In this issue:
- Not Officially News
- ICN News
- Editorial
- Ithaca Labor News
- Ithaca Sustainability
- Ithaca War and Peace Report
- Featured Events
- Calls for Submissions/Announcements
- Classes, Lectures, Support Groups
- Your Letters
Ithaca Community News is a free, bi-weekly newsletter that zooms to your inbox every other Wednesday. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to ebauchne@twcny.rr.com with "Unsubscribe ICN" in the subject heading. Editor and Publisher: Elizabeth Bauchner. Founded by Paul Glover.
ITHACA CLASSIFIEDS: Free online classifieds:
http://www.IthacaClassifieds.com.
Deadline for event submissions: August 28, noon. Please use press release form on web site: http://ithacanews.org/contactpr.htm.
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NOT OFFICIALLY NEWS
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THE UNITED NATIONS OF ITHACA: 85 nationalities/ancestries are resident here, according to the 2000 census. The 12,839 reporting "other" ancestry complete our global reach: http://www.city-data.com/zips/14850.html.
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ICN NEWS
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What's new on the ICN web site:
Nagasaki Day, Remember, Never Forget:
http://ithacanews.org/news.htm?newsID=117
Photos form the Nagasaki Day Rally:
http://ithacanews.org/gallery/index.htm?id=69
Last Poll: How do you cut your grass?
Total votes: 48
- With a scythe 1 vote. 2.08 %
- With a push mower 16 votes. 33.33 %
- With a gasoline mower 16 votes. 33.33 %
- With an electric mower 11 votes. 22.92 %
- With a tractor 4 votes. 8.33 %
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New Poll (submitted by Wayles Brown):
If TCAT provided buses from Ithaca to T-Burg in the evenings, would you ride?
- Every week
- More than once a month
- A few times a year
- During Grassroots
- Never
(This comes after having to hitch rides to and from Grassroots.)
Cast your vote at http://www.ithacanews.org.
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EDITORIAL: Gay marriage ban can't stop love, commitment, or weddings
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I just returned from Massachusetts where my sister, Diane, got married to the love of her life: Nicole. The wedding took place in a beautiful old church in Williamstown, in the Berkshires. I stood up for her, as did our other sister, Amy. Nicole's sister and best friend, Andy, stood up for her. My eldest daughter read from Corinthians during the service. Another friend read an Adrienne Rich poem.
Before the wedding, one of my sisters joked that aside from the whole "gay" part, Diane had the most traditional wedding of the three of us. I got married at a private residence in the Redwoods, and my other sister got married by a judge.
Diane and Nicole, who live in Brooklyn, began planning their wedding more than a year ago, in part with the hopes that gay marriages would be recognized by the state of New York by the time they tied the knot. Sadly, that didn't happen. In July, New York judges in the Court of Appeals upheld the gay marriage ban, and passed the buck to New York legislators to decide the fate of gay marriage in New York.
Personally, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. I get that some people hold religious beliefs that homosexuality is a sin. And I know the history; I can follow how those beliefs got to be the ones upheld by law and tradition. But I don't get how changing the law to grant equal rights to same-sex couples threatens or undermines the religious beliefs of anyone. We can have it both ways. My sister can marry her girlfriend, and you can still believe that homosexuality is a sin. We're okay with that.
My sister is just gay. She's not a mass murderer, or a criminal, or someone who wants to take away anyone else's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. She's been a lesbian her whole life; she's been "out" for years. She just wants to be able to love her partner, make a solid commitment, and raise children with the person she's most compatible with.
I know that old ideas about tradition and family die hard. My mother, who is seventy-nine years old, couldn't quite wrap her head around the gay marriage idea. "But if it's not legal," she asked, "Then is it a civil union?"
"Oh God," my sister said, "Don't say that to Nicole; she'll freak out."
No, it was a real wedding, in a church, with a pastor, with bridesmaids and flowers and poetry and religion, and a reception with elegant food, a cake, toasts, and a DJ. But as far as New York is concerned, it never really happened. Well, the wedding maybe; just not the marriage.
"Look at it this way," my sister said to my mom. "It's a wedding in the eyes of God, and if the state ever catches up, we'll make it legal then."
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Diane and any other gay or lesbian person who chooses to make a lifelong commitment to their partner, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, can do so in the eyes of the church, the state, and in the hearts and minds of their loved ones.
