Issuu

F R E E N o v e m b er 2 7, 2 0 1 9 / V o l u m e X L , N u m b e r 1 4 / O u r 4 7 t h Y e a r

Online @ ITH ACA .COM

Boom Town Development inspires 24 new downtown businesses PAGE 8

JUDGMENT DAY

Two applicants vie for vacated city judge seat PAGE 5

BRAINS OVER BRAWN

THE TRIFECTA

SMACKED FRIDAY

MORE MOMENTUM

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A long, productive Annual GunPoets Dryden internet could Cornell student gets day of Cornell sports show brings out local cost $14M to build, Lâ€™Oreal fellowship rap icons make it back soon PAGE 15 PAGE 4

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Newsline

VOL.XL / NO. 14 / November 27, 2019 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

Business Turnover �� 8

Missing Kids

Two missing juveniles found safe and unharmed A

ccording to the Ithaca Police Department, two missing child reports that were announced Thursday night were both resolved peacefully and without incident. Elijah Richards, who was reported missing from Abbott Lane around 8:45 p.m., returned home at 11:50 p.m. on Nov. 21. He was found at a friend’s house and returned home without incident. A press release about Richards was the second issued in the span of just a few hours. Shawna Reese, who was reported missing from 150 W. Village Place at 3:15 p.m. was located walking in the city after midnight by a concerned citizen that transported her to the St. Johns Community Center. Reese was turned over to an employee of St. Johns who then contacted the police. Police confirmed the juvenile was Shawna Reese, who was safe and unharmed. Police took Reese’s mother to St. Johns where she was reunited with her daughter. Reese had been diagnosed with autism, increasing the anxiety surrounding her disappearance. At the time of the two initial announcements, police had noted that they did not believe the two cases were related, even though they both took place in relatively the same area of Ithaca. “The Ithaca Police Department is grateful to all the community members and local agencies who assisted in finding these children,” the department wrote in the press release. Staff R eports

Time Capsule

Ithaca Tompkins Airport finds time capsule during construction

n the early stages of the construction of the new terminal at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH), the crew discovered a time capsule that has been buried in the previous terminal’s wall during renovations in 1994. The time capsule held contents such as the program from the Grand Opening Ceremony held on May 21, 1994, photos of ITH’s then staff, 1994 Mint Proof Sets, the ribbon from the Ribbon Cutting ceremony, original blueprints, and other miscellaneous local and air-

port-related items from 1994. Such items range from an issue of Sky Mall Magazine to a long Wegmans grocery receipt. Another item is a letter from then-Airport Manager Robert A. Nicholas. In the letter, Nicholas makes several predictions about the future, ranging from technology to politics to the future of aviation. “Building the new terminal was a fun project and being the airport manager here in Tompkins County has been a very rewarding and interesting job,” Nicholas wrote. “I look

T a k e

▶▶ Plaid Friday - If you’d like to stroll around downtown Ithaca during your Black Friday shopping, consider this: plaid. As in, anyone wearing plaid who stops into various shops on and around the Commons is automatically entered to win a free gift card to over 60 retail and restaurant spots downtown. Plus, to celebrate the retail

Black Friday Show �� 17 GunPoets, Ave Mack, Anthony Kannon, Mstr McBean

NE W S & OPINION Newsline ��3-7 Sports �� 15

ART S & E N T E RTAINME N T Music ��18 Art �� 19 ArT �� 21 TimesTable ��22-25 Classifieds ��28-28 Cover: Photo: Casey Martin, Design: Marshall Hopkins

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t B u t l e r , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 224 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m J a i m e C o n e , E d i t o r , x 232 SouthReporter@flcn.org E d w i n J . V i e r a , S ta f f R e p o r t e r R e p o r t e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C a s e y M a r t i n , S ta f f P h o t o g r a p h e r P h o t o g r a p h e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , C a l e n d a r E d i t o r , x 217 A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A n d r e w S u l l i v a n , S p o r t s E d i t o r , x 227 Sports@flcn.org Steve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumnist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m M a r s h a l l H o p k i n s , P r o d u c t i o n D i r ec t o r / D es i g n e r , x 216 P r o d u c t i o n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m E r i n S t e w a r t , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 220 E r i n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L i s a B i n g a m a n , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 218 L i s a @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C o r y J o n e s , A cc o u n t R e p r ese n ta t i v e , x 221 C o r e y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , C y n d i B r o n g , x 211 A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Chris Eaton, Distribution J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 210 j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r e e l a n c e r s : Barbara Adams, Rick Blaisell, Steve Burke, Deirdre Cunningham, Jane Dieckmann, Amber Donofrio, Karen Gadiel, Charley Githler, Linda B. Glaser, Warren Greenwood, Ross Haarstad, Peggy Haine, Gay Huddle, Austin Lamb, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Lori Sonken, Henry Stark, Dave Sit, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman

Staff R eports

N o t e

holiday, discounts are available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at dozens of participating local locations. Find more specifics online at DowntownIthaca.com. ▶▶ Gorge Road Artisan Market - On Sunday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, the Gorge Road Artisans will host their 10th annual market, featuring local artists and makers whose work

Ithaca’s ever-changing economy

forward to contributing much more to the future of this great little airport… Hopefully, I will be around long enough to see if some of my predictions will come to be.” Nicholas, was originally from Oxfordshire, England and retired in 2014 after 25 years of service at ITH. The full letter can be read at flyithaca.com. The time capsule also included an airport brochure from the 1994 airport update, which outlines the $11 million project. The project created a new 33,000 square-foot terminal, a runway extension, additional parking spaces and boarding gates, and a waiting area for passengers. Now 25 years later, ITH is nearing the end of its nearly year-long $35 million renovations. This project will expand and modernize the airport by double the size of the 1994 building and include six total gates, four jet bridges, a customs facility and a restaurant and bar. In the coming month, before the renovated airport officially opens its doors, ITH will be putting together a 2019 time capsule and is asking the public for content suggestions. Airport Director Mike Hall is excited about creating the new time capsule. “We’re looking forward to burying the new time capsule, which contains a divider so that we can fill half the capsule with the 1994 items and half with new items that represent our present moment in Tompkins County,” said Hall.

will be available for viewing and purchase. The event is complete with live music, a free raffle, artwork, local products and gift certificates. It’s being held at 3406 Gorge Road in Trumansburg, a house that will be open for the day to accommodate the affair.

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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: $7ll9 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 607-277-1012, 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 in 1978. F o u n d e r G o o d T i m e s G a z e tt e : Tom Newton

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INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER By C a se y Mar tin

WHAT’S ON YOUR BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY WISH LIST?

“ A Black Lab! We already have a Yellow and Brown lab, so let’s make it a trio!” -Lior C. & Orli C.

“A big bouncy house and a live-in ice cream truck!”

N e w s l i n e

N YC Thanksgiving

Local Dancers in Macy’s Parade

he 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature some familiar local faces—22 high school dance students from the Armstrong School of Dance in Lansing. The Armstrong dancers are from Ithaca, Newfield, Lansing, Moravia, Spencer, and Trumansburg Central schools. School of Dance Director Karen Armstrong Gorsky said that dancers from her studio have been invited to perform with the Spirit of America Dance Stars, which are recruited from top dance schools throughout the U.S. The Nov. 28 parade will be watched by more than 3.5 million people on the streets of Manhattan and more than 50 million people worldwide. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students,” Gorsky said. “They will spend most of the week before Thanksgiving in Manhattan working with nationally known choreographers for six hours a day. On Thanksgiving, they will march the

Top Row: Jessandra Bender, Evelyn Kim, Elisabeth Lewis, Monica Willkens, Zoe Zavaski, Madeline Bennett and Isabella Steffie. Middle Row: Tara Dikyikhangsar, Mary Cooper, Kassidy Payne, Ki Alve, Alina Fitzgerald, Jemma Andersen and Audrey Lauzun. Bottom Row: Badyn Milstein-Touesnard, Sabetha Hersini, Abby Wilder, Maggie Schnell, Sadie Arnold, Madalaina Raymond, Kylie Golden-Appleton and Liana Sicroff. (Photo: Provided)

2.6-mile parade route and perform at Herald Square in front of Macy’s. “For us,” Gorsky said, “this means moving from our small town stage in Ithaca to a very big stage almost overnight!” This is Armstrong School of Dance’s fifth time participating in the parade over

the course of 12 years. Gorsky said that the best time to see the dancers is likely to be between 11 a.m. and noon on Thanksgiving Day. The parade will be broadcast on NBC and via live streaming.

-Harmony W. & Zach W.

Brain Science

Cornell grad student awarded L’Oreal research fellowship “Anything? I’d wish to make traveling 100 times easier so I can visit my Mom.” -Maggie Z.

“Black Friday wish? Come see our band METASEQUOIA play at Sacred Root Kava Friday at 7:30!” -Roo E. & Star H.

“World Peace✌️ “ -Alex E. & Plymouth E.

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very year, the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program (FWIS) awards five $60,000 grants to female postdoctoral scientists from across the USA in an effort to advance the leadership of women in STEM. Laurie Bizimana, a post-doctorate student at Cornell University’s Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering,has been selected as one of the five recipients and will use the funding for research. Bizmana’s research centers on a noninvasive technique that will improve current brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. She became interested in neuroscience after spending a year in Rwanda. While there, Bizimana wanted to learn more about how the brain responds to extreme psychological trauma and how it heals from trauma. That experience has informed her current work, and spurred her interest in the field. “I’m working on developing a new technology to connect the brains and bodies of people who have some disconnection, either due to injury or disease,” Bizmana said. “If we’re successful, we are hoping this technology will be able to bring sight back to people who have gone blind, bring hearing back to people who have gone deaf, bring movement back to people that

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have experienced traumatic brain injuries. This technology could also be used by researchers as a way to study the brain.” Much of the technical knowledge of her doctoral work has been largely transferrable because, as she develops this new method of studying the brain, there are some technological aspects from her previous work to outline how the Laurie Bizimana, a Cornell graduate student, is one of five female post-doc students technique will to receive the For Women In Science program fellowship. (Photo provided) function successfully. She’s been working with the or they won’t be able to accomplish it. L’Oreal scholarship for a few weeks now, Rather, she has found most people in her having already worked on her post-docfield have been more supportive than extorate research for over a year. pected, making it an overall good experiIn terms of the challenges in her work, ence, even as the redundancy of the work she has worked to dispel the stereotype of can still present an obstacle. common in science that a person has to dedicate their entire life to their research continued on page 10

