July 2, 2025 by Ithaca Times

Tompkins County Seeks Consultant to Study Impacts of Changing Countywide Minimum Wage

By Lorien Tyne

On Thursday, June 26, Tompkins County issued a request for proposal (RFP) to study the impact of a countywide minimum wage, meaning the county is seeking bids from potential consultants to assist in leading the study.

In August 2024, the county legislature unanimously adopted a resolution that allocated up to $50,000 from the contingent fund to fund a consultant to conduct a study exploring the impacts of a change to the county’s minimum wage. Monika Salvage, communications director for the Tompkins County Administration, said the study was pursued after the onboarding of a new county administrator and the publication of the 2025 Living Wage Report.

“Other time-sensitive strategic priorities, such as opening and operating a Code Blue Shelter, the County’s need to operate a year-round emergency shelter, and the work on both the new emergency shelter development and the Center of Government project, delayed the RFP release,” Salvage said.

The RFP comes just four days after a town hall meeting was held on Sunday, June 22, to discuss the minimum wage in the city of Ithaca and the county. During the town hall, panelists gave background

Tompkins County living wages are consistently higher than the county minimum wage, increasing from a $4.25 difference in 2023 to a $9.82 difference in 2025. (Graph: Maddy Vogel/Ithaca Times)

information on the history of minimum wages, a discussion on the need to increase the local minimum wage and a period for public comment in which community members expressed their struggles with affording the cost of living in Ithaca.

Salvage said the town hall was not related to the release of the RFP and the county’s study will focus on exploring a higher countywide minimum wage, not a living wage, which is what the town hall was advocating for. The town hall did have local government officials but was not hosted by the county.

The press release announcing the RFP

T ake n ote

said the county is soliciting proposals from consultants who can provide “expert guidance and technical assistance in studying the impacts of establishing a local law that sets a countywide minimum wage higher than the State minimum wage.” Consultants who are interested can find more information about the county’s open solicitation on the Purchasing Division webpage. The deadline for submissions is July 25 at 2 p.m.

“Last year, the Legislature committed to leading the way and exploring this

Continued on Page 19

X Driver Arrested With Over Two Pounds of Meth After Fleeing into Downtown Parking Garage

By Maddy Vogel

hursday afternoon, a driver was found in possession of over two pounds of methamphetamine, among other substances, after they attempted to flee from a traffic stop by pulling into the Seneca Street Parking Garage in downtown Ithaca.

A Tompkins County Sheriff deputy attempted to make a traffic stop around 2 p.m. on Thursday for multiple traffic violations, according to a press release from Tompkins County Sheriff Derek R. Osborne. The driver failed to stop and entered the Seneca Street Parking Garage, driving to the top level and beginning to drive back down to lower levels before coming to a stop.

The statement did not specify where the initial stop was attempted, but said it was within the City of Ithaca.

Once the vehicle was stopped, 46-year-old Trumansburg resident Keenan L. Vick Sr., who was the driver, was arrested.

A K9 was deployed at the scene and alerted to the vehicle, where deputies then located over two pounds of methamphetamine, 19 grams of heroin, 1.2 ounces of crack cocaine and 1.4 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms. Vick was charged with the following and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail without bail:

• Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, a class A-2 felony

• Two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony

• Unlawfully fleeing a police officer, a class A misdemeanor

• Obstructing governmental administration, a class A misdemeanor

• Resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor

• Multiple vehicle and traffic violations.

The Ithaca Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted with the investigation.

ON THE COVER:

Graduates of the Ithaca High School class of 2025 toss their caps at the end of the commencement ceremony. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

WEB

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s C ott M anson , a sso C iat E p ublish E r F r EE lan CE rs : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, and Peter Rothbart

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IN UIRING

PHOTOGR PHER Q A

By Mark Syvertson

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

“WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TOY?”

Primary Election Results Released for Key Races in City of Ithaca, Tompkins County

TBy Lorien Tyne

he Tompkins County Board of Elections announced results for primary election races, but affidavit and absentee ballots are still being counted. The only race that might be swayed by the remaining ballots is for Ward 5 alderperson on the Ithaca Common Council.

The last day to file nominations made at a town caucus for the Nov. 4 General Election is July 24.

Due to undervotes and write-in votes, candidates’ vote percentages may not total 100%.

Common Council

The Democratic nominee for Ward 1 alderperson is Jorge DeFendini, who received 58.1% of the votes. Alejandro Santana received 36.85%, and Leon Holden received 4.89%. In the general election, DeFendini will face Republican Zachary Winn.

“I’m very proud of the campaign our team ran in this primary election,” DeFendini said via email. “We accomplished this because Ithacans are hopeful and excited to get out and vote for candidates who are speaking directly to our affordability crisis. … Ithacans want organizers and fighters on the Common Council and that’s what I'm going to be in City Hall.”

The Democratic nominee for Ward 3 alderperson is Pat Sewell, who received 60% of the votes, while his competitor, Billy Noseworthy, received 39.84%. Ward 3 represents Ithaca’s South Hill and Belle Sherman neighborhoods.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to have been elected to serve as the 3rd Ward representative,” Sewell said via email. “I’m committed to working hard to represent the

needs of our neighborhoods, strengthen local services, and build a city that works for everyone. I look forward to listening, learning, and collaborating with residents, fellow council members, and city staff to move our community forward. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to give back to the city.”

Noseworthy told the Ithaca Times that he is grateful for the press, volunteers, donors, and supporters of his campaign, but that he will be resigning from the Working Families Party line and will not continue to the general election.

“I told Pat Sewell at the outset that I would not continue in the general if he beat me in the primary,” Nosewothy said via email. “I trust that Pat will serve with that 40% of the electorate in mind, to ensure that they are not left out of the democratic process. I also trust that he will remember that student residents of South Hill are to be treated as members of the electorate with equal rights to the rights of homeowners, which is sometimes a contentious stance to take locally.”

In the primary for Ward 5 alderperson, G.P. Zurenda Jr. received 38.73% of the votes, Hannah Shvets received 34.51%, and Deborah Fisher received 26.76%. With 13 affidavit ballots and nine mail-in ballots uncounted, the race is too close to call, according to Stephen DeWitt, Democratic commissioner for the Tompkins County Board of Elections. He said the remaining ballots should be counted and the results announced by Wednesday, July 2.

County Legislature

The Democratic nominee for District 3 county legislator is Iris Packman, who received 64.71% of the votes from 665 ballots, while her competitor Pierre Saint-Perez received 35.29%.

“I’m so grateful to the people of District 3 for their overwhelming support in this election,” Packman said. “While knocking doors through snow, rain, and blazing heat, I heard time and again that people are looking for Democrats who offer clear visions of progressive leadership and real commitments to tackling our affordability crisis. …Our grassroots campaign has always centered the voices of residents across our neighborhoods, and I look forward to continuing to earn their trust and support as we head into the November general election.”

Democrat Daniel Nolan ran unopposed to fill Susan Currie’s vacant seat on the Tompkins County Legislature, representing District 3 in a Special Election. He won and will serve the remainder of her term, which is to the end of 2025.

The Democratic nominee for District 13 county legislator is Irene Weiser, who received 49.50% of the votes from 901 ballots. Kyle Emily Erickson received 36.01% and Matt Sullivan received 14.49%. There is no Independent or Republican candidate opposing Weiser in the general election.

“While I won’t face a Republican opponent this November, I believe in the importance of campaigning—not just to win, but to listen, learn, and connect,” Weiser said via email. “So while I’ll definitely be taking some time off to enjoy the summer, I’ll be back out this fall talking with residents across the political spectrum. Because when I serve, I serve everyone—not just those who voted for me or share my party.”

Voter Turnout

The 3,121 ballots cast account for 5.21%

“I had a monkey doll that I loved.”

Jihye

“My soccer ball.”

Delphin

“I had a foot-long plastic Triceratops.”

Tamara

“A little pink stuffed lamb.”

Dassance

“My teddy bear named Nellis.”

