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Ithaca Times and Ithaca.com Announce a New Era
By Staff Report
The Ithaca Times has announced a “new era” with a management and ownership transition to position the Ithaca Times, Ithaca.com, and the Finger Lakes Community Newspapers to survive and thrive in the modern media environment.
Longtime publisher Jim Bilinski will become publisher emeritus as he retires after 53 years with the news organization, 50 as owner and publisher. Ownership will transition to Pathways to Equity, a newly formed nonprofit organization. Larry Hochberger, who has been Associate Publisher of the Times and Finger Lakes papers for the past six years, will become publisher.
The Ithaca Times is one of the country’s few remaining alternative newspapers which has evolved to an awardwinning source of coverage of government, arts, entertainment, sports, politics, business, personalities and lifestyle. It is well-known for its longstanding and talented group of contributors, critics, and guest writers.
Community Newspapers serve as the primary dedicated source of coverage for communities in Tompkins, Seneca, and Tioga counties, many of which would otherwise be news deserts. One of the papers, the Ovid Gazette, is over 200 years old.
The new organizational structure will allow a news organization primarily supported by print advertising to transition to a non-profit focused on increased community engagement and educating the next generation of media entrepreneurs and journalists while being eligible for community support by members, donors and grantors. The non-profit format has been increasingly popular as local news organizations move from local independent family ownership to non-profit community resources.
“We are realistic about the challenges a news organization faces and are determined to do everything possible to attract the participation of volunteers, contributors, sponsors, advertisers, stakeholders and citizens in our community.”
— Larry Hochberger, Publisher
The new organization is committed to continue its legacy while working to increase its service to the community by collaborating with community, media and educational organizations to earn support and preserve its future.
The Ithaca Times, Ithaca.com, and the Finger Lakes Community Newspapers are transitioning to nonprofit ownership under a new organization called Pathways to Equity.
and citizens in our community,” Hochberger said. “We will need to do more with less and will look for help wherever we can find it.”
Bilinski started at the organization as an intern while a student at Ithaca College and preserved and grew the business, acquiring or starting newspapers in Ovid, Dryden, Interlaken, Lansing, Groton, Spencer and Newfield. He has been a longtime board member, past president and active member of the New York Press Association, one of the founders and a longtime board member of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and an avid Yankees fan.
Ithaca.com is the best-known online news source serving Ithaca and the surrounding communities. The Finger Lakes
“We are realistic about the challenges a news organization faces and are determined to do everything possible to attract the participation of volunteers, contributors, sponsors, advertisers, stakeholders
ake n ote
He will remain involved as a mentor and special advisor to both Hochberger and Pathways to Equity, continuing to support the Ithaca community and the future of local journalism. Bilinski said the transfer of the Ithaca Times , Ithaca.com and Finger Lakes Community Newspapers
X Ithaca Removes Unpermitted Banners Along Route 13 Over Safety, Code Concerns
ITHACA, N.Y. — City officials have removed a series of unauthorized banners and large signs affixed to chain-link fences along North Meadow Street (Route 13), citing safety concerns and violations of city code.
The signs, many of which lacked proper permitting, were placed on government-owned property where signage is prohibited, according to a statement from the City of Ithaca. The city’s Code Enforcement Division acted in response to multiple complaints from nearby property owners and the New York State Department of Transportation.
“The abundance of signage creates a potentially dangerous distraction
for drivers in the busy corridor,” the city said, referencing Chapter 272-8 of the municipal code, which regulates the use of temporary signs. Under city law, banners are classified as temporary signs and typically require a permit unless advertising an event lasting fewer than 10 days. Off-site advertising and commercial signs on public property are prohibited. Organizations that recently had signage removed are encouraged to contact the Building Division at 607-274-6509 to arrange for pickup. Additional information on temporary sign permits can be found in Chapter 272-11 of the City Code.
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,
IN UIRING
PHOTOGR PHER Q A
By Mark Syvertson
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
“THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE OPENED THIS PAST
WEEKEND. WHAT SECTION DO YOU HEAD TO FIRST?”
Hundreds Rally in Ithaca on May Day for Workers’ Rights and a Living Wage
By Matt Dougherty
ITHACA, N.Y. — More than 200 people marched through downtown Ithaca on Thursday evening to mark International Workers’ Day, commonly known as May Day, calling for stronger worker protections, a $25 living wage, and an end to exploitative at-will employment policies.