N e w s l i n e

City Judges

City considering two candidates for judge position

wo long-time figures from either side of Ithaca’s criminal justice system are vying for a temporary spot as a judge in the City of Ithaca, and the city will soon announce its choice between Tompkins County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Johnson and Ithaca attorney Seth Peacock. Whoever is chosen for the position will serve until the election is held next year. The spot on the bench opened when former city judge Scott Miller was elected to

incident on the Commons. According to the state court system’s Attorney Grievance Committee, which tracks official misconduct complaints and discipline, neither Johnson nor Peacock have been publicly disciplined by the committee, and both are in good standing with the system. Complaints are kept confidential unless a public reprimand is handed down by the committee. The applications for both candidates acknowleged that they had, at least once, been “the subject of any

Daniel Johnson

Seth Peacock

the newly-created third Tompkins County Court judge’s seat. Johnson and Peacock were the only applicants for the position. Though the city does not normally provide such application materials through FOIL requests, it opted to this time because whoever permanently holds the spot will be chosen via election anyway. Both Johnson and Peacock are quite familiar with the area, having practiced law here for several years; Peacock as a single defense attorney since 2005, and Johnson with the DA’s office since 2006. Johnson has specialized in felony prosecution and drug cases since arriving in Tompkins County, previously working in a Syracuse law office as a defense attorney and in Fort Collins, Colorado in the DA’s office there as well. Peacock has worked as a defense attorney while serving temporary stints as a judge at both the city and county levels; residents will recognize him most recently for his successful defense of Cadji Ferguson, who was acquitted of charges brought against him after the police brutality

proceeding, inquiry or investigation by any professional association.” The answers have been redacted; and while Peacock declined to discuss his answer to the question, citing confidentiality, Johnson said he believed it was the result of a complaint that arose over what someone claimed was an unfair plea deal. Nothing further came of the complaint. Peacock said he thought he could bring integral prior experience to the position, considering his previous service on the bench, and that if chosen he would emphasize not allowing someone’s mistakes to define the rest of their lives. His application includes a letter of support signed by 44 local lawyers and judges, and emphasized his prior work to facilitate incarceration reduction programs. “The Court is just one part of how we collectively address people’s behavior and life challenges. In my almost 20 years in Ithaca I have developed deep ties and relationships,” Peacock said. “Ithaca is fortunate to have a strong social service

network and a collective philosophy that recognizes and supports innovative programs and partnerships to address community challenges. As Judge, I will use the relationships that I’ve developed in our community to creatively link defendants with these services and supports to positively influence outcomes for all citizens.” Peacock is not unfamiliar to the bench, as he served as an interim city court judge in 2014. He then ran in the election for the position in November of that year but was defeated by current Ithaca judge Rick Wallace. During that race, it was reported that Peacock had been temporarily banned by two different judges in Tompkins County for repeated tardiness or missed court appointments for clients assigned to him by the Tompkins County Assigned Counsel program, which provides free courtroom attorney services to people who can’t afford them otherwise. Judge David Banfield in the Town of Ulysses and Judge M. John Sherman of Tompkins County Court and Family Court both reprimanded Peacock in 2011 and 2007, respectively, temporarily barring him from their courtrooms. Peacock confirmed that he is not currently banned from any courtrooms and has not had any similar incidents in the time since, and blamed the incidents on overwork and being on his own at the time. “Having my mistakes and shortcomings aired publicly was a humbling, but nonetheless valuable experience,” Peacock said. “I learned from and improved myself professionally as a result of these mistakes. People who come before the Court need to know that the judge is not perfect and that stumbles in life are part of the challenges that everyone faces. The message I bring from this experience is that you don’t have to let a mistake define you, you can use it to make a better future for yourself, for your family and for your community.” The superivising attorney of the Assigned Counsel program, Lance Salisbury, said that since he has been leading the program, he has not had any hesitation to assign cases to Peacock, who remains involved with the program. Peacock said if he is selected as the interim judge, he would run for election when the vote is held in November 2020, though he would not commit to running if he isn’t selected. Johnson said he would be running for the seat regardless. Johnson, on the other hand, comes from the prosecutorial side of the law. He said part of what motivated him to join that side of the justice system was a sense of pride he received from seeking justice for victims of crimes. He mentioned the same in his application for the position, in which he highlighs what he believes is his ability to balance the two objectives of public safety and reducing harms of the criminal justice system. “These experiences equip me to work as a judge to maximize the potential of the court system to rninimize incarceration

UPS&DOWNS

Thumbs Up - Cheers to everyone able to celebrate Thanksgiving, but especially to the restaurants, churches, organizations and agencies hosting free Thanksgiving dinners for those who can’t afford it otherwise. Everybody deserves to sit around the table if possible. Thumbs Down - For a situation in which two children were missing for what appears to be several hours, Ithaca Poilce were pretty light on details about the two different cases that were announced on Thursday night. For an organization that months ago stopped updating its Daily Activity Logs online (rumored to be staffing-related), they should probably still be as forthright as possible when they do announce something. Seen - Don’t let the holiday distract you, there are plenty of major decisions coming for the City of Ithaca soon, many of which will now be open for public comment during the next few weeks. Those include the Waterfront Design Guidelines, which will determine the general aesthetic of much of the next phases of development in that part of town. The city is asking for comments before the Dec. 11 PEDC meeting. Meanwhile, they are also asking for feedback on the Planned Unit Development zoning changes for the redevelopment of Carpenter Business Park, which will also be discussed on Dec. 11, though those comments are requested by Dec. 5.

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

After Cortaca, what’s the next local tradition that should get the nationwide stage? 18.2% Apple Harvest Festival 27.3% Garbage Plates 36.4% Chili CookOff Competition 18.2% Elimination of all escalators N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Which one do you prefer? Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Local Business Saturday, or Lazy Sunday Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

continued on page 10

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

Mohamed Maataoui and Paul Stearns:

Bum Steers

A P l ac e We C a n C a l l Hom e

By C h a r l ey G i t h l e r

By M a rjor i e Z . O l d s

our Highness, the only way you’re going to get out in front of this Epstein thing is to meet it headon. Publicly. I’ll set the whole thing up. A nationwide television interview on BBC Newsnight, and, Bob’s your Uncle, the whole thing’s over and done with. Explain that the photo’s a fake, and you don’t remember anything. Your subjects love you. What could go wrong? ● ● ●

Let’s look at the charges against you… conspiracy, bribery, fraud… Oh, yes, money laundering. What are you worried about? You’re at least a B-list actress! It’s not like you’ll ever do any time. Let them try to prove it! You were just trying to get your kid into college, like any mom. I say plead not guilty to everything. What’s the worst that could happen? ● ● ●

How do we even know e-cigarettes are bad for you, Mr. Commissioner? What’s the public going to say if the Food and Drug Administration just goes around regulating every new product before we know anything about it? Besides, it’s mostly just water vapor. Maybe some chemicals. It’s got to be better than smoking actual cigarettes. Let’s let them sell the things for a while and see how it all plays out. ● ● ●

All my instincts tell me that this is the future. Shared workspaces for tech startups. It’s so obvious! It’s got to be worth tens of billions! Listen to this: “streamline your sourcing, design, build and operational needs.” I’m positive that means 6 T

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something. Invest everything you have in WeWork. Now, before it’s too late! ● ● ●

General Secretary, the protesters in Hong Kong have been at it for nearly a week. Let’s crack down hard, old school style. The disturbance will be behind us in a matter of hours. What? Is the rest of the world going to object? It’s fool-proof. ● ● ●

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation memo to Cayuga Inlet Dredging Project: There appears to be no urgency dredging the flood control channel. Our research indicates no proof that 37 years of accumulated sediment would impair the channel’s capacity. Furthermore, in any given year, there is only a 1 in 100 chance of a flood that would inundate large areas of a city built on a floodplain, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage. Based on probabilities calculated in 1973, that is. Status: low priority. ● ● ●

Congressman, the surest way for you to build a reputation for probity and patriotism is to disparage a decorated combat veteran while he’s testifying on national television before the House Intelligence Committee, especially if he’s in uniform. Call him “mister” instead of by his rank. Call his truthfulness into question. Cast aspersions on his loyalty to the United States. People love it when you stand up to a hero and it will never come back to bite you in the rear end.

Marshall Hopkins

to the U.S. to meet the deadline.” He did not have a place to stay and Mohamed spoke no English. Today Mohamed gets up early and wakes his two children—his daughter, 9, goes to Belle Sherman; his son, 12, goes to Dewitt. “They wake with me, laugh and joke with me. My wife Rachida joins us. We talk and pray and prepare for the day.” By the time Mohamed leaves for work at 6:30 a.m., they have all had breakfast A local Habitat for Humanity project in progress. (Photo provided) together. Mohamed has worked for many years for the Ithaca City School ohamed Maataoui loved his District, driving a school bus. He profamily and his home, but after vides individualized attention to each earning a degree in physics in his child with special needs who boards his homeland of Morocco, there were no jobs. bus. “Every single child, every person is When a close friend offered to help him important, valuable.” He drives to and apply for the Green Card Lottery to come from Newfield, Enfield, West Hill, South to America, he wasn’t optimistic. Hill and Danby to make sure every child When Mohamed was selected in 2003, he hurriedly packed and flew to the U.S. “I dropped everything,” he said. “I rushed continued on page 7