Agnes

Jorge DeFendini is the Democratic nominee for Ward 1 alderperson on the Ithaca Common Council and will face Republican Zachary Winn in November. (Photo: Provided)

Iris Packman is the Democratic nominee for District 3 Tompkins County legislator, receiving 64.71% of the votes. (Photo: Provided)

Pat Sewell, with 60% of the votes, is the Democratic nominee for Ward 3 alderperson on the Ithaca Common Council. (Photo: Provided)

Irene Weiser is the Democratic nominee for District 13 Tompkins County legislator, receiving 49.50% of the votes. (Photo: Provided)

East Hill Fire Station Opens with Blazing Pride

By Leah Badawi

On Wednesday, June 25, the East Hill Fire Station held its grand opening, rolling up its red doors to the public. Located on Ithaca’s East Hill at 403 Elmwood Ave., the station is meant to replace the current station at 309 College Ave., which has been maintained since 1905, lling the need for re safety for the next hundred years.

The former station was put up for sale last fall through a sealed bid process. City officials decided to build a new station because the cost of renovating the former station would equal or exceed building a new one. A larger facility will also better comply with modern recommendations in compliance with health and safety protocols. The new building has enhanced safety features, modern training facilities for all seasons and room to grow as needs arise.

Members of the public, along with city leaders, contributors to the station, and members of the re department, all gathered in the truck bay to hear remarks

from Fire Chief Rob Covert, Mayor Robert Cantelmo, and Ithaca Town Supervisor Rob Howe.

“ is station replaces an older structure,

but its purpose is timeless,” said Covert, “to protect, to serve, and to stand ready at

UPS DOWNS&

Ups

Ithaca was the top pick in CNN’s list of “America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2025,” released last week, achieving the #1 spot for it’s ‘gorges’ scenery, college town culture and produce-forward restaurant scene.

Downs

Sky-high summer temperatures and record electric bills are expected to lead to a deadly wave of utility shuto s, as many Americans can’t a ord rising air conditioning costs or emergency expenses. With DOGE cutting the entire sta of LIHEAP— which helped 6 million households avoid shuto s last year—up to 52 million Americans could face shuto s by the end of 2025.

Heard

Community Health Centers are the backbone of healthcare in New York’s urban and rural communities across the state, providing high-quality, a ordable care to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Nearly two-thirds of CHC patients are covered by Medicaid, accounting for nearly 50% of all health center revenue. As currently written, the Republican reconciliation bill would result in 1.5 million New Yorkers losing insurance coverage.

Seen

TCAT and its paratransit services through Gadabout Transportation Services will not operate and administrative o ces will be closed Fri., July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Regular weekend service will resume Sat., July 5. O ces will reopen on Mon., July 7.

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you think Ithaca should increase the minimum wage to the latest living wage calculation of $24.82 per hour for workers within city limits?

46.0% Yes.

54.0% No.

N EXT W EEK ’S Q UESTION :

Should The City of Ithaca try to apply for the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Grant again this year even though it has lost the last eight times? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

Firefighters pose in front of Engine 2 during the opening ceremony. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times) Continued on Page 13

The bear mascot intended to sit on the roof of the new East Hill Fire Station topples over during its unveiling. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Time Bomb in the BBB

“Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) comes carrying a hidden time bomb. Arguably, nothing in this 1000-page omnibus bill affects the future of our children and our nation as much as its extension of Trump’s first-term corporate income tax rate cut. In the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) FY 2018-2027 corporate taxes went from the old rate of 36% to the current one of 21%. The Republican leadership expected the cut to pay for itself by encouraging business investment and profit. But it didn’t. So, now Republicans are running the same playbook, with everyone arguing about deductions, small changes, cuts in some departments, increases in others (all to meet the tricky rules of Reconciliation legislation that allowsRepublicans a simple majority vote so they can by-pass the Democrats). But it is inevitable that BBB is on track to give TCJA a second life for another 10 years — until 2037.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of the U.S.Treasury Department estimates that 10 more years of this low corporate 21% tax rate — along with other items in the BBB proposed by the House, would cutUS income by $3.7 trillion and decrease US spending by only $1.2 trillion. Including multiple economic unknowns ranging from growth to inflation, the CBO estimates an approximate increase of $2.4 trillion added to the national debt. This generates at least $550 billion more in interest costs, that our government, like any homeowner with their mortgage or credit card, is obliged to pay.

Trump and the Republican leadership disagree with the CBO, but however you spin it, the fact is that the national debt interest ($881 billion) just climbed,shockingly, over the allocation for defense ($850 billion) and Medicare ($865 billion) in the 2024 annual budget — so now it is our second biggest budget item, only after Social Security

In a reverse Robin Hood scenario, to bring down this deficit, Republicans are OK cutting Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)for people who can’t afford health care and/or food. On June 18th the nonpartisan CBO estimated that over the next 10 years, 10.9 million Americans will lose their health coverage due to the cuts of around $600 billion to Medicaid.

For SNAP the estimated total cuts are $230 billion.

Both the reduction of corporate taxes and social welfare programs are the deliberate policy continuation, begun with Reagan (Has the Trickle-down theory ever worked?), of transferring wealth from working men and women to the shareholders and CEOs in corporations that are now in full control of our democracy.

Experts say potential consequences to an increased debt are increased interest rates and loss of trust in the American bond market, which already recently lost its AAA rating. It could affect wage growth, economic progress, and America’s world leadership position. It would certainly give us less flexibility in dealing with world catastrophes, such as war, pandemics and/or climate change. A worst-case scenario would be defaulting on debt.

“The United States’ definitely not too big to fail,” said Professor Smetters, now at Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business after formerly working at the CBO. “When failure happens, what you see is significant inflation, you see significant pain and you see social upheaval.”

Don’t let ignorance excuse us from walking blindly into another dangerous situation. Let Republican representatives and NY congressional leaders, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, know how concerned you are about the nation’s fiscal future. Like our environmental future — and these two problems are interrelated since climate change is also caused by deferred debt — our scattershot, unsustainable, and highly inequitable fiscal policies will cause suffering here and now to our children and many future generations.” — Elizabeth Keokosky

Climate change poses great threats

“President Donald Trump calls climate change the “green new scam.” To counter this misinformation, I encourage reading “The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism.” It’s available online and provides an excellent summary of the lines of evidence that have led 200 science academies throughout the world, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, to conclude that climate change is human-caused.

For example, satellites detect less heat escaping the top of the atmosphere in the wavelengths absorbed by greenhouse gases, and surface observations measure more heat being returned to the earth in those same wavelengths.

Consider that the Israel Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran agree on this issue.

If one is serious about examining the issue of human-induced climate change, the place to start is understanding why scientists believe it.

Climate change poses great threats, such as more extreme heat waves, sea level rise, and the ravaging of the world’s coral reefs.

Conservatives would be unlikely to tolerate this level of risk with regard to national defense or financial markets.

Prudence dictates that we also hedge against the risk of disastrous climate change.” — Terry Hansen

Let’s Take Action To Preserve The Future

“Last week I heard a class of Belle Sherman first graders read their poems. They spoke clearly and confidently about their wonders, their caring, their dreams.

A few excerpts:

‘Throwing leaves in the air. Whee!’

‘The important thing about friends is that you can help each other.’

‘I have a dream where everyone is loved and safe from war.’

We need leaders who cherish the wonders of this planet, not the trappings of kings and military. We need leaders who care about others, not the accumulation of their personal wealth and adulation, and power to bomb in flagrant opposition to international law, the Geneva Convention and our Constitution. We need leaders who have dreams of equity, justice, and peace on our one planet. These first graders are not naïve; they are moral. Let’s take action to preserve their future.” — Ruth Yarrow

RE: Village Grove Apartments

“Let me get this right, $27 million for 46 “affordable” homes which comes to $587k per home? 20% down payment, the owner needs $117,000 down payment. They need a $469k 30 year mortgage which comes out to about $2,800 a month at 6% not including property taxes which is probably another $700 per month so now we're at $3,500 per month mortgage payment. So this affordable housing project (30% of income going toward housing with a $3500 mortgage, would mean the people living here would need an income of $11,667 a month or $140,000 per year. Wow! Epic disaster here!” — Jason Tillberg

WE THE PEOPLE: A CELEBRATION OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

How to Stay Engaged When You Feel Like Tuning Out

By Sam Daley-Harris

For many Americans, the 2024 election brought intense emotions—confusion, division, and a deep desire to understand how we might move forward together. In the face of uncertainty, some people may wonder how, or even if, their actions can make a difference. But there are more ways to engage than we often realize— ways that not only influence change but also transform us in the process.

