ICN Newsletter Archive

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Check out the winner and finalists’ 30-second cell phone movies from Ithaca College’s Cell Flix Festival: (http://www.cellflixfestival.org).

Save the Date! Saturday, March 18 Ithaca’s own Thousands of One (http://www.thousandsofone.com) will play a benefit show at the Women’s Community Building for Ithaca Community News. Come celebrate with us as we launch our new web site! Suggested donation, $5-$10 per person. The benefit starts at 7:30 pm. More information and a schedule of events to come soon.

ICN is looking for a few good freelance writers. Have a scoop on some local, alternative business or event? Like to write profiles on local artists, environmentalists, or activists? Feel like helping your local alternative media cover stories on a broad range of topics, from sustainable agriculture to public transportation to political meetings and events? Please check out the new writer’s guidelines, at (http://www.ithacanews.org/guidelines.html).  

Thanks to all who supported ICN as the Round Off recipient at Alternatives in January. Your donations amounted to $154.48. Thanks also to Alternatives for allowing ICN to be the Round Off recipient.

Check out this recent article at the Nation: (http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060213/chester) about how corporate media giants are attempting to privatize the Internet in order to control the flow of information—with the likely result that consumers will pay higher prices for Internet content while access to sites that aren’t corporate-owned are slowed down, limited, or possibly eliminated. While telephone and cable companies gear up to lobby the FCC and Congress, grassroots organizing is taking place to fight media consolidation of the Internet by groups like Free Press (http://www.freepress.net/) and Common Cause (http://www.commoncause.org). Please support these efforts!

EDITORIAL: Public Has Chance to Share Their ‘Southwest Vision’

Last week I attended a public forum on the proposed Southwest Vision Statement—a twelve page document written by the 11-member Southwest Committee that details several ideas for a new residential neighborhood. The two parcels of land that the city hopes to build this neighborhood on are directly west of Wal-Mart and Lowe’s (and their behemoth parking lots). They total about 62 acres, of which the city would save 20 acres of wetlands and natural areas. To see a map and read the statement, go to the following really long URL: http://www.cityofithaca.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC={36F5C077-C105-4305-8538-321DC13B1180}&DE={FB3F2906-C99C-463C-A18F-5CECC92DED08}. 

What sparked my interest in this meeting was reading about the proposed development in the Ithaca Journal. The article said the city was possibly considering some sort of urban co-housing arrangement. I’ve long been interested in urban co-housing—sharing resources with my neighbors, creating urban gardens, communing with my neighbors for meals, and always having playmates for my kids—and I love living in the heart of the city because I hardly have to drive my car. The vision statement also recommends that the city consider forming a land trust, which puts land ownership in the hands of citizens and helps to ensure affordable housing long-term. For more info on land trusts, see the Institute for Community Economics (http://www.iceclt.org/clt/). 

Other positives about this potential development are that the Southwest committee seems to be united in the idea that the development should follow basic green building practices, to make it more ecologically friendly and sustainable. The Vision Statement speaks of utilizing passive solar, green building practices, energy efficiency, and maintaining open and green space. At the forum, Mayor Peterson spoke in favor of creating a neighborhood with little reliance on the automobile, and the Vision Statement recommends a neighborhood development that favors pedestrian and bicycle use over the automobile and is dense enough to warrant the use of public transportation.

The downside to this new neighborhood is its location relative to the city’s big box stores, as well as its potential for flooding. The Southwest parcels contain wetlands that will need to be consolidated into one area of the site. While I commend the city for its desire to utilize sustainable building practices and its drive to save wetlands rather than pave over them, there are still unanswered questions about drainage that the city must answer before moving ahead with this project.

Thys Van Court, the Director of City Planning and Development, seems to believe there is no threat from flooding. He explained at the meeting that there are two types of flooding in the Southwest area: lake flooding, and water run-off from South Hill. Lake flooding is infrequent, he explained, while run-off from South Hill can be managed. Many residents at the forum, however, seemed skeptical. After all, does it really matter where the water comes from if your basement is flooded? Other residents expressed concern that the city save the wetlands.

Tonight, city residents will have three minutes to speak out on the Vision Statement at the meeting of the Planning, Economic Development, and Environmental Quality Committee. The Southwest Committee will give a short presentation and there will be time for public comment. The next step in this process will be to forward the Vision Statement on to Common Council, who will discuss and debate it, and decide whether to adopt it. Once adopted, the city will start looking for a developer.