Growing up the fourth child of six, Paul Stearns remembers moving around Contin u ed From Page 6 a lot. Looking back, he can see how much it means to families yearning for a home waiting for his bus is safely picked up and to fulfill that dream, and he understands delivered. Education matters. what a difference community support Mohamed and his family dreamed for along the way can make. many years of owning their own home. Paul figured out on his own that he “We had some good landlords, but there had a good head for numbers. He was are always worries when one is a renter. motivated after getting an A in his first There are rules about children playing accounting class at TC3. Working for outdoors—we cannot paint the rooms years in the construction field, he took without permission; we must notify man- accounting classes at night. agement when relatives come to visit, and In the winter of 1979 when constructhere are limits on how long they can stay, tion work slowed, Paul joined the Mike and where they are permitted to park... Leach, Sr. and Fred Ciaschi CPA office When you own your home, instead of and continued attending night classes paying rent to somebody else, you invest until he doggedly obtained his BS in Accounting. Over time, Paul started his own accounting firm and was pleased that so many clients sought his services. After 36 years of work as a CPA, Paul began to reflect on his life: He had set his sights on a financial career and worked very hard to obtain the credentials he needed to establish himself. He had been able to help big clients and folks who were just starting out. And he and his wife Sarah had a rich life, always making time to volunteer in the community and assisting family and friends along the way. As Paul began to pass the mantle in his firm to his younger associate, he started showing up two days a week at Third Street in Ithaca to lend a hand to the Habitat for The team working on a Habitat for Humanity house. (Photo provided) Humanity duplex that was taking shape. For three years, Paul and other loyal volunin your home, in your family’s future.” teers worked long days of construction. Mohamed and his family linked up Paul was pleased that they had helped our with Habitat for Humanity’s plan to community provide comfort and stability build a duplex on Third Street in the to two local families. City of Ithaca. Every H4H family invests These days Mohamed again joins the at least 350 hours of work in their new volunteers—this time at H4H’s ambitious home, along with the volunteer crew, so creation of three homes on Slaterville Mohamed was on-site from the beginning Road. When one visits the site on Rt. 79, to the end. “Volunteering is part of our the partially completed two new homes religion; it is like an act of worship. Our are visible on the 3-acre parcel. The 1860 Prophet said: ‘The most beloved to God, Greek Revival home is being refurbished is the one who is the most beneficial to from the ground up: “With enough volunpeople.’” Mohamed and his family were teer participation we hope to have the two well-known and well-loved even before new homes enclosed this winter. Many they moved into their home. local and national companies donated While working on the house that materials, but H4H relies heavily on would soon become the Maataoui’s home additional contributions to purchase the a few years ago, Mohamed Maataoui met remaining materials needed.” Paul Stearns, an accountant. Together “The Women’s Build program conthey spent many hours building the structs all the walls off-site and works onduplex from the ground up and beyond. site monthly. Roof trusses are constructed Thanks to Paul and many ardent volunon Ho Plaza at Cornell by volunteers teers Mohamed and Rachida hosted their and Cornell students. Local businesses, daughter and seven girls for a slumber churches and community groups seek party in their new home for her ninth volunteers for H4H Work Days throughbirthday. “My kids are so happy! We play out the year. [...] I come two days a week in our back yard. We have more stability, because I know what it means to a family more confidence in our future. We have a to have a place to call home.” place we call home.” COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

THE TALK AT

The State of the Union

ithaca com YOUR LETTERS In response to “Ulysses residents still critical of proposed new zoning”

don’t understand how NYS (and in this case local zoning boards) with the backdrop of perpetual higher taxes and regulation with people leaving for other states in droves, think the future is in more restrictions of property rights. When the next census is released and its found that Central NY has bled more people to less intrusive states, these same people will scratch their heads wondering why?? Tom Mars, via Ithaca.com

In response to “SewGreen: Built as a community for local sustainable artists”

LOVE Sew Green! I’m thankful I can donate my unused craft items, that there are classes for teens and adults, that I can get bargains on Eileen Fisher!! Thank you for the story - it reminded me why I love the place! Carlyn Buckler, via Ithaca.com

In response to “Large Rodents dumps draw questions”

I think people are afraid they will be charged to drop animals off at the SPCA. I try to spread the word that that is NOT true. Nancy Nielsen, via Ithaca.com

In response to “Housing provider for homeless holds lantern fest” Sorry to have been away for this! It must have been beauiful. We live right along the Inlet! Next year! Sadie Benson, via Facebook

In response to “Ithaca’s First CBD Store celebrates its first year” I will be impressed when it is still here 10 years from now…. With RENTS as “high” as they are…. We will just see. I hope they are, I am pro-CBD, and it benefits but not at the price they are charging….. CBD needs to be “covered” by insurance. Vincenzo Luisi No ve m b e r

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find myself to be in an uncomfortable position-- If you are concerned and worried and fearful and scared of the secret right-wing conspiracy to one day abolish all of the federal government social programs that help people, you have to worry about who the President will be now and in the future. If s/he agrees with these extreme conservatives, then the lower and middle classes will be at-risk and in danger. As much as I dislike him, President Trump is really not one of them. He has no political beliefs or theory or philosophy or ideology that he believes in. But they do. Vice-President Mike Pence does. He is an extreme conservative and Social Darwinist who these extreme conservatives would love to see become President. It is actually safer for the lower and middle classes to have Trump remain in office and to be the Republican nominee in 2020 rather than a real Social Darwinist like Pence. And it bothers me that a lot of national Democrats don’t seem to care about this conservative conspiracy because they are very well-off financially and will never need any help from the social programs while the rest of us do and will. Why are they silent about this? Yet, someone has to polint out that Trump has already ruined our country with his hatefiul-talk, and I believe that it is too late for it to ever be repaired. The angry and hateful war between Republicans and Democrats will never soften. It seems to just get nastier and uglier. We will always view each other and treat each other as “the enemy.” It saddens me to say that it looks like we will never achieve what Robert Kennedy hoped and dreamed for when he said that “Our goal and task must be to tame the savageness of humankind and make gentle the life of this world.” This is very troubling. At this point, we need a hero. Stewart B. Epstein

In response to “Ulysses residents still critical of proposed new zoning” Disturbing. We need to consider protecting Agricultural Land and Cayuga Lake. Sandra Hill, via Facebook

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New Faces

Th e C o m m o n s i s o b v i o u s ly t h e c e n t e r o f d ow n t ow n It h ac a , a n d h a s c e r ta i n ly s e e n i t s fa i r s h a r e o f o p e n i n g s a n d c l o s i n g s ov e r t h e l a s t y e a r . ( P h o t o b y C a s e y M a r t i n)

As Ithaca’s core changes, businesses try to keep up By E dw i n J. Vi e r a a n d M att Bu tler

he indelible changes to Ithaca’s downtown landscape are coming quickly and steadily, noted by construction fences, hard-hatted workers and new steel rising up above the city. Harold’s Square on the Commons is the most obvious of these projects, but it’s also just the first, with more already approved to follow like the redevelopment of the Green Street Garage. To keep pace with this, businesses must change as well, adapting much like retail has had to over the last several years to combat the infringement of online sellers. What that can mean is, unfortunately, more closings than usual as a result of changing demands, but hopefully those closings are matched by openings to bal8 T

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ance them out. According to Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, there have been 24 new businesses to open in downtown Ithaca, while only five businesses have closed their doors. For 2019, four businesses have moved to a new location or expanded, and there are four new businesses scheduled or will be opening in 2019. In 2018, there were 21 new businesses opened. Compared to previous years, though, Ferguson described this as a normal turnover rate. “It’s somewhat normal in terms of turnover,” Ferguson said. “Every year we have some turnover. But that’s fairly typical. What was actually pretty good this year was the number of new businesses, that’s slightly more than usual so that’s a good thing. We have been seeing some renewed interest. Often times, I tell people that in a normal downtown, and particularly ours

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is a good example, you expect to see a five percent turnover rate, year over year because businesses come and go for many different reasons.” As for businesses that closed this year, Ferguson found the primary reason was that people wanted to retire instead of actual downward market pressures. Two of the most noticeable storefronts that remain vacant are Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant and Hal’s Diner locations. The business is one of the many vacant pieces of property to remain vacant along with the former Sahara Mediterranean Resturant and Hal’s Diner locations. Both of those have sat empty for quite a while. However, in the coming months, a salon will be occupying the former site of Hal’s, though little additional information is available at this time. The openings have been marked by highlights like the debut of the City Cen-

tre building, the Canopy by Hilton hotel, Angelheart Diner and the opening of the new Chase Bank location (on the groundfloor of the City Centre building). They are arguably the most noticeable of the new openings, shining brightly and attracting businesses excited at the fresh opportunities; that’s especially true of City Centre, which will welcome Ithaca Ale House into its groundfloor, joining the aforementioned Chase Bank and the newly-moved Collegetown Bagel. Some other recent business openings have disrupted the normal pattern of restaurants and retail that normally dominates the downtown shopping scene. While Your CBD Store, the city’s first CBD-dedicated storefront, celebrates its one year anniversary, competition has opened its doors on the Commons in the form of a new CBD shop that took over where a barbershop used to be. Right next

door, The Brain Shoppe, a store for educational toys for kids, also recently debuted. Of course, that’s just on the Commons. Farther up and down State Street shows two new bars, which are far less common to open than more traditional restaurants or stores. Their origin stories also offer some insight into the current business environment in downtown Ithaca. Before opening the Nowhere Special Libations Parlor, owner James Dean said the storefront had sat empty for two years, despite its prime location at 114 W. State Street and directly across from the State Theatre. Before the bar, the store had housed a tattoo parlor that closed down, and a computer store prior to that. “The business plan that I had set forth, this area worked for that, and it was sort of an underutilized space,” Dean said. “Switching it over to a little pocket bar, I can run through enough people even on a small night to make it profitable, whereas you’d have to have a really good day tattooing to equal that.” What could be a good sign for the City of Ithaca, though, is that Dean wasn’t discouraged by the long lag-time between occupancies. Some might think that if a property sits empty for two years, its problems will compound: the longer it sits, the more discouraged entrepreneurs are and the harder they will try to avoid it because they perceive that nobody else wants it either. That’s not necessarily the case, Dean said. “I did my research with the neighbors and the previous tenants,” Dean

said. “Knowing what I’ve heard, I have the know-how to make fixes around here [...] If you’re doing it yourself and you’re B l o m w e l l i s a n o t h e r b o u t i q u e b u s i n e s s t h at h a s o p e n e d i n d ow n t ow n , t h i s o n e o n We s t S tat e S t r e e t. ( P h o t o b y C a s e y M a r t i n) proactive, you might tion.” them and in return, those businesses stay be able to Other reasons that Ferguson has seen there for decades.” make it work.” from this year and previous years for busiDean said the type of bar he runs, Scott Hoyt, the owner of the Donovan nesses shutting down are owners getting which is more lowkey than something like Building, located at the corner of Cayuga tired of the daily retail grind. Ferguson Moonie’s or The Range, caters to a lesser and Green Streets said the space being cited Lot10 as an example of this, with the served group of drinkers in Ithaca, ones vacant for several months is not entirely who like a quieter spot that’s calmer than uncommon. The location formerly housed former owners deciding to go in a different direction and selling the business to the more nightclub-centric atmospheres Sunny Days, which has since moved to found in Collegetown and on the Comthe Commons. Following that, there was a the owners of Copper Horse Coffee, who intend to retain the business’ name when mons. That sentiment is reflected by recent gallery that had a short lease. Since then, they reopen (whenever that may be). He openings like the Bike Bar on East State about mid-July, the space has remained empty. A lone vacancy, Ferguson said, isn’t further said the aging impact was felt most Street, or the impending opening of the new venture by Watershed owners Ashley the most worrisome thing and can actually significantly in DeWitt Mall, where a few legacy businesses closed their doors, like Cake and Dave Clark, who are opening a provide some interesting feedback on its the Bookery. draught bar in the space below their curown about where the market is trending “DeWitt Mall has been a stable envirent location. and what people are interested in. ronment where people have stayed for, litIt’s an example of how whether its a “In the case of a corner space like that erally, decades and the turnover there has new business serving a new population, or [the former Sunny Days location], it will been literally non-existent for years,” Feran old business tweaking its offerings to take a little longer because they are lookguson said. “And a number of those people better support the city’s changes, Ithaca’s ing for the right type of businesses that really aged out this year. Many of them development boom won’t only impact would fit that location,” Ferguson said. decided to retire and move on. I think for housing. “Sure, I’d love to see if full and obviously the first time you see DeWitt Mall with “All ships rise,” Dean said. “The more we’re trying to talk to people to drum up some openings. I would call it an opportu- difference we have down here, like nightinterest. But, I’m not overly concerned. I nity. Here’s a place that really works hard life, the better.” think it’s still a good location so I think it to work with its businesses and nurtures will do well. It just needs the right connecNo ve m b e r

