May 21, 2025

Cayuga Park Waterfront Development Approaches Finish Line

PAGES 8-9

CORNELL PRESIDENTS HOUSE FOR SALE PAGE 3

TCAT STARTS SUMMER SERVICE AS RECOVERY EFFORTS CONTINUE PAGE 4

COUNCIL DEBATES HISTORIC PRESERVATION IMPACT ON HOUSING CRISIS PAGE 5 OUT OF THE BOX AT THE CHERRY PAGE 15 MUSIC & PUPPETRY AT THE NOCTURNAL CAFE PAGE 16

Settle in With a Warm Welcome

Enjoy beautiful surroundings at Brookdale Ithaca. With friends and neighbors by your side, enjoy lively experiences as you express your creativity, pursue your interests and live life to the fullest. Join our gardening club, enjoy painting classes, participate in evening socials and more. Here, everyone feels at home.

Our amenities include:

• Pet-friendly spaces, welcoming your four-legged friend

• A variety of ways to connect, from art and fitness classes to book clubs and happy hours

• Personal care plans tailored to your individual needs

• Several floor plan options to meet your personal style and budget

Brookdale Ithaca

Enhanced Assisted Living Adult Home Memory Care 103 Bundy Road Ithaca, New York 14850

Say Hello to a seamless care experience, featuring dedicated prep and recovery areas. From prevention to advanced treatment, our expert team is here to support your digestive health with the

Cornell Lists Historic President’s House For Sale at $2.5 Million

By Maddy Vogel

Cornell University listed the historic “Robin Hill” property at 511 Cayuga Heights Road, their official President’s House, for sale at $2.5 million on Thursday.

The sale comes amid a university-wide hiring freeze and as the university faces “significant funding uncertainty,” with over $1 billion of funding on hold at the federal level. While they didn’t clarify if the sale had any connection to Cornell’s recent financial woes, a university spokesperson told the Ithaca Times that the sale was “in keeping with Cornell’s commitment to responsible stewardship of university assets.”

Built in 1923, the three-story home spans over over 8,700 square feet, featuring seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms on a threeacre lot in the Village of Cayuga Heights. Cornell first owned the property from 1963 to 1974, and repurchased it in 1995.

“Cornell appreciates the architectural and historical significance of the house and honors its legacy as part of the heritage of both the university and the Ithaca community,” the spokesperson said.

Historic Significance

As detailed by Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings in “A History of the Cornell University President’s House,” the home has over a century of ties to the university. Trapnell Rawlings was an eight-year resident of the home and the wife of Cornell’s tenth president Hunter Rawlings III, who served as the president from 1995 to 2003, and

again as interim president from 2005 to 2006 and 2016 to 2017.

In her book, she details the home’s extensive history and ties to the university from the architectural design of the home by Cornell alumnus J. Lakin Baldridge to the end of her time residing in the home in 2003.

Over the years, Robin Hill has housed six Cornell presidents, members of the influential Treman family and prominent local developers. It has also been visited by notable guests, including Nelson Rockefeller and a former British prime minister.

Cornell used another historic property at 205 Oak Hill Road as their President’s House until 1963, when Cornell purchased Robin Hill for then-president James Perkins and his family to move into. The move is speculated to have been caused by a desire to move the President’s House further away from campus after a student-led protest took place outside of the Oak Hill home.

Robin Hill was last home to former

president Martha Pollack, who retired at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. The home’s current use is unclear, but current President Michael Kotlikoff does not use it as his primary residence.

Potential Tax Impact

Because Robin Hill is university-owned and used for instructional purposes, Cornell University currently does not pay any taxes on the property to local taxing entities.

According to Tompkins County Director of Assessment Jay Franklin, Robin Hill could generate roughly $69,000 a year in property taxes if sold and reassessed at the listing price of $2.5 million.

Of that, roughly $37,000 would be owed to the Ithaca City School District, $15,500 to the Village of Cayuga Heights, along with $16,500 collectively to the Town of Ithaca and Tompkins County.

X Ithaca Council Approves $1M HUD Action Plan for Housing and Community Development

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Common Council unanimously approved the city’s 2025 HUD Action Plan on Wednesday, directing more than $1 million in federal funds to affordable housing, job training, and homelessness assistance. The plan allocates $1,040,052 in total, including $636,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $232,000 from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and $170,052 from prior-year loan repayments and other local sources.

Anisa Mendizabal, Community Development

Planner for the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, told the Council that 17 projects are being supported through these funds, and that five projects that applied were not funded due to limited resources.

Top-funded initiatives in the 2025 plan include Finger Lakes ReUse’s job skills training program ($148,540), INHS’s 209 W. State St. housing project ($100,000), GIAC’s Hospitality Employment Training Program ($95,400), and The Learning Web’s Housing Scholarship Program ($92,696).

Other funded programs include security

deposit assistance, upgrades at Southside Community Center, job readiness training from Historic Ithaca, and transitional housing for women experiencing homelessness.

Mendizabal said that the city received notice of its federal funding just hours before the public hearing, a sign of broader instability in the federal budget process. She added that cities used to receive funding notices as early as March or April, but that notices have been delayed for at least the last two years, creating uncertainty for local nonprofits and planners.

E r

F r EE lan CE rs : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, and Peter Rothbart

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 (1972–1978) and The Good Times Gazette (1973–1978), combined

Cornell University’s Robin Hill property at 511 Cayuga Heights Road hit the market on Thursday with an asking price of $2.5 million. (Photo: Zillow/Howard Hanna Real Estate)

IN UIRING

PHOTOGR

PHER Q A

By Mark Syvertson

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

“IT ’ S GRADUATION SEASON. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR RECENT GRADUATES?”

“Explore

TCAT Rolls Out Summer Service as New Buses and Staffing Boost Aim to Improve Reliability

By Matt Dougherty

ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Consoli-

dated Area Transit (TCAT) is set to roll out its summer service on May 25 as the organization’s leaders say they are in a good position to recover from pandemic induced decline in ridership, staffing shortages and equipment failures.

During a recent presentation to Ithaca Common Council, General Manager Matthew Rosenblum Jones and TCAT Board Chair Laura Lewis said the agency is finally positioned to turn a corner as it recently ratified a new labor agreement that increases pay and improves worker retention. They also said the agency will be receiving 11 new buses this year to help replace the 7 Proterra electric buses that had to be pulled from service due to mechanical failures.

TCAT has made significant progress in staffing, particularly among mechanics, growing from nine to 15 heavy equipment technicians over the past year.

“It will take time to get them trained,” said Rosenblum Jones. “Even a skilled diesel mechanic with trucking experience would need about two years to fully learn everything on a city bus. There are specialized systems—air conditioning, wheelchair lifts, electronics. It’s a steep learning curve, but we’re starting to get ahead of our maintenance backlog.”

“Our rate of missed trips is far better than many peer agencies. We ran almost 300,000 trips in the past year and less than 5,000 were canceled.”

— Matthew Rosenblum-Jones, TCAT General Manager

“The TCAT management team is fairly new and is doing a wonderful job,” Lewis said. Referring to the recently ratified labor agreement Lewis said, “That contract gives better opportunities for both recruitment and retention, because once we hire someone we want to make sure to retain them.” She added, “It costs more to hire someone and then lose them.”

The agency has also made progress in hiring bus drivers as it is close to being fully staffed for the first time in years. As of late March, TCAT employed 66 full-time drivers out of a need of 67. However, only 61 were available for duty since two were on leave and three were still in training. Out of five part-time positions, three were filled, though two of those drivers were on leave, leaving just one part-time driver available.

However, even though staffing levels are improving the number of trips the agency is cancelling annually seems to be on the rise. According to TCAT Communications and Marketing Manager Patty Poist complete data for the years 2020-2023 are unavailable, but she said the agency missed 606 trips in 2017, 603 trips in 2018 and 1,937 trips in 2019.

Between January 2024 and March 2025, TCAT canceled 4,568 trips out of a scheduled 301,640, which is about 1.5 percent of all trips. While significantly higher than pre-pandemic years, leaders say it remains well below industry averages. Poist pointed to a 2023 report from Washington, D.C.’s Metro system which said that many large transit agencies regularly cancel 5 to 15 percent of their scheduled trips.

“Our rate of missed trips is far better than many peer agencies,” said RosenblumJones. “We ran almost 300,000 trips in the past year and less than 5,000 were canceled.” He added that even though the number of

canceled trips is below industry standard, “every missed trip still affects someone waiting at the stop [and] our focus is on eliminating as many of those as possible.”

The primary cause of canceled trips has been equipment-related issues. In early 2024, TCAT was forced to permanently pull all seven of its Proterra battery-electric buses from service due to mechanical defects. “They had frame issues and were deemed unsafe to operate,” said Poist. “They accounted for 13 percent of our fleet [and] losing those vehicles had a big impact on our ability to maintain service.”

The Proterra buses, which cost the agency nearly $1 million each, were initially purchased to reduce emissions and modernize the fleet. However, the manufacturer’s subsequent bankruptcy and technical failures left TCAT scrambling to maintain operations. To compensate, TCAT is acquiring 11 new buses this year, including five diesel buses at $550,000 each and six battery-electric buses, also costing nearly $1 million each, from Gillig, a new manufacturer with a better reputation. Two additional hybrid buses, priced at $600,000 each, are expected to arrive in early 2026.

“Gillig has been in the bus industry for many years,” Rosenblum-Jones said. “We’ve worked with them for decades at TCAT. They put out a very good product. We’re not expecting any problems like we had with Proterra, who was new in the market and had untested technology.”

As TCAT awaits the arrival of the new buses Rosenboom-Jones added that the agency has also received a donation of five buses from the Capital District Transportation Authority in Albany. “Those have already been seen around town,” he said.

Travel. ”

Paris “ Save your money. ”

Jerome

“ Go somewhere new. You’ve been in the same place a long time. Do something different from what you’ve been doing. ”

Calen

“Follow your heart. Lots will change. Think and act in terms of solidarity and community.”

Andy

TCAT General Manager Matthew Rosenblum Jones tells Ithaca Common Council that missed trips are mostly caused by aging buses and equipment failures and that they should decline significantly as 11 new buses arrive this summer, helping the agency restore service and reliability across the system.

Council Debates Historic Preservation Impact on Housing Crisis

By Matt Dougherty

ITHACA, N.Y. — A proposal to place a moratorium on the creation or expansion of historic districts sparked a debate at last week’s Common Council meeting, with council members speaking on the impacts of historic preservation on Ithaca’s housing crisis.

Fi h Ward Alderperson Clyde Lederman introduced the resolution as a response to what he described as burdensome restrictions that increase costs and delay renovations for property owners, while also obstructing the city’s housing development goals.