Love isn't restricted to gender. Maybe the state will figure that out someday, maybe not. In the meantime, here's a shout out to all the gay folks waiting for equal rights. May you be granted the right to marry your loved ones in the days soon to come.
Congratulations again, Diane and Nicole.
Elizabeth Bauchner, Editor and Publisher, Ithaca Community News
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NEWSLETTER SPONSOR. The ITHACA BAKERY/COLLEGETOWN BAGELS is proud to present our own CAYUGA COFFEE, an exceptional, distinctive selection of 100 percent Fair Trade, custom-roasted coffee, offered as beans or brewed. Along with blends available nowhere else, we offer an authentically unique, premium "varietal" (single-origin) brew from a Peruvian cooperative of indigenous, organic farmers. Furthermore, all Cayuga Coffee will be prepared with brand-new, state-of-the-art grinding and brewing equipment, with every pot made from freshly ground beans. You’re invited to enjoy outstanding Cayuga Coffee on its own or with your favorite choices from our top-quality food. To find out about all we have to offer, visit our Web site http://www.ithacabakery.com.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR AD HERE? Ithaca Community News accepts advertisements from local businesses who meet our advertising guidelines. See http://www.ithacanews.org/adpolicy.htm. Reach over 8,000 subscribers who share your values!
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THANKS TO THE DONORS WHO HAVE DONATED IN THE PAST. Ithaca Community News accepts donations in cash or Ithaca HOURS. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 874, Ithaca, NY. 14851. Donations are tax deductible if made out to Social Ventures, INC. Donations can also be made from home page, via PayPal. http://www.ithacanews.org.
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ITHACA LABOR NEWS
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Do you live in the country and need a small business loan? The Tompkins County Legislature established a rural small business loan program for people who may not be able to obtain traditional bank financing. The program provides low-interest loans of up to $25,000 to small entrepreneurs, located in rural areas. More info: Martha Robertson, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 272-0584, or Planning and Public Works Commissioner Ed Marx, 274-5560.
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ICN previously mentioned that Cornell was chosen among 100 top universities for LGBT students. The "Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students" also recognized Ithaca College as one of the country's 100 friendliest campuses for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender students. The editors of the first comprehensive campus guide of this kind evaluated nearly 700 colleges and universities before making their final selections. Nearby Syracuse and Colgate Universities were also chosen.
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Survey on low-income housing in Ithaca for single people. LaBerta McGruder sits on the Board of the Ithaca Community Housing, Inc. and is looking for answers to the following questions from single people in need of housing:
"As a single man or woman do you feel there is enough affordable housing that target this group? Would you like to see low-income housing build for this group of renters?
Please reply with a yes or no and give a short statement why and how this affect you as a renter in the city of Ithaca to msbird@juno.com.
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ITHACA SUSTAINABILITY
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On August 2, The City of Ithaca Common Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of blanket mitigation and expanded home testing in all neighborhoods affected by chemicals from the Emerson Power Transmission Site. The resolution
(http://www.ithaca-ship.org/docs/2006-08-02_ITH.pdf) calls for New York State Department of Environemental Conservation and New York State Department of Health to push the "responsible parties" to provide blanket mitigation of affected neighborhoods and to provide wider areas of testing at all times of the year. Council Members Maria Coles, Mary Tomlan, and Shane Seger were instrumental in moving this resolution through the process.
Maria Coles said of the resolution, "Resolutions like these aren't binding, but they keep up the political pressure on responsible parties, which is ultimately as important as state authorities compelling them to do something."
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Sustainable Saturday at Museum of the Earth, August 19, 11:00am -12:00pm. Reduce, reuse and recycle in creative and crafty ways! This week make a Soup Can Desk Organizer, for ages 5+. Included with admission to the museum. More info: Sarah Degen, 273-6623 ext. 11, degen@museumoftheearth.org, http://www.museumoftheearth.org.
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Peak Oil Discussion Group, August 22, Workers' Rights Center, above Autumn Leaves at 115 the Commons, Ithaca. 7:00-9:00 pm.The Peak Oil group is engaged in an ongoing discussion of issues related to the advent of peak oil (mass decline in worldwide oil supplies). Contact Bethany Schroeder for this month's readings, around which they will frame August's conversation: 277-3545, mailto:nidus@pinax.com, http://www.postcarboninstitute.org and http://www.TCLocal.org.