What are the options for staying involved?

1. Protesting: A vital form of civic expression, but it’s also important to reflect and regroup internally.

2. Signing petitions and emails: A common step, though many seek deeper forms of action.

3. Waiting for the next election cycle: Understandable—but there’s more we can do in between.

4. Transformational advocacy: A powerful, often overlooked pathway that empowers individuals to make meaningful connections and lasting change.

What is transformational advocacy?

Transformational advocacy is about more than policy change—it’s about personal growth and civic empowerment. It’s when individuals, whether brand-new or seasoned advocates, are supported in doing things they never imagined: meeting with elected officials, getting published in local media, or organizing with others around an issue they care deeply about. These actions don’t just contribute to positive change—they build confidence and reinforce the value of participatory democracy.

Why don’t more people engage this way?

Many of us shy away from advocacy because it seems difficult, overwhelming, or even disconnected from everyday life. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if advocacy can be accessible, fulfilling, and deeply impactful?

Real progress through persistent effort

In 2013, Jay Butera of Pennsylvania

A Time Bomb in the BBB

By Elizabeth Keokosky

Tbegan working to bring bipartisan attention to environmental issues. Despite early challenges, his efforts helped establish a cross-party caucus in the House of Representatives. Over time, more members from both parties joined these conversations, showing how steady, respectful engagement can lead to new opportunities for collaboration and progress.

In 2021, a separate more conservative environmental caucus launched and continued to grow. By 2024, members were taking public stands on issues like clean energy tax credits—evidence that citizenled advocacy can help shape the national conversation and encourage leaders to take action.

You can be part of this

You don’t need to be a policy expert or full-time activist to make a difference. What you do need is a supportive network—an organization that believes in transformational advocacy and offers:

1. Recruitment and community building: Helping you connect with others locally and nationally so you’re not working alone.

2. Training: Giving you the tools and confidence to engage with elected officials and community leaders.

3. Encouragement to grow: Supporting you to step outside your comfort zone, try new forms of engagement, and discover what you’re capable of.

When you connect with the right support system, you tap into a deeper sense

Continued on Page 19

rump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) comes carrying a hidden time bomb. Arguably, nothing in this 1000-page omnibus bill affects the future of our children and our nation as much as its extension of Trump’s firstterm corporate income tax rate cut. In the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) FY 2018-2027 corporate taxes went from the old rate of 36% to the current one of 21%. The Republican leadership expected the cut to pay for itself by encouraging business investment and profit. But it didn’t. So, now Republicans are running the same playbook, with everyone arguing about deductions, small changes, cuts in some departments, increases in others (all to meet the tricky rules of Reconciliation legislation that allowsRepublicans a simple majority vote so they can by-pass the Democrats). But it is inevitable that BBB is on track to give TCJA a second life for another 10 years — until 2037.

Trump and the Republican leadership disagree with the CBO, but however you spin it, the fact is that the national debt interest ($881 billion) just climbed, shockingly, over the allocation for defense ($850 billion) and Medicare ($865 billion) in the 2024 annual budget — so now it is our second biggest budget item, only after Social Security.

next 10 years, 10.9 million Americans will lose their health coverage due to the cuts of around $600 billion to Medicaid. For SNAP the estimated total cuts are $230 billion.

Elizabeth Keokosky is a former systems analyst who worked at Cornell University for over 35 years. She holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning with a concentration in Regional Economics from Cornell.

Author and advocate Sam Daley-Harris promotes transformational advocacy as a path to meaningful civic engagement.

Ithaca High’s Class of 2025 Reflects on Resilience, Connection, and Post-Pandemic Growth

By Maddy Vogel

Caedmon Sethupathy,

Under sunny skies last week, two commencement ceremonies at Moresco Stadium marked the close of one chapter—and the beginning of another— for Ithaca High School’s graduating class. During the 150th Ithaca High School commencement, staff and student speakers reflected on their time spent with the graduates. They gave pieces of advice for students as they enter the next chapter of their lives, whether that means

pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, taking a gap year or exploring more possibilities.

“Today, as you sit here in your caps and gowns, you represent something more powerful–resillience. Not just the ability to bounce back, but the ability to bounce forward.”

— Martha Hardesty, Acting Principal of Ithaca High School

Martha Hardesty, principal of Ithaca High School (IHS) opened both ceremonies with a speech reflecting on the perseverance of the Class of 2025.

Post-pandemic reflections have been a facet in the speeches of many recent graduating classes, as the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped public education and transformed learning in unprecedented ways. The Class of 2025 was no exception. This year’s graduates were in eighth grade when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Their high school journeys were shaped by the complexities of hybrid learning, mask mandates and quarantines.

Ithaca High School class of 2025 waits in Moresco Stadium for the school’s 150th commencement ceremony to begin.

(Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

elected student speaker for the second ceremony, spoke about the importance of human connection in his speech. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

“You are the first graduating class to complete your entire high school journey in what we might call a post-pandemic world,” Hardesty said.

“You entered these halls as ninth graders in 2021 when masks were still common, hybrid learning was still a part of our vocabulary and when the world was still figuring out what normal looked like.”

Hardesty shared a sentimental moment with graduates, reflecting that she has begun and ended her academic jour-

“Becoming comfortable with diversity, both of opinion and background, teaches us to see the enormous value in every human being, thereby pushing back against the tide of artificial walls drawn up to separate us.”

This taught the graduating class that education isn’t just confined to classroom walls and school buildings, Hardesty said, sharing her admiration of the resilience and flexibility of this generation.

“Today, as you sit here in your caps and gowns, you represent something more powerful–resillience,” Hardesty said. “Not just the ability to bounce back, but the ability to bounce forward.”

While she thanked families, supporters and caregivers, Hardesty also encouraged graduates to bring the curiosity and collaboration that they learned to the world beyond IHS’ walls, using their skills to build bridges between communities.

“You’ve proven that a generation can face unprecedented challenges [and] emerge stronger, kinder and more connected than before,” Hardesty said.

— Caedmon Sethupathy, Student Speaker

ney in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) at the same time as students in the Class of 2025. Hardesty entered the ICSD as an associate principal at IHS when the graduates entered kindergarten, and is similarly retiring from the district this year.

As elected student speaker Joshua Kwakye-Minott took the stage, he encouraged his fellow graduates to take moments to embrace relaxation and joy. He reflected on his deep connection to playing the saxophone and finding moments of joy in times of pressure.

“Instead of chasing the success [in] the loudest or quickest way possible, I want you to chase joy,” Kwakye-Minott said. “Not the shallow kind that disappears the second you put down your phone, but the kind you felt when you were totally in your element. Doing something not because you had to, but because it reminded you of who you are.”

Life isn’t about avoiding burnout, it’s about finding the thing that makes the work worth it, Kwakye-Minott said to his peers.

“We are supposed to make mistakes and experience failure because without them, there is no success.”

— Jodi Maddren, Staff Speaker

of many, but that it is crucial to consider what students want and who they want to be during times of transition.

In the second ceremony, elected student speaker Caedmon Sethupathy focused on the importance of human connection during a time when technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. Although academic discipline is important, social learning and establishing meaningful interpersonal connections is equally as important in today’s world, he said.

“We enter a world increasingly dominated by technologies and societal norms that separate us,” Sethupathy said. “Many of us have not known a world in which we could not text, Whatsapp, Zoom, Facetime or otherwise message our friends from afar, and yet we are lonelier than ever.”

He urged his peers to value human connection in all their future endeavors, warning that the rise of AI and political instability are causes of increased division between people.

“The walls put up between us are not only technological, we live in a time of social unrest and conflict over America’s identity as a nation,” Sethupathy said. “We are goaded into fighting each other on the basis of the color of our skin, the god we worship or the number of coins in our pocket.”

Although societal divisions present profound challenges to establishing human connection, Sethupathy said, attending IHS has put students in a place where they must engage with students of diverse backgrounds.

“Here is Ithaca High School’s great gift to us,” Sethupathy said. “A public high school

Continued on Page 15

Staff speaker Peter Kelly, the senior class advisor and 10th grade history teacher had three key lessons he wanted graduates to remember: recognize the beauty and power of transition; help others; and tune into the miracles around you.