The rally came just one week after hundreds of residents gathered on the Ithaca Commons for an Earth Day rally focused on climate justice and sustainability. It also followed the massive “Hands Off” rally on April 5, which saw more than 3,000 people attend — one of the largest public demonstrations in Ithaca in recent years.
Among the key campaigns promoted at the rally were the Ithaca Teachers Association’s push for a fair contract and sustainable work hours; Cornell Graduate Students United’s enforcement of their newly ratified labor contract; and the Tompkins County Workers’ Center’s efforts to pass local Just Cause legislation and raise the minimum wage to a living wage level.
“These are the fights that define our moment,” said Aurora Rojer, secretary of the Ithaca Teachers Association and one of the event organizers. “Tonight isn’t just a celebration, it’s a strategy session for how we defend democracy, organize our workplaces, and fight back.”
Risa Lieberwitz, a professor of labor law at Cornell University and president of the campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors, reminded the crowd of the origins of May Day.
“It was May 1, 1886, the day of the general strike in the U.S. for the eight-hour workday,” Lieberwitz said. “Most people don’t realize it, but May Day started here. It’s time we grab it, hold it, and celebrate it again.”
for education as the foundation of democracy,” Lieberwitz said. “Those are the very things Donald Trump and his billionaire backers want to destroy.” She added, “Every day is a good day to fight fascism, but May Day is the best day to fight.”
Ithaca Teachers Association Contract Negotiation
Jules Chapin, a teacher at DeWitt Middle School and associate business chair of the Ithaca Teachers Association, gave an update on the union’s first-of-its-kind contract negotiations with the Ithaca City School District.
“Every day is a good day to fight fascism, but May Day is the best day to fight.”
— Risa Lieberwitz, Professor of Labor Law at Cornell University
While May Day is widely celebrated around the world, it has often been overlooked in the United States despite its origins in the labor movement. Lieberwitz connected that legacy to today’s struggles for academic freedom, job security, and the rights of international students.
“We stand for labor unions. We stand for social justice movements. And we stand
“We’ve been bargaining since January and we’re proud to be the first teachers’ union in New York State using open bargaining,” Chapin said. “That means no secrets, anyone can stream our sessions and see how the sausage is made.”
So far, the union has won key protections for educators, including private lactation spaces, safeguards for teaching controversial topics, and an end to mandatory biweekly afterschool meetings. But Chapin said the fight is far from over.
“We’re still pushing for the right to disconnect,” they said. “Teachers deserve a life outside of work. Our students don’t
need exhausted, burnt-out adults. They need people who are rested, prepared, and supported.”
Another concern is Ithaca’s growing teacher retention crisis. “People are leaving the profession, especially in the first five years,” Chapin said. “Thats why we’re proposing a step-and-lane salary system and a temporary raise to bring us to parity with surrounding districts.”
And as artificial intelligence creeps into more classrooms, Chapin emphasized the need for clear boundaries. “The district won’t put into writing any protections against AI replacing human educators,” they said. “We believe human children deserve human adults.”
Cornell Graduate Student Union Approves First Contract
Maggie Foster, a teaching assistant in Cornell’s Department of Communication and a bargaining committee member with Cornell Graduate Students United (CGSU), spoke about how CGSU recently ratified its first contract with overwhelming support — with 97% of members voting in favor.
“This contract includes historic wins,” Foster said. “Twelve weeks of parental leave, clear workload caps, protections for international workers, and a strong union shop clause.”
“As a teacher, I get children’s books for families who don’t have transportation to get to the sale.”
Vicky
“I just peruse. I never know what I’m going to walk out with!”
Suzanne
“I look for board books with flaps or tactile elements for my special education students.”
Sarah
“I teach pre-K so I always look for books for my classroom. I especially keep an eye out for books that I loved as a kid. Provided they aged well.”
Audrey
“Hands down: Cookbooks.”
Cheyenne
Speakers at Ithaca’s May Day rally in DeWitt Park addressed a range of labor issues, including teacher burnout, graduate worker protections, at-will employment, the fight for a $25 living wage, and the role of unions in defending democracy.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Against The Food Security and Farm Protection Act
“The Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S. 1326) has a deceptive name that makes it seem like it would be beneficial for farmers. Truthfully, this bill would put great pressure on farm workers and their market opportunities. Formerly known as the EATS Act, this legislation’s aim would be to pry market opportunities away from farmers, in order to place all of the power in the hands of global agribusinesses. Huge corporations would profit and local American farmers would crumble.