I encourage citizens to read the statement and attend tonight’s meeting to speak out on this. The meeting will be held at Common Council Chambers, on the third floor of City Hall. The Vision Statement is broad and leaves room open for different kinds of ownership and development, so if anyone is interested in sustainable development, forming an urban co-housing community, or asking the city to create a possible land trust, now is the time to let the city know.

New Yoga classes in the Lotus Room. The Lotus Room at Courtside offers yoga instruction including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Pranayama and Meditation. We take an overall holistic approach to practicing and teaching yoga. Blending stillness with movement, our classes inspire heart-centered awareness and a self-loving attitude. We are committed to creating a vibrant, supportive community of yogis here in Ithaca, and hope to provide a sacred space to enhance your practice and beautify your life. Beginners welcome. The Lotus Room at Courtside Racquet and Fitness, 380 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-0200. For full schedule and more information, http://thelotusroomatcrf.blogspot.com.

Advertise with Honest Insight USA. Honest Insight USA is a not-for-profit organization based in Ithaca. We encourage advertising with an informative message and seek submissions of a 16-word classified ad to run nationally. The ad will have a business sponsor, should stimulate discourse about improving our country, and be positive. A web address, business name, phone number, etc., may run with the ad, but do not include them in the 16 words. Send submissions to mailto:info@honestinsightusa.com. The ads will be posted on our web site, with the hope of finding a gem to publish. For more info, log onto (http://www.honestinsightusa.com) or call 272-2320.

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. Or, you can donate online through PayPal. Just surf to (http://www.ithacanews.org) and click on the donate button near the top of the page.

Cayuga Pure Organics: New ‘Beanery’ in Caroline Offers Local, Organic Beans and Sustainable Vision, by John Hamilton. Last December, a stream of cleaned, locally-grown, organic black beans tumbled down a chute in an old barn bound for ABC Cafe, Viva Tacqueria, and other local businesses. The event capped a season of dreams, dedication, investment and hard work by Erick Smith and Dan Lathwell, partners in Cayuga Pure Organics. 

In their first year of bean production, they harvested over 20,000 pounds of black turtle, pinto, and navy beans, as well as something called a “cranberry bean,” which is like a pinto bean with ‘flair.’ 

Read full story here: (http://www.ithacanews.org/articles/beanery.html).

Buy Local Food Campaign for Tompkins County, next meeting February 16, 6:30-8:30 pm in the Tompkins County Mental Health Building, 201 E. Green St, 6^th floor. 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 272-2292 or mailto:lsg8@cornell.edu.

The Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education Seminar Series presents: “Laying the Groundwork for a New Direction in Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education,” February 17, 12:20-1:10 in 404 Plant Science Building, Cornell. The speaker, Karl North, farms in nearby Cortland County. He manages Northland Dairy as both a business and an educational tool in sustainable agriculture. More info: (http://www.geocities.com/northsheep/). There will be two opportunities to meet with Mr. North, a brown bag lunch and discussion immediately following the seminar, and a potluck dinner from 6:00-8:00 pm in downtown Ithaca. Please contact Allison to RSVP for either event (mailto:alh54@cornell.edu). Seminars are free and open to the public.

24-hour blog-a-thon to help the environment. (http://www.GroovyGreen.com), a local blog, is holding a 24-hour blog-a-thon to help raise money for the Nature Conservancy's ‘Adopt-An-Acre’ of Rainforest program. Each acre costs $75. Starting February 24 at 8pm, the Groovy Green crew will begin posting at least two stories per hour. You can help by sponsoring Groovy Green per post. Any pledge is welcome, whether it’s a dollar per post or a penny. For more info: mailto:mdestries@gmail.com.

Film showing: The Future of Food. February 25, 1:00-5:00 pm. Human Services Building, 320 West State St., Ithaca. The film will be shown at 2:00 pm with a panel discussion to follow.

The Future of Food is a controversial documentary about genetically engineered food, sustainable & organic agriculture, and factory farming, by Deborah Koons Garcia. The post-screening panel discussion to take place will be moderated by Tompkins County Representative Dooley Kiefer and will include John Losey, CU entomologist; Jacquelyn Hamilton, Peoples Garden Project; Louise Maher-Johnson, NYS Against Genetic Engineering (NYSAGE) activist in Albany, NY and Chaw Chung, farmer/Stick & Stone Farm.