“Inclusion in a historic district requires that virtually all changes to the exterior of a structure be approved by a city commission and comply with very speci c design criteria,” Lederman wrote in a memo. “ is lengthy, restrictive process o en requires homeowners to spend far more time and money than their non-historic district neighbors to complete simple changes, such as adding news windows or porch railings to their homes.” He added, “the speci c design criteria in each historic district overrides existing zoning, imposing additional height, density, among other, limitations that functionally prevent housing development.”

During the meeting, Lederman doubled down on that argument, saying, “I have never heard a kind word from anyone I’ve spoken to in the city about the bene ts of historic preservation in their neighborhoods. ey say it incurs a lot of costs and makes development harder, especially for people without the resources Cornell has.” He added, “We’ve got a real housing crisis and going through the [Ithaca Landmarks and Preservation Commission (ILPC)] really slows things down immensely.” e ordinance would halt the expansion of any existing historic districts and prevent the designation of new districts or landmarks outside of current ones until either the adoption of the city’s next comprehensive plan or ve years pass — whichever comes rst.

Historic Preservation Planner Brian McCracken warned that a proposed moratorium on expanding historic districts could jeopardize the city’s Certified Local Government status and result in the loss of preservation funding and tax credit eligibility.

concerns about the impact of preservation rules on neighborhoods like Collegetown.

“In Collegetown historic preservation districts have been used as a way to divide the community,” Kuehl said. “On the le side of Eddy Street heading up the hill, that’s a historic preservation district [and] on the right side it’s not. [We] see no redevelopment on the le side of the street…and then on the right side of the street there is signi cant redevelopment.” He added, “It really breaks the community apart and keeps the housing stock that is old and decaying old and decaying.”

“We’ve got a real housing crisis and going through the [Ithaca Landmarks and Preservation Commission (ILPC)] really slows things down immensely.”

— Clyde Lederman, Fifth Ward Alderperson

Alderperson Clyde Lederman introduced an ordinance to pause the expansion of historic districts, arguing that preservation rules increase costs for homeowners and hinder new housing development.

said. “We cannot have a provision that allows for owner opposition to it or as a consideration for designation.”

“Most projects don’t go to the commission, and when they do go to the commission, it’s usually just one meeting. And we had a 100% approval rate last year.”

— Brian McCracken, Ithaca’s Historic Preservation Planner

McCracken told the Council, “By passing this resolution, we could potentially lose our CLG status [which] would mean losing grant funding we’ve already received and our ability to certify tax credits for property owners.” He added that the preservation o ce approved 100 building permits for properties in historic districts last year, with 77 approved by sta alone and only 23 going to the ILPC.

UPS DOWNS&

Ups

The Finger Lakes have been named one of the best shing spots in the nation for Memorial Day weekend according to a report from FishingBooker, the world’s largest platform for booking shing trips.

Downs

On Friday afternoon at about 3:15pm, Ithaca Fire was dispatched to the 100 block of Kendall Avenue in the Town of Ithaca for a house re. Fire ghters were able to control the re in about 10 minutes while they searched the structure for people and pets. There was no one home at the time of the re, but sadly, two cats were unable to survive.

HEARD SEEN&

Heard

The Ithaca Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau would like to inform the community that it has started its annual hydrant maintenance program. This important work ensures that all re hydrants within the City of Ithaca are functioning properly and can supply adequate water ow in case of an emergency. This year, the testing will be conducted on the south side of the city between West Seneca Street and Elmira Road. This maintenance is expected to occur between now and October rst.

Seen

Join guide Donna Scott on Saturday, June 7, 2024, from 10 to 11 a.m. for a free, guided walk at Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing to explore the site’s geological history, birdlife, and native plantings.

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.”

Fourth Ward Alderperson Patrick Kuehl expressed support, explaining his

However, Ithaca’s Historic Preservation Planner Brian McCracken warned that the proposed moratorium would have signi cant unintended consequences, including jeopardizing the city’s Certi ed Local Government (CLG) status, which enables Ithaca to receive preservationrelated grants and authorize historic tax credits.

“To participate in the Certi ed Local Government Program…we are required to have certain provisions within our ordinance [and] one of them is the ability to designate historic landmarks,” McCracken

“Most projects don’t go to the commission, and when they do go to the commission, it’s usually just one meeting,” McCracken said. “And we had a 100% approval rate last year, so it’s not like we’re consistently denying applications or property owners aren’t able to maintain the properties in the way they want. ey are able to do projects, and they are approved.”

Second Ward Alderperson Ducson Nguyen, who initially supported the ordinance, said McCracken’s testimony made him rethink his position.

“I was initially supportive in concept…but some of the nuance is kind of shi ing my view, and the opening argument was a little harsh,” Nguyen said. “I don’t think it’s true at all that nobody nds value in historic preservation ordinances. I have a lot of

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How do you feel about Ithaca’s congressional representative Josh Riley? 79.7% Yes. 17.6% No. 2.7% I don’t care.

Should the City of Ithaca place a moratorium on the expansion of historic districts? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Traffic concerns on North Aurora Street

My husband and I have spent the last few years renovating our lovely 1880’s house on Aurora Street. But we have a rather large problem. And it’s been a problem for a while. When all these large trucks and school busses come speeding down our street and pass our house it seriously shakes our houses, (windows shake) like a small earthquake right down to the house’s foundation. We live close to the elementary school . You would think there would be signs posting the speed limit to remind cars and trucks to slow down. I see parents walking their kids to school all the time and cars speeding by, it’s not safe. The heavy speeding trucks, school busses are shaking our house’s and their foundations. When these old beautiful houses were built it was the fashion to build them close to the street. The foundations were built to last..but were never designed to stand this kind of punishment.

We need traffic to slow down... We need speed bumps like other streets in FallCreek

have. The speed of many of these drivers is actually dangerous. We need a few stop signs to slow things down. We called the Ithaca traffic department regarding this problem ... the person we spoke to on the phone seemed to be very aware of the problem but … apparently … they don’t seem to want to do anything about it.

We love FallCreek and this wonderful community of Ithaca! … We need help.” — Anonymous

RE: Cornell Cancellation of Kehlani

“Your story about the cancellation of R&B artist Kelani contained the following quote, attributed to Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff — “While any artists in our country has the right to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it.”

That is a stunningly false and ugly accusation, given that Kelani has clearly show the world that she represents the opposite of hate. She has shown her love and compassion for the hundreds of thousands of innocent victims of the most sick, evil, and barbaric campaign of war crimes, terrorism, ethnic cleansing, and genocide I’ve known in my lifetime. The only hate and division I see here is in Kotlikoff’s vile accusation. Supporting the perpetrators of the Palestinian Holocaust by attacking and silencing those who speak out against it is inexcusable. Cornell University deserves far more professionalism, honesty, and morality from its President.” — Henry H. Hansteen

TCAT ROLLS OUT SUMMER SERVICE

from page 4

“They’re either red and silver or blue. They look a little different. They are hybrids, and those have served us very well so far.”

The fleet upgrades are funded through TCAT’s $24,096,428 operating budget for 2025. That funding comes from a mix of local, state, federal, and operational sources. Cornell University, the City of Ithaca, and Tompkins County will each contribute $1,034,257 under the agency’s three-way transportation agreement, totaling $3,103,072. Cornell will provide an additional $3,332,522 through its Service Level Agreement, which subsidizes fares for students, staff, and faculty. TCAT will receive $6,732,440 in formula-based Transit Operating Assistance from New York State, while federal and other state sources will add another $5,107,737. An additional $825,000 will come from the county’s mortgage recording tax. The rest of the budget will be made up of farebox revenue, advertising sales, and contracts with partners like Gadabout.

TCAT continues to keep fares low, with less than 5 percent of operating costs covered by passenger payments. When asked about the possibility of fare-free transit, Rosenblum Jones said the idea remains complicated by state rules requiring agencies to demonstrate fare collection in order to receive the $6,732,440 in operating assistance funds.

“Public transit doesn’t make money,” he said. “We’ve intentionally kept our fares very low, mainly because you don’t gain anything from raising fares other than less ridership.”

Instead, TCAT plans to implement fare capping later this year. The feature ensures that riders who pay fares daily instead of purchasing a monthly pass never have to pay more than the cost of a monthly pass to ride. “With fare capping, once someone has paid the equivalent of a pass, the system stops charging them,” Rosenblum-Jones said. “It’s a way to make transit more affordable and fair, especially for low-income riders.”

Meanwhile, ridership is showing signs of long-term recovery despite still lagging behind pre-pandemic numbers. TCAT provided 4.19 million rides in 2019 before the pandemic slashed demand. In 2020, that figure plummeted to 1.45 million.

Ridership rose to 2.10 million in 2021 and 2.43 million in 2022 before dipping to 2.19 million in 2023. However, TCAT rebounded with 2.85 million rides in 2024.

“We know the demand is there to rebuild our ridership closer to pre-pandemic levels, but our service reductions over the past five years have limited us,” said Poist.

“As we add back service, ridership will increase accordingly.”

SUMMER SERVICE CHANGES

While TCAT is working to increase service in the long-term, part of summer service involves scaling back some service to Ithaca College and Cornell University due to decreased demand as students leave town for the summer.

“Our aim is to improve route safety, efficiency and to adjust our schedules to meet growing road congestion concerns,” said TCAT Planning and Scheduling Manager Trevor Jensen. “We strongly encourage riders to check our website for updated schedules before the new service period starts to avoid any last-minute confusion.”

The summer service changes will remain in effect through August 16 and include changes to nearly every route in TCAT’s system. Individual route schedules will be added to the TCAT website just before the changeover, and printed guides will also be distributed at bus stops, onboard buses, and at shelters.

As a result of the service changes Route 22 will operate on weekdays only between Monday, June 30, and Friday, Aug. 15. The route will serve outdoor destinations including Taughannock Falls State Park, Cass Park, Cayuga Nature Center, and Stewart Park, with two trips reaching Trumansburg. Meanwhile, the Cornell Night Route 92 will not run during the summer break, and there are no changes planned for campus circulator routes 81 and 82.

More than 20 other routes will see timing adjustments, stop relocations, or changes in service frequency. Some highlights include Route 10 reducing its frequency during the morning rush hour and Route 11 ending service to the Ithaca College Community Center and cutting late-night and weekend trips. Route 14 will consolidate its stops at Cayuga Medical Center and move stops from the Museum of the Earth and Professional Building.

Additionally, Route 15 will now directly serve Buttermilk Falls State Park on weekends, while Route 51 will offer more frequent weekend service.

TCAT advises all riders to check www. tcatbus.com for updated route schedules, service alerts, and real-time bus tracking through its app or web-based tracker. Printed schedules are available upon request by calling (607) 277-RIDE (7433), emailing tcat@tcatmail.com, or mailing TCAT at 737 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY, 14850.