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ITHACA WAR AND PEACE REPORT
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Would you like to go to Camp Casey III in Crawford, Texas?
Camp Casey III will be operating in Crawford, Texas from August 6-September 2 this year, to coincide with George Bush's summer vacation. Your editor is looking for people to carpool to Crawford from Saturday August 19-Thursday August 24 to join Cindy Sheehan and other peace activists at Camp Casey III. I went last year and met some very amazing peacemakers, not to mention families with stories to tell that the mainstream media is not reporting! There is much work to be done in protesting the continuing occupation of Iraq, and much to be learned.
From the Gold Star Families for Peace web site: "Cindy Sheehan and Gold Star Families for Peace will be returning to Crawford Tx. President Bush has still not satisfactorily answered our question, "What Noble Cause did our loved ones die for?" One year later we are still in the quagmire that is Iraq. As of this writing 2497 of our brave and noble military men and women have died for this Noble Cause. Join us at Camp Casey and show the President that we will not accept one more death be it American or Iraqi." More info: http://gsfp.org/article.php?list=type&type=21.
I have a comfortable, reliable van and estimate the cost of gas will be around $400-450 and the drive to be around 24 hours each way. I am interested in sharing driving time and gas/food expense along the way. I do not anticipate stopping at a hotel, but sleeping in the car and/or driving non-stop. If you can't make it but would like to help contribute to the costs of the trip, you can make a donation to Ithaca Community News and send it to P.O. Box 874 Ithaca, NY. 14850, or via PayPal on the ICN web site: http://www.ithacanews.org. Please email Elizabeth if you can help, so I can plan the trip accordingly: elizabeth@ithacanews.org.
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Brothers Honored as Distinguished Youth: Fourteen-year-old Donald and 17-year-old Peter Quinn-Jacobs, of Sodom Road in Dryden, were chosen as the August recipients of the Tompkins County Distinguished Youth Award. Nominated by local resident Linda Finlay, the two were commended for four years of unwavering participation in the Ithaca Peace Vigil. Finlay's letter states, "the boys began vigiling in August of 2002 and have been at it every Wednesday morning since, through sub-zero temperatures and rain and heat" and, in doing so, serve as "an inspiration."
Perhaps you've seen them vigiling on your way to work, on the Aurora Street end of the Commons. Honk and say hi to these young adults with messages of peace.
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Will Your Vote Count? Join Back to Democracy Friday, August 25, Trumansburg Fire Hall, 7:00-9:00 pm. Bo Lipari, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Verified Voting will talk about recent developments in the fight for verifiable, auditable voting systems in NYS & around the nation. Directions: North on Rte 96 to Trumansburg. Go through town, & as you head up the hill after passing the post office (on your left), Fire Hall will be on your right. More info: Margo Alexander, 387-5080, burganderfarm@yahoo.com,
http://www.back-to-democracy.us.org.
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NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION CLASS: Introductory 10 week series with Becca Harber. Starts Wednesday September 6, 7 to 9:30pm in GreenStar's warehouse meeting room. Sliding scale fee, Ithaca Hours and some barters accepted. Class size limited. For information, call Becca at 272-4034.
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More news From Women's eNews (http://www.womensenews.org):
Army National Guard Private Katherine Jashinski completed a 47-day prison sentence last month for refusing to serve in Afghanistan. During her imprisonment she talked about winding up in the brig at age 23 and where she goes from here:
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=2853
Members of a newly formed group in Israel, Women Against War, say they can't abide the violence taking place in Lebanon and Gaza. Despite animosity and even death threats, they are protesting nearly every day in the northern city of Haifa:
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=2850
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FEATURED EVENTS
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UPCOMING: Cornell to host New York gubernatorial debate, Sept. 26:
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Aug06/Governor.debate.ssl.html
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Tibetan Buddhist Fiction at Bookery II, August 17, 7:00 pm. Author Bill Magee will read from his new novel "She Still Lives: A Novel of Tibet," in the poets' corner at Bookery II, located in the Dewitt Mall at 215 North Cayuga Street. Book sale, signing and refreshments follow the reading. FREE. More info: Shilo McGiff, 273-5055,
bookeryevents@yahoo.com, http://www.snowlionpub.com/.