Last Green Building Seminar February 28. The Ithaca Green Building Alliance, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, and Sustainable Tompkins will present the last in a series of seminars February 28: Straw Bale Design for Northern Climates. Seminar meets 7:00-9:00 pm at the Human Services Building, 320 W. State. St., Ithaca. More info: (http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/events/index.html). $5 fee; Ithaca HOURS accepted. Call 272-2292 to register.

Financial Incentives Available for Solar Electric Systems. Solar electricity or photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight to electricity, and its use is becoming more widespread across the country in homes, commercial buildings, schools and many other applications—even in overcast Ithaca. The efficiency of the technology continues to increase, while costs decrease.
Through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) New York Energy $martSM program, homeowners can now save 40–70% of the cost to purchase and install a solar electric system. Add to that the New York State tax credit for PV systems, and you can see how affordable it is to produce your own electricity. To find out if you’re eligible, or how to take advantage of the PV Homes Program, call Cornell University Cooperative Extension at (607) 272-2292, visit (http://www.powernaturally.org), or call 1-877-NY-SMART.

Ten Marchers at Gitmo Served Papers. Over the past week, the US Government served legal papers to ten members of Witness to Torture, a 24-member group that vigiled outside the US-military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in December, 2005. Three Ithacans were served papers from the US Treasury, including Clare Grady, Daniel Burns and Peter DeMott—even though DeMott did not go to Cuba. Similarly, another member of Witness to Torture, Bill Streit, says his father was served papers, though his father did not attend the march. All twenty-four of the marchers openly gave US Customs their identification information.

Witness Against Torture member Gary Ashbeck, of Baltimore’s Jonah House community, says, “We gave U.S. customs all the current information on our group and they were still not able to accurately account for who traveled. It seems that despite all their new methods of spying on US citizens, our government has a very flawed intelligence program. It makes us wonder how good the intelligence is on the cases of those who are imprisoned at Guantánamo. Do they even know who is imprisoned there?”

According to Democracy Now!, the marchers face up to 10 years in prison or a $250,000 dollar fine. Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights said on the air February 13, “I find it extremely hypocritical that Washington is investigating this group for the ‘crime’ of traveling to Cuba. The U.S. government is flagrantly violating even the most basic norms of human rights – such as indefinite detention without charges, denial of fair trials and, most importantly, torture.”

Read more here: (http://www.witnesstorture.org/node/254).

See a video of Clare and Teresa Grady interviewed on CNN. Clare is interviewed from prison just a couple of days after her sentencing. (http://www.binghamtonpmc.org/SP4/lin.st.patrick.four.cnn.ws(1).wmv).

Donate to the St. Patrick’s Four Family Support Fund (http://www.stpatricksfour.org).

How much does the war in Iraq cost Tompkins County taxpayers? As of Sunday, February 12, 2006, war in Iraq is costing Tompkins County $89,838,077 (and growing). The figure is based on a total cost of the Iraq war to date, of $251 billion. See (http://costofwar.com/index.html) to get a most current analysis—and also to compare the cost to what we could be spending the money on.

Ithaca group of Amnesty International meets third Tuesday of every month. Next meeting: February 21, 7:30 p.m. at Cornell’s Kahin Center, 640 Stewart Ave. Everyone is welcome to come and find out they we do for human rights. Info: 273-3009, 227-3471, or mailto:cba9@cornell.edu.

Temple Grandin lecture “Animal Behavior, Autism and Welfare Auditing,” TONIGHT, February 15, 7:00 pm in Statler Auditorium. Temple Grandin is a renowned designer of humane livestock facilities and associate professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Grandin, a Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of '56 Professor at Cornell, is one of the few experts on animal welfare who is respected by animal rights activists as well as politicians and corporate officials in industry and agriculture.

Ithaca’s own Samite to play FREE concert TONIGHT, February 15, 8:15 pm at Ford Hall, Ithaca College. Performing with Samite will be guitarist David Cullen and drummer Mar Gueye. The concert will feature selections from Samite’s soon-to-be-released album “Embalasasa.”  He will also talk about his recent trip to Kenya and Tanzania on behalf of Musicians for World Harmony. Some of the local women who accompanied Samite on the trip will be available to answer questions about their experiences sharing music with children in orphanages in Kenya and Tanzania. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy a free concert and learn about Musicians for World Harmony. More info, Richard Riley, Managing Director, Musicians for World Harmony

(607) 342-3755 (http://www.musiciansforworldharmony.org).

