PAGES 8-9
ITHACANS RALLY AGAINST AID BLOCKADE IN GAZA
PAGE 3
COUNTY AT MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CROSSROADS
PAGE 4
CITY AND TOWN WORK TOWARDS JOINT HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM
PAGE 5
LONGTIME DOWNTOWN EXEC MAKES THE CASE FOR BUSINESS PRESERVATION
PAGE 7
‘HAPPY MUSIC, HAPPY LOVE’: GRASSROOTS RECAP PAGE 13
By Shubha Gautam
More than 40 protestors held a proPalestine rally Tuesday, July 22, at the Bernie Milton Pavilion. The majority of them also took part in a die-in, a form of protest where participants lie down and act dead to amplify their message. Demonstrators held signs denouncing United States intervention in the Middle East, calling for a “free Palestine,” and highlighting ongoing starvation in the Gaza Strip.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the Ithaca Committee for Justice in Palestine (ICJP) called on protestors to “show up, make noise [and] bring signs” to a “Stop Starving Gaza Now!” protest.
Local activist Daniel Creamer attended the protest with a keffiyeh, pot lid and spoon. He was previously arrested at the Cornell-hosted Pathways to Peace event earlier this year for protesting against its panel members. He demonstrated again on Tuesday in support of a “free Palestine.”
For about five minutes, demonstrators lay on the ground as part of a die-in. Erin suggested the idea as an escalation to the protest. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)
“I believe that there are horrible, inhumane things happening in Palestine, and our government and Cornell University are at fault for it,” Creamer said. “And I believe that as human beings, we have a responsibility to resist that.”
The Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), a social media-based political organization described as a “transnational, independent [and] grassroots movement of Palestinian & Arab youth struggling for the liberation of our homeland,” originally called for people to protest Tuesday as part
By Maddy Vogel
Beginning Friday, Aug. 1, new policies regarding automatic renewals and types of identification necessary for getting a library card will take effect at the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL).
TCPL’s board of directors approved the updates to the library’s Card and Lending Guidelines Policy at a recent meeting. The updated policy will limit the number of automatic renewals allowed for loaned items from six to two.
Items requested through a hold will not be eligible for automatic renewal and the due date for items checked out prior to Aug. 1 will remain the same. Future automatic renewals will not be allowed for items that have been renewed twice or more prior to Aug. 1.
In a press release, TCPL stated that the changes in policy renewals were made in an effort to enhance access to materials for library patrons by increasing availability. The new policy guidelines are now more comparable to the lending policies of other libraries in the Finger
ON THE COVER:
Since first being detected on Cayuga Lake in 2014, reports of harmful algal blooms in the Finger Lakes have
of an international day of action for the Gaza Strip. The organization referenced the ongoing famine-level conditions and starvation in the region as a reason to further push for an end to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. PYM claims that the reason for starvation is the backing of “Israel’s siege [...] by the U.S. and imperialist allies.” Since then, Montreal, New York City, Chicago and Washington D.C., among other cities, announced rallies for Tuesday.
Facing East Seneca Street, protestors in Ithaca rallied with chants and held signs
Continued on Page 5
website at www.ithaca.com for more
and
Call
at
Lakes Library System.
The updated guidelines will require proof of a residential address or a working address within Tompkins County, along with a photo I.D. to obtain a library card. Anyone who lives or works in Tompkins County is eligible for a free library card at TCPL, but library cards must be renewed once every three years.
The updated Card and Lending Guidelines Policy can be viewed on TCPL’s website, along with frequently asked questions regarding the new guidelines.
com
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, Peter Rothbart, and Austin Lamb
THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY PATHWAYS TO EQUITY, LLC. All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable. All copy must be received by Friday at noon. The Ithaca Times is available free of charge from various locations around Ithaca. Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $139 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607277-1012, MAILING ADDRESS is PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. The Ithaca Times was preceded by the Ithaca New Times
By Mark Syvertson
“AFTER 22 YEARS OF FLIPPHONES, I JUST GOT MY FIRST SMARTPHONE. WHAT APPS DO YOU RECOMMEND?”
By Maddy Vogel
As revenues decline and costs of services rise, Tompkins County is facing “significant fiscal challenges” and an $11 million budget deficit, county officials said in a press release on Monday.
As the county begins its 2026 budget process, Tompkins County Administrator Korsah Akumfi estimates that the county will have to close the multi-million dollar gap based on initial departmental and agency requests.
Akumfi said inflation, increased demand for critical services, and reduced state and federal funding are the primary drivers of the funding gap. Costs have risen in health care, public safety and infrastructure, while revenue from the state and other funding sources has dwindled. Akumfi added that the county has seen increased demand for social services, mental health support and housing assistance.
“We are committed to upholding the values of Tompkins County by delivering highquality services, implementing our adopted strategic plan, and ensuring fiscal responsibility,” Akumfi said. “However, the current economic climate, coupled with federal budget changes, presents real challenges.”
Legislature Chair Dan Klein said that although the county has kept its annual property tax levy increase relatively low in recent years — an average of less than 1.2% over the past four years — the upcoming budget season will be tough.
“[...] The reality of increasingly complex problems, inflation, and the impending federal cutbacks is catching up to us,” Klein said. “This is a very difficult budget year.”
Legislator Mike Lane, who is also the chair of the Budget, Capital, and Personnel Committee, said the news was “sobering,” and that the county would attempt to keep
By Lorien Tyne
Brittanie Earle will begin her first day as commissioner of the Tompkins County Department of Social Services on July 21. The county legislature voted unanimously to appoint Earle for a five-year term during its July 15 meeting. Earle is moving to the commissioner role from her position as interim director of the Community Response Team at Cornell University. She has also led youth services at the Ithaca Youth Bureau, managed residential care programs at the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and implemented trauma-informed care within Oswego County Opportunities. She has more than 15 years of experience in public service.
At the legislature meeting, Earle said she is honored to serve in this role and thanked the legislature for her appointment. She said the passage of federal legislation is altering accessibility to essential benefits like Medicaid and SNAP, which will be a
challenge for many but she sees it as an opportunity to strengthen local social services.
“I’m stepping into this position at a time of significant change,” Earle said. “I’m committed to leading with transparency, empathy, and action. That means listening to the people we serve, working hand in hand with our community partners, and building strong channels of communication with all of you here in this room. I look forward to working together in this new role. And thank you for all the work that you guys do and for welcoming me as a partner and the important work ahead.”
In the press release, County Administrator Korsah Akumfi expressed his confidence in Earle’s ability to lead the department.
“Brittanie is a proven leader whose breadth of experience positions her exceptionally well to lead one of our county’s most vital departments,” Akumfi stated.
“Her collaborative, trauma-informed approach and deep understanding of public systems make her uniquely equipped to
the tax levy low while retaining necessary services.
Akumfi said the county will analyze budget lines to minimize the burden on taxpayers while retaining vital programs.
“We understand the financial strain our community faces,” Akumfi said. “The deficit is substantial, and we will explore all options, including efficiency measures, strategic cuts, and responsible revenue solutions to close the gap while protecting the services our residents rely on.”
A preliminary 2026 county budget will be presented during a legislature meeting in September, and the county is expected to adopt its budget by November.
navigate complex challenges and drive innovative, community-centered solutions.” Earle is taking over the role from Kit Kephart, who led the department for eight years. Kephart announced her departure in January.
Legislature Chair Dan Klein thanked Kephart for her service to the county during the meeting.
“I’ve always found Kit to be an extremely kind and patient person,” Klein said. “Those are the words that always pop in my head when I’m in her presence. And really, this is true. Being in her presence has always made me aspire to want to be more kind and patient.”
By Lorien Tyne
The Ithaca Town Board provided updates to an ordinance and memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Ithaca regarding a Joint Historic Preservation Program at its meeting on Monday, July 14.
The program would be organized by one Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) for both the city and town. Town Supervisor Rod Howe said the ordinance has been drafted and reviewed by legal counsel for each party. He said a MOU is still being finalized.
“We’ve been working diligently towards getting to this final language and I think we’re excited to be working with the city,” board member Susie Gutenberger said. “We have a lot of notable historic properties in the town that we would like to move towards protecting.”
Howe said the public hearing for the agreement will likely be held in September.
Board member Rob Rosen asked why there are two members for the commission from the town and five from the city. He also inquired why the town cannot have its own historic preservation board
“It just seems like the town is so much bigger than the city,” Rosen said. “I know they have more people, but not that many more, and do we really want people in the city making decisions on rural properties? Five to two is just really overwhelming.”
Howe said the idea of the town’s own board was discussed but the town does not have enough resources to staff it. He also said he is expecting most of the properties that the ILPC works on will be in the city.
Board member Rich DePaolo said he does not think proportional represen-
tation is very important on this board because whether the property is in the city or town, the ILPC will be using the same criteria and has the same intent.