“Keep looking for the value that comes from helping people,” Kelly said. “This will give meaning to your life.”

He said that life is full of transitions, with a high school graduation being one

A graduate jumps while tossing his cap. Another graduate ducks beside him. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

Students toss their caps, marking the end of their high school journey. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

New Tompkins County Whole Health Commissioner Appointed

By Varsha Bhargava

Jennie Sutcli e will steer Tompkins County’s health services as newly appointed Whole Health commissioner starting in July. Sutcli e succeeds Frank Kruppa, who served as commissioner for 14 years.

Beginning July 7, Sutcli e will take on her appointment as Whole Health commissioner, overseeing public, mental and environmental health in the county.

Whole Health comprises Tompkins County's Public Health and Mental Health departments and o ers health and wellbeing resources to the community. Residents can visit Whole Health for immunizations, testing, counseling and more.

As commissioner, Sutcli e will work towards Whole Health’s mission of investigating the causes of local health disparities

and lead county-wide health initiatives.

Sutcli e is a Tompkins County native and throughout her career, has worked across the globe.

She studied as a Fulbright Research Scholar in Italy, served as an external relations fellow in the United Kingdom and worked as a health policy analyst in Illinois.

A er her travels, she returned to New York to work for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Most recently she worked on healthcare policy and social determinants of health as senior health care policy analyst at the NYC Health Department’s First Deputy Commissioner’s O ce, then tackled multiple public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 and the mpox virus outbreaks as senior advisor to the deputy commissioner in the O ce of Emergency Preparedness

William Jane Dispensar y

and Response in New York City.

“Sutcli e’s deep experience, policy acumen, and emergency response leadership make her exceptionally quali ed to guide Tompkins County Whole Health into its next chapter,” Dan Klein, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, said in a press release.

Sutcli e said in the press release that she looks forward to addressing the “vibrant” community’s health needs as Whole Health commissioner.

“It is an honor and privilege to be o ered the chance to lead such a talented and dedicated department,” Sutcli e said. “I grew up in Tompkins County and have spent my career in government and health, so stepping into this role is immensely exciting for me.”

Varsha Bhargava is a reporter at the Ithaca Times and a news editor at e Cornell Daily Sun working on e Sun’s summer fellowship.

Flower Prerolls Vapes Concentrate Edibles Tinctures

Jennie Sutcliffe speaks to legislators at a recent Tompkins County legislature meeting. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Protecting Your Ears This July: Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Hearing Conservation

As summer hits its stride in July, so does the excitement –parades, outdoor concerts, sports games, backyard parties, and of course, reworks lighting up the night sky. These events are a big part of the season’s fun. However, all that noise can come with a hidden cost: your hearing.

What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

Most of us don’t think twice about how loud our surroundings are during these celebrations. But noise-induced hearing loss is a real and permanent condition that a ects millions of people. It happens when the delicate hair cells inside the inner ear get damaged from exposure to loud sounds. These cells don’t grow back, which means once your hearing is a ected, it’s gone for good.

The Silent Threat: Gradual or Sudden Hearing Loss

What makes this kind of hearing loss tricky is that it doesn’t always show up right away. Sometimes it creeps in gradually after months or years of being around loud environments –think concerts, power tools, or even lawnmowers. But it can also happen in an instant if you’re exposed to an especially loud noise, like reworks going o nearby.

How Loud is Too Loud?

And reworks? They’re no joke. If you’re close, they can hit between 150 and 175 decibels – way above what’s considered safe. To put that into perspective, sounds over 85 decibels can start to cause damage if you're exposed for a while. Once you're over 120, even a short burst of sound can hurt your ears.

But it’s not just reworks that put your hearing at risk. Summer is full of noisy activities such as music festivals, crowded sports stadiums, buzzing lawn tools, and roaring jet skis or speedboats on the lake. All of these can take a toll, especially if you’re not taking precautions.

Tips to Protect Your Hearing

The good news is this kind of hearing loss is totally preventable. With a few simple habits, you can enjoy all the summer fun without putting your hearing on the line. Start by carrying earplugs or earmu s to loud events, there are even stylish and comfortable options for these days, including custom- tted plugs for concert lovers. Kids need protection too, and their ears are even more sensitive than ours.

Another smart move is to keep your distance from the source of the noise. The farther away you are, the less intense

the sound. Stay back from speakers, engines, or reworks –500 feet is a good rule of thumb when it comes to rework displays.

Don’t forget to talk about this with your family. A lot of people, especially kids and teens, have no idea that hearing loss from noise is permanent. Making ear protection a normal part of outings – like bringing sunscreen or water – can go a long way in building healthy habits.

Stay

on Top of Your Hearing Health

It’s also a good idea to schedule regular hearing checkups, just like you would for your eyes or teeth. This is especially important if you're around loud environments regularly, either for work or fun.

Hearing loss might be invisible, but the impact on your life can be huge. It a ects how you connect with others, how you enjoy music or conversations, and even your mental well-being. So, this summer, as you soak up the season and all the exciting events it brings, take a few extra steps to protect your ears.

Celebrating Smart This Summer

This summer, as you soak up the season and all the exciting events it brings, take a few extra steps to protect your ears.

Protect your hearing today, so you can keep enjoying the sounds of tomorrow. Call one of our o ces today to schedule your appointment!

Timeless Hearing (Ithaca, NY): (607) 327-4711

Cortland Hearing Aids (Cortland, NY): (607) 327-4712

Timeless Hearing (Skaneateles, NY): (315) 800-0616

Southern Tier Audiology (Elmira, NY): (607) 327-4714

Tri-City Hearing (Vestal, NY): (607) 327-4713

Ashley Hardy grew up in Cortland in a family with hearing loss and knows the impact communication can have on quality of life. She received her Bachelor’s in Human Development from Binghamton University in 2004 and has over 20 years of experience as a hearing aid dispenser.

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continued from page 5

all hours for those in need.”

Cantelmo and Howe commended the project and gave thanks to the many partnerships and funding e orts that contributed to its establishment a er hours of planning.

is presentation was followed by a ag-raising conducted by four new-recruit re ghters. en, Covert unveiled a large bear statue, which formerly sat atop the 309 College Ave. station. e statue was refurbished by the Maguire Family of Dealerships’ body shop and is a nod to Cornell’s mascot.

A er being revealed, the bear nearly toppled over. “Well, that’s going to be all over the news,” said Covert.

Covert said that the re station would host open houses in the fall once the crew had settled in. e station received a call during the opening, prompting a re ghter to take another engine.

Mayor Cantelmo and Supervisor Howe joined a number of attendees in perform-

Join us in A Celebration of the

GERRY FRIEDMAN

SUNDAY, JULY 13

1:00-4:00 large pavilion, Stewart Park, Ithaca, NY

We’ll eat, of course, and tell Gerry stories Please bring photos and memorabilia If you are unable to make it, you may make a donation in his name to a project he would love-GIAC, food, and kids-to: Red & White Cafe Project GIAC c/o Leslyn McBean-Clairborne

ing a hose uncoupling ceremony, akin to a ribbon-cutting, in front of the station.

As is tradition, the ceremony concluded with a spectacle in which members of the public and the department joined forces in pushing Engine 2 back into the station, showcasing the power of human will and teamwork.

Welcoming Gastroenterology Associates of Ithaca to the Guthrie Family

We are proud to officially welcome Brent Lemberg, MD, Adam Riordan, MD, Paige Robinson, MD, and the entire staff of the former Gastroenterology Associates of Ithaca to Guthrie. Patients will continue to receive the same exceptional care from the providers they know and trust at the same convenient location: 2435 N. Triphammer Road in Ithaca.

Together we’re combining expertise and resources to deliver enhanced gastroenterology care for our community.

Visit www.Guthrie.org to learn more about our expanded gastroenterology services.

Leah Badawi reports for the Ithaca Times as an intern through a summer fellowship with the Cornell Daily Sun.

Guthrie Gastroenterology

301 W. Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850 www.cityofithaca.org/327/ Greater-Ithaca-Activities-Center

Please RSVP if you can come by July 3 to Sally Dutko, sd14@cornell.edu

Firefighters prepare to push an engine into the new East Hill Fire Station. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

ITHACA HIGH’S CLASS OF 2025

education requires us to do the very thing that modern media and tech giants often prevent. We have to sit in the same classes as students with whom we hold profound disagreements. [...] A public education with its diversity of constituents requires that we become well-versed in social convention and cooperation, values that are difficult to learn outside of a school context.”