Tompkins County Public Library’s Teen Advisory Group meets TODAY February 15, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Calling all teens interested in making the Tompkins County Public Library work for you! Attend our 2nd meeting at 4:30 in the Youth Services Department’s Thaler/Howell room at the library for discussion and pizza. Registration is not required, but appreciated. More info http://www.tcpl.org/teen or call Adelle Leise 607-272-4557 ext 277. 

Corning Museum of Glass “Fire and Ice” Celebration, February 16. 5:00-7:30 pm. Corning Glass Ithaca’s One-Heart Community Drum will be joining the festivities and leading a drum circle at the outside entrance to the museum. There will be large ice sculptures, a steam whistle machine, a flame blowing device, space heaters, blown glass, the band “Entrain” will be performing inside. More info, or for directions, see http://www.cmog.org/index.asp?pageId=1383.

The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art Presents: Buddhist Art in Asia, a free handheld computer tour investigating twelve works of art on view from the Museum’s permanent collection. This is the museum’s first handheld computer tour. The handhelds, or PDAs (personal digital assistants), are preloaded with a self-guided tour with both audio (via earphones) and text. Visitors can explore the path of Buddhism through the Asian world by following the tour sequentially, or can create their own path by selecting individual objects at their own pace. The handhelds can be checked out for free at the Museum's lobby desk. A large-print transcript of Buddhist Art in Asia is available upon request. More info: (http://www.museum.cornell.edu).

KITCHEN THEATRE performances: My Life in the Trenches, February 16, 17 and 18 only. An Army brat goes AWOL and runs off to New York City. Wonder Woman the Musical, February 23, 24 and 25 only. Teen Extreme Playwriting Contest winners to perform their plays, February 26 and 27 at 6:00 and 8:00 pm. More info: http://www.kitchentheatre.org.

Community Cinema: NEGROES WITH GUNS, February 17, 7:00 pm at the Henry St. John Building, 301 S. Geneva Street, Ithaca.. About the film: Rob Williams led his North Carolina hometown against the KKK and repressive Jim Crow laws. Sponsored by Southern Tier Advocacy & Mitigation Project, Inc. (S.T.A.M.P.), a new, local, all-volunteer not-for-profit organization, Community Cinema is free, open to the public, and will be offered every third Friday throughout the summer. The screening is handicapped accessible, and all are welcome.
More info on the film: (http://www.itvs.org/outreach/negroeswithguns), (http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/negroeswithguns/index.html), and more info on Community Cinema: (http://www.guerrilla-griots.org).

Documentary Film at Fall Creek pictures BORDERLINE: THE PEOPLE VS. EUNICE BAKER, February 17-23, 7:00 pm. This film tells the story of Eunice Baker, a borderline mentally retarded woman from Owego, NY who was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for murdering a young child, despite evidence that the death was accidental. A discussion with the Baker family will follow each screening. Fall Creek Cinema, 1201 N. Tioga St., Ithaca. More info: http://www.logtv.com/films/borderline.

New Exhibit opening at the Sciencenter, February 18: CONNECT TO THE OCEAN. The new permanent Sciencenter exhibition featuring a touch tank with live tide pool animals and exhibits about ecology, environmental science, and conservation of water habitats will open on Saturday, February 18. Visit the Sciencenter from 10 am to 5 pm for special presentations and activities. For a complete listing of opening events and activities, (http://www.sciencenter.org).

Prisoner Express Benefit, February 18, 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Church in Ithaca. The Social Justice Council of the Ithaca Unitarian Church and Prisoner Express will co-sponsor an evening of dance, jazz, poetry and hip hop to raise awareness for local programs that provide aid and education to incarcerated individuals. Come enjoy dance performances, jazz music, and hip with Thousands of One and Little Egypt, a group from Brooklyn. Prisoner Express is a project of CRESP and the Durland Alternatives Library, and promotes rehabilitation by providing information, education and opportunities for incarcerated individuals throughout the United States. Ticket information available online at http://www.TCSwarm.org. Advance tickets may be purchased at Ithaca Books, 111A The Commons, Greenstar Cooperative Market and the Ithaca Guitar Works. More info mailto:dave3701@hotmail.com.

Muevete! Baile Latino on West Campus. February 18 at the Noyes Community Center.