In observance of Memorial Day, TCAT will not operate on Monday, May 26. Regular service and administrative office hours will resume Tuesday, May 27.

What Happened to Ithaca’s Participatory Democracy?

By Ashley Miller

Before Mayor Cantelmo took office, Ithaca had advisory commissions democratically made up of city residents with expertise and interest in issues affecting the City. These five advisory commissions, all with Common Council liaisons, remain listed in the City Charter. Of the five, four have disappeared from the city website.

Under previous mayors, Common Council also had standing committees made up of Council members. At monthly meetings, concerned residents could speak, ask questions and learn things, particularly at the well-attended and skillfully chaired Planning and Economic Development and Governance Committees. This was a quintessential experience in participatory democracy. In January and February 2024, Mayor Cantelmo, with the agreement of a new and inexperienced Common Council, refused to appoint members to the committees. Instead, Council now meets three time a month. The mayor totally controls the agenda and forbids any public comment at what he calls special Topics and Whole Study sessions.

After dismantling the City’s committee structure, the Mayor claimed that its re-establishment was a major priority of his. He appointed a Working Group on Commissions to come up with a reorganization. In response to an inquiry I sent to the working groups progress sent in February of this year, one of the group members reported that their work had been finished and sent to the Mayor months ago and they had expected that it would be an agenda item. In March, the Mayor wrote me that he expected to put it on the agenda in April. It is now May, adding another month to the pile of months that the Mayor has had the recommendations from the Working Group on Commissions.

As an active citizen interested in city issues, I was able to keep up with discussions in areas of interest through agendas and minutes of legislative or advisory boards such as Common Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee—all now gone. Or the Public

Works Board—disbanded. And the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission—defunct. With the current lack of media coverage, the existence of such groups provides the only way for Ithaca residents to learn about ongoing issues before they are sent to Common Council for a vote. By reading agendas and minutes of legislative or advisory groups, I considered myself informed and able to comment. This is the the way we imagine democracy to work. I now get the agendas for the Common Council and everything looks like a done deal. If the City’s current administration is trying to discourage community involvement they’re on the right track with dragging out the formation of advisory and legislative committees.

I recently had first hand experience showing how the absence of one of these commissions combined with some ignorance of city regulations on the part of the its Planning Department created legal vulnerability for the City. During the 2024 passage through the Planning Board of the Lake Street Townhouses, I sent the Board and the Planning Department a copy of the city code that applies to development adjacent to city designated Natural Areas since the Townhomes share a border with the Fall Creek Natural Area. These regulations require that the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission be notified in writing as soon as practical by the involved City board or department. It was only after I sent the Board and Planning Department a copy of the regulations months after the approval process was well under way that staff notified the former chair of the now defunct Parks, etc. Commission. The Commission had not only been informed well after the fact but it had been disbanded in January 2021 at the City’s direction. In the meantime, all membership terms had expired creating a nonexistent Commission with no legitimate members. This seriously flawed process could certainly be legally challenged.

Derek English: New CEO Ithaca Free Clinic:

By Marjorie Olds

Derek English, the new executive director, has arrived at the Ithaca Health Alliance’s/Ithaca Free Clinic which offers an integrated program of health care to everyone in this community. No one is turned away for lack of medical insurance or inability to pay for medical care. Providing Primary care, Chronic care, holistic medicine, chiropractic services, acupuncture, Reiki, herbal remedies, and other special programs throughout the year. Derek is excited to lead this innovative, inclusive program, and he has everything IHA/IFC needs to continue and thrive.

Growing up in Evans City, Pennsylvania, a small community north of Pittsburgh, Derek came to Syracuse in 2008 to attend law school. In law school Derek was drawn to many clinical programs providing legal services to people unable to pay for essential legal representation. Looking back he realizes this was a crucial turning point. To work with people who lived with no safety net for safe housing, food security, access to education, transportation, daycare, or eldercare was an awakening.

Upon graduation Derek spent five years practicing family law as an attorney at the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, assisting with custody arrangements, and handling matrimonial matters, and litigating eviction defense for many clients who crucially required legal counsel, but could not pay for that. Derek: “During this period in my career I realized I wanted to use my skills to address inequality.”

Derek volunteered with the Legal Services of CNY, and became a staff attorney at the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, now a model to be replicated around the country. In addition to his legal work, Derek also served as Practice Manager of Summerwood Pediatrics in Liverpool, NY, where he focused on implementing a “medical home” model of primary care, which partners with the family to increase access to referrals. Prior to that role, English served as the Director of Care Management Services at ACR Health in Syracuse, NY, with a focus on harm reduction, HIV services, and health equity.

Derek’s work demonstrates his investment in the outcome of his clients,

Derek English, the new executive director of the Ithaca Health Alliance and Ithaca Free Clinic, brings a background in law, healthcare management, and social justice to his role leading the volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing free, integrated health services to all.

whether they are in court, or in the midst of medical care, or in recovery. And his employment choices have deepened his understanding of the interrelated needs of people living on the margin. Someone seeking medical care, may be challenged by lack of safe housing or have no access for transportation to medical appointments, or to recovery support meetings or to obtain healthy food.

In the meantime, Derek is excited to become part of the Ithaca community where he is currently settling with his partner and their beautiful, blended family.

When Derek was approached about the Director’s position at IHA/IFC, he felt this position was just the ticket. Derek observed that the IHA/IFC is renowned and admired throughout the country, wherever communities seek to provide medical and related care to everyone in need. IHA/IFC provides a blueprint that other envious communities can turn to provide a medical safety net for all.

Derek notes that IHA/IFC depends upon no federal or state funding. Therefore, in times of surprising federal mandates on many institutions, which then affect the federally-funded and state-funded organizations, IHA/IFC continues on, true to its mission. Other than the Director, Luz Rivera (Clinic Manager) and Sarah Bartlett (Outreach and Volunteer Manager) this Clinic is volunteer-run. Fortunately, many esteemed physicians, physician assistants, therapists, specialists, and generous volunteers devote time each week so that all who come to the Clinic can access fine care.

Cayuga Park Waterfront Development Approaches Finish Line

By Matt Dougherty

The Cayuga Park development, formerly known as the Carpenter Business Park, is nearing completion, soon ending one of the largest waterfront development projects in the city’s history.

Situated on Route 13 stretching from the Cayuga Medical building to the Marketview Apartments, the project has been estimated to cost up to $60 million and construction is expected to be completed within the next year.

The origins of the project date back decades, according to Heather McDaniel, director of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Before this development project began in 2021 with the groundbreaking of the Cayuga Medical Building, “the site had practically been vacant since the beginning of time,” McDaniel said, adding, “Even when there was industry on the inlet, there was nothing on this parcel.”

McDaniel said that after sitting vacant for decades, the Maguire car dealership purchased the property for $2.7 million in September 2015. Maguire had plans to use

the waterfront property to expand their car dealerships, but those plans never materialized due to opposition from the City. Instead of turning the property into a massive parking lot, the City had plans for the site to be converted into a walkable mixeduse neighborhood.

Due to the city’s opposition, Maguire initiated a lawsuit accusing the City of unfairly targeting them by preventing the expansion of their dealership on the waterfront, but that lawsuit was thrown out when Maguire sold the property to Cayuga Medical Services (CMS) for $10 million in 2017.

McDaniel said CMS purchased the property because they wanted a medical office building close to Ithaca’s downtown core. “They wanted to be part of a walkable and vibrant community [and] they were trying to do something that was additive for the community.” She added, “It was unusual for a hospital to buy the whole parcel and partner with [a developer] to build housing on it.”

Fast-forward to 2019, when CMS and their partners Park Grove Realty, a Rochester-

Heather McDaniel, director of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency, said the Cayuga Park site “had practically been vacant since the beginning of time,” and emphasized that the tax incentives provided were essential to making the $60 million mixed-use development financially possible. (Photo: File)

based real estate development and property management company that has backed several developments in Ithaca, announced their plans to the public. The plans called for constructing three buildings as part of the development: one would be used as a medical office building, one would provide affordable housing, and one would provide market-rate or luxury housing with retail space on the first floor.

Park Grove representative Andrew Beck told the Ithaca Times that Cayuga Health originally approached his firm in 2016 to help transform the site they were interested in acquiring. Since Cayuga Health is focused on providing healthcare, Beck said, “They needed a developer to help them develop a site. They wanted to acquire the land but needed our help to transform the site into something like it is today.”

The result is the nearly finished Cayuga Park project on Ithaca’s waterfront, which

of

said the Aurora Apartments will include 141 marketrate units, rooftop terraces, fitness centers, and 17,000 square feet of retail space, aligning with the city’s vision for a walkable, mixed-use waterfront community.

(Photo: File)

includes a medical office building that provides urgent care and other services, alongside two residential buildings. Beck said that Cayuga Health owns the land and leases it to Park Grove, which owns the buildings.

“They own the land, and we ground lease it from them for the long term,” Beck said.

“We built the medical office building, and they lease that building from us.”

The partnership allows Cayuga Health to provide outpatient care in a much more accessible location than its main medical center on West Hill. “It’s much easier for people and the community in Ithaca to access healthcare there,” Beck said. “Urgent care and some of the other essential services are now all in close proximity.”

While specific lease terms were not disclosed, Beck said Cayuga Health has a 30year lease on the medical building with options to extend, signaling a commitment to remain on-site well into the future.

City

Ithaca Planning Director Lisa Nicholas

As part of the Cayuga Park development, a new intersection with a traffic light and pedestrian crossing is being added at Fifth Street to improve safety and walkability along Route 13, one of Ithaca’s busiest corridors. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

“We are both in it for the long haul,” Beck said. “It’s a great partnership. They’re a fantastic organization to work with, and I think they’re very pleased that they have these critical medical services now right in the heart of the city.”

Cayuga Health has no ownership stake in the two residential buildings on the property. Those buildings are solely managed and owned by Park Grove, which handles the entirety of the mixed-use development.

Cayuga Health CEO Martin Stallone said, “when we made the decision to build the Cayuga Park Medical Office Building, we recognized the need for those patients living in the downtown area to have greater access to high-quality healthcare services.” He added, “projects like Cayuga Park align with the city’s focus on sustainable, integrated development.”

The first two phases of the development have already been completed. The Cayuga Medical building located next to GreenStar officially opened in the fall of 2023, and the affordable housing was completed in February 2024 with the opening of the Marketview Apartments.

The third and final phase of the project, Aurora Apartments, which will consist entirely of market-rate housing, is currently under construction. It will provide 141 residential units, retail space, and infrastructure improvements to Route 13 that aim to make the city’s busiest roadway more walkable.

The project adds to an expansive portfolio of Park Grove developments in Ithaca and Tompkins County. In addition to Cayuga Park, which includes the Marketview Apartments and the Cayuga Medical Building, projects include East Pointe Apartments in Lansing, the Evergreen Pointe Apartments in Dryden, the Meadows at Ithaca and the Triphammer Apartments.

