ICN Newsletter Archive

LABOR, ARTS, EVENTS, ACTIVISM, LOCAL HISTORY, YOUR LETTERS, FUN STUFF!

[This is the FIRST OF MAXIMUM TWO MESSAGES MONTHLY sent to over 8,000 Ithaca area residents]

As mentioned in previous issues, Paul Glover left the Ithaca area and passed ICN on to Elizabeth Bauchner. See November issue for the scoop: (http://www.ithacanews.org/archive/NOV0501.html).

Ithaca Community News is officially a non-profit! ICN is now affiliated with Social Ventures, Inc (an Ithaca-based non-profit) as its umbrella organization. Donations made to ICN are tax deductible if the check is made out to Social Ventures, and can be sent to ICN, P.O. Box 874, Ithaca, NY 14851.

Take the ICN web site survey. So far, a couple of dozen people have filled out the survey. Please take a few moments to complete the survey and help make ICN the best community resource it can be. Just surf to (http://www.ithacanews.org/survey2005.html). As an incentive, if you turn in your survey by February 1, 2006, you will be automatically entered to win a pound of coffee beans from Gimme! Coffee. The results of the survey will be posted by the first February issue.

ICN is Alternatives Round Off recipient. Throughout the month of January, ICN is the Round Off recipient at Alternatives Federal Credit Union (http://www.alternatives.org). The concept is simple: when you make a deposit at Alternatives, you can select “Round Off” on the deposit slip and the change from your deposit will go to ICN. If you bank at Alternatives, please think of us whenever you make a deposit in January. There is also a drop off box in the lobby.

New editorial dates. Ithaca Community News will come out every other Wednesday starting with this issue. ICN has had a longstanding policy of only publishing newsletters twice per month, in order to not overload your inboxes. This change will mean that occasionally there will be a month with three newsletters. However, sticking to a regular schedule will make it more accommodating to those who wish to list events or services. To submit events or other listings, please send them to mailto:ebauchne@twcny.rr.com by the Monday before publication.

The search function at the ICN web site (http://www.ithacanews.org) has been repaired by Bill Carini. Thanks Bill!

(http://www.w3.org/History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html)

Read all about the history of the World Wide Web.

From Richard Entlich: “A algae yuck”, “A la yuck age”, “CU algae yak”, “A CU yak, a gel.”

From Mark Chao: “AC guy! A leak!” (Who to call for lake-source cooling repair?)

And, wouldn’t you know it, a computer-generated “anagram genius”: http://www.anagramgenius.com/. Many thanks to Heather Dunbar for enlightening me on this resource. Next issue: Sustainable Tompkins anagrams.

EDITORIAL: All the News that’s fit to print? All of it?

On New Year’s Eve, the Ithaca Journal’s headline story was this: “Probe to find U.S. spying leak begins.” It was basically about how the Bush administration is trying to find (and punish) the official who leaked the story that the U.S. government is illegally spying on U.S. citizens. The article was presented as though the leaking of this information was what’s wrong with the picture. 

Where was the headline about how the Department of Defense is monitoring U.S. citizens without proper court approval or oversight? Or the headline about how the FBI admitted it had “more information than it should have” on ordinary citizens and how its database has a group of Quakers listed as a threat to National Security? I looked as far back as December 24 to see if there was a Journal headline describing how the New York Times sat on its story on domestic spying for a year, but no, I couldn’t find it in the Journal, at least not on the front page. Then, low and behold, on January 2 the headline read: “Bush says U.S. Spying is Necessary.”

Is this the kind of news we want to see headlined in our daily newspapers? A week, two weeks after a story breaks that puts the Bush Administration into another tight squeeze, the Journal runs a story spinning the Bush side?

Let’s face it: The Journal, like most newspapers, will cater to its advertisers and top corporate executives. Sure, we get headlines about the County Legislature, Common Council, and ICSD, and I appreciate those, but just as often with national news we get the side of big business and government. We don’t often hear local voices writing about national news. And the stories of the people are reserved only for the opinion page. All newspapers have a business section; none have a labor section. 