Growing connections during high school teaches students how to live in a social context, learning communication skills and emotional intelligence, he said.

“Rather than running away from it, being forced to engage in this con ict, be it ideological or demographic-based, is a vital skill for civic engagement in the modern age,” Sethupathy said. “Becoming comfortable with diversity, both of opinion and background, teaches us to see the enormous value in every human being, thereby pushing back against the tide of arti cial walls drawn up to separate us.”

He closed his remarks by encouraging his fellow graduates to lean into the social skills they have learned throughout school, urging them to become leaders that build

successful human connection and reverse the tide of isolation.

Sta speaker Jodi Maddren concluded the second commencement ceremony by o ering her advice for living an unlimited life to the graduates.

She encouraged students to believe in themselves and their abilities, while reminding them that goals take time, consistency and a strong work ethic to accomplish.

Mistakes and rejections are unavoidable parts of life, but when they do happen, Maddren said it is important to embrace them and use them as motivation to be better. She reminded students to be grateful, because not many things in life are promised and nothing is owed.

“We are supposed to make mistakes and experience failure because without them, there is no success,” Maddren said.

She said it is crucial to be exible, embrace change, take responsibility, practice self care, be a lifelong learner and slow down. Like Kwakye-Minott’s words of wisdom about nding joy and relaxation, she encouraged graduates to embrace downtime and live in the moment.

“Take nothing for granted, and take every day as a blank page with an opportunity to be kinder, to be better and to do better,” Maddren said.

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Out for Now

CJ Kirst led Cornell to Title with a Broken Hand

By Steve Lawrence

Hockey is such a big deal in this region, and given Lynah Rink is o en sold out when the Big Red men are in town, many local folks don't really get an opportunity to feel like they are a part of the scene. at can change on July 12, when the annual Racker Rivals Big Red event comes to Lynah Rink. e event raises money for Racker’s Early Childhood Program, and it gets community members up close and personal with some hockey players from many eras that have only heard and read about.

Every year, the event draws some big names — former and current NHL players, most of whom have some Cornell connection — and some incredibly talented women as well. One of the most entertaining aspects of Racker Rivals Big Red is the fact that many of the players are bank presidents and insurance professionals and high school coaches by day, but when they lace up the skates and grab a stick, they prove that they have some serious skills and can really carve it up!

The extravaganza starts with a Friends and Family Skate from 2:30-3:30 pm, then the players will take the ice for the 4 pm puck drop. Tickets are $10 for adults, kids under 17 get in free, and the money goes to help an agency that is nothing short of a community treasure. Please visit the website as the event approaches, as updates will be provided as to who will be there this year. Details at www.racker.org.

Back in May — when the Philadelphia Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) took Cornell’s CJ Kirst number one in the dra — there was a lot of talk about the o ensive reworks that would ensue. USA Lacrosse called Kirst and co-attack Michael Sower “a lethal combo,” and now — ve games into the season — Sower is leading the 'Dogs with 24 points. at's a pretty good start... considering that Kirst has yet to take the eld.

with. A er Cornell’s win over Maryland, he said, “I broke my hand in the middle of the year this spring and I was able to play through it,” Kirst said at the conclusion of the Big Red’s run to the national title. “I’m going to get surgery later this week and then be out and doing PT for three to four weeks and hopefully be back as soon as possible.” It has been four weeks. Updates forthcoming.

It was very exciting to see that CNN ranked Ithaca the #1 town to visit in the U.S., and I want to remind people that there are many ways to take advantage of our awesome waterfront and bike trails. I went out for a tandem ride on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail on Sunday, found that my tire was a bit so , so I stopped at the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s bike rental shop. e sta person on duty — June — was very helpful and friendly, took care of the tire, and I took note of the great selection of rental bikes. Bikes of all sizes, a nice tandem, three-wheelers, lots of options. One can ride the Waterfront Trail to the Treman Marina (near the Hangar eater)and back — a nice, at six-mile ride, or ride over to Cass Park and pick up the Black Diamond Trail. If you do that, remember — bad news and good news. e bad news is that it’s a really long upward incline to climb a few miles up toward Trumansburg. You can guess the good news.

A er his explosive six-goal performance that propelled Cornell to its rst national title since 1977, Kirst was put on the P.U.P. list — Physically Unable to Perform — as he had a medical issue to deal

en — a half mile away from the Youth Bureau, near the old boathouse in Stewart Park, I saw several people climbing into two of the kayaks that are available to rent. Singles, doubles, again — lots of options to get out on the water.

Hockey fans young and old will flock to Lynah Rink at Cornell July 12 to see stars of past and present compete in the Racker Rivals Big Red game. (Photo: Provided)

Tompkins County Celebrates Fourth of July

By Leah Badawi

This Independence Day, a string of events are set to take place in the city and across the Finger Lakes, from barbecues to musical performances, and of course, reworks. Here’s a look at the festivities available:

Friday, July 4

Ithaca Murals is hosting a Community Paint Day for the “Rising Ahead” mural at 720 West Green St starting at 7 a.m. and ending with a dip in the lake. People are recommended to dress in comfy clothing they don’t mind getting paint on, and indicate that people are free to come help rinse brushes, pass snacks, and ll water if they would prefer not to paint.

e Inn at Taughannock Falls in the village of Trumansburg is throwing an Independence Day Party beginning at 5:30 p.m., featuring live music and a BBQ bu et. A reworks display, viewable from Taughannock Falls State Park will commence at 9:30 p.m. Tickets to the party are rst-come, rst-serve, and people are encouraged to purchase them online in advance. Tickets for those 12 years and older are $50 per person, children ages 5-12 are half this price, and children ages 4 and below are free.

Publicly available paid parking is available for the general reworks show.

Paddle N More is launching a reworks tour at Myers Park in the town of Lansing starting at 8:30 p.m. and concluding at 11 p.m. Attendees will paddle up the lake and then kick back and watch the Inn at Taughannock

Falls reworks show from the water, from single and tandem sit-on kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. e price is $45 to $65, depending on the mode of observation, and a reservation is required.

Continued on Page 18

Arts & Entertainment

Fireworks go off in a burst of light above Cayuga Lake. (Photo: File/Ithaca Times)

Attached to a pillar of a house in Ithaca’s Fall Creek neighborhood, an American flag waves. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

What the F1?

A Spectacular Film About Racing, Also Tackles the Issue of Race

By David Burak

As the summer blockbuster film F1 commences, we become attached to Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a rough-hewn race car driver who has been drifting in and out of that line of work for decades. He’d been on the way to greatness when he experienced a major accident which reduced him to surviving through a variety of jobs during much of the last 30 years.

Then he’s visited by his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), an owner of APX, a Formula 1 team that is

facing termination and sale due to its lack of victories. As you might imagine, Sonny decides to apply his still formidable racing skills to attempt to carry his former team to the top.

On the personality-merger level, there’s a nicely constructed romance between Tech chief Kate (Kerry Condon) and Sonny. Also, Hans Zimmer’s energizing score, including cuts from Led Zeppelin and more current artists, keep us quite engaged.

Claudio Miranda’s stunning camerawork, holds us like we’re on a high-speed merry-go-round transporting us from F1 races in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.The viewer can feel like he/ she is a participant in the races.

federate flag be removed from all racing premises. (Currently, there are only four active Black race car drivers.)

Directed by Joseph Kosinsky Starring Brad Pitt, Damson, Idris and Javier Bardem Now playing at Cinemapolis 120 E, Green Street, Ithaca

TOMPKINS

COUNTY CELEBRATES FOURTH OF JULY

The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce invites people to bring their chairs, blankets and patriotic spirit to Clute Memorial Park in the village of Watkins Glen to enjoy a fireworks celebration at approximately 9:45 p.m. The

Now, let’s reflect on the rivalry between Sonny and Jason Pearce (Damson Idris). Let us make note of the fact that Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’S only Black driver in June of 2020, jolted the racing world by prevailing in his argument that the Con-

festivities will start much earlier at 2 p.m., with access to a splash pad, beach and the playground. From 6 to 9 p.m., live music from DJ ha-MEEN will fill the event center lakeside patio. Concessions and food trucks will be selling food and drinks.

