The Ithaca Community News (ICN) is a non-profit news service bringing alternative news and views from Ithaca, NY to readers all over the world. ICN is also a weekly email newsletter with more than 8,000 subscribers.
Paul Glover founded ICN in 2000 and published it for five years before handing the reins to Elizabeth Field, a freelance journalist, in November, 2005.
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In this issue:
Ithaca Community News is a free, weekly newsletter that zooms to your inbox every Wednesday. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to elizabeth@ithacanews.org with "Unsubscribe ICN" in the subject heading. Editor and Publisher: Elizabeth Bauchner. Founded by
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ICN NEWS
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Articles and news briefs on the ICN site:
Ithacans Arrested in Washington DC for Action against Guantánamo:
Last Thursday, January 11, seventeen Ithacans traveled to Washington DC as part of an International Day of Action to shut down the US Military Prison in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Clare Grady,
Read Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/news.htm?newsID=178
13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Focuses on Poverty:
A few things were a little bit different about this year's annual Martin Luther King Jr. event at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) and Beverly J. Martin School on Monday, January 15. For one, the timing was different, with workshops being held in the morning before the annual luncheon, instead of in the afternoon. For another, this year's event focused on poverty, which was one of Dr. King's focal points.
Read Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/news.htm?newsID=177
Photos of the MLK event at GIAC and BJM:
http://ithacanews.org/gallery/index.htm?id=74
Rabbis who don’t believe in God? Kol Haverim offers Ithacans a place for Secular Judaism. Guest commentary by Caren Cooper:
Where do people who do not believe in a supernatural being find what people of faith find through church – a moral framework, inspiration for political action, a network of like-minded individuals, and community-based ethical education for their children?
Read Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/op-ed.htm?newsID=176
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Sunday New York Times' article says community based web news sources now prominent: Anytown, Online
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Ithaca Community News needs to raise money to continue. Please consider making a donation today: http://ithacanews.org/donate.htm.
Local businesses can sponsor the newsletter or web site, which is now averaging more than 1,300 unique visitors per day. Ad rates are very reasonable, with different levels of sponsorship that appeal to businesses small or large. For ad rate sheet, email Elizabeth elizabeth@ithacanews.org.
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EDITORIAL: LACS Needs Original Plan Included in Facilities Bond
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Tonight the ICSD Board of Education is expected to cast its final vote on the proposed Facilities Bond project that they will present to the public in March for a vote. The board has been meeting regularly for several months to discuss and debate projects included in the bond. The current dollar amount to do everything that is still on the table is approaching $100 million.
Many people in Ithaca, both on the Board of Education and in the community, feel that amount is too high and needs to be cut. State Aid for the facilities bond has not yet been approved but could cover up to 58 percent aid on many of the proposed projects. The district has already voted to spend $56 million on facilities maintenance projects like HVAC repairs and roof replacements.
More recently, the board has looked at a few remaining facilities projects separately, and conducted straw polls, to determine whether they would stay in the proposed bond.
The remaining projects discussed during this time include major renovations and expansions of Kulp Auditorium and the Activities Building at Ithaca High School; a new Ithaca High School gym and wellness center; athletic complex upgrades at Ithaca High School; a new gymnasium at Belle Sherman; and major renovations to Lehman Alternative Community School, including two new additions that would house a new library, three new science labs, a performing arts theatre, and a new kitchen.
Of all of those remaining projects, the only one proposed to be cut in scope and costs are the additions and renovations at LACS.
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NEWSLETTER SPONSOR. If you’ve had enough of back or neck pain, or if you’re looking to enhance your athletic performance, you’ll be happy to know that the professional staff at the Spinal Wellness Center of Ithaca are experts in correcting spinal problems. They use state-of-the-art diagnostic and corrective methods that will have you feeling better permanently, because they get to the CAUSE of your problem. The Spinal Wellness Center also specializes in the correction of scoliosis in children and young adults. They’ve been serving Tompkins County since 1991. Contact them at (607) 277-2570, or visit them at http://www.SpinalWellnessIthaca.com.