Doesn’t it make sense that local farmers would understand their own agriculture and agronomics best? Why, then, does this legislation aim to strip away state and local lawmaking abilities and remove hundreds of good existing laws? S. 1326 sets a dangerous tone of blockading state control over local land. I strongly urge Representative Joshua
Riley and Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to vote against this threat to American democracy and provide hardworking local family farmers with the strength and potential they deserve.” — Hannah Weir
RE: Josh Riley NYSEG Investigation
“My name is Eli Rethy, a sophomore at Cornell University and a member of CU Sustainable Design, the largest sustainability-driven organization on campus.
I am writing in response to the April 17 article regarding Josh Riley’s investigation into the NYSEG. It is clear that we need systemic change to make sure that New York residents have access to sustainable sources of energy for heating and cooling.
Governor Kathy Hochul must prioritize passing the NY Heat Act before the next gubernatorial election. This bill would lower energy bills for families across the state, implement a price ceiling for low-income and middle-income households, and transition New York State to start using cleaner, cheaper energy sources. It would also hold utility firms such as NYSEG accountable by aligning their operations with the needs of their clients, not maximizing shareholder value.
As an Ithaca resident born in Manhat-
tan, I am concerned about the needs of New Yorkers, as well as climate change and affordability. I urge Governor Hochul to act now to support the NY HEAT Act. The lives of so many New Yorkers will be improved by it.” — Eli Rethy
Why is there a statue of Frances Perkins on North Cayuga Street?
“The easy answer to this question is because Frances Perkins spent the last 6 years of her life in Ithaca, teaching at ILR at Cornell University, attending St. John’s Episcopal Church and being a friend to many a student and citizen.
The real reason is because Frances Perkins, born in New England, educated at Mt. Holyoke, saw poverty as she taught and worked in Chicago and volunteered at Hull House with Jane Adams, and then moved to New York to work for the Consumer’s League.
While in NYC, Perkins witnessed the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire when 146 women and girls died, trapped in the building. She went on to work for the state Industrial Commission looking into the working conditions in state factories, became an aide to Al Smith while he was governor, and then to Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he became governor of the state.
When FDR was elected president of the United States, he asked Perkins to become Secretary of Labor for who knew more about the conditions of working people than she? Perkins brought FDR a list of the things that she would work for if she took the position. Would he support her efforts?
The list comprises all those things that have provided an economic safety net for everyone in this country: old age insurance [now known as Social Security], workers compensation, the minimum wage, child labor laws, the 40-hour work week, and aid to dependent children. Roo-
sevelt’s response was that she should try and in so much she succeeded! She also wanted to fight for universal health insurance—the one program that she could not bring about.
Perkins helped shape the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Works Progress Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps—that group of young people who built the pathways in our state parks. She aided Jews in Europe find a home here during the years leading to WWII.
Her efforts in the 1930s affect each and every one of us today. We honor Frances Perkins as a great American who saw beyond her own situation to understand that many in this country needed aid that they might live lives of dignity. As Roosevelt said, her work provided “the economic security of the citizen and his family through social insurance.”
In 2009, the Episcopal Church of the United States declared May 13 Frances Perkins Day, naming her a Public Servant and Prophetic Witness.
Frances Perkins sits on a bench on North Cayuga Street inviting conversation and companionship. The piece of art was sculpted by Meredith Bergmann and installed on August 17, 2024, in a moving ceremony when her grandson Tomlin Coggeshall sat down on the bench with her, reached up and touched her cheek. There was hardly a dry eye in the crowd that surrounded her as he connected with his grandmother, for we all knew that she had touched our lives in profound ways.
That is why Miss Perkins sits on North Cayuga Street: We too can touch Frances Perkins and thank her. Won’t you go sit with her with appreciation for all that she brought about, listen to her words using the QR code, and as she said, when there are problems or issues, “Don’t be afraid to meddle.” — Carol Kammen, Tompkins County Historian
continued from page 3
to a local community based non-profit will ensure that strong coverage of local news will continue.
“Strong newspapers increase voter turnout, make citizens more knowledgeable about local government, cover local sports and business, and record the milestones of its citizens,” Bilinski said.