Howe said the first term of the MOU will start once passed and will end Dec. 31, 2027. The agreement will automatically renew but the city and town are discussing if it will be for two or three year terms upon renewal. A party would need to give a notice of non-renewal at least one year before the renewal date. The cost to the town would be 30,000 per year with increases to reflect consumer price index rates.
The board unanimously passed a resolution that included accepting the New York State Department of Transportation use and occupancy permit conditions and designating the highway superintendent as an authorized representative in regard to the undertaking of the 2024 Inlet Val-
ley Sewer Improvements Project, which consists of making improvements to the Wonderland and Waldorf Pump station
The board unanimously authorized Howe to sign the Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement and stormwater easements associated with the Maplewood II Development project.
The board also unanimously authorized the supervisor or designated representative to file an application for $675,000 in grant money for the historic preservation of the Town Hall under the 2025 Environmental Protection Fund Grants Program for Parks, Recreation and Heritage.
The board set several public hearings to be held Aug. 11 for proposed local laws amending Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 17, “Lock boxes”; Chapter 18, “Notification of defects” and Chapter 270, “Zoning” and regarding the Preliminary Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission’s 2026 budget.
The Sciencenter is proud to announce that it has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Sciencenter has been accredited since 2000. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division (EH) must locate a dog that bit a person on Monday, July 21, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, at the Ithaca Dog Park, located within the Allen Treman State Marine Park (805 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, N.Y.). The person was bit on the arm while breaking up a fight between their dog and the biting dog.
The City of Ithaca is applying for Round 9 of the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). If awarded, $10 million in DRI funding would support catalytic projects in downtown Ithaca intended to spur revitalization and community vibrancy. The DRI Steering Committee is presently reviewing projects to include in their application.
Three students from TEEN DAY Ithaca, a homeschool enrichment program in Ithaca, New York, have been awarded a $10,000 grant from Lead4Change for their proposed community engagement project. Under the guidance of their team adviser, the team set out to increase civic education and engagement among their peers through participation in Model United Nations (MUN).
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.”
calling for passing drivers to honk in support of their cause. There were four speakers, including local activist Mona Sulzman, who emphasized that individuals must do whatever they can do for the relief and liberation of the Palestinian state. Additionally, she underscored the importance of organizing.
“We know that movements ebb and flow, whether they be anti-war movements,
the Black Lives Matter [movement] or [pro-Palestine] encampments, which is why I want to say that organization is very important,” Sulzman said. “So, please, stay connected. Do not [organize] alone.”
The humanitarian aid blockade, which the United Nations calls an intentional denial of humanitarian assistance to civilians, to the Gaza Strip publicly began March 2, 2025. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reports that 101 Palestinians have died from malnutrition in Gaza as of July 22, 2025, including
15 deaths occurring within a 24-hour period. The Israel-Hamas war beginning October 7, 2023 has resulted in the death of 62,614 Palestinians and 1,139 Israelis, according to Al Jazeera. An additional 14,222 are considered missing or presumed dead in Gaza. The official death toll is unclear, however, with an independent survey in Nature reporting almost 84,000 Palestinians being killed in the war as of early January of this year.
Does Historic Preservation have a positive or negative impact on the community?
Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
RE: Josh Riley Investigates Rising Utility Prices
“Thank you Ithaca Times and Josh Riley for focusing on this issue! Iberdrola (NYSEG) is valued at $99 billion and took in more than half of that in 2024 ($48 billion) from us — that’s crazy! Did you make half of all that you own last year? No, of course not. So instead of the Public Service Commission giving NYSEG permission to raise rates 35% more in the next 22 months, the PSC should demand they return half of that money! This is clearly a ripoff — thank you Josh Riley for pushing this issue and getting to the bottom of it!”
— Hardy Griffin, Ithaca
“Josh Riley is the FIRST Congressman we’ve ever had who truly seems to CARE about his constituents. The last guy was a noshow. Riley is really working to help us. I hope the PSC gets a grip and gets these rates rescinded. In the meantime, Mr. Riley, I hope someone makes you president some day in the future. Thanks!” — Elisabeth Hegarty, Ithaca
“Congress should make it illegal for any foreign country to own any utility company. It simply is a poor idea for national security. If NY wasn’t so moronic, they would immediately build new nuclear power plants and abandon the ridiculous idea that solar panels in upstate NY can provide enough power.” — Ragnar LodBlox
“Electricity costs 22 cents per kwh in NY and 14 cents in TX. This costs NY residents too much each month, Maybe some don’t know that electricity cost is a checklist item for companies choosing locations. One of many reasons virtually no one locates a business in upstate NY. Antipathy towards capitalism more generally is enough reason to avoid Ithaca specifically.” — Steven Baginski
“I just booked a direct flight to Reagan from Syracuse because the price was less than half of the Ithaca flights to Dulles. These flights from Ithaca won’t fill at the current over $600 round trip price tag.” — Suzanne Snedecker
“Cornell administrators need to get back and forth to DC for the purpose of finding a way out of government cuts while keeping loopholes for sub rosa
Continued on Page 12
By Michelle E. Wright, Tompkins County
U.S. Americans are facing a decision: move outside our comfortzone paradigms in an effort to get our needs met by democracy, or continue with our lack of authentic engagement in democratic systems and risk losing our democracy altogether.
Are you ready to change the way you live in order to help ensure we emerge from this moment in history with a more representative democracy? This is a choice we all have. This is our opportunity.
The first protest I ever attended was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, it was sometime in the early 2000s; I was there to voice my opposition to the false pretenses under which the U.S. government had invaded Iraq. I remember the only reason I felt safe being screamed at–in close physical proximity, by the anti-protester crowd–was due to the large physical size of the friend who had gone with me. It took me years to go to another protest; attending resistance events like these is still far outside of my comfort zone.
Not the protest-attendee type? Still want to get involved in change? There are many ways to be an active citizen of democracy. I encourage you to keep reading…
As democracy rose with capitalism in the United States, we grew to forget the fuel of our democracy: it’s us. All of us.
For the writers of the U.S. Constitution, the term “people” in “We the People” was limited only to white men. Our struggle is defined by our efforts to formally widen this definition to mean literally everyone that exists within this country’s borders.
The thing about this democracy idea is that it only works if we are all participating. What we see now are baser forms of democracy. Instant gratification is a mindset that unfairly judges democracy for its pace. Apparently, many of us cannot find the time to invest in the process of understanding and consensus. Consensus takes much longer than unilateral decision-making, and you have to be educated on the issues at hand for good results–an even more timeconsuming effort. We’re too tired. We’re too overwhelmed. We’re too distracted…I think I'll just go watch some TV.
In an era where civic engagement has largely been reduced to a bombardment of action requests via social media platforms and email inbox, are U.S. Americans ready to make the choice to inconvenience their own daily norms and self-interest in order to resist authoritarianism?
Are you exhausted by feeling powerless within the governance systems we must live in?
If you don’t know your first foot forward, I suggest that you start with tuning in to your municipalities’ monthly meetings–most of them are available online–but better yet, go in person. State and national government are overwhelming and mostly populated by the political elite. Start locally to avoid the deluge: get to know the democratic systems in geographical proximity to you; my bet is that it will lead to your increased civic agency. From there, you might find your own vision of your next step forward in resistance.
Let’s name and normalize talking about how difficult it is to “do” democracy in the systems we exist in.
Ithout a significant commitment in time, the overlapping local, state, and federal democratic systems we live in are difficult to interpret. However, local government is the most accessible form of democracy–you can get involved locally no matter what level of engagement you are ready to commit to.
The irony of powerlessness in our democracy lies in the fact that the most direct form of democracy is within our arm’s reach: the ever-present, yet rarely understood, local government. Start a path to finding your power locally; dig-in to understanding how democracy functions in its closest proximity to your daily life, and see what happens.
Dear reader: drop any guilt you might have regarding your historic lack of action. Instead, find where you can stretch your civic muscles now and into the future. Stay within your capacity to avoid burnout–but neighbors, it’s time to stretch. We will all need to find some capacity, if we want to keep democracy. With all that said, please take note: the ongoing fight against authoritarianism in the United States will be an inconvenience to its constituency.
By Gunnar Madison, MPH Regional Executive Director
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County & Cortland County Family YMCA
When we think about what makes a community healthy, we often picture hospitals and clinics. But what truly prevents disease—what keeps people out of those settings in the first place—is often less visible and far too often underfunded.
At the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County, the quiet power of prevention is on full display every day. In my role at the Y, I’ve seen balance restored through fall prevention classes, heart disease risk lowered through routine blood pressure monitoring, type 2 diabetes prevented through lifestyle changes, and cancer survivors rebuild strength and rediscover community after treatment. This is what prevention looks like. Programs such as Moving for Better Balance, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, the Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program, and LiveSTRONG at the YMCA bring evidence-based health interventions directly into neighborhoods. They improve health outcomes, reduce health care costs, and help bridge gaps that often go unaddressed. These efforts rarely make headlines—but they change lives. And now, these programs are at risk.