WVBR’s live radio broadcast concert series, ‘Crossing Borders’ begins an African Music Series presented by Nate Silas Richardson on February 18 at 8:00 pm. Richardson will host and accompany Part I of the series, featuring Kora master Djeli Malang Diabate from Gambia, West Africa. The two hour multi-cultural concert series is broadcast live on WVBR, 93.5FM, from 8 to 10 pm every Saturday, from the Carriage House Cafe at 305 Stewart Avenue, Ithaca. Tickets for the live audience at Saturday’s performance are available in advance at the Ithaca Guitar Works, at the Carriage House Cafe, or at the door. All tickets for the live performance are $12.00, or free to Crossing Borders Passport holders. On February 25, the newest version of Waterbear returns to Crossing Borders.

128 Panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt comes to Ithaca College. February 19, 7:00 pm visit the Emerson Suites in the Ithaca College Campus Center to see an unfolding of the quilt panels.

Each of the panels has been made to commemorate the life of a person lost to AIDS. Facilitated viewings are available. More info:  Erica Shockley at mailto:eshockley@ithaca.edu or Casey Malsam at mailto:cmalsam@ithaca.edu.

Pamela Moss Portraits Celebrates Opening with Party and Exhibit February 19, 4:00-6:00 pm at the Mural Lounge of the Clinton House, 116 Cayuga St., Ithaca.  Pamela Moss paints “collaborative portraits” of individuals, couples, friends, and families that go far beyond traditional portraits to celebrate the whole person and to inspire with images of who they are capable of being. For more information, http://www.pamelamossportraits.com.

Raw food potluck, Sunday February 19, 5:30 pm at The 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. Questions? Call Robert at 277-1755 or mailto:robertanthonyhubbell@hotmail.com.

Next Bound for Glory concerts: JOE CROOKSTON, February 19, and ANDREW AND NOAH Van NORSTRAND, February 26. 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.

Art opening at the Upstairs Gallery, February 21. 215 N. Cayuga St, Ithaca. The Upstairs Gallery will exhibit the work of Dora Donovan and her son Brian February 21-March 25. Dora Donovan provides abstract paintings in vibrant color inspired by the forces of nature. Brian Donovan, a lighting designer, brings to his futuristic designs a strong sense of the aesthetic in relation to the natural. Opening Reception February 21, 5:00-7:00 pm. Gallery Talk, February 22, at noon.

SING-ALONG WITH “JOHNNY ONLY” at the Tompkins County Public Library, February 23, 10:30-11:30 am in the Borg Warner Room. Johnny Only’s kid-friendly activities set to lively music and song is designed to entertain as well as instruct children of all ages.  This program is sponsored by the Tompkins County Public Library and the Cornell Campus Club. For more information, contact Youth Services Department (607)272-4557 Ext.275.

Pasta Dinner to Benefit Alternative to Incarceration Program for Youth, February 24, 5:00-7:00 pm. The 15th Annual DAP (Dispositional Alternatives Program) Spaghetti Dinner will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Advanced tickets ($7 adults, $5 children, or $20 per family) are available at the DAP offices at 530 West State Street. Ticket prices will be slightly higher at the door the day of the event. ITHACA HOURS ACCEPTED. There will be a raffle and games.

Please consider helping ensure every child and his/her family currently enrolled in DAP can attend the dinner by sponsoring a family or child’s ticket cost. For more information, contact Tammy Wheeler at 272-0900 or Jessica Ryan at 273-7494. Each year, the Spaghetti Dinner helps raise money for DAP caseworkers to facilitate enrichment and recreational activities for the youth enrolled in the program. DAP is a program in the Youth Services department at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca.

PRINCESS STORYTIME RETURNS TO THE LIBRARY. Calling royalty of all ages! Come to the Tompkins County Public Library on Friday, February 24, 2:00-3:00 pm for the Second Annual Princess Storytime. Have your coach and four waiting at the door, don your fancy duds and prance on down to the library. Princes are also invited to join in the festivities, with stories and crafts for all. Eileen will conduct Princess Storytime in the Borg Warner Room. No registration is required.

Book reading February 25. Roni Fuller will read from his new book, “God’s Breath”, on February 25, at 3:30 pm, Community School of Music and Arts. Ithaca-based Vista Periodista is proud to publish this brave, dynamic, and eloquent account of the year after Fuller’s wife’s death and the recovery he found through Judaism, family, and community. Fuller will be joined at the reading by poet Bridget Meeds. For more information, mailto:kb@momentummedia.com.