“We are excited once again to be able to bring a beautiful fireworks display to be seen above Seneca Lake,” Nigar Hale said, Executive Director of the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. “The fireworks are shot off of barges, and it's just a spectacular view over Seneca, which of course is the deepest of the glacial lakes.”

The Finger Lakes Cider House in the village of Interlaken will be opening its grounds at 5 p.m. for a live music celebration featuring Motherwort “Farm-grrrl folk-punk!” from 6 to 9 p.m. Beverages and BBQ pork will be available to purchase, and the house encourages attendees

Hence, we can contend that the film, “FI,” presents a positive portrait of race relations in the realm of “high end” racing, Things still have a ways to go, but the presentations of Idris, and his, at times, angry mother, played by Sarah Niles,are a decent

to bring chairs or a blanket.

O’Malley’s Lakeside Tavern is throwing a 4th of July Bonanza at Cayuga Shoreline spotlighting a mechanical bull contest, yard games, live music and a beach party. Cold drinks and hot food will be available for purchase. Attendees can come by land or boat, and the celebration will start at noon.

Saturday, July 5

Cortland County’s Independence Celebration will return with fireworks at Dwyer Memorial Park. The event features a music lineup of local bands performing from 3 to 8 p.m., and food vendors will be on-site as well as a beer and wine garden.

Sunday, July 6

The town of Groton will host a fireworks show at the Groton Elementary School Field beginning at 9 p.m., with food trucks provided in the area.

Discover Cayuga Lake and Ithaca Boat Tours will offer cruises through the Fourth of July weekend, some of which will take place at sunset and nighttime, allowing for the viewing of fireworks shows across Cayuga Lake.

start in this domain. (When Niles warns Sonny that next time he could be the driver in the hospital, we can empathize with her anguish.)

On the whole, this is a fairly unique cinematic experience, though I would hope that these types of endeavors can be successfully carried out for less than $200 million.

The city of Ithaca offices will be closed on July 4. The Trumansburg Village Offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5, in observance of the national holiday.

Leah Badawi reports for the Ithaca Times as an intern through a summer fellowship with the Cornell Daily Sun.

Javier Bardem plays Ruben Cervantes, an owner on the brink who partners with Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a driver with a past, to make a run in the high-speed film F1. (Photo: Provided)

TOMPKINS COUNTY SEEKS CONSULTANT

continued from page 3

issue,” County Administrator Korsah Akum stated in the press release. “Considering the recent living wage report, it is timely to study the potential impacts of increasing the minimum wage in Tompkins County.”

e study is time limited to about six to nine months, and the hired consultant will work under the county’s Housing and Economic Development Committee, county administrator and county attorney.

RESULTS RELEASED

continued from page 4

of the total active voters in Tompkins County who were registered by Feb. 20, 2025. DeWitt said the turnout at the polls was relatively consistent with previous non-presidential primary elections in the county and city. He attributed spikes of voter engagement in past years to having more contested races or involving a driving issue.

“ ere have been higher [turnouts at primaries], but those were probably more

Impacts that will be investigated include:

• Di erences in the cost of living and types of wage-related challenges in di erent regions of the county

• Potential impacts of a county-only minimum wage on the economy near the county border

• Variation across industries

• Special exemptions or considerations for certain services

• Consequences of wage compression or avoiding wage compression

• Indirect costs to the community or government of paying workers below the living wages

• Calculations and methodology for

outliers than these are,” DeWitt said.

In Ward 5, 11.2% of eligible residents voted, but DeWitt said that is also consistent with past primary elections because most Cornell students are gone for the summer.

Compared to the 143 ballots cast for the Ward 5 Common Council race this year, which will likely pass 150 with the remaining uncounted ballots, the primary election in 2023 had 180 ballots cast for Ward 5.

“It was probably a little bit higher two years ago, but not a lot higher,” Dewitt said. “ at’s pretty consistent for the lack of students being here.”

annual adjustments, and enforcement provisions

e Massachusetts Institute of Technology estimates that the living wage for Tompkins County is $25.35 per hour for a single adult with no children. A more local report published in 2025 by Cornell University Industrial and Labor Relations School estimated $24.82 per hour as the living wage for a single adult with no children. e report also said roughly 23,000 workers living in Tompkins County earn less than the living wage.

On Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum wage increased to $16.50 per hour in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, and

WE THE PEOPLE

continued from page 7

of purpose and empowerment. If you’re looking for a place to start, visit reclaiming our democracy.com and click “sign up to learn more.”

Transformational advocacy may not be the only ingredient needed for lasting change—but it is a vital one. When citizens realize their own power, they help strengthen our democracy from the ground up. Now is the time to get involved.

$15.50 per hour for the rest of New York state. e minimum wage will increase by 50 cents again Jan. 1, 2026 and in 2027 it will begin to increase annually at a rate set by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region. ese changes have been made in an e ort to index the minimum wage to in ation.

“ e commitment to exploring a countywide minimum wage has been a strategic priority for the County, and all implications need to be considered before we determine a path forward,” Legislator Veronica Pillar (D-Ithaca), sponsor of the 2024 resolution, stated in the press release.

Sam Daley-Harris is the author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy” and founder of RESULTS and Civic Courage. He was also an early advocate of microcredit programs, working closely with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus, and was the Founding Director of the Microcredit Summit Campaign, an e ort to reduce poverty by democratizing access to capital.

A version of this piece was originally published in e Philadelphia Citizen.

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7/2 Wednesday

Astrology Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | A meeting every Wednesday (6:00-7:30 p.m.) at the Tompkins Public Library where people talk about astrology. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca Board Game Night! | 5:00 p.m. | All ages board game night in our game room here on the Commons! | Riverwood 116 E State St., Ithaca | Free DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 6:30 p.m. | Join Dave Ashton for DJ Trivia every Wednesday night at Hopshire Farm and Brewery! Bring your friends and family for an evening of amazing craft beer, local food and (of course) trivia! It ’s a “ Trivial Pursuit ” night with questions over all sorts of categories: History, pop culture, science, sports, literature and more with LOTS of multiple choice questions...so you ’ll always stay in the game! | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd., Freeville | Free

Homer’s Music on the Green: David Graybeard Band | 7:00 p.m. | Homer Village Green, West Homer Road, Homer

LGBTQ+ Youth Group | 5:45 p.m. |

Join us at LGBTQ\+ Youth Group to do crafts, play games, and socialize. Whether you're lesbian, gay, bi, trans, questioning, or just trying to gure things out — we ’re here for you!|Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Lindsey Poto | Reaching into the Lake | 1:00 p.m. | Reaching into the Lake is a series of etchings by Lindsey Poto , a printmaker from Michigan who received her BFA from Cornell in 2022 and is currently attending the University of Connecticut for her MFA. | Ink Shop Studio Gallery 330 E.State / MLK Street, Ithaca | Free

Makerspace Open Hours | 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. | Join us for drop-in Open Hours! Registration is not required. Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3-D printer, Cricut, or sewing/ embroidery machines. All equipment will be available on a rst come rst served basis and machine use will be limited to 30 minutes if others are waiting (except for 3-D printer). These sessions are intended for independent makers, as sta training will be limited during these sessions. Ages 16\+ welcome solo. Ages 12-15 are welcome with an engaged adult. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

NARCAN Training with REACH | 4:00 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

tice their reading skills by reading to one of Cornell Companion’s volunteer therapy dogs. | New eld Public Library, 198 Main Street, New eld | Free

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra — Red, White & Boom! | 8:00 p.m. | Constellation BrandsMarvin Sands Performing Arts Center: CMAC 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua | $8.50

Salvador Sarmiento singersongwriter guitarist live | 6:30 p.m. | Live Singer-Songwriter Guitarist Sal Sarmiento 6:30-9 p.m. Live music by the reside with snacks and drinks, acoustic guitar, some pedals for tone, and a well-rounded sound. Singer songwriter Salvador Sarmiento has been crafting songs since he was a child and each batch keeps getting sweeter with each tune. | New Park Event Venue & Suites, 1500 Taughannock Boulevard, Ithaca | $25.00 Trivia! | 7:00 p.m. | Trivia Night with Bob Proehl at Liquid State! | Liquid State Brewery, 620 West Green Street, Ithaca | Free