The Trump Administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget would eliminate $1.4 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. These cuts would drastically reduce support for state and local health departments and jeopardize the future of evidence-based health programs delivered by YMCAs and other community-based organizations across the country. That includes critical CDC grant funding to YMCA of the USA, which helps local Ys like ours offer prevention programs at little or no cost—ensuring access for those who need them most. These programs are not extras. They are essential to the health of our community. Chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis remain the leading causes of death and disability in
The YMCA offers programs like Moving for Better Balance, the Diabetes Prevention Program, the Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program and LiveSTRONG to improve health outcomes in Tompkins County. (Photo: YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County)
the United States. According to the CDC, chronic conditions and mental health concerns account for roughly 90 percent of the nation’s $4.5 trillion in annual health care spending. Prevention doesn’t just lower costs—it saves lives, especially when it reaches people before a crisis occurs.
Here in Tompkins County, our YMCA served more than 150 individuals last year through evidence-based health programs that prevent or manage chronic conditions and reduce fall risk. Additionally, through our Neighborhood Food Hub, we distributed over 70 tons of free, nutritious food—reaching nearly 200 people each week. Food access is fundamental to long-term health. Addressing food insecurity is prevention, too.
This is what health equity looks like: local, community-led, and built on trust. We’re not just offering services—we’re helping people overcome barriers and close the gaps that keep them from living healthier lives.
But this work depends on stable, sustained public investment. If the proposed CDC cuts go through, communities like ours will face fewer programs, longer waitlists, and more people falling through the cracks. Many won’t be seen until they show up in the emergency room.
There’s still time to act. Congress has not yet finalized the budget, and local voices can still shape what happens next. I urge Congressman Riley and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to protect federal funding for chronic disease prevention. This isn’t just a line item in a budget—it’s a commitment to the long-term health and resilience of our communities.
Prevention may be quiet, but its impact is profound. Let’s not cut it short.
By Gary Ferguson
When I hear the word legacy, I often picture legendary athletes, storied universities, or long-lost civilizations whose impacts echo through history. Rarely do I think of businesses. Yet, local businesses — those that have endured decades of economic change, evolving markets, and shifting demographics — are vital parts of our community’s story. It’s time we — together — view them as legacies worth preserving.
A legacy business, according to regional and national experts, is one that has operated for at least 25 years. That’s a good starting point, but longevity alone doesn’t define a legacy business. These businesses should be rooted in place, contributing meaningfully to the identity and character of the community. They’re often small, locally-owned enterprises that hold deep emotional and cultural significance. These are not national chains that happen to have stuck around. Walmart may have had a presence in Ithaca for decades, but it doesn’t reflect the essence of the community. By contrast, places like Moosewood, Handwork, or Cinemapolis help define what Ithaca is.
These businesses also serve as more than places to buy goods or services. They are memory-makers and community connectors. We know them not just as stores or restaurants, but as places where first dates happened, children celebrated birthdays, or families gathered over the years. When such a business shutters, the loss is more than economic — it’s personal, even historical.
So, why should communities, like Ithaca, intervene and invest in these aging institutions?
First, they help paint the portrait of a place. They are woven into the local narrative, bridging generations and acting as living links to a shared past. These businesses offer a sense of continuity that’s rare in our fast-paced, ever-changing world.
Second, many provide goods and experiences that are irreplaceable in today’s increasingly homogenized economy. The hand-crafted gifts at 15 Steps, the iconic vegetarian dishes at
Moosewood, or the independent films at Cinemapolis aren’t easily replicated by new businesses or corporate franchises. Look around your own neighborhood and you will find legacy businesses in nearly every sector: retail, food and beverage, entertainment, professional services, local media, nonprofit work, and small-scale manufacturing. In Ithaca, I think of the enduring presence of Purity Ice Cream, CTB/Ithaca Bakery, Buffalo Street Books, and Bool’s Florist. Each has stood the test of time — not just economically, but culturally and socially.
However, not all legacy businesses survive the transition from one generation to the next. While some like Moosewood, Simeon’s, and Cinemapolis have successfully transferred ownership and sustained their missions, others haven’t been as fortunate. Businesses like Now You’re Cooking, Leather Express, House of Shalimar, Joe’s Restaurant, and The Nines closed their doors, often due to a lack of succession planning or investment. This is where the case for community intervention and intentional support becomes crucial. There is growing interest in developing a legacy fund — a pool of financial resources dedicated not to startups or high-growth ventures, but to sustaining long-standing, community-defining businesses. Most economic development
The impact of toxic algae reaches beyond Cayuga Lake’s shore — it puts the well-being of surrounding communities and the economy tied to its waters at risk
By Maddy Vogel
The clear blue, glistening waters of Cayuga Lake were just steps away from Lee Goodale’s King Ferry home when he purchased the property in 2002. But two decades later, his view has changed. Now, his shoreline is all too often a muddled greenishblue hue with the paint-like appearance of harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Goodale has wanted to live along the lake since he was a child growing up visiting his Uncle’s house on Keuka Lake, a smaller, Y-shaped lake west of Seneca Lake, but it took a long time to find a lakefront property in his price range. With the increased presence of HABs, Goodale is questioning his future with his home.
“It’s just very peaceful, it’s a beautiful place to live,” Goodale said. “The seasons change, you can watch the storms come in, the sunsets. [...] But the color [of the lake] has changed, in the summertime now it’s almost algae green. The algae blooms — when they hit now, it’s [along] the whole shoreline.”
Since HABs were first detected in Cayuga Lake in 2014, they have become increasingly prevalent. In early July, Community Science Institute (CSI), a nonprofit organization devoted to the protection of waters throughout the Finger Lakes region, received an unprecedented number of HAB reports.
HABs are harmful cyanobacteria growths caused by various stressors on Cayuga Lake’s environment. They can be toxic to humans and animals, with a range of side effects depending on the level of exposure.
The Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Program is one of several programs CSI operates. It is aided by dozens of volunteers who conduct weekly shoreline surveys and collect samples to test bloom toxicity levels.
A detailed HABs database and a Community Member HABs Report Form allow individuals to report and monitor algal blooms, as well as view reports from previous years. Visitors can view images that were submitted with bloom reports and see test results of bloom samples collected by CSI volunteers.
Grascen Shidemantle, executive director of CSI, said that there has been an uptick in bloom reports in recent years. She said that HABs have surged in prevalence since 2017, which led CSI to start its monitoring program in 2018.
“We have received more reports of HABs in the month of July than we have ever received in July since starting our monitoring program in 2018,” Shidemantle wrote in a statement to the Ithaca Times. “In the last two years, we received more HAB reports in September than any other month.”
According to CSI’s annual report, the 2024 season broke records for the earliest, latest, and most HAB reports since the program’s launch in 2018.
From the start of the program to 2024, the number of bloom reports that CSI received more than tripled, and the presence of microcystin—a toxin produced by cyanobacteria in blooms—is detected in most samples, some at surprisingly high concentrations.
On July 8 and 9, Cayuga Lake experienced what CSI called a “lake-wide bloom event,” which brought the institute 43 bloom reports over a two-day period. Taughannock Falls State Park closed its beach to swimming, and crew members aboard Discover Cayuga Lake’s tour boat reported that algal blooms were visible for miles along the lake’s shoreline.
“It was visible as we were coming up from Ithaca, you could see a streak of it for a long way on the surface of the water,” said Hana Pandori, a crew member and community outreach coordinator at Discover Cayuga Lake. “Even here while we were docked [at Taughannock], it was piling up against the back of the boat.”
Goodale’s view of the early July bloom was one unlike anything he had ever expe-
rienced in his years spent along Cayuga’s shoreline. While out fishing with his 12 yearold son, he saw three miles of what seemed to be a contiguous bloom stretching across the lake from his house on the western shore to the former Milliken Station in Lansing.
“A couple weeks ago when it was really bad, [the blooms were] all the way to the middle of the lake,” Goodale said. “I’ve seen them along the shoreline, but now it’s like you can just keep going and it’s so prevalent for miles.”
That day, Goodale observed deep, circular forms of algae in the middle of the lake, colored bright green and blue on top. Although he has seen blooms on the lake since 2016, this year was the worst.
“I’ve never seen it where you walk down and it’s from dock to dock, all the way out to the end,” he said.
It’s difficult to point to just one cause of HABs. The geography of the Finger Lakes makes them susceptible to blooms because
(Photo: Provided/Community Science Institute)
they each have a long fetch, which is the distance wind can travel over a lake’s surface. Wind can carry nutrients and stir up the water, making algal blooms spread faster.