I’ve been thinking about this because I’ve been pondering ICN and where I want to take it in 2006. It seems to me that its greatest asset is local, community news, and the people in Ithaca who make it happen. But it also serves another purpose, and that’s to bring a local voice to issues of national and international concern that our “local” news doesn’t touch, like the domestic spying headlines we were denied in the Journal’s pages. ICN is local news, local events, and local community activism, and it is a local response to what the heck is happening out there that we really ought to know about.

So, my goal for 2006 is to bring you, ICN readers, more local news reports and a questioning voice about the other news that is (or isn’t) reported. My goal is to keep ICN the way it is, but to add more. The community events and listings will stay, the Ithaca War and Peace report will stay, Labor News, Sustainability, it will all stay. What I will add to it are articles on the web site written by and about the local alternative community. I will provide news about us funky and quirky Ithacans that you simply can’t get anywhere else.

If this sounds more like the kind of news you want to see, please consider making a donation to ICN so that I can devote the necessary time to do this work, and to cover basic startup expenses like retooling the web site to make it more accessible to readers. Donations are tax-deductible if written to Social Ventures, Inc. and can be sent to ICN, P.O. Box 874, Ithaca, NY. 14851.

Thanks, and have a great New Year!

Elizabeth Bauchner, Editor, ICN

Doug Hicks Event and Family Photography. The best best choice for photographing any event. From company, school and organization parties, reunions of any kind, including class reunions, and openings and celebrations for any group. And of course, weddings! Ithaca hours accepted for partial payment. Contact Doug at: (http://www.doughicksphotography.com)

Ithaca Community News is now accepting advertisements from local businesses who meet our advertising guidelines. Please see (http://www.ithacanews.org/adpolicy.html) for details.

Reach over 8,000 local residents who share your values!

THANKS TO THE DONORS WHO HAVE DONATED IN THE PAST. Ithaca Community News accepts donations in cash or HOURS. Donations can be sent to ICN P.O. Box 874, Ithaca, NY 14851. Thanks for the donors who sent money in December. Your generosity is much appreciated!

Ithaca Health Alliance to open Free Clinic. The Ithaca Free Clinic will open its doors on January 23, 2006 and begin seeing visitors to provide totally free health care services. To start with, the clinic will be open on Mondays and Thursdays: check the IHA events calendar at (http://www.ithacahealth.org/events.htm) for updates on scheduled hours and other programs. The Ithaca Health Alliance is a great program for the uninsured or underinsured. Just $100 per year covers basic emergency and preventive care. See (http://www.ithacahealth.org).

Living Wage Coalition announces over 1,500 local workers will benefit from wage increase: The New Year will be happier this year for an estimated 1,673 workers in Tompkins County as a result of an increase in the NYS Minimum Wage from $6.00/hour to $6.75/hour effective January 1. A study by the Fiscal Policy Institute (http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/) found that employment for low-wage workers actually increased in New York during 2005 following the increase in the minimum wage to $6/hour on January 1, 2005. Opponents of the increase claimed that the reverse would occur. The Minimum Wage Order which employers must post for employees to see is available to download and print at (http://www.labor.state.ny.us/formsdocs/wp/ls207_rev_2006.pdf).

Also see Living Wage Coalition, (http://www.tclivingwage.org/).

Alternatives Credit Union’s Free Tax Preparation Program is looking for volunteers and interns for spring 2006. They’re looking for people who can help prepare taxes for low income families, provide financial education, and more. More info: (http://www.alternatives.org/vitavolunteer.html) or contact Amy at 273-4611 x859 or mailto:aaudetat@alternatives.org.

Seminar to help residents create more environmentally sound homes starts January 10. The Ithaca Green Building Alliance, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, and Sustainable Tompkins will present a series of seminars to help area residents create healthier, more environmentally sustainable homes. The “Green Building Seminar Series” kicks off with a free public screening of “End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream” on January 10 at 7:00 pm in Room 102, Textor Hall at Ithaca College. The seminar series will continue on Tues. evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Human Services Building, 320 W. State. St., Ithaca. Seminar descriptions are available at (http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/events/index.html). The fee to attend is $5/seminar or $25/series.  Ithaca HOURS are accepted and a limited number of scholarships are available. Call 272-2292 to register.