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“There’s a lot of time that goes into preparing the background research for this kind of work and some of it is kind of mundane,” Bizmana said. “It’s repetitive work that has to be done in order to advance the research. That’s one of the reasons why I’m so glad I got this L’Oreal scholarship because it’s going to allow me to hire a research technician who will be able to help me with a bit of the more mundane time-consuming tasks so that I’m able to function more on advancing the knowledge base.” This is the sixteenth year of the program, which has granted $4 million to 80 postdoctoral female scientists since 2003. While she is working with the fellowship, Bizmana has several additional goals she would like to accomplish with the funding from the fellowship. “One is to be able to share my experience as a mom in science,” Bizmana said. “The other is to work on an extension of a program my lab has in Tanzania, working with the University of Arusha. I’m very interested in inspiring girls in science in East Africa because it’s not a very well represented field for women in Africa. During next summer, I’m planning on going to Tanzania to work on a program for encouraging more secondary school students, female students, in East Africa to pursue science. Then, hopefully, I’ll be able to make some good progress in the lab with the help of this research technician that the L’Oreal fellowship is going to allow me to hire.”

CITY JUDGE Contin u ed From Page 4

Right here.

Cayuga Medical Center Ithaca, NY

while still protecting the public,” he wrote. As a judge, he said, he knows the scope of his job would be wider than that of a prosecutor, but he believes it comes down to the same nexus point of searching for the most beneficial results for all involved. “My proudest work is the work we do with victims,” Johnson said. “Those are the people who wind up in the criminal justice system, generally through no fault of their own. [...] One thing I always tell victims in a case is that the criminal justice system rarely gives folks a moment where it’s all better than it was before a crime occurred. But it’s important that when we work with people in the system, to treat them fairly and with respect and to get the best outcome of a case, and that goes for both victims and defendants. For a judge, the job is broader.” M att Butler

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Study estimates Dryden broadband would make $3.7 million after a decade fter hiring Hunt EAS Engineering to conduct a feasibility study for the town’s municipal broadband project about six months ago, the Dryden Town Council, along with its residents, were presented with the findings from the study at a meeting on Nov. 21. The study, as presented by Ryan Garrison of Hunt EAS Engineering, showed that the total cost of the project is projected to be $14,535,281 over a six-year span. Garrison said that total includes contingency and incidental costs. In terms of funding, he said there are opportunities for grants and other means of funding with United States Department of Agriculture and the New York State Empire State Development. Garrison said by the 11th year after the project begins, the town will be consistently generating $3.7 million in revenue annually. Ryan Garrison of Hunt EAS Engineering gave a presentation on the results from the study. The objectives of the study were: (1) Determine all Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) that operate within the town boundaries and what levels of service they provide and at what cost; (2) deploy and analyze a study for businesses and residents; (3) develop a conceptual plan for the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network; (4) report any funding opportunities; (5) work with the town to develop a plan for construction and maintenance, and an operations plan of the network that will inform the feasibility study.

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According to the New York State Plastic Bag Task Force report from 2017, paper bag usage often increases when plastic bags are banned, as the county has already done. This, though, is not actually the ideal outcome of a bag ban; Tompkins County is trying to inspire more people to switch from paper and plastic to reusable bags with the durability to last long times and hold up over multiple uses. Revenues collected from the $.05 fee will be directed to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Sixty percent of the revenue will go into the Environmental Protection Fund, while the remaining 40 percent will be returned to Tompkins County for the purpose of purchasing and distributing reusable bags, with priority given to low- and fixedincome communities. Those seeking more information can contact the Tompkins Recycling and Materials Management agency at (607) 2736632 or at www.recycletompkins.org.

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f you’re someone who’s been avoiding the reusable bag wave that has swept across some municipalities over the last few years in an attempt to cut down on unnecessary harmful waste, your days of skipping by without an extra tax appear to be over. The Tompkins County Legislature passed a local law last week that will impose a $.05 fee on paper carryout bags beginning March 1, 2020. The law, according to a press release, will act in conjunction with New York State’s Bag Waste Reduction Act, which bans the distribution of certain types of single-use plastic bags from retail establishments. Beginning March 1, 2020, there will be a $.05 fee applied to each paper carryout bag provided to customers of retail establishments in Tompkins County. Some types of paper bags are exempt from this fee such as paper bags used solely to package bulk food items or medicine. The fee will not apply to customers who are SNAP or WIC recipients.

FTTH, according to Garrison, features all fiber optic cabling and is passive optical networking, meaning there are no electronics on telephone poles, outside one’s telecommunication rooms or outside of the customer’s home. FTTH has limitless capacity and 12-mile distance limitation from active equipment. Garrison said it is also easy to monitor. “You can tell exactly where faults are because the light can determine exactly where on the cable you have a fault,” Garrison said. “So it’s easier to determine if something actually happened physically to your cable.” Nearly 4,000 households were surveyed on the prospect of a municipal broadband service, and 935 of those households (24 percent) responded to the survey. Ninetyfive percent of the responses came from residential properties. Forty-six percent of households said they receive less than 10 megabytes per second download, and 41 percent said they are currently paying between $51 and $100 per month for their broadband service. “If you match those two things up and look for the overlap, you see that there’s pretty slow service for a little bit more than [the] average price,” Garrison said. Seventy-one percent said they subscribe to Spectrum for their service. Ninety-six percent of households that responded to the survey said they would be interested in a 100 megabytes per second municipal broadband service.

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Garrison then outlined what the course of action would be if this project were to come to fruition. An internet service department associated the town would be created. “The town would provide internet service and how to request it to its residents,” he said. “It would utilize a subcontractor model, reducing the town participation to strictly oversight. It would invest in technology like fiber to ensure that the town’s network is going to be viable for years to come.” For the service levels that would be offered, residential households could subscribe to a 400 megabytes per second service for $50 a month, or a one gigabyte per second service for $100 per month. Businesses could subscribe to a 400 megabytes per second service for $75 a month, and a one gigabyte per second service for $150 per month. “Those business circuits are what’s called ‘dedicated bandwidth,’ so they never lose it,” Garrison said. “It’s always going to be there; it’s always going to be the same. With residential customers, it’s mostly ‘best effort’ is what they call it. You typically see exactly what you get, but you share it with other people.”

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Ryan Garrison of Hunt EAS Engineering presents his firm’s findings last week to the Town of Dryden. (Photo by Andrew Sullivan)

Following the presentation, Town Supervisor Jason Leifer said he had recently attended a presentation by Verizon and AT&T and those companies are not planning on offering high-speed 5G service anywhere except possibly the City of Ithaca. Leifer asked Garrison if he thought residents would still be interested in subscribing to a municipal broadband service if or if not a 5G service is offered. Garrison said he would have to look at the comments left on the survey, but he believes if it were to be offered it would more than likely not be an issue. “First with 5G, I think you’re going to see a very slow roll out,” he said. “It’s a small cell technology, and the range is very short … so they have to put up more antennas. If you think of the logistics of that issue, they’re going to hit the Ithacas, they’re going to hit the Cornings. We don’t even know when they’re going to do that, but the rural areas are always going to be a problem.” “5G, I don’t think it’s going to affect rural anytime soon. Maybe some of the urban areas sooner than that.”

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Columbia would enable the Big Red to retain the Empire State Bowl and finish in the upper division of the Ivy League’s final standings. I settled into my seat in the press box just in time to watch senior Harold Coles take a handoff on the second play of Cornell’s first drive and sprint 58 yards to open the scoring. The Big Red would continue to put the hammer down by running up a 21-0 lead, and Coles would close out a great career by putting up 122 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. In doing so, he became just the eighth player in school history to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards. On defense, senior Jelani Taylor and freshman Jake Stebbins bolstered their cases for Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and Ivy League Rookie of the Year. Each had seven stops, Taylor had a pass breakup and Stebbins recovered an onsides kick. It was a great way to end the season on a high note, as Cornell certainly saw its share of close losses this season. As always, this season put on display a continuous high-level effort by a very classy and hardworking collection of players and coaches. ● ● ●

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Triple Play

Loaded Cornell sports weekend sees football, hockey triumph By Ste ve L aw re nc e

aturday was one of those days when one hopes that Cornell has enough parking attendants, vendors, ticket-takers and other support staff. There was a packed-house wrestling match at 1 p.m., the final football game of the season kicked off at 1:30 p.m., and the undefeated men’s hockey team would host Ivy League rival Princeton at 7 p.m. As stated, Newman Arena was packed to watch the Big Red grapplers take on ninth-ranked North Carolina State, and while Cornell will always be an elite pro-

gram and well worth the ticket price, the fact that four wrestlers (including twotime defending national champ Yianni Diakomihalis) are taking the year off as Olympic Trial redshirts is, predictably, impacting the season. After winning its last nine season opening dual matches, Cornell could not get past the Wolfpack. Among the highlights on the day was an electrifying pin by freshman Jonathan Loew and a 4-1 decision by senior Chas Tucker, but N.C. State won the rest of the matches. According to my spectating

companion (former Lycoming grappler and passionate lifelong wrestling fan) Lee Wolfe, “It was a lot closer that the (25-9) score indicated,” and going forward, the Big Red will continue to adjust to the new normal of wrestling without four of its best athletes. On a side note, congrats to Diakomihalis, who was honored at The White House in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Nov. 22 as part of the annual NCAA National Champions Day. Individual champions from the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships were in attendance, along with studentathletes from other sports. ● ● ●

The Big Red football team did not pack the house, but those in attendance sure got their money’s worth. Cornell came into the contest on a very high note, having knocked off previously unbeaten Dartmouth a week earlier. The win breathed life into a disappointing season, and set Cornell up for two more objectives, in that a win over visiting

It was a good thing the parking lots had cleared out after the wrestling and football contests, because no matter their record (the fans are known, after all, as “The Lynah Faithful”), Cornell hockey dreaw a capacity crowd. The fact that the Big Red’s two victories last weekend brought the team to 8-0 is icing on the proverbial cake. For the second night in a row, Cornell got off to a slow start, failing to score in the opening period, but a four-goal barrage in the second 20 minutes likely made the Tigers contemplate getting on the bus before the puck dropped for the third period. A balanced scoring attack bodes well for any team, and Cornell got five goals from five different players. Eight games do not a season make, but the 8-0 start is the first such record since the 1971-72 season. After the game, Hhead coach Mike Shafer was quoted as saying, “It will be a grind throughout the whole season, but these guys have responded well every step of the way so far.” On Saturday, the Big Red will take the ice against Boston University at Madison Square Garden.