To help offset the costs of developing the site, the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) approved a series of tax exemptions for the developers.

“The new tax payments are a little more nuanced,” McDaniel said. “There are three separate pilots that start and end at different times and have different incentive levels.”

The Marketview Apartments received a 20-year property tax exemption and will pay $728,000 in property taxes over the next 20 years. The Aurora Apartments received a 10-year phased-in exemption expected to total roughly $7.4 million. McDaniel said it will be valued at over $116 million after completion. “Over the next 10 years during the PILOT, the project will pay $2 million in new property taxes.” She added, “At full taxation, it could pay over $700,000 in property taxes per year.” McDaniel continued by saying that the new

This map highlights the Cayuga Park development along Ithaca’s waterfront, showing the completed Cayuga Medical Building and Marketview Apartments, as well as the Aurora Apartments now under construction. The site sits between Route 13 and the Cayuga Inlet, just south of the Ithaca Farmers Market and near future projects like Waters Edge.

Cayuga Medical building is valued at $4.2 million, and by year ten of the IDA incentive, the property will pay over $165,000 in property taxes per year.

McDaniel said the property tax exemptions include county, town, and school district taxes. She added that when the project was approved in 2021, the entire 8.9-acre parcel was valued at $3,590,000, and property taxes in 2021-2022 would have been about $125,048. According to McDaniel, “The bottom line is that net new taxes will accrue as a result of the incentives that made the project financially possible.”

She explained that even though the Aurora doesn’t include any plans for affordable housing, developers were able to receive tax exemptions and didn’t have to pay into the Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) because they used the Marketview Apartments as their affordable housing requirement. “The fund requires 20% of units to be affordable, so we use the market view apartments as the set-aside, and that more than met the requirement, so developers didn’t have to pay into the fund,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel continued, saying that the IDA debated whether or not the development should be considered three separate projects, but since all three were being done by the same developer, it made sense to lump them together.

City of Ithaca Director of Planning Lisa Nicholas said, “This development will bring 141 new apartments to the waterfront, with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.”

Nicholas said that when the developers first proposed the project, they planned for fewer, larger units. However, market research indicated higher demand for smaller apartments. “They’ve now included studio apartments, which are more affordable than larger units, though the overall project is considered market-rate.”

In addition to the residential units, the Aurora Apartments will feature 17,000 square feet of retail space across the ground floors of the two buildings. While the developers have not yet announced tenants for the retail spaces, the inclusion of commercial elements aligns with the city’s vision for mixed-use developments that create vibrant, walkable communities.

Nicholas also said each Aurora building will feature rooftop terraces, fitness centers, and other modern conveniences. “These kinds of apartments typically include a range of amenities, and this development is no exception…One of the buildings may even include a pool.”

The complex will also offer parking for approximately 100 vehicles, with spaces integrated into the ground floor of each building.

Another important aspect of the project is its contribution to infrastructure improvements in Ithaca’s West End. The development includes creating a new street extension across Route 13, identified as the Fifth Street crossing, which will feature a traffic light and an enhanced pedestrian walkway.

“This new access point is part of the development itself, but it aligns with the city’s broader goals for Route 13 redevelopment,” Nicholas said. The Route 13 corridor has long been identified as an area in need of better connectivity for pedestrians and vehicles, and the new intersection will address those concerns.

“We always wanted a crossing in this area, and the developers integrated it into their plans,” Nicholas added. “It’s an important step in making the site accessible for vehicles and pedestrians.”

The road will also serve as the primary construction access for the project, minimizing disruptions to nearby streets such as Third Street. Nicholas said the project aims to mitigate potential impacts on the surrounding neighborhood by directing construction traffic away from residential areas and community facilities.

The most recent available crash data from August 2019 and August 2022 indicated that 46 crashes occurred at Route 13’s Third Street intersection. There were also 37 crashes just a few hundred feet ahead at Route 13’s Dey Street intersection over the same timeframe. Given these statistics, the city’s plans to add another intersection across Route 13 by expanding Fifth Street could potentially cause additional accidents.

The Aurora Apartments are also being built on the border of the Ithaca Community Gardens, a popular agricultural resource for city residents. During the planning stages, a land swap ensured the gardens’ continuity and allowed the development to proceed without encroaching on the community space.

“The gardens are contained, finished, and enclosed, with parking preserved for gardeners,” Nicholas said. The new access road from Route 13 ensures that construction traffic will not interfere with garden activities. “While there may be some noise during construction, there will be no direct impact on their operations.”

Is Ithaca a “Lacrosse Town”?

At College, High School and Club Level, Lacrosse Stars Shine

By Steve Lawrence

Over the course of several decades, I have had many people from surrounding communities share their perception that “Ithaca sure is a lacrosse town!” I am inclined to agree.

Last week, I pro led Shea Baker, the Ithaca High class of ’22 grad who had a 2024 for the ages, being on teams that won a collegiate national title and a World Championship. e story referenced a strong Ithaca lacrosse culture, and space did not allow for a deeper look into just how deep and wide that culture runs.

e Ithaca High girl’s team is 15-1 at this writing — undefeated in Section IV — and has earned some impressive non-sectional wins. It really has taken a village to get the program to this point, and according to the parent of a current player, “ e current girls varsity team at IHS is mostly

a group of girls who started together in the youth program over 10 years ago. Many of their parents were youth coaches (Megan Wagenet, BJ Bliss, Joel Switzer, Je Cole, Alyssa Fontaine) and current IHS assistant Chuck Little.” It was also pointed out that many of these girls (and their parents) put in the considerable extra e ort to play for one of the nationally-ranked club teams based in Syracuse, and the opportunity to play against such tough competition is part of what makes any athlete better.

As the Little Red heads into post-season play, there are currently ve seniors and one junior committed to play at the next level. Four of them will play at the Division 1, level, one will play D-2, and one is on her way to a D-3 program. As for the seniors, Ella omforde (who recently reached the lo y 200 point total

for her career), has signed on to play Attack at Stanford, and Reese Montivero Cole — also an Attack — is on board to head to Flagler. A third Attack — Eleni Switzer — will stay in New York State to play at Niagara University, Goalie Olivia Frazier has committed to suit up for SUNY Albany, and Alex Pasto — who actually elected to participate in track and eld her this year, but is committed to play goalie at SUNY Oswego. e aforementioned

junior — Taylor Kerber — plans to play on the defensive side of the eld at LeMoyne. My inside contact has been a part of this rich culture for a decade, and they were extremely grateful to some previous players who showed the younger ones what it takes to keep playing a er high school. My mystery person said, “ ey owe much to all of the talented players

Ithaca High Schools girls lacrosse team has been powered by Chiara Miller-Out, Olivia Frazier, Eleni Switzer, Ella Thomforde, Freya Dolch, Reese Montivero Cole. (Photo: Ryan Dodson)

Paws First AAIP Opens Pathways to Connection and Comfort

Dogs know They sense when you’re happy or sad. They sense when you’re fearful or excited. Dogs are also unconditionally loving and loyal, playful and protective. Children who have experienced significant trauma in their life can really appreciate these qualities in a canine companion.

Since its beginning, The William George Agency for Children’s Services (WGA) has had both working and companion animals, including dogs, contributing to the physical, mental and emotional support of young people on its campus. Once upon a time, dogs lived onsite as the family pets of house-parents in residential cottages. When the house-parent model of caregiving ended at WGA, so too did the regular presence of dogs until a formal Animal-Assisted Intervention Program (AAIP) specifically for use with canines launched in 2017.

The program known as Paws First was fashioned by Danielle Chase, LCSW, CASAC-Master, who is Director of Operations and Compliance at WGA and also a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist and an EAGALA Certified Mental Health Professional. Chase sought to create a structured program after observing a marked difference in residents’ behavior on a few occasions when her dog accompanied her to campus. This canine-specific AAIP, which is separate from WGA’s equine AAIP, is designed to enable employees and their dogs to implement animal-assisted intervention therapies, activities, and education for youth while at WGA.

In the first phase, interested employees, their eligible dogs and youth from WGA receive weeks of hands-on training in the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Trick Dog curriculum to prepare them for taking a final CGG exam. The CGC program centers o n p o s i t i v e re i n f o rc e m e n t - b a s e d d o g t r a i n i n g , t e a

manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners. Dogs learn basic obedience and tricks such as how to sit, stay, heel, be comfortable in crowds, be comfortable away from their owner, and be comfortable with other dogs. WGA youth dog handlers especially learn a lot about themselves during this phase. Through regular p

awareness. Youth also learn how to care for an animal properly The second phase entails successful completion of the CGC exam and approval of an AAIP plan in an employee’s specific work area.

Since Paws First began, there have been nine training groups resulting in 18 eligible canines to ‘work’ on campus. Tenny, for example, works with owner Ellyn Sellers-Selin, MD in the Medical Clinic (pictured). Tenny is one of two approved dogs providing therapeutic assistance at the Clinic several days a week.

“Dogs can help form a bridge to connect with others,” says Dr Ellyn. “ This can be especially useful with youth who have trust issues or a hard time expressing themselves. At the clinic, Tenny reads the room and picks up on body language for cues. He will happily wag his tail walking down the hall to the exam room and, after greeting the

patient, may quietly play with his toys while being petted during the visit. He is a calming presence and is very aware, knowing when to be excited or quiet for what a youth needs in the moment.”

Tenny has logged 239 patient-in-room encounters so far He’s also a favorite for walks at lunch time, with youth taking turns as his handler to and from the dining hall.

Ellie is another Paws First canine who spends her time with owner Jennifer Gold in one of WGA’s residences. As a Behavioral Health Clinician, Gold says she’s seen the program as helping to keep residents feeling more comfortable in stressful situations, helping youth handlers to be more responsible, and prompting youth to engage in healthier activities, like going for a walk.

“I think most every child likes animals, and dogs are very sensitive to people's emotions. There are many residents in the cottage who use Ellie as a way of calming down. They like when she lays near them during session, and have fun giving her treats and watching her do tricks. She does bring a sense of warmth and home to most youth,” says Gold. Ellie and Gold have enjoyed the Paws First training program so much that they have gone on to become the first Paws First participants to achieve an Advanced CGG title.

“ The presence of Paws First dogs on our campus has the ability to promote improved mood, motivation and physical wellbeing for youth, as well as comfort and trust,” says Helen Hulings Executive Director of The William George Agency for Children’s Services. “It ’ s a w e l l - l i k e d p r

connections.”

The William George Agency for Children’s Services is committed to providing a safe and caring residential environment supported by proven, therapeutic, clinical and medical care for at-risk youth. For more information, visit their website: www.wgaforchildren.org.

