
continued from page 6
I met Malik, who was participating in a second level workshop I facilitated. Malik showed he had leadership qualities; he was thoughtful and articulate. I hoped he would want to take our facilitators’ training, but Malik had passed his GED and had qualified for the Cornell Prison Program which would give him collegelevel classes. He chose college.
Rasa Spa’s offerings include massage therapy, skincare, energy work, and wellness education, according to the press release. By creating the Living Essence Massage Institute, Rasa Spa has helped establish a new training pathway for licensed massage therapists in the region, addressing a shortage in the field.
Rasa Spa integrates environmentally responsible practices into every aspect of its operations, including energy-efficient infrastructure, water conservation, and the use of non-toxic, organic products and recycled materials.
"Receiving the NYS Empire Award is an incredible honor because it recognizes something our team has believed from the very beginning: that wellness is an essential part of a healthy community,” said Rachel Hogancamp, co-founder of Rasa Spa and the founder of Living Essence Massage Institute. “Nearly twenty years ago, we envisioned Rasa as more than a spa; we wanted to create a place where people felt genuinely cared for and where whole-person wellness was accessible to everyone.”
return to the tax rolls and will not burden the city with debt in the way a traditional municipal infrastructure project would.
Nels Bohn, director of the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, said the city had to navigate a rigid federal process to acquire the site.
Bohn said the federal government allows municipalities to purchase surplus property inexpensively if it is dedicated to public parks or museums. However, housing redevelopment requires paying a federally determined price. Bohn said the “negotiated process” left little room for actual negotiation, as GSA conducted its
Several years later, the Cornell Prison Project had a conference to educate people from Cornell and from Ithaca about the program. To my surprise, Malik had been released and was one of two formerly incarcerated speakers. Malik gave his talk about being a drop out and how he had benefited from the classes Cornell had provided. When he finished, a woman from the audience asked, ‘Malik, how should we change the schools so that young people like you wouldn't drop out?’ There was a long pause
Hogancamp also said that she is celebrating the first year of Living Essence Massage Institute, and is filled with gratitude for everyone who has helped bring that vision to life.
“Our greatest achievement isn’t what we've built, it’s the people we’ve had the privilege to care for, mentor, and grow alongside,” Hogancamp said. “This recognition inspires us to continue investing in the health of our community and the future of our profession. We share this award with
own appraisal and valued the property at $1.7 million.
“This is really an opportunity for the city to pursue its housing goals and control the end result of one of the larger pieces of properties suitable for residential development in the city,” Bohn said.
Bohn said federal law prohibits GSA from sharing the physical appraisal with the city. GSA officials told him that the $1.7 million valuation assumes the site could be developed for multi-unit housing through a planned unit development process.
Bohn said the property is currently zoned as an R-2b residential district, which only
while Malik considered what he would say. And then he answered: ‘It’s not about the schools; it’s about EXPECTATIONS. Growing up in my neighborhood, I didn’t EXPECT to go to college or get a good job; I EXPECTED to go to prison. So when I was twelve years old, I practiced holding razor blades in my mouth and spitting them out one by one in EXPECTATION of going to Rikers Island.’
To you who are considering reparations, I want you to take Malik’s word EXPECTATIONS as a goal. We have
the incredible team, clients, and students who inspire our journey every single day.”
In the press release, Sen. Webb said she is proud to honor Rasa Spa for all of its accomplishments.
“This business has built a reputation for being the place to go for personal empowerment and healing, and has built its business model to care for not only the health of their clients, but the health of our planet as it relates to environmental sustainability,” Webb said.
allows for single-family homes and duplexes. Bohn said he felt the appraisal represented a fair price that accurately reflects the property’s potential for future housing.
Alderperson Robin Trumble described the purchase as a rare opportunity for the city to secure the land before it could be sold at a public auction. He said the property should ultimately be used to develop mixed-income and affordable housing.
Alderperson Patrick Kuehl recommended exploring ways to subdivide the large site. He suggested dividing the property to provide dedicated green space for West Hill residents.
pockets of poverty all over New York State. Involve members of those communities to learn what are the changes that are needed so that young people grow up with the EXPECTATION that they can dream of positive goals in their lives and have a pathway toward achieving those dreams. Remember that 12 year old boy holding razor blades in his mouth and spitting them out one by one. Invest in these communities! Change his EXPECTATIONS!” — Cynthia Loring MacBain, Ithaca NY
Rasa Spa is a luxury day spa in Ithaca. (Photo: Rasa Spa)
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Imagine the sharpest, most passionate young journalists you’ve ever met (the ones who stay late chasing a story because they believe in this town) slowly packing their bags. Not because they want to leave… but because local rents force them out.