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By M att Bu tler

his year’s Black Friday festivities will feature a repeat of what is becoming a yearly tradition: a star-studded hip hop concert featuring some of the biggest established acts making music locally, as well as a crop of new artists trying to make a name for themselves as well. As with years prior, the GunPoets are headlining this year’s event, with the six-member collective anchoring the show at the Range, for which doors will open at 8:30 p.m. with the show starting at 9:30. They’ll be playing a two hour set, with performances and appearances throughout from fellow Ithaca rap legend Ave Mack, plus up and comers Anthony Kannon and Mstr McBean (real name Kelsey), who’s about to drop his debut project. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. The event has become something of a yearly tradition. Usually, the GunPoets serve as the headliner, though this year they will once again be joined by Ave Mack, just as they were last year. Plus, this year has expanded to

include the younger acts as well, like McBean and Kannon, who are both from the Smacked Records crew. “I prefer an explosive and extremely high energy show,” McBean said. “That type of gig lets me conjure something within me that transforms me into a completely different person than I am off stage, but I always try to adjust to the temperature of the room. The objective is always to just get the crowd to engage and be present with me.” Joining the rest of the names on the stage is a significant step for McBean, who has certainly performed live before but never during a press run of a project release, where the stakes are a bit higher as an artist tries to build buzz for their work. McBean’s EP is titled “Set,” and will release on Dec. 5. “This show is definitely a great opportunity for me. Having your name next to anyone of a higher status in this game is always beneficial,” McBean said. “It’s sometimes hard for consumers to be interested in what you’re serving/ presenting until it’s next to something they already have a taste for and have taken a liking to. For me specifically I’m hoping it’ll draw eyes and ears to this promo run I’m on for the coming EP. Also, ideally it’ll help me get my foot in the door for more large show opportunities so I can keep the ball rolling.” Since the EP will serve as more or less an introduction to McBean for those who haven’t

heard his features on songs like “Superman” off of Kannon’s 2018 album “Color Blind,” McBean said his main inspirations are Missy Elliott and Kanye West in terms of nationally known artists. Locally, he said Kannon, Mack and his cousin Ernest Verb have all served as his primary inspirations in rap locally, adding Vybz Kartel, Movado and Dana Malcolm (for the latter’s production acumen) to the list as well. The event holds special significance for those participating, especially artists like Kannon and McBean who are still cultivating an image and building momentum locally and regionally as they continue to drop music, like Kannon’s latest collaboration album with fellow local artists Meech Booker. Shows with acts like Mack and the GunPoets, particularly when there’s some tradition attached to it like the yearly Black Friday event, can be truly valuable, to the point that McBean and Kannon would like to continue the tradition themselves if the GunPoets ever end their performances. “I don’t want to say flat-out that there will be another show on Black Friday next year, but that’s my goal,” Kannon said. “Me and Kelsey are going to try to make that happen.”

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Arts&Entertainment

Black Friday with the GunPoets

I t h a c a T i m e s 17

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then throwing in this hippie element to kinda troll our audience in a way. I mean, we wouldn’t have called it “trolling” back then, but that’s basically what we were doing, so that everybody talked about us! They were like, “Have you heard those weird hippie guys that are playing ska and Eastern European music and punk rock?” Part of it just sort of grew out of us trying to find our own niche by doing something slightly different than what everybody else was doing. IT: That’s always a good way to go. DL: There’s also a level Cracker will play the Haunt on Dec. 1. (Photo provided) of just mischievousness in literally playing Black Flag’s “Wasted” like a hippie, country hoe-down in was surprised when David Lowry front of a bunch of punk rock skinheads told me that Cracker (“Teen Angst,” at a VFW in Chino, California. Right? “Cracker Soul”) had never played It’s definitely trolling an audience of 800 Ithaca. To paraphrase a character from skinheads that are waiting to see the Dead Barton Fink, “Cracker? College town? Kennedys play. That’s actually a show that Whaddya need, a road map?” That all happened, right? And sometimes that changes on December 1, when Cracker would go well, and sometimes it wouldn’t. plays the Haunt, with openers Mike And if it went bad, what we would do is Brindisi & John O’Leary of the New York play those Eastern European-sounding ska Rock. David Lowry spoke to the Ithaca tunes, and then they’d go back to liking us. Times about his influences and trollWe’d just play ‘em really fast, and the punk ing back in the day with Camper Van rock kids would go, “Oh, ska’s cool, we’re Beethoven. cool with that.” That would sort of save us. IT: What were you listening to as a IT: Damn, that’s… kid that then informed Camper Van DL: [laughs] It was very situational. Beethoven and then Cracker? I underWe were responding to certain situations, stand the two bands dovetailed nicely. but then that became a thing, and people DL: My father was in the military, so we liked it, liked that we didn’t do that. And lived in England and Spain and Texas and then we kinda started writing kind of Southern California. My parents listened more serious songs, kind of real songs as to really eclectic music, so I heard a lot we got better. And then eventually we got of country music and bluegrass and stuff to the point where we could kinda play the like that growing up. Because believe it music that we sort of liked, that we really, or not, if you grew up in the late 1940s, really liked. By the time we get around to early 1950s in the U.K., that was what Cracker, we’re playing, like basically classic you listened to, ‘cause it was cool Amerirock, you know, country rock, classic rock can music, as well as blues and stuff like kinda stuff that we grew up on. I don’t that. When I lived in Spain, there was know. It was kinda the stuff we stuff that music always around us. And then I go to we fell back on. Southern California, and it’s like the height IT: When I think of you guys and the of the hippie psychedelic late ‘60s, early Dead Milkmen and the Dead Kennedys, ‘70s stuff. I felt like there was always music I think of a smart, snotty sense of humor. around me. And then you’d start hearing DL: I hope so. I mean, it’s definitely surf music. My background was such that an evolution of the band, from Camper, we weren’t just listening to what was on from being a sort of chaotic presence and the radio, so it was kinda cool that way. not giving a f**k to sort of later, “Ehhh, Camper [Van Beethoven] kinda really actually, we’re giving a little more of a grew out of [the fact] that there were punk f**k.” [laughs] You know? We’re trying to rock bands, and they were playing the take this more seriously, and we’re sort of same clubs that, like, ska bands would play, mashing up all these styles and kind of inand L.A. had a mod movement. Camper vented kind of a style for us, out of all of it. was kinda playing with all of that stuff, and

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Arts

“Intricate Universe”

Trio of artists present a journey of post-minimalism By Ar thur W hit m an

ith its chic, elegant setting and adventurous programming, Corners Gallery in Cayuga Heights is an important, independent force in local art. While not every show is equally rewarding, one usually walks away having seen something unexpected. Up at Corners through Saturday, “Intricate Universe” features work by Thea Gregorius, Paula Overbay and Jayoung Yoon. All three are recent alumni of Ithaca’s Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, which brings artists and writers from all over New York State to their rural campus for summer residencies. Using eccentric techniques and materials, each artist conceives their pieces here as metaphors for larger realities: material and experiential. Each engages the legacy of Postminimalism, albeit refracted through contemporary sensibility. Emerging in the late ‘60s, the movement responded to the hard geometric forms, serial structures and industrial aesthetic of Minimalism. Mutant versions of minimal geometry vied with

Surrealist-inflected biomorphism and chaotic “anti-form.” Non-traditional materials and a focus on “process” over conventional finish were also key. The work here suggests a kind of domesticated radicalism: Postminimalism in cozily self-contained, well-crafted objects. Yoon, of Beacon, NY has the most expansive practice: incorporating performance, video and two-dimensional works in addition to the suspended sculptures she’s showing here. The artist periodically shaves her head as part of her self-invented ritual; her hair then becomes her primary sculptural material, woven into vessel-like and sometimes explicitly figural forms. Her approach is phenomenological—artwork as an investigation of perception and the body—while also engaging Christian, Buddhist and other spiritual traditions. Eight feet long, “The Portal” is a hollow horn-shape, descending from a ceiling corner point in a gentle arc and expanding in diameter until reaching eye-level. Resembling a sort of telescope and evoking the mechanisms of perspective drawing,

it suggests the idea of sculpture as more instrument than object. Yoon’s other pieces here are smaller; one might hold them in one’s hand were they not so fragile and contained within plexiglass cases. Some employ different materials. “The Offering Bowl #1” holds feathery white milkweed seed fibers, while in “Sensing Thought #5,” a fuzzy field of hair surrounds a spiky black thorn—evoking a familiar iconography of suffering and transcendence. Both of New York City, Gregorius and Overbay are more traditional in their focus on two-dimensional work. Yet each artist employs unusual techniques and compositional approaches that evade the familiar languages of painting and drawing. Both use repeated, massed dotting— something which has become a small genre in recent visual art. And both artists eschew Yoon’s centering on the body for a sensibility that more cosmological, less explicitly rooted. Like Yoon’s, Gregorius’s work engages obliquely with the aesthetic of drawing. Using white handmade paper, she applies careful pinpricks from the reverse side, creating staccato embossments that coalesce into repetitive but complex geometries. Purposefully austere, the works evoke exercises in hatching or shading— efforts in making as a form of seeing. They demand a similar patience and quieting from the viewer. “Horizon Relief XIV” consists of two tall, rough-edged sheets framed together. In each, rows three circles wide alter-

nate with rows of half-circles: arcs facing alternatingly upwards and down in a strict grid-based logic. “VII” and “VIII” from the same series deploy similar repetitions on larger single sheets. “Halo Relief VI” embraces a more involuted, mandala-like geometry using the same elements. Paula Overbay’s paintings on paper and wood take a more baroque, extroverted approach to the dot abstraction school. Particularly in her larger panel pieces, her stippling achieves an immensely intricate density, accumulating into sublime, interwoven fields that recall Leonardo’s visionary ink drawings of the atmosphere. ”Wing” and “Wind Machine,” both acrylic on wood, feature waves and clouds of predominantly white dots suspended against softly dappled, rich blue grounds. Occasional bursts and threads of red and (in the former) yellow draw the viewer inside. The tendency towards intricate, laborintensive patterning in recent art has been characterized alternately as “meditative” and “obsessive.” While the former term suggests a kind of self-therapy, the latter, in strange contrast, implies something almost pathological. The language is telling. Apart from the personal imagery and associations that each artist in “Intricate Universe” brings, there’s something uncanny going on: sustained efforts to mediate between fundamentals of human experience and something beyond us. SIGN UP TODAY!