Bob Iger and David Muir Speak at Ithaca

By Mark Syvertson

“As the leader of Disney, he’s pushed us all,” Muir said. “He’s put people into leadership positions, into the anchor chair at 6:30 on World News Tonight. He puts us in the roles because he sees

we

imagine until we’re put in that chair.” (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

Ithaca College graduates throw their caps into the air as they celebrate an end to their undergraduate careers and the 2025 commencement ceremony. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

At the May 2025 commencement, CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger (Class of 1973) received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for “his visionary leadership in global media and entertainment, his commitment to innovation and storytelling, and his enduring support for his alma mater,” according to Ithaca College. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

Ovid Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

Monday May 26

Parade begins at 11am

Ceremony in Historic Three Bears Park at 11:45

Main Street, Ovid, NY

Keynote Speaker - former NY State Senator Michael Nozzolio

Great kickoff to summer.

Remember those that fought and died for our country.

Small town Americana

Make a weekend out of it

Enjoy the wineries, B&B’s, and Seneca & Cayuga Lakes

Two of Ithaca College’s most notable alumni spoke at the college’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Above, CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger (Class of 1973) and Anchor of ABC World News Tonight David Muir (Class of 1993) exchange a handshake. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

Leg, foot pain or swelling after exercise that grows worse can signal stress fracture

Early treatment with rest and therapy often avoids the need for surgery

By Alec Macaulay, MD

Stress fractures are common injuries that begin with repetitive and excessive stress on a bone, usually involving the leg or foot. Unlike a traumatic bone fracture, many patients overlook the early stages of stress fractures until the injury worsens, causing significant pain and swelling. Ignoring the pain can lead to worsening of the fracture and occasionally even necessitate surgery. Typically, stress fractures occur when physical activity or exercise strains a patient’s leg or foot bones beyond their strength. Even moderate activity can cause a stress fracture when patients have not gradually conditioned their bodies and are vitamin D deficient, which affect bone strength. After a long winter of inactivity and reduced sunlight that allows our skin to produce vitamin D, many Finger Lakes residents are at risk for stress fractures. That risk can be reduced by easing back into physical activity, cross training that includes non-impact exercises, and talking with your primary care physician about using a vitamin D supplement. Patients with eating disorders or conditions resulting in malabsorption of vitamin D, bone loss, or osteoporosis are at greater risk for stress fractures and should consult with their physicians on treatment.

What are the symptoms of a stress fracture?

Pain and swelling at the fracture site that worsens with physical activity are common symptoms. Stress fractures most commonly affect the leg — often the tibia, or shinbone or the foot, frequently the navicular bone located between the ankle and the midfoot, and the metatarsals behind the toes. The fifth metatarsal on the outside of the foot is a common location for a stress fracture.

Who is at risk for a stress fracture?

Women have a slightly higher risk than men. Athletes, military recruits, and those participating in high-impact activities such as gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, soccer, or running over 25 miles per week are more likely to get stress fractures. Smoking, having over 10 alcoholic drinks per week, and lack of exercise are also risk factors. Rapidly increasing physical activity or an exercise program can also cause stress fractures.

How is it diagnosed?

Sometimes a diagnosis is made from a medical history and physical exam, but imaging tests are often needed. Those include:

• X-rays. This is a good initial test for stress fractures but do not catch all stress fractures, especially early fractures.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI not only shows stress fractures but can show stress reactions, which are essentially pre-stress fractures.

• Bone scan. The test uses a small dose of radioactive material given through an intravenous line (IV). The radioactive substance is absorbed by areas where bones are being repaired and shows up on the scan image as a bright white spot. This test may be used for patients who cannot get an MRI. How is a stress fracture treated?

Eliminating the activities that caused the injury and prevent it from healing is essential. Patients may need crutches, casts, walking boots or similar aids for several weeks to rest the bone and let it start to heal. Addressing vitamin D deficiency is also important.

The earlier you visit your doctor about a stress fracture, the sooner you will return to your activities. Most stress fractures heal without problems, but some fractures, such as those in the tibia, may require surgery to heal properly.

Dr. Alec Macaulay is an orthopedic surgeon with Cayuga Orthopedics and serves on the medical staff of Cayuga Medical Center. His clinical interests include both the surgical and non-surgical treatment of athletic injuries, arthritic conditions, and musculoskeletal trauma. He specializes in surgery of the knee, ankle and foot and can be reached at (607) 272-7000 .

Alec Macaulay, MD

After a winter of inactivity, many Finger Lakes residents are at risk for stress fractures when they begin a warm-weather exercise regimen. That risk can be reduced by easing back into physical activity, cross-training and non-impact exercises.

Out of the Box

Cherry’s “Mother in a Box” Opens an Intense Family Drama

By Barbara Adams

As a title, “Mother in a Box” invites speculation — is this woman reductively de ned? Or societally con ned? Or simply cremated? Or perhaps all of these, in a new play by local playwright and actor Arthur Bicknell, currently onstage at the Cherry Artspace. Directing this world premiere is Rachel Hockett, Bicknell’s partner in their production company, Homecoming Players. A er a three-year hiatus, the group’s return is most welcome. is intense family drama, laced with bitter humor, will call to mind Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” — and in fact, the characters invoke that play overtly. A long-estranged father and son meet in the family home, a college property about to be torn down. It’s 1985, and the father, a lit professor teetering at career’s end, has invited his son, a successful novelist, to look through his deceased mother’s possessions before they’re tossed out. e tension between the two men ares instantly: Jim, who’s gay, makes it clear he hates his dad for kicking him out 10 years earlier, among myriad other o enses. Both men quickly nd the hidden barb in every comment the other makes. As they quarrel, our eyes are drawn to the gure seated at the back of this storage room, draped like a piece of old furniture. Soon enough, the woman, Joey, wife and mother, will cast o her veil and enter the con ict, either as an unseen commentator or her younger self, slipping with Scott into early memories. (In one

charming scene they’re dancing the Charleston: she agile and sparkling, in her element; he faltering but delighted to follow her lead.)

So there were some happy times, at the beginning — when Joey was young and free-spirited and Scott was dazzled by her. But the marriage soon grows stale, Scott spending too much time at the college, always prioritizing pleasing the president, his old school friend, even leaving Joey alone on her birthdays. He drinks too much, avoiding her longing for sex, for a child. Even more so, avoiding himself. One uke inebriated encounter at a party does yield them that child, but growing up, Jim proves a constant disappointment, as Scott continually reminds him.

Scenes from the past weave in and out of the present confrontation between father and son, as Jim learns more about both his parents than he had ever imagined. eir personal disclosures might be better conveyed from a more intimate stage, but in the Cherry’s barnlike space, technical director Matt Dobush helps provide the requisite messy room, anked by a platform where Joey can better observe her men and express herself.

Jacob Garrett White captures Jim’s fury toward his father; despite years of therapy, he’s still seething with grievances. (And rather justi ably, as we learn.) As Scott, Greg Bostwick nails this man’s conventional courtesy that poorly masks his promptness to brusque criticism. is father and son are less than likeable: Jim is arrogant and self-absorbed; Scott’s capable of cruel remarks and with his wife, irresponsibly evasive to the point of cowardice. Yet both experienced actors, at least last Saturday, seemed somewhat stilted and only

intermittently connecting to their roles. In contrast, Kristen Sad fully embodied Joey — her e ervescent youth as well as her gradual disappointment in life. In a shimmering silver apper cocktail dress, she earns our persistent attention, and her natural delivery persuades us that this woman, nonconforming in an era when good girls stayed in the home, has gotten the short end of the stick. But Joey’s hardly idealized; her youthful love of fun can seem shallow and later she makes compromises she probably shouldn’t.

Tolstoy claimed that each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. But Bicknell has de ned these three people with such authentic motivations and detail that inevitably some of their behaviors will appear very familiar. And his narrative suggests that dissembling, dishonesty, and secrecy can destroy any chance of genuine connection. So how will this father/ son showdown possibly end? Bicknell makes sure that his conclusion is well earned.

Barbara Adams is a regional theatre and arts journalist and retired professor of writing, Ithaca College.

“Mother in a Box,”

By Arthur Bicknell, directed by Rachel Hockett and choreography by Elizabeth Livesay. With Greg Bostwick, Kristin Sad, and Jacob Garrett White. Produced by Homecoming Players. Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St., Ithaca. Performances May 23-25 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets available at https://thecherry.org/tickets/

Arts & Entertainment

Homecoming Players presents Mother in a Box, a new comic drama by Arthur Bicknell, running May 16–25 at the Cherry Artspace in Ithaca. (Photo: Jeff Hodges)

Jim (Jacob Garrett White) is a son with a secret to share. Greg Bostwick (Scott) and Kristin Sad (Joey) are his parents in the taut drama “Mother in a Box” currently playing at the Cherry Artspace. (Photo: Jeff Hodges)

Charming Disaster to Headline Gothic Folk and Puppet Show at Nocturnal Cafe

By Staff Report

ITHACA, N.Y. — A night of music, puppetry and live visual effects is set for Friday, June 7, at the Nocturnal Cafe in downtown Ithaca.

The event will feature New York Citybased gothic cabaret duo Charming Disaster, known for their darkly whimsical performances that blur the lines between concert and theater. Sharing the bill are Ithaca artists Silver Rein and Lilypad Puppet Theatre, with live visuals provided

Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris of Charming Disaster bring their signature blend of gothic folk and theatrical cabaret to Ithaca’s Nocturnal Cafe on June 7, as part of their U.S. tour promoting The Double.

by Skeleton Hands. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. The event is open to all ages.

Charming Disaster was formed in 2012 by singer-songwriters Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris. Their music draws heavily on themes of myth, death, science, crime, and the occult, often delivered with a tongue-in-cheek twist. They cite influences like Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, and their style is rooted in Americana murder ballads and dramatic cabaret. Their songs are known for their theatricality and clever storytelling, often unfolding like eerie fables.

Their live shows are immersive and interactive, with performances that incorporate fortune-telling rituals, comedic flair, and vaudeville theatrics. Charming Disaster has built a dedicated following through frequent tours across the U.S. and Europe, and their music has been featured on the popular podcast Welcome to Night Vale. They have opened for acts such as goth music icon Voltaire and cello-rock pioneers Rasputina. The duo is currently touring in support of their new album, The Double, which was released on May 16.

Joining them is Ithaca-based artist Silver Rein, whose music has been described as “Viking dungeon music,” “Celtic,” and “a spiritual experience.” Her performances combine electric cello with operatic vocals to produce a rich, cinematic sound that

explores themes of life, death, isolation, and belonging. Silver Rein’s goth-folk aesthetic is as visually striking as it is sonically captivating, delivering an emotionally resonant experience.