That’s the quiet heartbreak happening right now. Our best new writers, the ones who grew up here or fell in love with Ithaca in college, are being pushed toward cheaper cities just to survive.
The Rising Star Fund rewrites their story into a happy ending by sponsoring a simple monthly housing stipend (a hand up, never a handout) so they can keep living here, keep writing here, keep falling deeper in love with Ithaca… and keep telling the stories that make this city our home.
When a young journalist can afford to stay in Ithaca, you get:
● Fresh, fearless voices loyal to your local paper
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Keep local talent in Ithaca by donating today to the Rising Star Fund (an initiative of Pathways to Equity, Inc a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization)
For more info: roy@ithacatimes.com
7/22 Wednesday
7/23 Thursday Annie Ol’ Thyme @ Danby Food and Drink | 6 p.m. | Danby Food and Drink, 1483 Danby Rd. | Free Three Bears Scott Tremolo Concert | 6 p.m. | Three Bears Ovid, 7175 Main Street | Free
7/24 Friday
Hello City — Barenaked Ladies Tribute Band Live at Treleaven |
4 p.m. | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road Live Music — Caviar & Grits | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Farms & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd.
7/25 Saturday Alta B Weekend & Summer Music at the Vantage Point — ft. Feed
The Fire | 1 p.m. | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414
Harry Nichols Live | 6 p.m., 10 Pinckney Rd., Ithaca Concerts/Recitals
7/23 Thursday Story + Craft | 4 p.m. | Tompkins
County Public Library, 101 East Green Street
Beginnings Summer Concert Series | 5 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavilion, Center Commons | Free
Music in the Park | 6:30 p.m. | Myers Park, Myers Point Rd. | Free
7/24 Friday
Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan | 8 p.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St.
7/25 Saturday
SOMAT Punk Rock Bene t
Concert for Ithaca Free Clinic! |
12 p.m. | Hopshire Farms & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd.
Music in the Glen Tuesday and
Saturday concerts | 4 p.m. | Glendale Park, 400 Glendale Drive
Diana & The Crew | 5 p.m. | Eldridge Park, Eldridge Park Road
7/27 Monday Stage
TARZAN The Musical | 2 p.m., 7/22 Wednesday | Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 17 William St., 2nd Floor |
A timeless and beautiful story about love, identity, and belonging. |
$40.00 - $79.00
MIX & MOVE DANCE CLASS | 5 p.m.,
7/22 Wednesday | Finger Lakes Fitness Center, Center Ithaca, 171 East State Street | An upbeat feel-good DANCE class inspired by Latin, Pop, Hip-Hop, Reggaeton, Bhangra, K-Pop, Italian Rap-Pop, and more.
Daddy Long Legs | 7:30 p.m., 7/22 Wednesday | Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown, 24 Port Watson St. Wagner Sunset Music Series
Presents The Junior Rich Project | 5 p.m., 7/24 Friday | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414 | Join us
for another Friday night Sunset Music Series at the Vantage Point at Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery! Enjoy our beautiful sunset views, dinners for purchase, and live music.
Eureka Day | 7:30 p.m., 7/25 Saturday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | At Eureka Day School in Berkeley, California, all decisions are made by consensus, diversity of opinion is valued, and vaccinations are a personal matter. But when a mumps outbreak hits the school, tensions rise, truth becomes subjective, and community conversations reach a hilarious fever pitch. | $50.00 Brassquatch | 7:30 p.m., 7/27 Monday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | Step into the hidden world of the Brassquatch, a legendary forest-dwelling community with a sound as big as their footprints!
| $22.00 - $34.00
Kids Dance Fit | 10 a.m., 7/28 Tuesday |
Ageless Jazz Band to play free concert at Danby Community Church on 7/29/26 | 6:30 p.m., 7/29
Wednesday | Danby Community
Church, 1859 Danby Road | Ageless Jazz Band to play free concert at Danby Community Church on 7/29/26, as part of Sundaes on Wednesdays series. | Free
Annie | 7:30 p.m., 7/29 Wednesday | Cortland Repertory Theatre, 6799
Little York Lake Rd. | Tickets go on sale
May 18, 2026 Call 800-427-6160 Or visit CRT Downtown, 24 Port Watson St., Cortland NY ANNIE July 29 –
August 14 Book by Thomas Meehan
Music by Charles Strouse Lyrics by Martin
Art
TCPL Tours: Johnson Museum |
11 a.m., 7/23 Thursday | Tompkins
County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Join us for a tour of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art and see art in a new way.