Curb Your Car’s Transportation Teas. A Transportation Tea is a low key event that encourages conversations around sustainable, affordable, and healthy transportation options. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL Thursday January 12, 5:30-7:30 pm, GIAC. Getting the kids and yourself where you need to be can be a big issue. Share ideas with other kids and parents for less car-intensive ways to get around.  Maybe even plan a walking school bus or classroom-against-classroom walk/bike to school contest! More info: Curb Your Car website (http://www.tompkins-co.org/itctc/cyc), or Jennifer Dotson (273-3540), mailto:jennifer@kitchenchairmusic.com.

Sustainable Tompkins monthly networking and learning gathering, Thursday January 12, 6:00 - 8:30 pm at the Old Jail Building on Court Street in conference room 125. Enjoy a potluck dinner followed by a chance to share your interests in or involvements with becoming more sustainable. Sustainable Tompkins programs for 2006 will also be briefly introduced. The special focus will be on “How Sustainability Can Become a Broad Social Movement” in our area, and Scott Erickson, from the IC Business School, will do a presentation, followed by a small group problem solving session, on this theme. For more information: Elan Shapiro, Sustainable Tompkins Program Co-Chair mailto:elansla@ecovillage.ithca.ny.us or call 275-0249

Permaculture Fundamentals: Weekend Workshop. Sponsored by the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute: Friday, Jan 13, 6:15 - 9:00 pm; Saturday, Jan 14, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday, Jan 15, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Class taught by instructors Stephen Gabriel and Karryn Olson-Ramanujan. This course will provide an overview of the ethics, principles, and techniques of permaculture with a focus on practical application of conscious design strategies for sustainable living. Participants are welcome to enroll in just the “Introduction to Permaculture” workshop (January 13-15) and may also register for the full Permaculture Design Certificate Course before or after the weekend workshop. The Permaculture Design Certificate Course is offered on a six month rotation of classes (approximately 100 hours of instruction) scheduled roughly two weekends a month. Tuition: Introduction to Permaculture: $100 - $250 (sliding scale; HOURS accepted) Design Certificate Course: $800. More info, (http://www.flpci.org) or 607-319-0737.

The Tompkins Renewable Energy Education Alliance meets monthly to discuss projects related to the promotion of Wind Power in the Ithaca area. They stay informed about legislative activity, research, and educational outreach. Next meeting is January 18, 2006 in Room 259 of the Center for Natural Sciences at Ithaca College. 4:00 – 5:30 pm. Website is:  (http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/bclark/TREEA/TREEA.htm).

Buy Local Food Campaign for Tompkins County

The Buy Local Food Group will be holding its third planning meeting on Thursday, January 19th from 6:30-8:30 in the Tompkins County Mental Health Building on the 6th floor. They are located on Green St. It is the tall building down the street from the Public Library. If you are interested in joining the campaign or would like to receive the results of the last meeting, please contact Lael Gerhart of CCETC at 607-272-2292 or mailto:lsg8@cornell.edu.

Earth Day Planning Session, January 21. Imagine a zero waste festival with healthy organic food served on biodegradable plates and a solar powered music stage. Sound like a dream? You can help make it a reality! The Center for Environmental Sustainability invites you to an Earth Day planning session where you help set the agenda and brainstorm on ideas important to you. Together we can create the next celebration, carrying on the tradition and bringing in your new ideas. Facilitator Todd Saddler will guide us. Saturday, January 21, 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca. Refreshments will be provided. More information, Joey Diana Gates at 607-351-0664 or mailto:earthdayithaca@yahoo.com.