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Hangar Theatre Next Generation Camp wraps with two productions. Thursday, August 17-Saturday, August 19, members of the Theatre School program will hit the KIDDSTUFF stage with the wacky musical comedy, Bugsy Malone, Jr. Also, please note: August 19 is a "Pay What You Can" performance. PWYC tickets go on sale the day of the performance at 11:00 am, one hour prior to curtain time, and ANY AMOUNT is accepted for payment.
At the same time, the High School students that make up the Next Generation Theatre Lab program will be putting a new twist on an old classic. From Thursday, August 17-Sunday, August 20, the Theatre Lab will present Tartuffe by Moliere in the Hangar’s experimental space known as the Wedge. Tartuffe will be performed six times in the Wedge: Thursday, August 17, 10:30 pm; Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 at 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm each night; and Sunday, August 20 at 5:30 pm.
Tickets for Bugsy Malone, Jr. are available seven days a week from the Ticket Center at Clinton House at 116 North Cayuga Street in Downtown Ithaca, by phone at (607) 273-4497, or online at http://www.hangartheatre.org. Free reservations for Tartuffe can be made in advance by calling the WEDGE HOTLINE, 273-8588 x600, or by picking up a playbill 30 minutes prior to curtain time in the Hangar Lobby.
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Music at ABC Cafe, 308 Stewart Ave: August 17 open jazz nite with Neal Massa Trio 9:00 pm; August 18 Non Existent Band 10:00 pm; August 19 Eric Kincaid 10:00 pm; August 20 Gerard Burke brunch 11:00 am; August 22 Open Mic 9:30 pm.
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SPECIAL FREE SCREENING of film made by young adults: 5:30 pm AUGUST 18, Cinemapolis, on the Commons. All are welcome to view a screening sponsored by S.T.A.M.P. (Southern Tier Advocacy & Mitigation Project) of digital projects produced this summer by 4 teenagers selected for training in digital media production and renewable energy. The young media tech trainees, also known as the Green Guerrillas, have been learning how to create "blockumentaries" about important social issues (such as MLK Street in Ithaca) and how to produce a hip-hop music video for a local group. Light refreshments will be provided, and the event will end by 7:00 pm.
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Ithaca Fire Department Kids Day, August 19 Stewart Park (by tennis courts) 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Fire truck rides, balloons, helmets, fire extinguisher demos. Rain date Aug. 20.
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Dump and Run Sale, August 19 and 20, Helen Newman Hall, Cornell. Saturday 10:00 am-7:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Come support local nonprofits and recycling efforts while shopping thousands of good quality items donated by students, staff, and faculty that would otherwise be thrown away in their rush to move out in the spring. All proceeds from the sale will benefit three local nonprofits: The Dream Factory, The Advocacy Center, and Cops, Kids & Toys. More info: Cindy Sobieski, 440-829-7710, cgs29@cornell.edu.
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SPCA Off-site Adoption Event, August 20, Ithaca Farmers' Market, Steamboat Landing, Ithaca, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Dogs and cats from the Tompkins County SPCA will be at the Farmer’s Market looking to find their forever home. All animals will be spayed/neutered before adoption, are current on their vaccinations and have received a general health and behavior screening. More info: Kerry A. Barnes, 257-1822 ext. 232, kerry@spcaonline.com, http://www.SPCAonline.com.
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Critical Mass Bike Ride, August 25, meet at 5:00 pm, ride at 5:30 at the Cayuga Street end of the Commons.
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STOP the VIOLENCE; START the HEALING: A Benefit Gala for Douglas Milton, Sr. At approximately 2:00 am on Saturday, June 3, 2006 Douglas Milton Sr., affectionately known as Doe-Doe was seriously injured in a vicious, unprovoked stabbing attack in the 500 block of W. Green Street. This incident marks a new and increased level of violence infecting our community. As community members, we must come together to stand against this spiraling violence. Come to a benefit Gala Friday, August 25, 6:30 pm–Midnight (Families welcome 6:30–8:30 pm; Adult party 9:00 pm–Midnight). Tickets available from the following people/organizations: Dr. James Turner, GIAC, Multicultural Resource Center, Ken Glover, Lucy Brown, Cal Walker & Southside Community Center (Can also be purchased at the door). $10 per person; $5 for seniors & youth 12 and under (with food, music & cash bar). Eagles Club, 161 Cecil A. Malone Dr. Ithaca, NY 14850. All proceeds will be given to Douglas Milton, Sr. to assist him with medical and household expenses. If you would like to contribute but cannot attend the event, donations can be directed to GIAC, with checks made out to GIAC – in memo line: Douglas Milton.