Hochberger has served as associate
publisher of the Times and Ithaca.com for the past six years. He was previously associate publisher of the Chestnut Hill Local in Philadelphia, publisher of the Springfield, Va. Times and founder and owner of Type Inc. a publishing company published more than 100 student newspapers in the Washington, D.C. area. He currently serves on the board of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.
For more information: Larry Hochberger (607) 277-7000 x 1214 or email larry@ithacatimes.com
U.S. Universities in Crisis: The Implicit and Explicit Threat of Nationalization
By Dan Schwartz, English Professor at Cornell University
Using the threat of withholding research funds and taxing endowments, Trump and his acolytes are trying to nationalize universities. Under the guise of fighting antisemitism, they want to put universities under the auspices of various kinds of monitors, perhaps in some cases judges, who will control what universities do.
Disregarding democracy, autocrats are bullies who stifle dissent and debate to impose their worldview. The Trump administration lives by intimidation, whether it be directed at the press, the legal establishment, cultural resources or the media.
Defending the right to express factbased opinions and different interpretations of the same facts, universities must resist intimidation by an authoritarian regime that seeks compliant silence in the face of outrageous demands. Universities’ leadership must not follow the example of some leaders of the U.S. media, medical, educational, legal and corporate worlds who have been cowed into silence and succumbed to threats.
Despite Columbia University agreeing to his conditions, it still has not had its $400 million released because Trump’s end game is to continue making new demands on universities until they capitulate to his conditions on admission as well as his stipulations for muzzling free speech, hiring conservatives, test-
GUEST OPINION
ing the politics of foreign students and dismantling programs that encourage diversity and inclusion.
The failure of the GOP majority in Congress to resist or challenge Trump enables him to rule by executive order, which means ruling by decree. As Frank Bruni and others have remarked, we have entered a world of unpredictable darkness.
A personal note: When I was a guest at Peking University four years after the 1989 Tiananmen Square student protest demonstrations, which ended with the army massacring 200 protestors, the university was run by the army. Professors were humiliated when they came to work, having to show their credentials every day. I was told my lecture would be heard by party factotums whose reports could jeopardize my hosts. That is what happens when universities fall under government control.
U.S. universities must be independent of government control. Those who understand the role of universities in a democracy applaud Harvard’s president, Alan M. Garber, who refused to capitulate: “Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.” Nor, I would argue, can the great public universities submit to government interference even though they are vulnerable to state interference.
Because I was a guest columnist for
The Sun in 2023-2024 and because I have taught at Cornell for 57 years, I am often asked what I think of the evolving political situation and how Cornell and other major research universities should be responding.
Cornell must work with other major universities, especially the Ivies and others under attack, to develop a resistance strategy and seek legal recourse whenever possible. I believe that there is no alternative but to take legal action in the form of universities suing as a group. We can hope that the courts will rule that Trump has overreached and that he will adhere to the rule of law.
Even while knowing the Trump administration will do everything possible to subvert and ignore court rulings, universities have no other recourse than to depend on the legal system. They are joining together to sue the government with the hopes that the courts will not permit this attack on universities, which is an attack upon knowledge, truth and facts.
Even if universities lose federal funding, they must do as much as possible to carry on research, not only in STEM but also in the social sciences and humanities, knowing that research greatly benefits the quality of life in the world.
I am aware that the leading universities, including Cornell, are planning for the worst if Trump withholds federal research funds. The universities will do everything they can to minimize job losses and sustain crucial research,
Could that Knock on the Door be for Democracy?
By Michelle E. Wright
Do we still live in a community where a knock on the door is a welcome event? As an independent candidate petitioning to get on the ballot for the County Legislature seat in District 14, I need to go door-to-door to ask my neighbors to sign my petition so I can appear on the ballot this November. As I begin this process, I’ve noticed that a knock on the door has become a rare occurrence in many neighborhoods. At one residence I was told through an unopened door that the
cops would be called if I did not walk away. I have also had incredible conversations with my neighbors. These conversations are why I wanted to go through the petitioning and campaign process in the first place. Our community cares about democracy and recognizes how our local democratic systems help ensure our quality of life. Petitioning is required to get on the ballot for an elected seat–it’s the first step if you want to run for an elected position. In this context, a knock on the door might serve an important purpose: strengthening our local democracy.
especially in the medical fields, where the consequences of suspending grants will lead to needless deaths.