“The Wedding Singer” at Cortland Repertory Theatre | 7:30 p.m. | Cortland Repertory Theatre Dwyer Memorial Park, Little York Lake Rd., Preble

Wednesday Market at East Hill | 3:00 p.m. | Don’t have time to get to the pavilion every weekend, or need a mid-week haul? We have you covered with meat, eggs, veggies, fruit and even some dinner and pastries to hold you over. Bring the beauty of the season to your home with fresh cut owers. Parking is easy! Find our vendors under tents. This market caters to the East Hill neighborhoods, located in a grassy eld next to Walgreens | 330 Pine Tree Rd., NY 14850-2819, Ithaca

CFCU SUMMER CONCERT

SERIES: JORGE T. CUEVAS & THE CARIBE JAZZ ALLSTARS

THURSDAY, JULY 3RD AT 5:00 PM

beautiful once in a lifetime sunset on Cayuga Lake! | Allan H. Treman Marina, 805 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca

Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton | 5:30 p.m. | Cider by the glass, farmto-table food, and live music at South Hill Cider every Thursday! | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road, Ithaca

7/3 Thursday

CFCU Summer Concert Series: Jorge T. Cuevas & The Caribe Jazz Allstars, with openers Colleen Kattau with Rich DePaolo | 5:00 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavilion Center Commons, Ithaca | Free Constitution Read at Clemens Center | 10:00 a.m. | The Chemung County Historical Society invites you to join us in a community reading of the United States Constitution on July 3rd, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It will take place on the Powers Theater stage at the Clemens Center and will be lmed to be part of a companion piece to the upcoming exhibit, Voices and Votes, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit. | Powers Theater stage at the Clemens Center, Elmira Healthier Eating Support Community | 4:30 p.m. | The Healthier Eating Support Community is here to provide support for the challenges of sustained healthy eating. Our Healthier Eating Support Community $HESC$ meetings will be a space where you can engage with fellow peers who have personal experience with sustained healthy habits and receive advice on how to create and sustain healthier eating habits. | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca Lake and Land Tour Discover Cayuga Lake | 10:00 a.m. | Get the best of both worlds through Discover Cayuga Lakes Lake and Land Tour! | Allan H. Treman Marina, 805 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca

Mark G. | 7:00 p.m. | Local Old School Hip-Hop and R&B artist Mark G. performs songs on his upcoming album, Against It All 8 p.m. $10 PWYC | The Downstairs, 121 W. M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca

Public Sunset Cruise Discover Cayuga Lake | 7:30 p.m. | Enjoy a

The Spinners | 8:00 p.m. | Outdoor Concert. Rain or Shine. No refunds/ No Exchanges. All sales bene t the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group. | Tioga Downs, 2384 West River Rd., Nichols

State of the Art Gallery Frances Fawcett & Ethel Vrana | 12:00 p.m. |

State of the Art proudly presents two exhibits this month. In the main gallery, Where I’m Coming From (a retrospective) showcases a broad spectrum of works by Frances L. Fawcett. |

State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street, Ithaca | Free Syracuse Orchestra | 8:00 p.m. | The Syracuse Orchestra performs at the pavilion at Emerson Park on the north shore of Owasco Lake. Enjoy light classical favorites, patriotic tunes, and popular standards. All ages are welcome for a relaxed evening of music. This concert is free to attend and you do not need a ticket. RAIN DATE: July

6, 8:00 p.m. | Emerson Park, 6914 East Lake Road, Route 38A, Auburn

7/4 Friday

2025 Independence Day Party | 5:30 p.m. | Bob Keefe and the Surf Renegades as well as Bead and Bone will be entertaining the crowd and rocking things along. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. | Inn at Taughannock Falls, 2030 Gorge Rd , Trumansburg

30th Annual Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence | 10:00 a.m. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St., Homer 4th of July Bonanza! Live Music, Mechanical Bull Contest, Beach Party! | 12:00 p.m. | Bring your friends, oaties, bathing suits and fun vibes on up O ’Malley ’s and Cayuga Shoreline, we ’re having a party! | Cayuga Shoreline and O ’Malley ’s, 7930 County Rd. 153, Interlaken | Free Art House Night | 5:00 p.m. | The Ink Shop, 330 E. MLK/State St., Ithaca Canandaigua 4th of July Parade | 10:00 a.m. | 327 S Main St., Canandaigua

Fall Creek Brass Band | 5:30 p.m. | The Fall Creek Brass Band plays South Hill Cider Golden Hour Music Series! | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd., Ithaca

FIREWORKS OVER SENECA LAKE | 9:45 p.m. | Celebrate Independence Day in Style! Join us in Watkins Glen for a spectacular July 4th Fireworks Show over beautiful Seneca Lake! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and patriotic spirit. Fireworks begin around 9:45 PM (or when it’s dark enough for the reworks to shine). | Watkins Glen Harbor, Seneca Lake, 221 S Jackson St., Watkins Glen Friday Night Magic: Commander | 5:00 p.m. | Come down to Riverwood for a recurrent night of Commanderstyle Magic play! | Riverwood 116 E State St., Ithaca | $5.00 Friday Sunset Music Series — ft. The Time Riders (Music begins @ 6:30) | 5:00 p.m. | |Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi Gallery Night Ithaca — First Friday of Every Month | 5:00 p.m. | |National Soaring Museum, 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Ithaca Ithaca Gallery Night | 5:00 p.m. | A rst Friday event where galleries and venues present new exhibits every rst Friday of the month from 5-8 p.m. Ithaca Gallery Night openings are located in downtown Ithaca and Tompkins County. Free and open to the public. Please go to www.ithacagallerynight.com for details. | Ithaca Gallery Night, 171 The Commons, Ithaca | Free

Johnny Dowd: Nihilistic Bacchanalia @ The Downstairs | 8:00 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 E M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca

July 4th Fireworks Display Presented by Corning Lions Club | 12:00 a.m. | Corning's Ga er District, 1 W. Market Street, Suite. 401 Suite 401, Corning

July Gallery Night with Keith Millman | 5:00 p.m. | Join us Friday July 4th, 5-8 p.m. in the Grayhaven Gallery Lounge for the opening reception for Departing and Arriving: Pictures from the bottom of the sky, work by Kieth Millman. | Grayhaven Motel Gallery Lounge, 657 Elmira Rd., Ithaca | Free Queer Disco — Light Up The Night | 9:00 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca

Rumble Ponies vs. Hartford Yard Goats | 7:05 p.m. | Rumble Ponies Mirabito Stadium, 211 Henry St., Binghamton

THE WEDDING SINGER

THURSDAY, JULY 3RD AT 7:30 PM

Ithaca residents have their choice of lakes from which to view reworks this 4th of July! e Inn at Taughannock Falls continues their tradition of reworks over Cayuga Lake on Friday night. If Seneca Lake is more your jam, Watkins Glen will also host a spectacular in the sky around 9:45 p.m. on the 4th.