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.  Saturday, February 25, join the 10-Year Anniversary Celebration in the original location in the ACS Gymnasium. Potluck 5:00-6:00 pm; Open Community Drum Circle 6:00-9:00 pm.

Women’s History Month Events at Ithaca College begin end of February and continue through March. February 27, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm is the THIRTEENTH ANNUAL WOMENSPEAK in the Klingenstein Lounge. February 28 at 7:00 pm in the Clarke Lounge is SISTERS IN SPIRIT: IROQUOIS (HAUDENOSAUNEE) WOMEN -- AN INSPIRATION TO EARLY FEMINISTS, presented by Sally Roesch Wagner, Ph.D., and Jeanne Shenandoah (Onondaga Nation, Eel Clan).  Imagine that women have the right to choose all representatives in the United States Congress and can remove anyone from office who doesn't meet the needs of the people. Preposterous? This has been the responsibility of the Haudenosaunee women since before Columbus came to the New World.

Local poet’s poems set to music at Ithaca College, February 28, 8:15 in Presser Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music. An innovative and entertaining program of poems by Katharyn Howd Machan set to music by Ithaca College student composers will be presented.

Check out local radio programs: “Radio Free Ithaca” offers new, local streaming music at http://www.radiofreeithaca.net. This month offers a wide range of styles: groove/jazz (Cerulean City), singer-songwriter (Regina O'Brien, Chris Merkley), driving rock (Citizen O'Kane--members formerly of Harvest), electronic investigations (Spitznagel), and the inspired, unique voice of Kathy Ziegler. The station is close to a pretty big milestone: 1,000 listener hours over the last month. If the station hits that number, it gets more prominent display on live365, which means that more people from the outside world will wander over to witness the Ithaca music scene.

Also check out local radio show “Worlds of Difference” on WSKG, 90.9 FM. Worlds of Difference looks at how people with strong local traditions are responding to the pressures and opportunities of global change. The project produced 40 feature stories from 27 countries over the last three years, mostly for NPR news programs. More than half of the stories are included in the six hour-long specials, along with music, interview clips and other sound. The specials are narrated by Maria Hinojosa and distributed nationwide by NPR.  “Worlds of Difference” was produced by Jon Miller out of his Forest Home home. Ithacans Lara Ratzlaff and Jackie Cerretani were associate producers. Jackie (http://lostartmedia.com) also designed the website. The Polson Institute for Global Development at Cornell provided support. Ithaca’s own Samite (http://samite.com) composed and performed the theme music. More info, photos, articles, and audio (http://homelands.org/worlds) with streaming audio available soon.

Blood Drive, February 21, 11:00 am-4:00 pm at Bartels Hall on Cornell's campus. The Cornell Men’s Lacrosse Team and the Dream Factory of Central New York are pleased to work with the American Red Cross and the National Bone Marrow Registry to co-sponsor a blood drive to kick off the 2006 Save the Day campaign. We invite you to join us to make a blood donation to help Save the Day for a critically or chronically ill person, and to sign up for the National Bone Marrow Registry. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. For more information, or to schedule an appointment please contact Suzanne at 255-1269 or mailto:centralnewyork@dreamfactoryinc.com.

Peace Corps Ithaca celebrates 45 years of service. During the week of February 27-March 5, Peace Corps Ithaca will offer two informational sessions, organized by the Cornell Peace Corps office. February 28, 5:00-7:00 pm in the Cornell Willard Straight Hall International Room and March 1, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Borg Warner Room of the Tompkins County Public Library.  Former volunteers will share their experiences from a variety of countries for campus and community members who may be interested in applying to the Peace Corps or would like general information on this cross-cultural exchange. Also throughout the week, Peace Corps materials and books will be on display in the main hall and children’s room of the Tompkins County Public Library.  Arrangements for presentations to school classes or community groups can be made. More info mailto:peacecorps@cornell.edu.

Representative from exchange student business seeks host families. Rhoda Streifer is seeking two separate host families for two foreign high school students for school year 9/06-6/07. One young person is from the Czeck Republic and the other is from Ecuador. These students have their own spending money and their own health insurance.  However, they require room and board. If you are interested in hosting either of these young men or would like to learn more about the program, please contact Rhoda at 277-7351 or mailto:rasithaca@aol.com.  The application process takes a bit of time, so responses are needed by the third week of March.
 