But the Finger Lakes have been shaped this way for thousands of years, and reports of blooms only began popping up in 2014. Shidemantle points to three key factors that have led to the increased presence of HABs in the region, including climate change, nutrient pollution and invasive mussels.
The cyanobacteria that comprise harmful algal blooms thrive under warm conditions, Shidemantle said. Blooms are exacerbated by the increased heat and more powerful storm events that climate change brings to the region.
Storm events, growing in frequency and intensity, lead to increased phosphorus levels in the lake from agricultural runoff, septic systems and wastewater treatment outfalls. Cyanobacteria feed off nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, and according to the Cayuga Lake Total Maximum Daily Load, agriculture and stormwater runoff is the primary contributor for phosphorus levels in Cayuga’s waters.
In the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)’s Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan, it notes that the southern end of the lake is considered an “impaired waterbody” due to its excessive phosphorus levels restricting recreation like swimming and boating.
Ithaca experienced more rainfall than normal in May and June, according to data from the Northeast Regional Climate Center. Intense rainfalls lead to increased runoff, and increased phosphorus levels for the cyanobacteria to feed on.
Invasive mussels, including zebra and quagga mussels, feed on phytoplankton but have a distaste for the cyanobacteria that cause HABs. These mussels, by selectively feeding on phytoplankton and spitting out cyanobacteria, lower the natural competition for cyanobacteria, allowing HABs to thrive.
Among the increased bloom presence, Goodale said he has noticed more mussels and weeds growing along his shoreline.
When a HAB grows in the area, Goodale said he often sees dead fish floating in the water.
Limiting nutrient pollution is the most effective way to combat HABs, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This means that implementing preventative measures to limit runoff is key to reducing algal blooms in Cayuga Lake.
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, a partner of CSI, leads Lake Friendly Living, a program which provides resources on athome practices for individuals to adopt to reduce runoff and pollution entering the lake.
Local soil and water conservation districts aim to help property owners and local farmers implement methods to reduce nutrient runoff into the lake.
At Cornell University, researchers have made strides in HAB research. Beth Ahner, a biology professor at Cornell, just released a new study which shows that some cyanobacteria in HABs artificially suppress their competitors through the release of antivitamins, which in turn slow the growth of other algae.
In an interview with the Ithaca Times, Ahner said she has spent five years studying why Microcystis aeruginosa, a cyanobacteria found in blooms, flourish more than other forms of algae.
“Microcystis makes a chemical that basically mimics vitamins, and it’s really important,” Ahner said. “It does this in an environment where vitamin concentrations are potentially really, really low most of the time. We know that there are organisms that live in that environment that have to take up vitamins from the environment, so that makes a perfect storm.”
Although her study was largely a lab study, Ahner said the next step is to find practical solutions to prevent HABs.
“Now that we understand that this organism uses this, this tool, can we somehow disrupt that to potentially understand how and why microcystis blooms form, or can we develop that into some sort of a strategy to prevent harmful algal blooms?” Ahner said.
At the state level, Assemblywoman Anna Kelles and Sen. Rachel May are pushing a bill to establish a coordinated statewide harmful algal blooms monitoring and prevention program. If passed, it would also create a fund to support municipalities and local organizations implement management strategies for HABs.
As HABs become increasingly prevalent, the water quality will decline for many residents along Cayuga Lake, particularly those who draw their drinking water directly from the lake through beach wells or shore wells with little to no water treatment. Drinking untreated water from the lake puts individuals at risk of exposure to cyanotoxins that HAB cyanobacteria release.
Nearly 100,000 residents use Cayuga Lake as their primary or backup drinking water source, according to the NYSDEC HAB Action Plan for Cayuga Lake. About one third of these residents receive treated water from the Bolton Point Municipal Water System which provides safe drinking water.
“As HABs increase in prevalence, something must be done to help these homeowners find alternative water sources or establish effective in-home filtration systems,” Shidemantle wrote. “This will require significant, but worthwhile investments into protecting public health.”
HABs have been known to cause significant ecological damage, which can include the decline of fish populations.
Blooms can create what are called “dead zones,” an area of the lake with dangerously low oxygen levels, Shidemantle said. This happens when a high density of cyanobacteria die off, requiring a significant amount of oxygen to decompose and taking oxygen away from other organisms, such as fish, that require oxygen to live. Beyond killing fish, HABs can contaminate fish for human consumption.
But the long-term impacts of HABs can go beyond human and environmental health. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), millions of dollars each year are lost as a result of HABs.
Shidemantle said that CSI commonly receives calls from prospective visitors inquiring about the safety of visiting Cayuga Lake given the presence of HABs.
“Would-be visitors are becoming aware that this is an issue on our Lake and are thinking twice about coming here,” Shidemantle wrote. “We also receive HAB reports from vacationers staying at short-term rentals on the lake. Many are frustrated that their vacations have been “ruined” by HABs.”
When asked about the impact HABs can have on the local tourism economy, Rob
Montana, communications manager for Visit Ithaca, emphasized that Cayuga Lake is a critical asset to the local economy.
“The increasing presence of HABs in the lake is a growing concern, with the environmental impact significant for the health of our lake,” Montana wrote. “Additionally, these events disrupt recreational opportunities, which in turn can affect local businesses that are connected to Cayuga Lake.”
Montana added that Tompkins County is unable to host water-based competitions in Cayuga Lake due to the inability to predict the lake’s water quality, in turn, creating a multi-year negative economic impact.
“While we do work to lessen the impact by guiding visitors to other areas where water recreation is available, it is becoming clear that proactive approaches through multi-organizational collaboration is needed to develop solutions to this increasing issue,” Montana wrote.
With HABs limiting recreation and leading to health risks, property owners like Goodale are questioning if they want to keep paying the high taxes associated with owning waterfront homes.
“I never thought I would sell, and I don’t want to be the one to run from it,” Goodale said, “if anything, I want to be the one to try and gather some people to figure it out. But if it’s going to be an unusable, unswimmable thing, the taxes aren’t cheap. It’s kind of given me the thought of if nothing is done, I don’t want to pay these outrageous taxes to live here.”
Goodale said he hopes to see more action being taken to combat HABs among property owners.
“I feel like we’re at a point now where something could be done, but if we wait 20 years, what is it going to look like then?” Goodale said.
By Steve Lawrence
Several dozen friends of David Moriah — the founder of Cornell Outdoor Education, passionate, lifelong baseball fan, memorabilia collector, journalist, beloved husband, father and grandfather, man of faith, communicator and connector extraordinaire — gathered at the home of Ithacan Buck Briggs on Saturday to take part in the interactive, multi-media extravaganza that was “The David Moriah Memorial Experience.”
David planned the gathering (which was live streamed out across the globe) out to the most minute detail,out to the most minute detail, and those of us in attendance reached for the tissues when he appeared on the screen, and in a segment recorded just prior to his passing on June 4 — days after he and his wife, Deborah, celebrated 50 years of marriage — remind-
ed us all “to be inspired... reminded us all “to be inspired to live more fearlessly and fully, to love more deeply, and to make the world a little better place because you’ve been here.”
Moriah’s friendship with Briggs dates back to 1972, when the two met to swap baseball cards. Briggs said, “I went to David’s cabin in Danby, and there was a Home Plate on the walkway in front of the steps.” David added, “It came from Shea Stadium in 1969.” Baseball fans are well aware of what happened at Shea Stadium in 1969.
As a lifelong baseball fan myself, I have interacted with hundreds of people who perceive themselves as experts on the great game, but the conversations between David and Buck ran far longer — and deeper — than I ever could have imagined possible.
I wrote about the recent trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, when I joined David, Cal Walker, Ken
David Morah with Casey Stengel as a 10-year-old batboy. (Photo: Provided)
Clarke and Chuck Tompkins on an “insider’s” trip of a lifetime. David — who had attended about 40 HOF induction ceremonies, and written dozens of stories for Major League Baseball’s array of publications — arranged for a tour that turned a bunch of men in our 60s and 70s into a group of wide-eyed 12 year-olds.
We were escorted into a locked room — out of bounds to the general public — we put on white gloves and handled Willie Mays’ bat, we stood inches away from the jerseys worn by Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Tim Wiles — who dressed up as Casey for many years, and recited “Casey at the Bat” hundreds of times at hundreds
of special ceremonies at the Hall of Fame–gave us our own personal performance of the iconic piece. It was an unforgettable day, made possible by an unforgettable man.
David’s broader legacy involves his work with Cornell Outdoor Education. In the summer of 2023, COE hosted a huge celebration to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the program’s founding. In its five decades of operation, COE grew to become the largest collegiate outdoor program in the nation, and David Moriah’s name looms large over COE, and over the entire Outdoor Education movement.