University leadership must defend what universities do in terms of encouraging opportunity and possibility for all students and of fostering objective research. At the same time, universities need to seek public support by communicating better what we do and why in terms of research and teaching.
In a recent New York Times Podcast — and before that in an article in The Atlantic — the President of Princeton, Christopher L. Eisgrub, has stressed that he will fight for the integrity of his university: “[A]s we look at efforts to influence what universities are doing, how they teach about Israel and Gaza, how they teach about climate, how they teach about American history, how they teach about diversity, we are seeing threats of significant intrusion into the freedom of scholars to raise the kinds of ideas that enable change to take place in our society and enable people to pursue truth.”
Whether it be about possible links between childhood inoculation and autism or supposed election fraud or rewriting the history of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrections and claiming those convicted were “political prisoners,” both University research as well and intellectual and political discussions must be based on factual evidence rather than
Continued on Page 13
I am running for this elected position to: 1) ensure there is a contested election in District 14 (contested elections are a vital sign of a healthy democracy) and 2) to help increase visibility of our local democratic systems.
An Invitation: Is your voter registration active and up to date? Do you know which County district you live in? This November, Tompkins County voters will cast ballots in newly drawn districts. To check your voter registration status, polling location and to find out which County district you’re in, visit: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov
A Neighborly Reminder: If you receive a knock on your door during this season of independent petitioning, consider the possibility that it might be an opportunity to support a vibrant local democracy. Democracy isn’t something we simply receive–it’s a verb, it’s something we must do. It’s an action, not a gift.
If you’re interested in getting more involved in your local democracy, check your municipality’s website for volunteer opportunities on committees and boards, consider running for local office yourself, or, visit the County Board of Elections website to find out how you can be a paid poll worker!
If democracy is the engine, we, the people, are its fuel. I hope to see you out there, participating as active civic members of our democracy!
Seen Nutrition Promotes Real Food Calcium Chew for Women’s Bone Health
By Staff Report
ITHACA, N.Y. — As part of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, Ithaca-based startup Seen Nutrition is drawing attention to a critical but o en overlooked aspect of women’s health: bone density. e company is promoting its agship product, a real food calcium chew made from natural dairy, which it says is a more e ective and approachable way to support bone health for women of all ages.
Osteoporosis, o en called the “silent disease,” a ects nearly 10 million Americans—
most of them women—while tens of millions more have low bone density, according to federal estimates. e disease frequently goes undiagnosed until a fracture occurs.
“Too many women don’t think about bone health until they’ve already had a fracture,” said Seen Nutrition co-founder Jenny Han, PharmD. “We want to change that by making prevention not only possible, but actually appealing—and grounded in the power of food.”
Han was diagnosed with pregnancy-related osteoporosis in her late 20s, a condition
Each year, Guthrie recognizes and honors our amazing nurses during Nurses Week, celebrated nationally from May 6-12. Thank you to every Guthrie nurse for your dedication, compassion and tireless efforts in keeping our communities healthy and safe.
Thank your nurse today at www.Guthrie.org/gratitude.
that upended her expectations about when bone loss could occur. at experience inspired her to co-found Seen Nutrition with Adrienne Bitar, PhD, a food studies scholar and author who shares a belief in the healing power of food.
“Bone loss can start much earlier than most people think—during pregnancy, postpartum, even in your twenties,” Han said. “ ere’s a huge gap in awareness, and even fewer products designed with younger women in mind.”
Seen Nutrition’s calcium chew is designed to address that gap. Unlike traditional supplements that use synthetic or rock-based calcium, which can cause bloating or constipation, the company’s chew uses calcium derived from real dairy— an approach its founders say is both more e ective and gentler on the body.
“As a food studies scholar, I believe deeply that nutrients are best delivered in the context of whole foods,” said Bitar. “Calcium isn’t just an isolated mineral—it’s part of a
U.S. UNIVERSITIES IN CRISIS
continued from page 7
unproven hypothesis or worse yet, outright falsehoods.