Ithaca Carshare Summit, January 26 from 11:00 am -4:00 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library. Learn about carshairng! The summit will feature keynote speakers, such as a city carshare representative from San Francisco, Boulder Carshare, and Zipcar (a for profit carshare company). This event is sponsored by Cornell, IC and Ithaca Transportation. Volunteers still needed. Contact Dan at mailto:dnr6@cornell.edu or check out (http://www.ithacacarshare.org).  

Do you know a young Eco-hero? Are you a young Eco-hero?

“Action For Nature” seeks applications from 8-16 year olds worldwide for its 2006 International Young Eco-Hero Awards Program. The award recognizes the independent accomplishments of young people who have carried out environmental action projects which concern environmental action, advocacy, environmental health, or protection of the natural world. Cash prizes up to $500 to be awarded. Applications must be postmarked by 2/28. To print out award flyers, for guidelines, an application form, or to find out about winners for the last three years, surf to: (http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ecoheroawards.html). Could a kid from Ithaca win?

“Peace Potluck” January 7. The Perry City Friends (Quakers) invite you to a “peace potluck” on the first Saturday of each month. Everyone is welcome to share thoughts, feelings, and actions in a safe haven as we explore paths to peace together. This month we will be looking at the concept of living simply. What is our fair share of the world's resources? We will each determine our “ecological footprint” and learn at least one significant way that we can reduce it. Please join us on Saturday, January 7th at the Perry City Meeting House on Route 227 in Perry City. Dish to pass at 5:30 pm; discussion at 7:00. For more information, call (607) 387-9046.

Ithacans needed to organize day of action against Iraq War. See (http://www.aglobalcall.org) for more info.

Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #235: “The Threat of Depleted Uranium.” Thomas Fasy talks with Mary Ann Grady Flores. Channel 13: Wednesday, January 4, 1:00-1:30 pm; Thursday, January 5 11:00-11:30 pm. This video will be available soon in the Alternatives Library in Anabel Taylor Hall on Cornell Campus. If you would like to help out with our community access cable television series, call Theresa Alt at 273-3009 or mailto:talt@igc.org.

30th Annual Twelfth Night Community Celebration. Saturday, January 7, 7:30 pm until…? An evening of story-sharing, merrymaking, and imagination, to mark the end of the holiday season, at the Unitarian Church, corner of Buffalo and Aurora, in downtown Ithaca.
Bring a story to share, if you wish, a munchie or snack to pass, and a couple of bucks to share expenses. Turn off your TV, log off the World Wide Web, shut down your cell phone and...Tell me a Story.

The Annual Twelfth Night Celebration, an Ithaca tradition for three decades, is a rare example of what happens when people decide to entertain themselves, instead of letting someone else do it. It is primarily an evening of storytelling, in which the storytellers are members of the audience who feel like telling a story. Anyone is welcome to tell a story, and anyone is welcome to come listen. All ages are welcome. Stories can be true, or “true” (aren't all stories “true”?).  Yes, it’s perfectly OK to just come and listen. Twelfth Night is presented by various members of Ithaca’s folk music community. More info: Phil Shapiro 607-844-4535, mailto:pds10@cornell.edu.

Dances of Universal Peace, held on the first Saturday of every month. Next dance: January 7. Meditation starts at 7:15 pm, dancing begins at 7:30. All Dances held at Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Rd. The Dances are simple Circle Dances and Chants sung in various languages which honor different Spiritual Traditions in the World. All Chants and Dances are taught and are accompanied by live music. No experience is necessary, Come Join the Circle! A $5.00 donation is requested but not required. More info: Diane Olden, 272-7582 or mailto:dianeolden@hotmail.com. All Blessings…

Saltonstall Literary Salon. Sunday, January 8, Olivia Restaurant, 381 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca. 11 am. Featuring local authors Katharyn Howd Machan, Sarah Jefferis, and Lynne Schneider. Enjoy a fresh, flavorful Sunday Brunch and readings from three award winning writers. A cozy afternoon filled with real community: a little food, a little conversation and lots of stories. Arrive at 11 am for a delicious, family-style (and reasonably priced) Sunday Brunch. The bar will be open. Readings start at 12:15 pm. Each author has ten minutes. Stay after for coffee or tea and talk about the works. Signed copies of authors’ books will be available for sale. More info: http://www.saltonstall.org/whatsnew/salon.php or call 272-1020. Reservations recommended.