Unearth a Mural at the Lodi Library | 1 p.m., 7/28 Tuesday | Lodi
Whittier Library, 8484 S Main St. | Participants will explore prehistoric sea life and geologic time while learning about eff orts to conserve native plants and animals of the Finger Lakes. | Free
Film
Summer World Cinema | 1:30 p.m., 7/28 Tuesday | Lifelong, 119 W. Court
St. | Experience diff erent cultural viewpoints through the lenses of
a collection of directors from around the world prefaced by an informed and interesting introduction to each film by film aficionado Ron Krieg. | $10.00 - $40.00
Cinemapolis
Library 120 E Green St., Ithaca New movies opening the week of July 22. Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes and continuing lms.
Rose
of Nevada | Three decades ago, the Rose of Nevada vanished at sea, along with its crew. Now, it has returned. In a remote fishing village, its reappearance is embraced as an auspicious sign, with the local citizens convinced the luck of their economically devastated community may turn, if only the ship sails again. Joining the crew is Nick (George MacKay), desperate to provide for his young family, and Liam (Callum Turner), a mysterious drifter eager to escape his past. After a successful voyage, they return to harbor, only to find that nothing is as they remember it. Shooting on a 16mm Bolex camera and constructing all the sound in post, Mark Jenkin writes, directs, edits and scores a haunting and hallucinatory time-travel mystery that further solidifi es him as one of the most distinct, singular artists working in film today. Jenkin conducts a cinematic séance, conjuring a portal into another world
JEREMIAH CRAIG, LIVE AT BET THE FARM WINERY
FRIDAY, JULY 24, FROM 5 P.M. TO 7 P.M. Bet the Farm Winery, 4204 Krums Corners Rd., Trumansburg, NY | Join Jeremiah Craig for an evening of live folk music and experience one of the Finger Lakes ’ favorite ways to kick off the weekend. Jeremiah s performances combine original songwriting, storytelling, and Americana-inspired folk music that celebrates travel, hardworking people, small towns, and the moments that connect us. Enjoy handcrafted local wines while taking in scenic vineyard views and the welcoming atmosphere that has made the Finger Lakes one of America’s premier wine regions. Bring your friends, family, or make it a date night as you sip your favorite vintage and enjoy an evening filled with stories, songs, and community. (Photo: Provided)
COMEDYHOF ITHACA STAND-UP AT CTB DOWNTOWN
FRIDAY, JULY 24, FROM 7:30 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M. Collegetown Bagels, 301 E State St., Ithaca, NY | Join ComedyHOF at the iconic Collegetown Bagels Downtown for our monthly
that forces us to confront the past and our relationship to it. | NA 114 mins
Reading Lolita in Tehran | In revolutionary Iran, as fundamentalists tighten their grip on society, a professor secretly gathers seven of her most dedicated female students to read and discuss forbidden classics of Western literature, including Lolita and Pride and Prejudice. Based on the bestselling memoir by Azar Nafisi. A film by Eran Riklis starring Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson), Zar Amir (Holy Spider), and Mina Kavani (No Bears). | NA 107 mins
Hadestown: The Musical | The live theater capture of the hit musical Hadestown, which won eight Tony Awards in 2019 including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, featuring the fi ve original principals of the Broadway company. The genre-defying new musical blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale. Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.| NA 141 mins
Life After | Disabled filmmaker Reid
Davenport investigates assisted dying
and uncovers how ableism, policy, and systemic failures can make death seem like the only option. With gripping stories and a personal mission,
Life After explores who gets real choice, and who doesn’t, in life and death. | NA 84 mins
Special Events
Homebrewed Comedy | 4:30 p.m., 7/23 Thursday | Brewer’s Kitchen & Taproom, 1384 Dryden Rd. | The laughter is coming to Ithaca when Homebrewed Comedy hits the stage at Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom.
Ithaca Shred Day | 9 a.m., 7/25
Saturday | Shops at Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Rd | Shred old documents and recycle electronics at Beginnings Credit Union’s Ithaca Shred Day. | Free
First Annual McLean Potato
Festival | 10 a.m., 7/25 Saturday | Cassavant Elementary School Grounds, 32 School Street | Bounce houses, food, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, spin art, face painting, balloon animals, carnival games, sand art, billy goat bingo, car show, parade, food trucks, vendors, potato sack races, and more!
4-H Alpaca Show | 9 a.m., 7/29
Wednesday | Broome County Fairgrounds, 2594 Main St. | 4-H Alpaca Show Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM The 4-H Alpaca/Llama
Show will be held during the Broome County Fair in Whitney Point, NY.