As Cornell President Kotliko has insisted, universities must welcome diverse points of view as long as they are expressed in dialogic form — “this is true, isn’t it?” — and not by violent actions that interfere with the rights of others. Political interferences and threats that open the door to nationalization must be excluded. I have written about past antisemitism on Ivy campuses and how Jews were not
larger complex of nutrients that includes fats, proteins, and other minerals that help the body absorb and use it better. at’s why we chose dairy as our foundation. It’s familiar, functional, and actually works.”
e chews, which are so and palatable, aim to provide a more enjoyable experience compared to the chalky pills and powders o en associated with calcium supplements. Seen Nutrition says the product is aligned with what leading medical experts recommend for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
“Calcium doesn’t work in isolation,” Bitar added. “It needs co-factors—like vitamin D and magnesium—to do its job, and those are o en present when nutrients come from real food. at’s the philosophy behind our entire product.”
As Seen Nutrition grows, the startup is also building a community of women focused on preventative health and education. eir Instagram handle, @thecalciumqueens, blends science, empowerment, and lifestyle content to spread awareness about early bone health intervention.
To learn more about the company and its mission, visit www.seennutrition.com.
welcome until a er WWII. I have no problem with this administration monitoring how Jews or any minority are treated on campuses. But that is di erent from using the claim of campus antisemitism to threaten withholding research funds as a way of dictating curriculum and stipulating what books should be in the library of the Naval Academy or demanding that Columbia University and Harvard University change their admission policies.
As a scholar specializing in narrative, I am concerned with the increasing acceptance of false narratives without a scintilla of evidence. While we can hold Trump, Fox News, Truth Social and other right-
wing sites responsible for these untruths, we also need to inquire about why so many people believe falsehoods about our universities, including the lie that their focus is on indoctrinating students. e nationalization that Trump implicitly and explicitly proposes would deprive US universities of the spirit of inquiry — includ-
ing the search for truth about diseases and climate change — that has made them the envy of much of the world.
Daniel R. Schwarz is Frederic J. Whiton Professor of English and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow at Cornell University where he has been a faculty member for 57 years.
Jenny Han, PharmD, and Adrienne Bitar, PhD, co-founders of Ithaca-based Seen Nutrition, created a real food calcium chew to help women prevent bone loss and raise awareness about osteoporosis.
May 11, 2025, the fourth annual Ithaca Book and Zine Fair will be held at Bu alo Street Books as a part of the Community Arts Partnership’s Spring Writes Literary Festival. | Free Teen Creative Writing Workshop
| 5:30 p.m., 5/13 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!!
Senior Day & Student Night at the Book Sale | 10 a.m., 5/14 Wednesday | Regina Lennox Book Sale Bldg, 509 Esty St | Senior Day & Student Night at the Friends of the Library Book Sale: On Wednesday, May 14, older adults (age 60+) and anyone with a disability may shop from 10am to 4pm. Students (age 16+ with school ID) are welcome 4-8pm. | Free
Kids
Story + Craft | 4 p.m., 5/8 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Story + Craft is our weekly reading + creating event for children! Join us for a read-aloud, followed by art-making or a guided craft.
Family Playgroup - Spring’25 | 9:30 a.m., 5/9 Friday | CCE-Tompkins Educa-
tion Center, 615 Willow Avenue | Free 6 weeks series, May 2 - June 6
Spring Baby & Toddler Storytime | 10:30 a.m., 5/9 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.
Rainbow Family Fridays | 3 p.m., 5/9 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Rainbow Family Fridays are social events for parents, children, and families who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Family Storytime | 11 a.m., 5/10
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.
Tote Bag Decorating | 3 p.m., 5/10
Saturday | New eld Public Library, 198 Main Street | Mothers, children, and people of all ages are invited to the New eld Public Library for a tote bag decorating event! All essential materials will be provided, feel free to bring any craft supplies you want for your bag. | Free
mons, 171 E. State St./ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd |
Healthy Eating Support Community | 4:30 p.m., 5/8 Thursday | Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue | Free
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Families Learning Science
Together | 3 p.m., 5/10 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Children ages 5 and up and their families are invited to a free science program co-hosted by Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion (CoRGi) at Cornell University. Science Connections: Exploring Shapes Through Bubbles! | 2 p.m., 5/11 Sunday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St | Hexagons are everywhere! Explore the fascinating world of hexagonal shapes—from bubbles to bees— with Cornell University’s Dr. Nils Napp.
Science Together: Worms | 10:30 a.m., 5/13 Tuesday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St | Observe and measure live worms! Science Together activities are designed for ages 0-4.