Second Sunday Celebration Circle. Sunday, January 8th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. An engaging and uplifting Interfaith worship service that weaves together prayer, meditation, singing, and simple participatory ritual from many traditions. Led by Rev. Jody Kessler. Santosha Yoga Center, 120 Brindley Street. This month's theme will be “Time is of the Essence.” Because of the meditative nature of this service, we ask that you arrive on time, and that you do not bring small children. A $5 donation is suggested. All are welcome, regardless of ability to contribute. More info, 272-0968 or visit http://www.jodykessler.com.

The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art: Japanese Poetry Prints: Surimono from the Schoff Collection January 14-March 19. Poetry prints, or surimono, are woodblock prints commissioned by poetry clubs, typically as gifts in celebration of the lunar New Year, and were unique collaborations of poets, artists, calligraphers, and printing houses. This exhibition presents superb examples from the early 19th century, from the collection of Joanna Haab Schoff (Cornell Class of 1955). The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue by Cornell PhD candidate and guest curator Daniel McKee. Museum is located on Cornell University campus. Free. More info: 607 255-6464, or http://www.museum.cornell.edu.

Kitchen Theatre presents premiere musical comedy TONY & THE SOPRANO. Opens January 12. It’s the tale of a Brooklyn neighborhood where lives are changing and people are finding love accompanied by new songs and well-known opera arias. A love story for all ages. Kitchen Theatre accepts HOURS for payment if you purchase season tickets. Kitchen Theatre is located at 116 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca. More info: (http://www.kitchentheatre.org).

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators to Display Art. Community School of Music and Arts

The Community School of Music and Arts will join the Light in Winter festival with “The Art of Flora and Fauna”, an exhibit of works by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators of the Finger Lakes (GNSI Finger Lakes). The exhibit opening will take place on January 20, 2006, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, during the first day of Ithaca’s annual exploration of music, art, and science. More info: 272-1474, mailto:info@csma-ithaca.org, or (http://www.csma-ithaca.org).

Opening Reception for A Useful Magnificent Language: The work of Samia A. Halaby. Also in conjunction with the Light in Winter Festival. 5:00-7:00 pm Thursday January 19, 2006.

Tompkins County Public Library,  Borg Warner Room. The artist will give a talk at 6 pm. The exhibit will be on display throughout the library from January 12 through March 31, 2006.

A Useful Magnificent Language: The work of Samia A. Halaby features the work of New York City-based Palestinian artist Samia A. Halaby.  Ms. Halaby’s work explores the language of color and form in intensely personal paintings and free-form folded and stitched canvas assemblages.

Light in Winter Festival begins Friday, January 20, 2006 and finishes Sunday, January 22.  (http://www.lightinwinter.com).

Next Bound for Glory concert: JOHN KIRK AND TRISH MILLER. January 22, 8:00-11:00 pm. Old timey tunes, clogging, some homemade songs, lots of smiles. WVBR’s Bound for Glory is North America’s longest running live folk concert broadcast, which broadcasts from Cul de Snack, the Cafe at Anabel Taylor Hall at Cornell on Sunday nights from 8 to 11, with live sets at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30.  Admission in the live audience is free and is open to everyone in the area.  Kids are always welcome.  Refreshments are available. More info: Phil Shapiro, 607-844-4535, or mailto:pds10@cornell.edu.

One-Heart Community Drum Circle. Every Saturday at Lehman Alternative Community School, 111 Chestnut Street, Ithaca. 6:00-9:00 pm. Bring drums, or just show up to play. More info email Steve Calkins, mailto:ecstacy2@earthlink.net. 

Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts: Call for Entries.