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Selima Guirey shows new and old printmaking work By Ar thur W hit m an uneven technical accomplishment whose work nonetheless draws you in with an experimental approach to process and a questing, sometimes dark imagery. A tiny wide-format piece, “Sagat’s Tea Party,” recalls the graphic work of the late Belgian Symbolist painter James Ensor at his most caricatural and raw. A multi-racial group, mostly mothers with their babies, gathers around a table stocked with teapots and cups as well as sweets. To the right, “Lion” by Selima Guirey. (Photo provided) a woman in elaborate hat and dress looks down intently at hough few seem to make the the table, upon which she is carving what effort, it’s relatively easy to get a appears to be a roast with a serrated knife. bird’s eye view of Ithaca’s visual Her grim focus contrasts with the easygoarts topography. There are the campus ing character of her guests. show spaces on the hills, the downtown “Islam,” is Guirey’s most richly imaggalleries—clustered on and around State ined image here. Using loose, expressive Street—and scattered outliers with reputa- etched outlines and carefully gradated tions for showing quality work. But then aquatint areas, it develops an elaborate one finds the occasional surprise: casual or fantasy of arches, domes, and minarets. It’s non-traditional art venues rising above the the sort of thing that the politically astute usual indifferent mediocrity. might dismiss as cheap exoticism but it is Through the end of November, local difficult to deny the layered aesthetic intelpainter Selima Guirey is showing her ligence in play. black ink intaglio prints at Alternatives Outside the colleges, Ithaca area print Federal Credit Union as their “Artist of the art is dominated by the Ink Shop PrintMonth.” Guirey, who studied at the Slade making Center downtown. As a result, it’s School of Fine Art in London, is an imagi- rare to find an entirely unaffiliated printnative, complex image-maker. She has maker. Guirey’s two small mezzotints here shown paintings and drawings occasionwere done under the instruction of Judy ally in group shows in recent years but this Barringer: a founding member at the Shop is a rare opportunity to see a substantial and an expert in the technique. grouping of her works in public. In mezzotint, a fine-toothed tool called Pressed-in where printed, her sheets are a rocker is used to achieve tonal effects hung, unframed with wires and clips. Such without the acid bath. “Mask” and “Vines casual presentation doesn’t always come at Dan’s House,” both from last year, both off but given the work and the venue, it use the technique. Recalling the “primidoes so well-enough here. tive” iconography of Picasso and other Intaglio printmaking involves makearly twentieth-century modernists, the ing indentations on a metal plate—most former piece portrays an African mask typically copper—which is then inked from the artist’s collection. The angular, and run through a press. Guirey’s main roughly rendered form appears emerging technique here is etching, in which a from a dark, vulva-like opening—he/she/ needle is used to draw the design, scraping it trails, in miniature scale, what appears to through a waxy resist coating. The plate is be a backbone and below, a tiny skull. The then bathed in acid before being inked and latter piece confuses and conflates indoors wiped. The etched areas hold the design, and out with a half-open doorway standwhich can be re-inked and printed numer- ing between us and a wild tangle of foliage. ous times. One encounters exhibits like this one Many prints here also use aquatint, in through serendipity or word of mouth which powdered rosin (resin) is applied rather than earnest intentions (ones havto the plate to create ink wash-like tones. ing to do with art, anyhow). For those of As well, several use plate tone, wherein the us attuned to art that is surprising and unetched surface of the plate is not wiped different, it is a pleasure to find work like entirely clean. this in an unexpected venue. It also says The bulk of Guirey’s pieces here date something about the depth and range of from her art school days of the early-tolocal talent to be able to see what usually mid 1990s. They reveal a printmaker of falls through the cracks.

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I t h a c a T i m e s 21

Music

Cracker | 8:00 PM, | The Haunt, Ithaca | $22-$25

Bars/Bands/Clubs

Horns and Ivory | 4:00 PM, | Scale House Brewery, Hector

12/1 Sunday Bob Piorun & The Swing Kats | 3:00 PM, | Auburn Public Theater, Auburn | $10

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Queen Dido, incorporating elements of ancient Greek and Roman music in

torales, Noels, and Chorales by Zipoli, Dandrieu, Bach and others.

We Can Be Kind – VOICES Multicultural Chorus Fall Concert | 4:00 PM, 12/7 Saturday | First Baptist Church, 309 N Cayuga St, Ithaca | The repertoire combines songs of celebration with songs of committed to making a better world. Selections are from diverse cultural traditions and multiple languages ranging from classical choral arrangements to Gospel to Reggae with text in English, Sufi, Hebrew, Bosnian, Latin, and Zulu. | $15.00

Ithaca Jazz and Blues Jam | 4:00 PM, | Mix Kitchen and Bar, Ithaca Tenzin Chopak | 1:00 PM, | Red Newt Bistro, Hector Tru Bleu | 4:00 PM, | Americana Vineyards, Interlaken

12/4 Wednesday Canaan Jam Session | 7:00 PM, | Canaan Institute, Brooktondale Concerts/Recitals Joe Crookston Thanksgiving Concert | 6:30 PM, 11/29 Friday | Unitarian Universalist Society, 306 N Aurora St., Ithaca | Sharing his artwork and foot-stromping rhythms, and pure music magic for his hometown community. Shake off the turkey, bring the family, celebrate, enjoy, remember who we are and remind yourself of human possibilities. | $10 Bjerken Piano Studio Recital | 8:00 PM, 12/2 Monday | Barnes Hall, Cornell, Ithaca | Piano studio recital of students of Xak Bjerken Queen of Carthage - Opera Premiere | 8:00 PM, 12/3 Tuesday | Sage Chapel, Cornell, Ithaca | Antiquity and modernity meet in musical dialogue in the premiere of Queen of Carthage, an opera-oratorio by composer Ellie Cherry scored for orchestra, choir, and solo vocals. A setting of the fourth book of Virgil’s Aeneid in the original Latin, Cherry’s composition narrates the later life and death of

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CRACKER Sunday, December 1 at 8:00 PM | The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave., Ithaca | The 90’s radio mainstays have continued putting out music for going on a quarter of a century. The California-based group brings their unique sound, described as everything from alt-rock, Americana, insurgent-country, and even punk and classic-rock, to Ithaca this weekend. (photo: Facebook) See our interview on page 18

a sonic commentary that highlights, questions, and interprets events in Virgil’s text that are socially relevant today. The Cornell production features soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon singing the lead role of Dido. Midday Music for Organ: Music for Advent and Christmas | 12:30 PM, 12/4 Wednesday | Sage Chapel, Cornell, Ithaca | Annette Richards, Music for Advent and Christmas: Pas-

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Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble with Braxton Cook | 8:15 PM, 12/7 Saturday | Ford Hall, Whalen Center, IC, Ithaca | The Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble performs the winning compositions from the 2019-20 David P. (’60) and Susan Wohlhueter Composition Contest, along with guest saxophone soloist Braxton Cook. Percussion Ensemble: CU Music | 3:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Lincoln Hall

Rm B20, Cornell, Ithaca | Percussion Ensemble: Michael Sparhuber, director Winter Choral Concert - Ithaca College School of Music | 3:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Ford Hall, Ithaca College, Danby Rd, Ithaca | Choir, Treble Chorale, Madrigal Singers, and Chorus. Conducted by Janet Galván and Sean Linfors Candlight Festival of Lessons and Carols | 4:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | St. James Episcopal Church, 96 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles | Enjoy the rapturous sound of a 40-voice choir combined from area parishes with this 1-hour concert that begins with a candlelight procession complemented by the peal of handbells followed by Scripture readings pertaining to the Christmas story read by youth. Between each of the nine lessons (or readings) music from George Frideric Handel to contemporary artists will be sung by the choir and soloists, those in the congregation will be invited to sing traditional and familiar holiday carols. Cayuga Vocal Ensemble “Carols across Cultures” | 4:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | St Catherine of Siena Church, 309 Siena Drive (off Hanshaw Road), Ithaca | Melissa Rooklidge, Interim Artistic Director conducting. Join us for a holiday celebration featuring Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with harp, as well as traditional and new arrangements of carols sung in Norwegian, French, German, Spanish, and more. More info at . Mostly Motown | 4:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Mostly Motown, Unitarian Church, Ithaca NY 14850 | Mostly Motown will be performing great tunes by Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson Five, Dionne Warwick and much more. | $12 at the door Ithaca Concert Band and Ithaca College Brass Choir Holiday Concert | 7:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Ithaca College, 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca | Also featuring vocal soloist Mark Lawrence

NY Stand Up Comedians | $10-$25 VIP Tickets include bottle of wine

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singing O Holy Night. Holiday favorites and new arrangements to celebrate the season. Cornell University Lessons and Carols, Night 1 | 7:30 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Sage Chapel, Cornell, Ithaca | Cornell University Lessons and Carols sung by the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club, interspersed with audience carols and traditional readings by members of the Cornell community, with conductor Robert Isaacs and organist Anna Steppler. Note: Free tickets are available in advance at cornelltickets.com. Additional information available at music.cornell.edu

Stage Disney’s Beauty and the Beast | 7:30 PM, 11/29 Friday | Syracuse Stage/Drama Complex, 820 E Genesee St, Syracuse | Through Jan 5. Spectacular costumes and fantastic sets combine with beloved songs in this classic story about finding the magic in love. Proof | 8:00 PM, 11/30 Saturday | Kitchen Theatre, 417 W State St, Ithaca | Through Dec 15. Catherine has

spent years taking care of her father, a famous mathematician. In the wake of his death, Catherine grapples with what she may or may not have inherited—from brilliance to madness. With the appearance of Catherine’s estranged sister, an unexpected suitor, and a notebook containing a groundbreaking proof, Catherine’s life, and the future of the field, change in an instant. Contact theater for additional showtimes. The Nutcracker Ballet performed by Ithaca Ballet | 3:00 PM, 12/1 Sunday | Smith Center for the Arts, 82 Seneca St, Geneva | Fall in love with Tchaikovsky’s great ballet, The Nutcracker, all over again when the Ithaca Ballet, under the direction of Cindy Reid, takes the Smith stage. With accompaniment by the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra, conducted by S. Shade Zajac, experience classic pieces such as March of the Toy Soldiers, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Waltz of the Flowers. Mini Locally Grown Dance | 7:30 PM, 12/5 Thursday through 12/7 Saturday | Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca | PMA senior lecturers Jumay Chu and Byron Suber direct and each

contributes original choreography. The concert also features choreography from lecturer and guest artist Nic Ceynowa and from Chu and Suber’s dance composition students. | $7 Life Is Amazing with Abby Feldman | 7:00 PM, 12/7 Saturday | Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca, 130 E Seneca St, Ithaca | From Netflix & Just For Laughs, comedian Abby Feldman brings LIFE IS AMAZING, an hour of stand up and songs about meditation, Latin men and potato chips. | $15-$35 VIP Meet and Greet + Open Bar Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol | 2:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | The Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca | Return to 19th-century London this December with the Hangar Theatre’s celebrated production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, directed by Michael Barakiva. Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in a timeless tale of hope and redemption. This retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel has been adapted for the Hangar stage by Ithaca’s own Aoise Stratford. Adults and children alike will enjoy this wonderful world of music, costumes, and magic!