LEGO Family Build Night | 5:30 p.m., 5/13 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
40th TST BOCES PLANT SALE | 8 a.m., 5/7 Wednesday | TST BOCES Greenhouse, 555 Warren Road | 40th
BOCES PLANT SALE happening through Friday, 5/9. | Free Wednesday Market at East Hill | 3 p.m., 5/7 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.
NARCAN Training with REACH | 4 p.m., 5/7 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Join the REACH Project to learn how to recognize an overdose, respond to an overdose emergency, and administer NARCAN. This skill could help you to save a life.
Foodnet Meals on Wheels: Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl | 4:30 p.m., 5/7 Wednesday | Ithaca Farmers Market, 545 Third St. | Who makes the best mac ‘n cheese in town? You decide! Taste them all and vote for your favorites! Foodnet Meals on Wheels Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 4:30pm - 7:00pm, at the Ithaca Farmers Market. | $0.00 - $15.00
Common Council Meeting | 6 p.m., 5/7 Wednesday | Council Chambers, 3rd Floor City Hall |
LACS Broadway Trip Bake Sale | 11:30 a.m., 5/8 Thursday | Ithaca Com-
Preparing Delicious Healthy Greens and Other Local Farm Foods | 4:30 p.m., 5/8 Thursday |
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue | Join Debbie Branker-Livermore in an interactive cooking session on how to incorporate kale, chard, collards, turnips, beets and other local farm favorites into delicious every day staples of your meals! | Free Ages 8 to 108 Board Game Club | 5 p.m., 5/8 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., 5/8 Thursday | Riverwood , 116 E State St | Adults-only board game night in our game room here on the Commons! | Free
420 at 402: A space for cannabis enthusiasts, & 420-friendly connections! | 3 p.m., 5/9 Friday | NRE
Event Space, 402 W. State St | 420 at 402 is where growers, farmers, and cannabis enthusiasts connect. | Free New eld Old Home Days Sam’s Spaghetti Dinner | 5 p.m., 5/9 Friday | New eld Fire Department, 77 Main Street | New eld Old Home Days Spaghetti Dinner includes Bread, Salad, Dessert, and the BEST Spaghetti and Meatballs by Sam Kopf. Adults $12, children under 12 $8 | $8.00 - $12.00
Friday Night Magic: Commander | 5 p.m., 5/9 Friday | Riverwood, 116 E State St | Come down to Riverwood for a recurrent night of Commander-style Magic play! | $5.00
New eld Green Up Day | 9 a.m., 5/10 Saturday | New eld Town Hall, 166 Main Street | New eld Greenup Day, dedicated to cleaning up roadside trash, is Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 9 am to noon. Volunteers sign in that day at New eld Town Hall. | Free
Ithaca Farmers Market : Saturdays on the Waterfront | 9 a.m., 5/10 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., 5/10 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!
Mamas For Peace Bene t Show | 5 p.m., 5/10 Saturday | Stone Bend Farm, 196 Porter Hill Road | MAMAS FOR PEACE is a family friendly Fundraiser (for Women’s Opportunity Center + Moms Demand Action), featuring 10 women-led bands, a women curated bar, tulip bouquets, chocolates, ower crowns, Mother’s Day card making station & more at Stone Bend Farm on Saturday 5/10 from 5:00 til 11:30pm. | $15.00 - $30.00
Budget Hearing & Meet the Candidates | 6 p.m., 5/12 Monday | Spencer-Van Etten High School Library |
Queer Craft Club | 6:30 p.m., 5/12 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Join other LGBTQIAP+ adults to do arts and crafts, hang out, and have fun. | Free CAYUGA BIRD CLUB MEETINGS | 7:30 p.m., 5/12 Monday | Cornell Lab Visitors Center, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd | THE CAYUGA BIRD CLUB is now holding their monthly meetings in person on the second Monday of the month. For information, refer to the bird club’s website: http://www.cayugabirdclub. org/ and go to the Meetings and Speakers page information on the upcoming meeting. | Free Doug’s Fish Fry TO GO | 11 a.m., 5/13 Tuesday | First Presbyterian Church of Horseheads, 2943 Westinghouse Rd. | Delight in some great fried Haddock, Shrimp, or Scallops from Doug’s TO GO trailer. This is the only event to be held in Chemung County during the month of May.
Meet with sta from the o ce of Congressman Riley | 1 p.m., 5/13 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