2006 Summer Fellowships and Grants available to Artists and Writers of New York State  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 15, 2006. SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS: Artists and writers who live in New York State are invited to apply for month-long summer residencies at the Saltonstall Arts Colony in Ithaca. 2006 Summer Fellowship Categories: Poetry; Prose (Fiction and Creative Nonfiction); Photography; Painting, Sculpture and other visual arts. GRANTS:

Saltonstall annually awards grants of $5,000 to writers and artists who live in the central and western counties of New York. 2006 Grant Categories: Poetry; Creative nonfiction; Works on Paper Includes; Photography. See web site for more details and to apply, (http://www.saltonstall.org). More info: 539-3146 or mailto:info@saltonstall.org.

Tompkins County Public Library News: AMNESTY DAY JANUARY 14: In celebration of the Tompkins County Public Library’s 5th anniversary of its move to the new library, fines, fees and processing charges on overdue library materials will be waived on items which are returned to the library on Saturday, January 14 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. REFERENDUM FEBRUARY 7. Voters are being asked to approve a funding referendum that will slightly raise taxes but ensure more hours of operation for the library, as well as more books and materials.

SUNDAY HOURS AT LIBRARY TO END FEBRUARY 12. The library will re-open on Sundays, starting January 8, from 1:00 pm 5:00 pm due to a grant from NYS Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton. Since 1995, Sunday hours have been funded with a combination of private donations and state grants. However, the NYS funding is sufficient for only six Sundays. Sunday, February 12th will be the last day of Sunday hours in 2006 unless the February 7th funding referendum is approved by voters.  Please vote!

“CSMA Tunes Sale” to feature sheet music and old instruments. A flea market for musicians will take place on January 14, 2006 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Community School of Music and Arts.  The sale will feature music for piano, voice, string, and wind instruments with song sheets, collections, and method books. The music includes Broadway tunes, operatic arias, jazz standards, folk melodies, and rock hits.  There are old and odd instruments including quarter and half-sized violins. Everything will be priced cheaply and the proceeds will go to the CSMA Scholarship Program. The Community School of Music and Arts is located at 330 E. State Street in downtown Ithaca. More information, 272-1474 or mailto:info@csma-ithaca.org.

Four Line Films looking for actors, crew. Four Line Films will be going into production on its next feature length film: I, Love, and You: a social-realism portrait of Ithaca, NY through five-storylines and twelve characters. This film features many non-traditional, and certainly, non-stereotypical roles for actors. Professional and untrained actors of all ages and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. Contact: mailto:cast@fourlinefilms.com with a resume and a headshot (if they have one). There are also crew positions available. For people interested in Costume, Hair-Makeup, Casting, Art Direction and so on, contact Sudhanshu Saria at mailto:suds@fourlinefilms.com. Finally, since this film will be seen in the community and is about the community, it really needs the support of the community. For anyone who can contribute, please visit (http://www.fourlinefilms.com). If you are interested co-sponsorship, please email Sudhanshu.

FAMILIES LEARNING SCIENCE TOGETHER: VOLCANOES

Families will learn principles of volcanoes by constructing a model volcano, producing a sequence of lava flows and interpreting the history of their volcano. This program will take place in the Thaler-Howell Programming Room of Tompkins County Public Library on Saturday, January 7, from 2:00-3:00 pm. Reserve your place by contacting Kevin at 254-8256 or mailto:outreach@ccmr.cornell.edu. This program is free, but space is limited.

Parents Apart Class to meet January 10 and 12. Parents Apart, a program for parents wanting to promote a healthy adjustment for their child during separation and divorce, will take place on January 10 and 12. Parents Apart is a six-hour program taught in two three-hour classes and offers tools for parents to help their children cope with separation and divorce and adjust to a changing family structure. Call the Community Dispute Resolution Center at 273-9347 for more information. 

Yoga Class begins January 15. Introduction to Yogic Meditation is a 6-week course that teaches the theory and practice of major yoga meditation techniques, including witnessing, mantra, visualization, prayer, and self-inquiry. Also learn to use Hatha Yoga and breathing exercises to improve your meditation practice. The course meets on six Sundays from 3:00-4:30 pm, beginning January 15 and ending Feb. 26 (no class on Feb. 5). The course meets at Sunrise Yoga Studio, 119 South Cayuga Street, Suite 301. Fee: $100 (HOURS accepted). Contact Nick Boyar, Certified Integral Yoga Teacher, 272-2062.