Adding a playful and unexpected twist to the evening is Lilypad Puppet Theatre, a local nonprofit dedicated to advancing the puppet arts. Lilypad’s performances feature a variety of puppetry styles, including hand puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, crankies, and large-scale parade puppets. Their shows are known for being whimsical, absurd, and full of surprises, inviting audiences to experience puppetry in new and imaginative ways.

Visual effects for the night will be provided by Skeleton Hands, a projection art duo composed of Anthony Cenimo and Dakota Pace. Working with vintage analog equipment and live video manipulation,

they create layered, atmospheric visuals that shift in real time, adding a surreal and immersive quality to each performance.

The show will take place at the Nocturnal Cafe located in downtown Ithaca, formerly known as Sacred Root Kava Lounge, which has become a vital hub for the local arts scene.

More information about the show is available at thenocturnalcafe.com.

EVENT DETAILS:

Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Nocturnal Cafe, located at 103 S Geneva Street in downtown Ithaca, New York. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. The event is open to all ages.

Lilypad Puppet Theatre, Silver Rein, and Skeleton Hands join the bill for a night of music, puppetry, and visual effects, creating a whimsical and macabre experience for all ages.

Tompkins County Public Library Launches ‘The Gay Agenda’ Programming Ahead of Ithaca Pride

By Staff Report

ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate Pride Month with a weeklong series of events titled “The Gay Agenda,” running June 7–12.

The inclusive programming, designed for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies, will feature a mix of resource-sharing, educational events and community-building activities leading up to the Ithaca Pride 2025 celebration.

The lineup includes a Pride Storytime, a gender-affirming clothing closet, craft groups, information sessions, and a community resource fair with representatives from local organizations such as Cornell Health, LawNY and the Southern Tier AIDS Program. All events are free and

open to the public.

“The Gay Agenda is for everybody and anybody, just like libraries,” said Ally True, a TCPL Library Assistant and organizer of the initiative. “Anybody is welcome to come to the events and learn about how to support, what your family and friends may be experiencing, and even how to help them.”

The event schedule begins Saturday, June 7, with a Pride Storytime at 11 a.m., followed by the Resource Fair from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and a Gender-Affirming Clothing Closet from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The fair will include booths staffed by TCPL’s LGBTQIA+ Youth Group and other community partners offering information and support services.

Programming continues Monday, June 9, with a session titled “Supporting Your

Volunteer Coordinator – Nonprofit Newspaper

We are seeking a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator to support our nonprofit newspaper team. This role involves recruiting, training, and managing volunteers to support our mission of delivering impactful, community-focused journalism. Responsibilities include scheduling volunteer shifts, organizing training sessions, maintaining volunteer records, and fostering a positive, inclusive environment. The ideal candidate is highly organized, communicative, and passionate about community engagement. Prior experience in volunteer management or nonprofit work is a plus. Flexible hours, approximately 10-15 hours per week. Retirees are welcome as are stay-at-home parents. Join us in amplifying local voices!

To apply, please log on to our website at: www.pathwaystoequity.com. Fill out the short form including why you are interested in this opportunity and we will contact you to schedule an interview. Thank you: Program Director - Pathways to Equity, Inc.

County Public Library will host “The Gay Agenda” from June 7–12, offering storytimes, resource fairs, and educational events to celebrate Pride Month and support the LGBTQIA+ community ahead of Ithaca Pride 2025. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)

Siblings” with Karina Hagelin from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Queer Craft Club meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Events for Tuesday, June 10, are still

being finalized. On Wednesday, June 11, the LGBTQIA+ Youth Group will meet at

Tompkins

Winifred G. Swarthout Obituary

By Joe Bowers

Winifred G. Swarthout, 98 of Ithaca, NY passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Hospicare Residence, a month shy of her 99th birthday.

Born June 14, 1926 in Spencerport, NY she is the daughter of the late Grover C. and Faye Streeter Tracy and wife of the late Robert C. Swarthout Sr. who passed away June 3, 1994. Winnie attended Rochester Business Institute and was employed with Cornell University prior to raising her children. She then was employed as a bookkeeper for Swarthout & Ferris, later Swarthout Coaches for over 40 years.

In addition to her husband, Robert and her parents, Winnie is predeceased by her daughter, Joanne Swarthout in 1994 and her sister, Eleanor Hughes in 2014. She is survived by her son, Robert C. Swarthout, Jr. of Ithaca; nephews, Richard (Sue) Hughes and Brent (Joanne) Hughes; great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main St., Dryden, NY with an hour of calling starting at 10am until the time of the service at 11am. Burial will follow at Ovid Union Cemetery, Ovid, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tompkins County SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. Online condolences at www.perkinsfh.com

COUNCIL DEBATES

continued from page 5

neighbors who care about it… [and] I think there’s value in placemaking and having an identity that is Ithaca, while also being very pro-growth.”

Alderperson Pierre Saint-Perez also questioned the need to legislate a moratorium when Council already has the authority to reject expansion proposals.

“It seems like overkill to put a five-year gag on advice from a commission,” he said. “If we believe that our housing goals are being impeded, we can simply vote down new districts.”

In response Lederman said that the intent was not just to block new designations but to redirect city staff resources away from preservation efforts during a housing shortage.

“This is more about a directive regard-

LACROSSE STARS SHINE

that came before them — notably Shea Baker (Boston College), Alicia Nicolas (UNC), Jamie Lasda (Ohio State University) Elizabeth Joffrey (Colgate), and McKenzie Rich (University of North Carolina/ Syracuse University) to name a few.”

Also, former IHS player Zoe Congdon just finished up a successful career at Binghamton University, and has returned to coach the Little Red JV team.

Last week, I spoke with IHS grad Shea Baker before her Boston College Eagles — the defending national champs and seeded #2 in this year’s NCAAs — took on the #7 seed Yale Bulldogs. The Eagles took down Yale by an 18-11 score, running their record to 19-2 and propelling them

‘THE GAY AGENDA’

continued from page 17

4:30 p.m., followed by “Your Body, Your Choice,” a session led by Planned Parenthood and Alternatives Credit Union, at 6 p.m. Thursday’s programming concludes with “Gay Film 101” presented by Teagan Bradway from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

ing staff time,” he said. “The broad-brush approach we take with historic districts, as opposed to specific landmarks, does more harm than good.”

Mayor Robert Cantelmo did not take a side on the proposal, but asked planning staff to gather data on the impacts of historic preservation on housing development and instructed council members to submit questions to Lederman ahead of the next meeting.

Cantelmo then proposed to table the ordinance and send it to a future committee meeting for further discussion. The council approved that proposal in a 7–3 vote, with Alderpersons Nguyen, Margaret Fabrizio, and David Shapiro opposed.

The debate is expected to continue next month, when the Planning and Economic Development Committee will discuss the proposal again with additional data and potential amendments.

into their 8th consecutive Final Four. Their semi-final match-up will see them face #3 Northwestern, which will be a rematch of last year’s national championship game. Finally, the Big Red of Cornell — the #1 team in all the land — kept its loyal fan base on the edge of their seats yet again, coming back from a third quarter deficit to squeak past the Richmond Spiders 13-12 to also move onto the Final Four. Senior Andrew Dalton put Cornell ahead to stay with his third goal of the day, moving the Big Red to 16-1 and setting up a rematch with Penn State, the only team to top Cornell this season. That semi-final battle will take place at 12 pm on Saturday, in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and the winner will play either Syracuse or Maryland for the national title on Monday.

and there’s no better place to do it than in a library.”

TCPL leaders emphasized the importance of creating safe and affirming public spaces. The library’s Equity Statement condemns prejudice and intolerance as violations of its Code of Conduct.

“The Gay Agenda, at TCPL and everywhere else, is not to break families apart and ruin the sanctity of marriage,” True said. “The Gay Agenda is a to-do list of things that we can do for ourselves to make us feel more comfortable. The rights of queer and trans people are actively being threatened and taken away. The best and most helpful thing we can do right now is form and strengthen communities,

“I wish programs like this existed at my library when I was growing up; it would have made a world of difference in my life,” said Kate DeVoe, head of Circulation at TCPL. “When the most vulnerable are protected, we’re all protected. Libraries are places where all should be welcomed and accepted.”

TCPL will also take part in Ithaca Pride 2025, hosted by the Ithaca Pride Alliance from June 13–15. Event details and updates will be posted at tcpl.org/gayagendatcpl

CORNELL LISTS FOR SALE

But these taxes are dependent on the buyer. If the home is sold to another taxexempt entity, like a not-for-profit, the property would remain off the tax rolls. The school district and municipalities wouldn’t necessarily face an abrupt tax shift if sold to a tax-exempt entity, but they would miss out on potential thousands of dollars in property taxes.

If the property is sold to a private individual and subject to property taxes, however, the sale could slightly shift

DEREK ENGLISH

continued from page 7

As Derek points out, having Cornell, Ithaca College and TC3 nearby, also brings other valuable volunteers to IHA— to help with marketing, social media, and other administrative tasks.

And for those seeking an optometrist, Rich Shaff and Dr. Ted Bryant and the Ithaca Lions Club are proud IHA/IFC partners. Adults and children can schedule appointments, with the free provision of prescribed glasses possible. Parents of children ages 7 and under are urged to

the tax burden and subsequently lower property taxes for single-family homeowners.

PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

continued from page 7

Currently, the property is assessed at $3.1 million. In 2020, it was valued at the current listing price of $2.5 million.

The Tompkins County Office of Assessment reassesses the value of Cornellowned properties once every two years because the majority of university-owned property is tax-exempt.

Franklin said that the office will reassess the property after the sale and will continue with annual reassessments, like most other properties in the county.

have their children evaluated for “Lazy Eye” syndrome (amblyopia).” The weaker — or lazy — eye often wanders inward or outward. Amblyopia generally develops from birth up to age 7 years, but the most effective treatment we are told should begin before the child turns 7. Daycare centers and school administrators can contact the Vision Clinic at IHA/IFC to arrange evaluations by Dr. Bryant. Derek: “As many federally subsidized medical insurance programs are reduced or ended, all medical centers may see an increase of patients with no insurance. IHA/IFC has been a beacon of hope by

12 WORLD-CLASS WINES

continued from page 3 Our experts handpicked this highly acclaimed collection to pair perfectly with your favorite dishes from Omaha Steaks. Uncork 12 bottles with bonus gifts for just $79.99 (plus $19.99 shipping and tax) as your introduction to the Omaha Steaks Wine Club – saving you $160. Then, look forward to 12 new selections every three months and enjoy a $25 Omaha Steaks E-Reward Card with each future club case. You’ll also save 10% on every 12+ bottle purchase and get free shipping every time you order. There’s no commitment to continue and every bottle comes with our 100% guarantee. Order now at GetOSWine.com/Sip152 or call 1.888.762.3594 and mention code AGJF002

Before it was eliminated and its responsibilities assigned to the Parks, etc. Commission by Mayor Myrick, I was pleased to serve on the Natural Areas Commission. That experience is how I, as a volunteer citizen interested in Ithaca’s extraordinary Fall Creek and Six Mile Creek natural areas, got to know city regulations. The Natural Areas Commission also led the fight to convince Common Council to buy the property on the

providing wholistic care to anyone who enters the Clinic. I am proud to join and lead this clinic to continue providing Health Equity--whether one is rich or poor, insured, or uninsured, no matter what one’s lifestyle is or what one did in the past, all who come will be able to access the medical services needed. People who come say they feel seen and heard and respected…And if IHA/IFC and its many practitioners do not offer what is needed, we will help you access what you need. And if you cannot pursue your medical services due to lack of childcare or transportation or other impediment, we will

north bank of Fall Creek at a tax sale. The reason that you and the many visitors to Ithaca Falls aren’t looking at condos is because there was an advisory board that brought this issue to the attention of the public. But maybe that’s the idea behind delaying the formation of advisory boards. When the community doesn’t have a voice and loses interest, it’s so much easier to push through legislation.

