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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NOT OFFICIALLY NEWS
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How happy are you? Find out by completing an online questionnaire: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan07/FOOD.mood.side.nd.html
New web site seeks to promote underground scene in Ithaca:
http://www.ithacaunderground.com/
Looking for Conscious Hip-Hop music and links? Try this local's site:
http://omnipresentrecords.com/
George W. Bush doing U2’s "Sunday Bloody Sunday":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnO_FxmHes
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ICN NEWS
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Articles and news briefs on the ICN site:
Nathan Poffenbarger Receives Maximum Sentence for Hate Crime
On Monday, January 22 Nathan Poffenbarger, 21, a former Cornell University student, received the maximum sentence of one and one-third years to four years for stabbing Charles Holiday on February 9, 2006, and for tampering with the evidence.
Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/news.htm?newsID=183
LACS 'Infuses' Students with Social Justice Themes for 3rd Annual Infusion Day
Students at the Lehman Alternative Community School took a day off from regular classes on Monday to attend workshops and presentations focused on social change, youth activism and sustainability.
Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/news.htm?newsID=184
Learn someone's history before attacking them personally
Guest column by Clare Grady
Earlier tonight I crossed paths with my friend Gino Bush. I hadn't seen Gino in several months, but had thought of him often, since reading the letters to the editor in the Ithaca Journal regarding the renaming of State Street and the ensuing dialogue on the Journal website. The website dialogue was especially personal in attacking Gino. I was hit hard by the hatred in the attacks on Gino.
Full Story: http://ithacanews.org/op-ed.htm?newsID=185
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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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NEWSLETTER SPONSOR. TCAT's Spring Youth Pass, a lanyard to hook onto backpacks or belt loops, is now available. For just $30, kids and teens from age 6 to 17, or until graduation from high school, can ride any TCAT bus route, anytime, from February 1 to June 30. Self-reliance for kids, less driving for parents. Call 277-RIDE or visit http://www.tcatbus.com.
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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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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR AD HERE?
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THANKS TO THE DONORS WHO HAVE DONATED IN THE PAST.
http://www.ithacanews.org.
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ITHACA LABOR NEWS
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Pastor Bruce Davenport, from New Orleans, to Speak at GIAC
Pastor Bruce Davenport is spending this week in Ithaca to raise awareness about the situation in New Orleans since
Pastor Bruce is the pastor of a small but determined church, the St. John #5 Faith Church, in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, which has been in existence since the early 1900's. Since Pastor Bruce became the leader of the church, they have become more progressive and inclusive in their outreach. In addition to their Sunday service, they run a radio program, a shelter for teenage mothers, a center for people living with HIV/AIDS, an after school tutoring program, a GED program, job training programs, computer technology programs, drug prevention/recovery support, and more. They are a real center of healing and empowerment in an area of the city that has historically been overrun with issues such as gang violence, drug trade, prostitution, and other dangers. Pastor Bruce said recently that his neighborhood still looks like
GIAC is located at 318 N. Albany Street, Ithaca. More info: 272-3622.
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The Women's Opportunity Center Helps Women with Job Skills
Their February class listings are online:
http://womensopportunity.org/February.html
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ITHACA SUSTAINABILITY
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Ithaca Biodiesel Grease Wrestling Fundraiser Feb 17; Seeks Organizations
Saturday, February 17, the Haunt, 702 Willow Ave, Ithaca, 1:00-5:30 pm. This year Ithaca Biodiesel is doing something a little different for their annual fundraiser. They are hosting a Grease Wrestling event at the Haunt. It is a family-friendly event; wrestlers are greasy and not naked! All proceeds from the event will go to support renewable fuel. There will also be: sustainability tabling; delicious treats for sale; a Peak Oil and Biodiesel Presentation by
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Time to start planning for Earth Day!
The Earth Day 2007 Celebration kick-off planning meeting will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 215 Willow Ave, Ithaca on Saturday, February 3. The meeting will be from 9:00 am-12:30 pm, and will be facilitated by Todd Saddler. Refreshments will be provided. More info:
(607) 351-0664, or earthdayithaca@yahoo.com.
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National Campaign to Kick off Global Warming Rally; Ithaca events planned
On April 14, environmental activists like Bill McKibben are hoping to start a new movement that forces Congress to take Global Warming seriously. They are calling themselves Step It Up 2007, and are hoping that activists around the country will sign up to collectively host the nation's largest protest against global warming ever. They are planning protests in some very iconic places, such as the levees in New Orleans, on top of Mount Rainer's melting glaciers, and even underwater in the endangered coral reefs off Key West.
More info about Step It Up: http://stepitup2007.org/article.php?id=33
To sign up for the Ithaca Action: http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/19
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Critical Mass Friday January 26
Meet at Cayuga Street entrance to Commons 5:00; Bike Ride at 5:30. Critical Mass participants are not blocking traffic; they ARE traffic.