Avian Flu Preparedness Information Night: Facts, fiction and options. Tuesday, January 17th, 7:00-8:30pm in the Borg-Warner Conference room in the Tompkins County Library.
Open and free to all. A panel of local health professionals will explore the issue of preparing for a potential flu pandemic. The discussion will include household preparedness, home care, and medical, naturopathic and homeopathic approaches to treatment.

Ithaca group of Amnesty International meets third Tuesday of every month. Next meeting: January 17, 7:30 p.m. at Cornell’s Kahin Center, 640 Stewart Ave. Everyone is welcome to come and find out what we do for human rights. Info: 273-3009, 227-3471, mailto:cba9@cornell.edu.

Caring for Aging Parents Support Group. The new monthly, evening support group for those caring for aging parents or other elderly relatives, will meet Wednesday, January 18, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Lifelong, 119 W. Court Street, Ithaca. For more information, contact Jane Baker Segelken, 607-274-5488, or mailto:jsegelken@tompkins-co.org, at the Tompkins County Office for the Aging.

Like to act? The Ithaca Youth Bureau is offering some exciting opportunities for young thespians: Youtheatre: Theater games, improvisation, storytelling, masks, voice and movement games, and expression through music. Class meets at the Youth Bureau. For ages 7-12. Saturdays, 9:30 - 11:30 am February 14th - April 12th (no program Feb 18th & 25th) Fee: $85.00

Advanced Theatre: For theater students who want to push the envelope. Work on scenes, monologues, voice & movement, and other acting techniques. Youth ages 13 and up. Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 pm January 10th - March 21st (no class 2/21) Instructor: Joey Steinhagen Fee: $85.00

Contact: Karen Friedeborn, Youth Development Division Coordinator, Ithaca Youth Bureau, mailto:karena@cityofithaca.org.

Money Wise Class to begin January 23 at Alternatives. This course provides students with the practical tools and information to make economic decisions and improve their financial situation. Over the course of 7 weeks participants, instructors and guest speakers discuss the following topics: income and debt; expenses and tracking; setting and saving toward goals; practical economics; financial record keeping; predatory lending; establishing and repairing credit; conscientious consuming; and savings and investment options. The Money Wise course is open to IDA participants and community members. Class meets for seven Mondays beginning January 23 (no class 2/20/06), 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Alternatives, 125 N. Fulton St. in Ithaca. Cost is determined on a sliding fee scale (HOURS accepted). More info: Chris Cain at 607-273-4611 ext. 845 or mailto:ccain@alternatives.org.

Dear Elizabeth, You are “disgusted by our culture’s promotion of excess consumerism, shamed by our government’s determination to break International Law when it comes to war crimes and torture, and sickened by the total denial of most Americans on both of those counts.”  Are you even the least bit proud of the lives your government saves through its aid programs and through its disaster assistance programs and of the great generosity of the American people (shown not just by the assistance we provide through our government but also through our private donations to charities and organizations providing life-saving assistance to others?)  Somehow, as we continue to consume goods and as our government tries to do right--not without making mistakes along the way--our country continues to be a beacon of hope to many, many people around the world.  You might take at least a minute or two to reflect on what’s good and great about the United States and its people. --Edward Weissman, Ithaca, NY.

---[REPLY]:  Hi Edward, thanks for writing. Life-saving makes me happy, not proud. I wouldn’t use the word “proud” to describe how I feel about our government in general. I think it is far more corrupt and evil—yes evil—than a shining beacon of hope. Don’t get me wrong, our IDEALS are wonderful: freedom, democracy, independence… But in reality our government leaders in the Bush Administration are only mouthing those words with no concrete meaning. They are taking away our civil liberties, killing tens of thousands of noncombatants in Iraq and elsewhere, torturing prisoners, and going about it as though it’s no big deal. We have to look at what they are doing, not just what they are saying. Am I proud of the American people? In some ways, yes. Americans can and have done some amazing work for their fellow citizens and for the people of the world. We must give props where props are due. But in general we consume too much, we bully other nations, and we’re not looking very clearly at the connection between overconsumption and endless war in the Middle East. So, I see it as my job to focus attention on these very critical issues of our time. 