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Film Discussion/Forum August 25, at Cinemapolis or Fall Creek Pictures, for opening night of "The Heart of the Game." This exciting documentary about a girls' high school basketball team with an inspired coach and a terrifically talented star will be followed by a discussion led by Ellen Staurowsky. Dr. Staurowsky is a professor and graduate chair in the Department of Sport Management and Media at Ithaca College. She is a scholar of international reputation who has devoted her career to addressing issues of social justice in sport. Her work focuses on gender and race in sport as well as athletes' rights. The screening will begin at 7:00 pm; theater TBA. More info: http://www.cinemapolis.com/home.asp.
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Natural History at Noon, August 26, Museum of the Earth,12:00 pm. "Hurricane Katrina: Reflections one year after the devastation." Jason Hamilton, specialist in Plant Physiological Ecology and Global Change Biology, of Ithaca College will speak about Hurricane Katrina one year later. Free with admission. More info: Samantha Sands, 273-6623, sands@museumoftheearth.org, http://www.museumoftheearth.org.
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"Clean Elections" free training, August 26, UIysses Philomathic Library (Trumansburg), 9:00 am-1:00 pm. "Clean Money Clean Elections," a growing grassroots movement banning private donations in political campaigns, has been legislated in six states. With your help, NY will be next. Limited capacity; please register in advance. Directions: Corner of South & Main Streets, Trumansburg, NY. From Ithaca, take Rte 96 N, which turns into Main St. Approaching center of T-burg, library is on left. Parking in rear; handicapped accessible. Bring snack & beverage. FREE. More info: Margo Alexander, (607) 387-5080, burganderfarm@yahoo.com.
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Cayuga Lake Watershed Network to hold 9th Annual Lakefest August 26, Frontenac Park, in Union Springs. An afternoon of family fun, entertainment and education will start with a free picnic at 12:00 pm sponsored by Wells College, Wegmans and Big M Supermarkets while listening to folk music by Second Wind. Throughout the day there will be activities and displays from local organizations in addition to the swimming beach at the park, and much more. Look for CLWN signs on Route 90. More info: 607-532-4104, manager@cayugalake.org, http://www.cayugalake.org.
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RAW FOOD POTLUCK August 27 5:30 pm, Wabasabi Palace-Beach Level Suite (213 First Street-first floor, side entrance). Bring a "Raw/Vegan" dish to pass (enough for your party and to share). Need ideas? Go to http://www.rawfoods.com/recipes. More info: Robert, 277-1755, robertanthonyhubbell@hotmail.com.
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WVBR's Bound for Glory presents: Josh White, Jr. August 27, The Cafe at Anabel Taylor (aka The Cul-de-Snac), 8:00-11:00 pm. Josh White, Jr., son of one of the best blues musicians of the 20th century, continues to play his Dad's songs, and mixes them with contemporary folk and good humor. Free, live radio concert at Cornell; 3 sets: 8:30, 9:30 & 10:30 pm. Directions: The Cafe at Anabel Taylor (aka the Cul-de-Snac) is on the main floor of Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus. Free parking is available in the rear. You can also listen to the show on WVBR 93.5 FM or online at http://wvbr.com. All ages welcome. FREE. More info: Phil Shapiro, 607-844-4535, pds10@cornell.edu, http://wvbr.com/bfg.html.
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Ongoing Art Exhibit: Art/Soul/Africa: A Photographer's Journey May 6 and extended to October 29. Museum of the Earth. The exhibit features Sheryl Sinkow’s work, which is the result of an inspirational trip to Africa she took last winter with Musicians for World Harmony (MWH), an organization that aims to promote peace, understanding and harmony though the power of music, with an emphasis on the displaced and/or distressed. More info: Sarah Degen, 273-6623, degen@museumoftheearth.org,
http://www.museumoftheearth.org.
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CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
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2005 AIDS Ride for Life Photo Exhibit, Gimme Coffee, Cayuga Street, Ithaca. Photo exhibit will be on for the entire month of August. The photos show some of the various sides of the ride including teams, single riders, volunteers, event staff, and spectators.