Shoppers can purchase and donate non-perishable food items at GreenStar Cascadilla to support local kids attending this community event!
Price: 2.89
Edition Oatmilk Case Sale at Cascadilla Store Only
7/30 - 9/2/25
See the August flyer
DEI, racial preferences, and totalitarian leftism in general. If they don’t succeed, Ithaca economy circles drain with the rest of upstate NY. But maybe Cornell comes out of it stronger despite itself.” —
Steven Baginski
Ithaca Is A Failed City
“Ithaca is a failed city. I had thought perhaps moving near here originally would provide for a gratifying more progressive social milieu from other cities in central NY. I wasn’t however prepared for the unanticipated corruption I’ve encountered in Schuyler County, and having moved to Ithaca temporarily, wasn’t also prepared for it here as well, at least among those put in positions of authority. My opinion is that it’s been out of control for a long time. Clearly you’ve made some eff ort with Climate Change initiatives and other social noble causes, but they seemingly fail. As with any other city, it’s the quality, integrity, courageousness, and character of those public offi cials elected or appointed that determines whether or not that city remains viable and thriving.” —
David Ruppel, Ithaca
funding tends to favor innovation and disruption. Yet stability, continuity, and heritage are also valuable. A legacy fund would help current owners prepare for succession and provide aspiring new owners with the capital and guidance to carry the torch forward. In addition to financial investment, legacy businesses need technical assistance. Too often, the conversation about selling or stepping back happens too late — when retirement is imminent or the owner is already burned out. Succession planning is complex and time-consuming. It involves marketing the business, vetting potential buyers, training succes-
continued from page 10
During that epic celebration, a light was shined on the Moriah Endowment, detailed as such on Cornell’s website: “In mid-2019, active supporters and former COE Advisory Board Members, Julie and Jay Carter, generously provided a leadership gift to establish and launch the David Moriah Endowment for program access. Annual proceeds from the endow-
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.
sors, and securing financing — all while continuing to operate. Planning for this transition should begin years in advance, ideally when the business is still thriving. What many cities across America need is a shift in mindset. Legacy businesses are not just sentimental holdovers from a bygone era. They are proven survivors — entrepreneurs who have navigated challenges, adapted to change, and served their communities with creativity and resilience. They are storytellers, innovators, and anchors of our towns and cities. To lose a legacy business is to lose a part of a community’s soul. As I think about building vibrant, resilient local economies, we must look not only to the future but also to what has already been built. Sup-
ment provides students in financial need with assistance to cover COE course fees, promoting equal access and reducing financial barriers to participation in COE programs.” That endowment meant a lot to David, and he was very proud to do what he could to help raise money for it.
I will remember David for the rest of my days, I will happily contribute to the endowment in his name, and I will put forth an effort to visit Moriah Hall many times in the future. David and I joked
porting legacy businesses means honoring the past, sustaining the present, and investing in a future that still feels familiar. It’s time we all give these quiet institutions the recognition and resources they deserve. With strategic planning, targeted investment, and a commitment to succession, we can ensure that the businesses that shaped our communities can continue doing so for generations to come.
Gary Ferguson served as Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance for more than twenty years until he retired in 2023. His vision and willingness to collaborate with business, government and community helped make Ithaca become the Best Town in America (2025 — CNN Reports).
that a person usually must be rich — or deceased — to have a building named after him or her at Cornell, but David was not a one-percenter, and he was very much alive when Moriah Hall was unveiled. The building is, you see, located at Cornell Outdoor Education’s Hoffman Challenge Course, and is an upscale “outhouse,” featuring the first sustainable composting toilet at Cornell.
Visit the David Moriah Endowment at: https://scl.cornell.edu/coe
By Varsha Bhargava, Photos by Nathan Ellison
Eclectic fashion, tunes, bubbles and a sprawling venue welcomed thousands of attendees to the Finger Lakes’ 33rd annual Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds from July 17-20.
Since 1991, the festival has been a hub for music and community. This year, over 80 artists performed during the four-day event, including local talent alongside acclaimed performers like Lukas Nelson, Dobet Gnahoré and Driftwood.
A thrum of distant music, throngs of colorful booths and bold banners greeted attendees as they hopped off of Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) buses or emerged from campsites on the venue.
Local vendors set up tents across the fairgrounds that mingled with attendees’ campsites. Each vendor’s tent was immersive, designed with unique colors, tapestries and goods — many vendors played music and chatted with customers as the day progressed.
Between tents, children, families and other music-enjoyers lounged in the grass, played games on the lawn and soaked up the sun. People juggled, hula hooped, pogo-sticked, kicked soccer balls and blew giant bubbles across the fairgrounds.
Local band Maddy Walsh & the Blind Spots
performed at the Grandstand stage to a crowd filled with bubbles and boogying fans. Donning a silver cape, pink sunglasses and white go-go boots, lead singer Walsh took center stage to belt the band’s signature music genre, Moxy Rock.
Continued on Page 14
‘HAPPY
Fans sported bubbleguns, flags and stylish shades in the crowd while jamming out to the band’s tunes.
Bands like the Empire Kings, Steel Wheels, Scuba Jerry and the Bubba George Stringband put on performances that made the crowd spin, smile and twirl.
At the center of the venue, the big, striped Dance Tent housed a packed crowd that couldn’t stop moving. All day long, artists took their places under the tent to perform for dancing attendees.
While music coursed through the festival, attendees gabbed, grinned and grooved in their own ways. Some cracked open cold ones on the lawn and utilized the festival’s branded mugs, while others spun their friends and partners around the audience.
Spreading joy and spirit throughout the festival, the Happiness Parade meandered through the venue on Sunday. With walkers of all ages, they displayed puppets, stilt acts, costumes and smiles while they marched alongside the Fall Creek Brass Band.
Some inspired attendees chose to make their own music at the fairgrounds. Vari-
ous impromptu jam sessions popped up around the venue, showcasing the spirit of the festival and the concertgoers’ creativity.
At the perimeter of the venue, attendees were encouraged to contribute to collaborative posters. One asked attendees to “share [their] favorite Grassroots memory.”
Ranging from heartfelt to humorous, the banner included many responses, some in little-kid handwriting and even drawings.
Equipped with markers and shrinking blank space, attendees threw their memories onto the page.
The banner read responses such as, “Being here with the one I love,” “Happy friends, happy together, happy music, happy love,” “Unforgettable laughs with my best friends” and simply, “EVERYTHING!!!!”
Varsha Bhargava is a news editor from The Cornell Daily Sun working as a reporter for the Ithaca Times through The Sun’s summer fellowship program.
Nathan Ellison is a staff photographer from The Cornell Daily Sun working as a photographer for the Ithaca Times through The Sun’s summer fellowship program.
This article was originally published in the Ithaca Times.
Ithaca poet Rosaire Karij followed Sulzman, reciting an excerpt from “I Swear To You” by Palestinian poet Dr. Ezzideen Shehab. Written on July 11 of this year, the piece spoke of starving children climbing Israeli aid trucks in search of food “with hands that never held toys.” Retired Ithaca College politics professor Beth Harris spoke next, reiterating sentiments expressed by prior speakers and also criticizing the policies of Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19).
Riley is endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel Political Action Committee (PAC) and has received $10,000
from pro-Israel PACs. He additionally sponsored a bill aimed to strengthen collaboration between the U.S. and Israel, authorizing $150 million annually to a joint defense program.
Erin, who requested for only her first name to be used due to safety concerns, is a member of ICJP and one of the organizers for the protest. She said Riley “should be our voice in Congress” but “is [being] the exact opposite.” She then asked protestors to participate in a 5-minute die-in.
In an interview with the Ithaca Times, Erin said she felt the die-in was a necessary escalation.
“I think we need to step up what we’re doing,” Erin said. “We’ve done protests — and the protests are very important — but
[...] because we have millions of people across the globe that are protesting for Palestine, I think we need to do more, especially given the complacency of our U.S. representatives that continue to just ignore this issue.”
Erin reiterated the increasing prevalence of starvation in Gaza due to the blockade. Additionally, there are confirmed reports of members of the Israeli Defense Force shooting at civilians near the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid stations during food distribution operations. Erin said that these attacks along with limited humanitarian aid entering Gaza makes the situation in the region even more dire. According to The Associated Press, over 1,000 Palestin-
ians have been killed while trying to get food in Gaza since May, primarily near aid stations.
“You could only imagine how chaotic it is when you have people that are starving — literally starving to death — who have not eaten, who have not had access to food supplies or clean water and [who, after] going out into the hot desert in the open air, [are] not just [being] denied the food because there’s none left, but [also being] shot at by the people running the ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,’” Erin said. “It’s incredibly problematic.”
Shubha Gautam is a senior writer for The Cornell Daily Sun and is working as an intern this summer at the Ithaca Times.