Hello, I have recently built a wind generator that has the capability of putting out over 2000 watts in in brisk winds. I would like to meet and socialize with people in the Ithaca area about the possibility of starting a co-op for wind and solar power. I’m an electrician and a mechanic. If anyone is interested in learning about wind power, please contact me at mailto:messages4me276@hotmail.com. My name is Joe and I look forward to hearing from you. Even if you don't have any knowledge or experience with wind generators, I'd still like to hear from you.--Joe

---[REPLY]:  Hi Joe! As you saw from the listserv for Sustainable Tompkins, other people are surely interested. Here’s hoping you get some more responses.

Today’s newsletter (which had a letter about the dangers of winter biking) spurred me to bring up the point: what ever happened to the bike initiative? When I first moved here almost 8 years ago, there used to be talk about making bike lanes, etc., but this has fallen off the map (or screen, or what-have-you). What happened? As a resident of the Ellis Hollow area, I would enjoy riding my bike, but there are no bike lanes and the vehicles go mighty fast on the skinny-shouldered, ill-kept roads. Any commentary from you or any of your readers?

As an added little note, in order to reduce pollution and cut down gasoline usage, has the City of Ithaca ever thought that it might be good to get the city traffic signals synchronized? And who do I pose this question to? Thanks for taking up the cause. --Emmy Morrison

---[REPLY]:  Hi Emmy. You might want to check out The City of Ithaca’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council at (http://www.cityofithaca.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={2EAD3CB7-DA0C-4D24-831A-8894D49863B5}&DE={EAB5A8C6-CB29-4150-ABC6-CF7CC21ABB3E}) (Note to city of Ithaca web designer: how about something simple like www.cityofithaca.org/bikecouncil... hmmm? ;-) You can also contact Curb Your Car Coalition for their thoughts on bike lanes (http://www.tompkins-co.org/itctc/cyc). I know there was some debate among cyclists over the efficacy of bike lanes, but I can’t tell you much more than that. Would anyone else like to respond? As for who to contact regarding street lights, you can try the folks at the “Streets and Facilities Division” of public works. Address 245 Pier Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. The Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities is Richard Ferrel, 272-1718, or mailto:carolr@cityofithaca.org. I got this info off the web site but won’t even attempt at copying another long URL...

Elizabeth, I’m just getting to reading yesterday's ICN. Thanks for the plug for January’s Safe Routes to School Transportation Tea. Any chance you could connect me with “Robin”? (or at least pass this note and my contact information to her?) I’d love to invite her personally to future Curb Your Car events, or even have a short chat. I’ve found that connecting people who are in different situations (the driver with the cyclist, for instance) is extremely effective at creating more understanding. As a winter driver, cyclist, and pedestrian, I have a multi-faceted understanding of slippery winter roads; sometimes one mode gives you remarkably more or less traction than another, and we all know conditions are often inconsistent and unpredictable along the route! So it’s especially important to plan far ahead when driving, biking, OR walking in winter weather. Thanks, Jennifer.

---[REPLY]:  Hi Jennifer. As I mentioned, I had already deleted Robin’s email from my browser, but I am putting this out here in hopes that she will contact you if interested. Robin, Jennifer’s email is mailto:jennifer@kitchenchairmusic.com.

Elizabeth, many thanks for taking over ICN. Paul will be missed, but your first issue was truly splendid. Great work and thanks for keeping it going. -Robby Aceto, Forest Home

If you're thinking of writing to Ithaca Community News, give in to the temptation. Send emails to: Elizabeth Bauchner, mailto:ebauchne@twcny.rr.com.

Thanks to Homer & Jane at Lightlink, http://www.lightlink.com, for reliable internet services.