The pictures are on sale for $45 dollars each and the photographers, the Van Zandbergen's (http://www.vzphoto.com/), have graciously decided to donate the proceeds of the sale of the photographs to the AIDS Ride for Life.
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New Yorkers for Verified Voting Annual Meeting, September 9/10 at Arnot Forest in Newfield. Anybody interested in electronic voting issues is invited to attend. Pam Smith of Verified Voting will be the keynote speaker on Saturday night and give an overview of voting activism nationwide. There will be workshops and group sessions. The registration fee is $65 for people staying at the cabins at Arnot, $45 for others (this fee includes meals). Registration form and information: http://www.nyvv.org/am06.shtml.
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Call for actors for independent short film scheduled for late September. Male and female actors 30-50 yrs. For audition info call 277-1755 or email hmhsunshine@hotmail.com. More info: Robert Hubbell, 213 First St, Ithaca, 277-1755.
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Quilt Raffle to benefit the Ithaca Free Clinic. Win a beautiful 5'x7' colorful quilt, made and donated by local quilter Ariel Alberga-Martin, valued at $1000. Your purchase of raffle tickets will help support the Free Clinic's mission of providing totally free healthcare to residents in our area. Tickets are 1 for $1, 6 for $5 and 15 for $10. Drawing will be at the Apple Festival. Please see http://www.ithacahealth.org for a picture of the quilt. For more info email eventdonations@ithacahealth.org or call (607) 330-1253.
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New Volunteer Opportunities at the Sciencenter. The Sciencenter is welcoming new volunteers. Opportunities include:
*Tide pool docents: Guide visitors during their hands-on investigation of animals in the permanent tide pool touch tank exhibit. As part of the new Connect to the Ocean exhibition, this salt-water touch tank gives visitors a chance to touch and observe, close up, a variety of warm-water marine invertebrates.
*Museum docents: Welcome and introduce visitors to the Sciencenter. Answer visitor questions about exhibits and guide exploration in the museum’s Discovery Space.
*Front desk greeters: Welcome and orient visitors to the museum. Assist visitors with admissions, gift shop purchases and general inquiries. Sciencenter volunteers enjoy working flexible hours in an energetic, family-friendly environment.
Volunteers receive full orientation and training and have opportunities to grow with the organization. The Sciencenter welcomes volunteers regardless of whether they’re science aficionados or not. More info: Robyne Hamme, Museum Services Coordinator, 272-0600 ext. 10 or rhamme@sciencenter.org. The Sciencenter is located at 601 First Street (off Route 13) in Ithaca.
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Ithaca Lions Chicken BBQ, August 20, Cass Park, 701 Taughannock Blvd, 11:00 am til gone. The menu consists of Cornell style chicken, salt potatoes, cole slaw, beverage and cookie. Tickets are $7 for adults; $4.50 for children. All proceeds from the event will be used to fund sight, hearing and youth projects. More info: Rich Shaff, 277-4108,
shaff@verizon.net, http://www.ithacalions.com.
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Ellie Jones Gigantic Art Sale, August 26, Unitarian Chuch, Ithaca, 10:00 am-5:00 pm. More info: 277-2221, artbylt@earthlink.net.
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CLASSES, LECTURES, SUPPORT GROUPS
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CANNING BASICS class, August 22, 6:00-9:00 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca. Learn how to safely preserve foods using a Boiling Water Bath Canner and USDA-recommended methods. Foods that can be preserved in a boiling water bath include fruits, tomatoes, pickles, and jams/jellies. (Note: We will not be using a pressure canner.) Fee: $5. Advance registration required. More info and to register: Carole Fisher, 272-2292 or crf11@cornell.edu.
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Fossil Friday at Museum of the Earth, August 25, 3:30-4:30pm. Explore the history of life through fossils, artwork, videos and other activities. Especially appropriate for children ages 7-11. Included with admission to the museum. More info: Sarah Degen, 273-6623 ext. 11, degen@museumoftheearth.org, http://www.museumoftheearth.org.
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YOUR LETTERS
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On the list of Countries who access ICN:
"Hi, you forgot Peru as a country where people were reading ICN. Always good to read news from home. Thanks for your efforts."