Save Energy, Save Dollars, a workshop at Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. February 16, 12:00-2 pm. Learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy and reduce your energy bills. Also learn about programs that can help you afford energy-efficiency improvements with low-interest loans or incentives to qualifying households. Each participating household will receive a free energy kit (worth $30), including weatherstripping, shrink window insulation, faucet aerator, outlet and light switch gaskets, and more. The workshop is free, but class size is limited and pre-registration is required. More info, 272-2292 or mailto:crf11@cornell.edu.

Guitar Basics for Kids 9-12, at the Community School of Music and Art, 330 E. State St, Ithaca. February 19, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Flying Fingers, Strings, and Other Musical Things! A one-time only workshop with Joe Crookston, featuring rhythm, picking strings, songs, and chords. A playful and engaging introduction to guitar basics. Kids can participate on their own or with parents. Bring a guitar and an interest in making music! Second workshop for teens and adults, 3:30-5:00 pm. Registration fee: Members: $9; Non-members: $12. More info: 272-1474, mailto:info@csma-ithaca.org, or (http://www.csma-ithaca.org).

Monday Night Seminars at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology, February 20, 7:30 pm. Helen Hays works for the Great Gull Island Project and is a member of the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History. Follow nesting Common and Roseate terns on Great Gull Island, then to the southern hemisphere during the non-breeding season. Monday Night Seminars are free and open to the public. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is located on Sapsucker Woods Road, just off Route 13, north of Ithaca. More info: (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/).

Coping With the Loss of Your Pet, February 23, 6:30-8:30 pm. Sponsored by the Colonial Veterinary Hospital, the session is designed to encourage participants to pay tribute to their pets and provide support to each other. People that have experienced the loss of a pet are invited to come and share their stories through writing and reading. The session will be led by Jane Baker Segelken, a writer, health advocate, and animal lover who has held writing sessions for those dealing with variety of situations. Free, but registration is required. More info or to sign up call Colonial Veterinary Hospital at 257-3650.

MENTAL HEALTH for the UNDERREPRESENTED: FREE MULTICULTURAL PANEL DISCUSSION, February 28, 5:30-7:00 pm at Southside Community Center, 305 S. Plain St, Ithaca. Family & Children’s Service will host a community-wide discussion on culturally-sensitive mental health services available in Tompkins County that accommodate the needs of racial, ethnic, and spiritual groups in our community. Following the panel discussion, time will be allotted for questions and comments. Complimentary beverages and refreshments will be served and free on-site child care provided. There will also be door prizes given away. This is a free event and is open to the public. 

Free parenting classes in Dryden begin February 28: Parenting: The Hardest Job in the World. Join Mary Hicks and Judy Horn on Tuesdays, February 28- April 11, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Dryden Middle School / High School Library. For free childcare please register by February 17. More info or to register: Anna Steinkraus, 272-2292 x 145, or mailto:ams69@cornell.edu. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, co-sponsored by Dryden Central Schools.

Bereavement Group begins February 28. A Six Week Bereavement Support Group for adults who have lost a loved one begins February 28 and will be held for six consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning until April 4. Meetings are from 5:30-7:00pm. Group size is limited. Pre-registration is required. For more info contact Donna George at Hospicare-272-0212.

New West African Dance Class on Sundays at City Health Club. Experience the traditions of Ivorian and Guinean African Dance, taught by Biboti Ouikahilo, professional dancer, drummer and choreographer from the Ivory Coast, West Africa. Biboti spent 17 years in the Ivory Coast National Ballet and is now here in Ithaca to share his culture. “To take our regular African dance class, you’ll be giving yourself traditional medicine.” - Biboti Ouikahilo. Exercise has never been so fun! No dance experience necessary—beginners are welcome. Every Sunday at the City Health Club, 402 W. Green St., 2:00-3:30 pm. $10 class.

Yoga for Spiritual Exploration: Pranayama and Meditation. Pranayama and Meditation is an ideal class for anyone who desires to deepen their experience of Yoga, begin or develop a meditation practice, and/or move beyond an asana-centered Yoga practice. This class emphasizes direct instruction and guided exercise of classical Yogic Pranayama (breath and energy control exercises) and Meditation techniques in order to experience pure Being-Consciousness-Bliss. The class is taught by Nick Boyar, a certified teacher of Integral Hatha Yoga and Meditation. The course meets Sundays, 3:00-4:30 pm at Sunrise Yoga Center, 119 South Cayuga Street, Suite 301. More info 272-2062 (http://www.sunriseyoga.com/nick), or mailto:nickboyar1@yahoo.com.  Drop-In Fee: $15. 6-Week Pass: $55. HOURS accepted.