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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?
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THANKS TO THE DONORS WHO HAVE DONATED IN THE PAST.
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ITHACA LABOR NEWS
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Free Tax Preparation at Alternative Federal Credit Union:
AFCU is hosting a free tax preparation for low and middle-income community members as an IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. Tax preparation will run from January 200April 12, 2007. Hours of the program are 3:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday through Thursday, and 10:00am-2:00 pm on Saturday. Appointments preferred on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Wednesday hours by walk-in only. To make an appointment, call 607-216-3443, or drop by on a Walk-In Wednesday.
More info: http://www.alternatives.org/vita.html.
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News from Women's eNews:
The new Congress passed a bill to raise the minimum wage. Also in this week's Cheers and Jeers column, Catholic hospitals in Australia won't dispense emergency contraception to rape victims: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3034.
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Tompkins Workers' Rights Center Joins New Statewide Coalition
The Tompkins County Workers' Center has recently joined with a coalition of community organizations and other advocates, spearheaded by the Brennan Center for Justice (of the NYU School of Law), to address the growing problem of minimum wage and overtime violations in New York State.
Read Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/news.htm?newsID=175
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ITHACA WAR AND PEACE REPORT
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Gita Gutierrez, a human rights lawyer from Ithaca, has been to the U.S. Military Prison in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, many times. She appeared on Democracy Now on January 11 (she is interviewed after a former Guantánamo detainee and brother of a current detainee): http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/11/1536256
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Edie Reagan Receives 2007 Peacemaker Award
The Community Dispute Resolution Center presented Edie Reagan with the ninth annual Peacemaker Award at the Community Breakfast on Saturday, January 13, in celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Award is presented to an individual or group whose work embodies the non-violent change strategies exemplified by Dr. King.
Ms. Reagan currently serves as the Justice and Peace Coordinator for Catholic Charities, a position she’s held for the last seven years. According to organizers of the award, Edie Reagan has been the key organizer of numerous community events and educational presentations and has dedicated her life to the causes of non-violence and social justice.
Over the last 20 years Edie Reagan has served as chaplain at Cornell University; served on the Board of Directors for Loaves and Fishes and the Center for Religion, Ethics, and Social Policy; organized local innkeepers to help establish a living wage for hotel workers; assisted with the development of Voices for Peace; fostered communication with Wal-Mart management regarding a living wage; and organized the exhibitions, “The F-Word: Images of Forgiveness” and “How are the Children?” a community gathering to discuss issues of children at risk.
The Community Dispute Resolution Center works locally to foster constructive responses to conflict. More info: http://www.cdrc.org/
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FEATURED EVENTS
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Now on the web! Check out our events calendar:
http://ithacanews.org/events.htm?catID=1.
Just some of the newer listings: Community Cinema's free hip-hop film, wine and beer tasting event, poetry and activism event, Back to Democracy meeting, Anti-War protest. Don't miss out! Calendar is live, same format as newsletter, updated almost daily, and searchable.
To submit an event listing: http://ithacanews.org/contactpr.htm.
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CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Mature, caring individuals needed to volunteer as counselors for the Crisisline at
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Volunteer Training at Museum of the Earth:
Saturday, January 20, at 10:00 am join a Discovery Lab Training Session. The Museum of the Earth Discovery Labs provide hands-on learning experiences for visitors to learn about local fossils, geology and the history of life on earth. In Fossil Lab, visitors search through bins of local shale to find fossils. At Dino Lab, visitors learn about different types of dinosaurs and can touch dinosaur teeth, claws and much more! If you are interested in interacting with our public visitors, this is a great opportunity for you. Please contact
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CLASSES, LECTURES, SUPPORT GROUPS
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Now on the web! Check out listings for cool classes, lectures and more:
http://ithacanews.org/events.htm?catID=8. Just some of the newer listings: Master Composting Training, Green Building Seminar, Money Wise workshop, and more.
To submit a class listing: http://ithacanews.org/contactpr.htm.
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YOUR LETTERS
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No letters this week!