By Barbara Adams
The Hangar Theatre wraps up its 50th year with a spirited comedy based on Sherlock Holmes’ legendary duo — only this time the genius sleuth and sidekick are both women. Londonbased Shirley (whoops, make that Sherlock) Holmes, as eccentric as ever, tests out her new flatmate, Joan Watson, a “failed” American doctor escaping her former life.
“Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B,” developed since 2021, here displays all-local talent: four accomplished actors, director Jen Pearcy-Edwards, and award-winning NYC-based playwright Kate Hamill, an Ithaca College alumna who grew up in Lansing. Hamill’s work has been seen previously at the Hangar and IC; her initial takes on Jane Austen — “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” — have been widely staged. Since 2017, Hamill has been among the most-produced playwrights in the U.S. Drawing on classic tales, the prolific Hamill, who’s acted in numerous shows as well, has also scripted “Vanity Fair,” “Little Women,” “Dracula,” “Emma,” “The Scarlet Letter,” and “The Odyssey,” among others. But her angle is envisioning all these famous stories through a woman-centered and feminist lens. The possibilities are endless — and welcome.
Whether you’re a fan of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories, the BBC series “Sherlock,” or the CBS series “Elementary,”
“Ms.
Through August 2, Wed-Sat at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on August 2.
Tickets online at boxoffice@hangartheatre.org or call (607) 273-2787.
you doubtless expect that the perspicacious Holmes will have a certain gravitas. But Hamill has opted for broad comedy, which means Holmes and Watson are a lot more like Lucy and Ethel or Laverne and Shirley. Or even like Oscar and Felix — the first scene finds Watson picking up the empty food containers littering Sherlock’s flat.
That apartment, 2B, is all Holmesian drab, as anticipated (designed by Deb Sivigny and well lit by Tyler Perry). Sivigny’s costumes are more engaging, from Sherlock’s sturdy tweeds to (spoiler alert) Irene Adler’s lascivious crimson gown.
Jennifer Herzog’s Sherlock is arrogant, obsessive, and damnably clever, which we expect; also enthusiastically and comically childlike, which we don’t. She can recite the linked clues she’s observed so rapidly it’s almost a patter song. She’s easily bored, smokes weed, and is only interested “when the game’s afoot.” And controlling: “The adults are talking.” Above all, she is massively self-centered.
As Watson, Meg Elliott, is “normal” and sensible, but also overly reactive, as the script seems to confusingly dictate. Joan’s fainting and panic attacks are eventually explainable, but less so her extreme angry outbursts. And she’s got an unattractive moralizing streak as well — as written, this character doesn’t seem quite coherent.
The versatile Sylvia Yntema slips easily into a few roles, most winningly the sultry Irene Adler, Sherlock’s near-intellectual match. (The scenes where Sherlock goes weak-kneed for her are delightful.) But as the landlady Mrs. Hudson, she’s pushed to clownish exaggeration; in her opening scene it sounded as if she was barking.
There’s only one male present: Robin Guiver, and he’s the copper LeStrade, who wants to enlist Sherlock’s help — but this is, like many of the plot twists, merely a ruse. Guiver is highly convincing in all his roles, from (rather superfluous) narrator to villain.
When Robert Downey Jr. assumed the role of Sherlock, he delivered comedy as well as authority. But for Hamill, the need for laughs trumps all else, making Sherlock seem like a pouty kid and Watson a shambolic muddle. The humor, both visual and verbal, can at times be obvious, overdone, dated, or forced, like an old sitcom — for example, Sherlock’s excessive and repetitive technophobia.
Because I’ve loved the half-dozen Hamill adaptation/productions I’ve seen, I looked forward to seeing how the women here would be empowered. But even as comedians, I’m hard pressed to see how this duo is admirable (much less, dare I hope, likeable). The second act, however, offers so much amusing plot complication and stage
business that we’re happily caught up in the frenzied action. And yes, that’s entertaining. In its script, this verbally overstuffed comedy relies too much on worn tropes, and in its direction, too much on slapstick and horseplay. For a worthy female detective, I may have to turn back to Enola Holmes.
Adams is a regional theatre and arts journalist and retired professor of writing, Ithaca College.
CARS WANTED!
We buy 8,000 cars a week. Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles, or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three-step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-403-3374. (NYSCAN)
200/Buy / Sell / Trade
GOT AN UNWANTED CAR?
Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast, free pickup. Running or not!
Call 24/7: 1-833-441-4496. (NYSCAN)
ANTIQUE LOVERS TAKE NOTE!
BRIMFIELD IS HERE – ALL SHOWS!
July 8-13. New shows open daily! Info for 2025: www.brimfieldantiqueweek.com. 2025 dates: July 8-13, September 2-7. (NYSCAN)
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES TODAY!
...with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. (NYSCAN)
800/Services
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!
Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172. (NYSCAN)
DIRECTV-
All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918. (NYSCAN)
HEARING AIDS!!!
High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-Day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060. (NYSCAN)
PRIVATE SENIOR RESIDENCE
Your loved ones will be treated like family. Basic care provided. Meals, laundry, housekeeping, & gym onsite. PRIVATE PAY ONLY. arlinresidence@gmail.com. (914)462-0624. (NYSCAN)
830/Home
Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-855-484-3467. (NYSCAN)
Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069. (NYSCAN)
Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider (NYSCAN)
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE?
You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679. (NYSCAN)
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY!
Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES!
Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159. (NYSCAN)
DO YOU NEED A ROOF OR ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS & HELP PAYING FOR IT?
YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. (NYSCAN)
AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET
If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833-323-0160. (NYSCAN)
FREE WATER TESTING
Do you know what’s in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little as one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior and military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today.
Call 1-866-247-5728. (NYSCAN)
PROTECT
from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598. Have zip code of property ready when calling! (NYSCAN)
With Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect (TM) standby generators — the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty — 7 years ($849 value). Proudly made in the USA! Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496. (NYSCAN)
SAFE STEP — NORTH AMERICA’S #1 WALK-IN TUB
Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 OFF for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473. (NYSCAN)
855/Misc.
CONSUMER CELLULAR
The same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682. (NYSCAN)
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391. (NYSCAN)
875/Travel
SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!
Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS
Free July History Tours at The Smith Opera House | 10:00 a.m. | The Smith Opera House, 82 Seneca Street, Geneva | Free Makerspace Open Hours | 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
Good Grief Circle | 2:00 p.m. | The Age Well Center 165 Main St., Cortland Tanglewood Nature Center: Meet the Animals | 2:30 p.m. | Join us for an animal adventure. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
Wednesday Market at East Hill | 3:00 p.m. | 330 Pine Tree Rd, Ithaca
Learn to Sew One-on-One | 4:00 p.m. | 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 Kids Under Fire + Recorded Interview With Producer Josh Rushing | 5:00 p.m. | Join us for a viewing and discussion of two films that document the systematic shooting of children in Gaza by Israeli forces and U.S. complicity in these atrocities. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca | Free LGBTQ+ Youth Group | 5:45 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca Mill Park Free Concert: The 86ers | 6:00 p.m. | 222 Main Street, Newfield | Free Psychic Fundraiser | 6:00 p.m. | Psychic Fundraiser to benefit Colby ’s Crew Horse Rescue. Group Readings
with Rev. Josey, Psychic, Shaman, Reiki Master, Master Flower Essence Practitioner. Tickets are $30.00. | The Trees Estate, 1822 NY-96, Trumansburg | $30.00
Mystic Circus @ Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series | 6:00 p.m. | Mystic Circus is a high energy show band delivering a dynamic mix of Classic Rock, Contemporary Country, and Vintage Motown. | 35 Lakefront Dr., Geneva Mill Park Music Series: The 86ers | 6:00 p.m. | The 2025 Mill Park Music Serie | Mill Park, 222 Main Street, Newfield | Free
DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 6:30 p.m. | Hopshire Farm and Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road, Freeville | Free Express Yourself Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. | Open Mic Comedy: 6:30-8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca Homer's Music on the Green: Silver | 7:00 p.m. | Homer Village Green, West Homer Road, Homer Trivia! | 7:00 p.m. | Trivia Night with Bob Proehl | Liquid State Brewery, 620 West Green Street., Ithaca | Free Fireside Sessions | 7:00 p.m. | Sit around the fire with acoustic ambience & libations. | New Park Event Venue & Suites, 1500 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca | $25.00 - $30.00
Larry and Joe Folk Duo | 7:00 p.m. | Larry & Joe is the duo of Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín \(Monagas, Venezuela\) and GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and oldtime star Joe Troop \(Winston-Salem, North Carolina).