Move: A Showcase of Groundbreaking Choreography | 5:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Community School of Music and Arts, 330 E State St., Ithaca | There is a new dance group in town! We are the Ithaca Dance Collective. Our mission is to make dance more accessible and showcase the diversity of dance in Ithaca. We are dedicated to supporting dance performers and movement practitioners of all styles and abilities. Our work is cutting edge, experimental and innovative. And we embrace the healing power of dance. | $10 Life Is Amazing with Abby Feldman and Latin Food | 6:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Wine & Design, 124 S Cayuga St, Ithaca | From Netflix & Just For Laughs, comedian Abby Feldman brings LIFE IS AMAZING, an hour of stand up and songs about meditation, Latin men and potato chips. | $25-$40 Includes tasting menu and wine Chowder Festival Comedy w/ Ithaca’s Finest and Headliner Lauren Turczak | 8:00 PM, 12/8 Sunday | Wine & Design Ithaca, 124 S Cayuga St, Ithaca | After a cold day of chowder, enjoy a warm evening of drinks and laughter. Comedy On Commons is back with the best of Ithaca and Upstate

Art 20/20 Hindsight | 20 years in Prints and Books plus Portfolios & Ephemera | 5:00 PM, 11/29 Friday | Ink Shop Studio Gallery and CSMA corridor, 330 E.State / MLK Street, ITHACA | The 20th Anniversary exhibit celebrates two decades of printmaking. Will include current and past artists and printmakers, fellows and exhibitors who participated in portfolio exchanges over the years and will display selected posters, postcards, news and reviews. New Members Show | 12:00 PM, 11/29 Friday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W Martin Luther King, Jr./State Street, Ithaca | Four new members of State of the Art Gallery: Ed Brothers, Don Ellis, Patricia Hunsinger and Alicia Sangiuliano, will share the main gallery during November. On exhibit will be paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and a mobile. Thru Dec 1, 2019. Urban Arts Crawl | 5:00 PM, 11/29 Friday | Downtown Corning, Corning | New work by Sue Stocum | All Day 11/30 Saturday | Zaza’s Cucina, 622 Cascadilla St, Ithaca | Hair Scrunchie Sewing Workshop | 5:30 PM, 12/3 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | The Library invites adults to learn sewing machine basics while making a hair scrunchie with Kris Altucher. Participants will work two people per machine and can customize the length and width of their accessory to fit all types of hair, so they can keep the finished product for themselves or give it as a gift. Beginners are welcome. Please register. Learn to Make Fabric Ornaments | 5:30 PM, 12/3 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | The Library invites adults to join craft team Heather and Julie, who will teach participants how to make beautiful fabric covered ornaments. This no-sew project involves folding fabric and pinning it into a foam ball to replicate a quilted texture.

Participants can choose to use holiday specific fabrics or choose a unique set of colors for a non-denominational result. All materials are provided. Please register.

Film Cinemapolis Week of Friday, November 29 through Thursday, December 5, 2019. Contact Cinemapolis for showtimes. New films listed first*. Marriage Story* | Noah Baumbach’s incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together. | 136 mins R The Irishman | A mob hitman recalls his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa.| 219 mins R Pain and Glory | A film director reflects on the choices he’s made in life as past and present come crashing down around him. | 113 mins R Jojo Rabbit | A young member of Hitler Youth finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.| 108 mins PG-13 Harriet | The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.| 125 mins PG-13 Parasite | All unemployed, Ki-taek’s family takes a peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident.|132 mins R Regal Ithaca Wednesday 11/27 through Tuesday, 12/3. Contact Regal Ithaca for showtimes. New films listed first*. Queen & Slim* | A couple’s first date takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over. | 132 mins R Frozen II | Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 6:30 PM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 8:00 PM

Unitarian Universalist Society, 306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca | A rare hometown Joe Crookston concert. A full night of his stories, songs, visual art, slide, and piano. After you’ve filled up with Thanksgiving food, come out, bring your visiting family, sing along, stomp your feet, and have a great time. (photo: provided)

The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave., Ithaca | This is a can’tmiss show for an outstanding local organization. Kevin Kinsella is going to bring us back to his John Brown’s Body days and SRB is always a crowd-pleaser. Dance away that extra piece of pie, and remember you are doing it to help those who need a hot meal and can find it at Loaves & Fishes every weekday. (photo: Facebook)

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KEVIN KINSELLA & SIM REDMOND BAND - GIVING THANKS: A BENEFIT FOR LOAVES AND FISHES

JOE CROOKSTON THANKSGIVING CONCERT

I t h a c a T i m e s 23

mas. Skaneateles’ iconic street theater production enchants holiday shoppers as it brings A Christmas Carol to life .

Heads UP

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides - Moore Tree Farm | 11:00 AM, 12/1 Sunday | Moore Tree Farm, 575 Auburn Rd, Groton | | $3/person

H ow B ro o k ly n b e c a m e i t s e l f

THACA--- Cornell urban studies and planning professor Thomas J. Campanella will discuss Brooklyn’s urban evolution on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Tompkins Center for History and Culture (110 N. Tioga St., Ithaca). Campanella’s lecture will inaugurate the Henry Hinckley Lecture Series, co-sponsored by Historic Ithaca and The History Center in Tompkins County. The lecture is free. A limited number of copies of Campanella’s new book, Brooklyn: The Once and Future City (Princeton University Press, 2019), will be available for purchase at the event, and a book signing will follow the lecture. The author grew up in Brooklyn’s Marine Park neighborhood decades before the New York City borough became known as a hipster haven. It was only during his graduate work at Cornell that Campanella “awakened to the splendor and richness of Brooklyn’s urban landscape.” Campanella has spent the last ten years writing the stories of the people who populated, planned, and molded the city. In each of the engaging chapters, the native Brooklynite focuses on “the

Brooklyn unknown, overlooked, and unheralded” to answer the question: “How did Brooklyn become itself?” Starting with the Canarsee Indian settlers of Keskachauge and early Dutch traders and farmers, Campanella highlights the ways that residents have shaped its places and buildings over the last 500 years. Included among the stories he tells is that of Deborah Moody, who founded one of the oldest planned towns in North America in the 1640s in what is today Brooklyn’s Gravesend neighborhood. “Thomas Campanella’s deep connection to his hometown and its places and people shine through in his book. His hyperlocal approach to city development will resonate with Tompkins County residents, and his emphasis on historic buildings will appeal to our friends and allies in preservation. Tom is the perfect author, professor, urbanist to kick off the Henry Hinckley Lecture Series,” notes Historic Ithaca Executive Director Susan Holland. The Henry Hinckley Lecture Series grew out of funds disbursed to Historic Ithaca, The History Center, and

Holiday Model Train Fun for All Ages! | 10:00 AM, 12/7 Saturday | CNY Living History Center, 4386 US Route 11, Cortland | This Holiday Train Event will have special electric model trains, including The Polar Express and Elf on the Shelf, in our cafeteria area for visitors to enjoy and readings from the book The Polar Express, all included with regular admission. | $10/free Dickens Christmas | 12:00 PM, 12/7 Saturday & 12/8 Sunday| Various Skaneateles locations, | See 11/30.

Books Lifelong from the dissolved Henry Hinckley Museum Foundation. Henry Hinckley (1888-1969) was born in Trumansburg and grew up in Ithaca. A Cornell architecture grad, Hinckley designed the Security Garage on West State Street that was converted into the State Theatre in the 1920s. An avid antiques and ephemera collector, Hinckley amassed a trove of Americana that after his death became the basis for the Henry Hinckley Museum housed at his family’s former

carriage house at 410 E. Seneca Street. Hinckley was an early preservationist and was actively engaged with the built environment not only as an architect but also as an Ithaca city building commissioner, property manager, and investment banker. The Henry Hinckley Lecture Series continues the museum’s mission to promote the “education and enlightenment of present and future generations.”

For more information, visit historicithaca.org/henry-hinckley-lecture-series/ or contact Pat Longoria at (607) 273-6633 or at pat@historicithaca.org.

to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom. | 103 mins PG A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood | Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.| 108 mins PG

Ford vs Ferrari | American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. | 152 mins PG-13

ThisWeek

Knives Out | A detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. | 130 mins PG-13

21 Bridges | An embattled NYPD detective is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. | 99 mins R

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Charlie’s Angels | When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie’s Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect all.| 118 mins PG-13 Last Christmas | When a young woman is hired to work as Santa’s elf for a department store, her life takes a new turn. that seems too good to be true. | 103 mins PG-13 The Good Liar | When a career-con artist meets a well-to-do widow

online, he is surprised to find himself caring about her, turning what should be a cut-and-dry swindle into the most treacherous tightrope walk of his life. | 109 mins R Playing with Fire | A crew of rugged firefighters meet their match when attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids.| 96 mins PG Midway | The story of the Battle of Midway, told by the leaders and the sailors who fought it.| 138 mins PG-13 Doctor Sleep | | 151 mins R

GUNPOETS W/S/G RAHMEL MACK, ANTHONY HENRY, AND MSTR MCBEAN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 9:30 PM

The Range, 119 E. State St., Ithaca | Gunpoets will rock a two-hour set, with special guests joining the band on stage for some original jams. Their performances will be sprinkled throughout the two hours of live music. (photo: Facebook)

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Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | 118 mins PG Joker | 122 mins R

Special Events Dickens Christmas | 12:00 PM, 11/30 Saturday & 12/1 Sunday | Various Skaneateles locations, | Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with the 26th edition of Dickens Christ-

Brooklyn: The Once and Future City | 6:00 PM, 12/4 Wednesday | Tompkins Center for History and Culture, 106-110 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca | Historic Ithaca and The History Center in Tompkins County invite you to hear Cornell Urban Studies and Planning Professor Thomas J. Campanella speak about Brooklyn’s urban development and his new book, Brooklyn: The Once and Future City.