---[REPLY]: Thanks--as mentioned, my web stat program only gives me the top 30 countries listed. Thanks for letting me know Peru is on that list!
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Hi, Elizabeth. Wow! This "country" list is really cool! Do you have stats on how many subscribers you have and how many hits the Web site gets? Just curious as this is interesting stuff to me. I think you do a great job with the ICN. Keep up the good work!
--Tom Shelley
---[REPLY]: Hi Tom, Thanks for the letter. I also think the list is pretty cool! As for stats, I have 8,038 email subscribers and the web site averages 450-500 unique visitors per day.
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Looking for a Green Landscaper:
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Hi Elizabeth,
How does one find a green landscaper in Ithaca anyway?
Thanks, Marlo
---[REPLY]: Hi Marlo, you could try posting a "want ad" on http://www.IthacaClassifieds.com, or maybe someone here will see this?
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On the last ICN Poll:
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Hi Elizabeth! How about those of us who don't have lawns and don't cut vegetation by any means? There was no space for "other" in your poll.
--Joyce Kantor
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Hello Elizabeth,
In response to the quiz about how you mow your lawn, when Lynn and I built our house we chose to not have a lawn. So our vote is we don't mow a lawn.
--Carl Leopold
---[REPLY]: Hi Joyce and Carl--thanks for writing. I did consider people who don't have lawns when I wrote the poll, but decided not to have an answer since the question was geared toward people who have lawns. ;-) So, I see now how I could have had a space for "other" or "we don't have a lawn" but that could have meant so many things, from people who live in apartment buildings downtown to people who consciously chose not to grow grass. In other words, it wouldn't have been a very leading answer.
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New Blog
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Hi Elizabeth,
Thought I would notify you about a new project, called Ithaca Blog. It's writing about things going on in town, more in a magazine than newspaper style- that is, a little personal, with more advocacy than objectivity. Maybe sort of playful, too, as we progress. We want to do things like review Farmers Market food, places for recreation, venues for music, movie theaters rather than movies, promote local businesses & activism, etc.
A work in progress, but getting there. The address is http://www.ithaca-blog.blogspot.com.
Peace, Steve
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More On Increased Truck Traffic
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Hi Elizabeth,
I, too, have noted the heavy trucks carrying trash to Seneca Meadows using our local roads to short-cut and avoid Thruway tolls. The fact is, from continuing observation, that they are not just (and I can't say I have seen them from) New York City originated. Many are coming from Orange County (Middletown, etc.), central New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and I have seen them on the Thruway coming from as far as the Connecticut Valley (Springfield and Hadley, MA). This is a case of one municipality (Waterloo/Seneca Falls) causing extensive costs of highway damage and safety to other municipalities for the short-term gain of lowered taxes from the landfill. Right now, Seneca Meadows is the highest point in all of central New York, and growing taller. When closed, it could perhaps threaten the water in Cayuga Lake from leakage. I'm not saying it's improperly run. I'm sure it uses the latest technology. But why should local taxpayers have to underwrite the costs of truckers using our local roads to benefit somewhere else? The real solution is at the state and federal levels, but, under the current Republican administrations (and probably the Democrats, too, when they get paid off), there is little or no enforcement.
How about we ask that our local police do strict enforcement of heavy trucking through Ithaca? Maybe then the truckers might start avoiding here. Of course, then they would just start going through some other burg. All these governments say they don't like socialism. But isn't the whole community (I mean local, county, state, federal) building facilities which aid "private" entities (like trucking companies) just true socialism?
On a slightly different note. It is interesting that Seneca Meadows landfill is a few hundred yards from the original and still operational line of the New York Central Railroad (the 1850 one). This trash could be hauled there on sealed rail cars, specially designed. But that would have to be funded and built up by "private" corporations, and they won't do it. Maybe a bit of state socialism would get this garbage off the roads and onto the rails, which are more energy efficient, anyway.
Just some thoughts. I intend to document these truck movements photographically, in case anyone hasn't really noticed them. And where is the local press on this?
---Gene Endres
---[REPLY]: Hi Gene, Thanks for sharing your observations. As for where the local press is, it's here! I'm grateful to you and others who have written in with these stories. If anyone else has documented trucks carrying trash on our local roads, and would like to contact me for a story, please do: elizabeth@ithacanews.org.