So my questions for the Mayor is: when are you really going to take a step toward participatory democracy and put the reestablishment of committees and advisory commissions on the agenda?

also assist you to address those challenges...

The Ithaca Free Clinic is well-connected to a wide array of services in the community and invested in good care for all patients. We believe that health care is a basic human right for everyone.”

The mission of the Ithaca Free Clinic is to provide access to health care based on need, not on ability to pay, where the talent and generosity of our health care community come together through mainstream medicine, complementary alternative medicine, and social advocacy to establish health care as a human right, not a privilege.

Classifieds

120/Autos Wanted

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 1-855-4033374. (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)

250/Merchandise

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)

280/Trade / Wanted

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS!

No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three-step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670. (NYSCAN)

435/Health Care

INFUSION RN FULL-TIME POSITION

For Department of Medicine Rheumatology at Upstate Medical University is seeking a RN for our Homer NY facility. RN to provide professional nursing care to patients for Rheumatology and various patients requiring infusions from other specialties. Will function as an infusion nurse, nurse triage, and nurse educator. Will assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care needs in the practice while also functioning as a liaison with other staff. NYS licensed/registered RN. At least one year of Medical/ Surgical nursing experience. IV and infusion experience preferred. Prior experience in an outpatient setting (specialty area) strongly preferred. Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross is required. Monday - Friday daytime hours; Our benefits package includes health, dental and vision insurance, eligibility for employer 401k funding after 1 year (3% quarterly/5% annual on vesting schedule), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, including vacation and personal time, paid sick leave, holidays and floating holidays. G7: $27.00$40.80 Please note the salary information shown is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity, market and business considerations. Please apply online for position #80694 at www.upstate. edu/hr/jobs/ MedBest is affiliated with and supports the mission of Upstate University Health System. EOE. To learn more about MedBest Medical Management, please visit: https://www.medbest.org/

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 855-399-2719 (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

700/Roommates

ROOM AVAILABLE

Cornell- Ithaca Male Student Room And Board In Cayuga Heights Mansion With A Private Chef, $1100 Monthly. Acacia Fraternity Affordable Living 607-262-0085

800/Services

$84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 (NYSCAN)

GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES

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)

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET!

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)

HEARING AIDS!!!

High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Time and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-Day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060. (NYSCAN)

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

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)

830/Home

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET.

If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803 (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 1-888-920-9937. (NYSCAN)

BEAUTIFUL

(NYSCAN)

Bars/Bands/Clubs

5/22 Thursday

Good Dog and The Lost Marys

| 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd.

The Amalgamators | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

5/23 Friday

Jeremiah Craig | 5 p.m. | Bet the Farm Winery, 4204 Krums Corners Rd | Free

Friday Sunset Music Series - ft. Evan Dillon Band |Music begins @ 6:30 | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414

Destiny La Vibe | 6 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

Live Music - The Pin Drops | 6 p.m. | Hopshire Farm & Brewery

Truth Decay | 7 p.m. | Garrett’s Brewing, 1 W Main St | Free

Jack Dobosh x Turner Aldrich & Special Guests | 7:30 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

Max Childs 80s Dance Party | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

5/24 Saturday

Zac Brown Tribute Band (ZBTB) at | 6 p.m. | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road | $20.00

Roberta Faceplant, 86ers, Sorry Janey | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd

Village Swing ft. Marcie Beaton | 7:30PM | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

5/25 Sunday

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

5/26 Monday

Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd.

5/28 Wednesday

Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Fire y Trio | 6:30 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd | Free Concerts/Recitals

5/23 Friday

Dogs In A Pile’s Burning Daylight Music Festival | 1 p.m., 5/23 Friday | Wonderland Forest, 4812 S Cook Rd | Dogs In A Pile will host their rst ever music festival over three nights at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY on Memorial Day Weekend, May 23rd-25th.

5/24 Saturday

Good Vibrations - A Celebration Of The Beach Boys | 7:30 p.m. | LECOM Event Center, 155 N. Main Street, Elmira

Stage

Comedy UnCorked: Trumansburg’s Open Mic Comedy Nights | 7 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Cedarwood Event Venue, 9632 NY-96 | Welcome to a

new era of laughter in Trumansburg, NY! Comedy on the Commons, in a delightful partnership with Cedarwood, is ecstatic to present a series of comedy shows and open mic nights. | Free

Disaster The Musical | 7:30 p.m., 5/23 Friday | Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway | Centre Stage Community Theatre is proud to present “Disaster The Musical”  is a jukebox musical comedy created by Seth Rudetsky and written by Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick. | $25.00

Homecoming Players presents MOTHER IN A BOX | 7:30 p.m., 5/23 Friday | Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry Street | Arthur Bicknell’s new comic drama follows sixty years in the lives of a father, a son, and the woman they both try to love. | $20.00

Next To Normal | 5/23 Friday | Cider Mill Stage, 2 Nanticoke Ave, Endicott | May 23, 2025 – June 1, 2025

Waiting for Gu man | 1 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St. | An aspiring director and the marginally talented Missouri musical production go crazy when they learn that someone from Broadway is coming.

Cultivating the Art of Play Theater Class | 6 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | The Whimsy Mercantile, 2075 East Shore Drive | Deep dive into sound, movement, character creation, collaboration and creating original work together! Whether you have taken this class before or are new to it, come and play and cultivate good health in collaborative community through the vehicle of theater.

Jesus Christ Superstar | 7:30 p.m., 5/28 Wednesday | Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 17 William St, 2nd Floor | Runs May 28th-June 17th. Tickets can

be purchased at TheREVTheatre.com or by calling The REV’s box o ce at 315-255-1785.

Art

I See You 2025 | Ithaca College and Cornell University Printmakers | 1 p.m., 5/21 Wednesday | The Ink Shop, 330 E. MLK/State St | I See You showcases the talent of printmaking students from Ithaca College and Cornell University, featuring a diverse range of printmaking techniques, including relief, intaglio, and screenprinting providing a glimpse into the breadth and depth of the discipline.Ink Shop Studio Gallery | Free Journeys | 12 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street | Through their art, HsiaoPei Yang and Annemiek Haralson will give a glimpse into some of the journeys they have made. | Free CURIOUS : David Dowler + Jackie Pancari | 5 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Corners Gallery, 903 Hanshaw Rd. Suite 101A Suite 101A | Corners Gallery presents CURIOUS: sculptural work by David Dowler and glass art by Jackie Pancari. | Free

Figure Drawing Fridays at CSMA | 6 p.m., 5/23 Friday | Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street | If you’re an intermediate or advanced-level artist interested in drawing from the nude model, come join our non-instructed, open gure drawing sessions at CSMA. | $15.00 - $20.00

The Gallery at South Hill exhibit Ben Frank Moss: Drawings and Collages | 12 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | The Gallery At South Hill, 950 Danby Rd. South Hill Business Campus South Hill Business Campus | The Gallery at

South Hill, Ben Frank Moss: Drawings and Colleges exhibit. Ben Frank Moss 1936-2019, Born in Philadelphia in 1936, and raised in Devon, Pennsylvania and Huntington, New York. Featuring Ben’s Drawings and Collages on view. | Free Guided Tours of the West End Diorama | 2 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | The Cherry Gallery, 130 Cherry St | Join the Diorama’s creator David Fogel at the Cherry Gallery for a “guided tour” of his scale-model recreation of Ithaca’s West End neighborhood circa 1953. | Free

EIDOLON YACHT | 2 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | Kitchen Theatre Company, Judith Holiday Gallery, 417 West State Street | EIDOLON YACHT — New exhibition by Tim Merrick at Kitchen Theatre Company’s Judith Holliday Gallery!

Film

Movie Night: Paddington in Peru | 6:30 p.m., 5/23 Friday | New eld Public Library, 198 Main Street | Free movie and popcorn! When Paddington discovers his beloved aunt has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the jungles of Peru to nd her. | Free Occupation 101 - Voices of the Silenced Majority | 5 p.m., 5/28 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Join us for a viewing and discussion of Occupation 101. Filmmakers Abdallah and Sufyan Omeish examine the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian con ict, and U.S. political involvement.Sponsored by the Ithaca Committee for Justice in Palestine. | Free

Special Events

The Jumpers’ 10-Year Anniversary & Reunion | 2 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | GIAC, 301 W Court St | Celebrate the accomplishments of the program participants, alumni, and sta . For 10 years the jumpers have been impacting lives, bringing joy to their community, and setting an example of determination and resilience. There will be special performances, refreshments, presentations, & more!

Ovid Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony | 11 a.m., 5/26 Monday |

Village of Ovid, Main St | Ovid Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony | Free Memorial Day Parade, Food Truck Rodeo and Duck Derby | 11 a.m., 5/26 Monday, 31 Market St | Come be a part of the City of Auburn’s Memorial Day events beginning with the annual Memorial Day Parade taking place on Genesee Street at 11AM.