These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas to prove that music has no borders. | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St., Auburn
Wednesday Open Mic Night at The Nocturnal Café! | 7:00 p.m. |
Free weekly Wednesday Open Mic night at The Nocturnal Café, Ithaca’s nightlife alternative, featuring music, poetry, dance and more! | The Nocturnal Café, 103 S Geneva St., Ithaca | Free Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B | 7:30 p.m. | A clever, comedic, contemporary take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth duo by Lansing-born Ithaca College alumna Kate Hamill. Holmes & Watson create a dynamic duo–solving mysteries and outwitting masterminds–until they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all of the answers. | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca
Disney’s “THE LITTLE MERMAID” | 7:30 p.m. | Cortland Repertory Theater, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble 7/31 Thursday
Community Conversations: Ithaca’s West End | 9:00 a.m. | Join your neighbors on Ithaca’s West End for hyper-local networking, conversation, and advocacy. Community Conversations serve as a forum for the Tompkins Chamber and Visit Ithaca to engage leaders of businesses and organizations in different localities within Tompkins County and allow us to better understand and support the unique needs of each community. All business owners, non-profit leaders, and government officials are invited to attend. | Personal Best Brewing Personal Best Brewing, 402 W Green St., Ithaca | Free 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
Ithaca College Dining Hiring Event | 10:00 a.m. |Ithaca College Dining will be hosting a Hiring Event from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca | Free
BEGINNINGS/CFCU SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: MOTHERWORT/ VICIOUS FISHES
THURSDAY, JULY 31ST AT 5:00 PM
Tanglewood visits LCL | 10:30 a.m. | Join Ms. Shelley for Tanglewood’s “Color Our World” program! Meet 4 animal ambassadors, hear Vincent Paints His House by Tedd Arnold, and learn how animals use and see color in nature. A fun, interactive event for all ages! | Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Road, Lansing | Free Summer Sidewalk Sales | 11:00 a.m. | Summer Sidewalk Sale, taking place Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, throughout the Ithaca Commons, DeWitt Mall, and Press Bay Alley. This four-day event brings hundreds of summer bargains, pop-up vendors, sustainable finds, and family-friendly fun to the heart of downtown! | Ithaca Commons, 171 E. State St./ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ithaca
Makerspace One-on-One | 11:00 a.m. | Register for a one-on-one session in the makerspace with Library Assistant Josh to use our laser cutter, 3-D printer, or Cricut. Sessions are one hour, and a maximum of two people are allowed in the makerspace at a time. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca Pop Up and Play with the YMCA | 11:00 a.m. | The YMCA is coming to visit YOUR neighborhood this summer! The Y will be traveling throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County to bring summer fun to families all over! Children can participate in a diverse range of exciting activities hosted by Y Staff at each location during the week! | MacDaniels Park, 325 Hook Place, Ithaca
Live Music — Rita Bliss | 4:30 p.m. | Rita Bliss is an Austin-based banjo player who writes songs about love, long drives, and the Lone Star State. She shares conversations and stories from her life and the lives of strangers, all of which are honest, even when they are fictional. | Hopshire Farm & Brewing, Freeville
Beginnings Summer Concert Series: Motherwort and Vicious
Fishes | 5:00 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavilion Center Commons, Ithaca | Free Shadows Over Cayuga, True Crime Walking Tour | 5:30 p.m. | From scandalous postcards to vanished bodies, poisoned chocolates to financial double-crosses, this walking tour shines a flashlight on the people and press that shaped local justice. Join us at The History Center in Tompkins County Thurs-Sat at 5:30 p.m. | The History Center in Tompkins County, 110 N Tioga St., Ithaca | $15.00
Travis Knapp | 5:30 p.m. | Enjoy cider, delicious food, beautiful views, and live music at South Hill Cider every Thursday! | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd., Ithaca
Jason Stotz Concert at the Three Bears | 6:00 p.m. | Join us in the Three Bears park for a free steel pan concert by Jason Stotz | Three Bears Ovid, 7175 Main Street, Ovid | Free Music in the Park: Bad Alibi | 6:30 p.m. | Myers Park, Lansing Circus Culture Summer Tour | 6:30 p.m. | Free, family-friendly community circus shows around downtown Ithaca! Friday in Bank Alley at 6:30 and Sunday at Thompson Park at 4:30 p.m. | Press Bay Backlot, 116 W Green St., Ithaca | Free Public Sunset Cruise Discover Cayuga Lake | 7:30 p.m. | Enjoy a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime sunset on Cayuga Lake! | Allan H. Treman Marina, 805 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca
Date Night: Bossa Nova Jazz | 8:00 p.m. | The Downstairs 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca
Movies on the Homer Green: Despicable Me 4 | 8:00 p.m. | Grab your blanket& lawn chair. | Homer Village Green West Homer Road, Homer
Disney's Frozen Jr. | 10:00 a.m. |
A beloved story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. brings to life the emotional relationship and epic journey of Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Class | 12:00 p.m. | Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a skill that addresses troubling emotions and
manifestations of trauma. | Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, 511 West Seneca, Ithaca | Free Seeing Ithaca | 12:00 p.m. | Art Exhibit Group Show Seeing Ithaca | State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street, Ithaca | Free Leftover Salmon “Workingman’s Salmon” / Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass — Jerry Birthday Celebration | 4:00 p.m. | Wonderland Forest, 4812 S Cook Rd., LaFayette FREE Music Friday w/ The Petty Project, a Tom Petty Tribute | 5:00 p.m. | Doors: 5:00 p.m., Show: 7:00 p.m. | Lincoln Hill Farms, 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua
BOOK SIGNING — “Where the Valley Widens” by Lindsey Williams | 5:00 p.m. | Riverow Bookshop will be hosting a book signing, talk, and Q&A with Lindsey Williams. For more information, visit Facebook, Instagram, or call 607-687-4094. | Riverow Bookshop, 187 Front St., Owego | Free Ithaca Gallery Night | 5:00 p.m. | A first Friday event where galleries and venues present new exhibits every first 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
The Members’ Show | 5:00 p.m. | This exhibit allows the public to see the new work coming out of The Ink Shop, one of Central New York’s best printmaking facilities | The Ink Shop, 330 E. MLK/State St., Ithaca | Free Teresa Bakota “Reimagination” | 5:00 p.m. | Teresa Bakota Yatsko’s one-person exhibit “ Reimagination” is part of the Seeing Ithaca event sponsored by The State of The Art Gallery in Ithaca. | The Gallery at South Hill 950 Danby Rd. South Hill Business Campus South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca | Free 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 Hank Roberts Trio with Ashley Ickes and Chad Lieberman | 5:30 p.m. | Hank on cello, Chad Lieberman on piano, and Ashley Ickes on drums. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road, Ithaca
ENCORE PLAYERS PRESENTS: I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE
THURSDAY THRU SUNDAY, JULY 31, AUGUST 1, 2 AT 7:30 PM, AND AUGUST 3 AT 2 PM
The Hangar Next Gen Musical Presents: Disney’s Frozen Jr. Friday, August 1 at 10 a.m. & noon; Saturday, August 2 at 10 a.m. & noon; & Sunday, August 3 at noon.
The students enrolled in the Hangar Theatre's Next Gen summer program are ready to dazzle audiences with the fruits of their labor in the form of the popular musical.