Books
Echo: Writing Workshop with nicole v. basta | 2 p.m., 7/25 Saturday | Buff alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | Generative writing workshop led by poet laureate nicole v. basta. | Free
Hot People Read Book Club |
5 p.m., 7/29 Wednesday | Buff alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street
| Join us @ BSB to discuss You Made a Fool of Death with your Beauty by author Akwaeke Emezi | Free
Queer Horror Book Club — Patricia Wants to Cuddle | 6 p.m., 7/29
Wednesday | Buff alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | A fan of queer horror? Looking to get into the genre? Join us @ BSB for a discussion on Patricia Wants to Cuddle! | Free
Kids
Tompkins County 4-H Youth Fair |
10 a.m., 7/22 Wednesday | 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road | Visitors will see live animals raised by 4-H members, including rabbits, cows, sheep, goats and dogs. In Kiwanis Hall, stationary displays present creative projects by 4-H members in the arts,
animal and environmental science, textiles and more. | Free
Kids eat free summer meal program | 12:15 p.m., 7/22 Wednesday | Pine Valley Baptist Church, 4872 pinecrest Rd. | Providing free lunches for kids up to 18 years old. Free food and daily activities. | Free
Family Open Play | 3 p.m., 7/22
Wednesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | Free space for families to come with their children — ages 0 to 4 years old — to play and socialize with other families while getting out of the heat.
Digging Dinos with Diane Edgecomb | 2 p.m., 7/23 Thursday | Newfi eld Public Library, 198 Main St. | This story-show is jam packed with fun and family entertainment with lots of participation, colorful dinosaur posters, and some dinosaur Sign Language. This performance is a favorite with all ages. | Free Science Connections: Master Gardeners | 2 p.m., 7/26 Sunday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St. | Learn about the magical world of gardening with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners!
Sit! Stay! Read! | 3 p.m., 7/27 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St. | Children are invited to practice their reading skills by sharing
a story with a truly non-judgmental listener — a dog! Reading sessions will be held Mondays from 3-4 p.m.
Dinosaurs with PRI | 5 p.m., 7/27
Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Dinosaurs Join paleontologist and science educator Rob Ross from the Paleontological Research Institution for an exciting hands-on program exploring dinosaurs and other amazing ancient vertebrates.
Kids Dance Fit | 10 a.m., 7/28
Tuesday |
LCL: Brian Has a Uke! | 10:30 a.m., 7/28 Tuesday | Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Rd. | Join us on July 28 at 10:30 AM at the Lansing Community Library for a fun musical adventure with ukulele player Brian Manchester! Help write a song, explore stringed instruments, and enjoy creative improv in writing, drawing, and performing. Free and fun for all ages!
Notices
Karaoke with Elephant Sound |
8 p.m., 7/23 Thursday | 23 North Restaurant and Bar, 23 Cinema Dr. | Show off your singing chops every Thursday night during “Karaoke Night” at 23 North in Ithaca! Great food, great drinks, great FUN! | Free
Ithaca Shred Day | 9 a.m., 7/25
Saturday | Shops at Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Rd. | Shred old documents and recycle electronics at Beginnings Credit Union’s Ithaca Shred Day. | Free ADA 36 Celebration | 10 a.m., 7/25
Saturday | Yaman Park | Description Celebration of 36 years of the Americans with Disability Act! Meet legislative speakers, table at the event, and enjoy fun activities! There will be free ice cream
Community Faith Partners Music Event | 4 p.m., 7/25 Saturday | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr. Science Connections: Master Gardeners | 2 p.m., 7/26 Sunday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St. | Learn about the magical world of gardening with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners!
Yoga with Lindsay | 6 p.m., 7/28 Tuesday | Hopshire Farms & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd. | Lindsay Graham teaches classes that focus on healthy skeletal alignment and creative sequences led by the breath, that cultivate a fun and challenging practice.
Community Line Dance | 7 p.m., 7/28 Tuesday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Rd. | Community Line Dance lessons
ITHACA SHRED DAY
SATURDAY, JULY 25, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M.
Shops at Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Rd., Ithaca, NY | Got old documents and electronics piling up? Stop by Beginnings Credit Union’s annual Ithaca Shred Day to shred and recycle them. Free and open to the general public. **Limit two boxes of papers per household. Please check the event link to view a list of acceptable and non-acceptable electronic items for disposal. (Photo: visitithaca.com) FIRST ANNUAL MCLEAN POTATO FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, JULY 25, FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. Cassavant Elementary School Grounds, 32 School Street, McLean, NY | Family-friendly summer festival celebrating McLean’s history with the wonderful potato! Bounce houses, food, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, spin art, face painting, balloon animals, carnival games, sand art, billy goat bingo, car show, parade, food trucks, vendors, potato sack races, and more! (Photo: Provided) McLean