Spring Demonstration Gardens Open House | 5:30 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | Do you need inspiration for new veggies to grow this year? Looking for a palette of shade-loving deer resistant plants? | Free E-Bike First Time Buyer Class | 6 p.m., 5/28 Wednesday | Bike Walk Tompkins, 803 Cascadilla St. Suite 102 | Bike Walk Tompkins is hosting an hour informative Q&A for rst time ebike buyers. We will cover everything you need to know—types of e-bikes, motors, batteries, how to choose the right one for your needs and budget, test ride tips, local shop brands, basic maintenance, and battery care. | $0.00 - $20.00

Books

17th Annual Spring Writes Literary Festival / May 7 to 22 (Live & Zoom) | 6 p.m., 5/21 Wednesday | Dowtown Ithaca, Ithaca Commons | The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County (CAP) is thrilled to announce the 17th annual Spring Writes Literary Festival—a lively celebration of the literary arts! | Free Mother of Bourbon - Eric Goodman | 4 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Bu alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | Join us for a conversation with Eric Goodman | Free Rest in Pages Book Club | 3 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | The Whimsy Mercantile, 2075 East Shore Drive | This month we’ll be discussing the second half of Jessica Mitford’s book, The American Way of Death. | Free Call of Cthulhu Game Night | 4:30 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | The Whimsy Mercantile, 2075 East Shore Drive | Welcome to your new favorite rpg! Based on HP Lovecraft, Call of Cthulhu is like D&D with a spooky slant! Space is very limited so please message or email me if you want to play. It’s free and fun! | Free Early Reader Book Club | 3 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Tompkins County

GLASSFEST 2025 BEGINS FRIDAY, MAY 23 AT NOON; CONTINUES SATURDAY, MAY 24 AND SUNDAY, MAY 25 Ga

Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children in grades K-2 are welcome to join our Early Readers Book Club.

Justin Cox, Alyssa Perry, Hilary Plum & Zach Savich - A Reading | 5 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Bu alo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | Justin Cox, Alyssa Perry, Hilary Plum, and Zach Savich are coming to Ithaca from the midwest, having written extraordinary books of ction, poetry, and memoir-for-performance | Free Teen Creative Writing Workshop | 5:30 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Love to write your own stories? Have ideas for your own characters and worlds, or an interest in writing fan ction? Join Adrienne Raw for a Teen Creative Writing Workshop!

Kids

big-time technology small-town values or

When you choose Tompkins, you get things that other banks think are impossible to combine— like the most forward-thinking technology and the kind of relationships that only happen in a tight-knit community. Open an account at openanywhere.tompkinsbank.com

night in our game room here on the Commons! | Free Shake it up! Smoothie Demo and Tasting | 5:30 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | GreenStar Food Co+op, 770 Cascadilla St. | Join us for smoothie blending and taste testing and bring all your questions about incorporating nutritional smoothies into your lifestyle. | $12.00 - $15.00

ARTIST WORKSHOPS NIGHT | 6 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Orozco Gallery, 115 S Cayuga St | ARTIST WORKSHOPS NIGHT | Free

420 at 402: A space for cannabis enthusiasts, & 420-friendly connections! | 3 p.m., 5/23 Friday | NRE

Event Space, 402 W. State St | 420 at 402 is where growers, farmers, and cannabis enthusiasts connect. | Free

Eagles Club and New eld Town Hall.

| $12.00

Food Pantry | 12 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | GYM-Southside Community Center, 305 S Plain St | Sunday Market at the Waterfront | 10 a.m., 5/25 Sunday, 545 3rd St. | Just like our popular Saturday Market, Sundays at the Pavilion o er new customers and returning vistors a wide variety of products.

After School Board Games & Chess | 4:30 p.m., 5/23 Friday | Riverwood, 116 E State St | Play board games and chess in our Game Room after school right on the Commons! All age groups welcome.

Family Storytime | 11 a.m., 5/24

Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills at Family Storytime. We meet each Saturday for stories, songs and hands-on fun.

Early Reader Book Club | 3 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children in grades K-2 are welcome to join our Early Readers Book Club.

Crafty Kids | 4 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Cortland Free Library, 32 Church St | We will meet to make a di erent craft each month. Meets monthly on the last Tuesday at 4 p.m. Open to ages

Caregivers Gathering | 5:30 p.m., 5/21 Wednesday | Montour Falls Memorial Library, 406 W. Main St | Join us for a “Caregivers Gathering” Wednesdays in May at the Montour Falls Memorial Library from 5:30pm7:00pm. This program is open to all caregivers of children ages birth-18. | Free Spring Baby & Toddler Storytime | 10:30 a.m., 5/23 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Caregivers and their children are invited to join us for songs, rhymes and books at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St.

6 – 12 yrs. Registration is limited & is required each month.

LEGO Family Build Night | 5:30 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | TCPL invites families to a weekly LEGO build night! Buckets of LEGO will be provided for participants to borrow for their builds.

Notices

Good Grief Circle | 2 p.m., 5/21

Wednesday | The Age Well Center, 165 Main St. | Description The Cortland County O ce for Aging is o ering class for people dealing with grief. For people experiencing the loss of a loved one, home, job, independence or something similar.

Wednesday Market at East Hill | 3 p.m., 5/21 Wednesday | 330 Pine Tree Rd, NY 14850-2819 | 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.

Beloved Artistic Community MeetUp: Voice and Speech Workshop | 6:30 p.m., 5/21 Wednesday | Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts

in Martha Hamblin Hall (3rd Floor), 330 East State Street | Join theatre professional and Community School of Music and Arts faculty artist Lynn Winters for a voice and speech workshop. We’ll practice pronunciation, ampli cation, and experimentation through voice. Everyone can come and bene t from a workshop regardless of whether you’re a performer or | Free Healthy Eating Support Community | 4:30 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue | Join the Health Eating Support Community on February 13th from 4:30-5:30 (and every two weeks thereafter) to nd support for your 2025 healthy eating goals, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca. cl2742@cornell. edu | Free

Ages 8 to 108 Board Game Club | 5 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Are you between the ages of 8 and 108 and love playing board games? Then come join our board game club at TCPL! We meet in the Borg Warner Room on Thursdays from 5 to 7pm.

Adult Board Game Night! | 5 p.m., 5/22 Thursday | Riverwood , 116 E State St | Adults-only board game

Friday Night Magic: Commander | 5 p.m., 5/23 Friday | Riverwood, 116 E State St | Come down to Riverwood for a recurrent night of Commander-style Magic play! | $5.00

Ithaca Farmers Market : Saturdays on the Waterfront | 9 a.m., 5/24 Saturday, 545 3rd St. | Ithaca Farmers Market is thrilled to welcome back our loyal customers and new visitors with a wide variety of products including farm-raised meat, eggs, and dairy; fresh vegetables and fruit;

So You Think You Can’t Dance? | 9 a.m., 5/24 Saturday | The Whimsy Mercantile, 2075 East Shore Drive | Learn Choreography each week! Have fun! Move your body! All levels welcome - show up, break a sweat, have fun!

Homer Community Blood Drive | 9 a.m., 5/24 Saturday | Homer First United Methodist Church, 16 Cayuga Street | The Homer Community Blood Drive will be held Saturday, May 24th, from 9am to 2:00pm, at the Homer First United Methodist Church, 16 Cayuga Street (Enter parking lot via Central Park Place on the | Free

Chicken Bar-B-Que Fundraiser | 12 p.m., 5/24 Saturday | Eagles Club, 161 Cecil Malone Dr | Chicken Bar-B-Que fundraiser to bene t the New eld Community Good Neighbor Fund on Saturday, May 24 at noon to 2pm.  Tickets are $12 and available at the

Outdoor Qi Gong Class- Sundays | 10 a.m., 5/25 Sunday | Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, 805 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850 | Outdoor Qi Gong for Wellness and Nervous System Regulation. | $12.50 - $15.00 ZINE WORKSHOP WITH YEN OSPINA | 4 p.m., 5/25 Sunday | Orozco Gallery, 115 S Cayuga St | ZINE WORKSHOP WITH YEN OSPINA | Free A Letting Go Ceremony | 4 p.m., 5/25 Sunday | The Whimsy Mercantile, 2075 East Shore Drive | Join Shamanic Practitioner, Gretchen Gilbert, and shop owner, Jaime Hazard, for a monthly ceremony designed to help us leave behind the things that hold us back.

Memorial Day Chicken BBQ | 12 p.m., 5/26 Monday | Halsey Valley Fire Dept, 506 Hamilton Valley Rd | 1/2 Chicken, Baked Beans, Pasta Salad, Cole Slaw and a Roll for $14. Drive Through Only. | $14.00

Meet with sta from the o ce of Congressman Riley | 1 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Representatives from the o ce of Congressman Josh Riley are available to discuss federal issues they may have. | Free Spring Demonstration Gardens Open House | 5:30 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | Do you need inspiration for new veggies to grow this year? Looking for a palette of shade-loving deer resistant plants? | Free Planning and Development Board | 6 p.m., 5/27 Tuesday | Council Chambers 3rd Floor City Hall, 108 E Green Street |

THE ROAST OF ITHACAPRESENTED BY COMEDYHOF

FRIDAY, MAY 23 AT 8PM Kitchen Theatre, 417 W State St., Ithaca | Ithaca, it’s time to take your lumps! No landmark, tradition, or inside joke is safe in this no-holds-barred roast of the city we love (and sometimes love to complain about). From Collegetown’s chaos to the eternal road construction, these

BackPage

For rates and information

contact front@ ithacatimes.com

277-7000

Everyone is welcome to shop at the CoOp!

Looking for Work?

We are hiring!

Visit us online: www.wgaforchildren.org or call 607-844-6460

e William George Agency

Looking

to Boost your Summer Business?

Call Larry at 607-277-7000 ext: 1214

A Vibrant, Active Community Center

For Learning, Activities, Social Groups

And More! For Adults 50+

Lifelong

119 West Court St., Ithaca

607-273-1511 tclifelong.org

ALL ABOUT MACS

Macintosh Consulting

http://www.allaboutmacs.com (607) 280-4729

ANIMALS

LAND & SEA

FingerLakesAnimalRights.org

CLEANING SERVICES

http://www.cleanswithus.com

JANITORIAL* DEEP CLEANINGS * INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP

Call 607-697-3294

>

Full Service Grocery Store

Greenstar Food Co-Op

770 Cascadilla St., Ithaca

Get e Ithaca

Times Mobile App

Available in Appstore & Google Play

ITHACA NEWS

Delivered to your inbox every day

Ithaca Times Daily

Text ITHACA to 22828 to Sign up

1>

We are thrilled to announce that Longview has fully renovated 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, a freshly renovated dining room overlooking Cayuga Lake, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Residents and guests will also enjoy a spacious auditorium that boasts new paint, ooring, and eye-friendly lighting, as well as revitalized common areas that create a warm and comfortable living environment.

Longview.org Marketing and Sales (607)375-6360

Patio Homes - Apartments - Assisted LivingAdult Day Program

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 e Commons 273-3192

No Long waits for Dermatology Appointments Finger Lakes Dermatology

Brad Yentzer, MD, FAAD 607-708-1330 ngerlakesderm.com

** Peaceful Spirit

Tai Chi **

Yang style all levels Fridays 3-4 pm at NY Friends House 120 3rd St., Ithaca 607-272-0114

PIANOS

Rebuilt, Reconditioned, Bought, Sold, Moved Tuned, Rented

Complete Rebuilding Services

No job too big or too small

Ithaca Piano Rebuilders (607) 272-6547

950 Danby Rd, Suite 26

South Hill Business Campus, Ithaca

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