Veterans Appreciation Community Concert | 6:00 p.m. | Visions Amphitheater, 408 Elmira Road, Ithaca Seven Wonders | 6:00 p.m. | Treleaven Winery, 658 Lake Road, King Ferry | Dark Star Orchestra | 6:30 p.m. | Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette
The Wedding Show | 6:30 p.m. | The Wedding Show is an immersive and interactive variety show event where you ’re the guest at a fake queer wedding. Join the fun | The Cherry Arts, 102 Cherry Street, Ithaca | $30.00$45.00
Outlaw Series Trucks Pulls | 7:00 p.m. | A competitive motorsport where trucks or tractors pull a heavy sled along a track! Gates open at 6:00, event starts at 7:00 p.m. | Chemung County Fairgrounds, 170 Fairview Rd., Horseheads
Little Big Town: Summer Tour 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse Cornell Ag Quad Summer Series: Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots | 7:00 p.m. | Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots bring their Love-Fueled Moxy Rock Show to Cornell. | Cornell University Ag Quad, 237 Mann Dr., Ithaca | Free
BEATrio: Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez | 8:00 p.m. | Robinson Pavilion at Anyela’s Vineyard, 2433 West Lake Rd., Skaneateles |
Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally | 3:00 p.m. | Continues Saturday & Sunday @ 6:00AM| Otsiningo Park, 1 Otsiningo Park, Binghamton
8/2 Saturday
Arts Off Main Festival | 10:00 a.m. |
A family-friendly celebration of
Cortland’s art and creativity, and downtown. The celebration will be free and complete with art vendors, live music, performing artists, children’s activities, wine and craft beverage tasting, and takeout food from downtown restaurants. | Court Street between Main & Church Streets, Cortland
REV Theatre presents “Rumpekstiltskin: Upsun” | 10:30 a.m. | Newfield United Methodist Church Pavilion, 227 Main Street, Newfield | Free
Glorious Garlic Festival | 10:30 a.m. | Food demos, live music, wine, beer, and food. | Geneva Lakefront, Lake Street, Geneva
Farmers Market Cruise Discover Cayuga Lake | 11:00 a.m. | Get the best of both worlds straight off 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
Waiting for the Steamboat at Lamoreaux Landing | 12:00 p.m. |
A reading of story and song! Join local author Dr. David Schwartz, in a reading of his latest book, “ Waiting for the Steamboat at Lamoreaux Landing.” Including a performance by Richie Stearns, a legendary banjo player based in Trumansburg. | Lodi Whittier Library, 8484 S Main St., Lodi | Free Vapor Trail Live: A Summer Night of RUSH Classic Hits at Beak & Skiff | 4:00 p.m. | Get ready to Rush the orchard. | Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette
Live Music at the Danby Market: Whistlin’ Dyl | 6:00 p.m. | Solid grooves that transport the listener from a back porch venison roast to a hard driving funk to get you shaking whatever you got. | Danby Food and Drink, 1843 Danby Road, Ithaca | Free Guster | 6:30 p.m. | Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport |
Calya Lea w.s.g. Maddy Walsh — August Residency | 8:00 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca Thunder From Down Under | 8:00 p.m. | Get ready to experience an exhilarating and electrifying extravaganza as Thunder from Down Under, the world-renowned Australian male revue. | Del Lago Resort & Casino, 1133 NY-414, Waterloo
CORNELL AG QUAD SUMMER SERIES: MADDY WALSH & THE BLIND SPOTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 AT 7:00 PM
Cornell University Ag Quad 237 Mann Dr, Ithaca | The Blind Spots bring their Love-Fueled Moxy Rock Show to Cornell. (Photo: Facebook)
The Killers | 8:00 p.m. | Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center: CMAC, 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua Skaneateles Festival Orchestra: Listen to the Wind | 8:00 p.m. | The big orchestra event of the summer.| Robinson Pavilion at Anyela’s Vineyards, 2433 W Lake Rd., Skaneateles | $48.00 - $225.00
Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic | 10:00 a.m. | Pack a lawn chair, a picnic and enjoy the celebration of all things Bluegrass as you’re overlooking beautiful Little York Lake! Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, the oldest bluegrass festival in the northeastern United States, features a wide variety of CNY bluegrass and oldtime bands. | Dwyer Memorial Park, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble 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 Tompkins County Open Farm Day | 11:00 a.m. | Visit farms across the east half of the county and learn more about what it takes day-to-day to produce food and fiber for our community. Maps available at CCE Tompkins and online. | Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca | Free Summer Sundays Music Series at the Vantage Point — ft. Nate Michaels | 1:00 p.m. | Stop in for a flight. | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi Jazz Jam | 6:00 p.m. | Jazz Jam First & last Sunday of the month. | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 7:00 p.m. | Join Dave Ashton for DJ Trivia | Crossroads Bar and Grill, 3120 North Triphammer Road, Lansing | Free
8/4 Monday
Teen Maker Mondays | 4:00 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
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
Enfield Community Picnic | 6:00 p.m. | Enfield Community Picnic with Town Officials: Connect & Chat! Join us for a relaxed evening at our Community Picnic with local officials who are up for re-election! Meet and share your thoughts with those who represent you. Bring your picnic supper, and we’ll supply drinks and ice cream!
| Enfield Community Center Pavilion, 162 Enfield Main Rd., Ithaca | Free Participatory Contra, Square, and Circle Dancing | 7:00 p.m. | Ithaca Commons, 171 E. State St./ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ithaca
8/5
Taughannock Live Music Series: Robin Burnett | 5:00 p.m. | Inn at Taughannock Falls, 2030 Gorge Rd., Trumansburg
Meditation and Mindfulness | 5:00 p.m. | Join Anna Salamone of FireFly Farm Retreat for a monthly meditation and mindfulness practice. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
Teen Creative Writing Workshop | 5:30 p.m. | Love to write your own stories? | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
LEGO Family Build Night | 5:30 p.m. |,TCPL invites families to a wee | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
Music in the Hollow: The Makers | 6:00 p.m. | Ellis Hollow Community Center 111 Genung Road, Ithaca | Free Comic Book Club Meeting: “Krypto the Super-Dog, and Other Super-Pets!” | 7:00 p.m. | This year marks the 87th anniversary of the first appearance of Superman, the Man of Steel ... and the 70th anniversary of Krypto, the “ Dog of Steel ”! Krypto has had many re-imaginings over the decades, and currently appears in the Superman movie that opened earlier this summer. Come celebrate the “dog days ” of August with a survey of the adventures of Krypto, and of several other super-pets that have appeared in the comics over the years. | Tompkins County Public Library, at the Schwarz Jacobson Room
Wet Hot Improv Summer | 7:00 p.m.
| Come have a laugh or ten with Third Place Theater's improv teams and drink some delicious local brews. | Liquid State Brewery, 620 West Green Street, Ithaca
Forte Piano 2025: Brahms, Schumann, and Schubert Lieder | 7:30 p.m. | Cellist David Hardy and fortepianist Lambert Orkis will play intimate works by Brahms and Schumann, followed by Karim Sulayman (tenor) and Yi-heng Yang (fortepiano), who will perform an expressive set of Schubert Lieder. | Schwartz Ce.nter for Performing Arts, 430 College Ave., Ithaca | Free
Greensprings Garden Club | 10:00 a.m. | From May to October, volunteer. | Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve, 293 Irish Hill Rd., Newfield | Free
NARCAN Training with REACH | 4:00 p.m. | Join the REACH Project to learn how to recognize an overdose, respond to an overdose emergency, and administer NARCAN. This skill could help you to save a life. | Tompkins County Public Library. 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
The Writers’ Room | 6:00 p.m. |Work on your writing project in the company of other writers. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca | Free DM Brainstorming Group | 6:00 p.m. | A place for those who run tabletop role-playing games to brainstorm ideas, seek out tools and support for preparing future game sessions with supportive, creative gamers and librarian guidance. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca
The Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra @ Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series | 6:00 p.m. | What can be better than a 20-piece Big Band filled with the region’s top instrumentalists? Andy Stobie leads the band through notable jazz standards and current big band hits with Angie Bemus on vocals, too! Concerts are held at the lakeside gazebo. Please bring chairs. | 35 Lakefront Dr., Geneva
Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Firefly Trio | 6:30 p.m. | Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Firefly Trio (6:30-8:30 p.m.), Big Band (8:30-10:30 p.m.), The People’s Jam! (10:30 p.m.). | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca | Free
Robert Jon & The Wreck | 8:00 p.m. | Southern California rockers. | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St., Homer
BILL KNOWLTON ’ S BLUEGRASS RAMBLE PICNIC
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD AT 10:00 AM
Cascadilla St , Ithaca
Looking to Boost your Summer
Business?
Call Larry at 607-277-7000 ext: 1214
Tai Chi **
Macintosh Consulting
http://www.allaboutmacs.com (607) 280-4729
FingerLakesAnimalRights�org CLEANING SERVICES
http://www�cleanswithus�com
JANITORIAL * DEEP CLEANINGS * INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP Call 607-697-3294 Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-Op! Full Service Grocery Store Greenstar Food Co-Op
Longview�org Marketing and Sales (607)375-6360 Patio Homes – Apartments – Assisted Living –
Adult Day Program
Looking for Work?
We are hiring!
Visit us online: www�wgaforchildren�org or call 607-844-6460
The William George Agency
Find out about great advertising ad packages at: Ithaca com & Ithaca Times
Men’s and Women’s Alterations for over 20 years
Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair.
Same Day Service Available
John’s Tailor Shop
John Serferlis – Tailor
102 The Commons 273-3192
No Long waits for Dermatology Appointments
Finger Lakes Dermatology
Brad Yentzer, MD, FAAD
607-708-1330 fingerlakesderm.com ** Peaceful Spirit
Yang style all levels Fridays 3-4 p�m� at NY Friends House 120 3rd St�, Ithaca 607-272-0114
REAL LIFE CEREMONIES
Every life story deserves to be told, and told well. Steve Lawrence, Celebrant 607-220-7938
REDUCE YOUR HEATING BILL
A FULL LINE OF VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
Call for Free Estimate & Professional Installation
Custom made & Manufactured by SOUTH SENECA VINYL Romulus, NY 315-585-6050 or 866-585-6050
www.SouthSenecaWindows.com
Tiny Gardens Beautiful Results
We can create your cottage garden and terrace� Cayuga Landscape 607-257-3000 caugalandscape�com