Kids Baby Storytime | 10:30 AM, 11/29 Friday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Preschool Storytime at Southworth Library | 10:00 AM, 11/29 Friday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | A different theme every week! Family Storytime | 11:00 AM, 11/30 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | LEGO Building Program | 3:00 PM, 11/30 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | The Library provides building bricks, and all creations are displayed at the Library for one week. Newfies Haul Christmas Trees Moore Tree Farm | 11:00 AM, 11/30

PATCHWORK DOWN AND BENT PEG SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 AT 6:00 PM

The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave., Ithaca | w/ Glacial Erotics - a hometown trio on the bill at the Haunt this weekend for when you have had enough of the family and need to get out! Patchwork Down were mainstays of CNY clubs from 1998-2003. After 16 years, this should be a fun reunion show of sorts. (photo: Facebook)

Saturday | Moore Tree Farm, 575 Auburn Rd, Groton | The Genesee Region Newfoundland Club will haul trees from the field again this year. Come see the “Gentle Giants” as they pull Christmas Trees from the field and pose for photos. Spanish-language Storytime | 2:00 PM, 11/30 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Children of all ages and their caregivers will enjoy this series of Spanish-language storytimes. Christmas Crafternoon | 3:30 PM,

hours, teens ages 13 and up can focus on creating costumes, cosplay, accessories, props, and wearable garments of all types. No registration is required for this weekly drop-in program. Tween Board Game Club | 3:30 PM, 12/2 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | At this program, tweens ages 8 to 12 will explore and learn new board games each week with Mike Timonen, local board game aficionado. There is a variety of games for participants to try. Tweens will learn strategic thinking skills and

Cuddle-up Infant & Toddler Library Time | 10:00 AM, 12/4 Wednesday | Southworth Library, 24 W. Main Street, Dryden | Tween Coding Club | 4:45 PM, 12/4 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | At these meetings, tweens ages 9 to 12 will learn to express themselves through computer programming. Using the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express, a small microcontroller with big possibilities, participants will learn the basics of coding and hard-

for fellowship or a free meal this one’s for you. Contact: Denice Peckins denicepeckins@hotmail.com FREE Thanksgiving Dinner | 12:00 PM, 11/28 Thursday | Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden Rd (Rt. 366), Dryden | Come with family and friends or make new friends as you enjoy our holiday tradition of thanks! Roast Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetarian lasagna, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, salad, rolls, beverage and pie Annual Holiday Bazaar | 9:00 AM, 11/30 Saturday | Jacksonville Community United Methodist Church, 1869 Trumansburg Rd, Jacksonville | Over 30 Vendors, Many Handcrafted Items, Silent Auction, Breakfast, Lunch, Baked Goods, Santa Visits and more! Beginner Bird Walks | 8:30 AM, 11/30 Saturday | Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca | Guided bird walks every Saturday and Sunday morning, sponsored by the Cayuga Bird Club. For more information, go to the club’s website, http://www.cayugabirdclub. org/calendar Holiday Open Farm Days at Shepherd’s Creek Alpacas! | 10:00 AM, 11/30 Saturday | Shepherd’s Creek Alpacas, 5797 Stillwell Rd, Trumansburg | The alpacas will be greeting holiday visitors, posing for pictures & hoping for treats, Friday, November 29th, and every Saturday from November 30th through Christmas from 10 -4! Visit our Farm Shop for Unique & Beautiful Alpaca Gift Items!

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET PERFORMED BY ITHACA BALLET Sunday, December 1 at 3:00 PM | Smith Center for the Arts, 82 Seneca Street, Geneva | The show will be coming to Ithaca in two more weeks, but if you want an early preview, you can head north to Geneva this weekend and see Trumansburg’s very own Bailey Baier as Clara in the holiday favorite! With accompaniment by the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ovid’s own S. Shade Zajac, experience classic pieces such as March of the Toy Soldiers, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Waltz of the Flowers. (photo: provided)

12/2 Monday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Spend the afternoon making holiday crafts and trimming the library’s Christmas tree! All ages are welcome, but you must register by calling the library at (315) 568-8265 x2.

have fun at the same time.

Cosplay Couture | 4:00 PM, 12/2 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | At these weekly Makerspace drop-in

Toddler and Preschool Storytime | 11:00 AM, 12/3 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca |

Family Story Time | 10:30 AM, 12/3 Tuesday | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main St. , Newfield | Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs and fun. There is a different theme each week.

ware while interacting with the world through light, sound, temperature, and movement. Please register.

Notices Open Hearts Dinner | 5:00 PM, 11/27 Wednesday | McKendree UMC, 224 Owego St., Candor | Come and join in the fun. Whether you are looking

Holiday Vendor and Craft Show | 9:00 AM, 11/30 Saturday | Ovid Fire House, Brown Street, Ovid, NY | Please join us for your Holiday shopping with our over 30 vendors. Lunch is available. All vendor spaces have been filled. Creative Writing Workshop: Creating A Personal Encyclopedia | 10:00 AM, 12/2 Monday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Zee Zahava will lead this workshop, offering participants the opportunity to share life stories, using the letters of the alphabet as a starting point. Participants will receive creative prompts, write, and then they will have the opportunity to share

what they’ve written. This workshop offers a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment for beginning as well as experienced writers. Please register Holiday Tree Lighting and Cider Monday | 5:00 PM, 12/2 Monday | DeWitt Mall, 215 N Cayuga St, Ithaca | Come enjoy a kickoff of the Holiday Season with the official annual lighting of the DeWitt Mall tree. Enjoy singing from CSMA Youth Chorus, cider tastings, ice cream and free-giftwrapping for any purchase from the DeWit Mall. Lansing Cookies and Carols | 6:30 PM, 12/2 Monday | Lansing Middle School Auditorium, 6 Ludlowville Rd, Lansing | Come hear music by the 3rd and 4th grade Nutcracker Chorus, Middle School Holiday Band and the High School Show Choir while enjoying holiday cookies and beverages! Raffles for valuable prizes including local area restaurant gift cards, sports tickets, holiday items and more. | $2 to $6.50 Comic Book Club of Ithaca Meeting: “Wish List Night & ComicsRelated Songs of the Season” | 7:00 PM, 12/3 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Bring your best wishes for the pop culture world in the new year. For example, what graphic novels are you looking forward to? What story lines are you hoping will be emphasized (or discarded!)? And yes, as per the illustration from Pogo -- one of the finest newspaper strips of all time -- there will likely be some singing of “Deck Us All with Boston Charlie” at the Wish List meeting. It’s a wonderful song and a lovely tradition. Free Adult Tutoring Services | 10:00 AM, 12/3 Tuesday | Seneca Falls Library, 47 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls | Learn reading, writing, math and job-related skills. Drop-ins welcome. Teachers provided by the Literacy Volunteers of Seneca County. French Conversation and Tutoring Sessions | 6:00 PM, 12/3 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | Opportunities for those in the process of learning French to attend conversation and tutoring groups. The conversation circle and tutoring group will meet on alternating weeks.

Open Hearts Dinner | 5:00 PM, 12/4 Wednesday | McKendree UMC, 224 Owego St., Candor | Come and join in the fun. Whether you are looking for fellowship or a free meal this one’s for you. Contact: Denice Peckins denicepeckins@hotmail.com Setting up an Online Store | 6:30 PM, 12/4 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E Green St, Ithaca | TCPL to Host Cornell Tech Consulting for Workshop Template Resumes 101 | 1:30 PM, 12/4 Wednesday | Tompkins County Workforce Center, Center Ithaca, Suite 241, | Everyone should have a resume. Don’t know where to start? Learn the important dos and don’ts of resume writing, when and why to use a chronological or functional resume, and how to turn your resume into a “sales brochure.” Information about how to prepare cover letters will also be included. Please register.

Health Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous | 4:00 PM, 12/1 Sunday | Community Recovery Center, 518 W Seneca St, Ithaca | FA is a free 12-Step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating, or bulimia. foodaddicts. org. Additional meetings held Mondays @ 7pm and Saturdays at 8am. Open Meditation | 10:30 AM, 12/1 Sunday | Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca | Sacred Sunday Community at Yoga Farm | 9:00 AM, 12/1 Sunday | Yoga Farm, 404 Conlon Rd, Lansing | Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step meeting | 7:00 PM, 12/2 Monday |

KITCHEN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS PROOF

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 AT 8:30 PM

The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry Street, Ithaca | Zeb, Jonas, Jacob, and Liam have recorded an entire album’s worth of songs and they cannot wait for you to hear them. Come the the Cherry and help them celebrate this momentous occasion! Luke G, Joe Hayward, and Liam Summers will also be on hand to make sure that amp goes to 11. All ages show! (photo: Facebook)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 AT 2:00 AND 8:00 PM AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, AT 4:00 PM

Kitchen Theatre, 417 W. State Street, Ithaca | The Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning play continues its run at KTC. (photo: Facebook)

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VICIOUS FISHES - ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

Mentors Needed - Informational Meeting | 3:00 PM, 12/3 Tuesday | Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca | The Mentor-Student Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H seeks volunteer mentors to work one on one with middle school students who benefit from having a positive role model in their lives. Please contact Susie Kossack, Program Coordinator: 607-275-6250; mskossack@ yahoo.com.

I t h a c a T i m e s 25

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New Hartford Shopping Center | (315) 724-5291 7991 Brewerton Road/Rt. 11, Cicero | (315) 698-0233 • 5374 W. Genesee St., Camillus | 315-474-0252 Visit our website at www.oldewickermill.com

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BackPage

For rates and information contact Cyndi Brong at cbrong@ithactimes.com

277-7000 p h o n e 277-1012 f a x

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4 Seasons

AAM

MONDAYS 4:30-5:30 PM Beginning on 04 November 2019 Centerline Fitness, 335 Elmira Road

Landscaping Inc.

ALL ABOUT MACS

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Looking to Boost your Fall

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spring + fall clean up + gutter cleaning

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patios, retaining walls, + walkways

Find out about great summer ad packages at Ithaca.com & Ithaca Times

landscape design + installation

State Farm does Banking?

drainage

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snow removal

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No Health Insurance? No Problem!

Office Space at the Bank Building

Free Medical and Holistic Care!

(607) 273-9462

Medicaid Enrollment & Medical Debt Advocacy

dumpster rentals Find us on Facebook!

Find Out More David Mooney (607) 257-8900

Ithaca Free Clinic (607)330-1254 A Vibrant, Active Community Center

CLEANING SERVICES

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521 West Seneca Street |www.ithacahealth.org

The Roberts Family Tree Farm, Groton Pesticide/herbicide free

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Choose & Cut Xmas trees Come see Santa December 8th 11am-2pm Google/Facebook for hours, info and directions

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