Dream Healing through the Energy Centers: Exploring the Chakra Centers with Conscious Dreaming, A workshop with Robert Moss. February 18 & 19, 8:00 am-5:00 pm, at the Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca. This two-day workshop is an exciting and challenging program of profound adventure in meditation and conscious dreaming, as we learn to journey through the seven major power centers in the human energy field and develop extraordinary tools for self-understanding and self-healing. Fee. Ithaca Hours accepted. More info, call 607-273-9550 or mailto:FOLIthaca@clarityconnect.com.

--“Elizabeth, I have followed with interest the dialogue regarding Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Citgo gas. I and several Ithacans (including local gardener Nathan Newman, peace corps participant Dana Perls, activist Dana Brown—just back from Guantanamo Bay protests—Jessica of Syracuse Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement, and Ann Tiffany, who has traveled to Colombia with numerous peace & justice delegations) returned last week from the World Social Forum, held in Caracas, Venezuela. 

The mantra of the World Social Forum is “Another World is Possible.”  Held the last 4 years in Porto Alegre, Brazil, this year the event grew to be held in three cities in South America, Africa and India. Activists, community leaders, government officials, and international festivalgoers attend the Forum to discuss ideas, debate, learn, and commune in the evenings. 

We had the opportunity to hear opinions from around the world, as well as from the street folk of Venezuela. There was an atmosphere of overwhelming support for the Bolivarian Revolution, the leftist movement Hugo Chavez has spearheaded in South America. I will say, however, that Venezuela is divided in her view of Chavez. The division seems to come with social class. The poor we spoke with seemed to support him fully as his programs give them a chance to start their own businesses. The middle and upper classes (from which I have a few friends) seemed to resent that Chavez has overturned and made unpredictable several norms of society, and overlooked basic needs of the capital city in favor of investing internationally in leftist political movements. 

Personally, I look to the movement as a sign of change, hoping that his emphasis on military arms is only a political deterrent and won’t affect our efforts to push this cultural revolution non-violently--Julie Newman (Section 8 Housing Caseworker, Ithaca NY).”

-----[REPLY] Thanks for sharing your thoughts on what some Venezuelans seem to be thinking about Chavez. To ICN readers: Julie will be submitting an article on Ithacans at the World Socialist Forum. Look for it in an upcoming issue!

South American Bus Ride/DVD Requests

---“Hi Elizabeth, While I was traveling around in South America I got inspired to do a little side project. A great majority of the buses in South America are outfitted with DVD players (some with VCRs).  In general the passengers are subjected to endless violent American Hollywood guns, girls & money movies dubbed into Spanish.

After watching Jackie Chan and Bruce Willis slaughter several hundred people on a 4 hour bus ride, I started thinking about alternatives... What if people traveling to South America could bring movies to the buses that were interesting, thought provoking, political, humorous, poetic, cosmopolitan, revolutionary, artistic, culturally relevant? They could be movies in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles/dubbing.

I started testing this idea on a small scale -- getting better movies from the bus terminals (there was still very limited selection - hence my interest in bringing movies from other sources) and presenting them to bus drivers. They were happy to have additions to their collections and often put them on.

I'm going back to Ecuador in early April -- I'd love to return there with a collection of movies from the Ithaca community. If any of your readers would be interested in helping, they can drop off DVDs downtown at Autumn Leaves, or on through Cornell at Cornell Campus Mail to Erica Van Etten, Eisner lab, W347 Mudd Hall. Thanks! -Erica Van Etten.”

--- The waste created by unsolicited mail was brought home to me recently when I returned home after a month away to find over 30 pounds of junk mail at my door. Last summer when visiting my son in Australia, I noticed that people attached “No Junk Mail” signs to their mail boxes. I assume that enforcement was legislated. It seems like a great idea. How can we start something like that here?--Vivian Fields

-----[REPLY]: Vivian, Coop America offers these ten tips for reducing unsolicited mail: (http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/woodwise/whatyoucando/stopjunkmail.cfm). You can also read about the laws in the US regarding junk mail here: (http://www.junkbusters.com/dmlaws.html). In a related manner, you can get yourself on a “Do Not Call” registry here: (https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx) to stop telemarketers from calling you at 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.