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ITHACA WAR AND PEACE REPORT
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Anti-War Protest this Saturday in DC; Buses Leaving Ithaca Friday
There will be two buses leaving Ithaca Friday evening at midnight, to arrive in time for the march on Washington, which begins at 11:00 am Saturday. The buses will leave Washington after the march and return to Ithaca Saturday evening. One bus will leave from the Green St bus station, the other from Baker Flagpole on Cornell's West Campus. Tickets for the bus ride cost $60-80 (sliding scale), and are available at Cornell's Ho Plaza and at Autumn Leaves bookstore on the Commons downtown. Tickets can also be purchased directly through Chris Chilas at cmc226@cornell.edu. The buses are small, so act quickly. More info: Theresa Alt, talt@igc.org, and Laura Taylor, lat34@cornell.edu.
More info about the March: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/index.php
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Peace Potluck: Saturday, February 3, Perry City
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New Bill Introduced in Congress to Bring Troops Home within Six Months:
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=1491
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News from Women's eNews:
When Israel holds a high-level meeting on national security this week, Israeli women's groups will meet on the sidelines to discuss the harmful effects of last summer's war on Lebanon and recommend ways to defuse nuclear tensions in the region: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3037
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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: Scholastic Book Fair; Anti-War Protest in Trumansburg; Holocaust Remembrance Day; Interfaith Celebration for All Ages, Ithaca Free Clinic Benefit Show; Dances of Universal Peace; Back to Democracy; and more. 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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Compos
Come to a volunteer gathering for Compos
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Young People (ages 12-20) Invited to apply for $1,000 YSA Youth Venture Grants
YSA Youth Venture provides funding and support to young people who want to create new, sustainable, civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses called Ventures. The Youth Service America/Youth Venture Program is a unique partnership between Youth Service America and Youth Venture that helps youth engage in community service and develop as young social entrepreneurs. Examples include:
Ventures must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community.
More info, application, and applications tools: http://www.youthventure.org/
Application Submission Deadline: February 26, 2007 5:00pm EST.
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Red, White & Green grants for U.S. Youth
Youth Service America and the Civil Society Institute announce the second round of the Red, White & Green Climate Change Grant. This opportunity offers $500 to young people in the United States between the ages of 15-25 and to organizations that engage youth ages 15-25.
Applicants are expected to develop and implement a service-learning project about climate change that engages their community, policy-makers and candidates running for election in 2007 and 2008. They welcome projects where youth work in partnership with adults, but the projects should be youth-led and must take place between May 1 and October 31, 2007.
More info: http://www.redwhiteandgreen.org/
Download application: http://www.ysa.org/awards/
Application deadline: March 9, 2007.
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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: Dance Kinetics Dance Class; Cooking Class for men; Pet Loss Support Group; GreenStar classes, and more.
To submit a class listing: http://ithacanews.org/contactpr.htm.
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YOUR LETTERS
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On the article on Kol Haverim (http://ithacanews.org/op-ed.htm?newsID=176) Kol-Haverim and the Institute for Humanistic Judaism sound like wonderful and essential organizations, but in addition, there actually is a church for the people described by Caren Cooper in the article quoted above: the Unitarian-Universalist church. We welcome all varieties of faith, doubt, and disbelief, recognizing each other's individual spiritual journeys, and covenanting together for companionship and mutual enrichment as we travel them. We feel the diversity of our beliefs—some of us are Christian, pagan, deist, Jewish, atheist, Buddhist, etc.—gives our association a depth and value found in few other places.
Thanks for the opportunity to "proselytize!"
---Sincerely yours, Robin Cisne
Trumansburg Petitions for State School Aid Formula Reform
On Friday, January 12, 2007, a contingent from Trumansburg traveled to Elmira to present a petition for NYS School Aid Formula Reform to Senator George H. Winner, representing the 53rd New York Senate district. Attending this presentation were Michele Griego and Ron Mac Lean from the Citizens Advisory Committee, School Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra and Board of Education member Douglas Ann Land. Senator Winner is one of five Senate and Assembly legislators that represent the Trumansburg Central School District in Albany. Senator Nozzolio, Assemblymen Kolb, and O'Mara, and Assemblywomen Lifton will receive copies, as will Governor Eliot Spitzer.
This petition contained signatures of 429 taxpayers obtained throughout the Trumansburg community in the October-November timeframe. This petition drive, organized by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and Political Action Concerning Education (PACE) of the Trumansburg Central School District was assisted by help from the school Government class members.
The purpose of this petition was to show the political representatives of our school district that the property taxpayers are concerned about the current basis for distributing NYS funds to school districts. The present formula does not fairly allocate funds where it treats every child and every taxpayer the same no matter where in New York State they live. These funds are important as they represent a significant portion of the school district's revenue each budget year.
---Ron Mac Lean, Trumansburg