Worcester Red Sox at Syracuse Mets | 6:35 p.m. | NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse

7/5 Saturday

Carla Stetson exhibit “Meanders”

| 12:00 p.m. | Carla Stetson’s oneperson exhibit at The Gallery at South Hill. Many of the pieces in this exhibit are in uenced by uid dynamics, the study of the winding and spiraling movement of uids and follow a cartographic impulse. | The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Rd. South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca | Free Farmers Market Cruise Discover Cayuga Lake | 11:00 a.m. | Get the best of both worlds straight o the Ithaca Farmers Market dock! Enjoy the good times of the Farmers Market and Experience Cayuga Lake! | Ithaca Farmers Market, 545 3rd St , Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca West Hill yard sale | 9:00 a.m. | West Hill yard sale 7/5 and 7/6 | West Hill Elm St Extension, Ithaca

FIREWORKS! Cortland County Independence Day Spectacular

| 2:00 p.m. | Dwyer Memorial Park , 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble

7/6 Sunday

Renaissance Festival | 10:00 a.m. |

|Sterling Renaissance, 15385 Farden Road, Sterling Cazenovia Lavender Festival 2025 | 10:00 a.m. | Farmstead 1868, 4690 Shephards Rd , Cazenovia | $20.00 - $35.00

Ageless Jazz Band | 3:30 p.m. | Ageless Jazz Band to play in Brooktondale July 6, 2025 | Brooktondale Community Center, 524 Valley Road, Brooktondale | Free

The Beach Boys | 5:00 p.m. | Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center: CMAC 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua David Dowler : Artist's Talk | 2:00 p.m. | Join us for a gallery talk with sculptor David Dowler and curator Ann Welles. | Corners Gallery 903 Hanshaw Rd. Suite, 101A Suite 101A, Ithaca | Free

DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 7:00 p.m. | Crossroads Bar and Grill, 3120 North Triphammer Road, Lansing | Free

Embroidery with Words (3 Sessions) | 12:00 p.m. | Explore the basics of creative embroidery with words-

SUNY Cortland and Cornell University lab students to learn about animal science! Participants will have the opportunity to examine the parts of a cow’s stomach, manipulate trays and jars of cow feed, examine microorganisms from a cow’s digestive uid under a microscope, put their hands inside a live stulated Cornell cow, and learn about how making milk production more e cient can reduce our environmental impact and improve food security. | Sciencenter 601 1st St , Ithaca

Summer Sundays Music Series at the Vantage Point — ft. Evan Dillon | 1:00 p.m. | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi

Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Stonecat | 10:00 a.m. | Summer Jazz Brunch Series: serving brunch from 10 a m –2p m , with live jazz music by Dave Solazzo & The Bridge from 10:30 a m. –1:30 p m. | Stonecat Cafe 5315 State Route 414, Hector | Free

7/7 Monday

-from fabrics, threads, and stitches

| SewGreen Press Bay Court, 112 W Green Street, #5, Ithaca | $80.00

Hazlitt’s Oasis Sunday Music: Two Horse Johnson | 2:00 p.m. | The Oasis at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, 5712 State Route 414, Hector

The High Kings: Step It Out World Tour | 7:30 p.m. | The Smith Opera House 82 Seneca Street, Geneva | $42.64 - $74.40

Jazz Jam | 6:00 p.m. | The Downstairs 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca

Outdoor Qi Gong Class- Sundays | 10:00 a.m. | Outdoor Qi Gong for Wellness and Nervous System Regulation. |

Allan H. Treman State Marine Park 805 Taughannock Blvd , Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca | $12.50 - $15.00

Rose Hill Concert Series: Cool Club and the Lipker Sisters | 5:00 p.m. | Rose Hill Mansion Geneva | Free

Saltonstall Open House: Readings + Art | 4:00 p.m. | Save the date and join us for Saltonstall Foundation's rst Open House of the 2025 season. | Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts 435 Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Ithaca | Free

Science Connections: Ruminate with Ruminants | 11:00 a.m. | Join

30TH ANNUAL PUBLIC READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

FRIDAY, JULY 4TH AT 10:00 AM

Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 South St., Homer | The public is welcome to attend the free event and will also be invited to read aloud a short portion of the Declaration. In addition to the reading, bells will be rung around the Homer Village Green 50 times. There will also be a recounting of the circumstances that led up to the Declaration’s adoption in 1776, as well as stories of the signers and their fates. (Photo: Stock)

| Join Lee O’Connell on July 8 at 10:30 AM at Lansing Community Library for “Color Our World”—a fun, colorful workshop where pink pears, purple apples, and lavender trees are just the beginning. Let your creativity soar as we explore art beyond the lines! | Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Rd., Lansing | Free Cortland County Junior Fair | 10:00 a.m. | The Cortland County Junior Fair returns to the Cortland County Fairgrounds on July 8-12. Visit us and see the hard work ethic of our agriculture families and our 4-H kids that showcase their hard work, all striving for excellence. You might nd something that your own kids have been missing out on. Fairs are a celebration of who we are, what we do, and where we live. | Cortland County Fairgrounds, 4301 Fairgrounds Dr, Cortland

EZ Listening #2: Jackie Bon Bon, Polly Vinylchloryd, and Panther Smoothie | 7:00 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca

DJ Trivia | 7:00 p.m. | 23 North Restaurant and Bar, 23 Cinema Drive, Ithaca | Free

Mondays with MAQ | 5:30 p.m. | Join us every Monday for cider, food, and live jazz with some of the best local musicians! | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd., Ithaca

Participatory Contra, Square, and Circle Dancing | 7:00 p.m. | |Ithaca Commons 171 E. State St./ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ithaca

Playtime with Finger Lakes Toy Library | 10:30 a.m. | Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca

Riverwood Art Club | 4:00 p.m. | Riverwood is hosting an art club every Monday! Bring your tablet, yarn, collage materials, clay, paints, or anything else. All ages and supplies provided. | Riverwood, 116 E State St., Ithaca | Free

Teen Maker Mondays | 4:00 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

7/8 Tuesday

Book Club | 6:00 p.m. | New eld Public Library 198 Main Street, New eld | Free Color Our World Teen/Tween Watercolor Workshop | 10:30 a.m.

Family Playgroup — Summer’25 | 3:00 p.m. | CCE-Tompkins Education Center 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca

Meet with sta from the o ce of Congressman Riley | 1:00 p.m. | Representatives from the o ce of Congressman Josh Riley are available to discuss federal issues they may have. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca | Free Presentation Night | 7:00 p.m. | Celebrate the joy of learning at this evening of short talks by non-experts (and there's beer!) | Liquid State Beer Company, 620 W. Green St., Ithaca | $0.00 - $5.00

SingSong Music Class Series | 10:00 a.m. |Sign your kiddo up for this fourweek music class series with local musician and music-educator Amy Puryear! SingSong is a fun- lled class for little ones and parents/caregivers to enjoy music together in a circle setting. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Taughannock Live Music Series: FAR Trio | 5:00 p.m. | Inn at Taughannock Falls, 2030 Gorge Rd., Trumansburg

The Wizard of Oz | 1:00 p.m. | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St., Auburn Music in the Hollow: The Notorious String Busters | 6:00 p.m. |

Ellis Hollow Community Center, 111 Genung Rd., Ithaca | Free

7/9 Wednesday

Geneva Sings with Patrisha Blue & The MLK Memorial Choir @ Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series | 6:00 p.m. | 35 Lakefront Dr, NY 14456-3400 Geneva

“How do Americans Think About AI” a lecture presented by Cornell SCE | 7:00 p.m. | How do Americans think arti cial intelligence will shape the economy in the future? Join Cornell's Dean Peter Loewen as he explains how using a series of proprietary surveys in the United States and globally, we can understand how Americans’ views compare to those in other countries. | Warren Hall, B25, Cornell University, 137 Reservoir Ave., Ithaca | Free

Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Fire y Trio | 6:30 p.m. | Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Fire y Trio (6:30-8:30 p.m.), Big Band (8:30-10:30 p.m.), The People’s Jam! (10:30-12:30 p.m.). | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca | Free

Learn to Sew One-on-One | 4:00 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Three Bears Air Dry Clay Workshops | 6:00 p.m. | Free 1.5 hour beginner friendly classes on working with air dry clay at Mama Bear taught by local artist Angela Cartwright on July 9th and 16th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Three Bears Ovid, 7175 Main Street, Ovid | Free

Homer’s Music on the Green: Merkley and Morgan | 7:00 p.m. | Homer Village Green, West Homer Road, Homer Rev Theatre Co. presents BARNUM | 7:30 p.m. | Combining the razzle-dazzle of Broadway with the magic of the circus, BARNUM tracks the rise of Phineas Taylor Barnum as he and his wife, Charity, create “the greatest show on earth.” Joyful, hilarious, and heartfelt, BARNUM is a Tony Award-winning musical with something for audiences of all ages, from Tiny Tim to Jumbo the Elephant, and all the clowns, acrobats, and performers in between. Rated PG. | Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 6877 East Lake Road, Auburn

SALTONSTALL OPEN HOUSE: READINGS + ART

SUNDAY, JULY 6 FROM 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, 435 Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Ithaca | Meet the current group of artists and writers who were awarded a four-week residency at Saltonstall. Free, wheelchair accessible, and open to all with onsite parking. (Photo: Facebook)

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